Ottagatha Kattikko
From Gentleman · 1993
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Gentleman1993
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Ottagatha kattikko gettiyaaga ottikko | Hug the camel tight and stick close, |
| Vatta vatta pottukaari | Oh girl with the big round bindi! |
| Othuzhaikka othukko patha vechaa pathikko | Agree to cooperate, catch fire if ignited, |
| Vaai vedicha mottukaari | Oh girl like a flower bud bursting open! |
| {Vidavendum achathai thodavendum uchathai | Fear must be shed, the peak must be reached, |
| Adhigaalai selai sollumadi michathai} (2) | The morning saree will tell the rest. |
| Female | |
| Ottagatha kattikko gettiyaaga ottikko | Fear must be shed, the peak must be reached, |
| Vatta vatta pottukaari | The morning saree will tell the rest. |
| Othuzhaikka othukko patha vechaa pathikko | Hug the camel tight and stick close, |
| Vaai vedicha mottukaari | Oh girl with the big round bindi! |
| Male | |
| Kannae en munnae kadalum thullaadhu | Agree to cooperate, catch fire if ignited, |
| Pennae naan thoondil pottaal vinmeenum thappaadhu | Oh girl like a flower bud bursting open! |
| Kannae en munnae kadalum thullaadhu | My darling, even the ocean would not leap before me, |
| Pennae naan thoondil pottaal vinmeenum thappaadhu | Oh girl, if I cast a fishing line, even the stars cannot escape. |
| Ullangai thenae kalvan naandhaanae | My darling, even the ocean would not leap before me, |
| Kallvanai kollai konda kalli needhanae | Oh girl, if I cast a fishing line, even the stars cannot escape. |
| Pon kondadhundu pen kondadhillai | Honey on my palm, I am the thief, |
| Angam sondhamaanaal thangam thevaiyillai | Yet you are the female thief who robbed the thief himself! |
| Male | |
| Ottagatha kattikko gettiyaaga ottikko | I have gained gold, but I have not gained a woman, |
| Vatta vatta pottukaari | If your body becomes mine, no gold is needed. |
| Othuzhaikka othukko patha vechaa pathikko | Hug the camel tight and stick close, |
| Vaai vedicha mottukaari | Oh girl with the big round bindi! |
| Vidavendum achathai thodavendum uchathai | Agree to cooperate, catch fire if ignited, |
| Adhigaalai selai sollumadi michathai | Oh girl like a flower bud bursting open! |
| Male | |
| Ottagatha kattikko gettiyaaga ottikko | Fear must be shed, the peak must be reached, |
| Vatta vatta pottukaari | The morning saree will tell the rest. |
| Othuzhaikka othukko patha vechaa pathikko | Hug the camel tight and stick close, |
| Vaai vedicha mottukaari | Oh girl with the big round bindi! |
| Female | |
| Udaivaalil neeyendhan udaithotta anneram | Agree to cooperate, catch fire if ignited, |
| Un paarvai endhan uyirthotta tharuvaayao | Oh girl like a flower bud bursting open! |
| Kozhaikku vaazhkaipattaal vaazhvae ennaagum | The moment your dress-sword touched my dress, |
| Un vaalukku vaazhkaipattaal vaazhvae ponnaagum | Will your glance bestow a touch upon my soul? |
| Neeyennai meendum thirudathaan vendum | What will life become if wedded to a coward? |
| Murattu kaigal thottu mottukkal pookkavendum | Life turns to gold if wedded to your sword! |
| Female | |
| Ottagatha kattikko gettiyaaga ottikko | You must steal me once again, |
| Vatta vatta pottukaari | Rough hands must touch so that flower buds bloom. |
| Othuzhaikka othukko patha vechaa pathikko | Hug the camel tight and stick close, |
| Vaai vedicha mottukaari | Oh girl with the big round bindi! |
| Male & Female :{Vidavendum achathai thodavendum uchathai | Agree to cooperate, catch fire if ignited, |
| Adhigaalai selai sollumadi michathai} (2) | Oh girl like a flower bud bursting open! |
| Female | |
| Ottagatha kattikko gettiyaaga ottikko | Male & Female: Fear must be shed, the peak must be reached, |
| Vatta vatta pottukaari | The morning saree will tell the rest. |
| Othuzhaikka othukko patha vechaa pathikko | Hug the camel tight and stick close, |
| Vaai vedicha mottukaari | Oh girl with the big round bindi! |
ஒட்டகத்த கட்டிக்கோ
கெட்டியாக ஒட்டிக்கோ
வட்ட வட்ட பொட்டுக்காரி
ஒத்துழைக்க ஒத்துக்கோ
பத்த வெச்சா பத்திக்கோ
வாய் வெடிச்ச மொட்டுக்காரி
{ விடவேண்டும் அச்சத்தை
தொடவேண்டும் உச்சத்தை
அதிகாலை சேலை சொல்லுமடி
மிச்சத்தை } (2)
Hug the camel tight and stick close,
Oh girl with the big round bindi!
