Kuthala Kaattukku
From Chinna Devan · 1993
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, Minmini
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Chinna Devan1993
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kuthaala kaattukku | For the Courtallam forest, |
| Mathaalam yedhukku | why is a drum needed? |
| Thaanaaga paadumae | It will sing on its own. |
| Male | |
| Mandhaara poovukku | For the hibiscus flower, |
| Maaraappu yedhukku | why is an upper cloth drape needed? |
| Moodaama aadumae | It sways uncovered. |
| Female | |
| Idhu moodaama aadaadhu | This won't dance uncovered, |
| Oor koodi paakkudhu | the whole village gathers to watch. |
| Male | |
| Onna paathaalae aathaadi | Oh my, just looking at you, |
| Verkkaadha mookkedhu | is there a nose that doesn't sweat? |
| Female | |
| Oi kuthaala kaattukku | Hey, for the Courtallam forest, |
| Mathaalam yedhukku | why is a drum needed? |
| Thaanaaga paadumae | It will sing on its own. |
| Male | |
| Hey mandhaara poovukku | Hey, for the hibiscus flower, |
| Maaraappu yedhukku | why is an upper cloth drape needed? |
| Moodaama aadumae | It sways uncovered. |
| Male | |
| Kallazhagar koyil ulla | Inside the Kallazhagar temple, |
| Unnaattamaa sirpam illa | there is no sculpture as beautiful as you. |
| Etti ninnu enna kollaadhae | Don't kill me by standing far away, |
| Vetkamunnu poiya chollaadhae | don't pretend that it is just shyness. |
| Female | |
| Enna vechu paattu kattu | Compose a song about me, |
| Kaiyil varum nottu kattu | wads of currency notes will rain down. |
| Nottu vandhaa vandha kaiyoda | Once the cash arrives, |
| Vaangi kodu pattu paavaada | buy and give me a silk skirt immediately. |
| Male | |
| Edhirula irukkudhu paniyaaram | The sweet delicacy is right before us, |
| Eduthu thaa enakkulla pasi pogum | feed me so my hunger vanishes. |
| Female | |
| Idhukkellaam avasara padalaamaa | Should one be in such a rush for all this? |
| Irukkudhu kodukkuren poru maamaa | It is here, I will give it, have patience, dear. |
| Male | |
| Idhu enna koothu | What kind of antics are these? |
| Pecha maathu | Change the topic. |
| Ini thaangaadhammaa maanae | I can't bear this wait any longer, my deer-like girl. |
| Female | |
| Oi kuthaala kaattukku | Hey, for the Courtallam forest, |
| Mathaalam yedhukku | why is a drum needed? |
| Thaanaaga paadumae | It will sing on its own. |
| Male | |
| Hey mandhaara poovukku | Hey, for the hibiscus flower, |
| Maaraappu yedhukku | why is an upper cloth drape needed? |
| Moodaama aadumae | It sways uncovered. |
| Female | |
| Onnaaga thaan neeyum naanum | Together, you and I, |
| Ponaal enna kumbakonam | what if we go to Kumbakonam? |
| Ippo angae magaamagam thaan | Right now the Mahamaham festival is taking place there, |
| Kaana kaana romba sogam thaan | watching it is pure joy. |
| Male | |
| Ammaadiyo venaa venaa | Oh my, no, no! |
| Pattadhellaam podhum podhum | Enough of all that I have gone through! |
| Ponavanga enna aanaanga | What happened to those who went there? |
| Sorgathaiyae thedi ponaanga | They went in search of heaven itself. |
