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Lyrics & meaning

Rekka Katti Parakthu

From Valmiki · 2009

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Tippu, Rahul Nambiar
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Valmiki2009

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Rekka katti parakkudhuFlying high with wings attached,
Namma petta sittuThe little sparrow of our local neighborhood!
Kooda vandhu koodi ninnuComing together and gathering around,
Gummaanguthu kuthuThe heavy folk kuthu beat is thumping!
Male
Rekka katti parakkudhuFlying high with wings attached,
Namma petta sittuThe little sparrow of our local neighborhood!
Kooda vandhu koodi ninnuComing together and gathering around,
Gummaanguthu kuthuThe heavy folk kuthu beat is thumping!
Male
Ada itha pola sodi amaiyaOh, to get a pair matched like this,
Luck irukkanumdaaOne must have immense luck, my friend!
Ada ivala pola oruthi kedaikkaOh, to win a girl like her,
Koduthu vaikkanumdaaOne must be truly blessed, my friend!
Male
Autokkaara machaan vandhuThe auto-driver brother-in-law came,
Amukkikkittaan machiAnd bagged her for himself, mate!
Male :Meterukku melae nice ahAbove the meter charge, very smoothly,
Kattikkittaan machiHe tied the knot with her, mate!
Chorus
Ada sarakkirukkudhuHey, there is liquor,
MurukkirukkudhuThere is high spirit,
Sudhiya konjam yethuRaise the musical pitch a bit higher!
Para parakkanum dhool parakkanumSparks should fly, dust should blow away,
Pattaiya kelappum paattuA song that sets the stage ablaze!
Male
Rekka katti parakkudhuFlying high with wings attached,
Namma petta jithuThe champion of our local neighborhood!
Kooda vandhu koodi ninnuComing together and gathering around,
Gummaanguthu kuthuThe heavy folk kuthu beat is thumping!
Male
Meena pudikkaTo catch a fish,
Oru vala virippaanHe would cast a net;
Male
Indha maana pudikkaTo catch this deer-like girl,
Ivan yedha virichaanWhat did he spread out?
Male
Meena pudikkaTo catch a fish,
Chorus :Oru vala virippaanHe would cast a net;
Male :Indha maana pudikkaTo catch this deer-like girl,
Chorus :Ivan yedha virichaanWhat did he spread out?
Male
Badaa killaadiA big clever player,
Namma machaan paathiyaaDid you see our mate?
Namma machaanukkuFor our friend here,
Macham yethanaHow many lucky moles does he have,
Enni paathiyaaDid you count and see?
Male
Ada onakku machamHey, where is your lucky mole,
Enga irukku paathiyaaHave you checked for yourself?
Nee ponna thaediIn search of a girl,
Thalaiyil vazhukkaYour head went completely bald,
Vizhundhu pochuyaaDidn't it, pal?
Male
OnakkirukkudhuWhat is destined for you,
EnakkirukkudhuAnd what is destined for me,
Ezhudhi vecha ezhuthu thaanIs only what fate has written down!
Chorus
OnakkirukkudhuWhat is destined for you,
EnakkirukkudhuAnd what is destined for me,
Ezhudhi vecha ezhuthu thaanIs only what fate has written down!
Ada kudichu yerinjaHey, even the emptied glass bottle,
Kuppiyum solludhuTells the exact measurement,
Erakkum kanakku thaanOf how much was poured!
Male
Ada rekka katti parakkudhuOh, flying high with wings attached,
Namma petta jithuThe champion of our local neighborhood!
Kooda vandhu koodi ninnuComing together and gathering around,
Gummaanguthu kuthuThe heavy folk kuthu beat is thumping!
Male
Oorvalathil appa oodhipputtuHaving blown the horns in the wedding procession,
Band settu ippa thoongudhadaaThe brass band group is resting now, pal!
Male
OorvalathilIn the procession,
Chorus :Appa oodhipputtuHaving blown their instruments,
Male :Band settuThe brass band group,
Chorus :Ippa thoongudhadaaIs resting now, pal!
Male
Raavellaam meda pottomWe set up the stage all night,
PaathiyaaDid you see?
Andha sodiyoda photo pudikkumThe crowd taking photos of that couple,
Sanatha paathiyaaDid you notice them?
Male
Namma velai ellaamAll our duties and tasks,
Mudichupputtom nerthiyaaWe completed neatly and cleanly!
Ippa velaiyaada seettu kattuNow a deck of playing cards,
