Kottikara Payalae
From August 16 1947 · 2023
- Lyricist
- NS Ponkumar
- Singers
- Meenakshi Elayaraja, Sean Roldan
- Music director
- Sean Roldan
- Details
- August 16 19472023
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Aelay…. engunna mitta | Hey... where is our sweet-natured boy? |
| Kotikaara payalae….aey…. | You beat-drum boy... hey... |
| Chorus | |
| Thaanakuthakkana…thaanakuthakkana… | Thaanakuthakkana... thaanakuthakkana... |
| Thaanakuthakkana… thakkana.. | Thaanakuthakkana... thakkana.. |
| Ennalae..suthi pidikalaya?…. | Couldn't you wrap around and catch him? |
| Aaanggg… | Aah... |
| Female | |
| Engunna mitta kottikaara payalae.. | Hey sweet landlord's drum-beating boy.. |
| Aelay engunna mitta kottikaara payalae… | Hey, where is our sweet drum-beating boy... |
| Aelay aelay engunna mitta kottikaara payalae.. | Hey hey, where is our sweet drum-beating boy.. |
| Sandaikku nikkura yekkumaaku payalae… | You stubborn boy standing ready for a fight... |
| Female | |
| Aey…aelay etharamatta aangangetta payalae | Hey... hey useless, unprincipled boy |
| Vambu izhikira yelanthaari payalae…. | You young boy who constantly picks fights.... |
| Yelanthaari payalae… | You young boy... |
| Ethanathan sonnaalum | No matter how much anyone tells you |
| Eppadithaan vanjaalum | No matter how much anyone scolds you |
| Theraatha soranai ketta eruma.. | You irredeemable, thick-skinned shameless buffalo.. |
| Female | |
| Aey… | Hey... |
| Ethanathan sonnaalum | No matter how much anyone tells you |
| Eppadithaan vanjaalum | No matter how much anyone scolds you |
| Theraatha soranai ketta eruma | You irredeemable, thick-skinned shameless buffalo |
| Ivanthaan oorukae maamiyaar kodumai… | He is like a mother-in-law's torment to the whole village... |
| Female | |
| Aelay engunna mitta kottikaara payalae.. | Hey sweet landlord's drum-beating boy.. |
| Sandaikku nikkura yekkumaaku payalae… | You stubborn boy standing ready for a fight... |
| Female | |
| Aey…aelay etharamatta aangangetta payalae | Hey... hey useless, unprincipled boy |
| Vambu izhikira yelanthaari payalae…. | You young boy who constantly picks fights.... |
| Yelanthaari payalae… | You young boy... |
| Female | |
| Kooru kettavanae | You who lack sense and wisdom |
| Kootathula veru pattavanae | You who stood out strangely in the crowd |
| Kanna thoranthu paakkaiyila | When opening our eyes to look |
| Manna vaari vittavanae… | You are the one who threw dirt in our eyes... |
| Female | |
| Vaal mulaichavanae | You who grew a tail of mischief |
| Kombula paal karapavanae | You who claim to milk milk from horns |
| Thera izhithu theruvulae vitta | You who dragged the temple chariot into the street and abandoned it |
| Thekanangkettavanae… | You directionless, senseless fellow... |
| Chorus | |
| Manja nerathula mallakku nikkura | Standing upside down at dusk time |
| Vikkalu sikkalu neethaan | You are a hiccup and a trouble yourself |
| Manam illatha arali poo thaan | You are like a fragrant-less oleander flower |
| Nellu valaiyira nenja nelathula | In the fertile heartland where paddy grows |
| Nozhanja velladu nee thaan | You are the wild goat that barged in |
| Chera izhikkum silaatta ka thaan.. | You are like a twig that drags mud along.. |
| Female | |
| Ingana vanthu | Coming here to this place |
| Peranthathu thaan varutham | Being born here itself is a regret |
