Sevvanam Selai Katti
From Mozhi · 2007
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Jassie Gift
- Music director
- Vidyasagar
- Details
- Mozhi2007
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Sevvanam selai katti | Draped in a saree the color of the red sky |
| Chendradhu veethiyilae | She walked along the street |
| Manam nindradhu paathiyilae | My mind froze halfway in its tracks |
| Enai kondradhu paarvaiyilae | Her glance killed me right there |
| Male | |
| Minsaram minnal vetti | Like an electric spark of lightning |
| Ponadhu saalaiyilae | She flashed past on the road |
| Kanal moondadhu kangalilae | Embers ignited in my eyes |
| Uyir vegudhu nenjinilae | My soul burns within my heart |
| Male | |
| Yaaro ava yaaro solvarillai | Who is she? No one tells me who she is |
| Male :Yaaro..illai illai | Male: Who is she? No, no one knows |
| Male :Neril kandu pesa neramillai | Male: There is no time to meet and speak in person |
| Male :Pesa…illai illai | Male: To speak... no, no time |
| Male :Kannil vandhu ponaal kaiyil illai | Male: She appeared in my eyes, but is not in my grasp |
| Male | |
| Oho…..hooo | Oho.....hooo |
| Male :Oho…..hooo | Male: Oho.....hooo |
| Male :Oho…..hooo | Male: Oho.....hooo |
| Male :Oho…..hooo | Male: Oho.....hooo |
| Male :Oho…..hooo | Male: Oho.....hooo |
| Male :Oho…..hooo…oooo | Male: Oho.....hooo...oooo |
| Male | |
| Sevvanam selai katti | Draped in a saree the color of the red sky |
| Chendradhu veethiyilae | She walked along the street |
| Manam nindradhu paathiyilae | My mind froze halfway in its tracks |
| Enai kondradhu paarvaiyilae | Her glance killed me right there |
| Male | |
| Minsaram minnal vetti | Like an electric spark of lightning |
| Ponadhu saalaiyilae | She flashed past on the road |
| Kanal moondadhu kangalilae | Embers ignited in my eyes |
| Uyir vegudhu nenjinilae | My soul burns within my heart |
| Male | |
| Yaaro… aval mangammalin vaalai | Who is she... Did she come carrying |
| Kaiyil vaangi vandhavalo | Queen Mangammal's sword in her hand? |
| Yaaro ….aval kannagiyin pethi endru | Who is she... Did she arrive on earth |
| Mannil vandavalo | As the granddaughter of Kannagi? |
| Male | |
| Subramaniya bharathiyin | Is she someone who grew up eating |
| Sotrai thindru vandavalo | The legendary rice of Subramaniya Bharathi? |
| Chandiranum suriyanum | Is she the daughter born together |
| Koodi petra penn ivalo | To the Moon and the Sun? |
| Male | |
| Kallulla malligaiyo | Is she a jasmine flower with wine inside? |
| Mullulla thamairaiyo | Is she a lotus flower possessing thorns? |
| Soodana sundariyo……ooooo | Is she a sultry hot beauty?......ooooo |
| Computer katravalo | Has she learned computers? |
| Karatae katravalo | Has she learned karate? |
| Kavi paadum dhevaidhaiyo | Is she an angel who sings poetry? |
| Male | |
| Yaarenum kettu sollungalen | Will someone please ask and tell me? |
| Male | |
| Oho…..hooo | Oho.....hooo |
| Male :Oho…..hooo | Male: Oho.....hooo |
| Male :Oho…..hooo | Male: Oho.....hooo |
| Male :Oho…..hooo | Male: Oho.....hooo |
| Male :Oho…..hooo | Male: Oho.....hooo |
| Male :Oho…..hooo…oooo | Male: Oho.....hooo...oooo |
| Male | |
| Sevvanam selai katti | Draped in a saree the color of the red sky |
| Chendradhu veethiyilae | She walked along the street |
| Manam nindradhu paathiyilae | My mind froze halfway in its tracks |
| Enai kondradhu paarvaiyilae | Her glance killed me right there |
| Chorus | |
| ……………………. | ................... |
| Male | |
| Paarthal aval perai kettu | If I meet her, I will ask her name |
| Perin pinnal en per inaipen | And affix my name behind hers |
| Kettal aval pechukellam | If I hear her speak, for all her words |
| Mettu katti paadal isaipen | I will compose tunes and sing songs |
| Male | |
| Avvai sonna tamizhaiyum | I will touch upon the Tamil taught by Avvai |