Kaatthirukkudhu yaaIs waiting for us to play, man!
Male
Koimbum rasamumThe curry and the rasam,
Kodhi kodhikkudhuAre boiling hot on the stove!
Aa vaasam mookka tholaikkudhuAh, the aroma pierces through the nose!
Chorus
Koimbum rasamumThe curry and the rasam,
Kodhi kodhikkudhuAre boiling hot on the stove!
Aa vaasam mookka tholaikkudhuAh, the aroma pierces through the nose!
Virundhu vekkanumThe feast must be served,
Pandhi nadakkanumThe dining rows must begin,
Velaiya paarungadaaGet to work now, everyone!
Chorus
Rekka katti parakkudhuFlying high with wings attached,
Namma petta sittuThe little sparrow of our local neighborhood!
Kooda vandhu koodi ninnuComing together and gathering around,
Gummaanguthu kuthuThe heavy folk kuthu beat is thumping!
Male
Ada itha pola sodi amaiyaOh, to get a pair matched like this,
Luck irukkanumdaaOne must have immense luck, my friend!
Ada ivala pola oruthi kedaikkaOh, to win a girl like her,
Koduthu vaikkanumdaaOne must be truly blessed, my friend!
Male
Autokkaara machaan vandhuThe auto-driver brother-in-law came,
Amukkikkittaan machiAnd bagged her for himself, mate!
Male :Meterukku melae nice ahAbove the meter charge, very smoothly,
Kattikkittaan machiHe tied the knot with her, mate!
Chorus
Ada sarakkirukkudhuHey, there is liquor,
MurukkirukkudhuThere is high spirit,
Sudhiya konjam yethuRaise the musical pitch a bit higher!
Para parakkanum dhool parakkanumSparks should fly, dust should blow away,
Pattaiya kelappum paattuA song that sets the stage ablaze!
Male
Rekka katti parakkudhuFlying high with wings attached,
Namma petta sittuThe little sparrow of our local neighborhood!
Kooda vandhu koodi ninnuComing together and gathering around,
Gummaang gummaangGummaang gummaang,
Gummaang gummaangGummaang gummaang,
Gummaang guthu hae…The heavy folk kuthu beat is thumping, hey!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Rekka Katti Parakkudhu' is a high-energy celebratory Tamil folk/kuthu track from the movie Valmiki (2009). Written by the legendary lyricist Vaali, the song captures the joyful, chaotic atmosphere of a local neighborhood wedding celebration. The lyrics banter good-naturedly about the groom (an auto-rickshaw driver) who managed to win over a beautiful bride, teasing bachelor friends about their luck and fate, and describing the lively post-wedding festivities featuring music bands, card games, alcohol, and a delicious boiling feast. Through lively Chennai local dialect and vivid urban imagery, Vaali conveys the communal spirit, festive dancing, and playful humor of a typical street celebration. The song emphasizes friendship, destiny, and the sheer joy of living in the moment as the whole neighborhood gathers to sing and dance to the heavy drum beats.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyme)

Rekka katti parakkudhu / Kooda vandhu koodi ninnu

The second consonant 'k' (க்) rhymes between 'Rekka' and 'Kooda' / local rhythmic patterns.

Metaphor

Namma petta sittu / Indha maana pudikka

Comparing the local girl/couple to a sparrow flying with wings ('petta sittu') and the bride to a deer ('maana pudikka').

Wordplay / Double Entendre

Meterukku melae nice ah kattikkittaan machi

Vaali plays with the auto-rickshaw imagery: 'Meterukku melae' refers to charging extra on an auto meter as well as going beyond expectations to win her heart.

Onomatopoeia

Gummaanguthu kuthu

'Gummaanguthu' and 'Para parakkanum dhool parakkanum' mimic the loud, heavy thumping sounds of street kuthu percussion and wild celebration.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Valmiki' (2009) starred Akhil and Meera Nandan in lead roles and features music composed by Illayaraja. The song uses authentic local Chennai Tamil slang ('petta', 'machi', 'sodhiya konjam yethu', 'pattaiya kelappum') crafted masterfully by veteran lyricist Vaali to evoke genuine street celebration vibes.

Keep listening

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