Aatha Un Selai
From Kutti Puli · 2013
- Lyricist
- Yegathasi
- Singer
- Sundar Narayana Rao
- Music director
- Ghibran
- Details
- Kutti Puli2013
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aathaa un selai aagaayam pola | Mother, your saree is vast like the sky, |
| Aathaa un selai aagaayam pola | Mother, your saree is vast like the sky, |
| Aathaa un selai aagaayam pola | Mother, your saree is vast like the sky. |
| Male | |
| Thotti katti thoonga thooli katti aada | To tie as a cradle for sleep, to tie as a swing to play, |
| Aaththula meen pidikka appanukku thalai thovatta | To catch fish in the river, to dry father's hair, |
| Thotti katti thoonga thooli katti aada | To tie as a cradle for sleep, to tie as a swing to play, |
| Aaththula meen pidikka appanukku thalai thovatta | To catch fish in the river, to dry father's hair, |
| Male | |
| Paarththaalae saerthanaikka thonum | Just looking at it makes me want to embrace it close, |
| Naan seththaalum enna poththa venum | Even if I die, I want it to cover my body. |
| Paarththaalae saerthanaikka thonum | Just looking at it makes me want to embrace it close, |
| Naan seththaalum enna poththa venum | Even if I die, I want it to cover my body. |
| Male | |
| Aathaa un selai aagaayam pola | Mother, your saree is vast like the sky, |
| Aathaa un selai aagaayam pola | Mother, your saree is vast like the sky. |
| Male | |
| Thottikulla nadichchaa | When tucked around the waist, |
| Adhu azhagu muththu maalai | It looks like a beautiful pearl garland. |
| Kaayam patta veralukku | For a wounded finger, |
| Kattu podum un selai | Your saree becomes a soothing bandage. |
| Male | |
| Nee kattiyirukkum selai | The saree that you wear, |
| Adhu kanneeril manakkum | Fragrance emanates from it even amidst tears. |
| Un selai katti erachchaa | If water is filtered through your saree, |
| Thanni sakkaraiyaa inikkum | The water tastes sweet like sugar. |
| Male | |
| En usurukulla selai | Inside my soul, your saree |
| Adhu mayil iragaa viriyum | Unfolds like a peacock's feather. |
| Un veluththa selai thiri pottaa | If a wick is made from your faded saree, |
| Velakku nallaa eriyum | The lamp burns brightly. |
| Un selai thaanae | Your saree is indeed |
| Poonjolai thaanae | A flower garden in itself. |
| Male | |
| Aathaa….aa…aathaa…aa…aathaa…aa… | Mother... oh Mother... oh Mother... |
| Aathaa un selai aagaayam pola | Mother, your saree is vast like the sky, |
| Aathaa un selai aagaayam pola | Mother, your saree is vast like the sky. |
| Male | |
| Akkaa katti pazhaga | For elder sister to practice wearing a saree, |
| Naan aadu katti meikka | For me to tie goats while grazing, |
| Ottai kudisai veyilukku | Against the sunlight entering the leaky hut, |
| Ottu pottu maraikka | To patch up and block the heat, |
| En kannil oru thoosu pattaa | If dust falls into my eye, |
| Oththadamum kodukkum | It gives a warm compress. |
| Male | |
| Ada kanji kondu ponaa | When carrying rice porridge to the fields, |
| Selai summaadaaga irukkum | The saree serves as a head-pad cushion. |
| Naan thoongumpothukooda | Even while I am sleeping, |
| Adhu thalaiyanaiyaa pesum | It talks to me like a comforting pillow. |
| Male | |
| Ada vekkai varum neram | When the oppressive heat arrives, |
| Oru visiri pola veesum | It blows cool air like a hand fan. |
| Un selai thaanae | Your saree is indeed |
| Poonjolai thaanae | A flower garden in itself. |
| Male | |
| Aathaa….aa…aathaa…aa…aathaa…aa… | Mother... oh Mother... oh Mother... |
| Aathaa un selai aagaayam pola | Mother, your saree is vast like the sky, |
| Aathaa un selai aagaayam pola | Mother, your saree is vast like the sky. |
| Male | |
| Thotti katti thoonga thooli katti aada | To tie as a cradle for sleep, to tie as a swing to play, |
| Aaththula meen pidikka appanukku thalai thovatta | To catch fish in the river, to dry father's hair, |
| Thotti katti thoonga thooli katti aada | To tie as a cradle for sleep, to tie as a swing to play, |
| Aaththula meen pidikka appanukku thalai thovatta | To catch fish in the river, to dry father's hair, |
| Male | |
| Paarththaalae saerthanaikka thonum | Just looking at it makes me want to embrace it close, |
| Naan seththaalum enna poththa venum | Even if I die, I want it to cover my body. |
| Seththaalum enna poththa venum | Even if I die, I want it to cover my body. |
ஆத்தா உன் சேலைஆகாயம் போல
ஆத்தா உன் சேலை ஆகாயம் போல
ஆத்தா உன் சேலை ஆகாயம் போல
Mother, your saree is vast like the sky,
Mother, your saree is vast like the sky,
Mother, your saree is vast like the sky.
