Kettimelam Kottura Kalyanam
From Chandhrodhayam · 1966
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Chandhrodhayam1966
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Ketti melam kottura kalyaanam | A wedding where the ceremonial drums beat loudly, |
| Thanga thaali kattura kalyaanam | A wedding where the sacred gold mangalsutra is tied, |
| Poo vilangu maattura kalyaanam | A wedding that puts on flower-handcuffs, |
| Enna kalyaanamadi kalyaanam | What kind of wedding is this, oh friend! |
| Unga kalyaanamadi kalyaanam | It is your wedding, oh friend! |
| Female | |
| Ketti melam kottura kalyaanam | A wedding where the ceremonial drums beat loudly, |
| Thanga thaali kattura kalyaanam | A wedding where the sacred gold mangalsutra is tied, |
| Poo vilangu maattura kalyaanam | A wedding that puts on flower-handcuffs, |
| Enna kalyaanamadi kalyaanam | What kind of wedding is this, oh friend! |
| Unga kalyaanamadi kalyaanam | It is your wedding, oh friend! |
| Female | |
| Vethilai paakku vachu | Placing betel leaves and areca nuts, |
| Adhilae oorai varavazhaichu | Inviting the whole town through that, |
| Vethilai paakku vachu | Placing betel leaves and areca nuts, |
| Adhilae oorai varavazhaichu | Inviting the whole town through that, |
| Kuthu vilakku vachu | Placing the standing oil lamps, |
| Naduvae kolam varanju vachu | Drawing a rangoli pattern in the center, |
| Kuthu vilakku vachu | Placing the standing oil lamps, |
| Naduvae kolam varanju vachu | Drawing a rangoli pattern in the center, |
| Female | |
| {Maavilai pandhalil maappillai paiyan | {In the pandal decorated with mango leaves, the groom |
| Maalaiyiduvaanaam | Is said to place the garland, |
| Vanna chaelai anindhaval | The bride wearing a colorful saree |
| Maalai koduthavan kaalai thoduvaalaam} (2) | Will touch the feet of the one who garlanded her} |
| Female | |
| Indha yaemaalikkum komaalikkum | For this fool and this joker, |
| Kalyaanamaam kalyaanam | It is supposedly a wedding! |
| Indha yaemaalikkum komaalikkum | For this fool and this joker, |
| Kalyaanamaam kalyaanam | It is supposedly a wedding! |
| Enna kalyaanamadi kalyaanam | What kind of wedding is this, oh friend! |
| Unga kalyaanamadi kalyaanam | It is your wedding, oh friend! |
| Female | |
| Ketti melam kottura kalyaanam | A wedding where the ceremonial drums beat loudly, |
| Thanga thaali kattura kalyaanam | A wedding where the sacred gold mangalsutra is tied, |
| Poo vilangu maattura kalyaanam | A wedding that puts on flower-handcuffs, |
| Enna kalyaanamadi kalyaanam | What kind of wedding is this, oh friend! |
| Unga kalyaanamadi kalyaanam | It is your wedding, oh friend! |
| Female | |
| Manjalai poosikkittu | Applying turmeric paste, |
| Kaalilae minji aninjikittu | Wearing toe-rings on her feet, |
| Anji nanadhukittu | Walking with hesitation and fear, |
| Maamiyaar sonnadhai kaettukittu | Listening to everything the mother-in-law says, |
| Female | |
| Veettu chirai thanil koottu kuyilena | Like a caged nightingale inside a domestic prison, |
| Pennum iruppaalaam | The woman is forced to live, |
| Aval kannum kalangida kattiya kanavan | And as her eyes fill with tears, the wedded husband |
| Aatti padaippaanaam | Will rule over her and boss her around, |
| Female | |
| Andha konaangikkum poongodikkum | For that eccentric fellow and this tender flower-like girl, |
| Kalyaanamaam kalyaanam | It is supposedly a wedding! |
| Enna kalyaanamadi kalyaanam | What kind of wedding is this, oh friend! |
| Unga kalyaanamadi kalyaanam | It is your wedding, oh friend! |
