Kotta Pakkum
From Nattamai · 2003
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Music director
- Sirpy
- Details
- Nattamai2003
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Hey kotta paakum | Hey, betel nut |
| Kozhundhu vethalaiyum | And tender betel leaf, |
| Potaa vaai sevakum | When chewed, make the mouth turn red. |
| Female | |
| Machan neeyum | You as the cousin, |
| Machini naanum | And me as the cousin-in-law, |
| Thotta dhool parakum | If we touch, sparks will fly! |
| Female | |
| Kotta paakum | Betel nut |
| Kozhundhu vethalaiyum | And tender betel leaf, |
| Potaa vaai sevakum | When chewed, make the mouth turn red. |
| Female | |
| Machan neeyum | You as the cousin, |
| Machini naanum | And me as the cousin-in-law, |
| Thotta dhool parakum | If we touch, sparks will fly! |
| Female | |
| Hey naaku sevaka | Hey, to turn the tongue red, |
| Sunnaambu venum | Lime is needed. |
| Naanum sevaka | For me to turn red (blush), |
| Maapillai venum | A bridegroom is needed. |
| Female | |
| Naaku sevaka | To turn the tongue red, |
| Sunnaambu venum | Lime is needed. |
| Naanum sevaka | For me to turn red (blush), |
| Maapillai venum | A bridegroom is needed. |
| Female | |
| Thaali kattiyadhum | Once the sacred thread is tied, |
| Thaalika venum | We need to season the pot (cook together/settle into marriage). |
| Female | |
| Kotta paakum | Betel nut |
| Kozhundhu vethalaiyum | And tender betel leaf, |
| Potaa vaai sevakum | When chewed, make the mouth turn red. |
| Female | |
| Machan neeyum | You as the cousin, |
| Machini naanum | And me as the cousin-in-law, |
| Thotta dhool parakum | If we touch, sparks will fly! |
| Male | |
| Thaamara poovum iruku | There is a lotus flower, |
| Santhana poovum iruku | There is a sandalwood flower too. |
| Rendula onnu paakatuma | Shall I check out one of the two? |
| Female | |
| Haa karpanai ellam unaku | Aha, all your imaginations |
| Kachithamaaga iruku | Are perfectly neat and precise. |
| Kandathaiyellam kazhikatuma | Shall I reject whatever you see? |
| Male | |
| Hey pothi | Hey, because of the desires |
| Maraicha aasaigalaalae | Concealed and hidden within, |
| Pottu thudikudhu puruvathin melae | The bindi pulses above my eyebrows. |
| Female | |
| Haan kathiri | Aha, like the scorching heat |
| Veyilu kothipadhupolae | Of the peak summer sun, |
| Kaaichal adikuthu | A feverish warmth strikes |
| Idupuku melae | Above my waist. |
| Male | |
| Kaadhal porapadhu | Love is born |
| Kazhuthuku keezhae | Below the neck! |
| Male | |
| Hey kotta paakum | Hey, betel nut |
| Kozhundhu vethalaiyum | And tender betel leaf, |
| Potaa vaai sevakum | When chewed, make the mouth turn red. |
| Female | |
| Machan neeyum | You as the cousin, |
| Machini naanum | And me as the cousin-in-law, |
| Thotta dhool parakum | If we touch, sparks will fly! |
| Female | |
| Hey vethala pota udhatil | Hey, on lips stained with betel leaf, |
| Nithirai poda thuninji | Daring to lie down and sleep, |
| Chithravadhai seiya poriya | Are you going to torture me playfully? |
| Male | |
| Hey vethala kaiyil eduthu | Hey, taking the betel leaf in hand, |
| Munnum pinnum thodachi | Wiping it front and back, |
| Kaambu killi thaaren vaariya | I will pluck the stalk and give it to you, will you come? |
| Female | |
| Yea suthi | Yeah, coming around and circling |
| Varuvadhu sothikathaanae | Is only to test, isn't it? |
| Male | |
| Ha haa | Ha haa, |
| Female | |
| Sundari azhagu samikuthaanae | The beauty of the belle signals, doesn't it? |
| Male | |
| Karpooram edhuku | Why camphor? |
| kaamikathaanae | It is to show light, isn't it? |
