Sengarumbu Thangakatti
From Athaivida Ragasiyam · 1978
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- S. Janaki, Malaysia Vasudevan
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Athaivida Ragasiyam1978
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Sengarumpu…..thangakatti…. | Red sugarcane... gold ingot... |
| Sengarumpu…..thangakatti…. | Red sugarcane... gold ingot... |
| Yaelaela kuyilae…..annamae…. | Oh cuckoo bird... oh swan... |
| Yaelaela kuyilae kuyilae annamae…. | Oh cuckoo bird, cuckoo bird, swan... |
| Male | |
| Sengarumpu…..thangakatti…. | Red sugarcane... gold ingot... |
| Sengarumpu…..thangakatti…. | Red sugarcane... gold ingot... |
| Yaelaela kuyilae…..haei | Oh cuckoo bird... hey |
| Male :Annamae… | Male: Oh swan... |
| Female :Yaelaela kuyilae kuyilae | Female: Oh cuckoo bird, cuckoo bird |
| Male :Annamae… | Male: Oh swan... |
| Female | |
| Vaanaththil paranthaalum koodukatti vachchaalum | Even if it flies in the sky or builds a nest |
| Kuyilukku oru jodi venum | The cuckoo needs a mate |
| Male :Aahaa | Male: Aahaa |
| Female :Vaanaththil paranthaalum koodukatti vachchaalum | Female: Even if it flies in the sky or builds a nest |
| Kuyilukku oru jodi venum | The cuckoo needs a mate |
| Adhu kulirukku sugamaaga venum | It is needed for pleasant warmth against the chill |
| Male :Aahaa | Male: Aahaa |
| Female :Ada machchaanae aasai vachchaanae | Female: Oh cousin, you have formed a desire |
| Machchaanae aasai vachchaanae | Cousin, you have formed a desire |
| Male | |
| Sengarumpu….. | Red sugarcane... |
| Female :Aah | Female: Aah |
| Male :Thangakatti…. | Male: Gold ingot... |
| Female :Aah | Female: Aah |
| Male :Sengarumpu…..thangakatti…. | Male: Red sugarcane... gold ingot... |
| Yaelaela kuyilae…..yaei annamae…. | Oh cuckoo bird... hey swan... |
| Yaelaela kuyilae kuyilae annamae…. | Oh cuckoo bird, cuckoo bird, swan... |
| Male | |
| ……………. | ... |
| Female | |
| ………….. | ... |
| Male | |
| Thaamarai poo mottu thaavani pottaalum | Even if a lotus bud wears a half-saree |
| Kaaththukku thadai yaedhu pullae | What can stop the wind, my girl? |
| Female :Aah | Female: Aah |
| Male :Thaamarai poo mottu thaavani pottaalum | Male: Even if a lotus bud wears a half-saree |
| Kaaththukku thadai yaedhu pullae | What can stop the wind, my girl? |
| Unnai thazhuvuthu sugamaaga ullae | It embraces you pleasantly inside |
| Adi kannaatti enthan pendaatti | Hey beautiful girl, my wife |
| Adi kannaatti enthan pendaatti | Hey beautiful girl, my wife |
| Female | |
| Haei sengarumpu…..thangakatti…. | Hey red sugarcane... gold ingot... |
| Sengarumpu…..thangakatti…. | Red sugarcane... gold ingot... |
| Yaelaela kuyilae…..haei | Oh cuckoo bird... hey |
| Male :Annamae… | Male: Oh swan... |
| Female :Yaelaela kuyilae kuyilae | Female: Oh cuckoo bird, cuckoo bird |
| Male :Annamae… | Male: Oh swan... |
| Female | |
| Kaarththigai thaerottam | The chariot procession of Kaarththigai festival |
| Kannukkenna vellottam | Why test or trial before the main event? |
