Thattaan Thattaan
From Karnan (2021 Film) · 2021
- Lyricist
- Yugabharathi
- Singers
- Dhanush, Meenakshi Elayaraja
- Music director
- Santhosh Narayanan
- Details
- Karnan (2021 Film)2021
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Thattaan thattaan vandikatti | Tying a dragonfly to a cart, |
| Parandhen kozhi thoovattam | I flew light like a chicken feather. |
| Yei sokkapana mela ninnu | Hey, standing atop Sokkappan hill, |
| Adicha soora kaathattam | Blowing like a wild whirlwind. |
| Male | |
| Mottapaara poova vedichenae | I bloomed like a flower on a barren rock, |
| Uchi theana vaari kudichenae | I scooped and drank honey from the peak. |
| En kairega paatha pechi | The fortune teller who read my palm lines, |
| Kadhai sonnalae neeyae saatchi | Told a story, and you are the living witness. |
| Naan pora vara paadhayila | Along the path where I walk to and fro, |
| Nerinji mulla othukkum umpaarvai | Your gaze pushes away the sharp thorns. |
| Male | |
| Hey thattaan thattaan vandikatti | Hey, tying a dragonfly to a cart, |
| Parandhen kozhi thoovattam…hey | I flew light like a chicken feather... hey |
| Yei sokkapana mela ninnu | Hey, standing atop Sokkappan hill, |
| Adicha soora kaathattam | Blowing like a wild whirlwind. |
| Male | |
| Kuthilula nellattam | Like paddy stored inside a granary, |
| Kumiyudhae un vaasam | Your sweet fragrance gathers within me. |
| Aasaiya nee paaka | When you look at me with desire, |
| Soru pongum | Even cooked rice boils over with joy. |
| Male | |
| Theruvula ponalum | Even if I walk through the streets, |
| Chorus :Yelelele | Yelelele |
| Male :Puzhudhiya vandhaalum | Even if dust blows around me, |
| Chorus :Yelelele | Yelelele |
| Male :Thavani raasava maatha sollum | Your half-saree asks me to turn into a king. |
| Male | |
| Senthanala nenjirukka | While glowing embers burn in my heart, |
| Un nenappae thooral addikkum | Your thoughts shower like a gentle drizzle. |
| Oor nezhala naan irukka | While I stand as a protecting shadow for this village, |
| En nesamae neethaandi | You alone are my true love. |
| Muthatha thaayen raasathi | Give me a kiss, my princess, |
| Mothamum thaaren kaimaathi | I will give back everything in return. |
| Male | |
| Hey thattaan thattaan vandikatti | Hey, tying a dragonfly to a cart, |
| Parandhen kozhi thoovattam | I flew light like a chicken feather. |
| Yei sokkapana mela ninnu | Hey, standing atop Sokkappan hill, |
| Adicha soora kaathattam | Blowing like a wild whirlwind. |
| Female | |
| Uzhavan vayalula irangi | The farmer stepping into the paddy field, |
| Koora naathaiyum pirichu | Separating the sharp young saplings, |
| Ponna nelathaiyae kaakkum | Protects the land like pure gold, |
| Perungudiyaam uzhakkudiyaam | A great clan of hardworking labor. |
| Female | |
| Pootan punjaya tholaichaan | Great-grandfather lost his dry land, |
| Paatan nanjaiya tholaichaan | Grandfather lost his fertile wet land, |
| Kalla kadavulum kedakka | While stone gods lie neglected, |
| Kaadanom koolikkudiyanom | We were turned into forest dwellers and daily wage workers. |
| Jeichidu kannu…jeichidu kannu | Win this battle, my dear child... win this battle! |
| Male | |
| Kaaka kuruvi nedham kootampottu | Crows and sparrows gathering every day, |
| Namma kadhaiya pesa | To speak of our painful story, |
| Megam kettu yengutha | Hearing it, the clouds yearn with grief, |
| Mazha oonguthae | And the rain surges in fury. |
| Male | |
| Odampeduthu theekozhuthu | Taking our bodies and lighting a fire, |
| Uyir eriya nananjae kedappom | As life burns inside, we lie soaked in rain. |
| Male | |
| Thattaan thattaan | Dragonfly, dragonfly, |
| Hey thattaan thattaan | Hey dragonfly, dragonfly, |
| Hey thattaan thattaan vandikatti | Hey, tying a dragonfly to a cart, |
| Parandhen kozhi thoovattam | I flew light like a chicken feather, |
| Ada sokkapana mela ninnu | Ah, standing atop Sokkappan hill, |
| Adicha soora kaathattam | Blowing like a wild whirlwind. |
| Soora kaathattam | Blowing like a whirlwind, |
| Soora kaathattam | Blowing like a whirlwind, |
| Male | |
| Thattaan thattaan | Dragonfly, dragonfly, |
| Thattaan thattaan | Dragonfly, dragonfly, |
| Hey thattaan thattaan……………… | Hey dragonfly, dragonfly... |
தட்டான் தட்டான் வண்டிகட்டி
பறந்தேன் கோழி தூவாட்டம்
யேய் சொக்கப்பான மேல நின்னு
அடிச்சா சூர காத்தாட்டம்
Tying a dragonfly to a cart,
I flew light like a chicken feather.
