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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sembattu Vetti Katti

From Ivan Avanethan · 1960

Lyricist
Soolur Kalaipithan
Singer
S. C. Krishnan
Music director
M. Ranga Rao
Details
Ivan Avanethan1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Semmpattu Vetti kattiWearing a red silk veshti
Sevvanthi poomaalai pottuWearing a garland of chrysanthemums
Semmpattu Vetti kattiWearing a red silk veshti
Sevvanthi poomaalai pottuWearing a garland of chrysanthemums
Senthoora pottum ittuApplying a vermilion bindi
En en aa….Senthoora pottum ittuOh my... Applying a vermilion bindi
Singaara purusanum vanthaanThe handsome husband has arrived
Senthoora pottum ittuApplying a vermilion bindi
En thangamae thangamMy precious gold, my gold
Singaara purusanum vanthaanThe handsome husband has arrived
Male
Vanakkam vanakkamGreetings, greetings
Adaeyappa mannaaru ungaOh my goodness, Mannaru, what did your
Aiyya enna sonnaruSir have to say?
Aa….aa…aa….aa…Ah... ah... ah... ah...
Adaeyappa mannaaru ungaOh my goodness, Mannaru, what did your
Aiyya enna sonnaruSir have to say?
Adisayaththa paaththaaraaDid he see the wonder?
Adisayaththa paaththaaraaDid he see the wonder?
Male
Adisayaththa paaththaaraaDid he see the wonder?
Intha ragasiyaththa sonnaaraaDid he reveal this secret?
Adisayaththa paaththaaraaDid he see the wonder?
Intha ragasiyaththa sonnaaraaDid he reveal this secret?
Adaeyappa mannaaru ungaOh my goodness, Mannaru, what did your
Aiyya enna sonnaruSir have to say?
Aa….aa…aa….aa…mannaaruAh... ah... ah... ah... Mannaru
Male
Kalyaanam kalyaanamMarriage, marriage
Kalyaana oorvalam varumThe wedding procession will arrive
Ullaasamum tharumIt will bring joyful delight
Male
Ezhunthu naan odiduvenI will stand up and run away
Aah ezhunthu naan odiduvaenAh, I will stand up and run away
Male
………………
Male
Bedhamai konda mamaFoolish uncle
Pizhaiththittaai inimaelYou have survived until now
Intha veedinai nokki neenumTowards this house, if you
Meendumae vanthittaalaeEver return again
Saaduvaen unnai naanumI will strike you down
Saduthiyil ingu vitti oduvaaiRun away from here quickly
Unthan udal boomiyil puralum munnaeBefore your body rolls on the ground
Male
……………………
Male
Aaha ahhahAha ahhah
Aalai konjam paaruJust look at this person
Yaehyaeh yaehaehaeYaeh yaeh yaehaehae
Engae vanthae solluTell me where you came from
Male
Eeeh eeeh…eeeee,,,Eeeh eeeh... eeeee
Ingu innum enna velaiWhat work do you still have here?
YaeyaeyaeyaeyhhhhYaeyaeyaeyaeyhhhh
En veettai vitti odu oduRun, run away from my house
Eeehyayaa..va va va…..Eeehyayaa... come, come, come...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic dramatic song from the 1960 movie 'Ivan Avanethan' captures a theatrical, comic dialogue exchange. It begins with vibrant descriptions of a handsome groom dressed in fine red silk and flower garlands arriving for a wedding procession, but transitions into comic questioning, drama, and playfully aggressive confrontations between characters.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Semmpattu Vetti katti / Sevvanthi poomaalai pottu

Repetition of the initial 'Se' sound across consecutive lines creates a rhythmic cadence in folk compositions.

Anaphora / Repetition

Adisayaththa paaththaaraa

Refrain repetition of dramatic questions ('Adisayaththa paaththaaraa') heightens the comedic urgency and vocal dynamic.

Adukkut Thodai (Repetitive Words)

En veettai vitti odu odu

Doubling of words like 'Kalyaanam kalyaanam' and 'odu odu' creates musical emphasis and comedic rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Ivan Avanethan' (1960) featured music scored by M. Ranga Rao. Singer S. C. Krishnan was celebrated in 1950s and 60s Tamil cinema for his distinct theatrical vocal inflections, comedic delivery, and energetic folk singing style.

Keep listening

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