Thopporam
From Enga Ooru Kavalkaran · 1998
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Enga Ooru Kavalkaran1998
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Mmm…mmm….mmm…. | Mmm…mmm….mmm…. |
| Mmm…mmm…mmm… | Mmm…mmm…mmm… |
| Hoo hoo hoo haaa…aa…aaa… | Hoo hoo hoo haaa…aa…aaa… |
| Aaaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa… | Aaaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa… |
| Female | |
| Thopporam thottil katti | Tying a cradle by the edge of the grove, |
| Thoongudhadi chella chittu | The beloved little bird sleeps! |
| Aaththoram mettu katti | Setting a tune by the riverbank, |
| Paadudhadi sillu vandu | The little beetle sings! |
| Female | |
| Paadum paattu adhu kek..kaadhaa | Doesn't that singing song echo? |
| Adhai kettu kettu nenjam paa ..daadhaa | Hearing that continuously, doesn't the heart sing along? |
| Paadum paattu adhu kek..kaadhaa | Doesn't that singing song echo? |
| Adhai kettu kettu nenjam paa ..daadhaa | Hearing that continuously, doesn't the heart sing along? |
| Female | |
| Thopporam thottil katti | Tying a cradle by the edge of the grove, |
| Thoongudhadi chella chittu | The beloved little bird sleeps! |
| Aaththoram mettu katti | Setting a tune by the riverbank, |
| Paadudhadi sillu vandu | The little beetle sings! |
| Female | |
| Achi vellam pacharisi | Palm jaggery and raw rice, |
| Katti vachadhaaro | Who tied them together? |
| Aththai magan suththi vara | For the aunt's son to hover around, |
| Pottu vachadhaaro | Who placed the bindi? |
| Female | |
| Achi vellam pacharisi | Palm jaggery and raw rice, |
| Katti vachadhaaro | Who tied them together? |
| Aththai magan suththi vara | For the aunt's son to hover around, |
| Pottu vachadhaaro | Who placed the bindi? |
| Female | |
| Oththaiyilae nikkaiyilae | When standing all alone, |
| Thottadhu yaaradiyo | Who was it that touched you? |
| Thotta kai suttadhai pola | As if the touched hand got burnt, |
| Vittadhu yaaradiyo | Who was it that let go? |
| Female | |
| Roattoram rosaappoo | A rose flower by the roadside, |
| Aaththoram thaazampoo | A screwpine flower by the riverbank, |
| Ellorum kondaadum penn poo | A female flower celebrated by everyone! |
| Female | |
| Thopporam thottil katti | Tying a cradle by the edge of the grove, |
| Thoongudhadi chella chittu | The beloved little bird sleeps! |
| Aaththoram mettu katti | Setting a tune by the riverbank, |
| Paadudhadi sillu vandu | The little beetle sings! |
| Paadum paattu adhu kek..kaadhaa | Doesn't that singing song echo? |
| Adhai kettu kettu nenjam paa ..daadhaa | Hearing that continuously, doesn't the heart sing along? |
| Female | |
| Saeththukkulla sikkikittu | Stuck inside the mud, |
| Nikkudhoru kaalai | Stands a bull! |
| Naaththugalai vittupputtu | Leaving the saplings aside, |
| Paarppadhenna aala | Why are you staring at the person? |
| Female | |
| Saeththukkullae sikkikittu | Stuck inside the mud, |
| Nikkudhoru kaala | Stands a bull! |
| Naaththugalai vittupputtu | Leaving the saplings aside, |
| Paarppadhenna aala | Why are you staring at the person? |
| Female | |
| Naaththodu kaathum vanthu | The breeze comes along with the saplings, |
| Thanthanam paadudhadi | Singing a melodious rhythm! |
| Pooththaadum neram vanthu | The blossoming time has arrived, |
| Santhanam poosudhadi | Searing sandalwood paste! |
| Female | |
| Kadalodu venn sangu | White conch shell with the sea, |
| Kaaththodu themmaangu | Folk melody with the wind, |
| Kekkaadha kaadhaedhu ingae | Is there any ear here that doesn't listen? |
| Female | |
| Thopporam thottil katti | Tying a cradle by the edge of the grove, |
| Thoongudhadi chella chittu | The beloved little bird sleeps! |
| Aaththoram mettu katti | Setting a tune by the riverbank, |
| Paadudhadi sillu vandu | The little beetle sings! |
| Female | |
| Paadum paattu adhu kek..kaadhaa | Doesn't that singing song echo? |
| Adhai kettu kettu nenjam paa ..daadhaa | Hearing that continuously, doesn't the heart sing along? |
| Paadum paattu adhu kek..kaadhaa | Doesn't that singing song echo? |
| Adhai kettu kettu nenjam paa ..daadhaa | Hearing that continuously, doesn't the heart sing along? |
ஹ்ஹும்ம் ஹ்ஹீம்ம்ம்ம்
ஹ்ஹும்ம் ம்ம்ம்ம்ம்ம்
ஓஹோஹோ ஓஹோஹோ
ஓஹோஹோ ஓஹோ ஹோ ஹோ...
ஆஅ ஆஆ ஆஆ அஆஆ...
