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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ottu Ketkum Pengale

From Thenum Paalum · 1971

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Thenum Paalum1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ottu ketkum pengalaeOh eavesdropping women,
Ulavu paarkkum kangalaeOh spying eyes,
Ottu ketkum pengalaeOh eavesdropping women,
Ulavu paarkkum kangalaeOh spying eyes,
Female
Ondru rendu moondru endruBefore I count
Ennum munnae ezhungalaenOne, two, three, get up and leave!
Ondru rendu moondru endruBefore I count
Ennum munnae ezhungalaenOne, two, three, get up and leave!
Female
Puthi enna aanathoWhat happened to your intellect?
Pona pakkam ponathoHas it gone wherever it pleased?
Puthi enna aanathoWhat happened to your intellect?
Pona pakkam ponathoHas it gone wherever it pleased?
Female
Kannil yaarai paarththapothumWhomever you see in your eyes,
Kadhalan pola thonuthoDoes everyone look like your lover?
Kannil yaarai paarththapothumWhomever you see in your eyes,
Kadhalan pola thonuthoDoes everyone look like your lover?
Female
Ottu ketkum pengalaeOh eavesdropping women,
Ulavu paarkkum kangalaeOh spying eyes,
Ondru rendu moondru endruBefore I count
Ennum munnae ezhungalaenOne, two, three, get up and leave!
Female
Unnai oruvan poo mudippaanSomeone will marry you with flowers,
Jannal arugil paarththiruppaanHe might be waiting near the window,
Unnai oruvan poo mudippaanSomeone will marry you with flowers,
Jannal arugil paarththiruppaanHe might be waiting near the window,
Female
Innoruththan angae nindraalIf another man stands there instead,
Enna unakku thonumadiWhat would you think, my girl?
Female
Chinna pappaavae naan sonnathu thappaathaeLittle doll, what I said will not go wrong!
Chinna pappaavae naan sonnathu thappaathaeLittle doll, what I said will not go wrong!
Vanna pappaavae nee vanthathu nallaallaeColorful doll, your arrival here isn't good!
Vanna pappaavae nee vanthathu nallaallaeColorful doll, your arrival here isn't good!
Naan kadhaliththaal oru kaippidiththaalIf I fall in love and hold someone's hand,
Yaar ennai ketpathadi….Who is there to question me...?
Female
Ottu ketkum pengalaeOh eavesdropping women,
Ulavu paarkkum kangalaeOh spying eyes,
Ondru rendu moondru endruBefore I count
Ennum munnae ezhungalaenOne, two, three, get up and leave!
Female
Thulli vizhuntha koondhalaiyaeYour hair that fell out bouncing,
Alli mudikka neramillaiYou don't even have time to tie it up!
Thulli vizhuntha koondhalaiyaeYour hair that fell out bouncing,
Alli mudikka neramillaiYou don't even have time to tie it up!
Kanni unathu kolam ennaOh maiden, what state are you in?
Ennai thodarum velai ennaWhy are you following me like this?
Female
Thanga pappaavae un sangathi nallaallaeGolden doll, your behavior isn't good!
Thangachi pappaavae naalai un gathi nallaallaeLittle sister doll, your fate tomorrow won't be good!
Nee kadhaliththaal oru kaippidiththaalIf you fall in love and hold a man's hand,
Naan unnai ketkkavillaiDid I ever come to question you?
Female
Ottu ketkum pengalaeOh eavesdropping women,
Ulavu paarkkum kangalaeOh spying eyes,
Ondru rendu moondru endruBefore I count
Ennum munnae ezhungalaenOne, two, three, get up and leave!
Female
Puthi enna aanathoWhat happened to your intellect?
Pona pakkam ponathoHas it gone wherever it pleased?
Kannil yaarai paarththapothumWhomever you see in your eyes,
Kadhalan pol thonuthoDoes everyone look like a lover?
Female
Ottu ketkum pengalaeOh eavesdropping women,
Ulavu paarkkum kangalaeOh spying eyes,
Ondru rendu moondru endruBefore I count
Ennum munnae ezhungalaenOne, two, three, get up and leave!
Female
Ondru rendu moondru endruBefore I count
Ennum munnae ezhungalaenOne, two, three, get up and leave!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In 'Ottu ketkum pengalae' from the 1971 film Thenum Paalum, the lead singer mockingly addresses inquisitive women who are constantly snooping on her personal and romantic life. She warns them to clear out before she counts to three, teasingly calling out their gossiping habits and asking why they see romance in every normal interaction. Through playful reprimands, she asserts her independence and tells them to mind their own business instead of meddling in hers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Ottu ketkum pengalae / Ulavu paarkkum kangalae

The lines end with matching rhyming suffixes like 'pengalae', 'kangalae', 'ezhungalaen', creating a lyrical and catchy rhythm.

Uvamai (Metaphor/Endearment)

Chinna pappaavae naan sonnathu thappaathae

Addressing the interfering women sarcastically using doll imagery such as 'Chinna pappaavae', 'Vanna pappaavae', and 'Thanga pappaavae'.

Adukku Thodar (Rhythmic Counting / Repetition)

Ondru rendu moondru endru

Using sequential counting 'Ondru rendu moondru' repeatedly to build dramatic tension and playful urgency.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Vaali, this song is a quintessential L. R. Eswari track. Known for her bold, upbeat, and energetic voice, L. R. Eswari was frequently chosen during the 1960s and 70s Tamil cinema era for spirited cabaret-style and cheeky heroine numbers.

Keep listening

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