தொட்டி கட்டி தூங்க தூளி கட்டி ஆட
ஆத்துல மீன் பிடிக்க அப்பனுக்கு தலை தொவட்ட
தொட்டில் கட்டி தூங்க தூளி கட்டி ஆட
ஆத்துல மீன் பிடிக்க அப்பனுக்கு தலை தொவட்ட
To tie as a cradle for sleep, to tie as a swing to play,
To catch fish in the river, to dry father's hair,
To tie as a cradle for sleep, to tie as a swing to play,
To catch fish in the river, to dry father's hair,
பார்த்தாலே சேர்த்தனைக்க தோணும்..
நான் செத்தாலும் என்ன போத்த வேணும்....
பார்த்தாலே சேர்த்தனைக்க தோணும்..
செத்தாலும் என்ன போத்த வேணும்....
Just looking at it makes me want to embrace it close,
Even if I die, I want it to cover my body.
Just looking at it makes me want to embrace it close,
Even if I die, I want it to cover my body.
ஆத்தா உன் சேலைஆகாயம் போல
ஆத்தா உன் சேலை ஆகாயம் போல
Mother, your saree is vast like the sky,
Mother, your saree is vast like the sky.
தொட்டிக்குள்ள நடிச்சா
அது அழகு முத்து மாலை
காயம் பட்ட வெரலுக்கு
கட்டு போடும் உன் சேலை
When tucked around the waist,
It looks like a beautiful pearl garland.
For a wounded finger,
Your saree becomes a soothing bandage.
நீ கட்டியிருக்கும் சேலை
அது கண்ணீரில் மணக்கும்
உன் சேலை கட்டி எறச்சா
தண்ணி சக்கரையா இனிக்கும்
The saree that you wear,
Fragrance emanates from it even amidst tears.
If water is filtered through your saree,
The water tastes sweet like sugar.
என் உசுருகுள்ள சேலை
அது மயில் இறகா விரியும்
உன் வெளுத்த சேலை திரி போட்டா
வெளக்கு நல்லா எரியும்
உன் சேலை தானே
பூஞ்சோலை தானே
Inside my soul, your saree
Unfolds like a peacock's feather.
If a wick is made from your faded saree,
The lamp burns brightly.
Your saree is indeed
A flower garden in itself.
ஆத்தா...ஆ...ஆத்தா...ஆ...ஆத்தா...ஆ...
ஆத்தா உன் சேலை ஆகாயம் போல
ஆத்தா உன் சேலை ஆகாயம் போல
Mother... oh Mother... oh Mother...
Mother, your saree is vast like the sky,
Mother, your saree is vast like the sky.
அக்கா கட்டி பழக
நான் ஆடு கட்டி மேய்க்க
ஓட்டை குடிசை வெயிலுக்கு
ஒட்டு போட்டு மறைக்க
என் கண்ணில் ஒரு தூசு பட்டா
ஒத்தடமும் கொடுக்கும்
For elder sister to practice wearing a saree,
For me to tie goats while grazing,
Against the sunlight entering the leaky hut,
To patch up and block the heat,
If dust falls into my eye,
It gives a warm compress.
அட கஞ்சி கொண்டு போனா
சேலை சும்மாடாக இருக்கும்
நான் தூங்கும்போது கூட
அது தலையணையா பேசும்
When carrying rice porridge to the fields,
The saree serves as a head-pad cushion.
Even while I am sleeping,
It talks to me like a comforting pillow.
அட வெக்கை வரும் நேரம்
ஒரு விசிறி போல வீசும்
உன் சேலை தானே
பூஞ்சோலை தானே
When the oppressive heat arrives,
It blows cool air like a hand fan.
Your saree is indeed
A flower garden in itself.
ஆத்தா...ஆ...ஆத்தா...ஆ...ஆத்தா...ஆ...
ஆத்தா உன் சேலை ஆகாயம் போல
ஆத்தா உன் சேலை ஆகாயம் போல
Mother... oh Mother... oh Mother...
Mother, your saree is vast like the sky,
Mother, your saree is vast like the sky.
தொட்டி கட்டி தூங்க தூளி கட்டி ஆட
ஆத்துல மீன் பிடிக்க அப்பனுக்கு தலை தொவட்ட
தொட்டில் கட்டி தூங்க தூளி கட்டி ஆட
ஆத்துல மீன் பிடிக்க அப்பனுக்கு தலை தொவட்ட
To tie as a cradle for sleep, to tie as a swing to play,
To catch fish in the river, to dry father's hair,
To tie as a cradle for sleep, to tie as a swing to play,
To catch fish in the river, to dry father's hair,
பார்த்தாலே சேர்த்தனைக்க தோணும்..
நான் செத்தாலும் என்ன போத்த வேணும்....
செத்தாலும் என்ன போத்த வேணும்....
Just looking at it makes me want to embrace it close,
Even if I die, I want it to cover my body.
Even if I die, I want it to cover my body.
Aathaa un selai aagaayam pola
Mother, your saree is vast like the sky,
Aathaa un selai aagaayam pola
Mother, your saree is vast like the sky,
Aathaa un selai aagaayam pola
Mother, your saree is vast like the sky.
