Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naattu Koothu

From RRR · 2021

Lyricist
Madhan Karky
Singers
Rahul Sipligunj, Yazin Nizar
Music director
Maragathamani
Details
RRR2021

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Karuntholu kumbaloduWith the dark-skinned crowd,
Pattikkaattu kootha kaattuShow them our rustic, folk dance!
Podu namma thaalam onnuStrike a beat of our own rhythm,
Pottu naattu kootha kaattuShow them our native folk dance performance!
Male
Chilambaattam suthi kaattuSpin and show the art of Silambam stick fighting,
Kaatha renda vetti kaattuSlice the air into two with your speed!
Jallikkattu kaaliyaattamLike the fiery fierce dance of Jallikattu bulls,
Kooru kombil kuthi kaattuGore and show with sharp horns!
Naalu kaalu naalu tholumFour legs and four shoulders,
Miratti dhoola kelappi kattuIntimidate them and raise a storm of dust!
Male
En paattunkoothuMy song and folk dance!
En paattunkoothuMy song and folk dance!
En paattunkoothuMy song and folk dance!
Naattu naattu naattuFolk folk folk,
Naattu naattu naattuFolk folk folk,
Kootha kaattuShow them the folk dance!
Naattu naattu naattuFolk folk folk,
Naattu naattu vettaFolk folk fiercely,
Kootha kaattuShow them the folk dance!
Male
Naattu naattu naattuFolk folk folk,
Paattu padichuSinging a song,
Thappadichu kaattuBeat the folk drum and show!
Naattu naattu naattuFolk folk folk,
Vettrikodiya naattiHoist the victory flag,
Veeran kaattuShow them a brave warrior!
Male
Rendu idhayam onnaakkiUniting two hearts into one,
Dandanakkannu molam kottuBeat the drum with a booming sound!
Kiliyum kuyilum paattu kattiParrots and cuckoos weaving a melody,
Keechikkittu koovikittuScreeching and cooing together,
Male
Kayyi sodakkum thaalathilTo the rhythm of snapping fingers,
Sevvaanam saaichu kattuTilt the crimson sky itself!
Kaalu thattum thaalathilTo the rhythm of stomping feet,
Nilamellaam athiravittuMake the whole earth tremble!
Chottu chottu vervai kottumAs sweat drops fall drip by drip,
Chathanthaan kaithattuEven the devil would clap hands in awe!
Male
En paattunkoothuMy song and folk dance!
En paattunkoothuMy song and folk dance!
En paattunkoothuMy song and folk dance!
Naattu naattu naattuFolk folk folk,
Naattu naattu naattuFolk folk folk,
Kootha kaattuShow them the folk dance!
Naattu naattu naattuFolk folk folk,
Naattu naattu vettaFolk folk fiercely,
Kootha kaattuShow them the folk dance!
Male
Naattu naattu naattuFolk folk folk,
Kallu podhai aattam aadi kaattuDance like an intoxicated wild frenzy and show!
Naattu naattu naattuFolk folk folk,
Kotta mela vettrikodi naattuPlant the victory flag atop the fort!
Male
Bhoomi aadi nadunga thaanMaking the earth shake and tremble,
Vegam yethi adiya maathiIncrease the speed, alternate your steps,
Pinna vechu munna vechuStepping back and stepping forward,
Egirithaan yekkaa yekkaaLeap up with great energy!
Naattu kootha kaattuShow the native folk dance!
Male
PoduHit it!
Male
Dhum dhum thudippellaamLetting every boom of heartbeats,
Veliya vittu ulla vittuGo out and come inside,
Dhammu dhammu kattikkittuGathering up all your breath and energy,
Thullithaan yekkaa yekkaaJump with supreme energy!
Naattu koothu kaattuShow the native folk dance!
Chorus
………………....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Naattu Naattu' (the Tamil version of the Oscar-winning 'Naatu Naatu' from S.S. Rajamouli's epic film RRR) is a high-energy celebration of native folk culture, physical vitality, and anti-colonial pride. The song features the lead protagonists showcasing their rustic, explosive dance moves at a stiff British gathering, turning the high-society event into a fiery, exuberant display of indigenous strength and rhythm.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Repetition / Alliterative Chorus

Naattu naattu naattu

The rhythmic repetition of 'Naattu naattu naattu' builds intense musical energy and emphasizes native, rural roots.

Onomatopoeia (Irrattai Kilavi / Anaphora)

Chottu chottu vervai kottum

'Dandanakkannu', 'Chottu chottu', and 'Dhum dhum' mimic percussion sounds, dripping sweat, and heartbeat rhythms.

Hyperbole (Exaggeration)

Kaalu thattum thaalathil Nilamellaam athiravittu

The lyrics hyperbolically claim that their stomping feet make the entire earth tremble and tilt the red evening sky.

Metaphor

Jallikkattu kaaliyaattam Kooru kombil kuthi kaattu

Compares the wild energy of the dance to the aggressive movement of Jallikattu bulls with sharp horns.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written in Tamil by Madhan Karky, 'Naattu Naattu' is the Tamil rendition of the Telugu song 'Naatu Naatu', composed by M.M. Keeravani (credited as Maragathamani in Tamil). The original song went on to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 95th Academy Awards in 2023, making history as the first song from an Asian film to win the award.

Keep listening

More from RRR