Nikkatuma Pogatuma
From Irumbu Thirai – (1960) · 1960
- Lyricist
- Kothamangalam Subbu
- Singers
- Thiruchi Loganathan, K. Jamunarani
- Music director
- S. V. Venkatraman
- Details
- Irumbu Thirai – (1960)1960
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Nikkattumaa pogattumaa | Should I stay or should I go? |
| Nenja theranthu kaattattumaa | Should I open my heart and show it to you? |
| Nikkattumaa pogattumaa | Should I stay or should I go? |
| Nenja theranthu kaattattumaa | Should I open my heart and show it to you? |
| Female | |
| Akkarakkaara mamanukku | For my caring uncle, |
| Aththana kobam aagumaa | Is so much anger justified? |
| Akkarakkaara mamanukku | For my caring uncle, |
| Aththana kobam aagumaa | Is so much anger justified? |
| Female | |
| Meththa meethu paduththa pothilum | Even when lying down on a soft mattress, |
| Niththirai varalla mama | Sleep does not come, my dear uncle. |
| Meththa meethu paduththa pothilum | Even when lying down on a soft mattress, |
| Niththirai varalla mama | Sleep does not come, my dear uncle. |
| Unakku puththiyae illa mama | You have no sense at all, uncle! |
| Oru yukthi naan sollalaamaa | May I suggest a clever trick? |
| Oru yukthi naan sollalaamaa | May I suggest a clever trick? |
| Paththu per munnae maalai podavae | To exchange garlands in front of ten people, |
| Panaththau theda vendaamaa | Shouldn't one earn enough money first? |
| Paththu per munnae maalai podavae | To exchange garlands in front of ten people, |
| Panaththau theda vendaamaa | Shouldn't one earn enough money first? |
| Male | |
| Kadhal muththi pazhuththu ponapin | Once love ripens fully, |
| Kaasukkennadi joli | What use is money, my girl? |
| Kadhal muththi pazhuththu ponapin | Once love ripens fully, |
| Kaasukkennadi joli | What use is money, my girl? |
| Kazhuththil katta venumo thaali | Is it necessary to tie a sacred knot around the neck? |
| Summa karumbu thingavo kooli | Do you need wages just to eat sugarcane? |
| Summa karumbu thingavo kooli | Do you need wages just to eat sugarcane? |
| Kaaththiraathu en aaththiram ini | My urgency can wait no longer, |
| Come hear povom jolly | Come here, let us go and be jolly! |
| Female :Nithaani maa…maa…. | Female: Slow down, uncle... |
| Male :Sari…sari….pappaa | Male: All right, all right, sweetheart... |
| Female | |
| Paiya paiya en pakkam vanthu | Gently, stealthily coming near me, |
| Nee kaiya podura mama | You put your hand around me, uncle. |
| Paiya paiya en pakkam vanthu | Gently, stealthily coming near me, |
| Nee kaiya podura mama | You put your hand around me, uncle. |
| Amma vaiya poguthu mama | Mother will scold us, uncle! |
| Ippa maiyal meridalaama | Should passion overflow right now? |
| Seiyum kaariyam seithidaamalae | Without fulfilling the required duties, |
| Thaiyalai thodalaamaa | Should you touch a young woman? |
| Male | |
| Oo…ooo….ooh…oo…oo…. | Oo... ooo... ooh... oo... oo... |
| Male | |
| Annamae unakkaagavae | Oh swan-like maiden, just for you, |
| Ennai munnamae padachchaandi | God created me beforehand! |
| Annamae unakkaagavae | Oh swan-like maiden, just for you, |
| Ennai munnamae padachchaandi | God created me beforehand! |
| Avan muchchum pottu vachchaandi | He even tied the knot of fate already! |
| Chummaa modi seigirathaendi | Why are you acting distant for no reason, girl? |
| Chummaa modi seigirathaendi | Why are you acting distant for no reason, girl? |
| Ennamo kadhai sollugiraai | You are telling some tall story, |
| Idhai yaezhai naanarivendi | I, a simple girl, know all this! |
| Ennamo kadhai sollugiraai | Aa... aa... aah... aa... aa... aa... |
| Idhai yaezhai naanarivendi | We must erect a wedding canopy, |
| Female | |
| Aa…aa…aah…aa…aa…aa… | We must serve a grand feast, |
| Female | |
| Panthal podanum | We must sprout auspicious seeds in pots, |
| Panthi vaikkanum | A sacred wedding knot must be tied, |
| Paaligai mulaikkonum | The traditional wedding drums must beat, |
| Oru thaaliyum katta venum | Until that day, your desire, |
| Konjam melamum thatta venum | You must restrain and keep under control! |
| Antha naal mattum unthan aasaiyai | Should I stay or should I go? |
| Adakkiyum kollavenum | Should I open my heart and show it to you? |
| Male | |
| Nikkattumaa pogattumaa | Should I stay or should I go? |
| Nenja thoranthu kaattattumaa | Should I open my heart and show it to you? |
| Nikkattumaa pogattumaa | |
| Nenja thoranthu kaattattumaa | |
நிக்கட்டுமா போகட்டுமா
நெஞ்ச தெறந்து காட்டட்டுமா
நிக்கட்டுமா போகட்டுமா
நெஞ்ச தெறந்து காட்டட்டுமா
Should I stay or should I go?
