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Shenbagamae Shenbagamae album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Vezhuthu Kattikadaa

From Shenbagamae Shenbagamae · 1988

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Shenbagamae Shenbagamae
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
12 Jan 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Veluththu kattikadaa en thambi thangakambi
Kodiyai yaeththikadaa en thambi thangakambi
Velichcham unnoda munnaalae
Vettri unnoda munnaalae…..
Velichcham unnoda munnaalae
Vettri unnoda munnaalae….
Veluththu kattikadaa en thambi thangakambi hoi
Koottamo katchiyo unakku yaedhu kidaiyaathu
Vaattamo varumaiyo unnai kannaal paarkkaathu
Eduththatha mudikkira unnaipola aal yaedhu
Eduththatha maraikkira vazhakkam un kita kidaiyaathu
Kottai vittuputtu thoongaathae
Thoongi appuramaa yaengaathae
Paattai thappu thappaa paadaathae
Veettai vittuputtu odaathae
Anbaana annanukku
Chorus :Azhaga thambiyadaa
Male :Anbodu paasam vachchi
Chorus :Pala naalum vaazhnthukkadaa
Male :En thambi thambi thanga kambithaan
Veluththu kattikadaa en thambi thangakambi
Kodiyai yaeththikadaa en thambi thangakambi hoi
Iruppatha koduppathil thambi neethaan karnan illai
Ilavatta vayasuthaan aanaa neethaan kannan illa
Vaariththaan vazhangathtahan unakku adhukku manasu illa
Vaazhththathaan pottraththaan unakku adhuku vayasu illa
Koduththu sivakkira kaiyum illa
Eduththu kodukkira paiyum illa
Vambu sandai pottathundu
Vantha sandaikku ninnathilla
Penaavai neeyeduththu
Chorus :Ezhuthaatha poiyyummilla
Male :Aanaalum un ezhuththu
Chorus :Aniyaayam seiyavilla
Male :En thambi thambi thanga kambithaan
Veluththu kattikadaa en thambi thangakambi
Kodiyai yaeththikadaa en thambi thangakambi
Velichcham unnoda munnaalae
Vettri unnoda munnaalae…..
Velichcham unnoda munnaalae
Vettri unnoda munnaalae….
Veluththu kattikadaa en thambi thangakambi
Kodiyai yaeththikadaa en thambi thangakambi hoi
Give it your all, my little brother pure as gold!
Hoist your flag high, my little brother pure as gold!
The bright light is ahead of you,
And victory is right before your eyes...
The bright light is ahead of you,
And victory is right before your eyes...
Give it your all, my little brother pure as gold, hoy!
You have no big crowd or political party behind you,
Worry and poverty will never even look your way.
Who is there like you to finish whatever you begin?
You don't have the habit of stealing and hiding things.
Don't lose your chance and fall asleep,
Don't sleep it away and regret it later.
Don't sing the song all out of tune,
And don't run away leaving your home behind.
To your loving elder brother,
Chorus: You are such a wonderful little brother!
Male: Filled with love and true affection,
Chorus: Live happily for many long years!
Male: My little brother is truly pure as gold!
Give it your all, my little brother pure as gold!
Hoist your flag high, my little brother pure as gold, hoy!
When giving what you have, brother, you are no Karna (the legendary giver),
You are in the prime of youth, but you are no Krishna the charmer,
To give away lavish gifts, you don't have the heart for it,
To praise and bless others, you don't have the age for it.
Your palms aren't red from constantly giving charity,
Nor do you carry a purse to take out and share.
You have certainly stirred up petty fights,
Yet you never stood your ground when a real fight came.
When you take up the pen,
Chorus: There is no lie you haven't written!
Male: Even so, your writings
Chorus: Have never caused anyone any injustice!
Male: My little brother is truly pure as gold!
Give it your all, my little brother pure as gold!
Hoist your flag high, my little brother pure as gold!
The bright light is ahead of you,
And victory is right before your eyes...
The bright light is ahead of you,
And victory is right before your eyes...
Give it your all, my little brother pure as gold!
Hoist your flag high, my little brother pure as gold, hoy!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This energetic folk track captures a celebratory and loving bond between an elder brother and his younger brother. The elder brother encourages his younger sibling to achieve success, hoist his flag of victory, and face the future with confidence, reassuring him that light and success lie ahead.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Veluththu kattikadaa en thambi thangakambi

The term 'Thanga kambi' (golden wire/rod) is used as a metaphor to describe the younger brother's pure and precious character.

Allusion

Iruppatha koduppathil thambi neethaan karnan illai

Refers to mythological figures Karna (known for extreme charity) and Kannan/Krishna to playfully tease the brother's limits.

Monai (Alliteration)

Velichcham unnoda munnaalae / Vettri unnoda munnaalae

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'V' in 'Velichcham' and 'Vettri'.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Kottai vittuputtu thoongaathae

Matching ending rhyming sounds across consecutive lines ('thoongaathae', 'yaengaathae', 'paadaathae', 'odaathae').

Did you know?

Trivia

This track from the 1988 film 'Shenbagamae Shenbagamae' features Ilaiyaraaja wearing all three hats of composer, lyricist, and playback singer, demonstrating his signature folk orchestration and playful lyrical style.

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