Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Therkathi Naattukaran

From Koyil Yaanai · 1986

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Shailaja
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Koyil Yaanai1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Hae hae….hae hae….Hae hae….hae hae….
Yaehae hae yaehae haeYaehae hae yaehae hae
Male
Therkaththi naattukkaaranMan from the southern region
Themmaangu paattukkaaranSinger of folk melodic songs
Eganaikku mogana naan paattu padippenI will sing songs rhythmically and delightfully
Elloraiyumae naan thokkadippaenI will defeat everyone in singing
Kaalam vanthu thatti kodukkumTime will come and pat on the back encourage
Chorus :Hae hae hae haeChorus : Hae hae hae hae
Male :Adi kanni ponna katti izhukkumMale : Hey, it will bind and pull young girls towards me
Chorus :Hae hae hae haeChorus : Hae hae hae hae
Female
Therkaththi naattukkaariWoman from the southern region
Themmaangu paattukkaariSinger of folk melodic songs
Yaettikki potti naan padippaenI will sing competitively in defiance
Engili peesa naan thokkadippaenI will defeat even those who speak in English
Athil mukkaath thuttu pottumirukkumThere will be a bindi/mark placed on the forehead
Chorus :Hae hae hae haeChorus : Hae hae hae hae
Female :Antha pottu unna katti izhukkumFemale : That bindi/mark will bind and pull you
Chorus :Hae hae hae haeChorus : Hae hae hae hae
Male
Therkaththi naattukkaaranMan from the southern region
Themmaangu paattukkaaranSinger of folk melodic songs
Eganaikku mogana naan paattu padippenI will sing songs rhythmically and delightfully
Elloraiyumae naan thokkadippaen….aehae….hae….I will defeat everyone in singing….aehae….hae….
Chorus
………………………………………………
Male
Maruthupandi seemaiyilaeThe one who won accolades in the land of Maruthu Pandiyar, haai
Viruthu vaangi vanthavan haaiThe one who leads by displaying talent in youth
Thiramai kaatti ilamaiyilaeJoin without talking arrogance, ho hoi
Thalamai thaangi nirppavanBeat the drums, gather the crowd
Veeraappu pesaamaththaan saernthukka ho hoiShow the dance performance
Male
Kottungadaa melaththa koottungadaa koottaththaChorus : Hae hae
Kaattungadaa aattaththaMale : Beat the drums, gather the crowd
Chorus :Hae haeShow the dance performance
Male :Kottungadaa melaththa koottungadaa koottaththaChorus : Hae hae
Kaattungadaa aattaththaWoman from the southern region
Chorus :Hae haeSinger of folk melodic songs
Female
Therkaththi naattukkaariI will sing competitively in defiance
Themmaangu paattukkaariI will defeat even those who speak in English
Yaettikki potti naan padippaenNananaannananaa nananaannananaa nananaannaa
Engili peesa naan thokkadippaenHae hae…..hae hae…..hae hae….
Nananaannananaa nananaannananaa nananaannaaThe one who built a stage and danced on West Masi Street
Chorus
Hae hae…..hae hae…..hae hae….The one who locked the entire town inside her fort of supreme beauty
Female
Maelamaasi veedhiyilae maedai katti aadinavaEven great men and handsome kings
Maelazhagu kottaikulllae ooraiyellaam poottinavaMust stand as slaves submitting to my beauty
Aanaana pattavnum sokkamumClap hands and dance Kummi in front of the temple
En azhagukku adimaipattu nikkanumGather together and sing with joy shrieks (Kulavai)
Female
Kummi kotti aadungadi koyil munnaeChorus : Hae hae
Koodungadi kolava pottu paadungadiFemale : Clap hands and dance Kummi in front of the temple
Chorus :Hae haeGather together and sing with joy shrieks (Kulavai)
Female :Kummi kotti aadungadi koyil munnaeChorus : Hae hae
Koodungadi kolava pottu paadungadiMan from the southern region
Chorus :Hae haeSinger of folk melodic songs
Male
Therkaththi naattukkaaranI will sing songs rhythmically and delightfully
Themmaangu paattukkaaranAe….haei haei….
Eganaikku mogana naan paattu padippenI will defeat everyone in singing
Ae….haei haei….Time will come and pat on the back encourage
Elloraiyumae naan thokkadippaenChorus : Hae hae hae hae
Kaalam vanthu thatti kodukkumMale : Hey, it will bind and pull young girls towards me
Chorus :Hae hae hae haeChorus : Hae hae hae hae
Male :Adi kanni ponna katti izhukkumWoman from the southern region
Chorus :Hae hae hae haeSinger of folk melodic songs
Female
Therkaththi naattukkaariI will sing competitively in defiance
Themmaangu paattukkaariI will defeat even those who speak in English
Yaettikki potti naan padippaenThere will be a bindi/mark placed on the forehead
Engili peesa naan thokkadippaenChorus : Hae hae hae hae
Athil mukkaath thuttu pottumirukkumFemale : That bindi/mark will bind and pull you
Chorus :Hae hae hae haeChorus : Hae hae hae hae
Female :Antha pottu unna katti izhukkum
Chorus :Hae hae hae hae

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a high-energy folk musical duel (Patti Mandram / Paattu Mandram style) between a man and a woman representing southern Tamil Nadu folk singing traditions. The male singer boasts about his roots in the southern lands, his ability to sing soul-stirring Themmaangu melodies, and his confident charm that captivates young women. The female singer counters him with equal vigor, bragging about her formidable talent, her captivating beauty that holds entire towns spellbound, and her ability to out-sing anyone regardless of their status.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Therkaththi naattukkaaran / Viruthu vaangi vanthavan

The second consonant sound 'r' matches across both lines ('Therkaththi' and 'Viruthu').

Monaai (Alliteration / First letter rhyming)

Kottungadaa melaththa koottungadaa koottaththa

Repetition of the 'K' sound at the start of words within the same line creates a rhythmic tempo.

Repetition / Anaphora

Therkaththi naattukkaaran / Themmaangu paattukkaaran

Repeated structural refrain emphasizing cultural identity and regional pride.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics composed by Pulamaipithan showcase authentic southern Tamil folk terms like 'Themmaangu' (traditional rural song style), 'Kulavai' (ululation produced by women during celebrations), and 'Kummi' (traditional folk clap dance), rooted heavily in Madurai landmarks like West Masi Street ('Maelamaasi veedhi').

Keep listening

More from Koyil Yaanai