| Female | |
| Pattu siragadikkum | Flapping my silky wings, |
| Naanoru chittu kuruviyadi | I am a little sparrow, my friend, |
| Kattu kadangaamal malaiyil | Uncontrollable upon the mountains, |
| Kottum aruviyadi | I am a gushing waterfall, my friend, |
| Paadi parakkavum aadi thiriyavum | To sing and fly, to dance and roam, |
| Aasai pirakkumadi | Desire springs within me, my friend, |
| Andhi maalai azhagilum solai azhagilum | In the beauty of dusk and the beauty of the grove, |
| Inbam irukkumadi | Joy resides, my friend, |
| Female | |
| Vanna mayilgalukkum | For colorful peacocks |
| Mandhigalukkum | And female monkeys, |
| Kalyaanamaam kalyaanam | It is supposedly a wedding! |
| Vanna mayilgalukkum mandhigalukkum | For colorful peacocks and female monkeys, |
| Kalyaanamaam kalyaanam | It is supposedly a wedding! |
| Female | |
| Enna kalyaanamadi kalyaanam | What kind of wedding is this, oh friend! |
| Unga kalyaanamadi kalyaanam | It is your wedding, oh friend! |
| Female | |
| Ketti melam kottura kalyaanam | A wedding where the ceremonial drums beat loudly, |
| Thanga thaali kattura kalyaanam | A wedding where the sacred gold mangalsutra is tied, |
| Poo vilangu maattura kalyaanam | A wedding that puts on flower-handcuffs, |
| Enna kalyaanamadi kalyaanam | What kind of wedding is this, oh friend! |
| Unga kalyaanamadi kalyaanam | It is your wedding, oh friend! |
கெட்டி மேளம் கொட்டுற கல்யாணம்
தங்க தாலி கட்டுற கல்யாணம்
பூ விலங்கு மாட்டுற கல்யாணம்
என்ன கல்யாணமடி கல்யாணம்
உங்க கல்யாணமடி கல்யாணம்
A wedding where the ceremonial drums beat loudly,
A wedding where the sacred gold mangalsutra is tied,
A wedding that puts on flower-handcuffs,
What kind of wedding is this, oh friend!
It is your wedding, oh friend!
கெட்டி மேளம் கொட்டுற கல்யாணம்
தங்க தாலி கட்டுற கல்யாணம்
பூ விலங்கு மாட்டுற கல்யாணம்
என்ன கல்யாணமடி கல்யாணம்
உங்க கல்யாணமடி கல்யாணம்
A wedding where the ceremonial drums beat loudly,
A wedding where the sacred gold mangalsutra is tied,
A wedding that puts on flower-handcuffs,
What kind of wedding is this, oh friend!
It is your wedding, oh friend!
வெத்திலை பாக்கு வச்சு
அதிலே ஊரை வரவழைச்சு
வெத்திலை பாக்கு வச்சு
அதிலே ஊரை வரவழைச்சு
குத்து விளக்கு வச்சு
நடுவே கோலம் வரைஞ்சு வச்சு
குத்து விளக்கு வச்சு
நடுவே கோலம் வரைஞ்சு வச்சு
Placing betel leaves and areca nuts,
Inviting the whole town through that,
Placing betel leaves and areca nuts,
Inviting the whole town through that,
Placing the standing oil lamps,
Drawing a rangoli pattern in the center,
Placing the standing oil lamps,
Drawing a rangoli pattern in the center,
{மாவிலைப் பந்தலில் மாப்பிள்ளைப் பையன்
மாலையிடுவானாம்
வண்ணச் சேலை அணிந்தவள்
மாலை கொடுத்தவன் காலைத் தொடுவாளாம்} (2)
{In the pandal decorated with mango leaves, the groom
Is said to place the garland,
The bride wearing a colorful saree
Will touch the feet of the one who garlanded her}
இந்த ஏமாளிக்கும் கோமாளிக்கும்
கல்யாணமாம் கல்யாணம்
இந்த ஏமாளிக்கும் கோமாளிக்கும்
கல்யாணமாம் கல்யாணம்
என்ன கல்யாணமடி கல்யாணம்
உங்க கல்யாணமடி கல்யாணம்
For this fool and this joker,
It is supposedly a wedding!
For this fool and this joker,
It is supposedly a wedding!
What kind of wedding is this, oh friend!
It is your wedding, oh friend!
கெட்டி மேளம் கொட்டுற கல்யாணம்
தங்க தாலி கட்டுற கல்யாணம்
பூ விலங்கு மாட்டுற கல்யாணம்
என்ன கல்யாணமடி கல்யாணம்
உங்க கல்யாணமடி கல்யாணம்
A wedding where the ceremonial drums beat loudly,
A wedding where the sacred gold mangalsutra is tied,
A wedding that puts on flower-handcuffs,
What kind of wedding is this, oh friend!
It is your wedding, oh friend!