| Engalukkum ivanukkum | Between us and him |
| Ezhaam porutham | It is an incompatible seventh astrological match |
| Female | |
| Aelay engunna mitta kottikaara payalae.. | Hey sweet landlord's drum-beating boy.. |
| Sandaikku nikkura yekkumaaku payalae… | You stubborn boy standing ready for a fight... |
| Female | |
| Aey…aelay etharamatta aangangetta payalae | Hey... hey useless, unprincipled boy |
| Vambu izhikira yelanthaari payalae…. | You young boy who constantly picks fights.... |
| Yelanthaari payalae… | You young boy... |
| Male | |
| Patta paadu maarala | The suffering we endured hasn't faded |
| Oora vittu pova mudiyala… | Yet we cannot leave this village... |
| Paava koothu aadurom | We dance like puppet shows |
| Enga noolu oruthan kaiyila | While our controlling strings are in someone else's hands |
| Male | |
| Adi vaangi vaangi malungi ponom | Getting beaten repeatedly, we became numb |
| Thavilum thoolum verillae.. | Our drums and shoulders have grown weary.. |
| Patta paadu maarula… | The suffering we endured hasn't changed... |
| Oora vittu pova mudiyala… | Yet we cannot leave this village... |
| Female | |
| Irunthum naanga aaduvom | Even so, we will dance |
| Ittukatti paaduvom | We will improvise and sing |
| Chorus :Ingithakka..ingithakka.. | Chorus: Ingithakka..ingithakka.. |
| Ingithakka..thanana.. | Ingithakka..thanana.. |
| Male | |
| Vellakkaara kootam ellaiya thaanduna | If the white men cross their limits |
| Annaki kootha kelu | Listen to the grand spectacle on that day |
| Keela nikkathu enga kaalu | Our feet will not rest on the ground |
| Female :Patthu thalamura vaazhama vittatha | Female: What ten generations were kept from living |
| Vaazhnthu rasichhi iruppom | We will live and relish to the fullest |
| Dhenam mallaaka kedanthu sirippom | Every day we will lie back and laugh happily |
| Male | |
| Eppathaan kedaikkum andha suthanthiram | When will we finally get that freedom? |
| Enga thukkamellaam panju panjaa Paranthurom… | All our sorrows will fly away like light cotton... |
| Female | |
| Aaan…parakkum parakkum | Ah... it will fly, it will fly |
| Female | |
| Engunna mitta kottikaara payalae.. | Where is our sweet drum-beating boy.. |
| Aelay engunna mitta kottikaara payalae… | Hey, where is our sweet drum-beating boy... |
| Aelay aelay engunna mitta kottikaara payalae.. | Hey hey, where is our sweet drum-beating boy.. |
| Sandaikku nikkura yekkumaaku payalae… | You stubborn boy standing ready for a fight... |
| Female | |
| Aey…aelay etharamatta aangangetta payalae | Hey... hey useless, unprincipled boy |
| Vambu izhikira yelanthaari payalae…. | You young boy who constantly picks fights.... |
| Yelanthaari payalae… | You young boy... |
| Ethanathan sonnaalum | No matter how much anyone tells you |
| Eppadithaan vanjaalum | No matter how much anyone scolds you |
| Theraatha soranai ketta eruma.. | You irredeemable, thick-skinned shameless buffalo.. |
| Theraatha soranai ketta eruma | You irredeemable, thick-skinned shameless buffalo |
| Ivanthaan oorukae maamiyaar kodumai… | He is like a mother-in-law's torment to the whole village... |
ஏலே… எங்க மிட்ட
கோடிக்கார பயலே… ஏய்….
Hey... where is our sweet-natured boy?
You beat-drum boy... hey...
தனகுத்தக்கனா…தனக்குதக்கனா…
தன தகுத்தக்கநா தக்கனா..
என்னாளா.. சுத்தி பிடிக்கலயா?….
ஆங்ங்…
Thaanakuthakkana... thaanakuthakkana...
Thaanakuthakkana... thakkana..