| Ilavatta vilaiyaattai vidunga | Stop this youthful playfulness |
| Unga sarasaththai iththoda mudinga aah… | End your romantic teasing right here, ah... |
| Male | |
| Aaththiram theeraama saaththiram mudiyaathu | Without satisfying the urge, custom/rules cannot be completed |
| Adi pullae sarithaandi vaadi | Hey girl, cross the limits and come |
| Ippo adhigamaaga thudikkuthu naadi | Now my pulse is beating intensely |
| Female :Ada machchaanae aasai vachchaanae | Female: Oh cousin, you have formed a desire |
| Male :Adi kannaatti enthan pendaatti | Male: Hey beautiful girl, my wife |
| Female | |
| Sengarumpu….. | Red sugarcane... |
| Male :Thangakatti…. | Male: Gold ingot... |
| Female :Sengarumpu….. | Female: Red sugarcane... |
| Male :Thangakatti…. | Male: Gold ingot... |
| Female :Yaelaela kuyilae…..haei | Female: Oh cuckoo bird... hey |
| Male :Annamae… | Male: Oh swan... |
| Female :Yaelaela kuyilae…. | Female: Oh cuckoo bird... |
| Male :Kuyilae annamae… | Male: Cuckoo bird, swan... |
| Female :Yaelaela kuyilae….. | Female: Oh cuckoo bird... |
| Male :Kuyilae annamae… | Male: Cuckoo bird, swan... |
| Female :Yaelaela kuyilae….. | Female: Oh cuckoo bird... |
| Male :Kuyilae annamae… | Male: Cuckoo bird, swan... |
செங்கரும்பு...... தங்கக்கட்டி........
செங்கரும்பு...... தங்கக்கட்டி........
ஏலேலக் குயிலே......... அன்னமே......
ஏலேலக் குயிலே குயிலே அன்னமே
Red sugarcane... gold ingot...
Red sugarcane... gold ingot...
Oh cuckoo bird... oh swan...
Oh cuckoo bird, cuckoo bird, swan...
செங்கரும்பு...... தங்கக்கட்டி........
செங்கரும்பு...... தங்கக்கட்டி........
ஏலேலக் குயிலே......... ஹேய்
அன்னமே......
ஏலேலக் குயிலே குயிலே
அன்னமே
Red sugarcane... gold ingot...
Red sugarcane... gold ingot...
Oh cuckoo bird... hey
Male: Oh swan...
Female: Oh cuckoo bird, cuckoo bird
Male: Oh swan...
வானத்தில் பறந்தாலும் கூடுகட்டி வச்சாலும்
குயிலுக்கு ஒரு ஜோடி வேணும்
ஆஹா
வானத்தில் பறந்தாலும் கூடுகட்டி வச்சாலும்
குயிலுக்கு ஒரு ஜோடி வேணும்
அது குளிருக்கு சுகமாக வேணும்
ஆஹா
அட மச்சானே ஆசை வச்சானே
மச்சானே ஆசை வச்சானே
Even if it flies in the sky or builds a nest
The cuckoo needs a mate
Male: Aahaa
Female: Even if it flies in the sky or builds a nest
The cuckoo needs a mate
It is needed for pleasant warmth against the chill
Male: Aahaa
Female: Oh cousin, you have formed a desire
Cousin, you have formed a desire
செங்கரும்பு......
ஆஹ்
தங்கக்கட்டி........
ஆஹ்
செங்கரும்பு...... தங்கக்கட்டி........
ஏலேலக் குயிலே.........ஏய் அன்னமே......
ஏலேலக் குயிலே குயிலே அன்னமே
Red sugarcane...
Female: Aah
Male: Gold ingot...
Female: Aah
Male: Red sugarcane... gold ingot...
Oh cuckoo bird... hey swan...
Oh cuckoo bird, cuckoo bird, swan...
.............................
...
..............................
...
தாமரைப் பூமொட்டு தாவணி போட்டாலும்
காத்துக்குத் தடை ஏது புள்ளே
ஆஹ்
தாமரைப் பூமொட்டு தாவணி போட்டாலும்
காத்துக்குத் தடை ஏது புள்ளே
உன்னைத் தழுவுது சுகமாக உள்ளே
அடி கண்ணாட்டி எந்தன் பெண்டாட்டி
அடி கண்ணாட்டி எந்தன் பெண்டாட்டி
Even if a lotus bud wears a half-saree
What can stop the wind, my girl?
