Rakkamma Kaiya Thattu
From Thalapathi · 1991
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Swarnalatha
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Thalapathi1991
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Rakkama kaiya thattu | Oh Rakkamma, clap your hands, |
| Puthu raagathil mettukkattu | Compose a tune in a new melody, |
| Adi raakkoazhi mellangottu | Hey night-owl, beat the drum softly, |
| Chorus :Jaga jaga jaga jaa | Chorus: Jaga jaga jaga jaa |
| Male :Indha raasaavin nenjathottu | Male: Touch this king's heart, |
| Chorus :Jaga jaga jaga jaga jaga | Chorus: Jaga jaga jaga jaga jaga |
| Female | |
| Ada raasaavae | Oh my king, |
| Panthal nattu | Erect a pandal (marquee), |
| Puthu rosa poo maala kattu | Weave a garland of new rose flowers, |
| Adi raasaathi tholilyittu | Put your hand around my king's shoulders, |
| Chorus :Jaga jaga jaga jaa | Chorus: Jaga jaga jaga jaa |
| Female :Dhinam raavellaam thaalanthattu | Female: Keep rhythm all night long every day, |
| Chorus :Jaga jaga jaga jaga jaga | Chorus: Jaga jaga jaga jaga jaga |
| Male | |
| Oru kattukkaaval ithu othukkaathu | This rhythm will not accept any strict rules or control, |
| Ena kattippoada oru sooran yethu | Is there any brave hero who can tie it down? |
| Chorus | |
| {Jaangujakku chajakkujakku | {Jaangujakku chajakkujakku |
| Jaangujakku ja | Jaangujakku ja |
| Jaangujakku chajakkujakku | Jaangujakku chajakkujakku |
| Jaangujakku ja} (2) | Jaangujakku ja} (2) |
| Male | |
| Haha | Haha |
| Rakkama kaiya thattu | Oh Rakkamma, clap your hands, |
| Puthu raagathil mettukkattu | Compose a tune in a new melody, |
| Female :Ada raasaavae | Female: Oh my king, |
| Panthal nattu | Erect a pandal (marquee), |
| Puthu rosa poo maala kattu | Weave a garland of new rose flowers, |
| Male | |
| Therizhukkum naalum | The day of pulling the temple chariot, |
| Theppam vidum naalum | And the day of floating the temple raft, |
| Machaan ingae athu yen kooru | Why speak of them here, my friend? |
| Female | |
| Ada oorusanam yaavum | Look, all the village folk, |
| Oththumaiyaa cherum | Gather together in unity, |
| Vambum thumbum illa nee paaru | See, there is no trouble or feud here! |
| Male | |
| Mathala chatham | The sound of the drums, |
| Ettu ooruthaan | Should reach eight villages around, brother, play it loud! |
| Ettanum thambi adi joraaga | The soaring skyrocket fireworks, |
| Vakkira baanam andha vaanaiyae | Must touch that very sky, brother, launch them straight! |
| Thakkanum thambi vidu neraaga | Hey beat the small drum and large drum, sing and celebrate! |
| Ada thambattam thaarathaan thattippaadu | Rakkamma, shower your kisses, |
| Male | |
| Rakkamma mutham sindhu | Chorus: Jaga jaga jaga jaa |
| Chorus :Jaga jaga jaga jaa | Male: Coming daily like a pearl of dew, |
| Male :Pani muthupol niththam vandhu | Chorus: Jaga jaga jaga jaga jaga |
| Chorus :Jaga jaga jaga jaga jaga | Oh uncle, tame the bull, |
| Female | |
