Kulicha Kuthalam
From Duet · 1994
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, T. K. Kala
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Duet1994
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kulichaa kuththaalam | For a bath, it's Kourtallam |
| Kumbitta paramasivam | For worship, Lord Paramasivam |
| Kudichaa neermoru | For drinking, diluted buttermilk |
| Pudichaa neethandi | For love, it's you, my dear |
| Male | |
| Sokkupodi meenatchchi | Enchanting Meenakshi |
| Sokkanathan naanthandi | I am Sokkanathan, my dear |
| Sokkupodi meenatchchi | Enchanting Meenakshi |
| Sokkanathan naanthandi | I am Sokkanathan, my dear |
| Male | |
| Kulichaa kuththaalam | For a bath, it's Kourtallam |
| Kumbitta paramasivam | For worship, Lord Paramasivam |
| Kudichaa neermoru | For drinking, diluted buttermilk |
| Pudichaa neethandi | For love, it's you, my dear |
| Male | |
| Sokkupodi meenatchchi | Enchanting Meenakshi |
| Sokkanathan naanthandi | I am Sokkanathan, my dear |
| Sokkupodi meenatchchi | Enchanting Meenakshi |
| Sokkanathan naanthandi | I am Sokkanathan, my dear |
| Female | |
| Hmmm ooo hoooo…(8) | Hmmm ooo hoooo... |
| Chorus :…………… | Chorus... |
| Female | |
| {Kulathukku thamarapoo | A lotus flower for the pond |
| Gummikku kumariponnu | A young maiden for the Kummi dance |
| Veetukku murunga maram | A drumstick tree for the household |
| Veyilukku veppa maram} (2) | A neem tree for shade in the heat |
| Male | |
| Koozhukku moar molaga | A sun-dried chili for porridge |
| koothalukku sudu soru | Hot rice for cold weather |
| Nadicha engappan | For acting, my father |
| Anachaa neethandi | For an embrace, it is you, my dear |
| Male | |
| Sokkupodi meenatchchi | Enchanting Meenakshi |
| Sokkanathan naanthandi | I am Sokkanathan, my dear |
| Sokkupodi meenatchchi | Enchanting Meenakshi |
| Sokkanathan naanthandi | I am Sokkanathan, my dear |
| Female | |
| Kulichaa kuththaalam | For a bath, it's Kourtallam |
| Kumbitta paramasivam | For worship, Lord Paramasivam |
| Kudichaa neermoru | For drinking, diluted buttermilk |
| Pudichaa neethaanyaa | For love, it's you, my dear |
| Male | |
| Sokkupodi meenatchchi | Enchanting Meenakshi |
| Sokkanathan naanthandi | I am Sokkanathan, my dear |
| Sokkupodi meenatchchi | Enchanting Meenakshi |
| Sokkanathan naanthandi | I am Sokkanathan, my dear |
| Female | |
| Hooo…ooo…. | Hooo...ooo... |
| Hoo…ooo | Hoo...ooo |
| Hooo…ooo….hoo…ooo | Hooo...ooo...hoo...ooo |
| Male | |
| {Thamizhukku then mathura | Sweet Madurai for Tamil |
| Dhavanikki pavada | A long skirt for a half-saree |
| Mattuku paruthi vetha | Cotton seed feed for cattle |
| Manaivikku malligapoo}(2) | Jasmine flowers for the wife |
| Female | |
| Siripukku nsk | NSK for laughter |
| Sinthanaikku valluvaru | Thiruvalluvar for wisdom |
| Innathukku innathunnu | That this is uniquely made for that |
| Ezhuthivacha porutham idhu | This is a match written in destiny |
| Male | |
| Sokkupodi meenatchchi | Enchanting Meenakshi |
| Sokkanathan naanthandi | I am Sokkanathan, my dear |
| Sokkupodi meenatchchi | Enchanting Meenakshi |
| Sokkanathan naanthandi | I am Sokkanathan, my dear |
| Male | |
| Kulichaa | If bathing... |
| Female:Kuththaalam | Female: Kourtallam |
| Male :Kumbitta | Male: If worshiping... |
| Female :Paramasivam | Female: Paramasivam |
| Male :Kudichaa | Male: If drinking... |
| Female :Neermoru | Female: Diluted buttermilk |
| Male :Pudichaa | Male: If liking... |
| Female :Neethaanyaa | Female: It's you, my dear |
| Male | |
| {Sokkupodi meenatchchi | Enchanting Meenakshi |
| Sokkanathan naanthandi | I am Sokkanathan, my dear |
| Sokkupodi meenatchchi | Enchanting Meenakshi |
| Sokkanathan naanthandi}(2) | I am Sokkanathan, my dear |
குளிச்சா குத்தாலம்
கும்பிட்டா பரமசிவம்
குடிச்சா நீர்மோரு
புடிச்சா நீதாண்டி
For a bath, it's Kourtallam
For worship, Lord Paramasivam
For drinking, diluted buttermilk
For love, it's you, my dear
சொக்குப்பொடி மீனாட்சி
சொக்கநாதன் நான்தாண்டி
சொக்குப்பொடி மீனாட்சி
சொக்கநாதன் நான்தாண்டி
Enchanting Meenakshi
I am Sokkanathan, my dear
Enchanting Meenakshi
I am Sokkanathan, my dear
குளிச்சா குத்தாலம்
கும்பிட்டா பரமசிவம்
குடிச்சா நீர்மோரு
புடிச்சா நீதாண்டி
For a bath, it's Kourtallam
For worship, Lord Paramasivam
For drinking, diluted buttermilk
For love, it's you, my dear
சொக்குப்பொடி மீனாட்சி
சொக்கநாதன் நான்தாண்டி
சொக்குப்பொடி மீனாட்சி
சொக்கநாதன் நான்தாண்டி
Enchanting Meenakshi
I am Sokkanathan, my dear
Enchanting Meenakshi
I am Sokkanathan, my dear
ஹ்ம்ம் ஓஒ ஹோஓ....(8)
குழு :
....................................
