Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ootha Kaathum Oosi

From Simma Soppanam · 1984

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Simma Soppanam1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oodha kaaththum oosi mazhaiyumThe howling wind and needle-sharp rain
Oram kattuthu ennaAre pushing us together to one side.
Female :Intha neram paarththu thooralum saralumFemale: Seeing this opportune moment, the drizzle and fine spray
Nerunga solluthu unnaTell me to get close to you.
Male
Oodha kaaththum oosi mazhaiyumThe howling wind and needle-sharp rain
Oram kattuthu ennaAre pushing us together to one side.
Female :Intha neram paarththu thooralum saralumFemale: Seeing this opportune moment, the drizzle and fine spray
Nerunga solluthu unnaTell me to get close to you.
Male
Anthi maha angamellaam kodhkkiraaThe evening lady boils with warmth in all her body,
Aalangatti mazhaiyile kulikkiraaBathing in the hailstone rain.
Anthi maha angamellaam kodhkkiraaThe evening lady boils with warmth in all her body,
Aalangatti mazhaiyile kulikkiraaBathing in the hailstone rain.
Female
Ava sooriya manjalai eduththuShe took the turmeric of the sun,
Adi vaanaththu ammiyil arachchuAnd ground it on the grinding stone of the sky.
Ava sooriya manjalai eduththuShe took the turmeric of the sun,
Adi vaanaththu ammiyil arachchuAnd ground it on the grinding stone of the sky.
Male :Poomeniyil mella thadavaMale: To gently smear it over your flower-like body,
Paarththiruppaen rasichchuI will sit back and admire fondly.
Female
Oodha kaaththum oosi mazhaiyumThe howling wind and needle-sharp rain
Oram kattuthu ennaAre pushing us together to one side.
Male :Intha neram paaththu thooralum saaralumMale: Seeing this opportune moment, the drizzle and fine spray
Nerunga solluthu unnaTell me to get close to you.
Male
Thanni thalumbidum chinna ilanigalSmall tender coconuts brimful with water
Thennaiyil minnida kangalil thenpadaShining on the coconut tree, as my eyes catch sight of them,
Thaagam undaachchuA deep thirst was born.
Female :Vanna kurinjiyil vandu parakkaiyilFemale: As bees flutter around colorful Kurinji flowers,
Saththangal vanthida muththangal thanthidaMaking sweet sounds and exchanging kisses,
Mogam undaachchuA longing passion was born.
Male
Ini thookkam vaaraathoWon't sleep come from now on?
Antha yaekkam vidaathoWon't this yearning leave me?
Thookkam vaaraathoWon't sleep come?
Yaekkam vidaathoWon't this longing leave?
Female :Kaveriyum kadalum onnaakFemale: Just like the river Kaveri and the ocean merge as one,
Kalakka koodaathoShouldn't we unite as well?
Male
Oodha kaaththum oosi mazhaiyumThe howling wind and needle-sharp rain
Oram kattuthu ennaAre pushing us together to one side.
Female :Intha neram paarththu thooralum saralumFemale: Seeing this opportune moment, the drizzle and fine spray
Nerunga solluthu unnaTell me to get close to you.
Male
Paththu viral patta idam inikkuthaaDoes the place touched by ten fingers taste sweet?
Paai virikka manasuthaan thudikkuthaaIs your heart yearning to lay out a mat?
Female :Ada aayiram ennuthu manasuFemale: Oh, my mind is spinning a thousand thoughts,
Adhan kaaranam rendu per vayasuAnd the reason for it is the youthful age of both of us.
Ada aayiram ennuthu manasuOh, my mind is spinning a thousand thoughts,
Adhan kaaranam rendu per vayasuAnd the reason for it is the youthful age of both of us.
Male :Aamaam pullae achcham edhukku maamanaththaan orasuMale: Yes my girl, why fear? Come brush up against your beloved uncle!
Female
Oodha kaaththum oosi mazhaiyumThe howling wind and needle-sharp rain
Oram kattuthu ennaAre pushing us together to one side.
Male :Intha neram paarththu thooralum saralumMale: Seeing this opportune moment, the drizzle and fine spray
Nerunga solluthu unnaTell me to get close to you.
Both :Nerunga solluthu unnaBoth: Tell me to get close to you.
Nerunga solluthu unnaTell me to get close to you.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This sensual duet from 'Simma Soppanam' (1984) uses rain and nature as allegories for romantic desire and intimacy between two lovers. Set against a backdrop of chilling wind and prickling rain ('Oodha kaaththu' and 'Oosi mazhai'), the elements are portrayed not as discomfort, but as catalysts pushing the lovers into each other's embrace. The imagery evokes dusk, heavy showers, and natural elements like tender coconuts and blooming Kurinji flowers to metaphorically depict physical intimacy, thirst, and passion. Throughout the track, the lyrics shift between playful banter and deep emotional longing. The female protagonist compares their eventual union to the merging of the Kaveri river into the sea, highlighting the natural inevitability of their love. Lyricist Vaali masterfully weaves classic Tamil romantic tropes with vibrant nature imagery, complemented by K. V. Mahadevan's rhythmic folk composition and energetic vocals by Malaysia Vasudevan and S. Janaki.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (உவமை)

Oodha kaaththum oosi mazhaiyum

'Oosi mazhai' (needle rain) metaphorically describes fine, sharp rain droplets that prick the skin like needles, heightening tactile sensation.

Personification (உருவகப்படுத்தல்)

Anthi maha angamellaam kodhkkiraa / Aalangatti mazhaiyile kulikkiraa

Dusk or evening ('Anthi') is personified as a woman whose body burns with heat, bathing in a hail storm to cool off.

Metaphor (உவமை)

Ava sooriya manjalai eduththu / Adi vaanaththu ammiyil arachchu

The golden glow of the setting sun is compared to turmeric being ground on the sky's grinding stone ('ammi').

Metaphor & Allegory (உவமையணி)

Kaveriyum kadalum onnaak / Kalakka koodaatho

The confluence of the Kaveri river into the vast ocean is used as a metaphor for the natural and complete union of the two lovers.

Alliteration & Assonance (மோனை / எதுகை)

Thanni thalumbidum chinna ilanigal / Thennaiyil minnida kangalil thenpada

Rhythmic repetition of 'th' sounds and rhyme patterns across 'Thanni', 'Thennaiyil', and 'thenpada'.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Simma Soppanam' (1984) features music composed by legendary composer K. V. Mahadevan, known as 'Mama' in the South Indian film industry. Lyricist Vaali was renowned for blending vivid folk idioms with poetic metaphors, as seen in his depiction of twilight as a woman grinding turmeric on the sky. The duet showcases the dynamic vocal pairing of Malaysia Vasudevan and S. Janaki, who were frequently paired for playful, high-energy rural duets in 1980s Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

More from Simma Soppanam