Kottunga Ketti Melam
From Solaikuyil · 1989
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- M. S. Murari
- Details
- Solaikuyil1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kottunga kettimelam | Beat the auspicious drums! |
| Ada ketkattum adha ettu oorum | Ah, let all eight surrounding villages hear it! |
| Oodhunga naadhaswaram | Blow the Nadaswaram! |
| Amman thaer adhil aadi varum | The goddess's chariot sways gracefully upon it. |
| Male | |
| Kottunga kettimelam | Beat the auspicious drums! |
| Ada ketkattum adha ettu oorum | Ah, let all eight surrounding villages hear it! |
| Oodhunga naadhaswaram | Blow the Nadaswaram! |
| Amman thaer adhil aadi varum | The goddess's chariot sways gracefully upon it. |
| Male | |
| Kulamagal naachiyamma | Oh noble woman, Goddess Naachiyamma, |
| Nadapadhun aatchiyamma | It is your reign that rules here! |
| Kann malarndhu engalukku | To us, as she opens her eyes, |
| Kai kodukkum ammanukku | To the goddess who offers her helping hand, |
| Male | |
| Kottunga kettimelam | Beat the auspicious drums! |
| Ada ketkattum adha ettu oorum | Ah, let all eight surrounding villages hear it! |
| Chorus | |
| ………………….. | ... |
| Male | |
| Amma un paarvai vendi anbanum kaathirukka | Mother, waiting for your gracious gaze, your devotee stands, |
| Andraadum yekkam kondu angamum verthirukka | Longing daily, my whole body breaks into a sweat. |
| Unakaaga idhayam ondru isai paadudhu | For your sake, a heart sings sweet music, |
| Urangaadha kangal rendu unai theduthu | Two sleepless eyes are searching for you. |
| Male | |
| Neeyindri naanum illai sreedeviyae | Without you, I do not exist, my Sreedevi, |
| Naaldhorum vaadum unnaal en aaviyae | Because of you, my soul wilts each passing day. |
| Singaara vannam kandu | Seeing your beautiful, adorned form, |
| Sindhu paada bhakthan undu | There is a devotee ready to sing folk tunes. |
| Male | |
| Kottunga kettimelam | Beat the auspicious drums! |
| Ada ketkattum adha ettu oorum | Ah, let all eight surrounding villages hear it! |
| Oodhunga naadhaswaram | Blow the Nadaswaram! |
| Amman thaer adhil aadi varum | The goddess's chariot sways gracefully upon it. |
| Kulamagal naachiyamma | Oh noble woman, Goddess Naachiyamma, |
| Nadapadhun aatchiyamma | It is your reign that rules here! |
| Kann malarndhu engalukku | To us, as she opens her eyes, |
| Kai kodukkum ammanukku | To the goddess who offers her helping hand, |
| Male | |
| Kottunga kettimelam | Beat the auspicious drums! |
| Ada ketkattum adha ettu oorum | Ah, let all eight surrounding villages hear it! |
| Chorus | |
| ………………………. | ... |
| Male | |
| Ooyaamal kaalai maalai ammanin archanai thaan | Ceaselessly morning and night, it is worship for the goddess, |
| Vaayara paadum paadal ambigai keerthanai thaan | The song sung with open heart is a hymn for Goddess Ambigai. |
| Alangaara vadivam kandu alaipaaigiren | Beholding your grand adornment, my mind sways, |
| Abhisegam puriyum naalai edhirpaarkkiren | I eagerly await the day of holy bath rituals. |
| Male | |
| Aagayam boomiyengum oru vannamae | Across the sky and earth, there is a unified radiance, |
| Adiyae en nenjil endrum un ennamae | Oh dear one, thoughts of you reside forever in my heart. |
| Ennaalum sondham kondu | Claiming a bond for all eternity, |
| Ezhu jenmam bandham undu | We share a relationship across seven lifetimes. |
| Male | |
| Kottunga kettimelam | Beat the auspicious drums! |
| Ada ketkattum adha ettu oorum | Ah, let all eight surrounding villages hear it! |
| Oodhunga naadhaswaram | Blow the Nadaswaram! |
| Amman thaer adhil aadi varum | The goddess's chariot sways gracefully upon it. |
| Kulamagal naachiyamma | Oh noble woman, Goddess Naachiyamma, |
| Nadapadhun aatchiyamma | It is your reign that rules here! |
| Kann malarndhu engalukku | To us, as she opens her eyes, |
| Kai kodukkum ammanukku | To the goddess who offers her helping hand, |
| Male | |
| Kottunga kettimelam | Beat the auspicious drums! |
| Ada ketkattum adha ettu oorum | Ah, let all eight surrounding villages hear it! |
| Ha ha han kottunga kettimelam | Ha ha han, beat the auspicious drums! |
| Ada ketkattum adha ettu oorum | Ah, let all eight surrounding villages hear it! |
...................