Female: Aah
Male: Even if a lotus bud wears a half-saree
What can stop the wind, my girl?
It embraces you pleasantly inside
Hey beautiful girl, my wife
Hey beautiful girl, my wife
ஹேய் செங்கரும்பு...... தங்கக்கட்டி........
செங்கரும்பு...... தங்கக்கட்டி........
ஏலேலக் குயிலே......... ஹேய்
அன்னமே......
ஏலேலக் குயிலே குயிலே
அன்னமே.....
Hey red sugarcane... gold ingot...
Red sugarcane... gold ingot...
Oh cuckoo bird... hey
Male: Oh swan...
Female: Oh cuckoo bird, cuckoo bird
Male: Oh swan...
கார்த்திகைத் தேரோட்டம்
கண்ணுக்கென்ன வெள்ளோட்டம்
இளவட்ட விளையாட்டை விடுங்க
உங்க சரசத்தை இத்தோட முடிங்க ஆஹ்....
The chariot procession of Kaarththigai festival
Why test or trial before the main event?
Stop this youthful playfulness
End your romantic teasing right here, ah...
ஆத்திரம் தீராம சாத்திரம் முடியாது
அடி புள்ளே சரிதாண்டி வாடி
இப்போ அதிகமாகத் துடிக்குது நாடி
அட மச்சானே ஆசை வச்சானே
அடி கண்ணாட்டி எந்தன் பெண்டாட்டி
Without satisfying the urge, custom/rules cannot be completed
Hey girl, cross the limits and come
Now my pulse is beating intensely
Female: Oh cousin, you have formed a desire
Male: Hey beautiful girl, my wife
செங்கரும்பு......
தங்கக்கட்டி........
செங்கரும்பு......
தங்கக்கட்டி........
ஏலேலக் குயிலே.........ஹேய்
அன்னமே......
ஏலேலக் குயிலே
குயிலே அன்னமே.....
ஏலேலக் குயிலே
குயிலே அன்னமே.....
ஏலேலக் குயிலே
குயிலே அன்னமே.....
Red sugarcane...
Male: Gold ingot...
Female: Red sugarcane...
Male: Gold ingot...
Female: Oh cuckoo bird... hey
Male: Oh swan...
Female: Oh cuckoo bird...
Male: Cuckoo bird, swan...
Female: Oh cuckoo bird...
Male: Cuckoo bird, swan...
Female: Oh cuckoo bird...
Male: Cuckoo bird, swan...
Sengarumpu…..thangakatti….
Red sugarcane... gold ingot...
Sengarumpu…..thangakatti….
Red sugarcane... gold ingot...
Yaelaela kuyilae…..annamae….
Oh cuckoo bird... oh swan...
Yaelaela kuyilae kuyilae annamae….
Oh cuckoo bird, cuckoo bird, swan...
Sengarumpu…..thangakatti….
Red sugarcane... gold ingot...
Sengarumpu…..thangakatti….
Red sugarcane... gold ingot...
Yaelaela kuyilae…..haei
Oh cuckoo bird... hey
Male :Annamae…
Male: Oh swan...
Female :Yaelaela kuyilae kuyilae
Female: Oh cuckoo bird, cuckoo bird
Male :Annamae…
Male: Oh swan...
Vaanaththil paranthaalum koodukatti vachchaalum
Even if it flies in the sky or builds a nest
Kuyilukku oru jodi venum
The cuckoo needs a mate
Male :Aahaa
Male: Aahaa
Female :Vaanaththil paranthaalum koodukatti vachchaalum
Female: Even if it flies in the sky or builds a nest
Kuyilukku oru jodi venum
The cuckoo needs a mate
Adhu kulirukku sugamaaga venum
It is needed for pleasant warmth against the chill
Male :Aahaa
Male: Aahaa
Female :Ada machchaanae aasai vachchaanae
Female: Oh cousin, you have formed a desire
Machchaanae aasai vachchaanae
Cousin, you have formed a desire
Sengarumpu…..
Red sugarcane...
Female :Aah
Female: Aah
Male :Thangakatti….
