Kuthamma Nellu Kuthu
From Paadu Nilave · 1987
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- K. S. Chithra, Chorus
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Paadu Nilave1987
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Lull lull lull lull lululululullull | Vocalizing music syllables |
| Lull lull loo loo…haa hooo | Vocalizing music syllables |
| Lull lull lull lull lululululullull | Vocalizing music syllables |
| Lull lull loo loo…hoo hooo | Vocalizing music syllables |
| Chorus | |
| Haa hoo haa hoo | Vocalizing music syllables |
| Huu haa huu haaa | Vocalizing music syllables |
| Lull lull lull lull lululululullull | Vocalizing music syllables |
| Lull lull lull lull lululululullull | Vocalizing music syllables |
| Lull lull loo loo… | Vocalizing music syllables |
| Lull lull loo loo… | Vocalizing music syllables |
| Female | |
| Kuththammaa nellu kuththu | Pound the paddy, my lady! |
| Thenmaangu solli kuththu | Pound it while singing a folk tune! |
| Suththammaa poova chuththu | Wrap the flowers nicely, my lady! |
| Kaadhoda serthu chuththu | Wrap them up right next to the ears! |
| Female | |
| Paaradi pollaatha maaman thaan | Look, here is that wicked uncle of yours, |
| Pallai ilikkum thennaali raaman thaan | He is like Tenali Raman, flashing a wide grin! |
| Nikkudhu sekku olakka | Standing like an oil-press pestle! |
| Chorus | |
| Kuththammaa nellu kuththu | Pound the paddy, my lady! |
| Thenmaangu solli kuththu | Pound it while singing a folk tune! |
| Female | |
| Un pattikkaattu | Sing your rustic |
| Mettugalai paadu | Country tunes, |
| En kaadhu kulira kekkanum | So my ears can feel delightfully refreshed! |
| Chorus :Sa ri ga | Chorus: Sa Ri Ga |
| Female | |
| Nee kathi paadum | You shout and sing, |
| Sangadhiyai podu | Add some musical variations (sangathis), |
| Un thondai azhagai paakkanum | Let me admire the beauty of your throat! |
| Chorus :Pa ma ga | Chorus: Pa Ma Ga |
| Female | |
| Machaanukku koodaadhaiyaa | Is it wrong for a cousin brother |
| Kacheri thaan seiyum aasai | To desire holding a musical concert? |
| Chorus :Sa gaa | Chorus: Sa Gaa |
| Female | |
| Kottaanukku kittaathaiyaa | Does an owl ever get |
| Kuyilaattamaa nalla osai | A sweet musical voice like a cuckoo bird? |
| Chorus :Hoooo… | Chorus: Hoooo… |
| Female | |
| Ammaadi needhaan | Oh dear lady, if you start |
| Themmaangu paada | Singing folk songs... |
| Chorus :Sollaama naanga | Chorus: Without saying a word, we all |
| Ellaarum oda | Will run away in fear! |
| Female :Appappaa thappichom aalavidu | Female: Oh my goodness, I escaped! Please leave me alone! |
| Chorus | |
| Kuththammaa nellu kuththu | Pound the paddy, my lady! |
| Thenmaangu solli kuththu | Pound it while singing a folk tune! |
| Lululululululululululuuuu….. | Vocalizing music syllables |
| Chorus | |
| ………………………… | Vocalizing music syllables |
| Female | |
| Un muttikkaalu | I saw you when your knees |
| Thatturappo paathen | Knocked together while walking! |
| Nee mookku velutha praanithaan | You are just an innocent, naive creature! |
| Chorus :Sa ri ga | Chorus: Sa Ri Ga |
| Female | |
| Un kaattu koochal | I heard the whole village talk |
| Ooru solla ketten | About your wild yelling! |
| En gnaanam unakku yedhaiyaa | Where do you stand compared to my musical wisdom? |
| Chorus :Pa ma ga | Chorus: Pa Ma Ga |
