Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thattiketka Aalillai

From Ninaithale Inikkum 1979 Film · 1979

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Ninaithale Inikkum 1979 Film1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thatti kaetkka aalillaenaaIf there is no one around to question or stop him,
Thambi sanda prasandanThe younger brother becomes a fierce, unstoppable fighter!
Hoo oo ooHoo oo oo
Thatti kaetkka aalillaenaaIf there is no one around to question or stop him,
Thambi sanda prasandanThe younger brother becomes a fierce, unstoppable fighter!
Male
………………………….
Male
Odambellaam fatak fatak heyThe whole body goes pop-pop, hey!
Odambellaam fatak fatakThe whole body goes pop-pop!
Thadhighinaththom dheemththa thomThadhighinaththom dheemththa thom (Rhythmic percussion syllables)
Idhu orchestra programThis is an orchestra program
Uh idhu orchestra programUh, this is an orchestra program
Male
Odambellaam fatak fatak heyThe whole body goes pop-pop, hey!
Odambellaam fatak fatakThe whole body goes pop-pop!
Thadhighinaththom dheemththa thomThadhighinaththom dheemththa thom (Rhythmic percussion syllables)
Idhu orchestra programThis is an orchestra program
Uh idhu orchestra programUh, this is an orchestra program
Male
Thala valichchaa vaalukku marundhaaIf the head aches, do you put medicine on the tail?
Thala senja thappukku kaaluku vilangaaFor a mistake made by the head, do you put shackles on the feet?
Thala valichchaa vaalukku marundhaaIf the head aches, do you put medicine on the tail?
Thala senja thappukku kaaluku vilangaaFor a mistake made by the head, do you put shackles on the feet?
Thala valichchaa vaalukku marundhaaIf the head aches, do you put medicine on the tail?
Thala senja thappukku kaaluku vilangaaFor a mistake made by the head, do you put shackles on the feet?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic song snippet from the 1979 film 'Ninaithale Inikkum' captures a lively, comical musical performance by a touring band. The lyrics playfully mock foolish behavior and misplaced accountability—asking sarcastically whether one treats a headache by medicating the tail, or punishes the feet for a mistake made by the head. Set against high-energy orchestra beats, the verse emphasizes rowdy freedom when authority figures ('someone to question') are absent, blending folk humor with stage show entertainment.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Onomatopoeia ( இரட்டைக் கிளவி / ஒலிக்குறிப்பு )

Odambellaam fatak fatak hey

The word 'fatak fatak' mimics the sudden energetic popping, cracking, or rhythmic body movements during a dance performance.

Rhetorical Question & Metaphor ( நையாண்டி சுவை / வினா அணி )

Thala valichchaa vaalukku marundhaa

Kannadasan uses comical, illogical scenarios—like applying headache medicine to a tail or shackling feet for head errors—to question silly decisions and misplaced blames.

Solkattu / Konnakol ( தாளச்சொல் )

Thadhighinaththom dheemththa thom

Incorporation of classical percussion vocalizations ('Thadhighinaththom dheemththa thom') to merge traditional rhythm with contemporary orchestra style.

Monai ( மோனை - Initial Alliteration )

Thala valichchaa vaalukku marundhaa / Thala senja thappukku kaaluku vilangaa

Repetition of the initial sound 'Thala' at the start of consecutive balanced phrases creates internal harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Ninaithale Inikkum' (1979) was a landmark Tamil musical film directed by K. Balachander, starring Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth. Composed by 'Mellisai Mannar' M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan, the film was shot extensively in Singapore and centered around a touring pop music troupe.

Keep listening

More from Ninaithale Inikkum 1979 Film