| Angae ingae thottu vaipen | Here and there in my love for her |
| Aishwaryavin kaadhalaiyum | And I will break down Aishwarya Rai's love |
| Akku akkai pittu vaipen | Bit by bit to show her |
| Male | |
| Sollaalae sokka vaipen | I will spellbind her with words |
| Jokkaalae sikka vaipen | I will entangle her with jokes |
| Sollamal thottu vaipen | I will touch her without even telling |
| Vekkangal killi vaipen | I will tickle her shyness into appearing |
| Aanadam alli vaipen | I will shower her with pure joy |
| I love you solla vaipen | I will make her say 'I love you' |
| Male | |
| Kannodu kangal vaipenae….. | I will lock my eyes with hers... |
| Male | |
| Oho…..hooo | Oho.....hooo |
| Male :Oho…..hooo | Male: Oho.....hooo |
| Male :Oho…..hooo | Male: Oho.....hooo |
| Male :Oho…..hooo | Male: Oho.....hooo |
| Male :Oho…..hooo | Male: Oho.....hooo |
| Male :Oho…..hooo…oooo | Male: Oho.....hooo...oooo |
| Male | |
| Sevvanam selai katti | Draped in a saree the color of the red sky |
| Chendradhu veethiyilae | She walked along the street |
| Male :Veethiyilae | Male: On the street |
| Male :Manam nindradhu paathiyilae | Male: My mind froze halfway in its tracks |
| Male :Paathiyilae | Male: Halfway in its tracks |
| Male :Enai kondradhu paarvaiyilae | Male: Her glance killed me right there |
| Male :Paarvaiyilae | Male: In her glance |
| Male | |
| Minsaram minnal vetti | Like an electric spark of lightning |
| Ponadhu saalaiyilae | She flashed past on the road |
| Male :Saalaiyilae | Male: On the road |
| Male :Kanal moondadhu kangalilae | Male: Embers ignited in my eyes |
| Male :Kangalilae | Male: In my eyes |
| Male :Uyir vegudhu nenjinilae | Male: My soul burns within my heart |
| Male :Nenjinilae | Male: Within my heart |
| Male | |
| Yaaro ava yaaro solvarillai | Who is she? No one tells me who she is |
| Male :Yaaro..illai illai | Male: Who is she? No, no one knows |
| Male :Neril kandu pesa neramillai | Male: There is no time to meet and speak in person |
| Male :Pesa…illai illai | Male: To speak... no, no time |
| Male :Kannil vandhu ponaal kaiyil illai | Male: She appeared in my eyes, but is not in my grasp |
| Male | |
| Oho…..hooo | Oho.....hooo |
| Male :Oho…..hooo | Male: Oho.....hooo |
| Male :Oho…..hooo | Male: Oho.....hooo |
| Male :Oho…..hooo | Male: Oho.....hooo |
| Male :Oho…..hooo | Male: Oho.....hooo |
| Male :Oho…..hooo…oooo | Male: Oho.....hooo...oooo |
செவ்வானம் சேலை
கட்டி சென்றது வீதியிலே
மனம் நின்றது பாதியிலே
என்னை கொன்றது
பார்வையிலே
Draped in a saree the color of the red sky
She walked along the street
My mind froze halfway in its tracks
Her glance killed me right there
மின்சாரம் மின்னல்
வெட்டி போனது சாலையிலே
கனல் மூண்டது கண்களிலே
உயிர் வேகுது நெஞ்சினிலே
Like an electric spark of lightning
She flashed past on the road
Embers ignited in my eyes
My soul burns within my heart
யாரோ அவ
யாரோ சொல்வாரில்லை
யாரோ இல்லை
இல்லை
நேரில் கண்டு
பேச நேரமில்லை
பேச இல்லை
இல்லை
கண்ணில் வந்து
போனால் கையில் இல்லை
Who is she? No one tells me who she is
Male: Who is she? No, no one knows
Male: There is no time to meet and speak in person
Male: To speak... no, no time
Male: She appeared in my eyes, but is not in my grasp
ஓஹோ ஹோ
ஓஹோ ஹோ
ஓஹோ ஹோ
ஓஹோ ஹோ
ஓஹோ ஹோ
ஓஹோ ஹோ
ஓஓஓஓ
Oho.....hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo...oooo
செவ்வானம் சேலை
கட்டி சென்றது வீதியிலே
மனம் நின்றது பாதியிலே
என்னை கொன்றது
பார்வையிலே
Draped in a saree the color of the red sky
She walked along the street
My mind froze halfway in its tracks
Her glance killed me right there
மின்சாரம் மின்னல்
வெட்டி போனது சாலையிலே
கனல் மூண்டது கண்களிலே
உயிர் வேகுது நெஞ்சினிலே
Like an electric spark of lightning
She flashed past on the road
Embers ignited in my eyes
My soul burns within my heart
யாரோ அவள்
மங்கம்மாளின் வாளை
கையில் வாங்கி வந்தவளோ
யாரோ அவள் கண்ணகியின்
பேத்தி என்று மண்ணில்
வந்தவளோ
Who is she... Did she come carrying
Queen Mangammal's sword in her hand?