Hey, standing atop Sokkappan hill,
Blowing like a wild whirlwind.
மொட்டப்பார பூவா வெடிச்சேனே
உச்சி தேன வாரி குடிச்சேனே
என் கைரேக பாத்த பேச்சி
கதை சொன்னாலே நீயே சாட்சி
நான் போற வர பாதையில
நெறிஞ்சி முள்ள ஒதுக்கும் உம்பார்வ
I bloomed like a flower on a barren rock,
I scooped and drank honey from the peak.
The fortune teller who read my palm lines,
Told a story, and you are the living witness.
Along the path where I walk to and fro,
Your gaze pushes away the sharp thorns.
ஹேய் தட்டான் தட்டான் வண்டிகட்டி
பறந்தேன் கோழி தூவாட்டம்... ஹேய்
யேய் சொக்கப்பன மேல நின்னு
அடிச்சா சூர காத்தாட்டம்
Hey, tying a dragonfly to a cart,
I flew light like a chicken feather... hey
Hey, standing atop Sokkappan hill,
Blowing like a wild whirlwind.
குதிலுல நெல்லாட்டம்
குமியுதே உன் வாசம்
ஆசையா நீ பாக்க
சோறு பொங்கும்
Like paddy stored inside a granary,
Your sweet fragrance gathers within me.
When you look at me with desire,
Even cooked rice boils over with joy.
தெருவுல போனாலும்
குழு :
ஏலேலேலே
புழுதியா வந்தாலும்
குழு :
ஏலேலேலே
தாவணி ராசாவா மாத்த சொல்லும்
Even if I walk through the streets,
Yelelele
Even if dust blows around me,
Yelelele
Your half-saree asks me to turn into a king.
செந்தணலா நெஞ்சிருக்க
உன் நெனப்பே தூறல் அடிக்கும்
ஊர் நெழலா நான் இருக்க
என் நெசமே நீதாண்டி
முத்தத்த தாயேன் ராசாத்தி
மொத்தமும் தாரேன் கைமாத்தி
While glowing embers burn in my heart,
Your thoughts shower like a gentle drizzle.
While I stand as a protecting shadow for this village,
You alone are my true love.
Give me a kiss, my princess,
I will give back everything in return.
ஹேய் தட்டான் தட்டான் வண்டிகட்டி
பறந்தேன் கோழி தூவாட்டம்
யேய் சொக்கப்பன மேல நின்னு
அடிச்சா சூர காத்தாட்டம்
Hey, tying a dragonfly to a cart,
I flew light like a chicken feather.
Hey, standing atop Sokkappan hill,
Blowing like a wild whirlwind.
உழவன் வயலுல இறங்கி
கூரா நாத்தையும் பிரிச்சு
பொன்னா நெலத்தையே காக்கும்
பெருங்குடியாம் உழக்குடியாம்
The farmer stepping into the paddy field,
Separating the sharp young saplings,
Protects the land like pure gold,
A great clan of hardworking labor.