Beat the auspicious drums!
Ah, let all eight surrounding villages hear it!
Blow the Nadaswaram!
The goddess's chariot sways gracefully upon it.
கொட்டுங்க கெட்டி மேளம் அட கேட்கட்டும் அத எட்டு ஊரும்
ஊதுங்க நாதஸ்வரம் அம்மன் தேர் அதில் ஆடி வரும்
Beat the auspicious drums!
Ah, let all eight surrounding villages hear it!
Blow the Nadaswaram!
The goddess's chariot sways gracefully upon it.
கொட்டுங்க கெட்டி மேளம் கேட்கட்டும் அத எட்டு ஊரும்
ஊதுங்க நாதஸ்வரம் அம்மன் தேர் அதில் ஆடி வரும்
Oh noble woman, Goddess Naachiyamma,
It is your reign that rules here!
To us, as she opens her eyes,
To the goddess who offers her helping hand,
குலமகள் நாச்சியம்மா நடப்பதுன் ஆட்சியம்மா
கண் மலர்ந்து எங்களுக்கு கைக் கொடுக்கும் அம்மனுக்கு
கொட்டுங்க கெட்டி மேளம் அட
கேட்கட்டும் அத எட்டு ஊரும்..
Beat the auspicious drums!
Ah, let all eight surrounding villages hear it!
...................
...
அம்மா உன் பார்வை வேண்டி அன்பனும் காத்திருக்க
அன்றாடம் ஏக்கம் கொண்டு அங்கமும் வேர்த்திருக்க
உனக்காக இதயம் ஒன்று இசை பாடுது
உறங்காத கண்கள் ரெண்டு உனைத் தேடுது
Mother, waiting for your gracious gaze, your devotee stands,
Longing daily, my whole body breaks into a sweat.
For your sake, a heart sings sweet music,
Two sleepless eyes are searching for you.
நீயின்றி நானுமில்லை ஸ்ரீதேவியே
நாள்தோறும் வாடும் உன்னால் என் ஆவியே
சிங்கார வண்ணம் கண்டு
சிந்து பாட பக்தன் உண்டு
Without you, I do not exist, my Sreedevi,
Because of you, my soul wilts each passing day.
Seeing your beautiful, adorned form,
There is a devotee ready to sing folk tunes.
கொட்டுங்க கெட்டி மேளம் கேட்கட்டும் அத எட்டு ஊரும்
ஊதுங்க நாதஸ்வரம் அம்மன் தேர் அதில் ஆடி வரும்..
குலமகள் நாச்சியம்மா நடப்பதுன் ஆட்சியம்மா
கண் மலர்ந்து எங்களுக்கு கைக் கொடுக்கும் அம்மனுக்கு
Beat the auspicious drums!
Ah, let all eight surrounding villages hear it!
Blow the Nadaswaram!
The goddess's chariot sways gracefully upon it.
Oh noble woman, Goddess Naachiyamma,
It is your reign that rules here!
To us, as she opens her eyes,
To the goddess who offers her helping hand,
கொட்டுங்க கெட்டி மேளம் கேட்கட்டும் அத எட்டு ஊரும்..
ஊதுங்க நாதஸ்வரம் அம்மன் தேர் அதில் ஆடி வரும்
Beat the auspicious drums!
Ah, let all eight surrounding villages hear it!
...................
...
ஓயாமல் காலை மாலை அம்மனின் அர்ச்சனைதான்
வாயார பாடும் பாடல் அம்பிகை கீர்த்தனை தான்
அலங்கார வடிவம் கண்டு அலைபாய்கிறேன்
அபிஷேகம் புரியும் நாளை எதிர்பார்க்கிறேன்
Ceaselessly morning and night, it is worship for the goddess,
The song sung with open heart is a hymn for Goddess Ambigai.
Beholding your grand adornment, my mind sways,
I eagerly await the day of holy bath rituals.
ஆகாயம் பூமியெங்கும் ஒரு வண்ணமே
அடியே என் நெஞ்சில் என்றும் உன் எண்ணமே
எந்நாளும் சொந்தம் கொண்டு
ஏழு ஜென்மம் பந்தம் உண்டு
Across the sky and earth, there is a unified radiance,
Oh dear one, thoughts of you reside forever in my heart.
Claiming a bond for all eternity,
We share a relationship across seven lifetimes.
கொட்டுங்க கெட்டி மேளம் கேட்கட்டும் அத எட்டு ஊரும்
ஊதுங்க நாதஸ்வரம் அம்மன் தேர் அதில் ஆடி வரும்
குலமகள் நாச்சியம்மா நடப்பதுன் ஆட்சியம்மா
கண் மலர்ந்து எங்களுக்கு கைக் கொடுக்கும் அம்மனுக்கு
Beat the auspicious drums!
Ah, let all eight surrounding villages hear it!
Blow the Nadaswaram!
