Kottungada
From Bharathi Kannamma · 1997
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Mano
- Music director
- Deva
- Details
- Bharathi Kannamma1997
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kottungada……aa…. | Beat the drums! |
| Male | |
| Mela thaalam thattungada | Play the rhythmic percussion! |
| Male | |
| Ayya nam thevar ayya | Sir, our Thevar sir! |
| Arasanda vamsam ayya | Of the royal ruling lineage, sir! |
| Thevarthaan pethu vacha ponnu | The daughter born to Thevar, |
| Athu dheivam ayya | She is like a divine goddess, sir! |
| Male | |
| Mangala mangaigal maalaiya soodunga | Auspicious women, adorn your garlands! |
| Komari ponnunga kolavai podunga | Young unmarried girls, sound the joyful ululations! |
| Thangatha eduthu atha thari pottu elachu | Take pure gold, weave it on the loom, |
| Enga ponnukku uduthu | Dress our girl with it, |
| Oru thaer pola singarachu | Adorn her like a grand temple chariot! |
| Male | |
| Haan….kottungada…… | Haan... beat the drums! |
| Mela thaalam thattungada | Play the rhythmic percussion! |
| Hei kottungada…… | Hey, beat the drums! |
| Mela thaalam thattungada | Play the rhythmic percussion! |
| Chorus | |
| …………………. | |
| Male | |
| Sooriyana rathiriku | To command the sun to wake up |
| Vizhika sonnavaru thevaru | At night, that was Thevar! |
| Chanthirana muppathu naall | To command the moon to stay |
| Iruka sonnavaru thevaru | For thirty full days, that was Thevar! |
| Male | |
| Idathu kaiyal siruthaiyathan | With just his left hand, a wild cheetah |
| Idari vittavaru thevaru | Was pushed away by Thevar! |
| Ayiram per ulai kothikka | When a thousand people's pots boiled in hunger, |
| Arisi thanthavar thevaru | The one who provided rice was Thevar! |
| Male | |
| Thanni kettu thavichu vanthaa | When someone arrived parched asking for water, |
| Mooru thanthathu thevaru | The one who offered buttermilk was Thevar! |
| Thali manja kayithukellam | For every auspicious yellow thali thread, |
| Thangam thanthathu thevaru | The one who gifted gold was Thevar! |
| Male | |
| Ayya…..pethu vacha ponnu | Sir... the daughter he brought into this world, |
| Kannu……thevarkula kannu | She is the precious eye of the Thevar clan! |
| Hei samancha ponnuku santhanam kannuku | Hey, apply sandalwood to the eyes of the girl who attained womanhood! |
| Neruki thodutha marutha malligai | Densely strung marudha-jasmine flowers, |
| Iruki pinnunga iruki pinnunga | Braid them tightly into her hair, braid them tightly! |
| Male | |
| Kottungada…..aa…. | Beat the drums! |
| Melathaalam thattungada | Play the rhythmic percussion! |
| Haan kottungada……aa…. | Haan, beat the drums! |
| Melathaalam thattungada | Play the rhythmic percussion! |
| Chorus | |
| …………………. | |
| Male | |
| Poovukellam athisayama | As a wonder among all flowers, |
| Poothu vantha kannamma | Kannamma blossomed into life! |
| Pombalayae aasa padum | Even other women admire |
| Ponnalagu pennamma | Her golden feminine beauty! |
| Male | |
| Kannalaga paathuputta | If a carp fish sees the charm of her eyes, |
| Kenda meenu valuma | Could it survive the comparison? |
| Iva kattazhaga paadi vaika | To describe and sing of her full beauty, |
| Kampan tamil pothuma | Is Kamban's Tamil even enough? |
| Ketti illa thaatti illa Ottiyanam Ottuma | She has no fat or flaws, will a gold waist belt fit her slender waist? |
| Edaiku edai thangam venum | We need gold equal to her weight, |
| Intha seeru paththuma | Is this wedding gift ritual enough? |
| Male | |
| Vaazhga… thevar magal vaazhga | Long live... long live the daughter of Thevar! |
| Vaazhga…..thevar kulam vaazhga | Long live... long live the Thevar community! |
| Male | |
| Hei vaadura singam vaazhththu sollunga | Hey, mighty lions of the land, offer your blessings! |
| amancha ponnuku santhanam poosunga | Apply sandalwood paste to the girl who came of age! |
| Anthiku munnala panthiku munthunga | Gather for the feast before dusk arrives! |
| Male | |
| Ayya | Sir! |
| Chorus :Nam thevar ayya | Chorus: Our Thevar sir, |
| Male :Arasanda | Male: Of the ruling |
| Chorus :Vamsam ayya | Chorus: Royal lineage, sir! |
| Male :Thevarthaan | Male: Thevar himself |
| Chorus :Haa pethu vacha | Chorus: Haa, birthed this |
| Male :Ponnu | Male: Girl, |
| Chorus :Athu dheivam ayya | Chorus: She is a goddess, sir! |
| Chorus | |
| Mangala mangaigal maalaiya soodunga | Auspicious women, adorn your garlands! |
| Komari ponnunga kolavai podunga | Young unmarried girls, sound the joyful ululations! |
| Male | |
| Thangatha eduthu atha thari pottu elachu | Take pure gold, weave it on the loom, |
| Enga ponnukku uduthu | Dress our girl with it, |
| Oru thaer pola singarachu | Adorn her like a grand temple chariot! |
| Male | |
| Kottungada……aa… | Beat the drums! |
| Mela thaalam thattungada | Play the rhythmic percussion! |
| Aa…..kottungada…… | Aa... beat the drums! |
| Mela thaalam thattungada | Play the rhythmic percussion! |
| Chorus | |
| ……………….. | |
கொட்டுங்கடா......ஆ....
