Naanthandi Kaathi
From Pudhiya Bhoomi · 1968
- Lyricist
- Poovai Senguttavan
- Singers
- P. Susheela, L. R. Eswari, Chorus
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Pudhiya Bhoomi1968
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haa | Haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haa |
| Haahhaa… | Haahhaa… |
| Haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haahhaaa | Haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haahhaaa |
| Haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haahhaaa | Haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haahhaaa |
| Chorus | |
| Mhum hum | Mhum hum |
| Female | |
| Naan thaandi kaathi | I am Kaathi |
| Chorus | |
| Aa… | Ah… |
| Female | |
| Nalla muthu paethi | Granddaughter of Nalla Muthu |
| Chorus | |
| Hei… | Hey… |
| Female | |
| Naan thaandi kaathi | I am Kaathi |
| Female | |
| Nalla muthu paethi | Granddaughter of Nalla Muthu |
| Female | |
| Othaiyaa mothamaa | Singly or as a whole group, |
| Ethanai paer vaaringa | How many of you are coming? |
| Female | |
| Othaiyaa mothamaa | Singly or as a whole group, |
| Ethanai paer vaaringa | How many of you are coming? |
| Female | |
| Aa… aa… | Aa… aa… |
| Female | |
| Ooo… oo… | Ooo… oo… |
| Female | |
| Naan thaandi kaathi | I am Kaathi |
| Female | |
| Nalla muthu paethi | Granddaughter of Nalla Muthu |
| Female | |
| Othaiyaa mothamaa | Singly or as a whole group, |
| Ethanai paer vaaringa | How many of you are coming? |
| Female | |
| Othaiyaa mothamaa | Singly or as a whole group, |
| Ethanai paer vaaringa | How many of you are coming? |
| Chorus | |
| Haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haa | Haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haa |
| Female | |
| Ooduruvi paanjaalum | Even if you pounce and pierce through |
| Chorus | |
| Mmm… | Mmm… |
| Female | |
| Ooduruvi paanjaalum | Even if you pounce and pierce through |
| Urutti urutti muzhichaalum | Or roll your eyes menacingly |
| Female | |
| Kili kattu aattathilae | In this parrot-trap game, |
| Puli kutti naanadio | I am a tiger cub, my friend! |
| Kili kattu aattathilae | In this parrot-trap game, |
| Puli kutti naanadio | I am a tiger cub, my friend! |
| Female | |
| Adi raakkammaa mookkammaa | Hey Raakkamma, Mookkamma, |
| Raap pagalaa thookkamaa | Are you sleeping day and night? |
| Chorus | |
| Raakkammaa mookkammaa | Raakkamma, Mookkamma, |
| Raap pagalaa thookkamaa | Are you sleeping day and night? |
| Female | |
| Adi raakkammaa mookkammaa | Hey Raakkamma, Mookkamma, |
| Raap pagalaa thookkamaa | Are you sleeping day and night? |
| Female | |
| Naan thaandi kaathi | I am Kaathi |
| Female | |
| Nalla muthu paethi | Granddaughter of Nalla Muthu |
| Female | |
| Othaiyaa mothamaa | Singly or as a whole group, |
| Ethanai paer vaaringa | How many of you are coming? |
| Female | |
| Othaiyaa mothamaa | Singly or as a whole group, |
| Ethanai paer vaaringa | How many of you are coming? |
| Chorus | |
| Mhum hum | Mhum hum |
| Female | |
| Munnae vacha kaalai ingae | The step you placed forward here, |
| Neenga munnum pinnum vaikkalaamaa | Should you now hesitate and step backward? |
