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Lyrics & meaning

Nelavattam Nethiyile

From Desingu Raja · 2013

Lyricist
Yugabharathi
Singers
P. Unnikrishnan, Harini
Music director
D. Imman
Details
Desingu Raja2013

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kedaa vetti pongaiyilae..When cooking Pongal after sacrificing a goat...
Keppa kazhi kindaiyilaWhile stirring ragi porridge...
Orae oru mutham vacha podhalaIs a single kiss not enough?
Andha muthathukku eeduTo match that kiss...
Illa oorulaThere is nothing equal in this town.
Male
Nelavattam…..nenjukuzhiMoon-like round forehead... pit of the chest...
Female
Kollaiya kootta pazhagunenI learned to sweep the backyard...
Koodatha kootta pazhagunenI learned to gather crowds...
Ungala kootta pazhagalayae munnadiI didn't learn to bring you along before!
Neenga kollaiya koota varuvigalo pinnadiWill you come behind me later to loot together?
Male
Vethala madikka pazhagunenI learned to fold betel leaves...
Vettiya madikka pazhagunenI learned to fold a dhoti...
Maranthida pazhagalayae munnadiI didn't learn to forget before!
Nee pudava madikka kilamburiyae ennadiWhy are you getting ready to fold your saree, girl?
Nee pudava madikka kilamburiyae ennadiWhy are you getting ready to fold your saree, girl?
Female
Nelaavattam nethiyilae..On the moon-like round forehead...
Nenjukuzhi mathiyilaIn the middle of the pit of the chest...
Orae oru mutham vacha podhalaIs a single kiss not enough?
Andha muthathukku eeduTo match that kiss...
Illa oorulaThere is nothing equal in this town.
Male
Nelavattam…..nenjukuzhiMoon-like round forehead... pit of the chest...
Chorus
……………………………………..
Female
Vengayam narukka pazhagunenI learned to chop onions...
Velleri narukka pazhagunenI learned to chop cucumbers...
Ungala narukka pazhagalayae munnadiI didn't learn to chop/reprove you before!
Neenga odamba narukka varuvathenna appadiWhy do you come with a body shaped so fine like that?
Male
Kattil vaanga pazhagunenI learned to buy a bed...
Methaiya vaanga pazhagunenI learned to buy a mattress...
Urangida pazhagalayae munnadiI didn't learn to sleep before!
Nee usura vaangi tholaikiriyae yammadiYou are taking away my life, oh girl!
Nee usura vaangi tholaikiriyae yammadiYou are taking away my life, oh girl!
Male
Nelaavattam nethiyilae..On the moon-like round forehead...
Nenjukuzhi mathiyilaIn the middle of the pit of the chest...
Orae oru mutham vaiyen kosalaJust give me a single kiss, Kosala...
Andha muthathukku eedaIn return for that kiss...
Tharen kaadhala…I will give you my love...
Female
Kedaa vetti pongaiyilae..When cooking Pongal after sacrificing a goat...
Keppa kazhi kindaiyilaWhile stirring ragi porridge...
Orae oru mutham thandha podhalaIf you give just one kiss, isn't that enough?
Andha muthathukku eeduTo match that kiss...
Illa oorulaThere is nothing equal in this town.
Andha muthathukku eeduTo match that kiss...
Illa oorulaThere is nothing equal in this town.
Chorus
…………………………………………..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Nelaavattam (or 'Pom Pom Penne') from the movie Desingu Raja (2013) is a vibrant, upbeat rural Tamil folk track composed by D. Imman with lyrics by Yugabharathi. The song captures the playful flirtation between two lovers in a village setting, using everyday domestic activities—such as cooking ragi porridge, folding clothes, and chopping vegetables—as energetic metaphors for their evolving romantic feelings.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration) & Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Kedaa vetti pongaiyilae.. / Keppa kazhi kindaiyila

The song uses traditional Tamil poetic sound structures like repeating initial 'K' sounds ('Kedaa', 'Keppa', 'Kindaiyila') to create a rhythmic folk cadence.

Uvamai (Metaphor)

Nelaavattam nethiyilae..

'Nelaavattam' compares a round, attractive forehead directly to the full moon, highlighting the heroine's facial grace.

Anaphora / Lyrical Parallelism

Vengayam narukka pazhagunen / Velleri narukka pazhagunen

Repeating 'pazhagunen' (I learned) at the end of consecutive lines builds a conversational, incremental rhythm reflecting daily village chores.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by D. Imman with lyrics by Yugabharathi, 'Nelaavattam' showcases Imman's signature blend of traditional Tamil percussion instruments and lively brass folk arrangements suited for rural romantic comedies.

Keep listening

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