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Isaimozhi
Metti album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Metti Oli Kaatrodu

From Metti · 1982

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
Ilayaraja, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Metti
Movie release year
1982
Lyrics added on
20 May 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
…………..
Metti oli kaattrodu
En nenjai thaalaatta
Maeni oru poovaaga mellisaiyin paavaaga
Maeni oru poovaaga mellisaiyin paavaaga
Kodhai malar poompaatham vaavennuthae
Kodhai malar poompaatham vaavennuthae
Metti oli kaattrodu
En nenjai thaalaatta
Oo…oo…oo….vaazh naalellaam
Unnoduthaan vaazhnthaalae pothum
Vaazhvenpathin paavangalai
Naam kaana vendum
Naalum pala nanmai kaanum ezhil penmai
Poovai vaiththa poo vaasam
Bodhai konda un nesam
Thendral sugamthaan veesum thedaamal seraatho
Metti oli kaattrodu
En nenjai thaalaatta
Aa…aah…aaa….aa…aa…aah…aa…
Yae…. venn mullaiyae
En kanmani oorkola neram
Pon kaaladi padum pothilae
Poonthendral paadum
Paarvai patta kaayam paavai thotta kaayum
Ennam thantha munnottam
Endru antha vellottam
Kanda pinbu kondaattam
Kandaadum en nenjam
Metti oli kaattrodu
En nenjai thaalaatta
Maeni oru poovaaga mellisaiyin paavaaga
Maeni oru poovaaga mellisaiyin paavaaga
Kodhai malar poompaatham vaavennuthae
Kodhai malar poompaatham vaavennuthae
Female :Aaa….aa….
Metti oli kaattrodu
En nenjai thaalaatta…
...
As the sound of toe-rings floats on the breeze,
Gently lulling my heart,
Her body blooming like a flower, a verse of soft melody,
Her body blooming like a flower, a verse of soft melody,
The lovely girl's flower-soft feet call me to come,
The lovely girl's flower-soft feet call me to come,
As the sound of toe-rings floats on the breeze,
Gently lulling my heart,
Oh... for all the days of my life,
It is enough just to live by your side,
All the true feelings of living,
We must experience together,
A graceful woman who brings blessings every day,
The sweet scent of flowers adorning a flower-like girl,
Your intoxicating love,
The gentle breeze blows with sweet comfort, won't it embrace us effortlessly?
As the sound of toe-rings floats on the breeze,
Gently lulling my heart,
Ah... aah... aa... ah... ah... aah... ah...
Hey, pure white jasmine,
My darling, as our festive procession begins,
Wherever your golden footsteps tread,
The pleasant breeze will sing,
The wound made by a glance heals when touched by the beloved,
The sweet anticipation sparked by longing thoughts,
When will that new beginning take place?
Once it arrives, it is pure celebration,
And my heart will rejoice,
As the sound of toe-rings floats on the breeze,
Gently lulling my heart,
Her body blooming like a flower, a verse of soft melody,
Her body blooming like a flower, a verse of soft melody,
The lovely girl's flower-soft feet call me to come,
The lovely girl's flower-soft feet call me to come,
Female: Ah... aa...
As the sound of toe-rings floats on the breeze,
Gently lulling my heart...
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Metti Oli Kaattrodu' is a soothing romantic duet from the 1982 film Metti, composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung by Ilaiyaraaja and S. Janaki. The song captures the delicate intimacy between lovers, symbolized by the gentle chime of toe-rings (metti) blowing in the wind. The lyrics depict a deep yearning for life-long companionship and celebrate the grace and beauty of the female form likened to soft blossoms and gentle melodies. Poetically, the song blends sensory images of fragrance, music, and breeze to convey romantic bliss and emotional fulfillment. It moves from playful anticipation of courtship to the serene joy of togetherness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai / Metaphor & Simile

“Maeni oru poovaaga mellisaiyin paavaaga”

Compares the woman's body to a flower and a soft musical verse (paavu), highlighting her delicacy and grace.

Personification

“Pon kaaladi padum pothilae / Poonthendral paadum”

Attributes the human action of singing to the gentle breeze (poonthendral) when her feet touch the ground.

Edhugai / Second Letter Rhyme

“Ennam thantha munnottam / Endru antha vellottam / Kanda pinbu kondaattam”

Uses rhyming second letters ('nn' in munnottam, 'll' in vellottam, 'nd' in kondaattam) creating a rhythmic musical flow.

Anaphora / Repetition

“Kodhai malar poompaatham vaavennuthae”

Repetition of 'Kodhai malar poompaatham vaavennuthae' reinforces the inviting charm of the beloved's feet.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film Metti was directed by the legendary filmmaker J. Mahendran, famous for his realistic and understated cinema. Ilaiyaraaja not only composed the music but also sang the lead male vocals alongside S. Janaki, creating a timeless acoustic romance featuring gentle guitar and flute arrangements.

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