Couldn't you wrap around and catch him?
Aah...
எங்கன்ன மிட்ட கோட்டிக்கார பயலே..
ஏல எங்கன்ன மிட்ட கோட்டிக்கார பயலே…
ஏல ஏல எங்கன்ன மிட்ட கோட்டிக்கார பயலே..
சண்டைக்கு நிக்குற ஏக்குமாக்கு பயலே…
Hey sweet landlord's drum-beating boy..
Hey, where is our sweet drum-beating boy...
Hey hey, where is our sweet drum-beating boy..
You stubborn boy standing ready for a fight...
ஏய்…ஏல ஈதரமாட்ட ஆங்கங்கட்ட பயலே
வம்பு இழுக்குற ஏழந்தாரி பயலே….
ஏழந்தாரி பயலே…
எத்தனதான் சொன்னாலும்
எப்படித்தான் வஞ்சாலும்
தேராத சொரணை கெட்ட எரும
Hey... hey useless, unprincipled boy
You young boy who constantly picks fights....
You young boy...
No matter how much anyone tells you
No matter how much anyone scolds you
You irredeemable, thick-skinned shameless buffalo..
ஏய்…
எத்தனதான் சொன்னாலும்
எப்படித்தான் வஞ்சாலும்
தேராத சொரணை கேட்ட எரும
இவன்தான் ஊருக்கே மாமியார் கொடுமை…
Hey...
No matter how much anyone tells you
No matter how much anyone scolds you
You irredeemable, thick-skinned shameless buffalo
He is like a mother-in-law's torment to the whole village...
எங்கன்ன மிட்ட கோட்டிக்கார பயலே..
ஏல எங்கன்ன மிட்ட கோட்டிக்கார பயலே…
ஏல ஏல எங்கன்ன மிட்ட கோட்டிக்கார பயலே..
சண்டைக்கு நிக்குற ஏக்குமாக்கு பயலே…
Hey sweet landlord's drum-beating boy..
You stubborn boy standing ready for a fight...
ஏய்…ஏல ஈதரமாட்ட ஆங்கங்கட்ட பயலே
வம்பு இழுக்குற ஏழந்தாரி பயலே….
ஏழந்தாரி பயலே…
Hey... hey useless, unprincipled boy
You young boy who constantly picks fights....
You young boy...
கூறு கெட்டவனே
கூடத்துல வேற பட்டவனே
கண்ண துறந்து பாக்கையில
மண்ண வாரி விட்டவனே…
You who lack sense and wisdom
You who stood out strangely in the crowd
When opening our eyes to look
You are the one who threw dirt in our eyes...
வால் முளைச்சவனே
கொம்புல பால் கறப்பவனே
தேர இழுத்து தெருவுல விட்ட
தெக்கனங்கெட்டவனே
You who grew a tail of mischief
You who claim to milk milk from horns
You who dragged the temple chariot into the street and abandoned it
You directionless, senseless fellow...
பெண் குழு :
மஞ்ச நேரத்துல மல்லக்கு நிக்குற
விக்கலு சிக்கலு நீதான்
மனம் இல்லா அரளி பூ தான்
நெல்லு விளையிற நஞ்ச நிலத்துல
நொழஞ்ச வெள்ளாடு நீ தான்
சேரடி இழுக்கும் சில்லாட்ட கா தான்..
Standing upside down at dusk time
You are a hiccup and a trouble yourself
You are like a fragrant-less oleander flower
In the fertile heartland where paddy grows
You are the wild goat that barged in
You are like a twig that drags mud along..
இங்கன வந்து
பிறந்தது தான் வருத்தம்
எங்களுக்கும் இவனுக்கும்
எழாம் பொருத்த்ம்
Coming here to this place
Being born here itself is a regret
Between us and him
It is an incompatible seventh astrological match
எங்கன்ன மிட்ட கோட்டிக்கார பயலே..