| Kattilum edhuku | Why a bed? |
| Saathikathaanae | It is to lock/close, isn't it? |
| Female | |
| Saranam mudinjaa | Once the stanza finishes, |
| Pallavi thaanae | It leads back to the refrain, doesn't it? |
| Female | |
| Hey kotta paakumMale :Hoi | Hey betel nut... Male: Hoi! |
| Kozhundhu vethalaiyum | And tender betel leaf, |
| Potaa vaai sevakum | When chewed, make the mouth turn red. |
| Male | |
| Machan naanum | Me as the cousin, |
| Sundari neeyum | And you as the beautiful girl, |
| Thotta dhool parakum | If we touch, sparks will fly! |
| Female | |
| Hey naaku sevaka | Hey, to turn the tongue red, |
| Sunnaambu venum | Lime is needed. |
| Male | |
| Hoi | Hoi! |
| Female | |
| Naanum sevaka | For me to turn red, |
| Maapillai venum | A bridegroom is needed. |
| Male | |
| Naaku sevaka | To turn the tongue red, |
| Sunnaambu venum | Lime is needed. |
| Neeyum sevaka | For you to turn red, |
| Maapillai venum | A bridegroom is needed. |
| Female | |
| Thaali kattiyadhum | Once the sacred thread is tied, |
| Thaalika venum | We need to season the food together. |
| Female | |
| Kotta paakum | Betel nut |
| Kozhundhu vethalaiyum | And tender betel leaf, |
| Potaa vaai sevakum | When chewed, make the mouth turn red. |
| Male | |
| Machan naanum | Me as the cousin, |
| Sundari neeyum | And you as the beautiful girl, |
| Thotta dhool parakum | If we touch, sparks will fly! |
| Female | |
| Thotta dhool parakum | Sparks will fly if we touch! |
| Male | |
| Thotta dhool parakum | Sparks will fly if we touch! |
ஹே கொட்டா
பாக்கும் கொழுந்து
வெத்தலையும் போட்டா
வாய் சிவக்கும்
Hey, betel nut
And tender betel leaf,
When chewed, make the mouth turn red.
மச்சான் நீயும்
மச்சினி நானும் தொட்டா
தூள் பறக்கும்
You as the cousin,
And me as the cousin-in-law,
If we touch, sparks will fly!
கொட்டா பாக்கும்
கொழுந்து வெத்தலையும்
போட்டா வாய் சிவக்கும்
Betel nut
And tender betel leaf,
When chewed, make the mouth turn red.
மச்சான் நீயும்
மச்சினி நானும் தொட்டா
தூள் பறக்கும்
You as the cousin,
And me as the cousin-in-law,
If we touch, sparks will fly!
ஹே நாக்கு செவக்க
சுண்ணாம்பு வேணும் நானும்
செவக்க மாப்பிள்ளை வேணும்
Hey, to turn the tongue red,
Lime is needed.
For me to turn red (blush),
A bridegroom is needed.
நாக்கு செவக்க
சுண்ணாம்பு வேணும்
நானும் செவக்க
மாப்பிள்ளை வேணும்
To turn the tongue red,
Lime is needed.
For me to turn red (blush),
A bridegroom is needed.
தாலி கட்டியதும்
தாளிக்க வேணும்
Once the sacred thread is tied,
We need to season the pot (cook together/settle into marriage).
கொட்டா பாக்கும்
கொழுந்து வெத்தலையும்
போட்டா வாய் சிவக்கும்
Betel nut
And tender betel leaf,
When chewed, make the mouth turn red.
மச்சான் நீயும்
மச்சினி நானும் தொட்டா
தூள் பறக்கும்
You as the cousin,
And me as the cousin-in-law,
If we touch, sparks will fly!
தாமர பூவும்
இருக்கு சந்தன பூவும்
இருக்கு ரெண்டுல
ஒன்னு பாக்கட்டுமா
There is a lotus flower,
There is a sandalwood flower too.
Shall I check out one of the two?
ஹா கற்பனை
எல்லாம் உனக்கு கட்சிதமாக
இருக்கு கண்டதையெல்லாம்
கழிக்கட்டுமா
Aha, all your imaginations
Are perfectly neat and precise.
Shall I reject whatever you see?
ஹே பொத்தி
மறைச்ச ஆசைகளாலே
பொட்டு துடிக்குது
புருவத்தின் மேலே
Hey, because of the desires
Concealed and hidden within,
The bindi pulses above my eyebrows.
ஹான் கத்திரி
வெயிலு கொதிப்பது
போலே காய்ச்சல்
அடிக்குது இடுப்புக்கு
மேலே
Aha, like the scorching heat
Of the peak summer sun,
A feverish warmth strikes
Above my waist.
காதல் பொறப்பது
கழுத்துக்கு கீழே
Love is born
Below the neck!
ஹே கொட்டா
பாக்கும் கொழுந்து
வெத்தலையும் போட்டா
வாய் சிவக்கும்
Hey, betel nut
And tender betel leaf,
When chewed, make the mouth turn red.
