Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Puttu Puttu Vaikkattuma

From Illam · 1988

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
Mano
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Illam1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Puttu puttu vaikkattumaaShall I lay it all out clearly?
Pichipputtu thaikkattumaaShall I tear it apart and stitch it up?
Puttu puttu vaikkattumaaShall I lay it all out clearly?
Pichipputtu thaikkattumaaShall I tear it apart and stitch it up?
Gamagam gamagamaa pudikkattumaaShall I make it bloom with rich musical aroma?
Swaratha pirichu thaan odhukkattumaaShall I separate and arrange the musical notes?
Indha mayiluchaami gownder enna kokkaaIs this Mayilsamy Gounder just an ordinary crane?
Andha kuyilu kural janaki engakkaaThat cuckoo-voiced Janaki is my elder sister!
Indha mayiluchaami gownder enna kokkaaIs this Mayilsamy Gounder just an ordinary crane?
Andha kuyilu kural janaki engakkaaThat cuckoo-voiced Janaki is my elder sister!
Male
Puttu puttu vaikkattumaaShall I lay it all out clearly?
Pichipputtu thaikkattumaaShall I tear it apart and stitch it up?
Male
Thottaa erangavae erangaadhuOnce it takes hold, it won't ever fade away
Raagam thappaa thaalamWithout proper raga and rhythm
Vittaa maelum keezhum padiyaadhuIf left alone, it won't settle up or down
Idhu muttaa payalukku pudikkaadhuA fool won't be able to appreciate this
Paatta ippo kaettaaIf you listen to this song right now
Vittu poga kooda mudiyaadhuYou won't even be able to leave
Thappaa paada maattenI will not sing off-key
Ippodhu em paatta kaettukkoListen to my song right now
Vittu poga maattenI won't leave you stranded
Thaalatta pottu paathukkoTry putting yourself to sleep with this lullaby
Ponnaalum pogaadhuEven if time passes, it won't fade away
Raagam baavam thaalam saethuCombining raga, emotion, and rhythm
Male
Puttu puttu vaikkattumaaShall I lay it all out clearly?
Pichipputtu thaikkattumaaShall I tear it apart and stitch it up?
Male
…………………………...
Male
Suthi varugudhu en paattuMy song echoes all around
Melae summaa kelu idha pootti poda aal yaedhuJust listen to it flow, who is there to lock it down?
Kammaa karaiyilum varum paattuThe song travels even to the banks of the lake
Veedu city road namma naadu engum nee keluListen to it everywhere: homes, city roads, and our entire country
Maedai yaera porenI am going to step onto the stage
Munnaala okkaandhu kettukkoSit right in front and listen
Varnam paada porenI am going to sing a Varnam
Poo maala ponnaada porthikkoAdorn me with a flower garland and a golden shawl
Eppodhum nikkaadhu potti paattu paadi paaruIt will never stop, try competing with this song!
Male
Puttu puttu vaikkattumaaShall I lay it all out clearly?
Pichipputtu thaikkattumaaShall I tear it apart and stitch it up?
Puttu puttu vaikkattumaaShall I lay it all out clearly?
Pichipputtu thaikkattumaaShall I tear it apart and stitch it up?
Gamagam gamagamaa pudikkattumaaShall I make it bloom with rich musical aroma?
Swaratha pirichu thaan odhukkattumaaShall I separate and arrange the musical notes?
Indha mayiluchaami gownder enna kokkaaIs this Mayilsamy Gounder just an ordinary crane?
Andha kuyilu kural janaki engakkaaThat cuckoo-voiced Janaki is my elder sister!
Indha mayiluchaami gownder enna kokkaaIs this Mayilsamy Gounder just an ordinary crane?
Andha kuyilu kural janaki engakkaaThat cuckoo-voiced Janaki is my elder sister!
Male
Puttu puttu vaikkattumaaShall I lay it all out clearly?
Pichipputtu thaikkattumaaShall I tear it apart and stitch it up?
Puttu puttu vaikkattumaaShall I lay it all out clearly?
Pichipputtu thaikkattumaaShall I tear it apart and stitch it up?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic song from the movie Illam is a playful, folk-infused celebration of music and vocal prowess. The singer humorously boasts about their deep musical understanding, mastery over ragas, rhythm, and swaras, while playfully asserting that their music is far too captivating for anyone to walk away from once heard.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Andha kuyilu kural janaki engakkaa

Comparing S. Janaki's sweet voice to that of a cuckoo (kuyilu kural).

Rhetorical Question / Idiomatic Expression

Indha mayiluchaami gownder enna kokkaa

Using the colloquial phrase 'enna kokkaa' (am I an ordinary crane?) to assert superiority and pride.

Onomatopoeia / Sensory Imagery

Gamagam gamagamaa pudikkattumaa

Using 'gamagam gamagamaa' to associate musical beauty with a rich, blooming fragrance.

Rhyme (Edhukai / Iyaibu)

Puttu puttu vaikkattumaa / Pichipputtu thaikkattumaa

Consistent rhyming verb endings '-attumaa' across consecutive lines to build a rhythmic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics directly pay tribute to the legendary playback singer S. Janaki ('kuyilu kural Janaki engakkaa'). The film Illam (1988) featured music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics written by his brother Gangai Amaran.

Keep listening

More from Illam