மஞ்சளைப் பூசிக்கிட்டு
காலிலே மிஞ்சி அணிஞ்சிகிட்டு
அஞ்சி நடந்துக்கிட்டு
மாமியார் சொன்னதை கேட்டுக்கிட்டு
Applying turmeric paste,
Wearing toe-rings on her feet,
Walking with hesitation and fear,
Listening to everything the mother-in-law says,
வீட்டு சிறைதனில் கூட்டுக் குயிலென
பெண்ணும் இருப்பாளாம்
அவள் கண்ணும் கலங்கிட கட்டிய கணவன்
ஆட்டிப் படைப்பானாம்
Like a caged nightingale inside a domestic prison,
The woman is forced to live,
And as her eyes fill with tears, the wedded husband
Will rule over her and boss her around,
அந்த கோணங்கிக்கும் பூங்கொடிக்கும்
கல்யாணமாம் கல்யாணம்
என்ன கல்யாணமடி கல்யாணம்
உங்க கல்யாணமடி கல்யாணம்
For that eccentric fellow and this tender flower-like girl,
It is supposedly a wedding!
What kind of wedding is this, oh friend!
It is your wedding, oh friend!
பட்டுச் சிறகடிக்கும்
நானொரு சிட்டுக் குருவியடி
கட்டுக் கடங்காமல் மலையில்
கொட்டும் அருவியடி
பாடிப் பறக்கவும் ஆடித் திரியவும்
ஆசை பிறக்குமடி
அந்தி மாலை அழகிலும் சோலை அழகிலும்
இன்பம் இருக்குமடி
Flapping my silky wings,
I am a little sparrow, my friend,
Uncontrollable upon the mountains,
I am a gushing waterfall, my friend,
To sing and fly, to dance and roam,
Desire springs within me, my friend,
In the beauty of dusk and the beauty of the grove,
Joy resides, my friend,
வண்ண மயில்களுக்கும்
மந்திகளுக்கும்
கல்யாணமாம் கல்யாணம்
வண்ண மயில்களுக்கும் மந்திகளுக்கும்
கல்யாணமாம் கல்யாணம்
For colorful peacocks
And female monkeys,
It is supposedly a wedding!
For colorful peacocks and female monkeys,
It is supposedly a wedding!
என்ன கல்யாணமடி கல்யாணம்
உங்க கல்யாணமடி கல்யாணம்
What kind of wedding is this, oh friend!
It is your wedding, oh friend!
கெட்டி மேளம் கொட்டுற கல்யாணம்
தங்க தாலி கட்டுற கல்யாணம்
பூ விலங்கு மாட்டுற கல்யாணம்
என்ன கல்யாணமடி கல்யாணம்
உங்க கல்யாணமடி கல்யாணம்
A wedding where the ceremonial drums beat loudly,
A wedding where the sacred gold mangalsutra is tied,
A wedding that puts on flower-handcuffs,
What kind of wedding is this, oh friend!
It is your wedding, oh friend!
Ketti melam kottura kalyaanam
A wedding where the ceremonial drums beat loudly,
Thanga thaali kattura kalyaanam
A wedding where the sacred gold mangalsutra is tied,
Poo vilangu maattura kalyaanam
A wedding that puts on flower-handcuffs,
Enna kalyaanamadi kalyaanam
What kind of wedding is this, oh friend!
Unga kalyaanamadi kalyaanam
It is your wedding, oh friend!
Ketti melam kottura kalyaanam
A wedding where the ceremonial drums beat loudly,
Thanga thaali kattura kalyaanam
A wedding where the sacred gold mangalsutra is tied,
Poo vilangu maattura kalyaanam
A wedding that puts on flower-handcuffs,
Enna kalyaanamadi kalyaanam
What kind of wedding is this, oh friend!
Unga kalyaanamadi kalyaanam
It is your wedding, oh friend!
Vethilai paakku vachu
Placing betel leaves and areca nuts,
Adhilae oorai varavazhaichu
Inviting the whole town through that,
Vethilai paakku vachu
Placing betel leaves and areca nuts,
Adhilae oorai varavazhaichu
Inviting the whole town through that,
Kuthu vilakku vachu
Placing the standing oil lamps,
Naduvae kolam varanju vachu
Drawing a rangoli pattern in the center,
Kuthu vilakku vachu
Placing the standing oil lamps,
Naduvae kolam varanju vachu
Drawing a rangoli pattern in the center,
{Maavilai pandhalil maappillai paiyan
{In the pandal decorated with mango leaves, the groom
Maalaiyiduvaanaam
Is said to place the garland,
Vanna chaelai anindhaval
The bride wearing a colorful saree
Maalai koduthavan kaalai thoduvaalaam} (2)
Will touch the feet of the one who garlanded her}
Indha yaemaalikkum komaalikkum
For this fool and this joker,
Kalyaanamaam kalyaanam
It is supposedly a wedding!
Indha yaemaalikkum komaalikkum
For this fool and this joker,
Kalyaanamaam kalyaanam
It is supposedly a wedding!