| Female | |
| Unnai vittu pirinjida mudiyaadhu | I cannot remain separated from you, |
| Enakkoru thani sugam kidaiyaadhu | there is no independent joy for me. |
| Male | |
| Namakkunnu irukkudhu vayakkaadu | We have our own farm field, |
| Ozhaikkalaam namakkenna kuraipaadu | we can work hard, what shortfalls do we have? |
| Female | |
| Kidaikkumaa maamaa | Will we get it, dear? |
| Vayalum vaazhvum | A farm and a contented life, |
| Adhu pola yogam yedhu | what fortune is greater than that? |
| Female | |
| Yei kuthaala kaattukku | Hey, for the Courtallam forest, |
| Mathaalam yedhukku | why is a drum needed? |
| Thaanaaga paadumae | It will sing on its own. |
| Male | |
| Hei mandhaara poovukku | Hey, for the hibiscus flower, |
| Maaraappu yedhukku | why is an upper cloth drape needed? |
| Moodaama aadumae | It sways uncovered. |
| Female | |
| Idhu moodaama aadaadhu | This won't dance uncovered, |
| Oor koodi paakkudhu | the whole village gathers to watch. |
| Male | |
| Onna paathaalae aathaadi | Oh my, just looking at you, |
| Verkkaadha mookkedhu | is there a nose that doesn't sweat? |
| Female | |
| Oi kuthaala kaattukku | Hey, for the Courtallam forest, |
| Mathaalam yedhukku | why is a drum needed? |
| Thaanaaga paadumae | It will sing on its own. |
| Male | |
| Haan mandhaara poovukku | Haan, for the hibiscus flower, |
| Maaraappu yedhukku | why is an upper cloth drape needed? |
| Moodaama aadumae | It sways uncovered. |
குத்தாலக் காட்டுக்கு
மத்தாளம் ஏதுக்கு தானாகப் பாடுமே
மந்தாரப் பூவுக்கு
மாராப்பு ஏதுக்கு மூடாம ஆடுமே
For the Courtallam forest,
why is a drum needed?
It will sing on its own.
இது மூடாம ஆடாது
ஊர் கூடிப் பாக்குது
ஒன்னப் பார்த்தாலே
ஆத்தாடி வேர்க்காத மூக்கெது
For the hibiscus flower,
why is an upper cloth drape needed?
It sways uncovered.
ஓய் குத்தாலக் காட்டுக்கு
மத்தாளம் ஏதுக்கு தானாகப் பாடுமே
ஏய் மந்தாரப் பூவுக்கு
மாராப்பு ஏதுக்கு மூடாம ஆடுமே..ஏ...
This won't dance uncovered,
the whole village gathers to watch.
கள்ளழகர் கோயில் உள்ள
உன்னாட்டமா சிற்பம் இல்ல
எட்டி நின்னு என்னக் கொல்லாதே
வெட்கமுன்னு பொய்யச் சொல்லாதே
Oh my, just looking at you,
is there a nose that doesn't sweat?
என்ன வச்சு பாட்டுக் கட்டு
கையில் வரும் நோட்டுக் கட்டு
நோட்டு வந்த வந்த கையோட
வாங்கிக் கொடு பட்டுப் பாவாட
Hey, for the Courtallam forest,
why is a drum needed?
It will sing on its own.
எதிருல இருக்குது பணியாரம்
எடுத்துத்தா எனக்குள்ள பசி போகும்
இதுக்கெல்லாம் அவசர படலாமா
இருக்குது கொடுக்கிறேன் பொறு மாமா
இது என்ன கூத்து பேச்ச மாத்து
இனி தாங்காதம்மா மானே…
Hey, for the hibiscus flower,
why is an upper cloth drape needed?
It sways uncovered.
ஓய் குத்தாலக் காட்டுக்கு
மத்தாளம் ஏதுக்கு தானாகப் பாடுமே
ஏய் மந்தாரப் பூவுக்கு
மாராப்பு ஏதுக்கு மூடாம ஆடுமே..ஏ...
Inside the Kallazhagar temple,
there is no sculpture as beautiful as you.
Don't kill me by standing far away,
don't pretend that it is just shyness.
ஒண்ணாகத்தான் நீயும் நானும்
போனால் என்ன கும்பகோணம்
இப்போ அங்கே மகாமகம்தான்
காணக்காண ரொம்ப சொகம்தான்
Compose a song about me,
wads of currency notes will rain down.
Once the cash arrives,
buy and give me a silk skirt immediately.