| Female | |
| Uppedukka vandhavanga | Those who came to gather good salt, |
| Thappeduthu pogalaamaa | Should they leave taking the wrong step? |
| Female | |
| Munnae vacha kaalai ingae | The step you placed forward here, |
| Neenga munnum pinnum vaikkalaamaa | Should you now hesitate and step backward? |
| Female | |
| Uppedukka vandhavanga | Those who came to gather good salt, |
| Thappeduthu pogalaamaa | Should they leave taking the wrong step? |
| Female | |
| Adi raakkammaa mookkammaa | Hey Raakkamma, Mookkamma, |
| Raap pagalaa thookkamaa | Are you sleeping day and night? |
| Chorus | |
| Raakkammaa mookkammaa | Raakkamma, Mookkamma, |
| Raap pagalaa thookkamaa | Are you sleeping day and night? |
| Female | |
| Adi raakkammaa mookkammaa | Hey Raakkamma, Mookkamma, |
| Raap pagalaa thookkamaa | Are you sleeping day and night? |
| Female | |
| Naan thaandi kaathi | I am Kaathi |
| Female | |
| Nalla muthu paethi | Granddaughter of Nalla Muthu |
| Female | |
| Othaiyaa mothamaa | Singly or as a whole group, |
| Ethanai paer vaaringa | How many of you are coming? |
| Chorus | |
| Aa… aa… oo… oo… ooo… hoi… | Singly or as a whole group, |
| Female | |
| Aalavattam podum kannu | How many of you are coming? |
| Yaarai vattam podudhadi | Aa… aa… oo… oo… ooo… hoi… |
| Female | |
| Parivattam paathu oruu | The roving eyes that circle around, |
| Ilavattam thaedudhadi | Whom are they encircling, my friend? |
| Female | |
| Adi raakkammaa mookkammaa | Looking for a royal turban honor, |
| Raap pagalaa thookkamaa | They seek out a young man! |
| Chorus | |
| Raakkammaa mookkammaa | Hey Raakkamma, Mookkamma, |
| Raap pagalaa thookkamaa | Are you sleeping day and night? |
| Female | |
| Adi raakkammaa mookkammaa | Raakkamma, Mookkamma, |
| Raap pagalaa thookkamaa | Are you sleeping day and night? |
| Female | |
| Naan thaandi kaathi | Hey Raakkamma, Mookkamma, |
| Female | |
| Nalla muthu paethi | Are you sleeping day and night? |
| Female | |
| Othaiyaa mothamaa | I am Kaathi |
| Ethanai paer vaaringa | Granddaughter of Nalla Muthu |
| Chorus | |
| Othaiyaa mothamaa | Singly or as a whole group, |
| Ethanai paer vaaringa | How many of you are coming? |
| Chorus | |
| Aa… aa… oo… oo… ooo… hoi… | Singly or as a whole group, |
ஹா ஹா ஹா ஹா ஹா ஹா ஹா ஹா
ஹாஹ்ஹா
ஹா ஹா ஹா ஹா ஹா ஹா ஹா ஹா ஹாஹ்ஹா
ஹா ஹா ஹா ஹா ஹா ஹா ஹா ஹா ஹாஹ்ஹா
Haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haa
Haahhaa…
Haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haahhaaa
Haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haahhaaa
ம்ஹும் ஹும்
Mhum hum
நான்தான்டி காத்தி
I am Kaathi
ஆ.....
Ah…
நல்ல முத்து பேத்தி
Granddaughter of Nalla Muthu
ஹேய்.....
Hey…
நான்தான்டி காத்தி
I am Kaathi
நல்ல முத்து பேத்தி
Granddaughter of Nalla Muthu
ஒத்தையா மொத்தமா
எத்தனை பேர் வாரீங்க
Singly or as a whole group,
How many of you are coming?
ஒத்தையா மொத்தமா
எத்தனை பேர் வாரீங்க
Singly or as a whole group,
How many of you are coming?
ஆ......ஆ.....
Aa… aa…
ஓஓ.....ஓ....
Ooo… oo…
ஒ....ஹோய்...
I am Kaathi
நான்தான்டி காத்தி
Granddaughter of Nalla Muthu
நல்ல முத்து பேத்தி
Singly or as a whole group,
How many of you are coming?
