Aatha Vandhen
From Andhi Mayakkam · 1981
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- S. Janki
- Music director
- Shyam
- Details
- Andhi Mayakkam1981
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Haa….aa….aa… | Haa... aa... aa... |
| Aaththaa vanthaen sollungadi | Tell everyone, Aaththaa has arrived! |
| Ulagam enakku aththupadi | I know the world inside out. |
| Aaththaa vanthaen sollungadi | Tell everyone, Aaththaa has arrived! |
| Ulagam enakku aththupadi | I know the world inside out. |
| Aaththaa ooru ooththankudi | Aaththaa's native place is Ooththankudi, |
| Sonnaa nadakkum sonnapadi | Whatever she says will happen as spoken. |
| Aaththaa ooru ooththankudi | Aaththaa's native place is Ooththankudi, |
| Sonnaa nadakkum sonnapadi | Whatever she says will happen as spoken. |
| Female | |
| Pillai peththupputtean aaru vayasil | I gave birth to a child at six years old, |
| Peththi irukkiraa nooru vayasila | And I have a granddaughter who is a hundred years old! |
| Naadu kettu ponathennu veedu vittu | Seeing that the country has gone to ruin, leaving home... |
| Female | |
| Aaththaa vanthaen sollungadi | Tell everyone, Aaththaa has arrived! |
| Ulagam enakku aththupadi | I know the world inside out. |
| Aaththaa ooru ooththankudi | Aaththaa's native place is Ooththankudi, |
| Sonnaa nadakkum sonnapadi | Whatever she says will happen as spoken. |
| Female | |
| En purushan mannaaru | My husband Mannaaru, |
| Than paatti veedu poraennu | Claiming he is going to his grandmother's house, |
| Vaippaatti veedu poraaru | Is going to his mistress's house! |
| Intha paruva kirukku theeranumnaa | To cure this youthful madness, |
| Aaththaa sollanum kolaaru | Aaththaa must tell us what trouble is brewing. |
| Female | |
| Appadi kelu ammaalu…. | Ask it like that, Ammaalu... |
| Saayangaalam naeram paarththu sarasam paarththu pesu | Look for an evening hour and speak with romance, |
| Chiththar kooda mayanggi pogum aththar konjam poosu | Apply a bit of perfume that even a sage would faint for, |
| Jaadhimalli vaangi vanthu visiri pola veesu | Buy jasmine flowers and wave them like a fan, |
| Jaadhimalli vaangi vanthu visiri pola veesu | Buy jasmine flowers and wave them like a fan, |
| idhukku malae thirunthalaennaa velakkumaaru veesu | If he still doesn't reform after this, hit him with a broomstick! |
| Female | |
| Pillai peththupputtean aaru vayasil | I gave birth to a child at six years old, |
| Peththi irukkiraa nooru vayasila | And I have a granddaughter who is a hundred years old! |
| Naadu kettu ponathennu veedu vittu | Seeing that the country has gone to ruin, leaving home... |
| Female | |
| Aaththaa vanthaen sollungadi | Tell everyone, Aaththaa has arrived! |
| Ulagam enakku aththupadi | I know the world inside out. |
| Aaththaa ooru ooththankudi | Aaththaa's native place is Ooththankudi, |
| Sonnaa nadakkum sonnapadi | Whatever she says will happen as spoken. |
| Female | |
| Enga veetukkaararukku race maelae paiththiyam | My husband is crazy about horse racing, |
| Sandai pottum thirunthavillai | He hasn't reformed even after fighting, |
| Enna seiyyanum vaiththiyam | What medicine should I give him? |
| Appadi kelu ammaalu….oo… | Ask it like that, Ammaalu... oo... |
| Female | |
| Kadivaalam pottu vaiyi edhukku varuthu sanda | Put a rein on him, why does a fight arise? |
| Kadivaalam pottu vaiyi edhukku varuthu sanda | Put a rein on him, why does a fight arise? |
| Neeyum kooda pottu paaru kudhira vaalu konda | You too try wearing a ponytail hairstyle, |
| Kudhira vaalu konda… | A ponytail hairstyle... |
| Female | |
| Enga veettukaararu | My husband, |
| Thanni vanni aanathaala | Because he got addicted to alcohol, |
| Thallu vandi aanaaru | Has turned into a pushcart! |
| Avara thiruththi maaththiputtaa | If you correct and transform him, |
