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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nee Kattum Selai

From Pudhiya Mannargal · 1994

Lyricist
Pazhani Bharathi
Singers
Sujatha, T. L. Maharajan
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Pudhiya Mannargal1994

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Nee kattum selai madippulaIn the folds of the saree you wear,
Naan kasangi ponendiI got crushed and lost, girl!
Un elumibichampazha nira iduppulaIn your waist, bright yellow like a lemon,
Kirangi ponendiI became dizzy and swooned, girl!
Male
Nee kattum selai madippulaIn the folds of the saree you wear,
Naan kasangi ponendiI got crushed and lost, girl!
Un elumibichampazha nira iduppulaIn your waist, bright yellow like a lemon,
Kirangi ponendiI became dizzy and swooned, girl!
Male
Adiyae soodana mazhaiyeOh warm rain,
Kodaikkul nanaijukkalamaShall we get drenched under the umbrella?
Kodiyae vethala kodiyaeOh betel vine,
Sunnambu naan tharalamaMay I offer you the limestone paste?
Male
Azhagae thaavani poovaeOh beauty, flower of the half-saree,
Thaenai eduthukkalaamaMay I gather the honey?
Kolusu potta kaalilaeOn your anklet-adorned feet,
Thaalam pottukkalaamaMay I beat the rhythm?
Female
Nee kattum vetti madippulaIn the folds of the dhoti you wear,
Naan mayangi ponenaeI swooned with fascination, my man!
Un kattazhagu meesaiyilaIn your handsome mustache,
Kirangi ponenaeI became dizzy with love, my man!
Female
Nee kattum vetti madippulaIn the folds of the dhoti you wear,
Naan mayangi ponenaeI swooned with fascination, my man!
Un kattazhagu meesaiyilaIn your handsome mustache,
Kirangi ponenaeI became dizzy with love, my man!
Female
Vandu saamanthi poovilA beetle in the chrysanthemum flower
Nayanam oodhudhu mamaIs playing the nadaswaram, uncle!
Manasu aasaiyinaalaeBecause of the heart's desire,
Oonjal aaduthu mamaMy heart swings like a cradle, uncle!
Female
Malarum thaavani poovilIn the blooming flower of the half-saree,
Thaenai eduthukka mamaTake the honey, uncle!
Kolusu potta kaalilaOn the anklet-clad feet,
Thaalam pottukka mamaKeep the rhythm, uncle!
Male
Nee vetti vettiIn every fingernail
Podum nagathil ellaamThat you clip and cut,
Aae.. kutti kuttiOh, tiny little
Nilavu theriyuthadiCrescent moons are visible, girl!
Un iduppazhagilIn your waist-length hair
Urasum koonthalilaeThat brushes against your waist,
Ah.. pathikkittuAh, catching fire,
Manasu eriyuthadiMy heart is burning, girl!
Female
Sikki mukki kalla polaeLike flint stones,
Ennai sikkalilae maattathaeDo not trap me in trouble!
Thaali onnu podum varaiUntil you tie the sacred thread (Thaali),
Ennai verethuvum ketkathaeDo not ask anything else from me!
Male
Antha vaanam boomiThat sky and earth,
Ellaam ingae romba romba pazhasuEverything here is very, very old,
Adi neeyum naanum sernthirukkumHey, the love where you and I unite,
Kaathal thaandi puthusuIs newer than anything else!
Female
Vandu saamanthi poovilA beetle in the chrysanthemum flower
Nayanam oodhudhu mamaIs playing the nadaswaram, uncle!
Manasu aasaiyinaalaeBecause of the heart's desire,
Oonjal aaduthu mamaMy heart swings like a cradle, uncle!
Female
Malarum thaavani poovilIn the blooming flower of the half-saree,
Thaenai eduthukka mamaTake the honey, uncle!
Kolusu potta kaalilaOn the anklet-clad feet,
Thaalam pottukka mamaKeep the rhythm, uncle!
Male
Nee kattum selai madippulaIn the folds of the saree you wear,
Naan kasangi ponendiI got crushed and lost, girl!
Un elumibichampazha nira iduppulaIn your waist, bright yellow like a lemon,
Kirangi ponendiI became dizzy and swooned, girl!
Male
Nee kattum selai madippulaIn the folds of the saree you wear,
Naan kasangi ponendiI got crushed and lost, girl!
Un elumibichampazha nira iduppulaIn your waist, bright yellow like a lemon,
Kirangi ponendiI became dizzy and swooned, girl!
Male
Adiyae soodana mazhaiyeOh warm rain,
Kodaikkul nanaijukkalamaShall we get drenched under the umbrella?
Kodiyae vethala kodiyaeOh betel vine,
Sunnambu naan tharalamaMay I offer you the limestone paste?
Male
Azhagae thaavani poovaeOh beauty, flower of the half-saree,