Beat the drums!
மேள தாளம் தட்டுங்கடா.....
Play the rhythmic percussion!
அய்யா நம் தேவர் ஐயா
அரசாண்ட வம்சம் அய்யா
தேவர்தான் பெத்து வச்ச பொண்ணு
அது தெய்வம் அய்யா
Sir, our Thevar sir!
Of the royal ruling lineage, sir!
The daughter born to Thevar,
She is like a divine goddess, sir!
மங்கள மங்கைகள் மாலைய சூடுங்க
கொமரி பொண்ணுங்க கொலவை போடுங்க
தங்கத்த எடுத்து அத தறி போட்டு எளச்சு
எங்க பொண்ணுக்கு உடுத்து
ஒரு தேர் போல சிங்காரிச்சு.......
Auspicious women, adorn your garlands!
Young unmarried girls, sound the joyful ululations!
Take pure gold, weave it on the loom,
Dress our girl with it,
Adorn her like a grand temple chariot!
ஹான்....கொட்டுங்கடா......
மேள தாளம் தட்டுங்கடா
ஹேய் கொட்டுங்கடா......
மேள தாளம் தட்டுங்கடா
Haan... beat the drums!
Play the rhythmic percussion!
Hey, beat the drums!
Play the rhythmic percussion!
..............................
சூரியன ராத்திரிக்கு
விழிக்க சொன்னவரு தேவரு
சந்திரன முப்பது நாள்
இருக்க சொன்னவரு தேவரு
To command the sun to wake up
At night, that was Thevar!
To command the moon to stay
For thirty full days, that was Thevar!
இடது கையால் சிறுதையத்தான்
இடறி விட்டவரு தேவரு
ஆயிரம் பேர் உலை கொதிக்க
அரிசி தந்தவர் தேவரு
With just his left hand, a wild cheetah
Was pushed away by Thevar!
When a thousand people's pots boiled in hunger,
The one who provided rice was Thevar!
தண்ணி கேட்டு தவிச்சு வந்தா
மோரு தந்தது தேவரு.....
தாலி மஞ்ச கயித்துகெல்லாம்
தங்கம் தந்தது தேவரு....
When someone arrived parched asking for water,
The one who offered buttermilk was Thevar!
For every auspicious yellow thali thread,
The one who gifted gold was Thevar!
அய்யா.......பெத்து வச்ச பொண்ணு
கண்ணு தேவர்குல கண்ணு.....
ஹேய் சமைஞ்ச பொண்ணுக்கு சந்தனம் கண்ணுக்கு
நெருக்கி தொடுத்த மருத மல்லிகை
இறுக்கி பின்னுங்க இறுக்கி பின்னுங்க
Sir... the daughter he brought into this world,
She is the precious eye of the Thevar clan!
Hey, apply sandalwood to the eyes of the girl who attained womanhood!
Densely strung marudha-jasmine flowers,
Braid them tightly into her hair, braid them tightly!
கொட்டுங்கடா......ஆ.....
மேளதாளம் தட்டுங்கடா
ஹான் கொட்டுங்கடா......ஆ.....
மேளதாளம் தட்டுங்கடா
Beat the drums!
Play the rhythmic percussion!
Haan, beat the drums!
Play the rhythmic percussion!
.......................................
பூவுக்கெல்லாம் அதிசயமா
பூத்து வந்த கண்ணம்மா
பொம்பளையே ஆச படும்
பொன்னழகு பெண்ணம்மா
As a wonder among all flowers,
Kannamma blossomed into life!