சண்டைக்கு நிக்குற ஏக்குமாக்கு பயலே…
Hey sweet landlord's drum-beating boy..
You stubborn boy standing ready for a fight...
ஏய்…ஏல ஈதரமாட்ட ஆங்கங்கட்ட பயலே
வம்பு இழுக்குற ஏழந்தாரி பயலே….
ஏழந்தாரி பயலே…
Hey... hey useless, unprincipled boy
You young boy who constantly picks fights....
You young boy...
பட்ட பாடு மாறல
ஊர விட்டு போவ முடியல…
பாவ கூத்து ஆடுறோம்
எங்க நூல் ஒருத்தன் கையில
The suffering we endured hasn't faded
Yet we cannot leave this village...
We dance like puppet shows
While our controlling strings are in someone else's hands
அடி வாங்கி வாங்கி மழங்கி போனோம்
தவிலும் தூளும் வேறுல்ல..
பட்டா பாடு மாறல…
ஊர விட்டு போவ முடியல…
Getting beaten repeatedly, we became numb
Our drums and shoulders have grown weary..
The suffering we endured hasn't changed...
Yet we cannot leave this village...
இருந்தும் நாங்க ஆடுவோம்
இட்டுகட்டி பாடுவோம்
குழு :
இங்கிதக்கா இங்கிதக்கா..
இங்கிதக்கா தனனா..
Even so, we will dance
We will improvise and sing
Chorus: Ingithakka..ingithakka..
Ingithakka..thanana..
வெள்ளக்கார கூட்டம் எல்லைய தாண்டுன
அன்னக்கி கூத்த கேழு
கீழ நிக்காது எங்க காலு
If the white men cross their limits
Listen to the grand spectacle on that day
Our feet will not rest on the ground
Female: What ten generations were kept from living
We will live and relish to the fullest
Every day we will lie back and laugh happily
பத்து தலமுற வாழாம விட்டத
வாழ்ந்து ரசிச்சி இருப்போம்
தெனம் மல்லாக்க கெடந்து சிரிப்போம்
When will we finally get that freedom?
All our sorrows will fly away like light cotton...
எப்பத்தான் கிடைக்கும் அந்த சுதந்திரம்
எங்க துக்கமெல்லாம் பஞ்சு பஞ்சு பறந்திரோம்…
Ah... it will fly, it will fly
ஆன்…பறக்கும் பறக்கும்..
Where is our sweet drum-beating boy..
Hey, where is our sweet drum-beating boy...
Hey hey, where is our sweet drum-beating boy..
You stubborn boy standing ready for a fight...
எங்கன்ன மிட்ட கோட்டிக்கார பயலே..
ஏல எங்கன்ன மிட்ட கோட்டிக்கார பயலே…
ஏல ஏல எங்கன்ன மிட்ட கோட்டிக்கார பயலே..
சண்டைக்கு நிக்குற ஏக்குமாக்கு பயலே…
Hey... hey useless, unprincipled boy
You young boy who constantly picks fights....
You young boy...
No matter how much anyone tells you
No matter how much anyone scolds you
You irredeemable, thick-skinned shameless buffalo..
You irredeemable, thick-skinned shameless buffalo
He is like a mother-in-law's torment to the whole village...
ஏய்…ஏல ஈதரமாட்ட ஆங்கங்கட்ட பயலே
வம்பு இழுக்குற ஏழந்தாரி பயலே….
ஏழந்தாரி பயலே…
எத்தனதான் சொன்னாலும்
எப்படித்தான் வஞ்சாலும்
தேராத சொரணை கெட்ட எரும
ஏய்…
எத்தனதான் சொன்னாலும்
எப்படித்தான் வஞ்சாலும்
தேராத சொரணை கேட்ட எரும
இவன்தான் ஊருக்கே மாமியார் கொடுமை…
Aelay…. engunna mitta
Hey... where is our sweet-natured boy?
Kotikaara payalae….aey….
You beat-drum boy... hey...