| Ada mamaa nee jalli kattu | Chorus: Jaga jaga jaga jaa |
| Chorus :Jaga jaga jaga jaa | Female: Jumping and prancing without grazing here, |
| Female :Ingu meeyathae thullikittu | Chorus: Jaga jaga jaga jaga jaga |
| Chorus :Jaga jaga jaga jaga jaga | Oh, come close to my side, |
| Male | |
| Ada pakkam nee vaa | Like a stack of hay, |
| Oru vaikkaporu | If it grazes on you a little, |
| Unai konjam menja | What a commotion that will be! |
| Ena akkapora | {Jaangujakku chajakkujakku |
| Chorus | |
| {Jaangujakku chajakkujakku | Jaangujakku ja |
| Jaangujakku ja | Jaangujakku chajakkujakku |
| Jaangujakku chajakkujakku | Jaangujakku ja} (2) |
| Jaangujakku ja} (2) | Hey hey hey hey |
| Male | |
| Hey hey hey hey | Oh Rakkamma, clap your hands, |
| Rakkama kaiya thattu | Compose a tune in a new melody, |
| Puthu raagathil mettukkattu | Female: Oh uncle, tame the bull, |
| Female :Ada mamaa nee jalli kattu | Jumping and prancing without grazing here, |
| Ingu meeyathae thullikittu | From doorway to doorway, |
| Male | |
| Vaasalukku vaasal | In vibrant colors, |
| Vanna vannamaaga | Run here and there to light the lamps! |
| Ingae angae odi velakkethu | Look, the pitch darkness has fled, |
| Female | |
| Ada thattiruttu pochu | It has become broad daylight, |
| Patta pagalaachu | Everywhere joy blooms like a flower! |
| Engum inbam ezhum poo poothu | The future belongs to good people, |
| Male | |
| Nallavarkkellaam ethirkaalamae | If you have faith, won't good fortune arrive? |
| Nambikkai vaithaal vanthu seraathaa | If all hearts come together as one, |
| Ullangalellaam ondru koodinaal | Won't victory sit in the palm of our hands? |
| Ullangaiyilthaan vetri vaaraathaa | Oh, today and forever, |
| Male | |
| Ada indraikkum endraikkum | Is a good day! |
| Nalla naalthaan | Kannamma, touch my cheek, |
| Male | |
| Kannamma kannam thottu | Give me sweet joy, my little pearl, |
| Sugam kattamma chinna muthu | Female: Wear a floral garland, |
| Female :Poo maalai vechu puttu | Sing brand new songs with full energy! |
| Pudhu pattellam veluthu kattu | Hmmm... mm... mmm.. |
| Chorus | |
| Hmmm…mm….mmm.. | Hmmm... mmm... mmm... mmm... |
| Hmmm…mmm…mmm…mmm… | Bent eyebrows, a sweet smile on crimson red lips like the Kovvai fruit, |
| Kunitha puruvamum kovvaich chevvaayil | Matted locks drenched in grace, a body like red coral smeared with holy white ash, |
| Kumizh sirippum | And the golden foot lifted sweetly in cosmic dance... |
| Panitha sadaiyum pavazham pol | If one is blessed to see those golden feet, |
| Meniyum paal veneerum | Even human birth is desirable, |
| Inithamudan edutha porpaathamum.. | On this very earth... ae... ae... |
| Porpaathamum kaana petraal | Even human birth is desirable, |
| Manitha piraviyum venduvathae | On this very earth... ae... ae... |
| Immaanilathae…ae…ae…. | Hmmm... mm... mmm... mmm... mmm... |
| Manitha piraviyum venduvathae | Oh Rakkamma, clap your hands, |
| Immaanilathae…ae…ae…. | Compose a tune in a new melody, |