| Female | |
| Kathaazhaithaan sevvaazhai pol | Can an Aloe Vera plant ever bloom |
| Pooppookkumaa endha naalum | Like a rich red banana tree on any given day? |
| Chorus :Hoiii | Chorus: Hoiii |
| Female | |
| Kaattaarathaan kaaveri pol | Will any village ever celebrate |
| Kondaadumo endha oorum | A wild jungle river like the sacred Cauvery? |
| Chorus :Haan… | Chorus: Haan… |
| Female | |
| Ennaattam paada | Don't even think of singing |
| Ennaathae saami | Like me, my dear friend! |
| Chorus :Ammaadi paavam | Chorus: Oh poor girl, the Earth |
| Thaangaadhu boomi | Cannot bear your singing! |
| Female :Appappaa podaathae thapputhaalam | Female: Oh my, don't hit the wrong rhythm/beat! |
| Chorus | |
| Kuththammaa nellu kuththu | Pound the paddy, my lady! |
| Thenmaangu solli kuththu | Pound it while singing a folk tune! |
| Suththammaa poova chuththu | Wrap the flowers nicely, my lady! |
| Kaadhoda serthu chuththu | Wrap them up right next to the ears! |
| Female | |
| Paaradi pollaatha maaman thaan | Look, here is that wicked uncle of yours, |
| Pallai ilikkum thennaali raaman thaan | He is like Tenali Raman, flashing a wide grin! |
| Nikkudhu sekku olakka | Standing like an oil-press pestle! |
| Chorus | |
| Kuththammaa nellu kuththu | Pound the paddy, my lady! |
| Thenmaangu solli kuththu | Pound it while singing a folk tune! |
லுலுலுலுலுலுலுலு
லுலுலுலு ஹா ஹூ
லுலுலுலுலுலுலுலு
லுலுலுலு ஹா ஹூ
Vocalizing music syllables
Vocalizing music syllables
Vocalizing music syllables
Vocalizing music syllables
ஹா ஹூ ஹா ஹூ
ஹூ ஹா ஹூ ஹா
லுலுலுலுலுலுலுலு
லுலுலுலு
லுலுலுலு லுலுலுலு
Vocalizing music syllables
Vocalizing music syllables
Vocalizing music syllables
Vocalizing music syllables
Vocalizing music syllables
Vocalizing music syllables
குத்தம்மா நெல்லு குத்து
தெம்மாங்கு சொல்லி குத்து
சுத்தம்மா பூவச்சுத்து
காதோடு சேர்த்துச் சுத்து
Pound the paddy, my lady!
Pound it while singing a folk tune!
Wrap the flowers nicely, my lady!
Wrap them up right next to the ears!
பாரடி பொல்லாத மாமன்தான்
பல்லையிளிக்கும்
தென்னாலிராமன்தான்
நிக்குது செக்கு உலக்கை........
Look, here is that wicked uncle of yours,
He is like Tenali Raman, flashing a wide grin!
Standing like an oil-press pestle!
குத்தம்மா நெல்லு குத்து
தெம்மாங்கு சொல்லி குத்து
Pound the paddy, my lady!
Pound it while singing a folk tune!
உன் பட்டிக்காட்டு
மெட்டுக்களை பாடு
என் காது குளிர கேக்கணும்
குழு :
சரிக
நீ கத்தி பாடும் சங்கதியைப் போடு
உன் தொண்டையழகை பாக்கணும்
குழு :
பமக
Sing your rustic
Country tunes,
So my ears can feel delightfully refreshed!
Chorus: Sa Ri Ga
மச்சானுக்கு கூடாதய்யா
கச்சேரிதான் செய்யும் ஆசை
குழு :
சகா
கோட்டானுக்கு கிட்டாதய்யா
குயிலாட்டமா நல்ல ஓசை
குழு :
ஹூ
You shout and sing,
Add some musical variations (sangathis),
Let me admire the beauty of your throat!
Chorus: Pa Ma Ga
அம்மாடி நீதான் தெம்மாங்கு பாட
குழு :
சொல்லாம நாங்க எல்லோரும் ஓட
அப்பப்பா தப்பிச்சோம் ஆளவிடு.....
Is it wrong for a cousin brother
To desire holding a musical concert?
Chorus: Sa Gaa
குத்தம்மா நெல்லு குத்து
தெம்மாங்கு சொல்லி குத்து
Does an owl ever get
A sweet musical voice like a cuckoo bird?
Chorus: Hoooo…
லுலுலுலுலுலுலுலு
லுலுலுலு
Oh dear lady, if you start
Singing folk songs...
Chorus: Without saying a word, we all
Will run away in fear!
Female: Oh my goodness, I escaped! Please leave me alone!
................................
Pound the paddy, my lady!
Pound it while singing a folk tune!