Should I open my heart and show it to you?
Should I stay or should I go?
Should I open my heart and show it to you?
அக்கரக்கார மாமனுக்கு
அத்தன கோபம் ஆகுமா
அக்கரக்கார மாமனுக்கு
அத்தன கோபம் ஆகுமா
For my caring uncle,
Is so much anger justified?
For my caring uncle,
Is so much anger justified?
மெத்த மீது படுத்த போதிலும்
நித்திரை வரல்ல மாமா
மெத்த மீது படுத்த போதிலும்
நித்திரை வரல்ல மாமா
உனக்கு புத்தியே இல்ல மாமா
ஒரு யுக்தி நான் சொல்லலாமா
ஒரு யுக்தி நான் சொல்லலாமா
பத்து பேர் முன்னே மாலை போடவே
பணத்தை தேட வேண்டாமா
பத்து பேர் முன்னே மாலை போடவே
பணத்தை தேட வேண்டாமா
Even when lying down on a soft mattress,
Sleep does not come, my dear uncle.
Even when lying down on a soft mattress,
Sleep does not come, my dear uncle.
You have no sense at all, uncle!
May I suggest a clever trick?
May I suggest a clever trick?
To exchange garlands in front of ten people,
Shouldn't one earn enough money first?
To exchange garlands in front of ten people,
Shouldn't one earn enough money first?
காதல் முத்தி பழுத்துப் போனபின்
காசுக்கென்னடி ஜோலி
காதல் முத்தி பழுத்துப் போனபின்
காசுக்கென்னடி ஜோலி
கழுத்தில் கட்ட வேணுமோ தாலி
சும்மா கரும்பு திங்கவோ கூலி
சும்மா கரும்பு திங்கவோ கூலி
காத்திராது என் ஆத்திரம் இனி
கம் ஹியர் போவோம் ஜாலி
நிதானி மா......மா........
சரி........சரி........பாப்பா
Once love ripens fully,
What use is money, my girl?
Once love ripens fully,
What use is money, my girl?
Is it necessary to tie a sacred knot around the neck?
Do you need wages just to eat sugarcane?
Do you need wages just to eat sugarcane?
My urgency can wait no longer,
Come here, let us go and be jolly!
Female: Slow down, uncle...
Male: All right, all right, sweetheart...
பைய பைய என் பக்கம் வந்து
நீ கையப் போடுற மாமா
பைய பைய என் பக்கம் வந்து
நீ கையப் போடுற மாமா
அம்மா வையப் போகுது மாமா
இப்ப மையல் மீறிடலாமா
செய்யும் காரியம் செய்திடாமலே
தையலை தொடலாமா
Gently, stealthily coming near me,
You put your hand around me, uncle.
Gently, stealthily coming near me,
You put your hand around me, uncle.
Mother will scold us, uncle!
Should passion overflow right now?
Without fulfilling the required duties,
Should you touch a young woman?
ஓஒ....ஓ...ஓ....ஓஹ்....ஓ....ஓ....