| Hmmm…mm….mmm….mmm…mmm…. | Female: Oh my king, erect a pandal, |
| Male | |
| Adi rakkama kaiya thattu | Weave a garland of new rose flowers, |
| Puthu raagathil mettukkattu | Oh, just like you, |
| Female :Ada rasaavae panthal nattu | I am here too, girl, |
| Pudhu rosa poo maala kattu | Hey, to come together, |
| Male | |
| Ada unna pola | This is indeed the right time, girl! |
| Ingu naanum thaan di | {Jaangujakku chajakkujakku |
| Adi onnu sera | Jaangujakku ja |
| Ithu neram thaan di | Jaangujakku chajakkujakku |
| Chorus | |
| {Jaangujakku chajakkujakku | Jaangujakku ja} (2) |
| Jaangujakku ja | Oh Rakkamma, clap your hands, |
| Jaangujakku chajakkujakku | Compose a tune in a new melody, |
| Jaangujakku ja} (2) | Female: Oh my king, erect a pandal, |
| Male | |
| Adi rakkama kaiya thattu | Weave a garland of new rose flowers, |
| Puthu raagathil mettukkattu | Male: [Humming] Hmm..hmm hmmm hmmm |
| Female :Ada rasaavae panthal nattu | |
| Pudhu rosa poo maala kattu | |
| Male :Hmm..hmm hmmm hmmm | |
ராக்கம்மா கைய
தட்டு புது ராகத்தில்
மெட்டுக்கட்டு அடி
ராக்கோழி மேளங்
கொட்டு
குழு :
ஜக ஜக ஜக ஜா
இந்த ராசாவின்
நெஞ்ச தொட்டு
குழு :
ஜக ஜக ஜக
ஜக ஜக
Oh Rakkamma, clap your hands,
Compose a tune in a new melody,
Hey night-owl, beat the drum softly,
Chorus: Jaga jaga jaga jaa
Male: Touch this king's heart,
Chorus: Jaga jaga jaga jaga jaga
அட ராசாவே
பந்தல் நட்டு புது ரோசா
பூ மாலை கட்டு அடி
ராசாத்தி தோளில் இட்டு
குழு :
ஜக ஜக ஜக ஜா
தினம் ராவெல்லாம்
தாளந்தட்டு
குழு :
ஜக ஜக ஜக
ஜக ஜக
Oh my king,
Erect a pandal (marquee),
Weave a garland of new rose flowers,
Put your hand around my king's shoulders,
Chorus: Jaga jaga jaga jaa
Female: Keep rhythm all night long every day,
Chorus: Jaga jaga jaga jaga jaga
ஒரு கட்டுக்காவல்
இது ஒத்துக்காது என்ன
கட்டிப்போட ஒரு சூரன்
ஏது
This rhythm will not accept any strict rules or control,
Is there any brave hero who can tie it down?
{ ஜாங்குஜக்கு
சஜக்குஜக்கு ஜாங்குஜக்கு
ஜா ஜாங்குஜக்கு சஜக்குஜக்கு
ஜாங்குஜக்கு ஜா } (2)
{Jaangujakku chajakkujakku
Jaangujakku ja
Jaangujakku chajakkujakku
Jaangujakku ja} (2)
ஹாஹா ராக்கம்மா
கைய தட்டு புது ராகத்தில்
மெட்டுக்கட்டு
அட ராசாவே
பந்தல் நட்டு புது ரோசா
பூ மாலைக் கட்டு
Haha
Oh Rakkamma, clap your hands,
Compose a tune in a new melody,
Female: Oh my king,
Erect a pandal (marquee),
Weave a garland of new rose flowers,
தேரிழுக்கும்
நாளும் தெப்பம் விடும்
நாளும் மச்சான் இங்கே
அது ஏன் கூறு
The day of pulling the temple chariot,
And the day of floating the temple raft,
Why speak of them here, my friend?
அட ஊருசனம்
யாவும் ஒத்துமையா
சேரும் வம்பும் தும்பும்
இல்ல நீ பாரு
Look, all the village folk,
Gather together in unity,
See, there is no trouble or feud here!
மத்தளச் சத்தம்
எட்டு ஊருதான் எட்டணும்
தம்பி அடி ஜோராக வைக்கிற
பானம் அந்த வானையே
தாக்கணும் தம்பி விடு
நேராக அட தம்பாட்டம்
தாராதான் தட்டிப்பாடு
The sound of the drums,
Should reach eight villages around, brother, play it loud!
The soaring skyrocket fireworks,
Must touch that very sky, brother, launch them straight!
Hey beat the small drum and large drum, sing and celebrate!
