Jikki and Trichy Loganathan perform ‘Kaattu Vazhi Pogaiyile’ from the album Azhagar Malai Kalvan. Lyricist Puratchi Dasan and composer B. Gopalam create a rustic, playful exchange between two people discovering a child.
Kaattu Vazhi Pogaiyile
Jikki | Trichy Loganathan • From “Azhagar Malai Kalvan”
Azhagar Malai Kalvan’s Kaattu Vazhi Pogaiyile Tamil Lyrics English Translation
Jikki worries Trichy Loganathan would raise the boy to be a clown. He counters that his approach prevents gullibility. Their insults reveal competing visions of child-rearing.
Kaattu Vazhi Pogaiyilae ThillaelaelaoWhile walking along the forest path, ‘thillaelaelao’,
Oru Kanmaniyai KandeduththaenI’ve found a precious child.
Thillaelaelao‘thillaelaelao’.
Kaattu Vazhi Pogaiyilae ThillaelaelaoAs I was walking along the forest path, ‘thillaelaelao’,
Oru Kanmaniyai KandeduththaenI found a precious child.
Thillaelaelao‘thillaelaelao’.
Rompa Oottamaaga Valarkka VenumI’ve got to raise him with great care,
Thillaelaelao‘thillaelaelao’,
Sirantha Uththamaanaa Aakka VenumAnd make him a noble, virtuous soul.
Thillaelaelao‘thillaelaelao’.
Thanga Nila Polae MugamHis face is like the golden moon,
Yaelae Mama‘yaelae mama’,
Aasai Ponguthai Paakkumpohu Yaelae MamaMy heart overflows with love when I see him, ‘yaelae mama’.
Aasai Ponguthai Paakkumpohu Yaelae MamaDesire wells up in me when I look at him, ‘yaelae mama’.
Sengarumbu Thottamithu Yaelae MamaHe’s a field of sweet red sugarcane, ‘yaelae mama’,
Veera Singamithu Engozhanthai Yaelae MamaThis child of ours is a brave lion, ‘yaelae mama’.
Pakkaththila NaanirunthaaIf I stay right by his side,
EnnaipolaeJust like me,
Paiyan PakkuvanadaijiduvaanThe boy will grow up with maturity,
Thannai PolaeIn his own right.
Paiyan PakkuvanadaijiduvaanThe boy will reach full maturity,
Thannai Polae HaanIn his own way, yes.
Naan ValaththaaIf I raise him,
Gunasaaliyaayirupaan Ennai PolaeHe’ll be virtuous just like me.
Nee Valaththaa Komaaliyaayiduvaan Unnai PolaeBut if you raise him, he’ll turn into a ‘komaali’ clown like you!
Komaaliyaanaalum SellaaththaaEven if he turns into a clown, my dear,
Ivan Yaemaaliyaaga Maattaan NillaaththaaHe won’t be a ‘yaemaali’ fool who gets cheated, mark my words.
AamaYes.
Yaemaaliyaaga Maattaan NillaaththaaHe certainly won’t be a gullible fool, believe me.
Appadiyaa Appo IvanukkuIs that so? Then for him,
Ennazhagum Unniravum Thillaelaelo IrunthaaIf he has my beauty and your cleverness, ‘thillaelaelo’,
Evvalavu Naarukkum Yaelae MamaHow wonderful he’ll turn out, ‘yaelae mama’!
Evvalavu Naarukkum Yaelae MamaHow grand he’ll truly be, ‘yaelae mama’!
Unnaruvum Ennazhagum ThillaelaeloYour cleverness and my beauty, ‘thillaelaelo’,
Ivanukkundaanaa Ennaagum ThillaelaeloIf he gets both, what’ll happen, ‘thillaelaelo’?
Ivanukkundaanaa Ennaagum ThillaelaeloIf he possesses both, what’ll be the result, ‘thillaelaelo’?
EnnaagumWhat’ll happen?
SollattumaaShall I tell you?
SollaenGo on, tell me.
Kanni PonnuFor a young maiden,
Thalai Narachcha KadhaiyaayirukkumIt’ll be like the story of her hair turning gray from waiting!
Thalai Narachcha KadhaiyaayirukkumA long tale of waiting until her hair turns gray.
Intha Kasappim Inippum SaernthaThis mixture of bitterness and sweetness,
RushiyaayirukkumWill be a unique and blended taste.
Oo Ohho Ippo AdhukennaOh, well then, what about it?
Sandai Yaelae Mama MaamoiWhy are we quarreling, ‘yaelae mama’, my man?
YaemoiMy dear?
Ippo AdhukennaWhat’s the point of this
Sandai Yaelae MamaQuarrel now, ‘yaelae mama’?
Ivanai Thappillaama ValaththiduvomWe’ll raise him without any flaws,
Yaelae Mama‘yaelae mama’.
Ivanai Thappillaama ValaththiduvomWe’ll raise him without any mistakes,
Yaelae Mama‘yaelae mama’.
Thanmaanam UllavanaaAs a man of self-respect,
Aakka VenumWe must raise him.
Ivanai Tharani Pugazha Naamum Paakka VenumWe should see the ‘tharani’ world praise him.
Nanmaigal Namakkivan Seiyya VenumHe should do good deeds for us,
Adhanaal Nampa Kavalai Neengi Vaazha VenumSo our worries will vanish and we can live in peace.
Thanmaanam Ullavaanaa Paakka VenumWe must ensure he has self-respect.
Ivanai Tharani Pugazha Naamum Paakka VenumWe should see the whole world praise him.
Ivanai Tharani Pugazha Naamum Paakka VenumWe must see the world singing his praises.
Ivanai Tharani Pugazha Naamum Paakka VenumWe should witness the world honoring him.
Kaattu Vazhi Pogaiyile Music Video
Lyrics translation shows both agree the child must earn global respect through self-worth. Their quarrel shifts to shared purpose despite initial friction.