The goddess's chariot sways gracefully upon it.
Oh noble woman, Goddess Naachiyamma,
It is your reign that rules here!
To us, as she opens her eyes,
To the goddess who offers her helping hand,
கொட்டுங்க கெட்டி மேளம் கேட்கட்டும் அத எட்டு ஊரும்..
கொட்டுங்க கெட்டி மேளம் கேட்கட்டும் அத எட்டு ஊரும்..
Beat the auspicious drums!
Ah, let all eight surrounding villages hear it!
Ha ha han, beat the auspicious drums!
Ah, let all eight surrounding villages hear it!
Kottunga kettimelam
Beat the auspicious drums!
Ada ketkattum adha ettu oorum
Ah, let all eight surrounding villages hear it!
Oodhunga naadhaswaram
Blow the Nadaswaram!
Amman thaer adhil aadi varum
The goddess's chariot sways gracefully upon it.
Kottunga kettimelam
Beat the auspicious drums!
Ada ketkattum adha ettu oorum
Ah, let all eight surrounding villages hear it!
Oodhunga naadhaswaram
Blow the Nadaswaram!
Amman thaer adhil aadi varum
The goddess's chariot sways gracefully upon it.
Kulamagal naachiyamma
Oh noble woman, Goddess Naachiyamma,
Nadapadhun aatchiyamma
It is your reign that rules here!
Kann malarndhu engalukku
To us, as she opens her eyes,
Kai kodukkum ammanukku
To the goddess who offers her helping hand,
Kottunga kettimelam
Beat the auspicious drums!
Ada ketkattum adha ettu oorum
Ah, let all eight surrounding villages hear it!
…………………..
...
Amma un paarvai vendi anbanum kaathirukka
Mother, waiting for your gracious gaze, your devotee stands,
Andraadum yekkam kondu angamum verthirukka
Longing daily, my whole body breaks into a sweat.
Unakaaga idhayam ondru isai paadudhu
For your sake, a heart sings sweet music,
Urangaadha kangal rendu unai theduthu
Two sleepless eyes are searching for you.
Neeyindri naanum illai sreedeviyae
Without you, I do not exist, my Sreedevi,
Naaldhorum vaadum unnaal en aaviyae
Because of you, my soul wilts each passing day.
Singaara vannam kandu
Seeing your beautiful, adorned form,
Sindhu paada bhakthan undu
There is a devotee ready to sing folk tunes.
Kottunga kettimelam
Beat the auspicious drums!
Ada ketkattum adha ettu oorum
Ah, let all eight surrounding villages hear it!
Oodhunga naadhaswaram
Blow the Nadaswaram!
Amman thaer adhil aadi varum
The goddess's chariot sways gracefully upon it.
Kulamagal naachiyamma
Oh noble woman, Goddess Naachiyamma,
Nadapadhun aatchiyamma
It is your reign that rules here!
Kann malarndhu engalukku
To us, as she opens her eyes,
Kai kodukkum ammanukku
To the goddess who offers her helping hand,
Kottunga kettimelam
Beat the auspicious drums!
Ada ketkattum adha ettu oorum
Ah, let all eight surrounding villages hear it!
……………………….
...
Ooyaamal kaalai maalai ammanin archanai thaan
Ceaselessly morning and night, it is worship for the goddess,
Vaayara paadum paadal ambigai keerthanai thaan
The song sung with open heart is a hymn for Goddess Ambigai.
Alangaara vadivam kandu alaipaaigiren
Beholding your grand adornment, my mind sways,
Abhisegam puriyum naalai edhirpaarkkiren
I eagerly await the day of holy bath rituals.
Aagayam boomiyengum oru vannamae
Across the sky and earth, there is a unified radiance,
Adiyae en nenjil endrum un ennamae
Oh dear one, thoughts of you reside forever in my heart.
Ennaalum sondham kondu
Claiming a bond for all eternity,
Ezhu jenmam bandham undu
We share a relationship across seven lifetimes.
Kottunga kettimelam
Beat the auspicious drums!
Ada ketkattum adha ettu oorum
Ah, let all eight surrounding villages hear it!
Oodhunga naadhaswaram
Blow the Nadaswaram!
Amman thaer adhil aadi varum
The goddess's chariot sways gracefully upon it.
Kulamagal naachiyamma
Oh noble woman, Goddess Naachiyamma,
Nadapadhun aatchiyamma
It is your reign that rules here!
Kann malarndhu engalukku
To us, as she opens her eyes,
Kai kodukkum ammanukku
To the goddess who offers her helping hand,
Kottunga kettimelam
Beat the auspicious drums!
Ada ketkattum adha ettu oorum
Ah, let all eight surrounding villages hear it!
Ha ha han kottunga kettimelam
Ha ha han, beat the auspicious drums!
Ada ketkattum adha ettu oorum
Ah, let all eight surrounding villages hear it!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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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