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Lyrics & meaning

Kettukama Kettukama

From Ponnu Veettukkaran · 1999

Lyricist
Pazhani Bharathi
Singer
Mano
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ponnu Veettukkaran1999

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kettukkammaa kettukkammaaListen, my dear girl, listen
Naattuppura paattu idhuThis is a folk song
Sutham ulla nenjai ellaamAll pure hearts
Suthi varum paattu idhuThis is a song that revolves around
Hae chithira poo chendugalaeHey, bouquet of beautiful flower clusters
Haa satham idum vandugalaeHa, buzzing bees making sound
Solli tharavaa sudhi maaraadhuShall I teach you without losing pitch?
Male
Kettukkammaa kettukkammaaListen, my dear girl, listen
Naattuppura paattu idhuThis is a folk song
Sutham ulla nenjai ellaamAll pure hearts
Suthi varum paattu idhuThis is a song that revolves around
Male
Annangalin nadai ellaamThe graceful walk like swans
High heels aachuHas now turned into high heels
Aei nethiyilae thilagam ellaamHey, the sacred mark on the forehead
Ippa maari pochuHas now changed away
Kaancheepuram saelaThe Kancheepuram silk saree
Haa chudidhaaru aayaachuHa, has turned into chudidar
Penna pola pennaA woman who acts truly like a woman
Hoi hoi paathu romba naalaachuHoi hoi, it has been a long time since I saw
Poo vizhi paavaiyae thaevaiyaa bodhaiyaeOh flower-eyed maiden, do you need intoxication?
Neeyae sollammaaYou tell me yourself, dear girl
Koondhalil paadhiyum penmaiyil paadhiyumHalf of the hair length and half of womanliness
Engae pochu ponnae maniyae nee solluWhere did it vanish, my precious golden gem, you tell me
Male
Kettukkammaa kettukkammaaListen, my dear girl, listen
Naattuppura paattu idhuThis is a folk song
Sutham ulla nenjai ellaamAll pure hearts
Suthi varum paattu idhuThis is a song that revolves around
Hae chithira poo chendugalaeHey, bouquet of beautiful flower clusters
Haa satham idum vandugalaeHa, buzzing bees making sound
Solli tharavaa sudhi maaraadhuShall I teach you without losing pitch?
Male
Haei kettukkammaa kettukkammaaHey, listen, my dear girl, listen
Naattuppura paattu idhuThis is a folk song
Sutham ulla nenjai ellaamAll pure hearts
Suthi varum paattu idhuThis is a song that revolves around
Male
Azhagu mani koyililaeIn a beautiful bell-decked temple
Olirum dheebamA glowing lamp
Ho vasanthathin solaiyilae kuyilin geethamHo, a cuckoo's song in the spring orchard
Manjal vannam minnumShining in yellow hues
Ho maalai naera megangalHo, the clouds of the evening time
Nenjai alli chellumStealing the heart away
Hoi hoi malligai poo vaasangalHoi hoi, fragrance of jasmine flowers
Boomiyil thondridum unnadham yaavumaeAll the greatness that appears on earth
Pennin thotram thaanIs only the manifestation of womanhood
Iyarkkaiyai polavae pengalum vaazhanumWomen should live naturally just like nature
Kannil theriyum dheivam ingae pen thaanaeThe god visible to the eyes here is woman herself
Male
Kettukkammaa kettukkammaaListen, my dear girl, listen
Naattuppura paattu idhuThis is a folk song
Sutham ulla nenjai ellaamAll pure hearts
Suthi varum paattu idhuThis is a song that revolves around
Hae chithira poo chendugalaeHey, bouquet of beautiful flower clusters
Haa satham idum vandugalaeHa, buzzing bees making sound
Solli tharavaa sudhi maaraadhuShall I teach you without losing pitch?
Male
Kettukkammaa kettukkammaaListen, my dear girl, listen
Naattuppura paattu idhuThis is a folk song
Sutham ulla nenjai ellaamAll pure hearts
Suthi varum paattu idhuThis is a song that revolves around

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Kettukkammaa' from the film Ponnu Veettukkaran is a lively folk-style track penned by lyricist Pazhani Bharathi. It addresses young women with a mix of gentle commentary and high praise for traditional femininity. The first verse reflects on the changing trends in modern society, comparing traditional attire and grace—such as Kancheepuram sarees, forehead marks, long hair, and swan-like walks—with modern shifts towards high heels and westernized clothing.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyme)

Kettukkammaa / Naattuppura paattu idhu

The second consonant 't' (ட்) rhymes across lines to form traditional Tamil rhythmic harmony.

Monaai (Alliteration)

Sutham ulla nenjai ellaam / Suthi varum paattu idhu

Repetition of the initial sound 'Su' (சு) enhances the musical flow of the line.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Kannil theriyum dheivam ingae pen thaanae

Women are equated to sacred lamps in temples and nature's finest beauty, elevating womanhood to divine status.

Did you know?

Trivia

Ponnu Veettukkaran (1999) stars Sathyaraj and Preetha Vijayakumar. The film features songs composed by Ilaiyaraaja, celebrating traditional Tamil culture and moral values through folk rhythms.

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