Enna kalyaanamadi kalyaanam
What kind of wedding is this, oh friend!
Unga kalyaanamadi kalyaanam
It is your wedding, oh friend!
Ketti melam kottura kalyaanam
A wedding where the ceremonial drums beat loudly,
Thanga thaali kattura kalyaanam
A wedding where the sacred gold mangalsutra is tied,
Poo vilangu maattura kalyaanam
A wedding that puts on flower-handcuffs,
Enna kalyaanamadi kalyaanam
What kind of wedding is this, oh friend!
Unga kalyaanamadi kalyaanam
It is your wedding, oh friend!
Manjalai poosikkittu
Applying turmeric paste,
Kaalilae minji aninjikittu
Wearing toe-rings on her feet,
Anji nanadhukittu
Walking with hesitation and fear,
Maamiyaar sonnadhai kaettukittu
Listening to everything the mother-in-law says,
Veettu chirai thanil koottu kuyilena
Like a caged nightingale inside a domestic prison,
Pennum iruppaalaam
The woman is forced to live,
Aval kannum kalangida kattiya kanavan
And as her eyes fill with tears, the wedded husband
Aatti padaippaanaam
Will rule over her and boss her around,
Andha konaangikkum poongodikkum
For that eccentric fellow and this tender flower-like girl,
Kalyaanamaam kalyaanam
It is supposedly a wedding!
Enna kalyaanamadi kalyaanam
What kind of wedding is this, oh friend!
Unga kalyaanamadi kalyaanam
It is your wedding, oh friend!
Pattu siragadikkum
Flapping my silky wings,
Naanoru chittu kuruviyadi
I am a little sparrow, my friend,
Kattu kadangaamal malaiyil
Uncontrollable upon the mountains,
Kottum aruviyadi
I am a gushing waterfall, my friend,
Paadi parakkavum aadi thiriyavum
To sing and fly, to dance and roam,
Aasai pirakkumadi
Desire springs within me, my friend,
Andhi maalai azhagilum solai azhagilum
In the beauty of dusk and the beauty of the grove,
Inbam irukkumadi
Joy resides, my friend,
Vanna mayilgalukkum
For colorful peacocks
Mandhigalukkum
And female monkeys,
Kalyaanamaam kalyaanam
It is supposedly a wedding!
Vanna mayilgalukkum mandhigalukkum
For colorful peacocks and female monkeys,
Kalyaanamaam kalyaanam
It is supposedly a wedding!
Enna kalyaanamadi kalyaanam
What kind of wedding is this, oh friend!
Unga kalyaanamadi kalyaanam
It is your wedding, oh friend!
Ketti melam kottura kalyaanam
A wedding where the ceremonial drums beat loudly,
Thanga thaali kattura kalyaanam
A wedding where the sacred gold mangalsutra is tied,
Poo vilangu maattura kalyaanam
A wedding that puts on flower-handcuffs,
Enna kalyaanamadi kalyaanam
What kind of wedding is this, oh friend!
Unga kalyaanamadi kalyaanam
It is your wedding, oh friend!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This satirical song from the 1966 Tamil film 'Chandhrodhayam' offers a humorous yet critical take on the traditional institution of marriage. Through lively dialogue and sharp imagery, the singer compares marriage to 'flower handcuffs' ('poo vilangu') and domestic life to a bird caged within a house. The song playfully mocks the mismatch in marriages and the societal expectations placed on young brides to be submissive to their husbands and mothers-in-law. Contrasting the binding nature of matrimony with the untamed freedom of nature—likening independence to a sparrow flapping its wings or a wild waterfall cascading down a mountain—the song celebrates female freedom and individuality. Vaali's witty lyrics highlight the absurdities of arranged social rituals while championing the joy of living free from constraints.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Poo vilangu maattura kalyaanam”
'Poo vilangu' (flower handcuffs) acts as a powerful metaphor comparing marriage to delicate yet binding shackles.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Veettu chirai thanil koottu kuyilena”
'Veettu chirai thanil koottu kuyilena' compares a married woman in a household to a cuckoo bird trapped in a domestic cage.
Rhyme / Monorepition (Emona / Edhugai)
“Enna kalyaanamadi kalyaanam”
Consistent rhyming and rhythmic repetition of 'kalyaanam' at the line endings creates a catchy, folk-style chorus.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is featured in M. G. Ramachandran's 1966 hit film 'Chandhrodhayam', directed by K. Shankar. The music was composed by the duo M. S. Viswanathan (MSV), with lyrics penned by Vaali and vocals performed by L. R. Eswari and S. Janaki.
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