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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kudi Kudi Thoothukudi Kudi

From Bumper · 2022

Lyricist
Karthik Netha
Singers
Kapil Kapilan, Govind Vasantha
Music director
Govind Vasantha
Details
Bumper2022

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kudi kudi thoothukkudi kudi kudiThoothukudi, a town of clans, drink and celebrate!
Thamirabarani velaiyaadum ooradiIt is the land where the river Thamirabarani plays.
Kudi kudi aadhikkudi kudi kudiAn ancient settlement of original inhabitants!
Yerikadal pattanam yevannaalum sokkanumThis coastal port town will mesmerize anyone!
Chorus
Aelay aelayAelay aelay!
Male :Kadalammaa indhaalaMother Ocean is on this side,
Chorus :Vaale vaaleCome, come!
Male :Panimaadhaa andhaalaOur Lady of Snows church is on that side,
Chorus :Vaade vaadeCome along, come along!
Male :Thiruchendhoor nammodaThiruchendur Murugan temple belongs to us,
Chorus :Yeade yeadeHey there, hey there!
Male :Seakkaali raajaaliMy companion, my royal king!
Male
Aalai irukku velai irukkuThere are people and there is work to do,
Nombalamum nooru irukkuThere are a hundred local rituals and festivals,
Saadhi irukku veli irukkuCaste division exists, and social boundaries exist,
Meeri oru eeram irukkuYet, beyond all that, a deep compassion flows,
Male
Rosamirukku paasamirukkuThere is self-respect and there is deep affection,
Vesamirukku vaade makkaaThere are pretense and drama too, come along folk!
Onnu mannaa ottikkittuSticking together as one unified community,
Pattaiya ooththikkade…Pour out the drink and celebrate wildly...
Male
Siluppatta sirippazhagiA beautiful girl with a bright, charming smile,
Sandhaikku mandhaikku ponaaWhen she goes to the market or crowd,
Maappula mainaru makkaaThe handsome young lads around,
Parandhu ponnuva edhiril nikkaanWill fly over and stand right in front of her!
Male
Sooriyana thalaiyil semandhuCarrying the scorching sun on their heads,
Vaazhkkaiya nadaththum koottamA hard-working group of people living their daily lives,
Vearvaiyil manakkum naalumFragrant every day with the scent of honest sweat,
Makkaa makkaa makkaaOh people, people, people!
Mandhira pattanamThis magical, enchanting town,
Male
Uppaangudi enga oorulaIn our town famous for salt pans,
Sattaambilla romba perulaThere are many authoritative figures,
Aattakadichchi maattakadichchiBy overcoming obstacles through grit and cunning,
RoottapudippaanThey will carve out their own path!
Male
Panandhoppum kulasaami deWith palmyra groves and ancestral deities,
Thoravaa illaadha kadalveedudeAn endless ocean front with no doors or boundaries!
Summaa verum vaaya chavaikkaadhadeDon't just idle around chewing blankly,
Aattukarichchora eduththaangadeBring out the spicy mutton feast!
De de de aamaan de…Hey, hey, yes indeed...
Male
Kudi kudi thoothukkudi kudi kudiThoothukudi, a town of clans, drink and celebrate!
Ammaiyum appanum arasaanda maakudiA great clan where ancestors ruled with pride,
Kudi kudi thoothukkudi kudi kudiThoothukudi, a town of clans, drink and celebrate!
Madhanimaar pattanam manasaara mechchanumA town praised wholeheartedly by everyone!
Chorus
Aelay aelayAelay aelay!
Male :Annaachchi indhaalayRespected elder brother is on this side,
Chorus :Vaala vaalaCome on, come on!
Male :Saaraayam indhaalaThe local spirit is on this side,
Chorus :Pola polaLet's go, let's go!
Male :Vesada vendaamlaNo need for any false disguises, brother,
Chorus :Aelay aelayAelay aelay!
Male :Seakkaali seakkaaliMy buddy, my loyal companion!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kudi Kudi Thoothukkudi is a vibrant folk anthem celebrating the culture, people, and coastal landscape of Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) in Southern Tamil Nadu. The lyrics highlight the town's unique syncretic identity, referencing Mother Ocean, Our Lady of Snows Basilica, and the Thiruchendur Murugan Temple side by side. Lyricist Karthik Netha captures the raw, hard-working spirit of the local community who toil in salt pans and palmyra groves under the harsh sun, yet embrace life with immense joy, feast, and camaraderie.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Pun / Double Entendre (Sleidai)

Kudi kudi thoothukkudi kudi kudi

The word 'Kudi' is repeated continuously, playing on its dual meanings of 'clan/lineage' (Aadhikkudi, Maakudi) and 'drink/celebrate'.

Internal Rhyme (Edugai)

Rosamirukku paasamirukku

Matching internal structure and ending rhymes ('irukku') create a rhythmic, chant-like folk cadence.

Metaphor

Sooriyana thalaiyil semandhu

Carrying the sun on one's head metaphorically portrays the intense physical labor of working under the scorching sun.

Rhythmic Alliteration (Monai)

Aattakadichchi maattakadichchi

Playful folk alliteration and sound patterns build dramatic tempo.

Did you know?

Trivia

Thoothukudi is historically known as the 'Pearl City' of Tamil Nadu. The song references 'Panimaadhaa' (Our Lady of Snows Basilica) and 'Thiruchendhoor' (Thiruchendur Murugan Temple), highlighting the harmonious co-existence of diverse religious traditions that define the region's coastal culture.

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