Agree to cooperate, catch fire if ignited,
Oh girl like a flower bud bursting open!
Fear must be shed, the peak must be reached,
The morning saree will tell the rest.
ஒட்டகத்த கட்டிக்கோ
கெட்டியாக ஒட்டிக்கோ
வட்ட வட்ட பொட்டுக்காரி
ஒத்துழைக்க ஒத்துக்கோ
பத்த வெச்சா பத்திக்கோ
வாய் வெடிச்ச மொட்டுக்காரி
Fear must be shed, the peak must be reached,
The morning saree will tell the rest.
Hug the camel tight and stick close,
Oh girl with the big round bindi!
கண்ணே என் முன்னே
கடலும் துள்ளாது பெண்ணே
நான் தூண்டில் போட்டால்
விண்மீனும் தப்பாது கண்ணே
என் முன்னே கடலும் துள்ளாது
பெண்ணே நான் தூண்டில்
போட்டால் விண்மீனும் தப்பாது
உள்ளங்கை தேனே கள்வன்
நான்தானே கள்வனை கொள்ளை
கொண்ட கள்ளி நீதானே பொன்
கொண்டதுண்டு பெண் கொண்டதில்லை
அங்கம் சொந்தமானால் தங்கம்
தேவையில்லை
Agree to cooperate, catch fire if ignited,
Oh girl like a flower bud bursting open!
My darling, even the ocean would not leap before me,
Oh girl, if I cast a fishing line, even the stars cannot escape.
My darling, even the ocean would not leap before me,
Oh girl, if I cast a fishing line, even the stars cannot escape.
Honey on my palm, I am the thief,
Yet you are the female thief who robbed the thief himself!
ஒட்டகத்த கட்டிக்கோ
கெட்டியாக ஒட்டிக்கோ
வட்ட வட்ட பொட்டுக்காரி
ஒத்துழைக்க ஒத்துக்கோ
பத்த வெச்சா பத்திக்கோ
வாய் வெடிச்ச மொட்டுக்காரி
விடவேண்டும் அச்சத்தை
தொடவேண்டும் உச்சத்தை
அதிகாலை சேலை சொல்லுமடி
மிச்சத்தை
I have gained gold, but I have not gained a woman,
If your body becomes mine, no gold is needed.
Hug the camel tight and stick close,
Oh girl with the big round bindi!
Agree to cooperate, catch fire if ignited,
Oh girl like a flower bud bursting open!
ஒட்டகத்த கட்டிக்கோ
கெட்டியாக ஒட்டிக்கோ
வட்ட வட்ட பொட்டுக்காரி
ஒத்துழைக்க ஒத்துக்கோ
பத்த வெச்சா பத்திக்கோ
வாய் வெடிச்ச மொட்டுக்காரி
Fear must be shed, the peak must be reached,
The morning saree will tell the rest.