Rakkamma, shower your kisses,
ராக்கம்மா
முத்தம் சிந்து
குழு :
ஜக ஜக ஜக ஜா
பனி முத்துப்போல்
நித்தம் வந்து
குழு :
ஜக ஜக ஜக
ஜக ஜக
Chorus: Jaga jaga jaga jaa
Male: Coming daily like a pearl of dew,
Chorus: Jaga jaga jaga jaga jaga
Oh uncle, tame the bull,
அட மாமா நீ
ஜல்லி கட்டு
குழு :
ஜக ஜக ஜக ஜா
இங்கு மேயாதே
துள்ளிக்கிட்டு
குழு :
ஜக ஜக ஜக
ஜக ஜக
Chorus: Jaga jaga jaga jaa
Female: Jumping and prancing without grazing here,
Chorus: Jaga jaga jaga jaga jaga
Oh, come close to my side,
அட பக்கம் நீ
வா ஒரு வைக்கபோரு
உனை கொஞ்சம் மேஞ்சா
என்ன அக்க போரா
Like a stack of hay,
If it grazes on you a little,
What a commotion that will be!
{Jaangujakku chajakkujakku
{ ஜாங்குஜக்கு
சஜக்குஜக்கு ஜாங்குஜக்கு
ஜா ஜாங்குஜக்கு சஜக்குஜக்கு
ஜாங்குஜக்கு ஜா } (2)
Jaangujakku ja
Jaangujakku chajakkujakku
Jaangujakku ja} (2)
Hey hey hey hey
ஹே ஹே ஹே
ஹே ராக்கம்மா கைய
தட்டு புது ராகத்தில்
மெட்டுக்கட்டு
அட மாமா நீ
ஜல்லி கட்டு இங்கு
மேயாதே துள்ளிக்கிட்டு
Oh Rakkamma, clap your hands,
Compose a tune in a new melody,
Female: Oh uncle, tame the bull,
Jumping and prancing without grazing here,
From doorway to doorway,
வாசலுக்கு வாசல்
வண்ண வண்ணமாக
இங்கே அங்கே ஓடி
விளக்கேத்து
In vibrant colors,
Run here and there to light the lamps!
Look, the pitch darkness has fled,
அட தட்டிருட்டு
போச்சு பட்ட பகலாச்சு
எங்கும் இன்பம் எழும்
பூ பூத்து
It has become broad daylight,
Everywhere joy blooms like a flower!
The future belongs to good people,
நல்லவர்க்கெல்லாம்
எதிர்காலமே நம்பிக்கை
வைத்தால் வந்து சேராதா
உள்ளங்களெல்லாம் ஒன்று
கூடினால் உள்ளங்கையில்
தான் வெற்றி வாராதா
If you have faith, won't good fortune arrive?
If all hearts come together as one,
Won't victory sit in the palm of our hands?
Oh, today and forever,
அட இன்றைக்கும்
என்றைக்கும் நல்ல
நாள்தான்
Is a good day!
Kannamma, touch my cheek,
கன்னம்மா கன்னம்
தொட்டு சுகம் காட்டம்மா
சின்ன முத்து
பூமாலை வெச்சு
புட்டு புது பாட்டெல்லாம்
வெளுத்துக்கட்டு
Give me sweet joy, my little pearl,
Female: Wear a floral garland,
Sing brand new songs with full energy!
Hmmm... mm... mmm..
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
குனித்த புருவமும் கொவ்வை
செவ்வாயில் குமிழ் சிரிப்பும்
பனித்த சடையும் பவழம் போல்
மேனியும் பால் வெந்நீரும்
இனித்தமுடன் எடுத்த
பொற்பாதமும் பொற்பாதமும்
காண பெற்றால் மனித பிறவியும்
வேண்டுவதே இம்மானிலத்தே .....
மனித பிறவியும் வேண்டுவதே
இம்மானிலத்தே ...... ஹ்ம்ம்
ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
Hmmm... mmm... mmm... mmm...