Thaanakuthakkana…thaanakuthakkana…
Thaanakuthakkana... thaanakuthakkana...
Thaanakuthakkana… thakkana..
Thaanakuthakkana... thakkana..
Ennalae..suthi pidikalaya?….
Couldn't you wrap around and catch him?
Aaanggg…
Aah...
Engunna mitta kottikaara payalae..
Hey sweet landlord's drum-beating boy..
Aelay engunna mitta kottikaara payalae…
Hey, where is our sweet drum-beating boy...
Aelay aelay engunna mitta kottikaara payalae..
Hey hey, where is our sweet drum-beating boy..
Sandaikku nikkura yekkumaaku payalae…
You stubborn boy standing ready for a fight...
Aey…aelay etharamatta aangangetta payalae
Hey... hey useless, unprincipled boy
Vambu izhikira yelanthaari payalae….
You young boy who constantly picks fights....
Yelanthaari payalae…
You young boy...
Ethanathan sonnaalum
No matter how much anyone tells you
Eppadithaan vanjaalum
No matter how much anyone scolds you
Theraatha soranai ketta eruma..
You irredeemable, thick-skinned shameless buffalo..
Aey…
Hey...
Ethanathan sonnaalum
No matter how much anyone tells you
Eppadithaan vanjaalum
No matter how much anyone scolds you
Theraatha soranai ketta eruma
You irredeemable, thick-skinned shameless buffalo
Ivanthaan oorukae maamiyaar kodumai…
He is like a mother-in-law's torment to the whole village...
Aelay engunna mitta kottikaara payalae..
Hey sweet landlord's drum-beating boy..
Sandaikku nikkura yekkumaaku payalae…
You stubborn boy standing ready for a fight...
Aey…aelay etharamatta aangangetta payalae
Hey... hey useless, unprincipled boy
Vambu izhikira yelanthaari payalae….
You young boy who constantly picks fights....
Yelanthaari payalae…
You young boy...
Kooru kettavanae
You who lack sense and wisdom
Kootathula veru pattavanae
You who stood out strangely in the crowd
Kanna thoranthu paakkaiyila
When opening our eyes to look
Manna vaari vittavanae…
You are the one who threw dirt in our eyes...
Vaal mulaichavanae
You who grew a tail of mischief
Kombula paal karapavanae
You who claim to milk milk from horns
Thera izhithu theruvulae vitta
You who dragged the temple chariot into the street and abandoned it
Thekanangkettavanae…
You directionless, senseless fellow...
Manja nerathula mallakku nikkura
Standing upside down at dusk time
Vikkalu sikkalu neethaan
You are a hiccup and a trouble yourself
Manam illatha arali poo thaan
You are like a fragrant-less oleander flower
Nellu valaiyira nenja nelathula
In the fertile heartland where paddy grows
Nozhanja velladu nee thaan
You are the wild goat that barged in
Chera izhikkum silaatta ka thaan..
You are like a twig that drags mud along..
Ingana vanthu
Coming here to this place
Peranthathu thaan varutham
Being born here itself is a regret
Engalukkum ivanukkum
Between us and him
Ezhaam porutham
It is an incompatible seventh astrological match
Aelay engunna mitta kottikaara payalae..
Hey sweet landlord's drum-beating boy..
Sandaikku nikkura yekkumaaku payalae…
You stubborn boy standing ready for a fight...
Aey…aelay etharamatta aangangetta payalae
Hey... hey useless, unprincipled boy
Vambu izhikira yelanthaari payalae….
You young boy who constantly picks fights....
Yelanthaari payalae…
You young boy...
Patta paadu maarala
The suffering we endured hasn't faded
Oora vittu pova mudiyala…
Yet we cannot leave this village...
Paava koothu aadurom
We dance like puppet shows
Enga noolu oruthan kaiyila
While our controlling strings are in someone else's hands
Adi vaangi vaangi malungi ponom
Getting beaten repeatedly, we became numb
Thavilum thoolum verillae..
