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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sottu Sottunnu

From Aada Vantha Deivam · 1960

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
P. Susheela, T. R. Mahalingam
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Aada Vantha Deivam1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sottu sottunnuDrip by drip
Sottuthu paaru ingaeSee, it is dripping here
Female :Mazhai kottu kottunnuFemale: The rain is pouring down
Kottuthu paaru angaeSee, it is pouring over there
Male
Sottu sottunnuDrip by drip
Sottuthu paaru ingaeSee, it is dripping here
Female :Mazhai kottu kottunnuFemale: The rain is pouring down
Kottuthu paaru angaeSee, it is pouring over there
Male
Sottu sottunnuDrip by drip
Sottuthu paaru ingaeSee, it is dripping here
Male
Kashtappadum yaezhai sinthumShed by a poor struggling man,
Nettri vervai polaeLike the sweat on his forehead
Kashtappadum yaezhai sinthumShed by a poor struggling man,
Nettri vervai polaeLike the sweat on his forehead
Male
Avan kanjikkaaga kalangividumHe sheds for a bowl of gruel,
Kanneer thuliyai polaeLike a drop of tear
Avan kanjikkaaga kalangividumHe sheds for a bowl of gruel,
Kanneer thuliyai polaeLike a drop of tear
Male
Sottu sottunnuDrip by drip
Sottuthu paaru ingaeSee, it is dripping here
Female :Mazhai kottu kottunnuFemale: The rain is pouring down
Kottuthu paaru angaeSee, it is pouring over there
Male
Sottu sottunnuDrip by drip
Sottuthu paaru ingaeSee, it is dripping here
Female
Muttaap payalae moolai irukkaa"Foolish fellow, do you have any brains?"
Male :Aa….aaa….Male: Ah... ah...
Female :{Muttaap payalae moolai irukkaaFemale: {"Foolish fellow, do you have any brains?"
Endru yaezhai melaeyaeSaying this upon a poor man,
Thuttu padaicha seemaan alliLike the harsh words hurled by a wealthy rich lord,
Kottukira vaarththaiyai polae} (2)Showering down} (2)
Female
Mazhi kottu kottunnuThe rain is pouring down
Kottuthu paaru angaeSee, it is pouring over there
Male :Sottu sottunnuMale: Drip by drip
Sottuthu paaru ingaeSee, it is dripping here
Male
Muzhukka muzhukka nanainja pinnaeAfter getting completely soaked,
Mukkaadu edhukkuWhy wear a veil over your head?
Muzhukka muzhukka nanainja pinnaeAfter getting completely soaked,
Mukkaadu edhukkuWhy wear a veil over your head?
Male
Un mukkaattai neekkuRemove your head cover,
Thalai eeraththai pokkuDry off the wetness on your hair
Un mukkaattai neekkuRemove your head cover,
Thalai eeraththai pokkuDry off the wetness on your hair
Female
Irukka edam koduththaaWhen given a place to stay,
Ennaiyae nee thaakkuraeYou attack me instead
Irukka edam koduththaaWhen given a place to stay,
Ennaiyae nee thaakkuraeYou attack me instead
Kurukku moolai paayuraeYour mind leaps sideways,
Kona puththiyai kaatturaShowing a crooked intellect
Female
Mazhi kottu kottunnuThe rain is pouring down
Kottuthu paaru angaeSee, it is pouring over there
Male : Sottu sottunnuMale: Drip by drip
Sottuthu paaru ingaeSee, it is dripping here
Male
Pazhukka pazhukka ulaiyilRed hot in the furnace,
Kaaichchum irumbai polavaeLike forged iron
Pazhukka pazhukka ulaiyilRed hot in the furnace,
Kaaichchum irumbai polavaeLike forged iron
Male
Mugam sivakkuthu ippoHer face turns red now,
Adhu sirippathum eppoWhen will it smile?
Mugam sivakkuthu ippoHer face turns red now,
Adhu sirippathum eppoWhen will it smile?
Female
Kulichchu muzhugi vittuAfter taking a thorough bath,
Kulirchchiyaaga odi vaaCome running coolly
Kulichchu muzhugi vittuAfter taking a thorough bath,
Kulirchchiyaaga odi vaaCome running coolly
Sevanthu pona mugaththilaeOn that face turned red,
Sirippai neeyum kaanalaamYou can see a smile too
Male
Kottu kottunnuPouring down
Kottuthu paaru ingaeSee, it is pouring down here
Female : Sottu sottunnuFemale: Drip by drip
Sottuthu paaru ingaeSee, it is dripping here

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

"Sottu Sottunnu" from Aada Vantha Deivam (1960) is a lively yet deeply expressive duet between T. R. Mahalingam and P. Susheela. The song weaves social commentary into a romantic banter by drawing clever parallels between the weather and human life. The roof leak inside a humble home dripping drop by drop is compared to the perspiration and tears of an impoverished man striving for a meal, while the heavy rain pouring outside mirrors the harsh, condescending insults showered upon the poor by wealthy landlords. As the song transitions, the focus shifts to lighthearted teasing between the leads. The male protagonist lightly scolds the female lead for hiding under a veil after getting thoroughly drenched, comparing her angry, reddened face to iron being heated in a blacksmith's furnace. He playfully coaxed her to calm down and smile, showing how patience and affection can melt away anger.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Onomatopoeia (Oli-kkurippu)

Sottu sottunnu / Mazhai kottu kottunnu

Words like 'Sottu' (dripping sound) and 'Kottu' (pouring sound) mimic natural sounds of water.

Simile (Upamai)

Kashtappadum yaezhai sinthum nettri vervai polae

Compares the dripping rain drops to the sweat and tears of a poor laborer struggling for survival.

Simile (Upamai)

Pazhukka pazhukka ulaiyil kaaichchum irumbai polavae

Compares an enraged, flushing red face to iron being heated in a furnace forge.

Alliteration & Rhyme (Monai & Edhukai)

Muzhukka muzhukka nanainja pinnae mukkaadu edhukku

Rhythmic repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'Muzhukka' and 'Mukkaadu'.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Aada Vantha Deivam' (1960) features music composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics by A. Maruthakasi. This track showcases T. R. Mahalingam's classically trained high-pitched vocals alongside P. Susheela's sweet rendition, blending social themes seamlessly into a romantic duet.

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