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Gentleman album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Ottagatha Kattikko

From Gentleman · 1993

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Movie name
Gentleman
Movie release year
1993
Lyrics added on
5 Jan 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ottagatha kattikko gettiyaaga ottikko
Vatta vatta pottukaari
Othuzhaikka othukko patha vechaa pathikko
Vaai vedicha mottukaari
{Vidavendum achathai thodavendum uchathai
Adhigaalai selai sollumadi michathai} (2)
Ottagatha kattikko gettiyaaga ottikko
Vatta vatta pottukaari
Othuzhaikka othukko patha vechaa pathikko
Vaai vedicha mottukaari
Kannae en munnae kadalum thullaadhu
Pennae naan thoondil pottaal vinmeenum thappaadhu
Kannae en munnae kadalum thullaadhu
Pennae naan thoondil pottaal vinmeenum thappaadhu
Ullangai thenae kalvan naandhaanae
Kallvanai kollai konda kalli needhanae
Pon kondadhundu pen kondadhillai
Angam sondhamaanaal thangam thevaiyillai
Ottagatha kattikko gettiyaaga ottikko
Vatta vatta pottukaari
Othuzhaikka othukko patha vechaa pathikko
Vaai vedicha mottukaari
Vidavendum achathai thodavendum uchathai
Adhigaalai selai sollumadi michathai
Ottagatha kattikko gettiyaaga ottikko
Vatta vatta pottukaari
Othuzhaikka othukko patha vechaa pathikko
Vaai vedicha mottukaari
Udaivaalil neeyendhan udaithotta anneram
Un paarvai endhan uyirthotta tharuvaayao
Kozhaikku vaazhkaipattaal vaazhvae ennaagum
Un vaalukku vaazhkaipattaal vaazhvae ponnaagum
Neeyennai meendum thirudathaan vendum
Murattu kaigal thottu mottukkal pookkavendum
Ottagatha kattikko gettiyaaga ottikko
Vatta vatta pottukaari
Othuzhaikka othukko patha vechaa pathikko
Vaai vedicha mottukaari
Male & Female :{Vidavendum achathai thodavendum uchathai
Adhigaalai selai sollumadi michathai} (2)
Ottagatha kattikko gettiyaaga ottikko
Vatta vatta pottukaari
Othuzhaikka othukko patha vechaa pathikko
Vaai vedicha mottukaari
Tie up the camel and hold on to me tightly,
girl with the round bindi!
Agree to cooperate, catch fire if a spark is lit,
girl like an opening flower bud!
We must let go of fear and reach the highest peak,
the morning sari will tell the rest of the story!
Tie up the camel and hold on to me tightly,
girl with the round bindi!
Agree to cooperate, catch fire if a spark is lit,
girl like an opening flower bud!
My dear, before me even the ocean will not leap,
my girl, if I cast my fishing line, even the stars cannot escape!
My dear, before me even the ocean will not leap,
my girl, if I cast my fishing line, even the stars cannot escape!
Sweet honey in my palm, I am indeed a thief,
and you are the sly girl who stole the thief's heart!
I have taken gold before, but never won a woman,
once your body is mine, I have no need for gold!
Tie up the camel and hold on to me tightly,
girl with the round bindi!
Agree to cooperate, catch fire if a spark is lit,
girl like an opening flower bud!
We must let go of fear and reach the highest peak,
the morning sari will tell the rest of the story!
Tie up the camel and hold on to me tightly,
girl with the round bindi!
Agree to cooperate, catch fire if a spark is lit,
girl like an opening flower bud!
The moment your sword brushed against my dress,
did your glance touch my very soul?
If married to a coward, what would become of life?
But wedded to your sword, life turns into gold!
You must come and steal me away again,
touched by your rough hands, these buds must bloom!
Tie up the camel and hold on to me tightly,
girl with the round bindi!
Agree to cooperate, catch fire if a spark is lit,
girl like an opening flower bud!
We must let go of fear and reach the highest peak,
the morning sari will tell the rest of the story!
Tie up the camel and hold on to me tightly,
girl with the round bindi!
Agree to cooperate, catch fire if a spark is lit,
girl like an opening flower bud!
Female
Female
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

Keep listening

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From the same album

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