Kettu Paar Kettu
From Maadi Veettu Mappillai · 1967
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
- Music director
- T. Chalapathi Rao
- Details
- Maadi Veettu Mappillai1967
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kettu paar kettupaar | Ask and see, ask and see |
| Kettupaaru kelvigal nooru | Ask a hundred questions |
| Paattupadu kaali ennodu | Sing a song with me, young man |
| Kettu paar kettupaar | Ask and see, ask and see |
| Female | |
| Kettupaaru kelvigal nooru | Ask a hundred questions |
| Pattu paadu paavai ennodu | Sing a song with me, oh maiden |
| Ketta kelvikku badhil illai endraal | If there is no answer to the question asked |
| Koottam paarthu kumbidu podu | Bow down before the crowd and greet them |
| Kettu paar kettupaar | Ask and see, ask and see |
| Male | |
| Aa naa enbadhai mudhal ezhuthaaga | Making 'Aa' and 'Naa' the first letters |
| Aakkiya thenadi tamil ezhuthaaga | Why was the sweet Tamil script created? |
| Chorus :Aa naa enbadhai mudhal ezhuthaaga | Chorus: Making 'Aa' and 'Naa' the first letters |
| Aakkiya thenadi tamil ezhuthaaga | Why was the sweet Tamil script created? |
| Female :Pillai pirandahdhum vaai vazhiyaaga | Female: Because as soon as a baby is born, through its mouth... |
| Chorus :Amma amma amma | Chorus: Mother, mother, mother! |
| Female :Ri ri ga ri ri ga ri ri ga | Female: Ri ri ga ri ri ga ri ri ga |
| Ga ga pa pa dha dha pa | Ga ga pa pa dha dha pa |
| Female | |
| Aanukkum ennukkum baedhangal moondru | Between a man and a woman, there are three differences |
| Arivaaya nee avai enanvendru | Do you know what they are? |
| Chorus :Aanukkum ennukkum baedhangal moondru | Chorus: Between a man and a woman, there are three differences |
| Arivaaya nee avai enanvendru | Do you know what they are? |
| Male :Paruvam adaivadhai arivadhu ondru | Male: Attaining maturity is one, and two... |
| Paal tharum thaaimai neriyenum moondru | Motherhood that provides milk is the third virtue |
| Chorus | |
| Kettu paar kettupaar | Ask and see, ask and see |
| Female :Kettupaaru kelvigal nooru | Female: Ask a hundred questions |
| Pattu paadu paavai ennodu | Sing a song with me, oh maiden |
| Chorus :Kettu paar kettupaar | Chorus: Ask and see, ask and see |
| Male | |
| Ulagam yaavukkum podhumozhi enna | What is the universal language common to all the world? |
| Chorus :Enna enna | Chorus: What, what? |
| Male :Uruvamilladha thani mozhi enna enna | Male: What is the unique language that has no physical form? |
| Chorus :Enna enna | Chorus: What, what? |
| Female :Kannaal kettpadhu kannaal tharuvadhu | Female: Asking with eyes and giving with eyes |
| Sonnaal purivadhai solladhiruppadhu | Keeping unsaid what would be understood if spoken |
| Maunam adhu maunam | Silence, that is silence |
| Ri ri ga ri ri ga ri ri ga | Ri ri ga ri ri ga ri ri ga |
| Ga ga pa pa dha dha pa | Ga ga pa pa dha dha pa |
| Chorus | |
| Kettu paar kettupaar | Ask and see, ask and see |
| Male :Kettupaaru kelvigal nooru | Male: Ask a hundred questions |
| Pattu paadu kaalai ennodu | Sing a song with me, young man |
| Chorus :Kettu paar kettupaar | Chorus: Ask and see, ask and see |
| Female | |
| Ilamaiyinaale valarvadhu enna | What grows because of youth? |
| Ilai illamal kanivadhu enna enna | What ripens without any leaves? |
| Chorus :Enna adhu enna | Chorus: What is that, what? |
| Male :Pen kettaal idhai naan sollalaama | Male: If a woman asks, can I say this? |
| Periyavar munnae veliyidalaama yemmaa | Can it be revealed in front of elders, my girl? |
| Female :Aama | Female: Yes! |
| Chorus :Aama | Chorus: Yes! |
| Male :Ri ri ga ri ri ga ri ri ga | Male: Ri ri ga ri ri ga ri ri ga |
