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Lyrics & meaning

Naatu Kuthu

From Kadapuraa Kalaikuzhu · 2023

Lyricist
Raja Gurusamy
Singers
Mathichiyam Bala, Anthakudi Ilayaraja, Folk star Lakshmi
Music director
Henry
Details
Kadapuraa Kalaikuzhu2023

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thaara thappattayaBeat the Thaarai and Thappattu drums
Nee adidaaYou play it, man!
Thangakatti paatu kattiWeaving a song like a solid gold bar
VaarendaaHere I come, man!
Male
Oore mechumpadiSo that the whole village praises us
Nee vedidaaYou burst forth!
Singakutti aattam kattaTo dance like a lion cub
PorendaaI am going, man!
Male
Paattan poottan sonnaSpoken by grandfathers and great-grandfathers
Pattikaattu paatidhuThis is a rural village song
Thaanaa vanthathugaIt came naturally to us
Raththathula oduthuIt runs in our blood
Male
Indhaa kettukkadaaHere, listen to this
Naatupura raagaththaThis folk melody
Vandhaa vachukkalaamIf it comes, we can accept it
Vachu seyyalaamWe can nail the performance
Male
PodraPlay it!
Male
Thaara thappattayaBeat the Thaarai and Thappattu drums
Nee adidaaYou play it, man!
Thangakatti paatu kattiWeaving a song like a solid gold bar
VaarendaaHere I come, man!
Male
Oore mechumpadiSo that the whole village praises us
Nee vedidaaYou burst forth!
Singakutti aattam kattaTo dance like a lion cub
PorendaaI am going, man!
Male
Silukka vakkiriyeYou make me look stylish and attractive
Singara poonkodiBeautiful vine-like girl
Adi madura malligayaHey, Madurai jasmine flowers
ThaarendeeI shall give you
Naa readyI am ready
Male
OodhuPlay it!
Male
Silukka vakkiriyeYou make me look stylish and attractive
Singara poonkodiBeautiful vine-like girl
Madura malligayaMadurai jasmine flowers
ThaarendeeI shall give you
Naa ready…I am ready...
Male
Ola kudisaikullaInside the thatch hut
Nee nolanchaaIf you enter
Othiga vachukkalaamWe can do a practice session
Adi amanchaaHey, if things work out
Male
Kootaa sernthukalaamWe can team up together
Nee nenachaaIf you wish
Koocham venaamadiDon't be shy
Yen sarosaaMy Sarosa
Female
Hey sillu karumbeHey sweet sugarcane piece
Idhu ellam kurumbeAll this is just playfulness
Innum kaalam kedakaeThere is plenty of time left
Ada yenda kirukke…Hey, you crazy fellow...
Male
Yei seeni muttaayeHey sugar candy
Adi cinema kottayeHey movie theater
Etti neeyum thottaalaeIf you reach out and touch
Ayyo minsaram ulla yerumOh my, electricity surges within!
Podra…Play it...
Male
Podu naatu kuththaDance the native folk beat
Vaa pangaaliCome, partner!
Kuthu kummangkuththaHit the heavy energetic dance beat
PodraPlay it!
Podu naatu kuththaDance the native folk beat
Vaa pangaaliCome, partner!
Kuthu kummangkuththaHit the heavy energetic dance beat
Male
Humming…………..[Humming sound]
Male
Vadicha seppu chelaDraped in a fine copper-red saree
Vanji nee mohiniYou beautiful enchantress
Pudichaa puliyang kombuHolding onto a tough tamarind branch
Pudivaathakkaari neeYou are a stubborn woman
Male
Solavandhaanula kodikkaaIn Sholavandan's vine garden
Vethala parippomadi orukkaaWe shall pluck betel leaves together
Nanja vayalukkulla marakkaaInside the wet paddy field
Nellu vaangi thaaren kanakkaaI will buy you grain measured accurately
Female
Hey mittaa miraasuHey wealthy landlord
Nee oosi pattasuYou are like a loud firecracker
Naa putham puthusuI am brand new
Ippo venaam ravusuDon't make a scene right now
Male
Ada vanthaachu maalaAh, the evening has come
Naanga ullooru kaalaWe are the local bulls
Pottinu vanthaakkaaIf you come for a challenge
Paattu saththam kizhiyumThe roar of our song will tear through everything

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic song from 'Kadapuraa Kalaikuzhu' celebrates native Tamil folk music traditions, drum beats, and romantic village banter. The lyrics emphasize that folk art is an innate, inherited passion passed down through generations that runs deep in the blood of local performers. Through playful dialogue between the male and female leads, the song incorporates vivid regional imagery such as Madurai jasmine, Sholavandan betel leaves, and traditional village celebrations. As the rhythm escalates into a fast-paced Kuthu dance, the singers express pride in their local roots. They playfully challenge any competitors, asserting that their authentic local talent, raw energy, and powerful voices will dominate any musical contest.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Thaara thappattaya / Oore mechumpadi

The second letters 'aa' in 'Thaara' and 'Paattan' or 'oo' in 'Oore' match across lines creating traditional Tamil rhythmic assonance.

Moonaam Ezhuthu Onndruvadhal / Monai (Alliteration)

Silukka vakkiriye / Singara poonkodi

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'S' in 'Silukka' and 'Singara' creates phonetic harmony.

Metaphor / Simile (Uvamaani)

Yei seeni muttaaye / Adi cinema kottaye

The female singer is metaphorically referred to as sweet candy ('Seeni muttaaye') and a cinema hall ('Cinema kottaye'), emphasizing her charm and excitement.

Cultural Imagery

Solavandhaanula kodikkaa / Vethala parippomadi orukkaa

References to regional hallmarks like 'Madura malligai' (Madurai Jasmine) and 'Solavandhaan vethala' (Sholavandan betel leaves) ground the poetry in authentic southern Tamil Nadu culture.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kadapuraa Kalaikuzhu' (2023) is a Tamil film centered around traditional folk dance troupes and artists. The soundtrack, composed by Henry, relies heavily on authentic folk instruments like the Thaarai and Thappattu percussion, featuring iconic Tamil folk playback singers Mathichiyam Bala and Anthakudi Ilayaraja.

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