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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paatondru Ketten

From Pasamalar · 1961

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Jamuna Rani
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Pasamalar1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Paattondru ketten paravasamaanenI heard a song and became ecstatic
Naan adhai paadavillai…hoiI did not sing it... hoi
Paavaiyin mugaththai paarthaar oruvarSomeone looked at the maiden's face
Naan adhai paarkkavillaiI did not look at it
Chorus
Paavaiyin mugaththai paarthaar oruvarSomeone looked at the maiden's face
Naan adhai paarkkavillaiI did not look at it
Paattondru ketten paravasamaanenI heard a song and became ecstatic
Naan adhai paadavillai…hoiI did not sing it... hoi
Paavaiyin mugaththai paarthaar oruvarSomeone looked at the maiden's face
Naan adhai paarkkavillaiI did not look at it
Female
Koodondru kandenI saw a nest
Kuyil vara kandenI saw a cuckoo coming
Kuralaal azhaikkavillai -hoiDid not call out with her voice - hoi
Kuralaal azhaikkavillaiDid not call out with her voice
Chorus :Kuralaal azhaikkavillaiChorus: Did not call out with her voice
Female
Eedondru kandenI saw an incomparable match
Ezhudhida kandenI saw it being written
Naan adhai ezhudhavillai -hoiI did not write it - hoi
Naan adhai ezhudhavillaiI did not write it
Chorus :Naan adhai ezhudhavillaiChorus: I did not write it
Female
Gunamum arivumCharacter and wisdom
Nirainthavar endraarHe said she is filled with them
Naan adhai sollavillai….I did not say that...
Naan adhai sollavillaiI did not say that
Chorus
Aadi mudinthathu aavani vanthathuThe month of Aadi ended and Aavani arrived
Paadiya painggili ullam malarnthathuThe singing green parrot's heart blossomed
Naadagam polae thoodhu nadanthathuLike a play, messages were delivered
Kaadhalar kannaalaeThrough the eyes of the lovers
Female
Paavaiyin mugaththai paarthaar oruvarSomeone looked at the maiden's face
Naan adhai paarkkavillaiI did not look at it
Chorus
Paattondru ketten paravasamaanenI heard a song and became ecstatic
Naan adhai paadavillai…hoiI did not sing it... hoi
Paavaiyin mugaththai paarthaar oruvarSomeone looked at the maiden's face
Naan adhai paarkkavillaiI did not look at it
Female
Naan sonna vaarthaiThe words I spoke
Avar mattum kettaarHe alone heard
Siriththaar pesavillai…-hoiHe smiled, but did not speak... - hoi
Siriththaar pesavillaiHe smiled, but did not speak
Female
Avar sonna vaarthaiThe words he spoke
Naan mattum kettenI alone heard
Siriththen kaanavillai….-hoiI smiled, but did not look... - hoi
Siriththen kaanavillaiI smiled, but did not look
Female
Iruvar ninaivumBecause the thoughts of both
MayangiyadhaalaeWere captivated in passion
Yaarodum pesavillaiSpoke to no one else
Yaarodum pesavillaiSpoke to no one else
Chorus
Aadi mudinthathu aavani vanthathuThe month of Aadi ended and Aavani arrived
Paadiya painggili ullam malarnthathuThe singing green parrot's heart blossomed
Naadagam polae thoodhu nadanthathuLike a play, messages were delivered
Kaadhalar kannaalaeThrough the eyes of the lovers
Female
Paavaiyin mugaththai paarthaar oruvarSomeone looked at the maiden's face
Naan adhai paarkkavillaiI did not look at it
Chorus
Paattondru ketten paravasamaanenI heard a song and became ecstatic
Naan adhai paadavillai…hoiI did not sing it... hoi
Paavaiyin mugaththai paarthaar oruvarSomeone looked at the maiden's face
Naan adhai paarkkavillaiI did not look at it

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and romantic song from the film Pasamalar describes a shy young woman reminiscing about her burgeoning romance. She coyly narrates the interactions between herself and her beloved in the third person, repeatedly claiming innocence ('someone looked, not me') to hide her shyness. The song paints a picture of a silent yet profound romantic connection where words are whispered for only one pair of ears, eyes convey deep feelings, and seasons change to usher in wedding joy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moanai (Initial Consonance / Alliteration)

Paattondru ketten paravasamaanen

Matching first letter sounds in words within the same line, creating a musical rhythm.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Aadi mudinthathu aavani vanthathu

Matching second consonants across lines to maintain rhythmic harmony (Aadi / Paadiya / Naadagam).

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Paadiya painggili ullam malarnthathu

Comparing the heroine to a singing green parrot whose heart blossoms in love.

Anaphora / Refrain

Naan adhai paarkkavillai

Repetition of the line emphasizing bashful denial and playfulness.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy with lyrics by Kannadasan and sung by P. Susheela, 'Paattondru Ketten' from Pasamalar (1961) is celebrated for its clever, coy lyricism that uses third-person distance to portray a heroine's bashful romance.

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