| Ga ga pa pa dha dha pa | Ga ga pa pa dha dha pa |
| Kaadhal….. adhu kaadhal | Love... that is love! |
| Male | |
| Om Enum mandhiarm uraipadhu enna | What does the sacred chant 'Om' convey? |
| Chorus :Om Enum mandhiarm uraipadhu enna enna | Chorus: What does the sacred chant 'Om' convey? |
| Male :Kandhan uraitha karu porul enna | Male: What is the core philosophical essence taught by Lord Kandhan? |
| Chorus :Kandhan uraitha karu porul enna enna | Chorus: What is the core philosophical essence taught by Lord Kandhan? |
| Male :Arivom inaivom vaazhvom endru | Male: Saying let us know, let us unite, let us live |
| Athanai ulagaiyum inaippadharkkendru | It is meant to unite all the worlds together |
| Male | |
| Arivom | Let us know... |
| Chorus :Om | Chorus: Om! |
| Male :Inaivom | Male: Let us unite... |
| Chorus :Om | Chorus: Om! |
| Male :Vaazhvom | Male: Let us live... |
| Chorus :Om | Chorus: Om! |
| Male :Valarvom | Male: Let us flourish... |
| Chorus :Om | Chorus: Om! |
| Male :Valarvom | Male: Let us flourish! |
கேட்டுப்பார் கேட்டுப்பார்
கேட்டுப்பாரு கேள்விகள் நூறு
பாட்டுப்பாடு காளை என்னோடு
கேட்டுப்பார் கேட்டுப்பார்
Ask and see, ask and see
Ask a hundred questions
Sing a song with me, young man
Ask and see, ask and see
கேட்டுப்பாரு கேள்விகள் நூறு
பாட்டுப் பாடு பாவை என்னோடு
கேட்ட கேள்விக்கு பதில் இல்லை என்றால்
கூட்டம் பார்த்து கும்பிடு போடு
கேட்டுப்பார் கேட்டுப்பார்
Ask a hundred questions
Sing a song with me, oh maiden
If there is no answer to the question asked
Bow down before the crowd and greet them
Ask and see, ask and see
அ னா என்பதை முதலெழுத்தாக
ஆக்கிய தேனடி தமிழெழுத்தாக
குழு :
அ னா என்பதை முதலெழுத்தாக
ஆக்கிய தேனடி தமிழெழுத்தாக
பிள்ளை பிறந்ததும் வாய் வழியாகப்
பிறக்கும் ஓசை “அ”வென்பதாக அ ம் மா....
குழு :
அம்மா....அம்மா....அம்மா....
ரி ரி க ரி ரி க ரி ரி க க க ப ப த த ப
Making 'Aa' and 'Naa' the first letters
Why was the sweet Tamil script created?
Chorus: Making 'Aa' and 'Naa' the first letters
Why was the sweet Tamil script created?
Female: Because as soon as a baby is born, through its mouth...
Chorus: Mother, mother, mother!
Female: Ri ri ga ri ri ga ri ri ga
Ga ga pa pa dha dha pa
ஆணுக்கும் பெண்ணுக்கும் பேதங்கள் மூன்று
அறிவாயா நீ அவை என்னவென்று
குழு :
ஆணுக்கும் பெண்ணுக்கும் பேதங்கள் மூன்று
அறிவாயா நீ அவை என்னவென்று
பருவமடைவதை அறிவது ஒன்று
பால் தரும் தாய்மை நெறியெனும் மூன்று
Between a man and a woman, there are three differences
Do you know what they are?
Chorus: Between a man and a woman, there are three differences
Do you know what they are?
Male: Attaining maturity is one, and two...
Motherhood that provides milk is the third virtue
கேட்டுப்பார் கேட்டுப்பார்
கேட்டுப்பாரு கேள்விகள் நூறு
பாட்டுப் பாடு பாவை என்னோடு
குழு :
கேட்டுப்பார் கேட்டுப்பார்
Ask and see, ask and see
Female: Ask a hundred questions
Sing a song with me, oh maiden
Chorus: Ask and see, ask and see
உலகம் யாவுக்கும் பொதுமொழி என்ன
குழு :
என்ன என்ன
உருவமில்லாத தனிமொழி என்ன என்ன
குழு :
என்ன என்ன
கண்ணால் கேட்பது கண்ணால் தருவது
சொன்னால் புரிவதை சொல்லாதிருப்பது
மௌனம்.......அது மௌனம்...........
ரி ரி க ரி ரி க ரி ரி க க க ப ப த த ப
What is the universal language common to all the world?
Chorus: What, what?
Male: What is the unique language that has no physical form?
Chorus: What, what?
Female: Asking with eyes and giving with eyes
Keeping unsaid what would be understood if spoken
Silence, that is silence
Ri ri ga ri ri ga ri ri ga
Ga ga pa pa dha dha pa
கேட்டுப்பார் கேட்டுப்பார்
கேட்டுப்பாரு கேள்விகள் நூறு
பாட்டுப் பாடு காளை என்னோடு
குழு :
கேட்டுப்பார் கேட்டுப்பார்
Ask and see, ask and see
Male: Ask a hundred questions
Sing a song with me, young man
Chorus: Ask and see, ask and see
இளமையினாலே வளர்வது என்ன
இலையில்லாமல் கனிவது என்ன.....என்ன.....