அம்மாடியோ வேணா வேணா
பட்டதெல்லாம் போதும் போதும்
போனவங்க என்ன ஆனாங்க
சொர்க்கத்தையே தேடிப் போனாங்க
The sweet delicacy is right before us,
feed me so my hunger vanishes.
உன்னை விட்டு பிரிஞ்சிட முடியாது
எனக்கொரு தனி சுகம் கிடையாது
நமக்குனு இருக்குது வயக்காடு
ஒழைக்கலாம் நமக்கென்ன குறைபாடு
கிடைக்குமா மாமா வயலும் வாழ்வும்
அது போல யோகம் ஏது....
Should one be in such a rush for all this?
It is here, I will give it, have patience, dear.
ஏய் குத்தாலக் காட்டுக்கு
மத்தாளம் ஏதுக்கு தானாகப் பாடுமே
ஏய் மந்தாரப் பூவுக்கு
மாராப்பு ஏதுக்கு மூடாம ஆடுமே..ஏ...
What kind of antics are these?
Change the topic.
I can't bear this wait any longer, my deer-like girl.
இது மூடாம ஆடாது
ஊர் கூடிப் பாக்குது
ஒன்னப் பார்த்தாலே
ஆத்தாடி வேர்க்காத மூக்கெது
Hey, for the Courtallam forest,
why is a drum needed?
It will sing on its own.
குத்தாலக் காட்டுக்கு
மத்தாளம் ஏதுக்கு தானாகப் பாடுமே
ஆ மந்தாரப் பூவுக்கு
மாராப்பு ஏதுக்கு மூடாம ஆடுமே
Hey, for the hibiscus flower,
why is an upper cloth drape needed?
It sways uncovered.
Together, you and I,
what if we go to Kumbakonam?
Right now the Mahamaham festival is taking place there,
watching it is pure joy.
Oh my, no, no!
Enough of all that I have gone through!
What happened to those who went there?
They went in search of heaven itself.
I cannot remain separated from you,
there is no independent joy for me.
We have our own farm field,
we can work hard, what shortfalls do we have?
Will we get it, dear?
A farm and a contented life,
what fortune is greater than that?
Hey, for the Courtallam forest,
why is a drum needed?
It will sing on its own.
Hey, for the hibiscus flower,
why is an upper cloth drape needed?
It sways uncovered.
This won't dance uncovered,
the whole village gathers to watch.
Oh my, just looking at you,
is there a nose that doesn't sweat?
Hey, for the Courtallam forest,
why is a drum needed?
It will sing on its own.
Haan, for the hibiscus flower,
why is an upper cloth drape needed?
It sways uncovered.
Kuthaala kaattukku
For the Courtallam forest,
Mathaalam yedhukku
why is a drum needed?
Thaanaaga paadumae
It will sing on its own.
Mandhaara poovukku
For the hibiscus flower,
Maaraappu yedhukku
why is an upper cloth drape needed?
Moodaama aadumae
It sways uncovered.
Idhu moodaama aadaadhu
This won't dance uncovered,
Oor koodi paakkudhu
the whole village gathers to watch.
Onna paathaalae aathaadi
Oh my, just looking at you,
Verkkaadha mookkedhu
is there a nose that doesn't sweat?
Oi kuthaala kaattukku
Hey, for the Courtallam forest,
Mathaalam yedhukku
why is a drum needed?
Thaanaaga paadumae
It will sing on its own.
Hey mandhaara poovukku
Hey, for the hibiscus flower,
Maaraappu yedhukku
why is an upper cloth drape needed?
Moodaama aadumae
It sways uncovered.
Kallazhagar koyil ulla
Inside the Kallazhagar temple,
Unnaattamaa sirpam illa
there is no sculpture as beautiful as you.
Etti ninnu enna kollaadhae
Don't kill me by standing far away,
Vetkamunnu poiya chollaadhae
don't pretend that it is just shyness.
Enna vechu paattu kattu
Compose a song about me,
Kaiyil varum nottu kattu
wads of currency notes will rain down.
Nottu vandhaa vandha kaiyoda
Once the cash arrives,
Vaangi kodu pattu paavaada
buy and give me a silk skirt immediately.