Even other women admire
Her golden feminine beauty!
கண்ணழக பாத்துபுட்ட
கெண்ட மீனு வாலுமா
இவ கட்டழக பாடி வைக்க
கம்பன் தமிழ் போதுமா
கெட்டியில்ல தாட்டியில்ல ஒட்டியாணம் ஒட்டுமா
எடைக்கு எடை தங்கம் வேணும்
இந்த சீரு பத்துமா
If a carp fish sees the charm of her eyes,
Could it survive the comparison?
To describe and sing of her full beauty,
Is Kamban's Tamil even enough?
She has no fat or flaws, will a gold waist belt fit her slender waist?
We need gold equal to her weight,
Is this wedding gift ritual enough?
வாழ்க......தேவர் மகள் வாழ்க
வாழ்க......தேவர் குலம் வாழ்க
Long live... long live the daughter of Thevar!
Long live... long live the Thevar community!
ஹேய் வாடுற சிங்கம் வாழ்த்து சொல்லுங்க
சமைஞ்ச பொண்ணுக்கு சந்தனம் பூசுங்க
அந்திக்கு முன்னால பந்திக்கு முந்துங்க
Hey, mighty lions of the land, offer your blessings!
Apply sandalwood paste to the girl who came of age!
Gather for the feast before dusk arrives!
அய்யா
குழு :
நம் தேவர் அய்யா
அரசாண்ட
குழு :
வம்சம் அய்யா
தேவர்தான்
குழு :
ஹா பெத்து வச்ச
பொண்ணு
குழு :
அது தெய்வம் அய்யா
Sir!
Chorus: Our Thevar sir,
Male: Of the ruling
Chorus: Royal lineage, sir!
Male: Thevar himself
Chorus: Haa, birthed this
Male: Girl,
Chorus: She is a goddess, sir!
மங்கள மங்கைகள் மாலைய சூடுங்க
குமரி பொண்ணுங்க கொலவை போடுங்க
Auspicious women, adorn your garlands!
Young unmarried girls, sound the joyful ululations!
தங்கத்த எடுத்து அத தறி போட்டு எளச்சு
எங்க பொண்ணுக்கு உடுத்து
ஒரு தேர் போல சிங்காரிச்சு......
Take pure gold, weave it on the loom,
Dress our girl with it,
Adorn her like a grand temple chariot!
கொட்டுங்கடா......ஆ.....
மேளதாளம் தட்டுங்கடா
ஆ....கொட்டுங்கடா......ஆ.....
மேளதாளம் தட்டுங்கடா
Beat the drums!
Play the rhythmic percussion!
Aa... beat the drums!
Play the rhythmic percussion!
..............................
Kottungada……aa….
Beat the drums!
Mela thaalam thattungada
Play the rhythmic percussion!
Ayya nam thevar ayya
Sir, our Thevar sir!
Arasanda vamsam ayya
Of the royal ruling lineage, sir!
Thevarthaan pethu vacha ponnu
The daughter born to Thevar,
Athu dheivam ayya
She is like a divine goddess, sir!
Mangala mangaigal maalaiya soodunga
Auspicious women, adorn your garlands!
Komari ponnunga kolavai podunga
Young unmarried girls, sound the joyful ululations!
Thangatha eduthu atha thari pottu elachu
Take pure gold, weave it on the loom,
Enga ponnukku uduthu
Dress our girl with it,
Oru thaer pola singarachu
Adorn her like a grand temple chariot!
Haan….kottungada……
Haan... beat the drums!
Mela thaalam thattungada
Play the rhythmic percussion!
Hei kottungada……
Hey, beat the drums!
Mela thaalam thattungada
Play the rhythmic percussion!
………………….
Sooriyana rathiriku
To command the sun to wake up
Vizhika sonnavaru thevaru
At night, that was Thevar!
Chanthirana muppathu naall
To command the moon to stay
Iruka sonnavaru thevaru
For thirty full days, that was Thevar!
Idathu kaiyal siruthaiyathan
With just his left hand, a wild cheetah
Idari vittavaru thevaru
Was pushed away by Thevar!
Ayiram per ulai kothikka
When a thousand people's pots boiled in hunger,
Arisi thanthavar thevaru
The one who provided rice was Thevar!
Thanni kettu thavichu vanthaa
When someone arrived parched asking for water,
Mooru thanthathu thevaru
The one who offered buttermilk was Thevar!
Thali manja kayithukellam
For every auspicious yellow thali thread,
Thangam thanthathu thevaru
The one who gifted gold was Thevar!