குழு :
என்ன அது என்ன
பெண் கேட்டால் இதை நான் சொல்லலாமா
பெரியவர் முன்னே வெளியிடலாமா ஏம்மா......
ஆமா
குழு :
ஆமா
ரி ரி க ரி ரி க ரி ரி க க க ப ப த த ப
காதல்............அது காதல்............
What grows because of youth?
What ripens without any leaves?
Chorus: What is that, what?
Male: If a woman asks, can I say this?
Can it be revealed in front of elders, my girl?
Female: Yes!
Chorus: Yes!
Male: Ri ri ga ri ri ga ri ri ga
Ga ga pa pa dha dha pa
Love... that is love!
ஓம் எனும் மந்திரம் உரைப்பது என்ன
குழு :
ஓம் எனும் மந்திரம் உரைப்பது என்ன என்ன
கந்தன் உரைத்த கருப் பொருள் என்ன
குழு :
கந்தன் உரைத்த கருப் பொருள் என்ன என்ன
அறிவோம்........இணைவோம்.....வாழ்வோம் என்று
அத்தனை உலகையும் இணைப்பதற்கென்று
What does the sacred chant 'Om' convey?
Chorus: What does the sacred chant 'Om' convey?
Male: What is the core philosophical essence taught by Lord Kandhan?
Chorus: What is the core philosophical essence taught by Lord Kandhan?
Male: Saying let us know, let us unite, let us live
It is meant to unite all the worlds together
ஓம்......ஓம்.......ஓம்......
ஓம்......ஓம்.......ஓம்.....என உரைத்தது வேதம்
ஓங்காரந்தான் உலகத்தின் நாதம்
Let us know...
Chorus: Om!
Male: Let us unite...
Chorus: Om!
Male: Let us live...
Chorus: Om!
Male: Let us flourish...
Chorus: Om!
Male: Let us flourish!
அறிவோம்..............
குழு :
ஓம்.....
இணைவோம்..........
குழு :
ஓம்.....
வாழ்வோம்..............
குழு :
ஓம்.....
வளர்வோம்..........
குழு :
ஓம்.....
வளர்வோம்..........
Kettu paar kettupaar
Ask and see, ask and see
Kettupaaru kelvigal nooru
Ask a hundred questions
Paattupadu kaali ennodu
Sing a song with me, young man
Kettu paar kettupaar
Ask and see, ask and see
Kettupaaru kelvigal nooru
Ask a hundred questions
Pattu paadu paavai ennodu
Sing a song with me, oh maiden
Ketta kelvikku badhil illai endraal
If there is no answer to the question asked
Koottam paarthu kumbidu podu
Bow down before the crowd and greet them
Kettu paar kettupaar
Ask and see, ask and see
Aa naa enbadhai mudhal ezhuthaaga
Making 'Aa' and 'Naa' the first letters
Aakkiya thenadi tamil ezhuthaaga
Why was the sweet Tamil script created?
Chorus :Aa naa enbadhai mudhal ezhuthaaga
Chorus: Making 'Aa' and 'Naa' the first letters
Aakkiya thenadi tamil ezhuthaaga
Why was the sweet Tamil script created?
Female :Pillai pirandahdhum vaai vazhiyaaga
Female: Because as soon as a baby is born, through its mouth...
Chorus :Amma amma amma
Chorus: Mother, mother, mother!
Female :Ri ri ga ri ri ga ri ri ga
Female: Ri ri ga ri ri ga ri ri ga
Ga ga pa pa dha dha pa
Ga ga pa pa dha dha pa
Aanukkum ennukkum baedhangal moondru
Between a man and a woman, there are three differences
Arivaaya nee avai enanvendru
Do you know what they are?
Chorus :Aanukkum ennukkum baedhangal moondru
Chorus: Between a man and a woman, there are three differences
Arivaaya nee avai enanvendru
Do you know what they are?
Male :Paruvam adaivadhai arivadhu ondru
Male: Attaining maturity is one, and two...
Paal tharum thaaimai neriyenum moondru
Motherhood that provides milk is the third virtue
Kettu paar kettupaar
Ask and see, ask and see
Female :Kettupaaru kelvigal nooru
Female: Ask a hundred questions
Pattu paadu paavai ennodu
Sing a song with me, oh maiden
Chorus :Kettu paar kettupaar
Chorus: Ask and see, ask and see
Ulagam yaavukkum podhumozhi enna
What is the universal language common to all the world?
