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Lyrics & meaning

Pottazhagu Konja

From Karotti Kannan · 1975

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Suseela
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Karotti Kannan1975

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pottazhagu konja konjaAs the beauty of the bindi prattles,
Poovazhagu kenja kenjaAs the flower-like beauty begs,
Kattazhagu mottu vittu vantha malar neeYou are the flower that bloomed from a well-shaped beauty bud.
Female
Kannukku kannaanaPrecious as the eye itself,
Kannanukku melaanaSuperior even to Lord Krishna,
Vanna vanna silaiyaanaLike a colorful statue,
Maappillai neeYou are the groom.
Female
Oru vilakku sila malargal sila pazhangalA lamp, a few flowers, a few fruits,
Oru padukkai araiyilaeInside a bedroom,
Male :Unnai anaiththu alli eduththu naanMale: As I embrace you and lift you up,
Udhattil ondru kodukkaTo give a kiss on the lips,
Female
Kaayam patta kannamWon't the bruised cheek
Oru kavithai sollaathoRecite a poem?
Male :Kattil antha kavithaikkoruMale: Won't the bed beat the rhythm
Thaalam thattaathoTo that poem?
Female
Kaayam patta kannamWon't the bruised cheek
Oru kavithai sollaathoRecite a poem?
Male :Kattil antha kavithaikkoruMale: Won't the bed beat the rhythm
Thaalam thattaathoTo that poem?
Female
Iravu mudhal iravuFirst night among nights,
Male :Nilavu pudhu nilavuMale: A brand new moon,
Female :Uravu mudhal uravuFemale: First bond among relationships,
Male :Varumaa athu varumaaMale: Will it come, oh will it come?
Male
Pottazhagu konja konjaAs the beauty of the bindi prattles,
Poovazhagu kenja kenjaAs the flower-like beauty begs,
Kattazhagu mottu vittu vantha malar neeYou are the flower that bloomed from a well-shaped beauty bud.
Female
Kannukku kannaanaPrecious as the eye itself,
Kannanukku melaanaSuperior even to Lord Krishna,
Vanna vanna silaiyaanaLike a colorful statue,
Maappillai neeYou are the groom.
Male
Oru azhaippu oru MaruppuA call, a refusal,
Oru sirippu athuA smile, let it
Thodarattum Kadhai polaeContinue like a story.
Female :Konjam koduththuFemale: Giving a little,
Konjam eduththu adhu valarattum sugamaagaTaking a little, let it grow pleasantly.
Male
Oru azhaippu oru MaruppuA call, a refusal,
Oru sirippu athuA smile, let it
Thodarattum Kadhai polaeContinue like a story.
Female :Konjam koduththuFemale: Giving a little,
Konjam eduththu adhu valarattum sugamaagaTaking a little, let it grow pleasantly.
Male
Oru azhaippu oru MaruppuA call, a refusal,
Oru sirippu athuA smile, let it
Thodarattum Kadhai polaeContinue like a story.
Female :Konjam koduththuFemale: Giving a little,
Konjam eduththu adhu valarattum sugamaagaTaking a little, let it grow pleasantly.
Male
Chinna idai salasalkkaAs the slender waist rustles,
Virunthu vaikkaathoWon't it serve a feast?
Female :Enna sugam endru solliFemale: Describing what bliss it is,
Pozhuthu pogaathoWon't time pass pleasantly?
Male
Chinna idai salasalkkaAs the slender waist rustles,
Virunthu vaikkaathoWon't it serve a feast?
Female :Enna sugam endru solliFemale: Describing what bliss it is,
Pozhuthu pogaathoWon't time pass pleasantly?
Male
Nadakkum indru nadakkumIt will happen today, it will happen,
Female :Kidaikkum indru kidaikkumFemale: It will be obtained today, it will be obtained,
Male :Rasikkum indru rasikkumMale: It will be relished today, it will be relished,
Female :Pasikkum manam pusikkumFemale: The hungry heart will feast.
Male
Pottazhagu konja konjaAs the beauty of the bindi prattles,
Poovazhagu kenja kenjaAs the flower-like beauty begs,
Kattazhagu mottu vittu vantha malar neeYou are the flower that bloomed from a well-shaped beauty bud.
Female
Kannukku kannaanaPrecious as the eye itself,
Kannanukku melaanaSuperior even to Lord Krishna,
Vanna vanna silaiyaanaLike a colorful statue,
Maappillai neeYou are the groom.
Male
…………….....
Female :…………….Female: ...
Both :……………..Both: ...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic duet from Karotti Kannan (1975) expresses the poetic romantic exchanges and playful teasing between a newlywed couple on their first night. The lyrics describe the atmosphere of the decorated bedchamber and portray the growing affection, intimacy, and joyful anticipation of marital togetherness through colorful imagery.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Pottazhagu konja konja / Kattazhagu mottu vittu vantha malar nee

The second consonant 'tt' is repeated across 'Pottazhagu' and 'Kattazhagu', creating a pleasing Tamil poetic cadence.

Monai (First Letter Alliteration)

Kannukku kannaana / Kannanukku melaana

Repetition of the 'K' sound across 'Kannukku' and 'Kannanukku'.

Metaphor & Personification

Kattil antha kavithaikkoru thaalam thattaatho

The bed is personified as an instrument beating time/rhythm to the poem spoken by the cheeks.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed by V. Kumar with lyrics by Kannadasan and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and P. Suseela. Kannadasan is renowned for effortlessly weaving traditional Tamil poetic structures like Edugai and Monai into lighthearted film romantic duets.

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