Hug the camel tight and stick close,
Oh girl with the big round bindi!
உடைவாளில் நீ
எந்தன் உடைதொட்ட
அந்நேரம் உன் பார்வை
எந்தன் உயிர் தொட்டா
தருவாயோ கோழைக்கு
வாழ்க்கை பட்டால் வாழ்வே
என்னாகும் உன் வாலுக்கு
வாழ்க்கைப் பட்டால் வாழ்வே
பொன்னாகும் நீ என்னை மீண்டும்
திருடத்தான் வேண்டும் முரட்டுக்
கைகள் தொட்டு மொட்டுக்கள்
பூக்கவேண்டும்
Agree to cooperate, catch fire if ignited,
Oh girl like a flower bud bursting open!
The moment your dress-sword touched my dress,
Will your glance bestow a touch upon my soul?
What will life become if wedded to a coward?
Life turns to gold if wedded to your sword!
ஒட்டகத்த கட்டிக்கோ
கெட்டியாக ஒட்டிக்கோ
வட்ட வட்ட பொட்டுக்காரி
ஒத்துழைக்க ஒத்துக்கோ
பத்த வெச்சா பத்திக்கோ
வாய் வெடிச்ச மொட்டுக்காரி
ஆண் & பெண் : { விடவேண்டும்
அச்சத்தை தொடவேண்டும்
உச்சத்தை அதிகாலை சேலை
சொல்லுமடி மிச்சத்தை } (2)
You must steal me once again,
Rough hands must touch so that flower buds bloom.
Hug the camel tight and stick close,
Oh girl with the big round bindi!
Agree to cooperate, catch fire if ignited,
Oh girl like a flower bud bursting open!
ஒட்டகத்த கட்டிக்கோ
கெட்டியாக ஒட்டிக்கோ
வட்ட வட்ட பொட்டுக்காரி
ஒத்துழைக்க ஒத்துக்கோ
பத்த வெச்சா பத்திக்கோ
வாய் வெடிச்ச மொட்டுக்காரி
Male & Female: Fear must be shed, the peak must be reached,
The morning saree will tell the rest.
Hug the camel tight and stick close,
Oh girl with the big round bindi!
Ottagatha kattikko gettiyaaga ottikko
Hug the camel tight and stick close,
Vatta vatta pottukaari
Oh girl with the big round bindi!
Othuzhaikka othukko patha vechaa pathikko
Agree to cooperate, catch fire if ignited,
Vaai vedicha mottukaari
Oh girl like a flower bud bursting open!
{Vidavendum achathai thodavendum uchathai
Fear must be shed, the peak must be reached,
Adhigaalai selai sollumadi michathai} (2)
The morning saree will tell the rest.
Ottagatha kattikko gettiyaaga ottikko
Fear must be shed, the peak must be reached,
Vatta vatta pottukaari
The morning saree will tell the rest.
Othuzhaikka othukko patha vechaa pathikko
Hug the camel tight and stick close,
Vaai vedicha mottukaari
Oh girl with the big round bindi!
Kannae en munnae kadalum thullaadhu
Agree to cooperate, catch fire if ignited,
Pennae naan thoondil pottaal vinmeenum thappaadhu
Oh girl like a flower bud bursting open!
Kannae en munnae kadalum thullaadhu
My darling, even the ocean would not leap before me,
Pennae naan thoondil pottaal vinmeenum thappaadhu
Oh girl, if I cast a fishing line, even the stars cannot escape.
Ullangai thenae kalvan naandhaanae
My darling, even the ocean would not leap before me,
Kallvanai kollai konda kalli needhanae
Oh girl, if I cast a fishing line, even the stars cannot escape.
Pon kondadhundu pen kondadhillai
Honey on my palm, I am the thief,
Angam sondhamaanaal thangam thevaiyillai
Yet you are the female thief who robbed the thief himself!