Chorus :Enna enna
Chorus: What, what?
Male :Uruvamilladha thani mozhi enna enna
Male: What is the unique language that has no physical form?
Chorus :Enna enna
Chorus: What, what?
Female :Kannaal kettpadhu kannaal tharuvadhu
Female: Asking with eyes and giving with eyes
Sonnaal purivadhai solladhiruppadhu
Keeping unsaid what would be understood if spoken
Maunam adhu maunam
Silence, that is silence
Ri ri ga ri ri ga ri ri ga
Ri ri ga ri ri ga ri ri ga
Ga ga pa pa dha dha pa
Ga ga pa pa dha dha pa
Kettu paar kettupaar
Ask and see, ask and see
Male :Kettupaaru kelvigal nooru
Male: Ask a hundred questions
Pattu paadu kaalai ennodu
Sing a song with me, young man
Chorus :Kettu paar kettupaar
Chorus: Ask and see, ask and see
Ilamaiyinaale valarvadhu enna
What grows because of youth?
Ilai illamal kanivadhu enna enna
What ripens without any leaves?
Chorus :Enna adhu enna
Chorus: What is that, what?
Male :Pen kettaal idhai naan sollalaama
Male: If a woman asks, can I say this?
Periyavar munnae veliyidalaama yemmaa
Can it be revealed in front of elders, my girl?
Female :Aama
Female: Yes!
Chorus :Aama
Chorus: Yes!
Male :Ri ri ga ri ri ga ri ri ga
Male: Ri ri ga ri ri ga ri ri ga
Ga ga pa pa dha dha pa
Ga ga pa pa dha dha pa
Kaadhal….. adhu kaadhal
Love... that is love!
Om Enum mandhiarm uraipadhu enna
What does the sacred chant 'Om' convey?
Chorus :Om Enum mandhiarm uraipadhu enna enna
Chorus: What does the sacred chant 'Om' convey?
Male :Kandhan uraitha karu porul enna
Male: What is the core philosophical essence taught by Lord Kandhan?
Chorus :Kandhan uraitha karu porul enna enna
Chorus: What is the core philosophical essence taught by Lord Kandhan?
Male :Arivom inaivom vaazhvom endru
Male: Saying let us know, let us unite, let us live
Athanai ulagaiyum inaippadharkkendru
It is meant to unite all the worlds together
Arivom
Let us know...
Chorus :Om
Chorus: Om!
Male :Inaivom
Male: Let us unite...
Chorus :Om
Chorus: Om!
Male :Vaazhvom
Male: Let us live...
Chorus :Om
Chorus: Om!
Male :Valarvom
Male: Let us flourish...
Chorus :Om
Chorus: Om!
Male :Valarvom
Male: Let us flourish!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This playful riddle-style musical song from the 1967 film 'Maadi Veettu Mappillai' features a witty exchange of riddles and philosophical questions between the lead characters. Through catchy rhyming couplets, the lyrics explore fundamental life concepts—such as the nature of language, human biological differences, the power of silent communication, the sweet intensity of romantic love, and the divine universal chant 'Om'. Kannadasan weaves deep Tamil cultural and spiritual philosophical themes into a playful, interactive duet format. The song moves from lighthearted banter about language and human biology to profound spiritual truths, concluding with a message of universal harmony, knowledge, and collective growth.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Vina-Vidai (Question and Answer / Riddle Format)
“Kettupaaru kelvigal nooru / Pattu paadu paavai ennodu”
The entire song structure uses the traditional Tamil literary device of posing riddles ('Kelvigal nooru') and answering them in poetic meter.
Emona / Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Kettu paar kettupaar / Kettupaaru kelvigal nooru”
Repetition of initial consonant and vowel sounds at the beginning of adjacent lines, such as 'Kettu' and 'Kettupaaru'.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Ketta kelvikku badhil illai endraal / Koottam paarthu kumbidu podu”
Matching second consonants across lines, e.g., 'Ketta' and 'Koottam' (tt), or 'Aanukkum' and 'Arivaaya' (r/n).
Swaras / Solkattu Integration
“Ri ri ga ri ri ga ri ri ga / Ga ga pa pa dha dha pa”
Carnatic musical solfa syllables ('Ri ri ga...', 'Ga ga pa...') are woven directly into the poetic lines to bridge spoken dialogue and melody.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Maadi Veettu Mappillai' (1967) stars Jaishankar and Jayalalithaa. The music was composed by T. Chalapathi Rao, featuring legendary playback singers T. M. Soundarajan and P. Susheela. The song stands out for using traditional Carnatic swara passages (Ri-Ga-Pa-Dha) seamlessly inside a mainstream pop/duet song format.
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