Bent eyebrows, a sweet smile on crimson red lips like the Kovvai fruit,
Matted locks drenched in grace, a body like red coral smeared with holy white ash,
And the golden foot lifted sweetly in cosmic dance...
If one is blessed to see those golden feet,
Even human birth is desirable,
On this very earth... ae... ae...
Even human birth is desirable,
On this very earth... ae... ae...
Hmmm... mm... mmm... mmm... mmm...
Oh Rakkamma, clap your hands,
Compose a tune in a new melody,
Female: Oh my king, erect a pandal,
அடி ராக்கம்மா
கைய தட்டு புது ராகத்தில்
மெட்டுக்கட்டு
அட ராசாவே
பந்தல் நட்டு புது ரோசா
பூ மாலைக் கட்டு
Weave a garland of new rose flowers,
Oh, just like you,
I am here too, girl,
Hey, to come together,
அட உன்னப் போல
இங்கு நானும் தான்டி அடி
ஒன்னு சேர இது நேரம்
தான்டி
This is indeed the right time, girl!
{Jaangujakku chajakkujakku
Jaangujakku ja
Jaangujakku chajakkujakku
{ ஜாங்குஜக்கு
சஜக்குஜக்கு ஜாங்குஜக்கு
ஜா ஜாங்குஜக்கு சஜக்குஜக்கு
ஜாங்குஜக்கு ஜா } (2)
Jaangujakku ja} (2)
Oh Rakkamma, clap your hands,
Compose a tune in a new melody,
Female: Oh my king, erect a pandal,
அடி ராக்கம்மா கைய
தட்டு புது ராகத்தில்
மெட்டுக்கட்டு
அட ராசாவே
பந்தல் நட்டு புது ரோசா
பூ மாலைக் கட்டு
ஹ்ம்ம் ஹ்ம்ம்
ஹ்ம்ம் ஹ்ம்ம்
Weave a garland of new rose flowers,
Male: [Humming] Hmm..hmm hmmm hmmm
Rakkama kaiya thattu
Oh Rakkamma, clap your hands,
Puthu raagathil mettukkattu
Compose a tune in a new melody,
Adi raakkoazhi mellangottu
Hey night-owl, beat the drum softly,
Chorus :Jaga jaga jaga jaa
Chorus: Jaga jaga jaga jaa
Male :Indha raasaavin nenjathottu
Male: Touch this king's heart,
Chorus :Jaga jaga jaga jaga jaga
Chorus: Jaga jaga jaga jaga jaga
Ada raasaavae
Oh my king,
Panthal nattu
Erect a pandal (marquee),
Puthu rosa poo maala kattu
Weave a garland of new rose flowers,
Adi raasaathi tholilyittu
Put your hand around my king's shoulders,
Chorus :Jaga jaga jaga jaa
Chorus: Jaga jaga jaga jaa
Female :Dhinam raavellaam thaalanthattu
Female: Keep rhythm all night long every day,
Chorus :Jaga jaga jaga jaga jaga
Chorus: Jaga jaga jaga jaga jaga
Oru kattukkaaval ithu othukkaathu
This rhythm will not accept any strict rules or control,
Ena kattippoada oru sooran yethu
Is there any brave hero who can tie it down?
{Jaangujakku chajakkujakku
{Jaangujakku chajakkujakku
Jaangujakku ja
Jaangujakku ja
Jaangujakku chajakkujakku
Jaangujakku chajakkujakku
Jaangujakku ja} (2)
Jaangujakku ja} (2)
Haha
Haha
Rakkama kaiya thattu
Oh Rakkamma, clap your hands,
Puthu raagathil mettukkattu
Compose a tune in a new melody,
Female :Ada raasaavae
Female: Oh my king,
Panthal nattu
Erect a pandal (marquee),
Puthu rosa poo maala kattu
Weave a garland of new rose flowers,
Therizhukkum naalum
The day of pulling the temple chariot,
Theppam vidum naalum
And the day of floating the temple raft,
Machaan ingae athu yen kooru
Why speak of them here, my friend?