Ottagatha kattikko gettiyaaga ottikko
I have gained gold, but I have not gained a woman,
Vatta vatta pottukaari
If your body becomes mine, no gold is needed.
Othuzhaikka othukko patha vechaa pathikko
Hug the camel tight and stick close,
Vaai vedicha mottukaari
Oh girl with the big round bindi!
Vidavendum achathai thodavendum uchathai
Agree to cooperate, catch fire if ignited,
Adhigaalai selai sollumadi michathai
Oh girl like a flower bud bursting open!
Ottagatha kattikko gettiyaaga ottikko
Fear must be shed, the peak must be reached,
Vatta vatta pottukaari
The morning saree will tell the rest.
Othuzhaikka othukko patha vechaa pathikko
Hug the camel tight and stick close,
Vaai vedicha mottukaari
Oh girl with the big round bindi!
Udaivaalil neeyendhan udaithotta anneram
Agree to cooperate, catch fire if ignited,
Un paarvai endhan uyirthotta tharuvaayao
Oh girl like a flower bud bursting open!
Kozhaikku vaazhkaipattaal vaazhvae ennaagum
The moment your dress-sword touched my dress,
Un vaalukku vaazhkaipattaal vaazhvae ponnaagum
Will your glance bestow a touch upon my soul?
Neeyennai meendum thirudathaan vendum
What will life become if wedded to a coward?
Murattu kaigal thottu mottukkal pookkavendum
Life turns to gold if wedded to your sword!
Ottagatha kattikko gettiyaaga ottikko
You must steal me once again,
Vatta vatta pottukaari
Rough hands must touch so that flower buds bloom.
Othuzhaikka othukko patha vechaa pathikko
Hug the camel tight and stick close,
Vaai vedicha mottukaari
Oh girl with the big round bindi!
Male & Female :{Vidavendum achathai thodavendum uchathai
Agree to cooperate, catch fire if ignited,
Adhigaalai selai sollumadi michathai} (2)
Oh girl like a flower bud bursting open!
Ottagatha kattikko gettiyaaga ottikko
Male & Female: Fear must be shed, the peak must be reached,
Vatta vatta pottukaari
The morning saree will tell the rest.
Othuzhaikka othukko patha vechaa pathikko
Hug the camel tight and stick close,
Vaai vedicha mottukaari
Oh girl with the big round bindi!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Ottagatha Kattikko is a vibrant and romantic duet from the film Gentleman (1993), composed by A. R. Rahman with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu. The song depicts a passionate exchange between two lovers set against an exotic desert theme, combining sensual playfulness with bold declarations of love. The male protagonist boasts of his seductive charm and devotion, declaring that winning her love matters more than all the gold in the world, while the female protagonist expresses her desire for a strong, heroic partner who steals her heart. Through rich imagery of bursting buds, starry skies, and desert camels, the song celebrates intimacy, passion, and overcoming hesitation in love.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Emoni / Iyaibu (Rhyme)
“Ottagatha kattikko gettiyaaga ottikko”
The line uses internal and terminal rhyming words like 'kattikko' and 'ottikko' to create a catchy, rhythmic cadence.
Metaphor (Uvamaanam)
“Ullangai thenae kalvan naandhaanae / Kallvanai kollai konda kalli needhanae”
The speaker metaphorically addresses the lover as 'honey on the palm' and calls himself a thief who has been robbed by her beauty.
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi Ani)
“Pennae naan thoondil pottaal vinmeenum thappaadhu”
An exaggerated poetic statement claiming that his fishing hook could catch stars from the sky, emphasizing his supreme confidence.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by A. R. Rahman for Shankar's directorial debut Gentleman (1993), this song was sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki (with Sujatha). Shot amidst the scenic desert dunes of Rajasthan featuring Prabhu Deva and Madhoo, it became an instant chartbuster across South India.
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