பூட்டன் புஞ்சைய தொலைச்சான்
பாட்டன் நஞ்சைய தொலைச்சான்
கல்லா கடவுளும் கெடக்க
காடானோம் கூலிக்குடியானோம்
ஜெயிச்சிடு கண்ணு... ஜெயிச்சிடு கண்ணு...
Great-grandfather lost his dry land,
Grandfather lost his fertile wet land,
While stone gods lie neglected,
We were turned into forest dwellers and daily wage workers.
Win this battle, my dear child... win this battle!
காக்கா குருவி நிதம் கூட்டம்போட்டு
நம்ம கதைய பேச
மேகம் கேட்டு ஏங்குதே
மழை ஓங்குதே
Crows and sparrows gathering every day,
To speak of our painful story,
Hearing it, the clouds yearn with grief,
And the rain surges in fury.
ஒடம்பெடுத்து தீகொழுத்து
உயிர் எரிய நனைஞ்சே கெடப்போம்
Taking our bodies and lighting a fire,
As life burns inside, we lie soaked in rain.
தட்டான் தட்டான்
ஹேய் தட்டான் தட்டான்
ஹே தட்டான் தட்டான் வண்டிகட்டி
பறந்தேன் கோழி தூவாட்டம்
அட சொக்கப்பான மேல நின்னு
அடிச்சா சூர காத்தாட்டம்
சூர காத்தாட்டம்
சூர காத்தாட்டம்
Dragonfly, dragonfly,
Hey dragonfly, dragonfly,
Hey, tying a dragonfly to a cart,
I flew light like a chicken feather,
Ah, standing atop Sokkappan hill,
Blowing like a wild whirlwind.
Blowing like a whirlwind,
Blowing like a whirlwind,
தட்டான் தட்டான்
தட்டான் தட்டான்
ஹேய் தட்டான் தட்டான்................
Dragonfly, dragonfly,
Dragonfly, dragonfly,
Hey dragonfly, dragonfly...
Thattaan thattaan vandikatti
Tying a dragonfly to a cart,
Parandhen kozhi thoovattam
I flew light like a chicken feather.
Yei sokkapana mela ninnu
Hey, standing atop Sokkappan hill,
Adicha soora kaathattam
Blowing like a wild whirlwind.
Mottapaara poova vedichenae
I bloomed like a flower on a barren rock,
Uchi theana vaari kudichenae
I scooped and drank honey from the peak.
En kairega paatha pechi
The fortune teller who read my palm lines,
Kadhai sonnalae neeyae saatchi
Told a story, and you are the living witness.
Naan pora vara paadhayila
Along the path where I walk to and fro,
Nerinji mulla othukkum umpaarvai
Your gaze pushes away the sharp thorns.
Hey thattaan thattaan vandikatti
Hey, tying a dragonfly to a cart,
Parandhen kozhi thoovattam…hey
I flew light like a chicken feather... hey
Yei sokkapana mela ninnu
Hey, standing atop Sokkappan hill,
Adicha soora kaathattam
Blowing like a wild whirlwind.
Kuthilula nellattam
Like paddy stored inside a granary,
Kumiyudhae un vaasam
Your sweet fragrance gathers within me.
Aasaiya nee paaka
When you look at me with desire,
Soru pongum
Even cooked rice boils over with joy.
Theruvula ponalum
Even if I walk through the streets,
Chorus :Yelelele
Yelelele
Male :Puzhudhiya vandhaalum
Even if dust blows around me,
Chorus :Yelelele
Yelelele
Male :Thavani raasava maatha sollum
Your half-saree asks me to turn into a king.
Senthanala nenjirukka
While glowing embers burn in my heart,
Un nenappae thooral addikkum
Your thoughts shower like a gentle drizzle.
Oor nezhala naan irukka
While I stand as a protecting shadow for this village,
En nesamae neethaandi
You alone are my true love.
Muthatha thaayen raasathi
Give me a kiss, my princess,
Mothamum thaaren kaimaathi
I will give back everything in return.
