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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Puthithai Ketkum

From Raman Abdullah · 1997

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Raman Abdullah1997

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
………………………....
Female
Puthithaai ketkkumA newly heard,
Puththam puthu keerthanamBrand new musical hymn,
Inithaai thaanaeSo sweetly indeed,
Niththam niththam paadalaamWe can sing every single day.
Female
Chinna poovae ennaruginil vanthuOh little flower, come near me,
Nenjaiyallum un vannangalai thanthuGiving your colors that steal the heart,
Vin jaalangalai velluConquer the magic of the sky,
Un kaadhal solli nilluExpress your love and stand tall,
En sinna ithazh senthooramaeOh red vermilion of my small lips!
Female
Puthithaai ketkkumA newly heard,
Puththam puthu keerthanamBrand new musical hymn,
Inithaai thaanaeSo sweetly indeed,
Niththam niththam paadalaamWe can sing every single day.
Female
Chinna poovae ennaruginil vanthuOh little flower, come near me,
Nenjaiyallum un vannangalai thanthuGiving your colors that steal the heart,
Vin jaalangalai velluConquer the magic of the sky,
Un kaadhal solli nilluExpress your love and stand tall,
En sinna ithazh senthooramaeOh red vermilion of my small lips!
Female
Puthithaai ketkkumA newly heard,
Puththam puthu keerthanamBrand new musical hymn,
Inithaai thaanaeSo sweetly indeed,
Niththam niththam paadalaamWe can sing every single day.
Female
Manjal vanna vaanam ondruA sky filled with yellow hue,
Maiyal kondu naanuthaeShies away out of infatuation.
Nenjil inba oonjal kattiTying a swing of joy in my heart,
Naan magizhnthenI rejoiced.
Female
Thendral vanthu pesum bothuWhen the gentle breeze comes and speaks,
Serum inba saaralaeIt pours a shower of blissful delight.
Minnal sinthum vaanam engumAcross the sky sprinkling lightning,
Naan paranthenI flew high.
Female
Oru roja polaeLike a rose flower,
Pani thaangi kollaTo hold the dew,
Pani neerai polaeLike dew water,
Oli vaangikkollaTo capture light,
Athikaalai ellaam inbam inbamAll early mornings are joy upon joy,
Engum perinbamSupreme bliss everywhere!
Female
Puthithaai ketkkumA newly heard,
Puththam puthu keerthanamBrand new musical hymn,
Inithaai thaanaeSo sweetly indeed,
Niththam niththam paadalaamWe can sing every single day.
Female
Chinna poovae ennaruginil vanthuOh little flower, come near me,
Nenjaiyallum un vannangalai thanthuGiving your colors that steal the heart,
Vin jaalangalai velluConquer the magic of the sky,
Un kaadhal solli nilluExpress your love and stand tall,
En sinna ithazh senthooramaeOh red vermilion of my small lips!
Female
Puthithaai ketkkumA newly heard,
Puththam puthu keerthanamBrand new musical hymn,
Inithaai thaanaeSo sweetly indeed,
Niththam niththam paadalaamWe can sing every single day.
Chorus
……………………………...
Female
Enni enni paarka enthanAs I think and reflect repeatedly,
Nenjam manjam poduthaeMy heart prepares a bed of anticipation.
Kannil vanthu aadum kaatchiThe vision dancing in my eyes,
Thaen sugamaeIs sweet as honey.
Female
Niththam niththam gangai vanthuEvery day the Ganges river comes,
Vanga kadal seruthaeAnd merges into the Bay of Bengal.
Nenja kadal thaan nirambumWill the day come,
Naal varumaaWhen the ocean of my heart fills up?
Female
Azhagaai vaanamA beautiful sky,
Athil nilavaai naanaeAnd I am the moon in it.
Sugamaai raagamA pleasant melody,
Athil suvaiyaai naanaeAnd I am the taste within it.
Varum kaalam ellaam inbam inbamAll future times will be joy upon joy,
Serum aaanthamAccumulated happiness!
Female
Puthithaai ketkkumA newly heard,
Puththam puthu keerthanamBrand new musical hymn,
Inithaai thaanaeSo sweetly indeed,
Niththam niththam paadalaamWe can sing every single day.
Female
Chinna poovae ennaruginil vanthuOh little flower, come near me,
Nenjaiyallum un vannangalai thanthuGiving your colors that steal the heart,
Vin jaalangalai velluConquer the magic of the sky,
Un kaadhal solli nilluExpress your love and stand tall,
En sinna ithazh senthooramaeOh red vermilion of my small lips!
Female
Puthithaai ketkkumA newly heard,
Puththam puthu keerthanamBrand new musical hymn,
Inithaai thaanaeSo sweetly indeed,
Niththam niththam paadalaamWe can sing every single day.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Puthithaai ketkkum' from Raman Abdullah (1997) is a joyful, romantic expression of new love and emotional blossoming. The protagonist compares the feeling of newfound love to a fresh, divine melody (keerthanam) that brings endless sweetness and can be sung every day. Nature imagery such as glowing skies, gentle breezes, roses carrying dew, and rivers merging with the ocean are used to mirror the inner bliss and anticipation of union.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagathal)

Puththam puthu keerthanam

Compares love and feelings to a brand new musical hymn ('Puththam puthu keerthanam') and the heart to an ocean ('Nenja kadal').

Repetition / Anaphora (Adukku Thodar)

Niththam niththam paadalaam

Repetition of words like 'Niththam niththam' and 'Inbam inbam' to emphasize continuous joy and permanence.

Simile (Uvamai)

Oru roja polae

Using 'polae' (like) to compare self-holding emotions to a rose holding dewdrops ('Oru roja polae').

Rhyme / Alliteration (Monai / Ethirai)

Puthithaai ketkkum / Puththam puthu keerthanam

Second letter matching ('Puthithaai' / 'Puththam') creating initial rhyming sweetness in Tamil verse structure.

Did you know?

Trivia

Raman Abdullah (1997) was directed by Balu Mahendra and featured music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Vaali. The song 'Puthithaai Ketkkum' features vocals by K. S. Chithra and Bhavatharini, creating a serene, classical-pop fusion atmosphere characteristic of Ilaiyaraaja's late 90s compositions.

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