மச்சான் நீயும்
மச்சினி நானும் தொட்டா
தூள் பறக்கும்
You as the cousin,
And me as the cousin-in-law,
If we touch, sparks will fly!
ஹே வெத்தல
போட்ட உதட்டில் நித்திரை
போட துணிஞ்சி சித்திரவதை
செய்ய போறியா
Hey, on lips stained with betel leaf,
Daring to lie down and sleep,
Are you going to torture me playfully?
ஹே வெத்தல
கையில் எடுத்து முன்னும்
பின்னும் தொடச்சி காம்பு
கிள்ளி தாரேன் வாரியா
Hey, taking the betel leaf in hand,
Wiping it front and back,
I will pluck the stalk and give it to you, will you come?
ஏ சுத்தி வருவது
சோதிக்க தானே
Yeah, coming around and circling
Is only to test, isn't it?
ஹா ஹா
Ha haa,
சுந்தரி அழகு
சாமிக்கு தானே
The beauty of the belle signals, doesn't it?
கற்பூரம் எதுக்கு
காமிக்கதானே கட்டிலும்
எதுக்கு சாதிக்க தானே
Why camphor?
It is to show light, isn't it?
Why a bed?
It is to lock/close, isn't it?
சரணம் முடிஞ்சா
பல்லவி தானே
Once the stanza finishes,
It leads back to the refrain, doesn't it?
ஹே கொட்டா பாக்கும்
ஹோய்
கொழுந்து வெத்தலையும்
போட்டா வாய் சிவக்கும்
Hey betel nut... Male: Hoi!
And tender betel leaf,
When chewed, make the mouth turn red.
மச்சான் நானும்
சுந்தரி நீயும் தொட்டா
தூள் பறக்கும்
Me as the cousin,
And you as the beautiful girl,
If we touch, sparks will fly!
ஹே நாக்கு
செவக்க சுண்ணாம்பு
வேணும்
Hey, to turn the tongue red,
Lime is needed.
ஹோய்
Hoi!
நானும் செவக்க
மாப்பிள்ளை வேணும்
For me to turn red,
A bridegroom is needed.
நாக்கு செவக்க
சுண்ணாம்பு வேணும்
நானும் செவக்க
மாப்பிள்ளை வேணும்
To turn the tongue red,
Lime is needed.
For you to turn red,
A bridegroom is needed.
தாலி கட்டியதும்
தாளிக்க வேணும்
Once the sacred thread is tied,
We need to season the food together.
கொட்டா பாக்கும்
கொழுந்து வெத்தலையும்
போட்டா வாய் சிவக்கும்
Betel nut
And tender betel leaf,
When chewed, make the mouth turn red.
மச்சான் நானும்
சுந்தரி நீயும் தொட்டா
தூள் பறக்கும்
Me as the cousin,
And you as the beautiful girl,
If we touch, sparks will fly!
தொட்டா
தூள் பறக்கும்
தொட்டா
தூள் பறக்கும்
Sparks will fly if we touch!
Sparks will fly if we touch!
Hey kotta paakum
Hey, betel nut
Kozhundhu vethalaiyum
And tender betel leaf,
Potaa vaai sevakum
When chewed, make the mouth turn red.
Machan neeyum
You as the cousin,
Machini naanum
And me as the cousin-in-law,
Thotta dhool parakum
If we touch, sparks will fly!
Kotta paakum
Betel nut
Kozhundhu vethalaiyum
And tender betel leaf,
Potaa vaai sevakum
When chewed, make the mouth turn red.
Machan neeyum
You as the cousin,
Machini naanum
And me as the cousin-in-law,
Thotta dhool parakum
If we touch, sparks will fly!
Hey naaku sevaka
Hey, to turn the tongue red,
Sunnaambu venum
Lime is needed.
Naanum sevaka
For me to turn red (blush),
Maapillai venum
A bridegroom is needed.
Naaku sevaka
To turn the tongue red,
Sunnaambu venum
Lime is needed.
Naanum sevaka
For me to turn red (blush),
Maapillai venum
A bridegroom is needed.
Thaali kattiyadhum
Once the sacred thread is tied,
Thaalika venum
We need to season the pot (cook together/settle into marriage).
Kotta paakum
Betel nut
Kozhundhu vethalaiyum
And tender betel leaf,
Potaa vaai sevakum
When chewed, make the mouth turn red.
Machan neeyum
You as the cousin,
Machini naanum
And me as the cousin-in-law,
Thotta dhool parakum
If we touch, sparks will fly!
Thaamara poovum iruku
There is a lotus flower,
Santhana poovum iruku
There is a sandalwood flower too.