| Neethaan enakku thaayaaru | You will be like a mother to me. |
| Female | |
| Appadi kelu ammaalu….aa…. | Ask it like that, Ammaalu... aa... |
| Female | |
| Mullai meththa pottu vachchu | Lay down a bed of jasmine, |
| Panju meththa podu | Put a soft cotton mattress, |
| Kallu mayakkam…aa…..aaa……aa….. | Intoxication of toddy... aa... aaa... aa... |
| Ellaaththaiyum kannukkullae kaattu | Show everything through your eyes. |
| Chorus | |
| ………………. | ... |
| Female | |
| Naadu kettu ponathennu veedu vittu | Seeing that the country has gone to ruin, leaving home... |
| Aaththaa vanthaen sollungadi | Tell everyone, Aaththaa has arrived! |
| Ulagam enakku aththupadi | I know the world inside out. |
| Aaththaa ooru ooththankudi | Aaththaa's native place is Ooththankudi, |
| Sonnaa nadakkum sonnapadi | Whatever she says will happen as spoken. |
| Male | |
| Therthalilae ninnu jeyikanum | I want to stand in the election and win, |
| Adhukku enna seiyaanum | What should I do for that? |
| Female | |
| Adhuvaa….appadi kelu aiyaavu | Is that so... ask it like that, sir! |
| Therthalilae jeyichchu vara | To win in the election, |
| Oru vazhithaan poganum | You must take only one path. |
| Therthalilae jeyichchu vara | To win in the election, |
| Oru vazhithaan poganum | You must take only one path. |
| Male :Adha mattum sollanum | Male: You just tell me that path! |
| Female | |
| Edhirththu nirkira aalavida | Than the person standing opposite to you, |
| Adhiga oottu vaanganum | You must get more votes! |
| Female | |
| Siru vayasu kaalaiyai sokka vaikkum | To charm young men, |
| Sikka vaikkum sooththiraththai sollu aaththaa | Tell us the secret trick that traps them, Aaththaa! |
| Antha sooththiraththai sollu aaththaa | Tell us that secret trick, Aaththaa! |
| Female | |
| Appadi kelu ammaalu….oo…. | Ask it like that, Ammaalu... oo... |
| Female | |
| Kannaala nooru kadithaasu podu | Send a hundred letters through your eyes, |
| Kadhal ennum thenoottru | A sweet fountain called love, |
| Paruvangal thantha parisinai | The gifts that youth gave you, |
| Ellaam jaadaiyaaga nee kaattu | Show them all through subtle gestures. |
| Female | |
| Avan angam thottu niruthangam thattu | Touch his body and play rhythm, |
| Maedaiyittu neeraattu | Set up a stage and bathe him, |
| Kannangal engum thennangal thandu | Cheeks smooth like tender coconut stalks, |
| Kaalai nenjai nee maattru | Transform the young man's heart! |
| Chorus | |
| : ………….. | ... |
| Female | |
| Naadu kettu ponathennu veedu vittu | Seeing that the country has gone to ruin, leaving home... |
| Aaththaa vanthaen sollungadi | Tell everyone, Aaththaa has arrived! |
| Ulagam enakku aththupadi | I know the world inside out. |
| Aaththaa ooru ooththankudi | Aaththaa's native place is Ooththankudi, |
| Sonnaa nadakkum sonnapadi | Whatever she says will happen as spoken. |
| Chorus | |
| ………….. | ... |
ஹா......ஆ......ஆ....
ஆத்தா வந்தேன் சொல்லுங்கடி
உலகம் எனக்கு அத்துபடி
ஆத்தா வந்தேன் சொல்லுங்கடி
உலகம் எனக்கு அத்துபடி
ஆத்தா ஊரு ஊத்தங்குடி
சொன்னா நடக்கும் சொன்னபடி
ஆத்தா ஊரு ஊத்தங்குடி
சொன்னா நடக்கும் சொன்னபடி
Haa... aa... aa...
Tell everyone, Aaththaa has arrived!
I know the world inside out.
Tell everyone, Aaththaa has arrived!
I know the world inside out.
Aaththaa's native place is Ooththankudi,
Whatever she says will happen as spoken.
Aaththaa's native place is Ooththankudi,
Whatever she says will happen as spoken.
பிள்ளை பெத்துப்புட்டேன் ஆறு வயசில
பேத்தி இருக்கிறா நூறு வயசில
நாடு கெட்டு போனதென்னு வீடு விட்டு
I gave birth to a child at six years old,
And I have a granddaughter who is a hundred years old!
Seeing that the country has gone to ruin, leaving home...
ஆத்தா வந்தேன் சொல்லுங்கடி
உலகம் எனக்கு அத்துபடி
ஆத்தா ஊரு ஊத்தங்குடி
சொன்னா நடக்கும் சொன்னபடி
Tell everyone, Aaththaa has arrived!