ஒத்தையா மொத்தமா
எத்தனை பேர் வாரீங்க
Singly or as a whole group,
How many of you are coming?
ஒத்தையா மொத்தமா
எத்தனை பேர் வாரீங்க
Haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haa
பெண்கள் :
ஆஅ....ஆ.....ஊ....ஊ.....ஓஒ.....ஹோய்.....
Even if you pounce and pierce through
பெண்கள் :
ஹா ஹா ஹா ஹா ஹா ஹா ஹா
Mmm…
ஹா ஹா ஹா ஹா ஹா ஹா ஹா
Even if you pounce and pierce through
Or roll your eyes menacingly
ஊடுருவிப் பாஞ்சாலும்
In this parrot-trap game,
I am a tiger cub, my friend!
In this parrot-trap game,
I am a tiger cub, my friend!
ம்ம்ம்.....
Hey Raakkamma, Mookkamma,
Are you sleeping day and night?
ஊடுருவிப் பாஞ்சாலும்
உருட்டி உருட்டி முழிச்சாலும்
Raakkamma, Mookkamma,
Are you sleeping day and night?
கிளிக் கட்டு ஆட்டத்திலே
புலிக் குட்டி நானடியோ
கிளிக் கட்டு ஆட்டத்திலே
புலிக் குட்டி நானடியோ
Hey Raakkamma, Mookkamma,
Are you sleeping day and night?
அடி ராக்கம்மா மூக்கம்மா
ராப் பகலா தூக்கமா
I am Kaathi
ராக்கம்மா மூக்கம்மா
ராப் பகலா தூக்கமா
Granddaughter of Nalla Muthu
அடி ராக்கம்மா மூக்கம்மா
ராப் பகலா தூக்கமா
Singly or as a whole group,
How many of you are coming?
நான்தான்டி காத்தி
Singly or as a whole group,
How many of you are coming?
நல்ல முத்து பேத்தி
Mhum hum
ஒத்தையா மொத்தமா
எத்தனை பேர் வாரீங்க
The step you placed forward here,
Should you now hesitate and step backward?
ஒத்தையா மொத்தமா
எத்தனை பேர் வாரீங்க
Those who came to gather good salt,
Should they leave taking the wrong step?
பெண்கள் :
ஆ.....ஆ......ஓ......ஓஒ....ஓஒ.....ஹோய்
குழு :
ஆ.....ஆ......ஓ......ஓஒ....ஓஒ.....ஹோய்
The step you placed forward here,
Should you now hesitate and step backward?
ம்ஹும் ஹும்
Those who came to gather good salt,
Should they leave taking the wrong step?
முன்னே வச்ச காலை இங்கே
நீங்க முன்னும் பின்னும் வைக்கலாமா
Hey Raakkamma, Mookkamma,
Are you sleeping day and night?
உப்பெடுக்க வந்தவங்க
தப்பெடுத்துப் போகலாமா
Raakkamma, Mookkamma,
Are you sleeping day and night?
முன்னே வச்ச காலை இங்கே
நீங்க முன்னும் பின்னும் வைக்கலாமா
Hey Raakkamma, Mookkamma,
Are you sleeping day and night?
அடி ராக்கம்மா மூக்கம்மா
ராப் பகலா தூக்கமா
I am Kaathi
ராக்கம்மா மூக்கம்மா
ராப் பகலா தூக்கமா
Granddaughter of Nalla Muthu
அடி ராக்கம்மா மூக்கம்மா
ராப் பகலா தூக்கமா
Singly or as a whole group,
How many of you are coming?
நான்தான்டி காத்தி
Singly or as a whole group,
நல்ல முத்து பேத்தி
How many of you are coming?
Aa… aa… oo… oo… ooo… hoi…
ஒத்தையா மொத்தமா
எத்தனை பேர் வாரீங்க
The roving eyes that circle around,
Whom are they encircling, my friend?
ஒத்தையா மொத்தமா
எத்தனை பேர் வாரீங்க
Looking for a royal turban honor,
They seek out a young man!
