Pettakozhi
From Dharma Chakkaram · 1997
- Lyricist
- R. V. Udhaya Kumar
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Deva
- Details
- Dharma Chakkaram1997
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| …………………….. | ... |
| Male | |
| Pettakkozhi chinna chittukkozhi | Hey hen, little sparrow, |
| Venum kattuppaadi | Self-control and discipline are needed. |
| Pettakkozhi chinna chittukkozhi | Hey hen, little sparrow, |
| Venum kattuppaadi | Self-control and discipline are needed. |
| Male | |
| Paalaadai koranjaa | If the cream on top of the milk decreases, |
| Thanmaanam pogumadi | Self-respect will be lost, dear. |
| Melaadai sarinjaa | If the upper garment slips, |
| Panpaadu paavamadi | Culture itself suffers, dear. |
| Male | |
| Kandavargal kannupadum | Onlookers will cast their evil eye, |
| Unnazhaga moodikkadi | So cover up your beauty, girl. |
| Siththam ketta sirukkiyai pola | Like a crazy, senseless girl, |
| Thoranthu poda venaamadi | Do not leave yourself exposed, girl. |
| Male | |
| Adi lambaa puliyangombaa | Hey tall girl, unreachable like a high tamarind branch, |
| Lambaa lambaa nee puliyangombaa | Tall girl, tall girl, you are like a high tamarind branch. |
| Male | |
| Kaadu manjakkaadu | The field is a field of turmeric, |
| Pachcha manjal araichchu podu | Grind fresh green turmeric and apply it. |
| Melanaattu mogaththa nee | Your obsession with Western culture, |
| VIttupputtu odu | Leave it behind and run away. |
| Male | |
| Maeni thanga koodu oru | Your body is a golden cage, so |
| Selai vaangi moodu | Buy a saree and cover it up. |
| Thegam kaatti nadanthu vanthaa | If you walk showing off your body, |
| Kettuppudum naadu | The whole land will get corrupted. |
| Male | |
| Nee tamizh ponnaa | If you act like a true Tamil girl, |
| Vekkappattu ninnaa | And stand with modesty and bashfulness, |
| Pakkam vanthu kattikkuvaan | He will come close and embrace you, |
| Aththa magan thannaal | Your cousin will automatically do so. |
| Male | |
| Minukki minukki poeriyae | You walk around glittering and shining, |
| Manathakkaali keeraiyae | Like fresh black nightshade greens! |
| Chorus :Minukki minukki poeriyae | Chorus: You walk around glittering and shining, |
| Manathakkaali keeraiyae | Like fresh black nightshade greens! |
| Male | |
| Morachchi morachchi mogaththa thiruppi | Staring crossly and turning your face away, |
| Poratti poratti iduppa valaikkum | Twisting and bending your waist back and forth. |
| Lambaa nee puliyangombaa….haa…. | Tall girl, you are an unreachable branch... haa... |
| Chorus :Lambaa lambaa nee puliyangombaa | Chorus: Tall girl, tall girl, you are like a high tamarind branch. |
| Male | |
| Hoi pettakkozhi chinna chittukkozhi | Hey hen, little sparrow, |
| Venum kattuppaadu aamaam aahaan | Self-control and discipline are needed, yes indeed! |
| Chorus | |
| ………………… | ... |
| Male | |
| Peri kannam peri namma | Big cheeks, big like... |
| Aiyyaru kadai poori | The puffed poori from Aiyyar's shop! |
| Sollipputtaen puththimathi | I have given you good advice, |
| Allikkadi vaari vaari | Take it all generously! |
| Aiyaiya aiyyayaiya vaari | Oh my, oh my, take it all in! |
| Male | |
| Ooru namma ooru athu | Our town is our town, |
| Pesum kadhai nooru | It speaks a hundred stories. |
| Intha mannil ulla pengalukku | For the women in this land, |
| Kanniyamthaan peru | Dignity is their true reputation. |
| Male | |
| Karpukkoru deivam | A goddess of chastity, |
| Veru engum illai | There is none anywhere else, |
| Kannagithaan undu | There is only Kannagi, |
| Namma tamizh mannilae | In our Tamil soil. |
| Male | |
| Oorak kedukkum vedalaiyae | You young girl who ruins the village, |
| Urichcha varuththa kadalaiyae | Like shelled and roasted peanuts! |