Male: Gold ingot...
Female :Aah
Female: Aah
Male :Sengarumpu…..thangakatti….
Male: Red sugarcane... gold ingot...
Yaelaela kuyilae…..yaei annamae….
Oh cuckoo bird... hey swan...
Yaelaela kuyilae kuyilae annamae….
Oh cuckoo bird, cuckoo bird, swan...
…………….
...
…………..
...
Thaamarai poo mottu thaavani pottaalum
Even if a lotus bud wears a half-saree
Kaaththukku thadai yaedhu pullae
What can stop the wind, my girl?
Female :Aah
Female: Aah
Male :Thaamarai poo mottu thaavani pottaalum
Male: Even if a lotus bud wears a half-saree
Kaaththukku thadai yaedhu pullae
What can stop the wind, my girl?
Unnai thazhuvuthu sugamaaga ullae
It embraces you pleasantly inside
Adi kannaatti enthan pendaatti
Hey beautiful girl, my wife
Adi kannaatti enthan pendaatti
Hey beautiful girl, my wife
Haei sengarumpu…..thangakatti….
Hey red sugarcane... gold ingot...
Sengarumpu…..thangakatti….
Red sugarcane... gold ingot...
Yaelaela kuyilae…..haei
Oh cuckoo bird... hey
Male :Annamae…
Male: Oh swan...
Female :Yaelaela kuyilae kuyilae
Female: Oh cuckoo bird, cuckoo bird
Male :Annamae…
Male: Oh swan...
Kaarththigai thaerottam
The chariot procession of Kaarththigai festival
Kannukkenna vellottam
Why test or trial before the main event?
Ilavatta vilaiyaattai vidunga
Stop this youthful playfulness
Unga sarasaththai iththoda mudinga aah…
End your romantic teasing right here, ah...
Aaththiram theeraama saaththiram mudiyaathu
Without satisfying the urge, custom/rules cannot be completed
Adi pullae sarithaandi vaadi
Hey girl, cross the limits and come
Ippo adhigamaaga thudikkuthu naadi
Now my pulse is beating intensely
Female :Ada machchaanae aasai vachchaanae
Female: Oh cousin, you have formed a desire
Male :Adi kannaatti enthan pendaatti
Male: Hey beautiful girl, my wife
Sengarumpu…..
Red sugarcane...
Male :Thangakatti….
Male: Gold ingot...
Female :Sengarumpu…..
Female: Red sugarcane...
Male :Thangakatti….
Male: Gold ingot...
Female :Yaelaela kuyilae…..haei
Female: Oh cuckoo bird... hey
Male :Annamae…
Male: Oh swan...
Female :Yaelaela kuyilae….
Female: Oh cuckoo bird...
Male :Kuyilae annamae…
Male: Cuckoo bird, swan...
Female :Yaelaela kuyilae…..
Female: Oh cuckoo bird...
Male :Kuyilae annamae…
Male: Cuckoo bird, swan...
Female :Yaelaela kuyilae…..
Female: Oh cuckoo bird...
Male :Kuyilae annamae…
Male: Cuckoo bird, swan...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a playful and romantic folk-style duet between a young couple expressing their mutual passion and affection. The lovers address each other with sweet metaphors such as 'Sengarumpu' (red sugarcane) and 'Thangakatti' (gold ingot), alongside natural imagery like the cuckoo bird and swan.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani / Uvameyam)
“Sengarumpu…..thangakatti….”
The lover is compared to sweet red sugarcane ('Sengarumpu') and precious gold ('Thangakatti') to highlight sweetness and value.
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Thaamarai poo mottu thaavani pottaalum”
Comparing a young maiden wrapped in a half-saree to a lotus bud ('Thaamarai poo mottu').
Emona / Rhyme (Monai)
“Kaarththigai thaerottam / Kannukkenna vellottam”
First letter rhyming/alliteration seen in 'Kaarththigai' and 'Kannukkenna'.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by the legendary Kannadasan, this duet from the 1978 film 'Athaivida Ragasiyam' blends classical Tamil poetic tropes with rural folk rhythms.
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