Oo... ooo... ooh... oo... oo...
அன்னமே உனக்காகவே
என்னை முன்னமே படச்சான்டி
அன்னமே உனக்காகவே
என்னை முன்னமே படச்சான்டி
அவன் முடிச்சும் போட்டு வச்சான்டி
சும்மா மோடி செய்கிறதேன்டி
சும்மா மோடி செய்கிறதேன்டி
என்னமோ கதை சொல்லுறாய்
இதை ஏழை நானறிவேன்டி
என்னமோ கதை சொல்லுறாய்
இதை ஏழை நானறிவேன்டி
Oh swan-like maiden, just for you,
God created me beforehand!
Oh swan-like maiden, just for you,
God created me beforehand!
He even tied the knot of fate already!
Why are you acting distant for no reason, girl?
Why are you acting distant for no reason, girl?
You are telling some tall story,
I, a simple girl, know all this!
Aa... aa... aah... aa... aa... aa...
We must erect a wedding canopy,
ஆ...ஆ....ஆஹ்....ஆ...ஆ....ஆ...
We must serve a grand feast,
பந்தல் போடணும்
பந்தி வைக்கணும்
பாலிகை முளைக்கோணும்
ஒரு தாலியும் கட்ட வேணும்
கொஞ்சம் மேளமும் தட்ட வேணும்
அந்த நாள் மட்டும் உந்தன் ஆசையை
அடக்கியும் கொள்ளவேணும்
We must sprout auspicious seeds in pots,
A sacred wedding knot must be tied,
The traditional wedding drums must beat,
Until that day, your desire,
You must restrain and keep under control!
Should I stay or should I go?
Should I open my heart and show it to you?
நிக்கட்டுமா போகட்டுமா
நெஞ்ச தெறந்து காட்டட்டுமா
நிக்கட்டுமா போகட்டுமா
நெஞ்ச தெறந்து காட்டட்டுமா
Should I stay or should I go?
Should I open my heart and show it to you?
Nikkattumaa pogattumaa
Should I stay or should I go?
Nenja theranthu kaattattumaa
Should I open my heart and show it to you?
Nikkattumaa pogattumaa
Should I stay or should I go?
Nenja theranthu kaattattumaa
Should I open my heart and show it to you?
Akkarakkaara mamanukku
For my caring uncle,
Aththana kobam aagumaa
Is so much anger justified?
Akkarakkaara mamanukku
For my caring uncle,
Aththana kobam aagumaa
Is so much anger justified?
Meththa meethu paduththa pothilum
Even when lying down on a soft mattress,
Niththirai varalla mama
Sleep does not come, my dear uncle.
Meththa meethu paduththa pothilum
Even when lying down on a soft mattress,
Niththirai varalla mama
Sleep does not come, my dear uncle.
Unakku puththiyae illa mama
You have no sense at all, uncle!
Oru yukthi naan sollalaamaa
May I suggest a clever trick?
Oru yukthi naan sollalaamaa
May I suggest a clever trick?
Paththu per munnae maalai podavae
To exchange garlands in front of ten people,
Panaththau theda vendaamaa
Shouldn't one earn enough money first?
Paththu per munnae maalai podavae
To exchange garlands in front of ten people,
Panaththau theda vendaamaa
Shouldn't one earn enough money first?
Kadhal muththi pazhuththu ponapin
Once love ripens fully,
Kaasukkennadi joli
What use is money, my girl?
Kadhal muththi pazhuththu ponapin
Once love ripens fully,
Kaasukkennadi joli
What use is money, my girl?
Kazhuththil katta venumo thaali
Is it necessary to tie a sacred knot around the neck?
Summa karumbu thingavo kooli
Do you need wages just to eat sugarcane?
Summa karumbu thingavo kooli
Do you need wages just to eat sugarcane?
Kaaththiraathu en aaththiram ini
My urgency can wait no longer,
Come hear povom jolly
Come here, let us go and be jolly!
Female :Nithaani maa…maa….
Female: Slow down, uncle...
Male :Sari…sari….pappaa
Male: All right, all right, sweetheart...