Vocalizing music syllables
உன் முட்டிக்காலு
தட்டுறப்போ பார்த்தேன்
நீ மூக்கு வெளுத்த பிராணிதான்
குழு :
சரிக
உன் காட்டு கூச்சல்
ஊரு சொல்லக் கேட்டேன்
என் ஞானம் உனக்கு ஏதய்யா
குழு :
பமக
Vocalizing music syllables
கத்தாழைதான் செவ்வாழை போல்
பூப்பூக்குமா எந்த நாளும்
குழு :
ஹோய்
காட்டாறாத்தான் காவேரி போல்
கொண்டாடுமோ எந்த ஊரும்
குழு :
ஹான்
I saw you when your knees
Knocked together while walking!
You are just an innocent, naive creature!
Chorus: Sa Ri Ga
என்னாட்டம் பாட எண்ணாதே சாமி
குழு :
அம்மாடி பாவம் தாங்காது பூமி
அப்பப்பா போடாதே தப்புத்தாளம்....
I heard the whole village talk
About your wild yelling!
Where do you stand compared to my musical wisdom?
Chorus: Pa Ma Ga
குத்தம்மா நெல்லு குத்து
தெம்மாங்கு சொல்லி குத்து
சுத்தம்மா பூவச்சுத்து
காதோடு சேத்துச் சுத்து
Can an Aloe Vera plant ever bloom
Like a rich red banana tree on any given day?
Chorus: Hoiii
பாரடி பொல்லாத மாமன்தான்
பல்லையிளிக்கும்
தென்னாலிராமன்தான்
நிக்குது செக்கு உலக்கை........
Will any village ever celebrate
A wild jungle river like the sacred Cauvery?
Chorus: Haan…
குத்தம்மா நெல்லு குத்து
தெம்மாங்கு சொல்லி குத்து
Don't even think of singing
Like me, my dear friend!
Chorus: Oh poor girl, the Earth
Cannot bear your singing!
Female: Oh my, don't hit the wrong rhythm/beat!
Pound the paddy, my lady!
Pound it while singing a folk tune!
Wrap the flowers nicely, my lady!
Wrap them up right next to the ears!
Look, here is that wicked uncle of yours,
He is like Tenali Raman, flashing a wide grin!
Standing like an oil-press pestle!
Pound the paddy, my lady!
Pound it while singing a folk tune!
Lull lull lull lull lululululullull
Vocalizing music syllables
Lull lull loo loo…haa hooo
Vocalizing music syllables
Lull lull lull lull lululululullull
Vocalizing music syllables
Lull lull loo loo…hoo hooo
Vocalizing music syllables
Haa hoo haa hoo
Vocalizing music syllables
Huu haa huu haaa
Vocalizing music syllables
Lull lull lull lull lululululullull
Vocalizing music syllables
Lull lull lull lull lululululullull
Vocalizing music syllables
Lull lull loo loo…
Vocalizing music syllables
Lull lull loo loo…
Vocalizing music syllables
Kuththammaa nellu kuththu
Pound the paddy, my lady!
Thenmaangu solli kuththu
Pound it while singing a folk tune!
Suththammaa poova chuththu
Wrap the flowers nicely, my lady!
Kaadhoda serthu chuththu
Wrap them up right next to the ears!
Paaradi pollaatha maaman thaan
Look, here is that wicked uncle of yours,
Pallai ilikkum thennaali raaman thaan
He is like Tenali Raman, flashing a wide grin!
Nikkudhu sekku olakka
Standing like an oil-press pestle!
Kuththammaa nellu kuththu
Pound the paddy, my lady!
Thenmaangu solli kuththu
Pound it while singing a folk tune!
Un pattikkaattu
Sing your rustic
Mettugalai paadu
Country tunes,
En kaadhu kulira kekkanum
So my ears can feel delightfully refreshed!
Chorus :Sa ri ga
Chorus: Sa Ri Ga
Nee kathi paadum
You shout and sing,
Sangadhiyai podu
Add some musical variations (sangathis),
Un thondai azhagai paakkanum
Let me admire the beauty of your throat!
Chorus :Pa ma ga
Chorus: Pa Ma Ga
Machaanukku koodaadhaiyaa
Is it wrong for a cousin brother
Kacheri thaan seiyum aasai
To desire holding a musical concert?
Chorus :Sa gaa
Chorus: Sa Gaa
Kottaanukku kittaathaiyaa
Does an owl ever get
Kuyilaattamaa nalla osai
A sweet musical voice like a cuckoo bird?
Chorus :Hoooo…
Chorus: Hoooo…
Ammaadi needhaan
Oh dear lady, if you start
Themmaangu paada
Singing folk songs...
