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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Parkathey Parkathey

From Gentleman · 1993

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Minmini, Srinivas, Noel James
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Gentleman1993

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Parkathae parkathaeDon't look, don't look
Panjangatha parkathaeDon't look at the almanac for auspicious times
Whistling :…………………………….(Whistling sound)
Female
Thallathae thallathaeDon't push, don't push
Thavaniya thallathaeDon't push away the half-saree
Whistling :…………………………….(Whistling sound)
Female
Killathae killathaeDon't pinch, don't pinch
Whistling :…………………………….(Whistling sound)
Female :Kilimanasa killathaeFemale: Don't pinch my parrot-soft heart
Whistling :…………………………….(Whistling sound)
Female
Kollathae kollathaeDon't kill, don't kill
Teenage-ah kollathaeDon't kill the teenage years
Vazhkai vazhathaanaeLife is meant for living
Chorus :Varava athaanaeChorus: That is why I have come!
Female
Parkathae parkathaeDon't look, don't look
Panjangatha parkathaeDon't look at the almanac for auspicious times
Thallathae thallathaeDon't push, don't push
Thavaniya thallathaeDon't push away the half-saree
Female
Killathae killathaeDon't pinch, don't pinch
Chorus :Killathae killathaeChorus: Don't pinch, don't pinch
Female :Kilimanasa killathaeFemale: Don't pinch my parrot-soft heart
Chorus :Kilimanasa killathaeChorus: Don't pinch my parrot-soft heart
Female
Kollathae kollathaeDon't kill, don't kill
Teenage-ah kollathaeDon't kill the teenage years
Vazhkai vazhathaanaeLife is meant for living
Chorus :Varava athaanaeChorus: That is why I have come!
Female
Paruva ponnukittaWith a young woman in her prime
Bhagavatham pesathaeDon't preach sacred scriptures like Bhagavatham
Male :Pesathae pesathaeMale: Don't talk, don't talk
Periya vaarthai pesathaeDon't speak big philosophical words
Female
Salvar mayilu vanthaWhen a peacock wearing a salwar kameez arrives
Sakthiyinnu thallathaeDon't push her away viewing her purely as Goddess Sakthi
Male :Kollathae kollathaeMale: Don't kill, don't kill
Konji konji kollathaeDon't kill me with sweet affection
Female
Pookum poovellamEvery blooming flower
Poojaikinnu ennathaeDon't assume it is only meant for temple worship
Ponnukum poo pidikumWomen love flowers too
Maranthu vidathaeDo not forget that
Female
Thirumanam ketkirenI am asking for marriage
Thiruneera ketkirenAm I merely asking for holy ash?
Thedhiyai sollividuSet the wedding date for us
Manamae manamaeOh my beloved heart!
Female
Parkathae parkathaeDon't look, don't look
Panjangatha parkathaeDon't look at the almanac for auspicious times
Thallathae thallathaeDon't push, don't push
Thavaniya thallathaeDon't push away the half-saree
Female
Killathae killathaeDon't pinch, don't pinch
Kilimanasa killathaeDon't pinch my parrot-soft heart
Female
Kollathae kollathaeDon't kill, don't kill
Teenage-ah kollathaeDon't kill the teenage years
Vazhkai vazhathaanaeLife is meant for living
Chorus :Varava athaanaeChorus: That is why I have come!
Female
Padukai thookathukaeDon't think the bed was made
Padachathinnu ennathaeOnly for sleeping
Male :Podathae podathaeMale: Don't lay down, don't lay down
Pudhiya sattam podathaeDon't enact new restrictive rules
Female
Kashmir irukaiyilaeWhen Kashmir is right here in front of you
Kasiyaithan ennathaeDon't keep dreaming of going to Kashi
Male :Aadathae aadathaeMale: Don't dance, don't dance
Athumeeri aadathaeDon't cross boundaries and dance
Female
Kanni illan poonguyilWhen a young, innocent cuckoo-like girl
Kadarkaraiyil varugaiyilComes down to the beach side
Sundalae beach-nuDon't just think of buying beach snacks like sundal
Sokki vidathaeAnd get blissfully distracted
Female
Paravai aagamalWithout becoming a bird that flies free
Pattu puzhuvai pogathaeDon't get trapped inside like a silkworm
Ippozhuthu vazhnthu viduLive life in the present moment
Indrae indraeToday itself, today itself!
Female
Parkathae parkathaeDon't look, don't look
Panjangatha parkathaeDon't look at the almanac for auspicious times
Thallathae thallathaeDon't push, don't push
Thavaniya thallathaeDon't push away the half-saree
Female
Killathae killathaeDon't pinch, don't pinch
Kilimanasa killathaeDon't pinch my parrot-soft heart
Female
Kollathae kollathaeDon't kill, don't kill
Teenage-ah kollathaeDon't kill the teenage years
Vazhkai vazhathaanaeLife is meant for living
Chorus :Varava athaanaeChorus: That is why I have come!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Parkathae Parkathae from the 1993 movie Gentleman (directed by S. Shankar with music by A. R. Rahman and lyrics by Vaali) is a playful, romantic duet celebrating youth, love, and spontaneity. The song revolves around a lively banter between two young lovers urging each other to abandon rigid traditions, excessive ritualistic mindset, and hesitation, encouraging them to embrace romance and live in the present moment rather than delaying happiness. Through witty metaphors comparing religious detachment with youthful desires, lyricist Vaali highlights that youth is fleeting and life should be lived joyfully today. Rahman's energetic arrangement and catchy chorus further enhance the track's youthful vigor, making it one of the standout pop-influenced romantic tracks of the early 1990s.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Epizeuxis (Adukkuthodar)

Parkathae parkathae

Repetition of words like 'Parkathae', 'Thallathae', 'Killathae', and 'Kollathae' creates a rhythmic cadence throughout the song.

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagathilip)

Female :Kilimanasa killathae

'Kilimanasu' compares a gentle, tender heart to a parrot, emphasizing innocent love.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Panjangatha parkathae

Repetition of the initial letter 'Pa' sound in 'Parkathae' and 'Panjangatha' establishes a smooth rhythmic flow.

Ethirai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Thallathae thallathae

Matching second consonants across successive lines ('ll' in Thallathae, Killathae, Kollathae).

Contrast / Antithesis

Kashmir irukaiyilae / Kasiyaithan ennathae

Contrasting spiritual renunciation (Kasi) with romantic passion (Kashmir) to emphasize enjoying life.

Did you know?

Trivia

Gentleman (1993) marked the directorial debut of blockbuster director S. Shankar and was a massive musical hit for A. R. Rahman in his early career following Roach. Lyricist Vaali crafted this track with a blend of modern youthful slang and classical Tamil wordplay.

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