T. M. Soundarajan and P. Susheela perform a playful duet in ‘Kettaal Ondru’ from the album Thedi Vantha Thirumagal. Lyricist A. Maruthakasi and composer K. V. Mahadevan frame a romantic negotiation through rhythmic exchanges. Their vocal interplay captures the coy tension of courtship.
Kettaal Ondru
P. Susheela | T. M. Soundarajan • From “Thedi Vantha Thirumagal”
Kettaal Ondru Lyrics Translation P. Susheela | T. M. Soundarajan | Thedi Vantha Thirumagal
A. Maruthakasi structures the lyrics around a repeated request for ‘one thing’ met with refusal to give or take separately. The resolution arrives when Susheela asks whether to answer Soundarajan’s lips with her own, transforming the riddle into physical union.
Kettaal Ondru Thaar VendumIf I ask, you must grant me one
Koduthaal Adhai Pera VendumIf I give, you must receive it
Ondraai Adhai Thara MattenI won’t give it as a single piece
Irandaai Adhai Pera MattenI won’t take it as a pair apart
Kettaal Ondru Thaar VendumIf I ask, you must grant me one
Koduthaal Adhai Pera VendumIf I give, you must receive it
Ondraai Adhai Thara MattenI won’t give it as a single piece
Irandaai Adhai Pera MattenI won’t take it as a pair apart
Kettaal Ondru Thaar VendumIf I ask, you must grant me one
Koduthaal Adhai Pera VendumIf I give, you must receive it
Poo Methai Virikuthu Malar IdhazhgalFlower petals unfurl a soft bed
Bodhaiyai Kodukkuthu Thaen ThuligalHoney drops offer a sweet trance
Poo Methai Virikuthu Malar IdhazhgalFlower petals unfurl a soft bed
Bodhaiyai Kodukkuthu Thaen ThuligalHoney drops offer a sweet trance
Thaen Malar Idhazh Kadai Thirndha PinnumEven after the honey-bloom shop has opened
Yen Vandhu Vaangida Thayakkam InnumWhy the hesitation to come and claim it?
Thaen Malar Idhazh Kadai Thirndha PinnumEven after the honey-bloom shop has opened
Yen Vandhu Vaangida Thayakkam InnumWhy the hesitation to come and claim it?
Kettaal Ondru Thaar VendumIf I ask, you must grant me one
Koduthaal Adhai Pera VendumIf I give, you must receive it
Ondraai Adhai Thara MattenI won’t give it as a single piece
Irandaai Adhai Pera MattenI won’t take it as a pair apart
Kettaal Ondru Thaar VendumIf I ask, you must grant me one
Koduthaal Adhai Pera VendumIf I give, you must receive it
Mayakkudhu Mayakkudhu Un MozhigalThey dazzle, they dazzle, your words
Valaikkudu Valaikkudu Un VizhigalThey ensnare, they ensnare, your eyes
Mayakkudhu Mayakkudhu Un MozhigalThey dazzle, they dazzle, your words
Valaikkudu Valaikkudu Un VizhigalThey ensnare, they ensnare, your eyes
Anaikkudhu Anaikkudhu IlanthendralIt embraces, it embraces, the gentle breeze
Azhaikkudhu Azhaikkudhu Kodi PandhalIt summons, it summons, the vine canopy
Anaikkudhu Anaikkudhu IlanthendralIt embraces, it embraces, the gentle breeze
Azhaikkudhu Azhaikkudhu Kodi PandhalIt summons, it summons, the vine canopy
Kettaal Ondru Thaar VendumIf I ask, you must grant me one
Koduthaal Adhai Pera VendumIf I give, you must receive it
Ondraai Adhai Thara MattenI won’t give it as a single piece
Irandaai Adhai Pera MattenI won’t take it as a pair apart
Kettaal Ondru Thaar VendumIf I ask, you must grant me one
Koduthaal Adhai Pera VendumIf I give, you must receive it
Thendralum Pandhalum NamakkallavaThe breeze and bower belong to us, don’t they?
Thithikkum Kaadhal Kadhai SollavaaShall I whisper a sweet tale of love?
Thendralum Pandhalum NamakkallavaThe breeze and bower belong to us, don’t they?
Thithikkum Kaadhal Kadhai SollavaaShall I whisper a sweet tale of love?
Inbam Enbadhu IdhuvallavaaIsn’t this the very soul of bliss?
Un Idhazhukku Idhazhaal Badhil KollavaaShall I answer your lips with my own?
Inbam Enbadhu IdhuvallavaaIsn’t this the very soul of bliss?
Un Idhazhukku Idhazhaal Badhil KollavaaShall I answer your lips with my own?
KettaalIf I ask
Ondru Thaar VendumYou must grant me one
KoduthaalIf I give
Adhai Pera VendumYou must receive it
Ondraai Adhai Thara MattenI won’t give it as a single piece
Irandaai Adhai Pera MattenI won’t take it as a pair apart
Kettaal Ondru Thaar VendumIf I ask, you must grant me one
Koduthaal Adhai Pera VendumIf I give, you must receive it
Kettaal Ondru Music Video
The Thedi Vantha Thirumagal album’s Kettaal Ondru lyrics translation reveals how two individuals merge into one entity through love. This classic Tamil duet uses paradox to express romantic completion.