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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kottunga Ketti Melam

From Solaikuyil · 1989

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
M. S. Murari
Movie name
Solaikuyil
Movie release year
1989
Lyrics added on
4 May 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kottunga kettimelam
Ada ketkattum adha ettu oorum
Oodhunga naadhaswaram
Amman thaer adhil aadi varum
Kottunga kettimelam
Ada ketkattum adha ettu oorum
Oodhunga naadhaswaram
Amman thaer adhil aadi varum
Kulamagal naachiyamma
Nadapadhun aatchiyamma
Kann malarndhu engalukku
Kai kodukkum ammanukku
Kottunga kettimelam
Ada ketkattum adha ettu oorum
…………………..
Amma un paarvai vendi anbanum kaathirukka
Andraadum yekkam kondu angamum verthirukka
Unakaaga idhayam ondru isai paadudhu
Urangaadha kangal rendu unai theduthu
Neeyindri naanum illai sreedeviyae
Naaldhorum vaadum unnaal en aaviyae
Singaara vannam kandu
Sindhu paada bhakthan undu
Kottunga kettimelam
Ada ketkattum adha ettu oorum
Oodhunga naadhaswaram
Amman thaer adhil aadi varum
Kulamagal naachiyamma
Nadapadhun aatchiyamma
Kann malarndhu engalukku
Kai kodukkum ammanukku
Kottunga kettimelam
Ada ketkattum adha ettu oorum
……………………….
Ooyaamal kaalai maalai ammanin archanai thaan
Vaayara paadum paadal ambigai keerthanai thaan
Alangaara vadivam kandu alaipaaigiren
Abhisegam puriyum naalai edhirpaarkkiren
Aagayam boomiyengum oru vannamae
Adiyae en nenjil endrum un ennamae
Ennaalum sondham kondu
Ezhu jenmam bandham undu
Kottunga kettimelam
Ada ketkattum adha ettu oorum
Oodhunga naadhaswaram
Amman thaer adhil aadi varum
Kulamagal naachiyamma
Nadapadhun aatchiyamma
Kann malarndhu engalukku
Kai kodukkum ammanukku
Kottunga kettimelam
Ada ketkattum adha ettu oorum
Ha ha han kottunga kettimelam
Ada ketkattum adha ettu oorum
Beat the festive drums,
let the sound reach all eight surrounding towns!
Play the nadaswaram (wind instrument),
the goddess's chariot comes swaying along!
Beat the festive drums,
let the sound reach all eight surrounding towns!
Play the nadaswaram,
the goddess's chariot comes swaying along!
Oh noble lady, Nachiyamma,
it is your rule that guides our lives!
Opening her eyes with grace,
for the goddess who extends a helping hand,
beat the festive drums,
let the sound reach all eight surrounding towns!
...
Goddess, your beloved waits longing for your glance,
yearning every day as his whole body breaks into a sweat.
A heart sings a melody just for you,
two sleepless eyes keep searching for you.
Without you I am nothing, my Sridevi,
day after day, my soul pines for you.
Beholding your charming beauty,
here is a devotee ready to sing a tune!
Beat the festive drums,
let the sound reach all eight surrounding towns!
Play the nadaswaram,
the goddess's chariot comes swaying along!
Oh noble lady, Nachiyamma,
it is your rule that guides our lives!
Opening her eyes with grace,
for the goddess who extends a helping hand,
beat the festive drums,
let the sound reach all eight surrounding towns!
...
Morning and evening, worship goes on without pause,
the song sung wholeheartedly is a hymn to the goddess.
Seeing your beautifully decorated form, my heart wanders,
I eagerly await the day of the sacred bath.
The sky and the earth share a single glow,
oh girl, my heart is always filled with thoughts of you.
Claiming our bond for all days,
we share a connection across seven lifetimes!
Beat the festive drums,
let the sound reach all eight surrounding towns!
Play the nadaswaram,
the goddess's chariot comes swaying along!
Oh noble lady, Nachiyamma,
it is your rule that guides our lives!
Opening her eyes with grace,
for the goddess who extends a helping hand,
beat the festive drums,
let the sound reach all eight surrounding towns!
Ha ha ha, beat the festive drums,
let the sound reach all eight surrounding towns!
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Chorus
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Chorus
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Kottunga Kettimelam from the film Solaikuyil (1989) is an energetic, festive track that weaves traditional temple festival imagery with expressions of deep love and devotion. Rendered enthusiastically by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam with lyrics by Vaali and music by M. S. Murari, the song captures the grandeur of a village temple festival centered around a deity's chariot procession. The lyrics use sacred ritual motifs—such as the booming kettimelam drums, resonant nadaswaram pipes, holy abhishekam, and daily archanai—as metaphors for eternal love and adoration. The protagonist likens his beloved to a goddess whose grace elevates his existence, celebrating a soul connection destined to endure across seven lifetimes.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaiz / Alliteration (Moonaai)

“Kottunga kettimelam”

Repetition of the initial consonant 'k' across words in the same line creates a rhythmic drum-like beat.

Edhukai / Second Letter Rhyme

“Kottunga kettimelam / Ada ketkattum adha ettu oorum”

Repetition of the second consonant sound 'tt' ('Kottunga' and 'ketkattum') across consecutive lines.

Iyaibu / End Rhyme

“Kulamagal naachiyamma / Nadapadhun aatchiyamma”

Matching end sounds ('aatchiyamma' and 'naachiyamma') creating a euphonic musical cadence.

Allegory / Metaphor

“Neeyindri naanum illai sreedeviyae”

Intertwining devotional worship of the Mother Goddess (Amman/Ambigai) with romantic love for a partner.

Did you know?

Trivia

Solaikuyil (1989) featured music composed by M. S. Murari, an understated composer known for authentic rural and folk-infused Tamil film scores. Lyricist Vaali cleverly crafted the song to function seamlessly both as a temple festival hymn and a romantic proclamation.

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