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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kottukkali Kottu Naayanam

From Chinnavar · 1992

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Chinnavar
Movie release year
1992
Lyrics added on
8 Mar 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kottukkali kottu naayanam
Kekkudhu vaattudhu
Katti kalandhida vaa kannae
Pattu kalanjiyamae
Thottu kulavida vaa pennae
Muthu thiraviyamae
Velli mani chatham
Thulli kudhithoru thaalam poda
Velli alaiyudan sella kayalgalum
Naalum kooda
Kottukkali kottu naayanam
Kekkudhu vaattudhu
Katti kalandhida vaa kannae
Pattu kalanjiyamae
Thottu kulavida vaa anbae
Muthu thiraviyamae
Chinnavarum paarkkum podhu
Dhegam mogam kekkudhu
Mannavarum koodum podhu
Mayakkamaagudhu
Kannirandum jaalam pesi
Kaadhal bodhai yethudhu
Ponnu itta thoondil
Ennai pottu izhukkudhu
Kodi aasai koodi koodi
Kolam podudhu
Kolam pottu paadi paadi
Thaalam podudhu
Raajaraajanum
Kai kortha raaniyaaganum
Kaadhal saagaram
Adhil inba thoni poganum
Ezhu logam maalai poda
Vaazhndhu paarkkanum
Kottukkali kottu naayanam
Kekkudhu vaattudhu
Katti kalandhida vaa kannae
Pattu kalanjiyamae
Thottu kulavida vaa pennae
Muthu thiraviyamae
Velli mani chatham
Thulli kudhithoru thaalam poda
Velli alaiyudan sella kayalgalum
Naalum kooda
Kottukkali kottu naayanam
Kekkudhu vaattudhu
Katti kalandhida vaa kannae
Pattu kalanjiyamae
Thottu kulavida vaa anbae
Muthu thiraviyamae
Muthu mani maalai pola
Modhi paarkka aasai thaan
Vetkam ini oda venum
Vilagi thooram thaan
Pottu vaithu poovai choodi
Paarthu yengum paavai thaan
Thottanaithu thookkum podhu
Theerum baaram thaan
Kaathu vaakkil pootha vaasam
Kanni vaasam thaan
Naethu pootha poovin meedhu
Enna paasam thaan
Mooda moodavae
Ennoda mogam yerudhu
Paada paadavae
Ennoda paattum serudhu
Theda theda kodi kodi
Sedhi theriyudhu
Kottukkali kottu naayanam
Kekkudhu vaattudhu
Katti kalandhida vaa kannaa
Pattu kalanjiyamae
Thottuk kulavida vaa anbae
Muthu thiraviyamae
Velli mani chatham
Thulli kudhithoru thaalam poda
Velli alaiyudan sella kayalgalum
Naalum kooda
Kottukkali kottu naayanam
Kekkudhu vaattudhu
Katti kalandhida vaa kannaa
Pattu kalanjiyamae
Thottu kulavida vaa pennae
Muthu thiraviyamae
The beat of drums and the music of the pipes
is heard all around, teasing my heart.
Come, my darling, let us embrace and unite,
O treasure of soft silk!
Come, my girl, let us caress and be close,
O precious wealth of pearls!
The sound of silver bells
leaps and dances to a joyful beat,
as sweet fish swim with the silver waves
and join together every single day.
The beat of drums and the music of the pipes
is heard all around, teasing my heart.
Come, my darling, let us embrace and unite,
O treasure of soft silk!
Come, my love, let us caress and be close,
O precious wealth of pearls!
When my young man looks at me,
my body yearns with longing.
When my lord comes near to me,
my senses begin to swoon.
Your two eyes weave their magic
and intoxicate me with love.
The hook cast by this young girl
catches me and reels me in.
Millions of desires come together
and draw patterns of joy.
Drawing patterns and singing along,
they tap to the rhythm.
To you, the majestic king,
I want to be the queen holding your hand.
Across the vast ocean of love,
a boat of joy must sail.
With all seven worlds blessing us,
we must live our lives in love.
The beat of drums and the music of the pipes
is heard all around, teasing my heart.
Come, my darling, let us embrace and unite,
O treasure of soft silk!
Come, my girl, let us caress and be close,
O precious wealth of pearls!
The sound of silver bells
leaps and dances to a joyful beat,
as sweet fish swim with the silver waves
and join together every single day.
The beat of drums and the music of the pipes
is heard all around, teasing my heart.
Come, my darling, let us embrace and unite,
O treasure of soft silk!
Come, my love, let us caress and be close,
O precious wealth of pearls!
Like a garland of pearls,
I long to press close against you.
All shyness must now run away
and vanish far into the distance.
Wearing a bindi and adorned with flowers,
this girl waits and longs for you.
When you hold me and lift me in your arms,
the burden of my longing will fade away.
The sweet fragrance carried by the breeze
is the gentle scent of a young woman.
On this blossom that opened just yesterday,
how much love you lavish!
As darkness draws us closer,
my passion keeps rising.
As I sing on and on,
my song blends with yours.
The more we seek, millions of
sweet secrets are revealed.
The beat of drums and the music of the pipes
is heard all around, teasing my heart.
Come, my dear, let us embrace and unite,
O treasure of soft silk!
Come, my love, let us caress and be close,
O precious wealth of pearls!
The sound of silver bells
leaps and dances to a joyful beat,
as sweet fish swim with the silver waves
and join together every single day.
The beat of drums and the music of the pipes
is heard all around, teasing my heart.
Come, my dear, let us embrace and unite,
O treasure of soft silk!
Come, my girl, let us caress and be close,
O precious wealth of pearls!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This energetic and romantic song from the film Chinnavar (1992) captures the celebratory bliss and sensual longing between two lovers. Set against festive traditional instruments like the drum (kottu) and nadaswaram (naayanam), the song describes how the sounds of music amplify the lovers' desire to embrace and unite. The imagery transitions from nature's rhythmic play—such as silver waves and leaping fish—to the emotional high of romantic intimacy, where gaze, touch, and affection dissolve all hesitation and shyness. The verse sections highlight the mutual attraction and royal-like grandeur of their love, comparing their bond to a king and queen sailing a boat of joy across an ocean of love. The lyrics combine rural folk charm with romantic romanticism, celebrating the union of two souls amidst nature, music, and eternal commitment.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagim)

“Pattu kalanjiyamae / Muthu thiraviyamae”

Addressing the beloved as 'Pattu kalanjiyamae' (treasure trove of silk) and 'Muthu thiraviyamae' (liquid treasure of pearls) metaphorically emphasizes her rarity, softness, and preciousness.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Kottukkali kottu naayanam / Katti kalandhida vaa kannae / Thottu kulavida vaa pennae”

The second consonant 'tt' matches across consecutive lines ('Kottu', 'Katti', 'Thottu'), creating a rhythmic flow typical of classical and folk Tamil poetry.

Imagery & Personification

“Velli alaiyudan sella kayalgalum / Naalum kooda”

Fishes are personified as leaping and setting a rhythm alongside silver ocean waves to celebrate the musical mood.

Simile (Upama)

“Muthu mani maalai pola / Modhi paarkka aasai thaan”

Comparing the eagerness to collide or touch affectionately to the delicate clinking of pearl bead necklaces ('Muthu mani maalai pola').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Chinnavar' (1992) is a Tamil drama film starring Prabhu and Kasthuri in lead roles, directed by K. S. Ravikumar. The music for the film was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Gangai Amaran. This song showcases Ilaiyaraaja's signature blend of folk rhythms and classical Nadaswaram orchestration.

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