Ada oorusanam yaavum
Look, all the village folk,
Oththumaiyaa cherum
Gather together in unity,
Vambum thumbum illa nee paaru
See, there is no trouble or feud here!
Mathala chatham
The sound of the drums,
Ettu ooruthaan
Should reach eight villages around, brother, play it loud!
Ettanum thambi adi joraaga
The soaring skyrocket fireworks,
Vakkira baanam andha vaanaiyae
Must touch that very sky, brother, launch them straight!
Thakkanum thambi vidu neraaga
Hey beat the small drum and large drum, sing and celebrate!
Ada thambattam thaarathaan thattippaadu
Rakkamma, shower your kisses,
Rakkamma mutham sindhu
Chorus: Jaga jaga jaga jaa
Chorus :Jaga jaga jaga jaa
Male: Coming daily like a pearl of dew,
Male :Pani muthupol niththam vandhu
Chorus: Jaga jaga jaga jaga jaga
Chorus :Jaga jaga jaga jaga jaga
Oh uncle, tame the bull,
Ada mamaa nee jalli kattu
Chorus: Jaga jaga jaga jaa
Chorus :Jaga jaga jaga jaa
Female: Jumping and prancing without grazing here,
Female :Ingu meeyathae thullikittu
Chorus: Jaga jaga jaga jaga jaga
Chorus :Jaga jaga jaga jaga jaga
Oh, come close to my side,
Ada pakkam nee vaa
Like a stack of hay,
Oru vaikkaporu
If it grazes on you a little,
Unai konjam menja
What a commotion that will be!
Ena akkapora
{Jaangujakku chajakkujakku
{Jaangujakku chajakkujakku
Jaangujakku ja
Jaangujakku ja
Jaangujakku chajakkujakku
Jaangujakku chajakkujakku
Jaangujakku ja} (2)
Jaangujakku ja} (2)
Hey hey hey hey
Hey hey hey hey
Oh Rakkamma, clap your hands,
Rakkama kaiya thattu
Compose a tune in a new melody,
Puthu raagathil mettukkattu
Female: Oh uncle, tame the bull,
Female :Ada mamaa nee jalli kattu
Jumping and prancing without grazing here,
Ingu meeyathae thullikittu
From doorway to doorway,
Vaasalukku vaasal
In vibrant colors,
Vanna vannamaaga
Run here and there to light the lamps!
Ingae angae odi velakkethu
Look, the pitch darkness has fled,
Ada thattiruttu pochu
It has become broad daylight,
Patta pagalaachu
Everywhere joy blooms like a flower!
Engum inbam ezhum poo poothu
The future belongs to good people,
Nallavarkkellaam ethirkaalamae
If you have faith, won't good fortune arrive?
Nambikkai vaithaal vanthu seraathaa
If all hearts come together as one,
Ullangalellaam ondru koodinaal
Won't victory sit in the palm of our hands?
Ullangaiyilthaan vetri vaaraathaa
Oh, today and forever,
Ada indraikkum endraikkum
Is a good day!
Nalla naalthaan
Kannamma, touch my cheek,
Kannamma kannam thottu
Give me sweet joy, my little pearl,
Sugam kattamma chinna muthu
Female: Wear a floral garland,
Female :Poo maalai vechu puttu
Sing brand new songs with full energy!
Pudhu pattellam veluthu kattu
Hmmm... mm... mmm..
Hmmm…mm….mmm..
Hmmm... mmm... mmm... mmm...
Hmmm…mmm…mmm…mmm…
Bent eyebrows, a sweet smile on crimson red lips like the Kovvai fruit,
Kunitha puruvamum kovvaich chevvaayil
Matted locks drenched in grace, a body like red coral smeared with holy white ash,
Kumizh sirippum
And the golden foot lifted sweetly in cosmic dance...
Panitha sadaiyum pavazham pol
If one is blessed to see those golden feet,
Meniyum paal veneerum
Even human birth is desirable,
Inithamudan edutha porpaathamum..
On this very earth... ae... ae...