Hey thattaan thattaan vandikatti
Hey, tying a dragonfly to a cart,
Parandhen kozhi thoovattam
I flew light like a chicken feather.
Yei sokkapana mela ninnu
Hey, standing atop Sokkappan hill,
Adicha soora kaathattam
Blowing like a wild whirlwind.
Uzhavan vayalula irangi
The farmer stepping into the paddy field,
Koora naathaiyum pirichu
Separating the sharp young saplings,
Ponna nelathaiyae kaakkum
Protects the land like pure gold,
Perungudiyaam uzhakkudiyaam
A great clan of hardworking labor.
Pootan punjaya tholaichaan
Great-grandfather lost his dry land,
Paatan nanjaiya tholaichaan
Grandfather lost his fertile wet land,
Kalla kadavulum kedakka
While stone gods lie neglected,
Kaadanom koolikkudiyanom
We were turned into forest dwellers and daily wage workers.
Jeichidu kannu…jeichidu kannu
Win this battle, my dear child... win this battle!
Kaaka kuruvi nedham kootampottu
Crows and sparrows gathering every day,
Namma kadhaiya pesa
To speak of our painful story,
Megam kettu yengutha
Hearing it, the clouds yearn with grief,
Mazha oonguthae
And the rain surges in fury.
Odampeduthu theekozhuthu
Taking our bodies and lighting a fire,
Uyir eriya nananjae kedappom
As life burns inside, we lie soaked in rain.
Thattaan thattaan
Dragonfly, dragonfly,
Hey thattaan thattaan
Hey dragonfly, dragonfly,
Hey thattaan thattaan vandikatti
Hey, tying a dragonfly to a cart,
Parandhen kozhi thoovattam
I flew light like a chicken feather,
Ada sokkapana mela ninnu
Ah, standing atop Sokkappan hill,
Adicha soora kaathattam
Blowing like a wild whirlwind.
Soora kaathattam
Blowing like a whirlwind,
Soora kaathattam
Blowing like a whirlwind,
Thattaan thattaan
Dragonfly, dragonfly,
Thattaan thattaan
Dragonfly, dragonfly,
Hey thattaan thattaan………………
Hey dragonfly, dragonfly...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Thattaan Thattaan from the film Karnan (2021) is a soulful folk composition by Santhosh Narayanan, sung by Dhanush and Meenakshi Ilayaraja with lyrics by Yugabharathi. The song initially opens with carefree, romantic rural imagery where the protagonist describes his lighthearted love using vivid metaphors of dragonflies, feathers, and gentle rain over burning embers. His love offers him comfort against the harsh realities of daily life. As the song progresses, it shifts into a deeper socio-political commentary about ancestral land loss, rural struggle, and systemic oppression faced by marginalized working-class communities over generations. The lyrics urge resilience and victory over hardship, blending personal intimacy with collective identity and social justice.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uvamai)
“Parandhen kozhi thoovattam”
Comparison using 'attam' or 'pol' to depict lightness and intensity, such as 'kozhi thoovattam' (like a chicken feather) and 'soora kaathattam' (like a whirlwind).
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Senthanala nenjirukka / Un nenappae thooral addikkum”
Comparing longing thoughts to a refreshing shower on hot embers ('senthanala nenjirukka... un nenappae thooral addikkum').
Rhyme and Parallelism (Ethirai & Monai)
“Pootan punjaya tholaichaan / Paatan nanjaiya tholaichaan”
Rhythmic pairing of generational loss using matching structures: 'Pootan punjaya tholaichaan / Paatan nanjaiya tholaichaan'.
Did you know?
Trivia
Sung by lead actor Dhanush alongside young singer Meenakshi Ilayaraja, the song showcases Santhosh Narayanan's signature folk-fusion soundscapes. Director Mari Selvaraj used this track to establish both the protagonist's innocent past and the deep-rooted historical oppression of the fictional village Podiyankulam in the movie Karnan.
Keep listening
More from Karnan (2021 Film)
Karnan (2021 Film)
Karnan (2021 Film)
Karnan (2021 Film)