Thaenai eduthukkalaamaMay I gather the honey?
Kolusu potta kaalilaeOn your anklet-adorned feet,
Thaalam pottukkalaamaMay I beat the rhythm?
Female
Maama neengaUncle, on the mattress
Thoongum methaiyilaeWhere you sleep, when will my blanket join?
Ennoda porvai servatheppoUncle, in the breath
Maama neengaThat you take, when will I hear my heartbeat?
Vangum moochinilaeAll my lifelines
Ennoda thudippai ketpatheppoAre running across your palm, girl!
Male
Yen aayul regai ellaamIn the beauty of your palm,
Un ullangaiyil ooduthadiDesire crawls all the way to the top!
Un ullangai azhaginilaeIn the flower I wear,
Aasai uchi varai ooruthudaiYour fragrance blends
Female
Naan soodum poovilAnd blows with the breeze,
Unga vaasam sernthuBy giving a kiss near my neck,
Vanthu veesuthuIt tickles me like a peacock feather!
Yen kazhuthukitta mutham thandhuOh warm rain,
Mayiliraga kusuthuShall we get drenched under the umbrella?
Male
Adiyae soodana mazhaiyeOh betel vine,
Kodaikkul nanaijukkalamaMay I offer you the limestone paste?
Kodiyae vethala kodiyaeOh beauty, flower of the half-saree,
Sunnambu naan tharalamaMay I gather the honey?
Male
Azhagae thaavani poovaeOn your anklet-adorned feet,
Thaenai eduthukkalaamaMay I beat the rhythm?
Kolusu potta kaalilaeIn the folds of the dhoti you wear,
Thaalam pottukkalaamaI swooned with fascination, my man!
Female
Nee kattum vetti madippulaIn your handsome mustache,
Naan mayangi ponenaeI became dizzy with love, my man!
Un kattazhagu meesaiyilaIn the folds of the dhoti you wear,
Kirangi ponenaeI swooned with fascination, my man!
Female
Nee kattum vetti madippulaIn your handsome mustache,
Naan mayangi ponenaeI became dizzy with love, my man!
Un kattazhagu meesaiyilaOh warm rain,
Kirangi ponenaeShall we get drenched under the umbrella?
Chorus
Adiyae soodana mazhaiyeOh betel vine,
Kodaikkul nanaijukkalamaMay I offer you the limestone paste?
Kodiyae vethala kodiyaeOh beauty, flower of the half-saree,
Sunnambu naan tharalamaMay I gather the honey?
Chorus
Azhagae thaavani poovaeOn your anklet-adorned feet,
Thaenai eduthukkalaamaMay I beat the rhythm?
Kolusu potta kaalilae{Thana naa thaananananaa
Thaalam pottukkalaamaThana naa thanna nanaanaa
Chorus
{Thana naa thaananananaaThana naa thaananananaa
Thana naa thanna nanaanaaThana naa thanna nanaanaa} (2)
Thana naa thaananananaa
Thana naa thanna nanaanaa} (2)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Nee Kattum Selai Madippula' is a playful and romantic folk duet from the film 'Pudhiya Mannargal' (1994). The song portrays a playful banter between two lovers expressing their deep physical attraction and romantic adoration for each other using vibrant rural Tamil metaphors—referencing saree folds, traditional dhotis, lemons, betel leaves, peacocks, and musical rhythms. Throughout the track, the male and female voices exchange poetic compliments about physical beauty and the sweet anticipation of marriage. The lyrics weave traditional rural imagery with passionate romantic expressions, showcasing the unique cultural flavor of Tamil folk-pop love duets.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Metaphor/Simile)

Un elumibichampazha nira iduppula

Comparing the heroine's bright yellow waist to a lemon ('elumibichampazha nira iduppu') and comparing trimmed fingernails to tiny crescent moons ('kutti kutti nilavu').

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Nee kattum selai madippula / Naan kasangi ponendi

Classic Tamil rhyming convention where second letters match across consecutive lines ('kattum' / 'kasangi' / 'elumibichampazha').

Monaai (Alliteration)

Sikki mukki kalla polae

Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('Sikki mukki kalla polae / Ennai sikkalilae').

Did you know?

Trivia

Though listed as unknown in some song tags, the soundtrack for 'Pudhiya Mannargal' (1994) was actually composed by A. R. Rahman, featuring lyrics penned by Pazhani Bharathi. This energetic folk-infused track was sung by Sujatha Mohan and Unni Menon, becoming a popular dance hit upon release.

Keep listening

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