Hmmm ooo hoooo...
Chorus...
{குளத்துக்கு தாமரப்பூ
கும்மிக்கு குமரிப்பொண்ணு
வீட்டுக்கு முருங்க மரம்
வெய்யிலுக்கு வேப்ப மரம்} (2)
A lotus flower for the pond
A young maiden for the Kummi dance
A drumstick tree for the household
A neem tree for shade in the heat
கூழுக்கு மோர் மொளகா
கூதலுக்கு சுடு சோறு
நடிச்சா எங்கப்பன்
அணைச்சா நீதாண்டி
A sun-dried chili for porridge
Hot rice for cold weather
For acting, my father
For an embrace, it is you, my dear
சொக்குப்பொடி மீனாட்சி
சொக்கநாதன் நான்தாண்டி
சொக்குப்பொடி மீனாட்சி
சொக்கநாதன் நான்தாண்டி
Enchanting Meenakshi
I am Sokkanathan, my dear
Enchanting Meenakshi
I am Sokkanathan, my dear
குளிச்சா குத்தாலம்
கும்பிட்டா பரமசிவம்
குடிச்சா நீர் மோரு
புடிச்சா நீதான்யா
For a bath, it's Kourtallam
For worship, Lord Paramasivam
For drinking, diluted buttermilk
For love, it's you, my dear
சொக்குப்பொடி மீனாட்சி
சொக்கநாதன் நான்தாண்டி
சொக்குப்பொடி மீனாட்சி
சொக்கநாதன் நான்தாண்டி
Enchanting Meenakshi
I am Sokkanathan, my dear
Enchanting Meenakshi
I am Sokkanathan, my dear
ஹோஒ....ஓஒ...
ஹோ...ஓஒ
ஹோஒ....ஓஒ....ஹோ...ஓஒ
Hooo...ooo...
Hoo...ooo
Hooo...ooo...hoo...ooo
{தமிழுக்கு தென்மதுர
தாவாணிக்கு பாவாடை
மாட்டுக்கு பருத்தி விதை
மனைவிக்கு மல்லிகைப்பூ} (2)
Sweet Madurai for Tamil
A long skirt for a half-saree
Cotton seed feed for cattle
Jasmine flowers for the wife
சிரிப்புக்கு என். எஸ். கே
சிந்தனைக்கு வள்ளுவரு
இன்னதுக்கு இன்னதுன்னு
எழுதிவச்ச பொருத்தம் இது
NSK for laughter
Thiruvalluvar for wisdom
That this is uniquely made for that
This is a match written in destiny
சொக்குப்பொடி மீனாட்சி
சொக்கநாதன் நான்தாண்டி
சொக்குப்பொடி மீனாட்சி
சொக்கநாதன் நான்தாண்டி
Enchanting Meenakshi
I am Sokkanathan, my dear
Enchanting Meenakshi
I am Sokkanathan, my dear
குளிச்சா
குத்தாலம்
கும்பிட்டா
பரமசிவம்
குடிச்சா
நீர்மோரு
புடிச்சா
நீதான்யா
If bathing...
Female: Kourtallam
Male: If worshiping...
Female: Paramasivam
Male: If drinking...
Female: Diluted buttermilk
Male: If liking...