| Chorus :Oorak kedukkum vedalaiyae | Chorus: You young girl who ruins the village, |
| Urichcha varuththa kadalaiyae | Like shelled and roasted peanuts! |
| Male | |
| Morachchi morachchi mogaththa thiruppi | Staring crossly and turning your face away, |
| Poratti poratti iduppa valaikkum | Twisting and bending your waist back and forth. |
| Male :Lambaa nee puliyangombaa….haa…. | Male: Tall girl, you are an unreachable branch... haa... |
| Chorus :Lambaa lambaa nee puliyangombaa | Chorus: Tall girl, tall girl, you are like a high tamarind branch. |
| Male | |
| Pettakkozhi chinna chittukkozhi | Hey hen, little sparrow, |
| Venum kattuppaadu | Self-control and discipline are needed. |
| Pettakkozhi chinna chittukkozhi | Hey hen, little sparrow, |
| Venum kattuppaadu | Self-control and discipline are needed. |
| Male | |
| Paalaadai korainjaa | If the cream on top of the milk decreases, |
| Thanmaanam pogumadi | Self-respect will be lost, dear. |
| Melaadai sarinjaa | If the upper garment slips, |
| Panpaadu paavamadi | Culture itself suffers, dear. |
| Male | |
| Kandavargal kannupadum | Onlookers will cast their evil eye, |
| Unnazhaga moodikkadi | So cover up your beauty, girl. |
| Siththam ketta sirukkiyai pol | Like a crazy, senseless girl, |
| Thoranthu poda venaamadi | Do not leave yourself exposed, girl. |
| Male | |
| Adi lambaa nee puliyangombaa…. | Hey tall girl, you are an unreachable branch... |
| Male and Chorus : | Male and Chorus: |
| Lambaa lambaa nee puliyangombaa | Tall girl, tall girl, you are like a high tamarind branch. |
....................................
...
பெட்டக்கோழி சின்ன சிட்டுக்கோழி
வேணும் கட்டுப்பாடு
பெட்டக்கோழி சின்ன சிட்டுக்கோழி
வேணும் கட்டுப்பாடு
Hey hen, little sparrow,
Self-control and discipline are needed.
Hey hen, little sparrow,
Self-control and discipline are needed.
பாலாடை கொறைஞ்சா
தன்மானம் போகுமடி
மேலாடை சரிஞ்சா
பண்பாடு பாவமடி
If the cream on top of the milk decreases,
Self-respect will be lost, dear.
If the upper garment slips,
Culture itself suffers, dear.
கண்டவர்கள் கண்ணுபடும்
உன்னழக மூடிக்கடி
சித்தம் கெட்ட சிறுக்கியை போல்
தொறந்து போட வேணாமடி
Onlookers will cast their evil eye,
So cover up your beauty, girl.
Like a crazy, senseless girl,
Do not leave yourself exposed, girl.
அடி லம்பா புளியங்கொம்பா
லம்பா லம்பா நீ புளியங்கொம்பா
Hey tall girl, unreachable like a high tamarind branch,
Tall girl, tall girl, you are like a high tamarind branch.
காடு மஞ்சக் காடு
பச்ச மஞ்சள் அரைச்சு போடு
மேலநாட்டு மோகத்த நீ
விட்டுப்புட்டு ஓடு
The field is a field of turmeric,
Grind fresh green turmeric and apply it.
Your obsession with Western culture,
Leave it behind and run away.
மேனி தங்கக் கூடு ஒரு
சேலை வாங்கி மூடு
தேகம் காட்டி நடந்து வந்தா
கெட்டுப்புடும் நாடு
Your body is a golden cage, so
Buy a saree and cover it up.
If you walk showing off your body,
The whole land will get corrupted.
நீ தமிழ்ப் பொண்ணா
வெக்கப்பட்டு நின்னா
பக்கம் வந்து கட்டிக்குவான்
அத்த மகன் தன்னால்
If you act like a true Tamil girl,
And stand with modesty and bashfulness,
He will come close and embrace you,
Your cousin will automatically do so.
மினுக்கி மினுக்கி போறியே
மணத்தக்காளி கீரையே
குழு :
மினுக்கி மினுக்கி போறியே
மணத்தக்காளி கீரையே
You walk around glittering and shining,
Like fresh black nightshade greens!
Chorus: You walk around glittering and shining,
Like fresh black nightshade greens!
மொறச்சி மொறச்சி மொகத்த திருப்பி
பொரட்டி பொரட்டி இடுப்ப வளைக்கும்
லம்பா நீ......புளியங்கொம்பா....ஹா,,,,
குழு :
லம்பா லம்பா நீ புளியங்கொம்பா
Staring crossly and turning your face away,
Twisting and bending your waist back and forth.
Tall girl, you are an unreachable branch... haa...
Chorus: Tall girl, tall girl, you are like a high tamarind branch.
ஹோய் பெட்டக்கோழி சின்ன சிட்டுக்கோழி
வேணும் கட்டுப்பாடு ஆமாம் ஆஹான்
Hey hen, little sparrow,
Self-control and discipline are needed, yes indeed!
