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Lyrics & meaning

Otti Vandha Singa Kutty

From Aan Paavam · 1985

Lyricist
Kuruvikkarambai Shanmugam
Singer
Kollangudi Karupayi
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Aan Paavam1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Otti vandha singa kuttiA lion cub that came sticking close
Kuthu chandai podalaamaaShall we have a boxing fight?
Pethappan veettu valiyaThrough the pride of the father who birthed me
Peruma pesurenI speak with great pride
Cinema kottagaiya katti vachuSetting up a cinema theater
MuttikkalaamaaShall we clash heads?
Neenga muttikkalaamaaShall you all clash?
Thalaiya muttikkalaamaa aaaShall we bang our heads together?
Female
{Koothu paakka{ To watch the street play
Avarivanaa thannaanae naanaeIs he the one, rhythmic refrain
Kodi sanam kooda varumA crore people will gather and come
Thillaelae laelae} (2)Folk rhythm refrain } (2)
Female
{Aathu pakkam avarivanaa{ Near the river side, is he the one
Thannaanae naanaeFolk rhythm refrain
Aagaasamum koda pudikkumEven the sky will hold up an umbrella
Thillaelae laelae } (2)Folk rhythm refrain } (2)
Female
{Thiruppadhiyil nippaar paaru{ Look, he stands at Tirupati
Thannaanae naanaeFolk rhythm refrain
Anjoda rendu serndhaaIf five and two come together
Avar peru thaanae} (2)That is his name } (2)
Anjoda rendu serndhaaIf five and two come together
Avar peru thaanaeThat is his name
Female
Peraandi peraandiO grandson, O grandson
Ponnu manam paaraandiLook at the girl's heart, grandson
Peraandi peraandiO grandson, O grandson
Ponnu manam paaraandiLook at the girl's heart, grandson
Kulam velanga vandhaandiHe came to bring prosperity to the family lineage
Kola seiya vaaraandiNow he comes to commit murder and ruin things
Kulam velanga vandhaandiHe came to bring prosperity to the family lineage
Kola seiya vaaraandiNow he comes to commit murder and ruin things
Kola seiya vaaraandiHe comes to commit murder and ruin things
Female
Vandi katti poraan andiHe hitches the bullock cart and leaves
Rendum kettu aanaandiHe became ruined on both ends
Vandi katti poraan andiHe hitches the bullock cart and leaves
Rendum kettu aanaandiHe became ruined on both ends
Ondi katta peraandiTo remain a bachelor, grandson
Ooma ponna kattumaadaaShould he marry a mute girl?
Ondi katta peraandiTo remain a bachelor, grandson
Ooma ponna kattumaadaaShould he marry a mute girl?
Ooma ponna kattumaadaaShould he marry a mute girl?
Female
Saayathula sariga chaelaA zari saree dyed in vivid colors
Samanja ponnu kattum saelaThe saree worn by a girl who has come of age
Saayathula sariga chaelaA zari saree dyed in vivid colors
Samanja ponnu kattum saelaThe saree worn by a girl who has come of age
Oorai ellaam mayangaTo entrance the whole town
Vaikkum saelai idhuThis is the saree that mesmerizes
Ippo oiyaari kattum saelai peraandiNow the stylish girl wears this saree, grandson
Ippo oiyaari kattum saelai peraandiNow the stylish girl wears this saree, grandson
Female
Pallu pogum vayasil avanAt an age when teeth are falling out, he...
Pallu pogum vayasil avanAt an age when teeth are falling out, he...
Silukku saelai venumaadaaWants a silk saree, man?
Pallu pogum vayasilaeAt an age when teeth fall out
Thaan raajaavaeHe thinks he is a king
Enakku silukku saelaiFor me, a silk saree
Venumaadaa peraandiDo you want it, grandson?
Enakku silukku saelaiFor me, a silk saree
Venumaadaa peraandiDo you want it, grandson?
Female
Kaala vayaru kaalaA black-bellied bull
Kannaadi mayila kaalaA glass peacock-like bull
Nenappai ellaam meya vittuLetting thoughts wander off to graze
Masakki nikkum soora kaalaThe heroic bull that stands dizzying everyone
Nenappai ellaam meya vittuLetting thoughts wander off to graze
Masakki nikkum soora kaalaThe heroic bull that stands dizzying everyone
Female
Aravappatti orathulaNear the edge of Aravappatti
Aatthora thoppukkullaInside the grove by the riverbank
Aravappatti orathulaNear the edge of Aravappatti
Aatthora thoppukkullaInside the grove by the riverbank
Parisam poda pona ponnuThe girl who went to fix the bride-price
Om manasukkulla nikkiraalaaDoes she reside inside your heart?
Parisam poda pona ponnuThe girl who went to fix the bride-price
Om manasukkulla nikkiraalaaDoes she reside inside your heart?
Om manasukkulla nikkiraalaaDoes she reside inside your heart?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic Tamil folk song from the 1985 classic film Aan Paavam incorporates traditional village storytelling, riddle-based lyrical humor, and playful family banter. The song features traditional folk refrains ('Thannaanae', 'Thillaelae') and presents a series of lighthearted riddles—such as 'Anjoda rendu serndhaa' (5 + 2 = 7, referring to the Seven Hills of Tirupati / Elumalaiyan)—alongside rustic observations about courtship, marriage proposals, village bulls, and family expectations.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Puthir / Lyric Riddle

Anjoda rendu serndhaa / Avar peru thaanae

The phrase 'Anjoda rendu serndhaa' (5 + 2 = 7) is a numerical riddle referring to Lord Venkateswara of the Seven Hills (Elumalaiyan) at Tirupati.

Folk Refrain / Solkattu

Avarivanaa thannaanae naanae / Thillaelae laelae

Uses traditional rhythmic folk fillers 'Thannaanae naanae' and 'Thillaelae laelae' characteristic of Therukoothu and village folk art forms.

Metaphor / Uvamai

Kaala vayaru kaala / Kannaadi mayila kaala

Compares youth, passion, and spirit to vibrant village bulls ('Kaala') and peacock aesthetic imagery.

Did you know?

Trivia

Aan Paavam (1985) was written and directed by Pandiarajan, becoming a massive box-office hit known for its authentic rural comedy and iconic music. Written by Kuruvikkarambai Shanmugam, the song vividly showcases traditional Tamil folk music traditions integrated into 1980s mainstream cinema.

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