I know the world inside out.
Aaththaa's native place is Ooththankudi,
Whatever she says will happen as spoken.
என் புருஷன் மன்னாரு
தன் பாட்டி வீடு போறேன்னு
வைப்பாட்டி வீடு போறாரு
இந்த பருவக் கிறுக்கு தீரணும்னா
ஆத்தா சொல்லணும் கோளாறு
My husband Mannaaru,
Claiming he is going to his grandmother's house,
Is going to his mistress's house!
To cure this youthful madness,
Aaththaa must tell us what trouble is brewing.
அப்படி கேளு அம்மாளு.......
சாயங்காலம் நேரம் பார்த்து சரசம் பார்த்து பேசு
சித்தர் கூட மயங்கி போகும் அத்தர் கொஞ்சம் பூசு
ஜாதிமல்லி வாங்கி வந்து விசிறி போல வீசு
ஜாதிமல்லி வாங்கி வந்து விசிறி போல வீசு
இதுக்கு மேலே திருந்தலேன்னா வெளக்குமாறு வீசு
Ask it like that, Ammaalu...
Look for an evening hour and speak with romance,
Apply a bit of perfume that even a sage would faint for,
Buy jasmine flowers and wave them like a fan,
Buy jasmine flowers and wave them like a fan,
If he still doesn't reform after this, hit him with a broomstick!
பிள்ளை பெத்துப்புட்டேன் ஆறு வயசில
பேத்தி இருக்கிறா நூறு வயசில
நாடு கெட்டு போனதென்னு வீடு விட்டு
I gave birth to a child at six years old,
And I have a granddaughter who is a hundred years old!
Seeing that the country has gone to ruin, leaving home...
ஆத்தா வந்தேன் சொல்லுங்கடி
உலகம் எனக்கு அத்துபடி
ஆத்தா ஊரு ஊத்தங்குடி
சொன்னா நடக்கும் சொன்னபடி
Tell everyone, Aaththaa has arrived!
I know the world inside out.
Aaththaa's native place is Ooththankudi,
Whatever she says will happen as spoken.
எங்க வீட்டுக்காரருக்கு ரேஸ் மேலே பைத்தியம்
சண்டை போட்டும் திருந்தவில்லை
என்ன செய்யணும் வைத்தியம்...
அப்படி கேளு அம்மாளு.......ஊ....
My husband is crazy about horse racing,
He hasn't reformed even after fighting,
What medicine should I give him?
Ask it like that, Ammaalu... oo...
கடிவாளம் போட்டு வையி எதுக்கு வருது சண்ட
கடிவாளம் போட்டு வையி எதுக்கு வருது சண்ட
நீயும் கூட போட்டு பாரு குதிரை வாலு கொண்ட
குதிரை வாலு கொண்ட
Put a rein on him, why does a fight arise?
Put a rein on him, why does a fight arise?
You too try wearing a ponytail hairstyle,
A ponytail hairstyle...
எங்க வீட்டுக்காரரு
தண்ணி வண்டி ஆனதால
தள்ளு வண்டி ஆனாரு
அவர திருத்தி மாத்திப்புட்டா
நீதான் எனக்கு தாயாரு..
My husband,
Because he got addicted to alcohol,
Has turned into a pushcart!
If you correct and transform him,
You will be like a mother to me.
அப்படி கேளு அம்மாளு.......ஆஅ.....
Ask it like that, Ammaalu... aa...
முல்லை மெத்த போட்டு வச்சு
பஞ்சு மெத்த போடு
கள்ளு மயக்கம்....ஆ......ஆஅ.......ஆ....
எல்லாத்தையும் கண்ணுக்குள்ளே காட்டு
Lay down a bed of jasmine,
Put a soft cotton mattress,
Intoxication of toddy... aa... aaa... aa...
Show everything through your eyes.
........................
...
நாடு கெட்டு போனதென்னு வீடு விட்டு
ஆத்தா வந்தேன் சொல்லுங்கடி....
உலகம் எனக்கு அத்துபடி
ஆத்தா ஊரு ஊத்தங்குடி
சொன்னா நடக்கும் சொன்னபடி
Seeing that the country has gone to ruin, leaving home...
Tell everyone, Aaththaa has arrived!
I know the world inside out.
Aaththaa's native place is Ooththankudi,
Whatever she says will happen as spoken.
தேர்தலிலே நின்னு ஜெயிக்கணும்
அதுக்கு என்ன செய்யணும்
I want to stand in the election and win,
What should I do for that?
அதுவா......அப்படி கேளு அய்யாவு......