Our drums and shoulders have grown weary..
Patta paadu maarula…
The suffering we endured hasn't changed...
Oora vittu pova mudiyala…
Yet we cannot leave this village...
Irunthum naanga aaduvom
Even so, we will dance
Ittukatti paaduvom
We will improvise and sing
Chorus :Ingithakka..ingithakka..
Chorus: Ingithakka..ingithakka..
Ingithakka..thanana..
Ingithakka..thanana..
Vellakkaara kootam ellaiya thaanduna
If the white men cross their limits
Annaki kootha kelu
Listen to the grand spectacle on that day
Keela nikkathu enga kaalu
Our feet will not rest on the ground
Female :Patthu thalamura vaazhama vittatha
Female: What ten generations were kept from living
Vaazhnthu rasichhi iruppom
We will live and relish to the fullest
Dhenam mallaaka kedanthu sirippom
Every day we will lie back and laugh happily
Eppathaan kedaikkum andha suthanthiram
When will we finally get that freedom?
Enga thukkamellaam panju panjaa Paranthurom…
All our sorrows will fly away like light cotton...
Aaan…parakkum parakkum
Ah... it will fly, it will fly
Engunna mitta kottikaara payalae..
Where is our sweet drum-beating boy..
Aelay engunna mitta kottikaara payalae…
Hey, where is our sweet drum-beating boy...
Aelay aelay engunna mitta kottikaara payalae..
Hey hey, where is our sweet drum-beating boy..
Sandaikku nikkura yekkumaaku payalae…
You stubborn boy standing ready for a fight...
Aey…aelay etharamatta aangangetta payalae
Hey... hey useless, unprincipled boy
Vambu izhikira yelanthaari payalae….
You young boy who constantly picks fights....
Yelanthaari payalae…
You young boy...
Ethanathan sonnaalum
No matter how much anyone tells you
Eppadithaan vanjaalum
No matter how much anyone scolds you
Theraatha soranai ketta eruma..
You irredeemable, thick-skinned shameless buffalo..
Theraatha soranai ketta eruma
You irredeemable, thick-skinned shameless buffalo
Ivanthaan oorukae maamiyaar kodumai…
He is like a mother-in-law's torment to the whole village...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This lively folk-infused track from 'August 16 1947' blends playful banter with underlying socio-political commentary about life under colonial and feudal oppression. The initial verses teasingly berate a rebellious, mischievous young boy whose antics cause endless trouble for the villagers, metaphorically describing him through rich rural proverbs and animal imagery. Beneath the teasing lies a deep connection among the villagers who share common hardships. As the song progresses, the tone shifts into a broader expression of resilience and desire for liberty. The villagers sing about being puppets under British rule and local oppression, expressing a collective yearning for freedom ('suthanthiram'). Ultimately, the song encapsulates both the playful spirit of village folk culture and their stubborn hope for liberation from generations of suffering.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Manam illatha arali poo thaan”
Comparing the trouble-making boy to 'Arali poo' (fragrance-less oleander flower) and a 'velladu' (wild goat invading paddy fields).
Hyperbole
“Kombula paal karapavanae”
Exaggerating impossible feats like 'milking milk from horns' to highlight the boy's absurd and defiant nature.
Emoni / Monai (Alliteration)
“Patta paadu maarala / Paava koothu aadurom”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds across lines (e.g., Patta paadu / Paava koothu) creating a rhythmic folk cadence.
Simile / Idiomatic Comparison
“Ivanthaan oorukae maamiyaar kodumai…”
Comparing the oppressive presence of the character to the proverbially feared tyranny of a mother-in-law ('maamiyaar kodumai').
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'August 16 1947' is a period drama set in a remote village in Tamil Nadu where villagers remain unaware of India's independence declaration due to an oppressive British officer. The music composed by Sean Roldan heavily features authentic native percussion and folk vocal stylings.
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