Ayya…..pethu vacha ponnu
Sir... the daughter he brought into this world,
Kannu……thevarkula kannu
She is the precious eye of the Thevar clan!
Hei samancha ponnuku santhanam kannuku
Hey, apply sandalwood to the eyes of the girl who attained womanhood!
Neruki thodutha marutha malligai
Densely strung marudha-jasmine flowers,
Iruki pinnunga iruki pinnunga
Braid them tightly into her hair, braid them tightly!
Kottungada…..aa….
Beat the drums!
Melathaalam thattungada
Play the rhythmic percussion!
Haan kottungada……aa….
Haan, beat the drums!
Melathaalam thattungada
Play the rhythmic percussion!
………………….
Poovukellam athisayama
As a wonder among all flowers,
Poothu vantha kannamma
Kannamma blossomed into life!
Pombalayae aasa padum
Even other women admire
Ponnalagu pennamma
Her golden feminine beauty!
Kannalaga paathuputta
If a carp fish sees the charm of her eyes,
Kenda meenu valuma
Could it survive the comparison?
Iva kattazhaga paadi vaika
To describe and sing of her full beauty,
Kampan tamil pothuma
Is Kamban's Tamil even enough?
Ketti illa thaatti illa Ottiyanam Ottuma
She has no fat or flaws, will a gold waist belt fit her slender waist?
Edaiku edai thangam venum
We need gold equal to her weight,
Intha seeru paththuma
Is this wedding gift ritual enough?
Vaazhga… thevar magal vaazhga
Long live... long live the daughter of Thevar!
Vaazhga…..thevar kulam vaazhga
Long live... long live the Thevar community!
Hei vaadura singam vaazhththu sollunga
Hey, mighty lions of the land, offer your blessings!
amancha ponnuku santhanam poosunga
Apply sandalwood paste to the girl who came of age!
Anthiku munnala panthiku munthunga
Gather for the feast before dusk arrives!
Ayya
Sir!
Chorus :Nam thevar ayya
Chorus: Our Thevar sir,
Male :Arasanda
Male: Of the ruling
Chorus :Vamsam ayya
Chorus: Royal lineage, sir!
Male :Thevarthaan
Male: Thevar himself
Chorus :Haa pethu vacha
Chorus: Haa, birthed this
Male :Ponnu
Male: Girl,
Chorus :Athu dheivam ayya
Chorus: She is a goddess, sir!
Mangala mangaigal maalaiya soodunga
Auspicious women, adorn your garlands!
Komari ponnunga kolavai podunga
Young unmarried girls, sound the joyful ululations!
Thangatha eduthu atha thari pottu elachu
Take pure gold, weave it on the loom,
Enga ponnukku uduthu
Dress our girl with it,
Oru thaer pola singarachu
Adorn her like a grand temple chariot!
Kottungada……aa…
Beat the drums!
Mela thaalam thattungada
Play the rhythmic percussion!
Aa…..kottungada……
Aa... beat the drums!
Mela thaalam thattungada
Play the rhythmic percussion!
………………..
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This energetic celebratory song from the film Bharathi Kannamma depicts the grand coming-of-age ceremony (Manjal Neerattu Vizha) of a young woman born into the respected Thevar community. The lyrics extol the noble heritage, generosity, courage, and divine benevolence of the village chief (Thevar), recounting legendary tales of his altruism—feeding thousands, helping the needy, and standing as a pillar of strength for his community. The song vividly illustrates traditional Tamil customs, including weaving golden attire, decorating with marudha-jasmine flowers, sounding joyful ululations (kolavai), and organizing community feasts. Hyperbolic metaphors compare her beauty to poetic perfection beyond Kamban's verses, creating a atmosphere filled with village pride, familial affection, and festive exuberance.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitci Ani)
“Sooriyana rathiriku Vizhika sonnavaru thevaru”
Exaggerates the chief's authority and strength by claiming he could command the sun to rise at night and push a wild cheetah away with his left hand.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Oru thaer pola singarachu”
Compares the festive ornamentation of the young woman directly to a decorated temple chariot (thaer).
Alliteration (Monai)
“Poovukellam athisayama Poothu vantha kannamma”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('P') enhancing the melodic rhythm of the verse.
Classical Literary Allusion
“Kampan tamil pothuma”
Invokes Kamban, the legendary author of the Tamil Kamba Ramayanam, suggesting even his rich vocabulary falls short of describing her beauty.
Did you know?
Trivia
Bharathi Kannamma (1997), directed by Cheran, features a memorable soundtrack composed by Deva with lyrics written by Vairamuthu. The song showcases authentic South Tamil Nadu rural traditions and folklore culture surrounding auspicious family milestones.
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