Mmm…mmm….mmm….
Mmm…mmm…mmm…
Hoo hoo hoo haaa…aa…aaa…
Aaaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
தோப்போரம் தொட்டில் கட்டி
தூங்குதடி செல்லச் சிட்டு
ஆத்தோரம் மெட்டு கட்டி
பாடுதடி சில்லு வண்டு
பாடும் பாட்டு அது கே க்கா தா
அத கேட்டு கேட்டு
நெஞ்சம் பா க்கா தா
Tying a cradle by the edge of the grove,
The beloved little bird sleeps!
Setting a tune by the riverbank,
The little beetle sings!
பாடும் பாட்டு அது கே க்கா தா
அத கேட்டு கேட்டு நெஞ்சம் பா க்கா தா
Doesn't that singing song echo?
Hearing that continuously, doesn't the heart sing along?
Doesn't that singing song echo?
Hearing that continuously, doesn't the heart sing along?
தோப்போரம் தொட்டில் கட்டி
தூங்குதடி செல்லச் சிட்டு
ஆத்தோரம் மெட்டு கட்டி
பாடுதடி சில்லு வண்டு
Tying a cradle by the edge of the grove,
The beloved little bird sleeps!
Setting a tune by the riverbank,
The little beetle sings!
{அச்சு வெல்லம் பச்சருசி
கட்டிவச்சதாரோ....
அத்த மகன் சுத்தி வர பொட்டு
வச்சதாரோ...} (2)
Palm jaggery and raw rice,
Who tied them together?
For the aunt's son to hover around,
Who placed the bindi?
ஒத்தையில நிக்கயிலே
தொட்டது யாரடியோ
தொட்டகை சுட்டாத போல
விட்டது யாரடியோ
Palm jaggery and raw rice,
Who tied them together?
For the aunt's son to hover around,
Who placed the bindi?
ரோட்டோரம் ரோசாப்பூ
ஆத்தோரம் தாழம்பூ
எல்லாரும் கொண்டாடும் பெண் பூ...
When standing all alone,
Who was it that touched you?
As if the touched hand got burnt,
Who was it that let go?
தோப்போரம் தொட்டில் கட்டி
தூங்குதடி செல்லச் சிட்டு
ஆத்தோரம் மெட்டு கட்டி
பாடுதடி சில்லு வண்டு
பாடும் பாட்டு அது கே க்கா தா
அத கேட்டு கேட்டு
நெஞ்சம் பா க்கா தா
A rose flower by the roadside,
A screwpine flower by the riverbank,
A female flower celebrated by everyone!
{சேத்துக்குள்ள சிக்கிக்கிட்டு
நிற்க்குது ஒரு காள
நாத்து வேல விட்டுபுட்டு
பார்பதென்ன ஆள} (2)
Tying a cradle by the edge of the grove,
The beloved little bird sleeps!
Setting a tune by the riverbank,
The little beetle sings!
Doesn't that singing song echo?
Hearing that continuously, doesn't the heart sing along?
நாத்தோட காத்தும் வந்து
சந்தனம் பாடுதடி..
கூத்தாடும் நேரம் வந்து
சந்தனம் பூசுதடி
Stuck inside the mud,
Stands a bull!
Leaving the saplings aside,
Why are you staring at the person?
கடலோடு வெண் சங்கு
காத்தோடு தெம்மாங்கு
சேர்க்காத காடேது இங்கே...
Stuck inside the mud,
Stands a bull!
Leaving the saplings aside,
Why are you staring at the person?
தோப்போரம் தொட்டில் கட்டி
தூங்குதடி செல்லச் சிட்டு
ஆத்தோரம் மெட்டு கட்டி
பாடுதடி சில்லு வண்டு
{பாடும் பாட்டு அது கே க்கா தா
அத கேட்டு கேட்டு
நெஞ்சம் பா க்கா தா} (2)
The breeze comes along with the saplings,
Singing a melodious rhythm!
The blossoming time has arrived,
Searing sandalwood paste!
White conch shell with the sea,
Folk melody with the wind,
Is there any ear here that doesn't listen?
Tying a cradle by the edge of the grove,
The beloved little bird sleeps!
Setting a tune by the riverbank,
The little beetle sings!
Doesn't that singing song echo?
Hearing that continuously, doesn't the heart sing along?
Doesn't that singing song echo?
Hearing that continuously, doesn't the heart sing along?
Mmm…mmm….mmm….
Mmm…mmm….mmm….
Mmm…mmm…mmm…
Mmm…mmm…mmm…
Hoo hoo hoo haaa…aa…aaa…
Hoo hoo hoo haaa…aa…aaa…
Aaaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Aaaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Thopporam thottil katti
Tying a cradle by the edge of the grove,
Thoongudhadi chella chittu
The beloved little bird sleeps!
Aaththoram mettu katti
Setting a tune by the riverbank,
Paadudhadi sillu vandu
The little beetle sings!
Paadum paattu adhu kek..kaadhaa
Doesn't that singing song echo?
Adhai kettu kettu nenjam paa ..daadhaa
Hearing that continuously, doesn't the heart sing along?
