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Lyrics & meaning

Nandu Kozhuthaa Valaiyinile

From Kulakozhunthu · 1981

Lyricist
T. Rajendar
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Kulakozhunthu1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Nandu kozhuththaa valaiyinilaeIf a crab grows fat inside its burrow,
Enna nadakkum chinna pullaeWhat will happen, my little young lad?
Haan haan ha haan…..Haan haan ha haan…..
Nandu kozhuththaa valaiyinilaeIf a crab grows fat inside its burrow,
Enna nadakkum chinna pullaeWhat will happen, my little young lad?
Female
Pendu kedachchaa valainju koduththaaIf a woman is found and yields to you,
Piththam pidikkum chinna pullaeIt will turn you mad, my little young lad!
Pendu kedachchaa valainju koduththaaIf a woman is found and yields to you,
Piththam pidikkum chinna pullaeIt will turn you mad, my little young lad!
Nandu…..nandu…..nandu….Crab... crab... crab...
Female
Thappi vantha kaithi polaeLike an escaped convict,
Thagara dappaa moonji pullaeO tin-can faced young lad!
Thappi vantha kaithi polaeLike an escaped convict,
Thagara dappaa moonji pullaeO tin-can faced young lad!
Female
Uchchi kulira pechchu kodukkaTo chatter until the top of your head freezes,
Pitchai edunga thunikkaagaGo beg for clothes first!
Uchchi kulira pechchu kodukkaTo chatter until the top of your head freezes,
Pitchai edunga thunikkaagaGo beg for clothes first!
Female
Thumbai vitta maman pullaeO uncle's boy who let go of the lead rope,
Pambai thottaa paavam pullaeTouching a snake is a sin, young lad!
Thumbai vitta maman pullaeO uncle's boy who let go of the lead rope,
Pambai thottaa paavam pullaeTouching a snake is a sin, young lad!
Female
Kavari maanai pidikka pogaHe went out to catch a royal deer,
Idari vizhunthaan mannu kavvaTumbled down and bit the dirt!
Kavari maanai pidikka pogaHe went out to catch a royal deer,
Idari vizhunthaan mannu kavvaTumbled down and bit the dirt!
Nandu…..nandu…..nandu….Crab... crab... crab...
Female
Meesai yaeno sollu pullaeTell me why you wear a mustache, young lad?
Aasai vachchaa mosam pullaeIf you entertain desires, it will ruin you, young lad!
Meesai yaeno sollu pullaeTell me why you wear a mustache, young lad?
Aasai vachchaa mosam pullaeIf you entertain desires, it will ruin you, young lad!
Female
Mogam porakka mella ndakkaWalking slowly while desire awakens in them,
Muttrum thurantha munivanungaEven ascetics who renounced everything succumbed!
Mogam porakka mella ndakkaWalking slowly while desire awakens in them,
Muttrum thurantha munivanungaEven ascetics who renounced everything succumbed!
Female
Nariya polae Moonji pullaeYour face looks like a fox, young lad,
Kariyum irunthaa poosu pullaeIf there is charcoal available, rub it on your face!
Nariya polae Moonji pullaeYour face looks like a fox, young lad,
Kariyum irunthaa poosu pullaeIf there is charcoal available, rub it on your face!
Female
Manjam keththa manjal irukkuThere is turmeric meant for the marriage bed,
Kulikka neeyum poosu pullaeApply it on yourself when you bathe, young lad!
Manjam keththa manjal irukkuThere is turmeric meant for the marriage bed,
Kulikka neeyum poosu pullaeApply it on yourself when you bathe, young lad!
Nandu…..nandu…..nandu….Crab... crab... crab...
Female
Nandu kozhuththaa valaiyinilaeIf a crab grows fat inside its burrow,
Enna nadakkum chinna pullaeWhat will happen, my little young lad?
Nandu kozhuththaa valaiyinilaeIf a crab grows fat inside its burrow,
Enna nadakkum chinna pullaeWhat will happen, my little young lad?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and teasing folk song uses rustic allegories to warn a young, overconfident man about the perils of succumbing to foolish desire. The lead singer compares the youth's burgeoning hubris to a crab growing too large for its burrow, humorously poking fun at his appearance and demeanor. She cautions that pursuing love recklessly will only lead to humiliation and loss of control, just as foolishly attempting to catch a wild deer causes one to trip and bite the dust. Through energetic folk rhythm and sharp banter, the lyrics mock his vanity and urge him to stay humble and realistic.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second Letter Assonance)

Nandu kozhuththaa valaiyinilae / Pendu kedachchaa valainju koduththaa

Matching of the second consonant sound across consecutive lines, such as 'Nandu' and 'Pendu'.

Simile (Uvamai)

Thappi vantha kaithi polae

Comparing the youth's appearance and suspicious behavior directly to an escaped prisoner ('Thappi vantha kaithi polae') and a fox ('Nariya polae').

Iyaibu (Epiphora / Rhyming Refrain)

Enna nadakkum chinna pullae

Repeated line-ending refrain 'chinna pullae' across multiple verses to build rhythm and playful direct address.

Did you know?

Trivia

The track 'Nandu Kozhuththaa' from Kulakozhunthu (1981) features multi-hyphenate artist T. Rajendar as the lyricist writing for legendary composer M. S. Viswanathan. Playback singer L. R. Eswari, famous for her unique high-energy playful renditions in Tamil cinema, delivers the energetic vocals suited to the rustic banter.

Keep listening

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