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Karimedu Karuvayan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Othaiyile Kanni Ponnu

From Karimedu Karuvayan · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Karimedu Karuvayan
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
12 Jan 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Othaiyila kanni ponnu
Oorukkulla pogaiyila maamaa
Kothi kothi kannu pala
Kokkigala podudhaiyaa aamaa
Palli araiyila porandhava
Ullam muzhuvadhum thorandhava
Othaiyila kanni ponnu
Oorukkulla pogaiyila maamaa
Kothi kothi kannu pala
Kokkigala podudhaiyaa aamaa
Paadha yeri saanja sembu
Kaaviriyaa odaadhaa
Mogam yeri serndha thembu
Kaadhaliya thaedaadhaa
Paadha yeri saanja sembu
Kaaviriyaa odaadhaa
Mogam yeri serndha thembu
Kaadhaliya thaedaadhaa
Ambaal erichu kaama dhevanum
Vambu izhukkuraan
Anbaal anachu aasa kaatti
Alli koduthu bodha ootti
Aattam pottu paattu paada inikkum
Othaiyila kanni ponnu
Oorukkulla pogaiyila maamaa
Kothi kothi kannu pala
Kokkigala podudhaiyaa aamaa
Aanum pennum serathaanae
Aandavano vazhi senjaan
Aasa melum yera thaanae
Kovilila sela senjaan
Aanum pennum serathaanae
Aandavano vazhi senjaan
Aasa melum yera thaanae
Kovilila sela senjaan
Kaalam marandhu kaadhal aasaiya
Kaatti kodukka vaa
Sodi sera neram enna
Dhooram enna baaram enna
Thookkam pochu yekkam aachu thudikkum
Othaiyila kanni ponnu
Oorukkulla pogaiyila maamaa
Kothi kothi kannu pala
Kokkigala podudhaiyaa aamaa
Palli araiyila porandhava
Ullam muzhuvadhum thorandhava
Othaiyila kanni ponnu
Oorukkulla pogaiyila maamaa
Kothi kothi kannu pala
Kokkigala podudhaiyaa aamaa
Laala lala laala lala laala lala laala lala laalaa
Laala lala laala lala laala lala laala lala laalaa
When a young woman walks alone,
through the village, my dear,
many eyes dart and stare,
casting their hooks at her, oh yes!
One born for love's bedchamber,
opening up her entire heart...
When a young woman walks alone,
through the village, my dear,
many eyes dart and stare,
casting their hooks at her, oh yes!
When a water pot tilts along the path,
won't the water flow like the Kaveri river?
When passion rises and gathers strength,
won't it search for its beloved?
When a water pot tilts along the path,
won't the water flow like the Kaveri river?
When passion rises and gathers strength,
won't it search for its beloved?
Shooting his fiery arrows, the god of love
is teasing and making trouble!
Holding close with love and showing desire,
giving generously and feeding this sweet rush,
dancing and singing together will be pure delight!
When a young woman walks alone,
through the village, my dear,
many eyes dart and stare,
casting their hooks at her, oh yes!
Wasn't it for man and woman to unite
that God made a way?
Wasn't it to fuel desire even more
that sculptures were carved in temples?
Wasn't it for man and woman to unite
that God made a way?
Wasn't it to fuel desire even more
that sculptures were carved in temples?
Forget about time and come
to show all your loving desire!
To unite as a pair, why worry about time,
why worry about distance or burdens?
Sleep is gone, longing has taken over, and the heart races!
When a young woman walks alone,
through the village, my dear,
many eyes dart and stare,
casting their hooks at her, oh yes!
One born for love's bedchamber,
opening up her entire heart...
When a young woman walks alone,
through the village, my dear,
many eyes dart and stare,
casting their hooks at her, oh yes!
Laala lala laala lala laala lala laala lala laalaa
Laala lala laala lala laala lala laala lala laalaa
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song expresses the playful yet deep longing of a young woman walking through her village while captivating passersby. She reflects on youth, romantic attraction, and the natural urge of lovers to unite. Referencing divine creations, classical imagery of river streams, and temple sculptures, the lyrics normalize human intimacy as a divine design crafted by nature and god.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Othaiyila kanni ponnu / Oorukkulla pogaiyila maamaa

Repetition of initial vowel sounds in consecutive lines like 'Othaiyila' and 'Oorukkulla'.

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Paadha yeri saanja sembu / Kaaviriyaa odaadhaa

Comparing the overflowing romantic longing to a tilted copper pot letting the Kaveri river flow.

Anaphora / Refrain

Othaiyila kanni ponnu / Oorukkulla pogaiyila maamaa

Repetition of the chorus lines throughout the song to reinforce the central theme of a young maiden drawing attention.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Karimedu Karuvayan' (1985) is a rural Tamil drama film featuring music composed by Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics written by Vairamuthu.

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