Who is she... Did she arrive on earth
As the granddaughter of Kannagi?
சுப்ரமணிய பாரதியின்
சோற்றை தின்று வந்தவளோ
சந்திரனும் சூரியனும் கூடி
பெற்ற பெண் இவளோ
Is she someone who grew up eating
The legendary rice of Subramaniya Bharathi?
Is she the daughter born together
To the Moon and the Sun?
கல்லுல மல்லிகையோ
முள்ளுல தாமரையோ சூடான
சுந்தரியோ ஓஓஓஓ கம்ப்யூட்டர்
கற்றவளோ கராத்தே கற்றவளோ
கவி பாடும் தேவதையோ
Is she a jasmine flower with wine inside?
Is she a lotus flower possessing thorns?
Is she a sultry hot beauty?......ooooo
Has she learned computers?
Has she learned karate?
Is she an angel who sings poetry?
யாரேனும்
கேட்டு சொல்லுங்களேன்
Will someone please ask and tell me?
ஓஹோ ஹோ
ஓஹோ ஹோ
ஓஹோ ஹோ
ஓஹோ ஹோ
ஓஹோ ஹோ
ஓஹோ ஹோ
ஓஓஓஓ
Oho.....hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo...oooo
செவ்வானம் சேலை
கட்டி சென்றது வீதியிலே
மனம் நின்றது பாதியிலே
என்னை கொன்றது
பார்வையிலே
Draped in a saree the color of the red sky
She walked along the street
My mind froze halfway in its tracks
Her glance killed me right there
...........................
...................
பார்த்தால் அவள்
பேரை கேட்டு பேரின் பின்னால்
என் பேர் இணைப்பேன் கேட்டால்
அவள் பேச்சுக்கெல்லாம் மெட்டு
கட்டி பாடல் இசைப்பேன்
If I meet her, I will ask her name
And affix my name behind hers
If I hear her speak, for all her words
I will compose tunes and sing songs
அவ்வை சொன்ன
தமிழையும் அங்கே இங்கே
தொட்டு வைப்பேன்
ஐஸ்வர்யாவின் காதலையும்
அக்கு அக்காய் பிட்டு வைப்பேன்
I will touch upon the Tamil taught by Avvai
Here and there in my love for her
And I will break down Aishwarya Rai's love
Bit by bit to show her
சொல்லாலே சொக்க
வைப்பேன் ஜோக்காலே சிக்க
வைப்பேன் சொல்லாமல்
தொட்டு வைப்பேன் வெக்கங்கள்
கிள்ளி வைப்பேன் ஆனந்தம்
அள்ளி வைப்பேன் ஐ லவ் யூ
சொல்ல வைப்பேன்
I will spellbind her with words
I will entangle her with jokes
I will touch her without even telling
I will tickle her shyness into appearing
I will shower her with pure joy
I will make her say 'I love you'
கண்ணோடு
கண்கள் வைப்பேனே
I will lock my eyes with hers...
