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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ootti Malai Kaattile

From Enakkaga Kaathiru · 1981

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Enakkaga Kaathiru1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oo….maya….oo….maya….Oo… Maya… Oo… Maya…
Male
Ooty malai kaattilaeIn the hill forests of Ooty,
Pottu vaiththa road-tilaeOn the neatly laid roads,
Enthan kadhal kottum melamThe drums of my love resound,
Kottum kaalam intha kaalamAnd now is the time for them to sound!
Male
Ooty malai kaattilaeIn the hill forests of Ooty,
Pottu vaiththa road-tilaeOn the neatly laid roads,
Male
Maalaiyittaen thuninthuI boldly garlanded her,
Antha paavai manam therinthuUnderstanding that maiden's heart.
Male
Oo….maya….oo….maya….Oo… Maya… Oo… Maya…
Male
Maalaiyittaen thuninthuI boldly garlanded her,
Antha paavai manam therinthuUnderstanding that maiden's heart.
Male
Oo….maya….oo….maya….Oo… Maya… Oo… Maya…
Male
En ullam alai paayuthaeMy heart surges like waves,
Yaedhedho athu theduthaeIt searches for something unknown,
Adhil nidham sugam thodarnthaadutheIn it, joy continually dances every day.
Male
Ooty malai kaattilaeIn the hill forests of Ooty,
Pottu vaiththa road-tilaeOn the neatly laid roads,
Male
Devi manam enathuThe heart of that Goddess is mine,
Adhil thedum sugam pudhithuThe pleasure searched therein is brand new.
Male
Oo….maya….oo….maya….Oo… Maya… Oo… Maya…
Male
Devi manam enathuThe heart of that Goddess is mine,
Adhil thedum sugam pudhithuThe pleasure searched therein is brand new.
Male
Oo….maya….oo….maya….Oo… Maya… Oo… Maya…
Male
Vaanodum varum oorvalamA grand procession reaching up to the sky will arrive,
Naan pogum thirunaal varumThe auspicious day of my journey will come,
Angae enthan anbe nee vendumAnd there, my love, I will need you.
Male
Ooty malai kaattilaeIn the hill forests of Ooty,
Pottu vaiththa road-tilaeOn the neatly laid roads,
Enthan kadhal kottum melamThe drums of my love resound,
Kottum kaalam intha kaalamAnd now is the time for them to sound!
Male
Ooty malai kaattilaeIn the hill forests of Ooty,
Pottu vaiththa road-tilaeOn the neatly laid roads,
Lala lala laal lala laaLala lala laal lala laa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Ooty Malai Kaattilae' is a joyful romantic song celebrating love set against the picturesque backdrop of Ooty's misty hills and winding roads. The protagonist expresses his exhilaration, comparing the triumph of his love to the energetic beat of celebratory wedding drums. Having understood his beloved's true feelings, he proudly claims her heart and embraces the bliss of their newfound togetherness. The emotional arc evolves from playful romance amidst scenic nature to a hopeful vision of the future—anticipating a grand wedding procession and a lifelong journey together. Written by Gangai Amaran, the song captures the essence of youthful romance with catchy rhythms and vivid visual imagery.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (Rhyming Endings)

Maalaiyittaen thuninthu / Antha paavai manam therinthu

The line endings 'thuninthu' and 'therinthu' create a pleasant rhyming harmony at the end of consecutive lines.

Iyaipu (Rhyming Endings)

En ullam alai paayuthae / Yaedhedho athu theduthae

The rhyming suffixes 'paayuthae' and 'theduthae' enhance the rhythmic rhythm of the song's stanzas.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Enthan kadhal kottum melam

Love is metaphorically presented as celebratory music and beating drums ('melam'), symbolizing joy and festive announcement.

Imagery

Ooty malai kaattilae / Pottu vaiththa road-tilae

Evokes clear visual imagery of scenic hill station forests and smoothly paved mountain roads.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from the 1981 film 'Enakkaga Kaathiru' starring Suman and Sumalatha, directed by renowned cinematographer-director P. S. Nivas. Although the music director is listed as unknown in the song context, the soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics written by his brother Gangai Amaran. The male version of this track was sung by Deepan Chakravarthy, providing him one of his early iconic hit songs.

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