Rendula onnu paakatuma
Shall I check out one of the two?
Haa karpanai ellam unaku
Aha, all your imaginations
Kachithamaaga iruku
Are perfectly neat and precise.
Kandathaiyellam kazhikatuma
Shall I reject whatever you see?
Hey pothi
Hey, because of the desires
Maraicha aasaigalaalae
Concealed and hidden within,
Pottu thudikudhu puruvathin melae
The bindi pulses above my eyebrows.
Haan kathiri
Aha, like the scorching heat
Veyilu kothipadhupolae
Of the peak summer sun,
Kaaichal adikuthu
A feverish warmth strikes
Idupuku melae
Above my waist.
Kaadhal porapadhu
Love is born
Kazhuthuku keezhae
Below the neck!
Hey kotta paakum
Hey, betel nut
Kozhundhu vethalaiyum
And tender betel leaf,
Potaa vaai sevakum
When chewed, make the mouth turn red.
Machan neeyum
You as the cousin,
Machini naanum
And me as the cousin-in-law,
Thotta dhool parakum
If we touch, sparks will fly!
Hey vethala pota udhatil
Hey, on lips stained with betel leaf,
Nithirai poda thuninji
Daring to lie down and sleep,
Chithravadhai seiya poriya
Are you going to torture me playfully?
Hey vethala kaiyil eduthu
Hey, taking the betel leaf in hand,
Munnum pinnum thodachi
Wiping it front and back,
Kaambu killi thaaren vaariya
I will pluck the stalk and give it to you, will you come?
Yea suthi
Yeah, coming around and circling
Varuvadhu sothikathaanae
Is only to test, isn't it?
Ha haa
Ha haa,
Sundari azhagu samikuthaanae
The beauty of the belle signals, doesn't it?
Karpooram edhuku
Why camphor?
kaamikathaanae
It is to show light, isn't it?
Kattilum edhuku
Why a bed?
Saathikathaanae
It is to lock/close, isn't it?
Saranam mudinjaa
Once the stanza finishes,
Pallavi thaanae
It leads back to the refrain, doesn't it?
Hey kotta paakumMale :Hoi
Hey betel nut... Male: Hoi!
Kozhundhu vethalaiyum
And tender betel leaf,
Potaa vaai sevakum
When chewed, make the mouth turn red.
Machan naanum
Me as the cousin,
Sundari neeyum
And you as the beautiful girl,
Thotta dhool parakum
If we touch, sparks will fly!
Hey naaku sevaka
Hey, to turn the tongue red,
Sunnaambu venum
Lime is needed.
Hoi
Hoi!
Naanum sevaka
For me to turn red,
Maapillai venum
A bridegroom is needed.
Naaku sevaka
To turn the tongue red,
Sunnaambu venum
Lime is needed.
Neeyum sevaka
For you to turn red,
Maapillai venum
A bridegroom is needed.
Thaali kattiyadhum
Once the sacred thread is tied,
Thaalika venum
We need to season the food together.
Kotta paakum
Betel nut
Kozhundhu vethalaiyum
And tender betel leaf,
Potaa vaai sevakum
When chewed, make the mouth turn red.
Machan naanum
Me as the cousin,
Sundari neeyum
And you as the beautiful girl,
Thotta dhool parakum
If we touch, sparks will fly!
Thotta dhool parakum
Sparks will fly if we touch!
Thotta dhool parakum
Sparks will fly if we touch!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This playful, romantic folk-style duetting song uses betel leaves, betel nuts, and edible lime as allegories for passion, chemistry, and matrimonial union. The lead couple exchanges flirtatious banter about their budding romance, comparing the physical sensation of attraction to summer heat and the reddening effect of betel chewing.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Naaku sevaka Sunnaambu venum / Naanum sevaka Maapillai venum”
Betel leaf and lime ('vethalai', 'sunnaambu') combining to turn red is used as a metaphor for passion and blushing in love.
Simile (Upamai)
“Kathiri Veyilu kothipadhupolae”
The intense heat of passion is compared directly to the scorching peak summer sun ('kathiri veyil').
Rhyme (Edhukai / Monai)
“Kotta paakum / Kozhundhu vethalaiyum”
Use of matching internal rhyming and rhythm structures across adjacent lines like 'Kotta paakum / Kozhundhu vethalaiyum'.
Did you know?
Trivia
Betel nut and betel leaf ('vetrilai paaku') hold significant traditional importance in Tamil culture, symbolizing hospitality, auspicious beginnings, and romantic harmony between couples.
Keep listening
More from Nattamai
Nattamai
Nattamai