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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poottale Unnaiyum

From Lakshmi Kalyanam · 1968

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, A. L. Raghavan, L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Lakshmi Kalyanam1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kura kura kura kura kurraahKura kura kura kura kurraah (onomatopoeic sound)
Kura kura kura kura kurraahKura kura kura kura kurraah (onomatopoeic sound)
Kura kura kura kura kurraahKura kura kura kura kurraah (onomatopoeic sound)
Kura kura kura kura kurraahKura kura kura kura kurraah (onomatopoeic sound)
Male
Pottale unnaiyumShe brought you forth too
Oruthi pethu pottaalaeA woman gave birth to you as well
UnnaiyumTo you as well
Oruthi pethu pottaalaeA woman gave birth to you as well
Naattukkum veettukkum laabam illamaWithout any benefit to the country or to the home
Nalladhai sollavum moolai illamaWithout the brains to speak anything good
Naattukkum veettukkum laabam illamaWithout any benefit to the country or to the home
Nalladhai sollavum moolai illamaWithout the brains to speak anything good
Kottaanai pottaalaeShe gave birth to an owl!
Male
Pottale unnaiyumShe brought you forth too
Oruthi pethu pottaalaeA woman gave birth to you as well
UnnaiyumTo you as well
Oruthi pethu pottaalaeA woman gave birth to you as well
Male :Hahahhaha…..(Overlapping)Male: Hahahhaha... (Overlapping laughter)
Male
Buthiyulla …ahaeIf it is a clever...
Pillaiyinna…ahaeChild...
Buthiyulla …pillaiyinna…ahaeIf it is a clever child...
Boomiyilae vambu varumTrouble arises on this earth!
Male
Ippadithaan ahaeJust like this...
Hindiyilae…ahaeIn Hindi...
Ippadithaan hindiyilae…ahaeJust like this in Hindi...
Sollivechaar valluvarumSage Valluvar stated it!
Male
Oru muttalin moolaiyilaeIn the brain of a fool
Munnoru poo malarumA flower bloomed in past times
Muttalin moolaiyilaeIn the brain of a fool
Munnoru poo malarumA flower bloomed in past times
Ippadithaan sollivechaarThat is how it was stated
Englishil valluvarumBy Valluvar in English!
Male
HahahhahaHahahhaha
Male
Thambiyin arivu yaavarukkum udhaviYounger brother's intellect helps everyone
Thaerdhalil ninna mandhiri padhaviIf he stands in elections he gets a minister post
Thambiyin arivu yaavarukkum udhaviYounger brother's intellect helps everyone
Thaerdhalil ninna mandhiri padhaviIf he stands in elections he gets a minister post
Kottaanai pottaalaeShe gave birth to an owl!
Male
Pottale unnaiyumShe brought you forth too
Oruthi pethu pottaalaeA woman gave birth to you as well
UnnaiyumTo you as well
Oruthi pethu pottaalaeA woman gave birth to you as well
Male :Hahahhaha…..(Overlapping)Male: Hahahhaha... (Overlapping laughter)
Female
Aththaimagan …ahaeCousin's...
Paarvaiyilae…ahaeIn the gaze...
Aththaimagan ..paarvaiyilae…ahaeIn the cousin's gaze...
Ethanaiyo ponnirukkuThere is so much gold present
Female
Athanaiyum..ahaeAll of that...
Parpadharkku..ahaeTo behold...
Athanaiyum..parpadharkku..ahaeTo behold all of that...
Muttaiyai pol kannirukkuEyes are shaped like eggs!
Male
Ivar annaalil ramanukkuIn those ancient days, for Rama
Munnalae jaanakiyaiBefore him, Janaki...
Annaalil ramanukkuIn those ancient days, for Rama
Munnalae jaanakiyaiBefore him, Janaki...
Langaiyilae kandavarooWas he the one who found her in Lanka?
Mothirathai thandhavaroWas he the one who gave her the signet ring?
Male :HahahahaMale: Hahahaha
Female
Aththaikku ippadiTo aunt, like this...
Pillai piranthathuA child was born
Ethanai perukku paatu piranthathuFor so many people, a song was born!
Aththaikku ippadiTo aunt, like this...
Pillai piranthathuA child was born
Ethanai perukku paatu piranthathuFor so many people, a song was born!
Male :Kottaanai pottaalaeMale: She gave birth to an owl!
Male
Kanna un aathichiyilaeKanna, during your reign
Kalyaana season varumThe wedding season will arrive
Kanna un aathichiyilaeKanna, during your reign
Kalyaana season varumThe wedding season will arrive
Appuram thaan unnidathilOnly then within you
Aambalaiyin rosham varumA man's pride and spirit will arise
Male :HahahahahaMale: Hahahahaha
Male
Pottale unnaiyumShe brought you forth too
Oruthi pethu pottaalaeA woman gave birth to you as well
UnnaiyumTo you as well
Oruthi pethu pottaalaeA woman gave birth to you as well
Male :Hahahhaha…..(Overlapping)Male: Hahahhaha... (Overlapping laughter)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful comic track features humorous banter teasing a quirky character for his lack of practical wisdom and comical traits. The singers jokingly compare his birth to an owl being born, poking fun at his eyes, antics, and pseudo-intellectual references to Valluvar in English and Hindi. Despite the lighthearted insults about his lack of utility to home or nation, the song celebrates his harmless nature and anticipates the day when maturity and marriage will awaken his true manhood.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emonai (Initial Rhyme)

Naattukkum veettukkum laabam illama / Nalladhai sollavum moolai illama

Matching initial sounds in consecutive lines like 'Naattukkum' and 'Nalladhai'.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Naattukkum veettukkum laabam illama / Kottaanai pottaalae

Matching second consonants across lines ('tt' in Naattukkum and Kottaanai).

Metaphor / Humor

Kottaanai pottaalae / Muttaiyai pol kannirukku

Comparing a fool to an owl ('Kottaan') and eyes to eggs ('Muttaiyai pol kannirukku').

Did you know?

Trivia

Lakshmi Kalyanam (1968) starring Sivaji Ganesan and Vennira Aadai Nirmala featured music composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics written by Kannadasan. This fun track serves as a comedic interlude showcasing Kannadasan's playful verse style.

Keep listening

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