Paadum paattu adhu kek..kaadhaa
Doesn't that singing song echo?
Adhai kettu kettu nenjam paa ..daadhaa
Hearing that continuously, doesn't the heart sing along?
Thopporam thottil katti
Tying a cradle by the edge of the grove,
Thoongudhadi chella chittu
The beloved little bird sleeps!
Aaththoram mettu katti
Setting a tune by the riverbank,
Paadudhadi sillu vandu
The little beetle sings!
Achi vellam pacharisi
Palm jaggery and raw rice,
Katti vachadhaaro
Who tied them together?
Aththai magan suththi vara
For the aunt's son to hover around,
Pottu vachadhaaro
Who placed the bindi?
Achi vellam pacharisi
Palm jaggery and raw rice,
Katti vachadhaaro
Who tied them together?
Aththai magan suththi vara
For the aunt's son to hover around,
Pottu vachadhaaro
Who placed the bindi?
Oththaiyilae nikkaiyilae
When standing all alone,
Thottadhu yaaradiyo
Who was it that touched you?
Thotta kai suttadhai pola
As if the touched hand got burnt,
Vittadhu yaaradiyo
Who was it that let go?
Roattoram rosaappoo
A rose flower by the roadside,
Aaththoram thaazampoo
A screwpine flower by the riverbank,
Ellorum kondaadum penn poo
A female flower celebrated by everyone!
Thopporam thottil katti
Tying a cradle by the edge of the grove,
Thoongudhadi chella chittu
The beloved little bird sleeps!
Aaththoram mettu katti
Setting a tune by the riverbank,
Paadudhadi sillu vandu
The little beetle sings!
Paadum paattu adhu kek..kaadhaa
Doesn't that singing song echo?
Adhai kettu kettu nenjam paa ..daadhaa
Hearing that continuously, doesn't the heart sing along?
Saeththukkulla sikkikittu
Stuck inside the mud,
Nikkudhoru kaalai
Stands a bull!
Naaththugalai vittupputtu
Leaving the saplings aside,
Paarppadhenna aala
Why are you staring at the person?
Saeththukkullae sikkikittu
Stuck inside the mud,
Nikkudhoru kaala
Stands a bull!
Naaththugalai vittupputtu
Leaving the saplings aside,
Paarppadhenna aala
Why are you staring at the person?
Naaththodu kaathum vanthu
The breeze comes along with the saplings,
Thanthanam paadudhadi
Singing a melodious rhythm!
Pooththaadum neram vanthu
The blossoming time has arrived,
Santhanam poosudhadi
Searing sandalwood paste!
Kadalodu venn sangu
White conch shell with the sea,
Kaaththodu themmaangu
Folk melody with the wind,
Kekkaadha kaadhaedhu ingae
Is there any ear here that doesn't listen?
Thopporam thottil katti
Tying a cradle by the edge of the grove,
Thoongudhadi chella chittu
The beloved little bird sleeps!
Aaththoram mettu katti
Setting a tune by the riverbank,
Paadudhadi sillu vandu
The little beetle sings!
Paadum paattu adhu kek..kaadhaa
Doesn't that singing song echo?
Adhai kettu kettu nenjam paa ..daadhaa
Hearing that continuously, doesn't the heart sing along?
Paadum paattu adhu kek..kaadhaa
Doesn't that singing song echo?
Adhai kettu kettu nenjam paa ..daadhaa
Hearing that continuously, doesn't the heart sing along?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Thopporam Thottil Katti is a classic rural folk song from the 1988 Tamil movie Enga Ooru Kavalkaran, composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and penned by Gangai Amaran. The song vividly paints a pastoral canvas where romantic feelings blossom amidst groves, riverbanks, and muddy paddy fields. Through rich nature imagery, the lyrics playfully compare the blossoming affection between young village lovers to sleeping birds, humming beetles, and rustling breezes. The traditional folk cadence captures innocence, teasing affection, and the rural lifestyle of Tamil Nadu. In the second verse, imagery of paddy planting and bulls stuck in mud grounds the romance in everyday village labor, demonstrating how love and music seamlessly intertwine with rural life.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Thopporam thottil katti / Aaththoram mettu katti”
The second letter 'p' (pha/pa) matches between 'Thopporam' and 'Aaththoram', creating a melodic rhythm typical of Tamil folk poetry.
Monaai (First-letter Alliteration)
“Thopporam thottil katti / Thoongudhadi chella chittu”
The initial consonant sound 'Th' is repeated across 'Thopporam' and 'Thoongudhadi'.
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Thoongudhadi chella chittu”
The maiden is affectionately addressed as 'chella chittu' (a cherished small bird), equating her grace and innocence to nature.
Personification
“Naaththodu kaathum vanthu / Thanthanam paadudhadi”
The breeze paired with paddy saplings is personified as singing a melodious rhythm ('Thanthanam paadudhadi').
Did you know?
Trivia
Enga Ooru Kavalkaran (1988) was a massive box-office hit starring Ramarajan and Gautami. Composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Gangai Amaran, this iconic folk track rendered by P. Susheela and Mano solidified Ramarajan's image as a staple rural hero in 1980s Tamil cinema.
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