Paiya paiya en pakkam vanthu
Gently, stealthily coming near me,
Nee kaiya podura mama
You put your hand around me, uncle.
Paiya paiya en pakkam vanthu
Gently, stealthily coming near me,
Nee kaiya podura mama
You put your hand around me, uncle.
Amma vaiya poguthu mama
Mother will scold us, uncle!
Ippa maiyal meridalaama
Should passion overflow right now?
Seiyum kaariyam seithidaamalae
Without fulfilling the required duties,
Thaiyalai thodalaamaa
Should you touch a young woman?
Oo…ooo….ooh…oo…oo….
Oo... ooo... ooh... oo... oo...
Annamae unakkaagavae
Oh swan-like maiden, just for you,
Ennai munnamae padachchaandi
God created me beforehand!
Annamae unakkaagavae
Oh swan-like maiden, just for you,
Ennai munnamae padachchaandi
God created me beforehand!
Avan muchchum pottu vachchaandi
He even tied the knot of fate already!
Chummaa modi seigirathaendi
Why are you acting distant for no reason, girl?
Chummaa modi seigirathaendi
Why are you acting distant for no reason, girl?
Ennamo kadhai sollugiraai
You are telling some tall story,
Idhai yaezhai naanarivendi
I, a simple girl, know all this!
Ennamo kadhai sollugiraai
Aa... aa... aah... aa... aa... aa...
Idhai yaezhai naanarivendi
We must erect a wedding canopy,
Aa…aa…aah…aa…aa…aa…
We must serve a grand feast,
Panthal podanum
We must sprout auspicious seeds in pots,
Panthi vaikkanum
A sacred wedding knot must be tied,
Paaligai mulaikkonum
The traditional wedding drums must beat,
Oru thaaliyum katta venum
Until that day, your desire,
Konjam melamum thatta venum
You must restrain and keep under control!
Antha naal mattum unthan aasaiyai
Should I stay or should I go?
Adakkiyum kollavenum
Should I open my heart and show it to you?
Nikkattumaa pogattumaa
Should I stay or should I go?
Nenja thoranthu kaattattumaa
Should I open my heart and show it to you?
Nikkattumaa pogattumaa
Nenja thoranthu kaattattumaa
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Nikkattumaa Pogattumaa from the 1960 film Irumbu Thirai is a vibrant, playful duet portraying the romantic banter between two lovers. The male protagonist expresses intense passion and urgency, arguing that genuine love transcends financial status and formal delay. He whimsically questions why custom should hold them back when they are clearly destined for each other. In response, the female protagonist charmingly resists his advances, advocating for traditional social decorum and traditional matrimony. She insists that proper rites—such as erecting a marriage canopy, hosting a feast, and tying the sacred thaali—must be performed before intimacy. Through lively folk-flavored rhythms, clever proverbs, and mutual tease, the song delightfully balances passionate pursuit with sweet cultural restraint.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor / Cultural Metaphor
“Summa karumbu thingavo kooli”
Uses the popular folk idiom of eating sugarcane without needing wages to express that enjoying sweet, natural love should not require transactional obstacles.
Metaphor (Ani)
“Annamae unakkaagavae”
Addresses the beloved woman as 'Annamae' (swan), a traditional literary metaphor comparing a graceful lady to a swan.
Ethugai (Second-letter rhyme)
“Panthal podanum / Panthi vaikkanum”
The second letters of both lines ('n-tha' / 'n-thi') share harmony, creating a pleasing rhythmic sequence.
Did you know?
Trivia
Irumbu Thirai (1960), directed by S. S. Vasan, featured music by S. V. Venkatraman and lyrics by noted poet Kothamangalam Subbu. 'Nikkattumaa Pogattumaa' stands out as a memorable duet rendered by Thiruchi Loganathan and K. Jamuna Rani, celebrated for its blend of traditional Tamil wedding customs with playful flirtatious banter.
Keep listening
More from Irumbu Thirai – (1960)
Irumbu Thirai – (1960)
Irumbu Thirai – (1960)
Irumbu Thirai – (1960)
Irumbu Thirai – (1960)
Irumbu Thirai – (1960)
Irumbu Thirai – (1960)