Porpaathamum kaana petraal
Even human birth is desirable,
Manitha piraviyum venduvathae
On this very earth... ae... ae...
Immaanilathae…ae…ae….
Hmmm... mm... mmm... mmm... mmm...
Manitha piraviyum venduvathae
Oh Rakkamma, clap your hands,
Immaanilathae…ae…ae….
Compose a tune in a new melody,
Hmmm…mm….mmm….mmm…mmm….
Female: Oh my king, erect a pandal,
Adi rakkama kaiya thattu
Weave a garland of new rose flowers,
Puthu raagathil mettukkattu
Oh, just like you,
Female :Ada rasaavae panthal nattu
I am here too, girl,
Pudhu rosa poo maala kattu
Hey, to come together,
Ada unna pola
This is indeed the right time, girl!
Ingu naanum thaan di
{Jaangujakku chajakkujakku
Adi onnu sera
Jaangujakku ja
Ithu neram thaan di
Jaangujakku chajakkujakku
{Jaangujakku chajakkujakku
Jaangujakku ja} (2)
Jaangujakku ja
Oh Rakkamma, clap your hands,
Jaangujakku chajakkujakku
Compose a tune in a new melody,
Jaangujakku ja} (2)
Female: Oh my king, erect a pandal,
Adi rakkama kaiya thattu
Weave a garland of new rose flowers,
Puthu raagathil mettukkattu
Male: [Humming] Hmm..hmm hmmm hmmm
Female :Ada rasaavae panthal nattu
Pudhu rosa poo maala kattu
Male :Hmm..hmm hmmm hmmm
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Rakkamma Kaiya Thattu' is an iconic high-energy festival celebration song from Mani Ratnam's 1991 magnum opus 'Thalapathi', composed by Ilaiyaraaja and penned by Vaali. Visually featuring Rajinikanth and Shobana during a grand village temple festival, the song captures exuberance, community spirit, romantic banter, and deep philosophical hope. The lyrics encourage people to set aside troubles, unite in joy, and look forward to a brighter future where faith and solidarity lead to triumph. A remarkable artistic highlight of the song is the sudden interlude featuring the classical devotional verse 'Kunitha Puruvamum' by the 7th-century Saivite saint Thirunavukkarasar (Appar). Vaali seamlessly transitions the street-dance energy into a profound devotional ode celebrating Lord Shiva's cosmic dance, affirming that being born a human on earth is worthwhile just to behold the divine form. The song fuses folk beats, classical Carnatic structures, western orchestration, and poetic Tamil seamlessly.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)
“Rakkama kaiya thattu / Puthu raagathil mettukkattu”
Matching second consonants across lines, e.g., 'Rakkamma', 'Puthu', 'Adi' where local rhyming patterns align, and 'Vaasalukku' / 'Ada thattiruttu'.
Monaai (Alliteration / First-letter rhyme)
“Ullangalellaam ondru koodinaal / Ullangaiyilthaan vetri vaaraathaa”
Matching opening sounds in words within the same line, such as 'Ullangalellaam' and 'Ullangaiyilthaan'.
Classical Allusion / Intertextuality
“Kunitha puruvamum kovvaich chevvaayil kumizh sirippum...”
Incorporating Appar's ancient 7th-century Tamil devotional hymn 'Kunitha Puruvamum' from Tevaram directly inside a modern film song.
Metaphor & Imagery
“Ada thattiruttu pochu / Patta pagalaachu / Engum inbam ezhum poo poothu”
Comparing dark times to night ('thattiruttu') passing away and joy to flowers blooming ('inbam ezhum poo poothu').
Did you know?
Trivia
'Rakkamma Kaiya Thattu' achieved global fame when it was ranked as the 4th most popular song in the world in a 2002 global music poll conducted by the BBC World Service, spanning 75 years of international recordings. The track was sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Swarnalatha. The classic 'Kunitha Puruvamum' interlude in the song was sung by K. S. Chithra along with S. P. Balasubrahmanyam.
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