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Lyrics & meaning

Kuthuthe Kuthuthe Rosa

From Mananthal Mahadevan · 1989

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Mano, S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Mananthal Mahadevan1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
……………...
Female
Kuththuthae kuththuthae rosa mullu kuththuthaePricking, pricking, the thorn of a rose pricks!
Sollum pothae thegam pllarikkuthuEven as I say it, my body gets goosebumps!
Unnudaiya pera uchcharikkuthuIt utters your name!
Male
Kuththuthae kuththuthae oodha kaaththu kuththuthaePricking, pricking, the cold northern wind pricks!
Sollum pothae thegam pllarikkuthuEven as I say it, my body gets goosebumps!
Unnudaiya pera uchcharikkuthuIt utters your name!
Female
Thoongaama raaththiri thaalam podum mesthiriThe master craftsman who taps rhythm at night without sleeping,
Aayiram irukkalaamThere may be a thousand people,
Aanaalum aalaethu un mathiriYet, there is no one quite like you!
Male
Pottaachchu thaalithaanThe sacred thread has been tied,
Pozhuthellam jolly thaanNow all the time is pure joy!
Aalaiyae asaththuraYou completely amaze everyone!
Aarambam aayaachchu en jolithaanMy work and joy have begun!
Female
Mogam kondu maman oottaththaanFilled with desire, my beloved feeds me,
Male :Melam undu thaalam thattaththaanMale: Drums are present to beat the rhythm,
Female :Mogam kondu maman oottaththaanFemale: Filled with desire, my beloved feeds me,
Male :Melam undu thaalam thattaththaanMale: Drums are present to beat the rhythm!
Female
Kuththuthae kuththuthaePricking, pricking...
Male :Aaha haanMale: Aaha haan
Female :Rosa mullu kuththuthaeFemale: The rose thorn pricks!
Male :Sollum pothae thegam pllarikkuthuMale: Even as I say it, my body gets goosebumps!
Female :Ha unnudaiya pera uchcharikkuthuFemale: Ha, it utters your name!
Male
: Kuththuthae kuththutha oodha kaaththu kuththuthaePricking, pricking, the cold northern wind pricks!
Female
Yaelaththil vaangiya saleaththu maambazhamThe Salem mango bought at an auction,
Kaalaththil kaninjathuHas ripened right in time,
Kann jaadai nee kaattu kaiyil varumGive a wink of your eye, and it will fall into your hands!
Male
Anilaaga maaravaa adaiyaalam podavaaShall I turn into a squirrel and leave a mark?
Vaalipam thudikkuthuMy youth is throbbing with passion,
Unkitta naan vanthu vaalaattavaaShall I come to you and wag my tail playfully?
Female
Kaayamaagum neethaan kai vachchaaIf you lay a hand on me, it turns into a wound,
Male :Aaripogum niththam santhichchaaMale: But it will heal if we meet every day!
Female :Kaayamaagum neethaan kai vachchaaFemale: If you lay a hand on me, it turns into a wound,
Male :Aa….aa…aaripogum niththam santhichchaaMale: Aa... aa... it will heal if we meet every day!
Female
Kuththuthae kuththuthaePricking, pricking...
Male :Aa haanMale: Aa haan
Female :Rosa mullu kuththuthaeFemale: The rose thorn pricks!
Male :Sollum pothae thegam pllarikkuthuMale: Even as I say it, my body gets goosebumps!
Female :Ha unnudaiya pera uchcharikkuthuFemale: Ha, it utters your name!
Male
Kuththuthae kuththuthaePricking, pricking...
Female :Rosa mullu kuththuthae…ae…ae…ae….Female: The rose thorn pricks... ae... ae... ae...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Kuththuthae Kuththuthae' is a playful and romantic folk-style duet from the 1989 movie 'Mananthal Mahadevan'. The song captures the lively banter and intimacy between a newly married couple. The bride playfully describes how the cool night breeze and her husband's presence prick her skin like a rose thorn, giving her goosebumps and stirring up romantic feelings. The groom responds in kind, complimenting her unique charm and enthusiasm. Through colourful local metaphors—like comparing youthful beauty to a ripe Salem mango—lyricist Vaali paints a joyful picture of post-marital bliss, full of humor, rhythmic playfulness, and mutual affection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Repetition (Ettugai)

Kuththuthae kuththuthae rosa mullu kuththuthae

The word 'Kuththuthae' is repeated at the start of multiple lines for rhythmic emphasis and auditory impact.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Kuththuthae kuththuthae rosa mullu kuththuthae

'Rosa mullu' (rose thorn) and 'oodha kaaththu' (breeze) are used as metaphors for the sharp, tingling sensation of romantic desire.

Personification

Sollum pothae thegam pllarikkuthu / Unnudaiya pera uchcharikkuthu

The body ('thegam') is personified as having a voice capable of uttering the lover's name.

Sensory Imagery & Local Metaphor

Yaelaththil vaangiya saleaththu maambazham / Kaalaththil kaninjathu

The 'Salem mango bought in an auction' serves as a sensory metaphor for ripe, youthful beauty ready to be savored.

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Trivia

Composed by the veteran musical duo Shankar-Ganesh with lyrics by Vaali, 'Kuththuthae Kuththuthae' stands out for its lively folk rhythm and humorous wordplay. Sung with high energy by Mano and S. P. Sailaja, the track was popular across rural Tamil Nadu radio stations in the late 1980s.

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