Edhirula irukkudhu paniyaaram
The sweet delicacy is right before us,
Eduthu thaa enakkulla pasi pogum
feed me so my hunger vanishes.
Idhukkellaam avasara padalaamaa
Should one be in such a rush for all this?
Irukkudhu kodukkuren poru maamaa
It is here, I will give it, have patience, dear.
Idhu enna koothu
What kind of antics are these?
Pecha maathu
Change the topic.
Ini thaangaadhammaa maanae
I can't bear this wait any longer, my deer-like girl.
Oi kuthaala kaattukku
Hey, for the Courtallam forest,
Mathaalam yedhukku
why is a drum needed?
Thaanaaga paadumae
It will sing on its own.
Hey mandhaara poovukku
Hey, for the hibiscus flower,
Maaraappu yedhukku
why is an upper cloth drape needed?
Moodaama aadumae
It sways uncovered.
Onnaaga thaan neeyum naanum
Together, you and I,
Ponaal enna kumbakonam
what if we go to Kumbakonam?
Ippo angae magaamagam thaan
Right now the Mahamaham festival is taking place there,
Kaana kaana romba sogam thaan
watching it is pure joy.
Ammaadiyo venaa venaa
Oh my, no, no!
Pattadhellaam podhum podhum
Enough of all that I have gone through!
Ponavanga enna aanaanga
What happened to those who went there?
Sorgathaiyae thedi ponaanga
They went in search of heaven itself.
Unnai vittu pirinjida mudiyaadhu
I cannot remain separated from you,
Enakkoru thani sugam kidaiyaadhu
there is no independent joy for me.
Namakkunnu irukkudhu vayakkaadu
We have our own farm field,
Ozhaikkalaam namakkenna kuraipaadu
we can work hard, what shortfalls do we have?
Kidaikkumaa maamaa
Will we get it, dear?
Vayalum vaazhvum
A farm and a contented life,
Adhu pola yogam yedhu
what fortune is greater than that?
Yei kuthaala kaattukku
Hey, for the Courtallam forest,
Mathaalam yedhukku
why is a drum needed?
Thaanaaga paadumae
It will sing on its own.
Hei mandhaara poovukku
Hey, for the hibiscus flower,
Maaraappu yedhukku
why is an upper cloth drape needed?
Moodaama aadumae
It sways uncovered.
Idhu moodaama aadaadhu
This won't dance uncovered,
Oor koodi paakkudhu
the whole village gathers to watch.
Onna paathaalae aathaadi
Oh my, just looking at you,
Verkkaadha mookkedhu
is there a nose that doesn't sweat?
Oi kuthaala kaattukku
Hey, for the Courtallam forest,
Mathaalam yedhukku
why is a drum needed?
Thaanaaga paadumae
It will sing on its own.
Haan mandhaara poovukku
Haan, for the hibiscus flower,
Maaraappu yedhukku
why is an upper cloth drape needed?
Moodaama aadumae
It sways uncovered.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This playful duet from Chinna Devan (1993) features a romantic banter between two lovers celebrating nature, rural beauty, and mutual affection. The hero compares the heroine's grace and natural allure to the self-sustaining beauty of the Courtallam forest and flower blossoms, which require no external embellishments like drums or veils. He expresses his intense longing and compares her beauty to divine temple sculptures.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Kuthaala kaattukku / Mathaalam yedhukku”
Matching second consonants across lines, e.g., 'Kuthaala' and 'Mathaalam' (th sound).
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Kallazhagar koyil ulla / Unnaattamaa sirpam illa”
Comparing the heroine's unmatched grace to temple sculptures inside the famous Kallazhagar temple.
Personification
“Thaanaaga paadumae / Moodaama aadumae”
Attributing human actions like singing and dancing to natural elements like forests and flowers.
Did you know?
Trivia
The lyrics refer to the famous Mahamaham festival held at Kumbakonam, a major South Indian holy event occurring once every 12 years, as well as the famous temple sculptures of Kallazhagar Temple near Madurai.
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