ஓஹோ ஹோ
ஓஹோ ஹோ
ஓஹோ ஹோ
ஓஹோ ஹோ
ஓஹோ ஹோ
ஓஹோ ஹோ
ஓஓஓஓ
Oho.....hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo...oooo
செவ்வானம் சேலை
கட்டி சென்றது வீதியிலே
வீதியிலே
மனம் நின்றது
பாதியிலே
பாதியிலே
என்னை கொன்றது
பார்வையிலே
பார்வையிலே
Draped in a saree the color of the red sky
She walked along the street
Male: On the street
Male: My mind froze halfway in its tracks
Male: Halfway in its tracks
Male: Her glance killed me right there
Male: In her glance
மின்சாரம் மின்னல்
வெட்டி போனது சாலையிலே
சாலையிலே
கனல் மூண்டது
கண்களிலே
கண்களிலே
உயிர் வேகுது
நெஞ்சினிலே
நெஞ்சினிலே
Like an electric spark of lightning
She flashed past on the road
Male: On the road
Male: Embers ignited in my eyes
Male: In my eyes
Male: My soul burns within my heart
Male: Within my heart
யாரோ அவ
யாரோ சொல்வாரில்லை
யாரோ இல்லை
இல்லை
நேரில் கண்டு
பேச நேரமில்லை
பேச இல்லை
இல்லை
கண்ணில் வந்து
போனால் கையில் இல்லை
Who is she? No one tells me who she is
Male: Who is she? No, no one knows
Male: There is no time to meet and speak in person
Male: To speak... no, no time
Male: She appeared in my eyes, but is not in my grasp
ஓஹோ ஹோ
ஓஹோ ஹோ
ஓஹோ ஹோ
ஓஹோ ஹோ
ஓஹோ ஹோ
ஓஹோ ஹோ
ஓஓஓஓ
Oho.....hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo...oooo
Sevvanam selai katti
Draped in a saree the color of the red sky
Chendradhu veethiyilae
She walked along the street
Manam nindradhu paathiyilae
My mind froze halfway in its tracks
Enai kondradhu paarvaiyilae
Her glance killed me right there
Minsaram minnal vetti
Like an electric spark of lightning
Ponadhu saalaiyilae
She flashed past on the road
Kanal moondadhu kangalilae
Embers ignited in my eyes
Uyir vegudhu nenjinilae
My soul burns within my heart
Yaaro ava yaaro solvarillai
Who is she? No one tells me who she is
Male :Yaaro..illai illai
Male: Who is she? No, no one knows
Male :Neril kandu pesa neramillai
Male: There is no time to meet and speak in person
Male :Pesa…illai illai
Male: To speak... no, no time
Male :Kannil vandhu ponaal kaiyil illai
Male: She appeared in my eyes, but is not in my grasp
Oho…..hooo
Oho.....hooo
Male :Oho…..hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male :Oho…..hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male :Oho…..hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male :Oho…..hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male :Oho…..hooo…oooo
Male: Oho.....hooo...oooo
Sevvanam selai katti
Draped in a saree the color of the red sky
Chendradhu veethiyilae
She walked along the street
Manam nindradhu paathiyilae
My mind froze halfway in its tracks
Enai kondradhu paarvaiyilae
Her glance killed me right there
Minsaram minnal vetti
Like an electric spark of lightning
Ponadhu saalaiyilae
She flashed past on the road
Kanal moondadhu kangalilae
Embers ignited in my eyes
Uyir vegudhu nenjinilae
My soul burns within my heart
Yaaro… aval mangammalin vaalai
Who is she... Did she come carrying
Kaiyil vaangi vandhavalo
Queen Mangammal's sword in her hand?
Yaaro ….aval kannagiyin pethi endru
Who is she... Did she arrive on earth
Mannil vandavalo
As the granddaughter of Kannagi?
Subramaniya bharathiyin
Is she someone who grew up eating
Sotrai thindru vandavalo
The legendary rice of Subramaniya Bharathi?
Chandiranum suriyanum
Is she the daughter born together
Koodi petra penn ivalo
To the Moon and the Sun?
Kallulla malligaiyo
Is she a jasmine flower with wine inside?
Mullulla thamairaiyo
Is she a lotus flower possessing thorns?
Soodana sundariyo……ooooo
Is she a sultry hot beauty?......ooooo
Computer katravalo
Has she learned computers?
Karatae katravalo
Has she learned karate?
Kavi paadum dhevaidhaiyo
Is she an angel who sings poetry?
Yaarenum kettu sollungalen
Will someone please ask and tell me?
Oho…..hooo
Oho.....hooo
Male :Oho…..hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male :Oho…..hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male :Oho…..hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male :Oho…..hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male :Oho…..hooo…oooo
Male: Oho.....hooo...oooo
Sevvanam selai katti
Draped in a saree the color of the red sky
Chendradhu veethiyilae
She walked along the street
Manam nindradhu paathiyilae
My mind froze halfway in its tracks
Enai kondradhu paarvaiyilae
Her glance killed me right there
…………………….
...................
Paarthal aval perai kettu
If I meet her, I will ask her name
Perin pinnal en per inaipen
And affix my name behind hers
Kettal aval pechukellam
If I hear her speak, for all her words
Mettu katti paadal isaipen
I will compose tunes and sing songs
Avvai sonna tamizhaiyum
I will touch upon the Tamil taught by Avvai
Angae ingae thottu vaipen
Here and there in my love for her
Aishwaryavin kaadhalaiyum
And I will break down Aishwarya Rai's love
Akku akkai pittu vaipen
Bit by bit to show her
Sollaalae sokka vaipen
I will spellbind her with words
Jokkaalae sikka vaipen
I will entangle her with jokes
Sollamal thottu vaipen
I will touch her without even telling
Vekkangal killi vaipen
I will tickle her shyness into appearing
Aanadam alli vaipen
I will shower her with pure joy
I love you solla vaipen
I will make her say 'I love you'
Kannodu kangal vaipenae…..
