Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kottaiya Vittu (Male)

From Chinna Thayee · 1992

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Chinna Thayee1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kottaiya vittuLeaving the fort
Vettaikku pogumGoing for the hunt
Sodalai maada saamiLord Sodalai Maadan
Sodalai maadaOh Sodalai Maada
Saamiyum naandhaanI am the deity myself
Poosaari needhaanYou are the priest
Soodam yeththi kaamiLight the camphor and show it
Male
Kottaiya vittuLeaving the fort
Vettaikku pogumGoing for the hunt
Sodalai maada saamiLord Sodalai Maadan
Sodalai maadaOh Sodalai Maada
Saamiyum naandhaanI am the deity myself
Poosaari needhaanYou are the priest
Soodam yeththi kaamiLight the camphor and show it
Male
Kotta venum melamThe drums must be beaten
Kaiya thatta venum yaarumEveryone must clap their hands
Anji nikkum oorumThe entire village stands in awe
Arul vaaku chollum neramWhen it is time to deliver divine oracle
Male
Kottaiya vittuLeaving the fort
Vettaikku pogumGoing for the hunt
Sodalai maada saamiLord Sodalai Maadan
Sodalai maadaOh Sodalai Maada
Saamiyum naandhaanI am the deity myself
Poosaari needhaanYou are the priest
Soodam yeththi kaamiLight the camphor and show it

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song expresses intense folk devotion centered around Sodalai Maadan, a revered guardian deity (Kaval Deivam) in Southern Tamil Nadu rural culture. The lyrics adopt a dramatic folk persona where the singer invokes the deity's presence, stepping out of the fort to hunt down evil, while establishing a sacred dynamic between the god and the ritual priest (poosaari). The second stanza vividly evokes the atmosphere of a village temple festival (Kodai), characterized by energetic drumbeats, clapping crowds, and a reverent village waiting for the deity's oracle (arul vaaku).

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Kottaiya vittu / Vettaikku pogum

The second letter 'tt' (ட்) matches between 'Kottaiya' and 'Vettaikku'.

Iyai (End Rhyme)

Saamiyum naandhaan / Poosaari needhaan

The words end with identical sound endings '-dhaan' in consecutive lines.

Personification / Divine Persona

Saamiyum naandhaan / Poosaari needhaan

The lyricist assumes the persona of the folk deity Sodalai Maada Saami speaking directly to the priest.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed as Unknown in the context, the music for Chinna Thayee (1992) was composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The song draws heavily on Southern Tamil Nadu's traditional Sodalai Maadan worship rituals and folk music forms.

Keep listening

More from Chinna Thayee