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Lyrics & meaning

Selai Kattum Pennukkoru

From Kodi Parakuthu · 1988

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Hamsalekha
Details
Kodi Parakuthu1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ohoho ohoho ohoho ohohoOhoho ohoho ohoho ohoho
Male
Ohoho ohoho ohoho ohohoOhoho ohoho ohoho ohoho
Female
Selai kattum pennukkoru vaasam unduA woman wearing a saree possesses a unique fragrance
Kandadhunda kandavargal sonnadhundaHave you seen it? Have those who saw it ever told of it?
Male
Selai kattum pennukkoru vaasam unduA woman wearing a saree possesses a unique fragrance
Kandu konden kangalukkul palli kondenI have found it and laid to rest inside her eyes
Female
Vaanathu indhirarae vaarungal vaarungalO Indras of the heavens, come, come!
Male
Pennukul enna inbam koorungal koorungalTell us, what bliss lies within a woman?
Female
Idhupol idhamo sugamo ulagathil illaiThere is no comfort or pleasure like this in the world
Male
Ivalin gunamo manamo malarukul illaiHer character and fragrance cannot be found even inside a flower
Female
Selai kattum pennukkoru vaasam unduA woman wearing a saree possesses a unique fragrance
Kandadhunda kandavargal sonnadhundaHave you seen it? Have those who saw it ever told of it?
Chorus
…………………………………..[Musical Interlude]
Female
Ooo oooo koondhaluku ullaeOoo oooo, inside her long tresses
Oru veedu kattungalBuild a home
Kaadhaluku ullaeWithin love
Kidaiyaadhu sattangalThere are no rules
Male
Haaaa aaa …. aayiram unduHaaaa aaa... there are a thousand
Ennodu machangalMoles and beauty spots on me
Aayinum ennaEven so, why
Nenjodu achangalIs there fear in the heart?
Female
Aanandha sangamathil acham varumaDoes fear arise in a blissful union?
Pookalai killuvadhaal ratham varumaaDoes blood flow when you pluck flowers?
Male
Idhupol idhamo sugamo ulagathil illaiThere is no comfort or pleasure like this in the world
Female
Ivalin gunamo manamo malarukul illaiHer character and fragrance cannot be found even inside a flower
Male
Selai kattum pennukkoru vaasam unduA woman wearing a saree possesses a unique fragrance
Kandu konden kangalukkul palli kondenI have found it and laid to rest inside her eyes
Chorus
: ……………………………..[Musical Interlude]
Male
Oooo ooo kaadhal vennilaOoo ooo, love's white moon
Kaiyodu vandhadhoHas it arrived in my hands?
Kangal rendumaeAre both of her eyes
Kacheri pannudhoHosting a musical performance?
Female
Oooo ooo mogha mandhiramOoo ooo, is the spell of desire
Kannodu ulladhoResiding within her eyes?
Moodu mandhiramIs a secret magic spell
Pennodu ulladhoResiding within the woman?
Male
Meenukku thoondil itaai yaanai vandhadhuI cast a line to catch fish, but an elephant arrived
Meghathai thoodhu vittai vaanam vandhadhuI sent the cloud as a messenger, but the whole sky arrived
Female
Idhupol idhamo sugamo ulagathil illaiThere is no comfort or pleasure like this in the world
Male
Ivalin gunamo manamo malarukul illaiHer character and fragrance cannot be found even inside a flower
Female
: Selai kattum pennukkoru vaasam unduA woman wearing a saree possesses a unique fragrance
Kandadhunda kandavargal sonnadhundaHave you seen it? Have those who saw it ever told of it?
Male
Selai kattum pennukkoru vaasam unduA woman wearing a saree possesses a unique fragrance
Kandu konden kangalukkul palli kondenI have found it and laid to rest inside her eyes
Female
Vaanathu indhirarae vaarungal vaarungalO Indras of the heavens, come, come!
Male
Pennukul enna inbam koorungal koorungalTell us, what bliss lies within a woman?
Female
Idhupol idhamo sugamo ulagathil illaiThere is no comfort or pleasure like this in the world
Male
Ivalin gunamo manamo malarukul illaiHer character and fragrance cannot be found even inside a flower

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Selai Kattum Pennukkoru Vaasam Undu from the film Kodi Parakuthu (1988) is a romantic song celebrating the divine attraction, natural fragrance, and beauty of a traditional woman. The lovers engage in poetic dialogue, questioning whether the celestial gods themselves could quantify the pure joy found in true love and union. The lyrics subtly address romantic hesitation and intimate affection, arguing that love knows no rigid laws and that gentle romantic touch carries no harm. Through hyperbolic and expressive Sangam-style imagery, the song conveys how love brings unexpected, overwhelming joy far exceeding simple expectations.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Sangam Literary Allusion (Iyarkai Manam)

Selai kattum pennukkoru vaasam undu

The concept of a woman's hair/body possessing natural fragrance (Iyarkai Manam) directly references ancient Sangam poetic debates, famously seen in Kuruntokai.

Hyperbole (Atisayokthi)

Meenukku thoondil itaai yaanai vandhadhu / Meghathai thoodhu vittai vaanam vandhadhu

Exaggerating the scale of outcome from a small romantic action—aiming for fish and getting an elephant, or asking a cloud and getting the entire sky.

Metaphor / Analogy

Pookalai killuvadhaal ratham varumaa

Compares romantic intimacy to gently plucking a flower, reassuring that tenderness brings joy rather than pain.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kandadhunda kandavargal sonnadhunda

Repetition of initial consonants like 'Ka' creating a smooth musical rhythm in speech.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film Kodi Parakuthu (1988), starring Rajinikanth and directed by Bharathiraja, features a soundtrack composed by Hamsalekha. This track 'Selai Kattum Pennukkoru Vaasam Undu' was sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and K. S. Chithra, with lyrics penned by Vairamuthu.

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