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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kettukodi Urumi

From Pattikada Pattanama · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Pattikada Pattanama1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kaettukkodi… urumi maelam…Listen to this... the urumi drum...
Male
Kaettukkodi urumi maelamListen to the sound of the urumi drum
Pottukkodi koba thaalamSet the beat of anger
Male
Gimgim gimgim gimgimGimgim gimgim gimgim
Dumdum dumdum dumdumDumdum dumdum dumdum
Male
Kaettukkodi urumi maelamListen to the sound of the urumi drum
Pottukkodi koba thaalamSet the beat of anger
Paarthukkodi un maaman kittaeLook at your maternal uncle
Pattikkaattu raagam baavamThe rural melody and expression
Paarthukkodi un maaman kittaeLook at your maternal uncle
Pattikkaattu raagam baavamThe rural melody and expression
Female
We shall meet at the garden gateWe shall meet at the garden gate
In the morning evening night till the darkIn the morning evening night till the dark
We shall meet be togetherWe shall meet be together
In the morning evening night till the darkIn the morning evening night till the dark
Female
Ungal thaalangal jungleYour rhythms are wild jungle beats
Pennai paarungal uncle..haaLook at the woman, uncle... haa
Ungal thaalangal jungleYour rhythms are wild jungle beats
Pennai paarungal uncleLook at the woman, uncle
Saerndhu paadungal bulbulSing together, songbird
Aattam kondaattam hohoDance and celebration hoho
Aattam kondaattam hohoDance and celebration hoho
Female
Daadadaa dadada dadiDaadadaa dadada dadi
Daadaa daadaada daadaaDaadaa daadaada daadaa
Daadadaa dadada dadiDaadadaa dadada dadi
Daadaa daadaa daadaaDaadaa daadaa daadaa
Male
Kovilil kaettaal oru vagai maelamIf heard in a temple, it is one kind of drum beat
Kottaaga kottumadiIt beats rhythmically like a roof shelter
Adi ammaadi kottaaga kottumadiOh my goodness, it beats rhythmically like a roof shelter
Kovalan naadaga paadalai kaettaalIf you listen to Kovalan's drama songs
Thattaamal thattumadiIt strikes without failing
Kai thattaamal thattumadiIt strikes without even clapping hands
Male
Chandramadhiyai kaattil vittuShall I ask to sing leaving Chandramathi in the forest?
Paada chollattaaShall I ask to sing?
Sangadhiyellaam puttu puttu poda chollattaaShall I ask to break down and lay out all the nuances?
Sangadhiyellaam puttu puttuBreak down all the nuances
Sangadhiyellaam puttu puttu poda chollattaaShall I ask to break down and lay out all the nuances?
Male
Kaettukkodi urumi maelamListen to the sound of the urumi drum
Pottukkodi koba thaalamSet the beat of anger
Paarthukkodi un maaman kittaeLook at your maternal uncle
Pattikkaattu raagam baavamThe rural melody and expression
Female
O my sweety o my kudumi uncleO my sweety o my tufted uncle
En aasai unnoduMy desire is with you
O my beauty aha un kaiyilO my beauty aha in your hands
Un aattam ennoduYour dance is with me
Female
Laarappa paarappa laarappa paarappaLaarappa look here laarappa look here
Laalaa laalaa laaLaalaa laalaa laa
Female
Maelai naadengum povomLet us go across Western nations
Naagareegangal kaanbomLet us witness modern civilizations
Aadai maattrungal ingaeChange your attire here
Aalai maattrungal angaeChange the person there
Aalai maattrungal angaeChange the person there
Male
Munnor ellaam moodargal allaOur ancestors were not fools
Namakkundu panpaaduWe possess rich culture and heritage
Adi ammaadi namakkundu panpaaduOh my goodness, we possess rich culture and heritage
Muzhangaal theriyum aadaiyai maattriChange the outfit that exposes your knees
Thamizh magal nadai poduWalk proudly like a true Tamil daughter
Ammaa thamizh magal nadai poduYes, walk proudly like a true Tamil daughter
Kannagi polae enniyirundhuBe like Kannagi in your mind and thoughts
Kaadhal paesammaaSpeak of love, my dear woman
Enniyadhellaam paesi paesiSpeak endlessly of all that you envisioned
Aasai theerammaaFulfill your heart's desires, my dear
Male
Kaettukkodi urumi maelamListen to the sound of the urumi drum
Pottukkodi koba thaalamSet the beat of anger
Paarthukkodi un maaman kittaeLook at your maternal uncle
Pattikkaattu raagam baavamThe rural melody and expression
Female
Daadadaa dadada dadiDaadadaa dadada dadi
Daadaa daadaada daadaaDaadaa daadaada daadaa
Daadadaa dadada dadiDaadadaa dadada dadi
Daadaa daadaa daadaaDaadaa daadaa daadaa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic duet from 'Pattikada Pattanama' captures a energetic debate between traditional rural Tamil values and modern Westernized lifestyle. The male protagonist champions native culture, traditional percussion (urumi maelam), classical folklore references (like Kovalan and Kannagi), and modest attire, asserting that traditional culture is rooted in deep wisdom rather than ignorance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kaettukkodi urumi maelam / Pottukkodi koba thaalam

The second letter 'tt' (ட்) rhymes between 'Kaettukkodi' and 'Pottukkodi'.

Monaai (Alliteration)

Paarthukkodi un maaman kittae / Pattikkaattu raagam baavam

Repetition of the initial sound 'P' in 'Pattikkaattu', 'raagam', 'baavam' and 'Paarthukkodi'.

Onomatopoeia (Olikkurippu)

Gimgim gimgim gimgim / Dumdum dumdum dumdum

Use of rhythmic phonetic words 'Gimgim' and 'Dumdum' to imitate drum sounds.

Allusion (Purana/Historical Reference)

Kannagi polae enniyirundhu / Kaadhal paesammaa

References to epic Tamil characters like Kovalan, Kannagi, and Chandramathi to symbolize traditional virtues.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Pattikada Pattanama' (1972) starred Sivaji Ganesan and Jayalalithaa, directed by P. Madhavan. The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics written by Kannadasan. The song 'Kettukkodi Urumi Maelam' sung by T. M. Soundararajan and L. R. Eswari became a massive hit for its vibrant blend of traditional folk beats and modern rhythm, winning national acclaim and remaining an iconic musical confrontation sequence in Tamil cinema.

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