ஆ.....ஆ.....ஓ....ஓஓஒ......ஹோய்
Hey Raakkamma, Mookkamma,
Are you sleeping day and night?
ஆலவட்டம் போடும் கண்ணு
யாரை விட்டு போடுதடி
Raakkamma, Mookkamma,
Are you sleeping day and night?
பரி வட்டம் பாத்து ஒரு
இளவட்டம் தேடுதடி
Hey Raakkamma, Mookkamma,
அடி ராக்கம்மா மூக்கம்மா
ராப் பகலா தூக்கமா
Are you sleeping day and night?
ராக்கம்மா மூக்கம்மா
ராப் பகலா தூக்கமா
I am Kaathi
Granddaughter of Nalla Muthu
அடி ராக்கம்மா மூக்கம்மா
ராப் பகலா தூக்கமா
Singly or as a whole group,
How many of you are coming?
நான்தான்டி காத்தி
Singly or as a whole group,
நல்ல முத்து பேத்தி
ஒத்தையா மொத்தமா
எத்தனை பேர் வாரீங்க
ஒத்தையா மொத்தமா
எத்தனை பேர் வாரீங்க
ஆ.....ஆ......ஓ......ஓஒ....ஓஒ.....ஹோய்
Haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haa
Haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haa
Haahhaa…
Haahhaa…
Haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haahhaaa
Haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haahhaaa
Haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haahhaaa
Haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haahhaaa
Mhum hum
Mhum hum
Naan thaandi kaathi
I am Kaathi
Aa…
Ah…
Nalla muthu paethi
Granddaughter of Nalla Muthu
Hei…
Hey…
Naan thaandi kaathi
I am Kaathi
Nalla muthu paethi
Granddaughter of Nalla Muthu
Othaiyaa mothamaa
Singly or as a whole group,
Ethanai paer vaaringa
How many of you are coming?
Othaiyaa mothamaa
Singly or as a whole group,
Ethanai paer vaaringa
How many of you are coming?
Aa… aa…
Aa… aa…
Ooo… oo…
Ooo… oo…
Naan thaandi kaathi
I am Kaathi
Nalla muthu paethi
Granddaughter of Nalla Muthu
Othaiyaa mothamaa
Singly or as a whole group,
Ethanai paer vaaringa
How many of you are coming?
Othaiyaa mothamaa
Singly or as a whole group,
Ethanai paer vaaringa
How many of you are coming?
Haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haa
Haa haa haa haa haa haa haa haa
Ooduruvi paanjaalum
Even if you pounce and pierce through
Mmm…
Mmm…
Ooduruvi paanjaalum
Even if you pounce and pierce through
Urutti urutti muzhichaalum
Or roll your eyes menacingly
Kili kattu aattathilae
In this parrot-trap game,
Puli kutti naanadio
I am a tiger cub, my friend!
Kili kattu aattathilae
In this parrot-trap game,
Puli kutti naanadio
I am a tiger cub, my friend!
Adi raakkammaa mookkammaa
Hey Raakkamma, Mookkamma,
Raap pagalaa thookkamaa
Are you sleeping day and night?
Raakkammaa mookkammaa
Raakkamma, Mookkamma,
Raap pagalaa thookkamaa
Are you sleeping day and night?
Adi raakkammaa mookkammaa
Hey Raakkamma, Mookkamma,
Raap pagalaa thookkamaa
Are you sleeping day and night?
Naan thaandi kaathi
I am Kaathi
Nalla muthu paethi
Granddaughter of Nalla Muthu
Othaiyaa mothamaa
Singly or as a whole group,
Ethanai paer vaaringa
How many of you are coming?
Othaiyaa mothamaa
Singly or as a whole group,
Ethanai paer vaaringa
How many of you are coming?
Mhum hum
Mhum hum
Munnae vacha kaalai ingae
The step you placed forward here,
Neenga munnum pinnum vaikkalaamaa
Should you now hesitate and step backward?