Chorus :Sollaama naanga
Chorus: Without saying a word, we all
Ellaarum oda
Will run away in fear!
Female :Appappaa thappichom aalavidu
Female: Oh my goodness, I escaped! Please leave me alone!
Kuththammaa nellu kuththu
Pound the paddy, my lady!
Thenmaangu solli kuththu
Pound it while singing a folk tune!
Lululululululululululuuuu…..
Vocalizing music syllables
…………………………
Vocalizing music syllables
Un muttikkaalu
I saw you when your knees
Thatturappo paathen
Knocked together while walking!
Nee mookku velutha praanithaan
You are just an innocent, naive creature!
Chorus :Sa ri ga
Chorus: Sa Ri Ga
Un kaattu koochal
I heard the whole village talk
Ooru solla ketten
About your wild yelling!
En gnaanam unakku yedhaiyaa
Where do you stand compared to my musical wisdom?
Chorus :Pa ma ga
Chorus: Pa Ma Ga
Kathaazhaithaan sevvaazhai pol
Can an Aloe Vera plant ever bloom
Pooppookkumaa endha naalum
Like a rich red banana tree on any given day?
Chorus :Hoiii
Chorus: Hoiii
Kaattaarathaan kaaveri pol
Will any village ever celebrate
Kondaadumo endha oorum
A wild jungle river like the sacred Cauvery?
Chorus :Haan…
Chorus: Haan…
Ennaattam paada
Don't even think of singing
Ennaathae saami
Like me, my dear friend!
Chorus :Ammaadi paavam
Chorus: Oh poor girl, the Earth
Thaangaadhu boomi
Cannot bear your singing!
Female :Appappaa podaathae thapputhaalam
Female: Oh my, don't hit the wrong rhythm/beat!
Kuththammaa nellu kuththu
Pound the paddy, my lady!
Thenmaangu solli kuththu
Pound it while singing a folk tune!
Suththammaa poova chuththu
Wrap the flowers nicely, my lady!
Kaadhoda serthu chuththu
Wrap them up right next to the ears!
Paaradi pollaatha maaman thaan
Look, here is that wicked uncle of yours,
Pallai ilikkum thennaali raaman thaan
He is like Tenali Raman, flashing a wide grin!
Nikkudhu sekku olakka
Standing like an oil-press pestle!
Kuththammaa nellu kuththu
Pound the paddy, my lady!
Thenmaangu solli kuththu
Pound it while singing a folk tune!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Kuththammaa Nellu Kuththu' is a lively and playful folk-style banter song from the 1987 movie Paadu Nilave, composed by S. A. Rajkumar and written by Vaali. Set against the backdrop of traditional paddy pounding, the song captures a humorous verbal duel between the male and female leads, accompanied by a chorus that teasingly takes sides. The male protagonist boasts about his musical desires and rustic folk melodies, while the female lead playfully mocks his singing ability, comparing his voice to an owl's hoot and contrasting wild rivers with the sacred Cauvery. Through witty folk metaphors and rhythmic banter, Vaali brings out the charm of rural Tamil performing traditions where song, work, and playful rivalry intertwine seamlessy. The song serves as a lighthearted musical exchange that highlights both rural camaraderie and affectionate teasing.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Kuththammaa nellu kuththu / Suththammaa poova chuththu”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds across lines ('Kuththammaa' and 'Suththammaa').
Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Kuththammaa nellu kuththu / Thenmaangu solli kuththu”
Rhyming of the second letter across paired lines ('Kuththammaa' and 'Thenmaangu').
Uvamai (Simile / Metaphor)
“Pallai ilikkum thennaali raaman thaan”
Comparing the male lead's grinning expression to the witty jester Tenali Raman.
Uvamai (Simile)
“Kathaazhaithaan sevvaazhai pol / Kaattaarathaan kaaveri pol”
Comparing aloe vera to red banana flowers and a wild stream to the river Cauvery to emphasize disparity in skill.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Paadu Nilave' (1987) marked the debut of S. A. Rajkumar as a film composer, introducing a fresh folk-pop hybrid sound to Tamil cinema. The lyricist Vaali brilliantly integrated traditional village folk-work rhythm ('Nellu Kuththu' or paddy pounding rhythm) with comical wordplay.
Keep listening
More from Paadu Nilave
Paadu Nilave
Paadu Nilave
Paadu Nilave
Paadu Nilave
Paadu Nilave
Paadu Nilave