..............................
...
பேரி கன்னம் பேரி நம்ம
அய்யரு கடை பூரி
சொல்லிப்புட்டேன் புத்திமதி
அள்ளிக்கடி வாரி வாரி
ஐய்யைய அய்யயைய வாரி
Big cheeks, big like...
The puffed poori from Aiyyar's shop!
I have given you good advice,
Take it all generously!
Oh my, oh my, take it all in!
ஊரு நம்ம ஊரு அது
பேசும் கதை நூறு
இந்த மண்ணில் உள்ள பெண்களுக்கு
கண்ணியம் தான் பேரு
Our town is our town,
It speaks a hundred stories.
For the women in this land,
Dignity is their true reputation.
கற்புக்கொரு தெய்வம்
வேறு எங்கும் இல்லை
கண்ணகி தான் உண்டு
நம்ம தமிழ் மண்ணிலே
A goddess of chastity,
There is none anywhere else,
There is only Kannagi,
In our Tamil soil.
ஊரக் கெடுக்கும் வெடலையே
உரிச்ச வறுத்த கடலையே
குழு :
ஊரக் கெடுக்கும் வெடலையே
உரிச்ச வறுத்த கடலையே
You young girl who ruins the village,
Like shelled and roasted peanuts!
Chorus: You young girl who ruins the village,
Like shelled and roasted peanuts!
மொறச்சி மொறச்சி மொகத்த திருப்பி
பொரட்டி பொரட்டி இடுப்ப வளைக்கும்
லம்பா வா வா புளியங்கொம்பா
குழு :
லம்பா அம்மம்மா அப்பப்பா புளியங்கொம்பா
Staring crossly and turning your face away,
Twisting and bending your waist back and forth.
Male: Tall girl, you are an unreachable branch... haa...
Chorus: Tall girl, tall girl, you are like a high tamarind branch.
பெட்டக்கோழி சின்ன சிட்டுக்கோழி
வேணும் கட்டுப்பாடு
பெட்டக்கோழி சின்ன சிட்டுக்கோழி
வேணும் கட்டுப்பாடு
Hey hen, little sparrow,
Self-control and discipline are needed.
Hey hen, little sparrow,
Self-control and discipline are needed.
பாலாடை கொறைஞ்சா
தன்மானம் போகுமடி
மேலாடை சரிஞ்சா
பண்பாடு பாவமடி
If the cream on top of the milk decreases,
Self-respect will be lost, dear.
If the upper garment slips,
Culture itself suffers, dear.
கண்டவர்கள் கண்ணுபடும்
உன்னழக மூடிக்கடி
சித்தம் கெட்ட சிறுக்கியை போல்
தொறந்து போட வேணாமடி
Onlookers will cast their evil eye,
So cover up your beauty, girl.
Like a crazy, senseless girl,
Do not leave yourself exposed, girl.
அடி லம்பா புளியங்கொம்பா
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
லம்பா லம்பா நீ புளியங்கொம்பா
Hey tall girl, you are an unreachable branch...
Male and Chorus:
Tall girl, tall girl, you are like a high tamarind branch.
……………………..
...
Pettakkozhi chinna chittukkozhi
Hey hen, little sparrow,
Venum kattuppaadi
Self-control and discipline are needed.
Pettakkozhi chinna chittukkozhi
Hey hen, little sparrow,
Venum kattuppaadi
Self-control and discipline are needed.
Paalaadai koranjaa
If the cream on top of the milk decreases,
Thanmaanam pogumadi
Self-respect will be lost, dear.
Melaadai sarinjaa
If the upper garment slips,
Panpaadu paavamadi
Culture itself suffers, dear.
Kandavargal kannupadum
Onlookers will cast their evil eye,
Unnazhaga moodikkadi
So cover up your beauty, girl.
Siththam ketta sirukkiyai pola
Like a crazy, senseless girl,
Thoranthu poda venaamadi
Do not leave yourself exposed, girl.
Adi lambaa puliyangombaa
Hey tall girl, unreachable like a high tamarind branch,
Lambaa lambaa nee puliyangombaa
Tall girl, tall girl, you are like a high tamarind branch.
Kaadu manjakkaadu
The field is a field of turmeric,
Pachcha manjal araichchu podu
Grind fresh green turmeric and apply it.
Melanaattu mogaththa nee
Your obsession with Western culture,
VIttupputtu odu
Leave it behind and run away.
Maeni thanga koodu oru
Your body is a golden cage, so
Selai vaangi moodu
Buy a saree and cover it up.
Thegam kaatti nadanthu vanthaa
If you walk showing off your body,
Kettuppudum naadu
The whole land will get corrupted.
