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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kollimalai Kaatukkule

From Rickshawkaran · 1971

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Rickshawkaran1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kolli malai kaattukullaeInside the forests of Kolli Hills,
Kulla nari koottamadi…eee…There is a pack of jackals, my girl...
Kulla nari koottathilaeAmidst the pack of jackals,
Pulli maan nikkuthadiA spotted deer stands, my girl!
Kanni vechu vala viricha…aaaIf a trap is set and net is spread...
Chinna maan sikkumadi ..eh…..poduThe little deer will get caught... come on, play it!
Male
Pambai udukkai kottiBeating the pambai and udukkai drums,
Parivattam melae kattiTying a ceremonial head-wrapper above,
Thangaratham polae aadumDancing like a golden chariot,
Thithaara kalliOh clever and vibrant girl!
Enthan thaalaththaiyaeListening to my beat,
Kettu aadum achchaaram solliDance while giving your word of promise!
Male
Ho ho ho…ho ho hoiHo ho ho... ho ho hoi
Male
Pambai udukkai kottiBeating the pambai and udukkai drums,
Parivattam melae kattiTying a ceremonial head-wrapper above,
Thangaratham polae aadumDancing like a golden chariot,
Thithaara kalliOh clever and vibrant girl!
Enthan thaalaththaiyaeListening to my beat,
Kettu aadum achchaaram solliDance while giving your word of promise!
Chorus
Ho ho ho…Ho ho ho...
Ho ho ho…..Ho ho ho.....
Female
Kachchai salangai kattiTying the jingling ankle-bells with sash,
Kai thaalam melam kottiClapping hands and beating drums,
Kachchai salangai kattiTying the jingling ankle-bells with sash,
Kai thaalam melam kottiClapping hands and beating drums,
Achchaaram yerthu kollum aasa machaanMy loving cousin who accepts the token,
Enthan aattathae paathu thaanaeJust by watching my dance,
Nesam vechaanShowered his love on me!
Female
Pambai udukkai kottiBeating the pambai and udukkai drums,
Parivattam melae kattiTying a ceremonial head-wrapper above,
Singakutti polae aadumDancing like a lion cub,
Sevantha machaanaeMy fair-complexioned cousin!
Intha selaikkeththaTo suit this saree,
Jodi neeyae paadu machaanaeYou are the right match, sing along cousin!
Male
Kannakol poduvatharkkumFor breaking into houses with a crowbar,
Kaaval por seivatharkkumAnd for waging a defensive war,
Chorus :Thanthana thaiyya thaana thanthanaChorus: Thanthana thaiyya thaana thanthana
Thanthana thaiyya thaana thanthanaThanthana thaiyya thaana thanthana
Male
Kannakol poduvatharkkumFor breaking into houses with a crowbar,
Kaaval por seivatharkkumAnd for waging a defensive war,
Kalam endru peru vantha karanam ennaWhat is the reason it came to be called 'Kalam'?
Kattu kathai ellaam alakkaamalWithout fabricating made-up stories,
Kooradi ninnuStand and tell me clearly!
Female
Rathiri neramDuring the night time,
Yaarum paarthidaa vannamIn a way that no one sees,
Rathiri neramDuring the night time,
Yaarum paarthidaa vannamIn a way that no one sees,
Antha ragasiyam nadappathaalaeBecause that secret work takes place,
Perumae vaithaarThey gave it a proud name,
Antha raaja thaan kalam endruThat king called it 'kalam',
Oorilae sonnaarAnd proclaimed it to the town!
Female
Pambai udukkai kottiBeating the pambai and udukkai drums,
Parivattam melae kattiTying a ceremonial head-wrapper above,
Singakutti polae aadumDancing like a lion cub,
Sevantha machaanaeMy fair-complexioned cousin!
Male :Enthan thaalaththaiyaeMale: To my rhythm,
Kettu aadu achchaaram solliDance upon hearing it, giving your word!
Male
Ezhu ettu pilla peththuGiving birth to seven or eight children,
Ezhayaai aagivittuAnd becoming impoverished,
Chorus :Thanthana thaiyya thaana thanthanaChorus: Thanthana thaiyya thaana thanthana
Thanthana thaiyya thaana thanthanaThanthana thaiyya thaana thanthana
Male
Ezhu ettu pilla peththuGiving birth to seven or eight children,
Ezhayaai aagivittuAnd becoming impoverished,
Vaazhaama vaaduraana rottula ninnuHe stands on the street unable to live,
Antha vaattatha theerpatharkkuTo resolve that suffering,
Kooranum onnuOne advice must be told!
Female
Kanakkaaga onnu renduPrecisely one or two children,
Kachithamaaga peththuGiving birth to them appropriately,
Kanakkaaga onnu renduPrecisely one or two children,
Kachithamaaga peththuGiving birth to them appropriately,
Padukkai thanai suththiAround your bed,
Vaikka venum machaaneYou should keep them, dear cousin,
Pinnaalae athukkaagaIn the future because of that,
Soththu sugam serum machaanaeWealth and prosperity will join you, cousin!
Male
Pambai udukkai kottiBeating the pambai and udukkai drums,
Parivattam melae kattiTying a ceremonial head-wrapper above,
Thangaratham polae aadumDancing like a golden chariot,
Thithaara kalliOh clever and vibrant girl!
Eenthan thaalaththaiyaeListening to my beat,
Kettu aadum achchaaram solliDance while giving your word of promise!
Male
Ohhh….oo.o….ooo….ooo…Ohhh....oo.o....ooo....ooo...
Aaahaaa…..aaa…..Aaahaaa.....aaa.....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This folk-style song features a playful banter between a man and a woman performing a traditional folk dance accompanied by folk instruments like pambai and udukkai. They tease each other through riddle-like questions and answers while matching each other's steps and rhythm.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Thangaratham polae aadum

Comparing the dance of the woman to a moving golden chariot using the marker 'polae'.

Simile (Uvamai)

Singakutti polae aadum

Comparing the spirited dance of the man to a lion cub using the marker 'polae'.

Alliteration (Moonaai)

Kannakol poduvatharkkum / Kaaval por seivatharkkum

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across words in the line.

Metaphor

Kolli malai kaattukullae Kulla nari koottamadi

Using wild nature imagery (Kolli hills, jackals, spotted deer) to metaphorically describe attraction and social surroundings.

Did you know?

Trivia

Rickshawkaran (1971) stars M. G. Ramachandran and Manjula. The film was a major commercial blockbuster and earned MGR the National Film Award for Best Actor. The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Vaali.

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