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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nottam Kanda Evarukkum

From Rathapasam · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
L. R. Eswari, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Rathapasam1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ottam kanda kudhiraikku aasaiDesire for a horse that is seen running fast
Katta kanda kazhudhaikku aasaiDesire for a donkey that is seen tied up
Patta kettingalaDid you hear about the trouble?
Patta ketta payalukku aasaiDesire of a ruined boy who lost his title
Notta kanda evarkkum aasaiEveryone desires when seeing money notes
Nottam pottingalaDid you take a close look at it?
Male
Ottam kanda kudhiraikku aasaiDesire for a horse that is seen running fast
Katta kanda kazhudhaikku aasaiDesire for a donkey that is seen tied up
Patta kettingalaDid you hear about the trouble?
Patta ketta payalukku aasaiDesire of a ruined boy who lost his title
Notta kanda evarkkum aasaiEveryone desires when seeing money notes
Nottam pottingalaDid you take a close look at it?
Female
Ada engooru sambaaruHey, the wealthy man from my town
Indhooru vandhaachuHas arrived in this town
Engaachum paartheengalaDid you see him anywhere?
Paartheengala kettingalaDid you see him? Did you hear about him?
Adhai kandaakka kondaangaIf you find him, bring him along
Kandaangi naan thaarenI will give you a traditional Kandaangi saree
Kattayam vaareengala vaareengala pooringalaAre you definitely coming? Are you coming or going?
Female
Ada engooru sambaaruHey, the wealthy man from my town
Indhooru vandhaachuHas arrived in this town
Engaachum paartheengalaDid you see him anywhere?
Paartheengala kettingalaDid you see him? Did you hear about him?
Adhai kandaakka kondaangaIf you find him, bring him along
Kandaangi naan thaarenI will give you a traditional Kandaangi saree
Kattayam vaareengala vaareengala pooringalaAre you definitely coming? Are you coming or going?
Male
Naayai kanda kallai kanoomWhen you see the dog, the stone is nowhere to be found
Kallai kanda naaiyai kaanoomWhen you see the stone, the dog is nowhere to be found
Mattai kanda kaiyirai kanoomWhen you see the stalk, the rope is nowhere to be found
Kayirai kanda mattai kanoomWhen you see the rope, the stalk is nowhere to be found
Enga povaan parthikkuren naanWhere will he go? I am watching
Ingae varuvaan maathikkiren paaruHe will come right here, watch me trap him
Male
Ottam kanda kudhiraikku aasaiDesire for a horse that is seen running fast
Katta kanda kazhudhaikku aasaiDesire for a donkey that is seen tied up
Patta kettingalaDid you hear about the trouble?
Female :Patta ketta payalukku aasaiFemale: Desire of a ruined boy who lost his title
Notta kanda evarkkum aasaiEveryone desires when seeing money notes
Nottam pottingalaDid you take a close look at it?
Female
Adadaa poologam kailaasam ponaalum pogattumAh, even if this world turns into heavenly Kailash, let it be
Pennaachi paaarthukkirenSince a woman is in power, I will handle it
Paathukkiren theethukkirenI will take care of it, I will resolve it
En poopola kaiyaalae podaati nallaalaeIf it's not done by my flower-soft hands, it won't turn out well
En peyarai maathikkiren paathukkiren theethukkirenI will change my name! I will take care of it and resolve it
Male
Tumkur raaja roattukku vandhaanThe King of Tumkur came onto the street
Dum dum dappa pattukku vandhaanHe came chasing after the beat of the drums
Nattai vittu naattuku vandhaanHe left his country and came to another land
Nalla thaaane maattika vandhaanHe came right here willingly to get trapped
London enna parrys ennaWhat does it matter if it is London or Paris?
Emtan engum emtan thaanadiA mastermind is a mastermind everywhere, my girl
Female
Ottam kanda kudhiraikku aasaiDesire for a horse that is seen running fast
Katta kanda kazhudhaikku aasaiDesire for a donkey that is seen tied up
Patta kettingalaDid you hear about the trouble?
Male
Patta ketta payalukku aasaiDesire of a ruined boy who lost his title
Notta kanda evarkkum aasaiEveryone desires when seeing money notes
Nottam pottingalaDid you take a close look at it?
Female
Ada vandhaaru maapillaiHey, the groom has arrived
Pen engae poo engaeWhere is the bride? Where are the flowers?
Kondaanthu veiyungalaeBring them and place them here
Veiyungalae..seiyungalaenPlace them... go ahead and do it...
Male
Konjam punnakku podungaFeed him a little oil-cake
Nallavae thinbaaruHe eats it really well
Engaachum thedungalenSearch for him somewhere
Thedungalen odungalenSearch for him, run and search!
Female
Singamunna singam thandaHe is a lion among lions, I say
Seeri paaayum thangamthaandaaPure gold that pounces ferociously
Male
Naayum vandhadhu kallaum vandhadhuBoth the dog and the stone have arrived now
Nallathaanae ellaam vandhadhuEverything turned out for the best after all
Kayirai podu sittadi sittuThrow the rope, nimble little bird
Kazhuthai suthi kattadi kattuTie it tightly around the neck!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic folk-pop song from 'Rathapasam' (1980) features playful, fast-paced banter between two witty characters engaged in a comedic chase. Using traditional Tamil proverbs, rural idioms, and sharp metaphors, the singer parodies human desire, greed, and cleverness. The lyrics humorously comment on how people act when money or opportunity is involved, comparing characters to horses, donkeys, lions, and masterminds. Throughout the track, the female and male leads attempt to outwit each other—one setting a trap and asserting her authority, while the other playfully boasts of his trickery and worldly wisdom. The dynamic back-and-forth captures a theatrical cat-and-mouse game, culminating in a festive resolution where all missing pieces come together.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Pazhamozhi (Proverb Usage)

Naayai kanda kallai kanoom / Kallai kanda naaiyai kaanoom

Incorporates a famous Tamil proverb meaning 'When you see a dog, there are no stones to throw; when you find a stone, the dog is gone', symbolizing situational bad timing or missing pieces.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Paathukkiren theethukkiren / En peyarai maathikkiren paathukkiren theethukkiren

The repetitive suffix ending '-kkiren' creates a catchy verbal rhythm and rhyming pattern at the end of consecutive clauses.

Muran (Antithesis)

Naayai kanda kallai kanoom / Kallai kanda naaiyai kaanoom

Contrasts presence and absence using paired opposites (Dog vs. Stone, Seen vs. Missing).

Hyperbole / Metaphor

Singamunna singam thanda / Seeri paaayum thangamthaandaa

Exaggerates the male character's stature by comparing him to a roaring lion and pouncing gold.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Rathapasam' (1980) featured music composed by the legendary M. S. Vishwanathan, with lyrics written by the celebrated poet Kannadasan. The high-energy duet brought together S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and L. R. Eswari, a playback singing pair renowned in Tamil cinema for their expressive, theatrical folk-style banter numbers.

Keep listening

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