Nee tamizh ponnaa
If you act like a true Tamil girl,
Vekkappattu ninnaa
And stand with modesty and bashfulness,
Pakkam vanthu kattikkuvaan
He will come close and embrace you,
Aththa magan thannaal
Your cousin will automatically do so.
Minukki minukki poeriyae
You walk around glittering and shining,
Manathakkaali keeraiyae
Like fresh black nightshade greens!
Chorus :Minukki minukki poeriyae
Chorus: You walk around glittering and shining,
Manathakkaali keeraiyae
Like fresh black nightshade greens!
Morachchi morachchi mogaththa thiruppi
Staring crossly and turning your face away,
Poratti poratti iduppa valaikkum
Twisting and bending your waist back and forth.
Lambaa nee puliyangombaa….haa….
Tall girl, you are an unreachable branch... haa...
Chorus :Lambaa lambaa nee puliyangombaa
Chorus: Tall girl, tall girl, you are like a high tamarind branch.
Hoi pettakkozhi chinna chittukkozhi
Hey hen, little sparrow,
Venum kattuppaadu aamaam aahaan
Self-control and discipline are needed, yes indeed!
…………………
...
Peri kannam peri namma
Big cheeks, big like...
Aiyyaru kadai poori
The puffed poori from Aiyyar's shop!
Sollipputtaen puththimathi
I have given you good advice,
Allikkadi vaari vaari
Take it all generously!
Aiyaiya aiyyayaiya vaari
Oh my, oh my, take it all in!
Ooru namma ooru athu
Our town is our town,
Pesum kadhai nooru
It speaks a hundred stories.
Intha mannil ulla pengalukku
For the women in this land,
Kanniyamthaan peru
Dignity is their true reputation.
Karpukkoru deivam
A goddess of chastity,
Veru engum illai
There is none anywhere else,
Kannagithaan undu
There is only Kannagi,
Namma tamizh mannilae
In our Tamil soil.
Oorak kedukkum vedalaiyae
You young girl who ruins the village,
Urichcha varuththa kadalaiyae
Like shelled and roasted peanuts!
Chorus :Oorak kedukkum vedalaiyae
Chorus: You young girl who ruins the village,
Urichcha varuththa kadalaiyae
Like shelled and roasted peanuts!
Morachchi morachchi mogaththa thiruppi
Staring crossly and turning your face away,
Poratti poratti iduppa valaikkum
Twisting and bending your waist back and forth.
Male :Lambaa nee puliyangombaa….haa….
Male: Tall girl, you are an unreachable branch... haa...
Chorus :Lambaa lambaa nee puliyangombaa
Chorus: Tall girl, tall girl, you are like a high tamarind branch.
Pettakkozhi chinna chittukkozhi
Hey hen, little sparrow,
Venum kattuppaadu
Self-control and discipline are needed.
Pettakkozhi chinna chittukkozhi
Hey hen, little sparrow,
Venum kattuppaadu
Self-control and discipline are needed.
Paalaadai korainjaa
If the cream on top of the milk decreases,
Thanmaanam pogumadi
Self-respect will be lost, dear.
Melaadai sarinjaa
If the upper garment slips,
Panpaadu paavamadi
Culture itself suffers, dear.
Kandavargal kannupadum
Onlookers will cast their evil eye,
Unnazhaga moodikkadi
So cover up your beauty, girl.
Siththam ketta sirukkiyai pol
Like a crazy, senseless girl,
Thoranthu poda venaamadi
Do not leave yourself exposed, girl.
Adi lambaa nee puliyangombaa….
Hey tall girl, you are an unreachable branch...
Male and Chorus :
Male and Chorus:
Lambaa lambaa nee puliyangombaa
Tall girl, tall girl, you are like a high tamarind branch.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Pettakkozhi' from Dharma Chakkaram (1997) is a playful yet moralizing folk-pop track sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. In the song, the protagonist teases a modern, fashionable village girl, advising her to uphold traditional Tamil cultural values, modesty, and self-respect rather than imitating Western trends or modern clothing.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uvamai)
“Siththam ketta sirukkiyai pola”
Compares behaving recklessly or exposing oneself to acting like an unhinged girl ('Siththam ketta sirukki').
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Maeni thanga koodu oru”
Describes the girl's body as a 'golden cage' ('thanga koodu') and refers to an proud/unreachable woman as a high tamarind branch ('puliyangombaa').
Alliteration (Monai)
“Pettakkozhi chinna chittukkozhi”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds across adjacent words, such as 'Pettakkozhi' and 'chittukkozhi'.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Deva for the Vijayakanth-starrer 'Dharma Chakkaram' (1997), this track uses lively folk rhythms and catchy colloquialisms typical of Deva's popular late-90s style, rendered energetically by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam.
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