Female: It's you, my dear
{சொக்குப்பொடி மீனாட்சி
சொக்கநாதன் நான்தாண்டி
சொக்குப்பொடி மீனாட்சி
சொக்கநாதன் நான்தாண்டி} (2)
Enchanting Meenakshi
I am Sokkanathan, my dear
Enchanting Meenakshi
I am Sokkanathan, my dear
Kulichaa kuththaalam
For a bath, it's Kourtallam
Kumbitta paramasivam
For worship, Lord Paramasivam
Kudichaa neermoru
For drinking, diluted buttermilk
Pudichaa neethandi
For love, it's you, my dear
Sokkupodi meenatchchi
Enchanting Meenakshi
Sokkanathan naanthandi
I am Sokkanathan, my dear
Sokkupodi meenatchchi
Enchanting Meenakshi
Sokkanathan naanthandi
I am Sokkanathan, my dear
Kulichaa kuththaalam
For a bath, it's Kourtallam
Kumbitta paramasivam
For worship, Lord Paramasivam
Kudichaa neermoru
For drinking, diluted buttermilk
Pudichaa neethandi
For love, it's you, my dear
Sokkupodi meenatchchi
Enchanting Meenakshi
Sokkanathan naanthandi
I am Sokkanathan, my dear
Sokkupodi meenatchchi
Enchanting Meenakshi
Sokkanathan naanthandi
I am Sokkanathan, my dear
Hmmm ooo hoooo…(8)
Hmmm ooo hoooo...
Chorus :……………
Chorus...
{Kulathukku thamarapoo
A lotus flower for the pond
Gummikku kumariponnu
A young maiden for the Kummi dance
Veetukku murunga maram
A drumstick tree for the household
Veyilukku veppa maram} (2)
A neem tree for shade in the heat
Koozhukku moar molaga
A sun-dried chili for porridge
koothalukku sudu soru
Hot rice for cold weather
Nadicha engappan
For acting, my father
Anachaa neethandi
For an embrace, it is you, my dear
Sokkupodi meenatchchi
Enchanting Meenakshi
Sokkanathan naanthandi
I am Sokkanathan, my dear
Sokkupodi meenatchchi
Enchanting Meenakshi
Sokkanathan naanthandi
I am Sokkanathan, my dear
Kulichaa kuththaalam
For a bath, it's Kourtallam
Kumbitta paramasivam
For worship, Lord Paramasivam
Kudichaa neermoru
For drinking, diluted buttermilk
Pudichaa neethaanyaa
For love, it's you, my dear
Sokkupodi meenatchchi
Enchanting Meenakshi
Sokkanathan naanthandi
I am Sokkanathan, my dear
Sokkupodi meenatchchi
Enchanting Meenakshi
Sokkanathan naanthandi
I am Sokkanathan, my dear
Hooo…ooo….
Hooo...ooo...
Hoo…ooo
Hoo...ooo
Hooo…ooo….hoo…ooo
Hooo...ooo...hoo...ooo
{Thamizhukku then mathura
Sweet Madurai for Tamil
Dhavanikki pavada
A long skirt for a half-saree
Mattuku paruthi vetha
Cotton seed feed for cattle
Manaivikku malligapoo}(2)
Jasmine flowers for the wife
Siripukku nsk
NSK for laughter
Sinthanaikku valluvaru
Thiruvalluvar for wisdom
Innathukku innathunnu
That this is uniquely made for that
Ezhuthivacha porutham idhu
This is a match written in destiny
Sokkupodi meenatchchi
Enchanting Meenakshi
Sokkanathan naanthandi
I am Sokkanathan, my dear
Sokkupodi meenatchchi
Enchanting Meenakshi
Sokkanathan naanthandi
I am Sokkanathan, my dear
Kulichaa
If bathing...
Female:Kuththaalam
Female: Kourtallam
Male :Kumbitta
Male: If worshiping...
Female :Paramasivam
Female: Paramasivam
Male :Kudichaa
Male: If drinking...
Female :Neermoru
Female: Diluted buttermilk
Male :Pudichaa
Male: If liking...
Female :Neethaanyaa
Female: It's you, my dear
{Sokkupodi meenatchchi
Enchanting Meenakshi
Sokkanathan naanthandi
I am Sokkanathan, my dear
Sokkupodi meenatchchi
Enchanting Meenakshi
Sokkanathan naanthandi}(2)
I am Sokkanathan, my dear
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Kulichaa Kuththaalam from the 1994 film Duet is a vibrant folk-style romantic duet. Lyricist Vairamuthu uses a cascade of traditional Tamil imagery and everyday pairings—such as Madurai for Tamil, Valluvar for wisdom, and neem trees for summer heat—to illustrate how perfectly suited the two lovers are for one another, likening their divine match to Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sokkanathar (Shiva).
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaaphora / Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Kulichaa kuththaalam / Kumbitta paramasivam / Kudichaa neermoru”
The repetition of the initial syllable 'Ku-' across consecutive lines creates rhythmic flow and oral musicality typical of Tamil folk songs.
Cultural Metaphor (Upamana-Upameya)
“Siripukku nsk / Sinthanaikku valluvaru / Innathukku innathunnu / Ezhuthivacha porutham idhu”
The song pairs natural and cultural elements (Madurai with Tamil, Valluvar with wisdom, NSK with humor) to metaphorically assert that the lovers are a match predestined by nature.
Did you know?
Trivia
Although listed in prompt metadata as unknown, this iconic song from K. Balachander's 'Duet' (1994) was actually composed by A. R. Rahman, sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and K. S. Chithra, with lyrics by Vairamuthu. The soundtrack is famous for blending Carnatic, folk, and western jazz through saxophonist Kadri Gopalnath.
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