I will lock my eyes with hers...
Oho…..hooo
Oho.....hooo
Male :Oho…..hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male :Oho…..hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male :Oho…..hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male :Oho…..hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male :Oho…..hooo…oooo
Male: Oho.....hooo...oooo
Sevvanam selai katti
Draped in a saree the color of the red sky
Chendradhu veethiyilae
She walked along the street
Male :Veethiyilae
Male: On the street
Male :Manam nindradhu paathiyilae
Male: My mind froze halfway in its tracks
Male :Paathiyilae
Male: Halfway in its tracks
Male :Enai kondradhu paarvaiyilae
Male: Her glance killed me right there
Male :Paarvaiyilae
Male: In her glance
Minsaram minnal vetti
Like an electric spark of lightning
Ponadhu saalaiyilae
She flashed past on the road
Male :Saalaiyilae
Male: On the road
Male :Kanal moondadhu kangalilae
Male: Embers ignited in my eyes
Male :Kangalilae
Male: In my eyes
Male :Uyir vegudhu nenjinilae
Male: My soul burns within my heart
Male :Nenjinilae
Male: Within my heart
Yaaro ava yaaro solvarillai
Who is she? No one tells me who she is
Male :Yaaro..illai illai
Male: Who is she? No, no one knows
Male :Neril kandu pesa neramillai
Male: There is no time to meet and speak in person
Male :Pesa…illai illai
Male: To speak... no, no time
Male :Kannil vandhu ponaal kaiyil illai
Male: She appeared in my eyes, but is not in my grasp
Oho…..hooo
Oho.....hooo
Male :Oho…..hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male :Oho…..hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male :Oho…..hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male :Oho…..hooo
Male: Oho.....hooo
Male :Oho…..hooo…oooo
Male: Oho.....hooo...oooo
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Sevvanam Selai Katti' is an energetic, upbeat track from the 2007 Tamil film 'Mozhi', composed by Vidyasagar with lyrics by Vairamuthu and sung by Jassie Gift. The song captures the hero's sudden, overwhelming infatuation upon catching a brief glimpse of a striking, fiery woman walking down the street. Draped in red like the evening sky, her fierce presence leaves him stunned, mesmerized, and eager to discover her identity. Throughout the verses, Vairamuthu weaves colorful imagery comparing her strength and beauty to historical and literary icons like Rani Mangammal, Kannagi, and Bharathiyar's poetry, as well as modern attributes like knowing computers and karate. The protagonist daydreams about winning her heart through music, humor, and romantic affection, turning a passing sight into an exuberant anthem of fascination.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Chendradhu veethiyilae / Manam nindradhu paathiyilae / Enai kondradhu paarvaiyilae”
Matching end sounds ('veethiyilae', 'paathiyilae', 'paarvaiyilae') create a rhythmic, melodic flow in the pallavi.
Metaphor / Visual Imagery
“Sevvanam selai katti ... Minsaram minnal vetti”
Comparing the heroine's red saree to 'Sevvanam' (red dusk/evening sky) and her movement to 'Minsaram minnal' (electric lightning).
Historical & Literary Allusions
“Yaaro... aval mangammalin vaalai ... Kannagiyin pethi ... Subramaniya bharathiyin sotrai thindru”
References to historical figures Rani Mangammal, Tamil epic heroine Kannagi, and poet Subramaniya Bharathi to emphasize her boldness and character.
Oxymoron / Paradox
“Kallulla malligaiyo / Mullulla thamairaiyo”
Juxtaposition of opposing ideas like a jasmine flower containing alcohol/intoxication or a lotus flower having sharp thorns.
Monaï (Initial Alliteration)
“Sollaalae sokka vaipen / Jokkaalae sikka vaipen / Sollamal thottu vaipen”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'Sollaalae', 'Sikka', 'Sollamal' in consecutive lines.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Sevvanam Selai Katti' features the distinctive, energetic vocals of Jassie Gift and was composed by Vidyasagar for the critically acclaimed film 'Mozhi' (2007), produced by Prakash Raj and directed by Radha Mohan. The song's high energy contrasts warmly with the movie's sweet, quiet storyline featuring a deaf-mute protagonist (played by Jyothika) and a music director (played by Prithviraj Sukumaran).
Keep listening
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