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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pottukitta Rendu

From Veera Kanal · 1960

Lyricist
Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
Singers
Trichy Loganathan, L. R. Eswari
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Veera Kanal
Movie release year
1960
Lyrics added on
14 Jan 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Pottukitta rendu perum
Serndhu pottukanum
Olagam pudhusa maarum podhu
Pazha moraiyai maathikanum
Pottukitta rendu perum
Serndhu pottukanum
Olagam pudhusa maarum podhu
Pazha moraiyai maathikanum
Pottukitta aama
Pottukitta thaali
Pottukitta rendu perum
Serndhu pottukanum
Olagam pudhusa maarum podhu
Pazha moraiyai maathikanum
Pottukidum munnae nalla
Ponnum pullaiyum paathukkanum
Pudikkuthaannu kettukanum
Pottukidum munnae nalla
Ponnum pullaiyum paathukkanum
Pudikkuthaannu kettukanum
Purinjikaama aarambichaa
Aabatilae maattikanum
Vishayam purinjikaama aarambichaa
Aabatilae maattikanum
Pottukitta aama
Pottukitta thaali
Pottukitta rendu perum
Serndhu pottukanum
Female :Olagam pudhusa maarum podhu
Pazha moraiyai maathikanum
Kazhuthilae thaali kedantha
Kaali kooda madhipaan
Konjam kanniayama nadapaan
Kazhuthilae thaali kedantha
Kaali kooda madhipaan
Konjam kanniayama nadapaan
Indha kayiru mattum illaiyinna
Kazhuthai pola idippaan
Kayiru mattum illaiyinna
Kazhuthai pola idippaan
Aambalaikkum thaali kedantha
Adutha ponnu madhippaa
Konjam adangi odunghi nadappa
Aambalaikkum thaali kedantha
Adutha ponnu madhippaa
Konjam adangi odunghi nadappa
Indha adaiyaalam illaiyinna
Asattuthanama moraippa
Indha adaiyaalam illaiyinna
Asattuthanama moraippa
Pottukitta aama
Pottukitta thaali
Pottukitta rendu perum
Serndhu pottukanum
Male :Olagam pudhusa maarum podhu
Pazha moraiyai maathikanum
Idhulae mattum podura mudiche
Irukki pottukkanum
Nalla izhuthu paathukanum
Idhulae mattum podura mudiche
Irukki pottukkanum
Nalla izhuthu paathukanum
Female :Edaiyilae pirinjikaamae
Murukki pottukanum murukki pottukanum
Edaiyilae pirinjikaamae
Murukki pottukanum murukki pottukanum
Adhulae onnum koraichal illai
Aluthi pottirukku
Haan adhulae onnum koraichal illai
Aluthi pottirukku
Unmai anbu aasai rendum saethu
Murukku pottirukku
Moonu mudichaa pottirukku
Unmai anbu aasai rendum saethu
Murukku pottirukku
Moonu mudichaa pottirukku
Porappau valarppu sattam
Male :Naama sendhu pottukkanum
Female :Pozhappau iruppu nottam
Male :Adhaiyum serthu pottukanum
Ada varavu selavu thittam
Male :Onnaa sendhu pottukkanum
Female :Namma vazhakkamaana aattam
Both :Ha.haa…(8)
If wearing it, both of us
should wear it together!
When the world changes anew,
we must change the old ways!
If wearing it, both of us
should wear it together!
When the world changes anew,
we must change the old ways!
If wearing it, yes,
if wearing the thaali (sacred marriage thread),
if wearing it, both of us
should wear it together!
When the world changes anew,
we must change the old ways!
Before putting it on,
the bride and groom must see each other well,
and ask if they like each other!
Before putting it on,
the bride and groom must see each other well,
and ask if they like each other!
If you start without understanding,
you will get trapped in trouble!
If you start without understanding things,
you will get trapped in trouble!
If wearing it, yes,
if wearing the thaali,
if wearing it, both of us
should wear it together!
Female: When the world changes anew,
we must change the old ways!
If there is a thaali around the neck,
even a street rogue will show respect,
and behave with some decency!
If there is a thaali around the neck,
even a street rogue will show respect,
and behave with some decency!
If not for this thread,
he would bump into you like a reckless donkey!
If not for this thread,
he would bump into you like a reckless donkey!
If a man also wears a thaali,
other women will respect it,
and behave with modesty!
If a man also wears a thaali,
other women will respect it,
and behave with modesty!
If this sign is not there,
she might stare foolishly!
If this sign is not there,
she might stare foolishly!
If wearing it, yes,
if wearing the thaali,
if wearing it, both of us
should wear it together!
Male: When the world changes anew,
we must change the old ways!
The knot tied in this
must be tied tightly,
and tested well by pulling!
The knot tied in this
must be tied tightly,
and tested well by pulling!
Female: So it never comes apart midway,
it must be spun strong, spun strong!
So it never comes apart midway,
it must be spun strong, spun strong!
There is no lack in that,
it is tied firmly and securely!
Ah, there is no lack in that,
it is tied firmly and securely!
Bound with true love and desire together,
it has been spun strong,
and tied into three knots!
Bound with true love and desire together,
it has been spun strong,
and tied into three knots!
The rules of family and raising children,
Male: We must lay them down together!
Female: Livelihood, living, and future plans,
Male: We must plan them together too!
Ah, the budget of income and expenses,
Male: We must make it together as one!
Female: And our usual playful fun...
Both: Ha ha...
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female
Male
Male
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This playful and progressive duet sung by Trichy Loganathan and L.R. Eswari advocates for mutual respect, consent, and modern thinking in marriage. Penned by Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram, the song emphasizes that marriage shouldn't follow outdated, rigid traditions blindly. Instead, the bride and groom must be given the agency to see each other and consent before tying the knot ('Thaali'). The lyrics humorously critique societal double standards—pointing out how the sacred thread demands respect for women, while lightheartedly wishing men had a similar symbol to keep them disciplined as well. Ultimately, the song portrays marriage as an equal partnership where budgeting, life decisions, and love are shared collaboratively.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyme)

Pottukitta rendu perum / Serndhu pottukanum

Repetition of the second consonant sound 'tt' in 'Pottukitta' and 'Serndhu' / 'Pudikkuthaannu'.

Monaai (Alliteration)

Pottukidum munnae nalla / Ponnum pullaiyum paathukkanum

Initial sound 'P' repeated in 'Pottukidum', 'Ponnum', 'Pullaiyum', and 'Pudikkuthaannu'.

Simile (Uwamai)

Kazhuthai pola idippaan

Comparing an undisciplined man's reckless behavior to a donkey ('Kazhuthai pola idippaan').

Social Satire / Wordplay

Ada varavu selavu thittam / Onnaa sendhu pottukkanum

Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram uses play on 'Pottukanum' (tying the knot vs. making plans together) to subtly comment on marriage equality.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the famed rationalist poet Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram, this song stands out for introducing progressive, reformist thoughts on marriage and male responsibility in Tamil cinema during the 1960s. The song features music composed by K. V. Mahadevan for the movie 'Veera Kanal'.

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