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Isaimozhi
Nellikani album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kuppusami Idhu Thappu Sami

From Nellikani · 1981

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Nellikani
Movie release year
1981
Lyrics added on
15 Jun 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kuppusaamy idhu thappu saamy
Aa….kuppusaamy idhu thappu saamy
Kulikkumpothu ponna paaththa
Kuppusaamy idh thappu saamy
Kannaadi maatti vantha kannusaamy
Kannaadi maatti vantha kannusaamy
Kadhalikka vantheengalaa ponnusaamy
Hoi kuppusaamy idhu thappu saamy
Kuppusaamy idh thappu saamy
Paruvaththin kolaaru machchaanukku
Pachchaikkili melae kannu vachchaanukku
Paruvaththin kolaaru machchaanukku
Pachchaikkili melae kannu vachchaanukku
Bus melae Yaerumpothu idichchavaraa
Bus melae Yaerumpothu idichchavaraa
Pallakkaatti paavaam pola ndichchavaraa
Aasaami…..oo….saami….
Kuppusaamy idhu thappu saamy
Kulikkumpothu ponna paaththa
Kuppusaamy idhu thappu saamy
Ponna paarththa mayakkaththilae ninnavarae
Puththamputhu kadhalukku mannavarae
Ponna paarththa mayakkaththilae ninnavarae
Puththamputhu kadhalukku mannavarae
Manmadhanai pol bhaanam potteengalaa
Aa….manmadhanai pol bhaanam potteengalaa
Machchaannu uravu solli vantheengalaa
Aasaami…..oo….saami….
Kuppusaamy idhu thappu saamy
Kulikkumpothu ponna paaththa
Kuppusaamy idhu thappu saamy
Udhadugalthaan muththamida thudikkuthadi
Ullaththilae achcham vanthu thadukkuthadi
Udhadugalthaan muththamida thudikkuthadi
Ullaththilae achcham vanthu thadukkuthadi
Asadunnu enni neeyum mayangaathammaa
Asadunnu enni neeyum mayangaathammaa
Aambalaththaan ivarukitta pazhagaathammaa
Aasaami…..oo….saami….
Kuppusaamy idhu thappu saamy
Kulikkumpothu ponna paaththa
Kuppusaamy idhu thappu saamy
Kannaadi maatti vantha kannusaamy
Kadhalikka vantheengalaa ponnusaamy
Hoi kuppusaamy idhu thappu saamy
Haa kuppusaamy idh thappu saamy
Kuppusamy, this is wrong, mister!
Ah... Kuppusamy, this is wrong!
Peeking at a girl while she is bathing,
Kuppusamy, this is wrong!
You came wearing glasses, my handsome man,
You came wearing glasses, my handsome man,
Did you come here to fall in love, Ponnusamy?
Hey, Kuppusamy, this is wrong!
Kuppusamy, this is wrong!
It is just the mischief of youth for this young man,
Who has set his eyes on this sweet parrot of a girl!
It is just the mischief of youth for this young man,
Who has set his eyes on this sweet parrot of a girl!
Are you the one who bumped into me while getting on the bus,
Are you the one who bumped into me while getting on the bus,
And grinned, pretending to be so innocent?
What a clever fellow... oh mister...
Kuppusamy, this is wrong!
Peeking at a girl while she is bathing,
Kuppusamy, this is wrong!
You who stood spellbound just looking at a girl,
You are the king of brand-new romance!
You who stood spellbound just looking at a girl,
You are the king of brand-new romance!
Did you shoot arrows like Manmatha (the god of love)?
Ah... did you shoot arrows like Manmatha (the god of love)?
Did you come claiming to be my beloved cousin?
What a clever fellow... oh mister...
Kuppusamy, this is wrong!
Peeking at a girl while she is bathing,
Kuppusamy, this is wrong!
Lips are yearning with the urge to kiss,
Yet fear rises in the heart and holds them back!
Lips are yearning with the urge to kiss,
Yet fear rises in the heart and holds them back!
Don't fall for him thinking he is naive, girl!
Don't fall for him thinking he is naive, girl!
He is a cunning man, don't mingle with him!
What a clever fellow... oh mister...
Kuppusamy, this is wrong!
Peeking at a girl while she is bathing,
Kuppusamy, this is wrong!
You came wearing glasses, my handsome man,
Did you come here to fall in love, Ponnusamy?
Hey, Kuppusamy, this is wrong!
Ha, Kuppusamy, this is wrong!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic track from 'Nellikani' (1981) features playful tease lyrics directed at a hero figure named Kuppusamy. The song jokingly calls him out for peeping, flirting on the bus, and putting on an innocent act while pursuing romance. It balances romantic tension, playful banter, and traditional rural teasing with rhythmic enthusiasm.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emona / Rhyme (Monai and Ethukai)

Kuppusaamy idhu thappu saamy

Use of repeating suffix '-saamy' across Kuppusaamy, thappu saamy, kannusaamy, and ponnusaamy creates internal rhyme and rhythmic playfulness.

Metaphor / Allusion

Manmadhanai pol bhaanam potteengalaa

Allusion to 'Manmadhan' (the Hindu deity of love and desire) shooting arrows of love, comparing the hero's flirtatious glances to love-arrows.

Metaphor (Pachchaikkili)

Pachchaikkili melae kannu vachchaanukku

Comparing the heroine to a green parrot ('Pachchaikkili'), a classic Tamil literary trope representing beauty and innocence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the legendary duo Shankar-Ganesh and rendered by Vani Jairam, 'Kuppusaamy idhu thappu saamy' became a hugely popular folk-style track known for its catchy refrain and humorous lyricism penned by Pulamaipithan.

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