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Lyrics & meaning

Kingini Kingini Kadhal

From General Chakravarthi · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
General Chakravarthi1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kingini kingini kadhal machchanKingini kingini, beloved cousin!
Enga kezhaviyaithaan manaiyil vachchaanHe placed our old woman on the marriage dais!
Kingini kingini kadhal machchanKingini kingini, beloved cousin!
Enga kezhaviyaithaan manaiyil vachchaanHe placed our old woman on the marriage dais!
Female
Thinthana thanthana melam vachchaanTo the rhythmic beat of the drums,
Oru thiruttu thaali katti vittaanHe tied a secret, sneaky nuptial chain!
Thinthana thanthana melam vachchaanTo the rhythmic beat of the drums,
Oru thiruttu thaali katti vittaanHe tied a secret, sneaky nuptial chain!
Female
Thaengaa dappaa thangaa dappaaCoconut tin, gold box,
Maappillai vanthaaruHere came the bridegroom!
Thoongumpothu veththalai paakkuWhile she was sleeping, betel leaf and nut
Kayil thanthaaruHe handed into her palm!
Female
Thaengaa dappaa thangaa dappaaCoconut tin, gold box,
Maappillai vanthaaruHere came the bridegroom!
Thoongumpothu veththalai paakkuWhile she was sleeping, betel leaf and nut
Kayil thanthaaruHe handed into her palm!
Female
Naalai kaalai yaezhu manikkuTomorrow morning at seven o'clock,
Shanthi mukoorththam naduThe holy nuptial chamber moment; in the middle of
Raaththiriyilae paattigalinThe night, a dance of
Naattiyam vaippomThe grandmothers we shall arrange!
Female
…………………[Instrumental pause]
Female
Naalai kaalai yaezhu manikkuTomorrow morning at seven o'clock,
Shanthi mukoorththam naduThe holy nuptial chamber moment; in the middle of
Raaththiriyilae paattigalinThe night, a dance of
Naattiyam vaippomThe grandmothers we shall arrange!
Female
Ainthu maasam pona pinnaeAfter five months pass,
Valaiyal poduvomWe will perform the bangle ceremony;
Nee adhukku munnae odinaakkaaIf you try to run away before that,
Unakku poduvomWe will put handcuffs on you!
Female
Kingini kingini kadhal machchanKingini kingini, beloved cousin!
Enga kezhaviyaithaan manaiyil vachchaanHe placed our old woman on the marriage dais!
Thinthana thanthana melam vachchaanTo the rhythmic beat of the drums,
Oru thiruttu thaali katti vittaanHe tied a secret, sneaky nuptial chain!
Female
Sattappadi paatti unakku samsaaram aachuBy law, the grandmother has become your wife now;
Ippa thaalaakkaaran aiyyar rendu saatchiyumaachchuNow the drummer and the priest are both witnesses!
Sattappadi paatti unakku samsaaram aachuBy law, the grandmother has become your wife now;
Ippa thaalaakkaaran aiyyar rendu saatchiyumaachchuNow the drummer and the priest are both witnesses!
Female
Vittu poga nenaichchiyinnaaIf you ever think of leaving her,
Court-kku varuvomWe will file a case in court!
On veraththai nee kaattinaakkaIf you show off your arrogance,
Road-kku varuvomWe will drag you out to the streets!
Female
Kingini kingini kadhal machchanKingini kingini, beloved cousin!
Enga kezhaviyaithaan manaiyil vachchaanHe placed our old woman on the marriage dais!
Thinthana thanthana melam vachchaanTo the rhythmic beat of the drums,
Oru thiruttu thaali katti vittaanHe tied a secret, sneaky nuptial chain!
Female
Thaengaa dappaa thangaa dappaaCoconut tin, gold box,
Maappillai vanthaaruHere came the bridegroom!
Thoongumpothu veththalai paakkuWhile she was sleeping, betel leaf and nut
Kayil thanthaaruHe handed into her palm!
Female
Hae hae thaengaa dappaa thangaa dappaaHey hey, coconut tin, gold box,
Maappillai vanthaaruHere came the bridegroom!
Thoongumpothu veththalai paakkuWhile she was sleeping, betel leaf and nut
Kayil thanthaaruHe handed into her palm!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kingini Kingini Kadhal Machchan is a lighthearted, comedic folk song from the 1978 film General Chakravarthi. Sung with vibrant energy by L. R. Eswari, the song playfully teases a man who surreptitiously married an elderly woman by secretly tying a nuptial chain (thali) while she was asleep. The lyrics poke fun at his predicament while warning him that he is now legally bound to her and cannot escape his marital duties. Kannadasan's playful lyrics weave humorous threats, such as replacing traditional pregnancy bangles with police handcuffs if he tries to flee, and taking him to court or exposing him publicly. Combined with M. S. Viswanathan's catchy, drum-heavy folk composition, the song delivers a humorous narrative of unexpected marriage and inescapable legal accountability.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Kingini kingini kadhal machchan / Enga kezhaviyaithaan manaiyil vachchaan

The second letter 'ng' in 'Kingini' matches the 'ng' in 'Enga', fulfilling traditional Tamil poetic rhyme structure.

Onomatopoeia / Rhythm Refrain

Kingini kingini kadhal machchan... Thinthana thanthana melam vachchaan

'Kingini kingini' and 'Thinthana thanthana' simulate the jingling sound of anklets and the rhythmic beat of wedding drums.

Irony and Wordplay

Valaiyal poduvom / Nee adhukku munnae odinaakkaa / Unakku poduvom

The term 'poduvom' (we will put) is used first for 'valaiyal' (traditional pregnancy bangles) and then contrasted humorously with putting handcuffs if the groom runs away.

Did you know?

Trivia

General Chakravarthi (1978) stars legendary actor Sivaji Ganesan. The track is renowned as one of L. R. Eswari's signature energetic folk-comedy songs, expertly crafted by M. S. Viswanathan and lyricist Kannadasan.

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