Thotti katti thoonga thooli katti aada
To tie as a cradle for sleep, to tie as a swing to play,
Aaththula meen pidikka appanukku thalai thovatta
To catch fish in the river, to dry father's hair,
Thotti katti thoonga thooli katti aada
To tie as a cradle for sleep, to tie as a swing to play,
Aaththula meen pidikka appanukku thalai thovatta
To catch fish in the river, to dry father's hair,
Paarththaalae saerthanaikka thonum
Just looking at it makes me want to embrace it close,
Naan seththaalum enna poththa venum
Even if I die, I want it to cover my body.
Paarththaalae saerthanaikka thonum
Just looking at it makes me want to embrace it close,
Naan seththaalum enna poththa venum
Even if I die, I want it to cover my body.
Aathaa un selai aagaayam pola
Mother, your saree is vast like the sky,
Aathaa un selai aagaayam pola
Mother, your saree is vast like the sky.
Thottikulla nadichchaa
When tucked around the waist,
Adhu azhagu muththu maalai
It looks like a beautiful pearl garland.
Kaayam patta veralukku
For a wounded finger,
Kattu podum un selai
Your saree becomes a soothing bandage.
Nee kattiyirukkum selai
The saree that you wear,
Adhu kanneeril manakkum
Fragrance emanates from it even amidst tears.
Un selai katti erachchaa
If water is filtered through your saree,
Thanni sakkaraiyaa inikkum
The water tastes sweet like sugar.
En usurukulla selai
Inside my soul, your saree
Adhu mayil iragaa viriyum
Unfolds like a peacock's feather.
Un veluththa selai thiri pottaa
If a wick is made from your faded saree,
Velakku nallaa eriyum
The lamp burns brightly.
Un selai thaanae
Your saree is indeed
Poonjolai thaanae
A flower garden in itself.
Aathaa….aa…aathaa…aa…aathaa…aa…
Mother... oh Mother... oh Mother...
Aathaa un selai aagaayam pola
Mother, your saree is vast like the sky,
Aathaa un selai aagaayam pola
Mother, your saree is vast like the sky.
Akkaa katti pazhaga
For elder sister to practice wearing a saree,
Naan aadu katti meikka
For me to tie goats while grazing,
Ottai kudisai veyilukku
Against the sunlight entering the leaky hut,
Ottu pottu maraikka
To patch up and block the heat,
En kannil oru thoosu pattaa
If dust falls into my eye,
Oththadamum kodukkum
It gives a warm compress.
Ada kanji kondu ponaa
When carrying rice porridge to the fields,
Selai summaadaaga irukkum
The saree serves as a head-pad cushion.
Naan thoongumpothukooda
Even while I am sleeping,
Adhu thalaiyanaiyaa pesum
It talks to me like a comforting pillow.
Ada vekkai varum neram
When the oppressive heat arrives,
Oru visiri pola veesum
It blows cool air like a hand fan.
Un selai thaanae
Your saree is indeed
Poonjolai thaanae
A flower garden in itself.
Aathaa….aa…aathaa…aa…aathaa…aa…
Mother... oh Mother... oh Mother...
Aathaa un selai aagaayam pola
Mother, your saree is vast like the sky,
Aathaa un selai aagaayam pola
Mother, your saree is vast like the sky.
Thotti katti thoonga thooli katti aada
To tie as a cradle for sleep, to tie as a swing to play,
Aaththula meen pidikka appanukku thalai thovatta
To catch fish in the river, to dry father's hair,
Thotti katti thoonga thooli katti aada
To tie as a cradle for sleep, to tie as a swing to play,
Aaththula meen pidikka appanukku thalai thovatta
To catch fish in the river, to dry father's hair,
Paarththaalae saerthanaikka thonum
Just looking at it makes me want to embrace it close,
Naan seththaalum enna poththa venum
Even if I die, I want it to cover my body.
Seththaalum enna poththa venum
Even if I die, I want it to cover my body.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This poignant song from the movie Kutti Puli (2013) is a soulful tribute to a mother's saree, representing maternal love, sacrifice, and comfort in rural Tamil culture. The lyrics describe the mother's saree not merely as a garment, but as an indispensable multi-purpose haven that serves every stage and situation of life: from a cradle for an infant, a makeshift bandage for wounds, a patch for a leaky roof, to a shroud in death.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uvamaani)
“Aathaa un selai aagaayam pola”
Compares the mother's saree to the vast sky, highlighting its infinite generosity and comfort.
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Poonjolai thaanae”
Directly identifies the mother's saree as a flower garden, symbolizing beauty and maternal tenderness.
Simile (Uvamaani)
“Oru visiri pola veesum”
Compares the comforting movement of the saree in heat to a soothing hand fan.
Alliteration (Monai)
“Thotti katti thoonga thooli katti aada”
Repetition of the 'Th' sound at the beginning of words for rhythmic harmony.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song gained significant popularity for its deeply emotional rural imagery written by lyricist Yegathasi and composed by Ghibran, highlighting traditional Tamil cultural utility and sentimental value associated with a mother's saree.
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