Uppedukka vandhavanga
Those who came to gather good salt,
Thappeduthu pogalaamaa
Should they leave taking the wrong step?
Munnae vacha kaalai ingae
The step you placed forward here,
Neenga munnum pinnum vaikkalaamaa
Should you now hesitate and step backward?
Uppedukka vandhavanga
Those who came to gather good salt,
Thappeduthu pogalaamaa
Should they leave taking the wrong step?
Adi raakkammaa mookkammaa
Hey Raakkamma, Mookkamma,
Raap pagalaa thookkamaa
Are you sleeping day and night?
Raakkammaa mookkammaa
Raakkamma, Mookkamma,
Raap pagalaa thookkamaa
Are you sleeping day and night?
Adi raakkammaa mookkammaa
Hey Raakkamma, Mookkamma,
Raap pagalaa thookkamaa
Are you sleeping day and night?
Naan thaandi kaathi
I am Kaathi
Nalla muthu paethi
Granddaughter of Nalla Muthu
Othaiyaa mothamaa
Singly or as a whole group,
Ethanai paer vaaringa
How many of you are coming?
Aa… aa… oo… oo… ooo… hoi…
Singly or as a whole group,
Aalavattam podum kannu
How many of you are coming?
Yaarai vattam podudhadi
Aa… aa… oo… oo… ooo… hoi…
Parivattam paathu oruu
The roving eyes that circle around,
Ilavattam thaedudhadi
Whom are they encircling, my friend?
Adi raakkammaa mookkammaa
Looking for a royal turban honor,
Raap pagalaa thookkamaa
They seek out a young man!
Raakkammaa mookkammaa
Hey Raakkamma, Mookkamma,
Raap pagalaa thookkamaa
Are you sleeping day and night?
Adi raakkammaa mookkammaa
Raakkamma, Mookkamma,
Raap pagalaa thookkamaa
Are you sleeping day and night?
Naan thaandi kaathi
Hey Raakkamma, Mookkamma,
Nalla muthu paethi
Are you sleeping day and night?
Othaiyaa mothamaa
I am Kaathi
Ethanai paer vaaringa
Granddaughter of Nalla Muthu
Othaiyaa mothamaa
Singly or as a whole group,
Ethanai paer vaaringa
How many of you are coming?
Aa… aa… oo… oo… ooo… hoi…
Singly or as a whole group,
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This energetic song from the 1968 Tamil movie Pudhiya Bhoomi features a bold and fiery female protagonist introducing herself as Kaathi, granddaughter of Nalla Muthu. She fearlessly challenges her opponents and mockingly asks whether they dare to fight her individually or all at once. She compares herself to a brave tiger cub navigating a game designed to trap parrots, proving that intimidation tactics like rolling eyes or aggressive postures will not break her spirit. The lyrics use playful folk metaphors and rhythmic refrains addressing village companions Raakkamma and Mookkamma. The protagonist urges her adversaries not to retreat after stepping forward and chides them for making foolish mistakes when they intended to accomplish a worthwhile task. Rich in folk swagger and confidence, the song captures a spirited confrontation filled with high energy and traditional dance rhythms.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
Matching second consonants across consecutive lines, such as 'Kaathi' / 'Paethi' and 'Othaiyaa' /
Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagathil)
The speaker calls herself a 'Puli kutti' (tiger cub) standing fearless in a 'Kili kattu' (parrot trap).
Emonive / Contrast Wordplay
Contrast between 'Uppedukka' (taking good salt / doing the right thing) and 'Thappeduthu' (making a mistake / taking a wrong step).
Monaai (Alliteration / Initial Rhyme)
Alliteration seen in 'Raakkammaa' and 'Raap pagalaa', as well as 'Munnae' and 'Munnum'.
Did you know?
Trivia
Pudhiya Bhoomi (1968) starring M. G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa features music composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Poovai Senguttavan. This song is sung by P. Susheela and L. R. Eswari in a vibrant folk-dance duet style.
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