தேர்தலிலே ஜெயிச்சு வர
ஒரு வழிதான் போகணும்
தேர்தலிலே ஜெயிச்சு வர
ஒரு வழிதான் போகணும்
அத மட்டும் சொல்லணும்
Is that so... ask it like that, sir!
To win in the election,
You must take only one path.
To win in the election,
You must take only one path.
Male: You just tell me that path!
எதிர்த்து நிற்கிற ஆளவிட
அதிக ஓட்டு வாங்கணும்
Than the person standing opposite to you,
You must get more votes!
சிறு வயசு காளையை சொக்க வைக்கும்
சிக்க வைக்கும் சூத்திரத்தை சொல்லு ஆத்தா
அந்த சூத்திரத்தை சொல்லு ஆத்தா
To charm young men,
Tell us the secret trick that traps them, Aaththaa!
Tell us that secret trick, Aaththaa!
அப்படி கேளு அம்மாளு.......ஊ.....
Ask it like that, Ammaalu... oo...
கண்ணால நூறு கடிதாசு போடு
காதல் என்னும் தேனூற்று
பருவங்கள் தந்த பரிசினை
எல்லாம் ஜாடையாக நீ காட்டு
Send a hundred letters through your eyes,
A sweet fountain called love,
The gifts that youth gave you,
Show them all through subtle gestures.
அவன் அங்கம் தொட்டு மிருதங்கம் தட்டு
மேடையிட்டு நீராட்டு
கன்னங்கள் எங்கும் தென்னங்கள் தந்து
காளை நெஞ்சை நீ மாற்று
Touch his body and play rhythm,
Set up a stage and bathe him,
Cheeks smooth like tender coconut stalks,
Transform the young man's heart!
..................
...
நாடு கெட்டு போனதென்னு வீடு விட்டு
ஆத்தா வந்தேன் சொல்லுங்கடி....
உலகம் எனக்கு அத்துபடி
ஆத்தா ஊரு ஊத்தங்குடி
சொன்னா நடக்கும் சொன்னபடி
Seeing that the country has gone to ruin, leaving home...
Tell everyone, Aaththaa has arrived!
I know the world inside out.
Aaththaa's native place is Ooththankudi,
Whatever she says will happen as spoken.
தானனன்ன தந்தானா தானன்னா தந்தானா......
தானனன்ன தந்தானா தானன்னா தந்தானா......
தானனன்ன தந்தானா தானன்னா தந்தானா......
...
Haa….aa….aa…
Haa... aa... aa...
Aaththaa vanthaen sollungadi
Tell everyone, Aaththaa has arrived!
Ulagam enakku aththupadi
I know the world inside out.
Aaththaa vanthaen sollungadi
Tell everyone, Aaththaa has arrived!
Ulagam enakku aththupadi
I know the world inside out.
Aaththaa ooru ooththankudi
Aaththaa's native place is Ooththankudi,
Sonnaa nadakkum sonnapadi
Whatever she says will happen as spoken.
Aaththaa ooru ooththankudi
Aaththaa's native place is Ooththankudi,
Sonnaa nadakkum sonnapadi
Whatever she says will happen as spoken.
Pillai peththupputtean aaru vayasil
I gave birth to a child at six years old,
Peththi irukkiraa nooru vayasila
And I have a granddaughter who is a hundred years old!
Naadu kettu ponathennu veedu vittu
Seeing that the country has gone to ruin, leaving home...
Aaththaa vanthaen sollungadi
Tell everyone, Aaththaa has arrived!
Ulagam enakku aththupadi
I know the world inside out.
Aaththaa ooru ooththankudi
Aaththaa's native place is Ooththankudi,
Sonnaa nadakkum sonnapadi
Whatever she says will happen as spoken.
En purushan mannaaru
My husband Mannaaru,
Than paatti veedu poraennu
Claiming he is going to his grandmother's house,
Vaippaatti veedu poraaru
Is going to his mistress's house!
Intha paruva kirukku theeranumnaa
To cure this youthful madness,
Aaththaa sollanum kolaaru
Aaththaa must tell us what trouble is brewing.
Appadi kelu ammaalu….
Ask it like that, Ammaalu...
Saayangaalam naeram paarththu sarasam paarththu pesu
Look for an evening hour and speak with romance,
Chiththar kooda mayanggi pogum aththar konjam poosu
Apply a bit of perfume that even a sage would faint for,
Jaadhimalli vaangi vanthu visiri pola veesu
Buy jasmine flowers and wave them like a fan,
Jaadhimalli vaangi vanthu visiri pola veesu
Buy jasmine flowers and wave them like a fan,
idhukku malae thirunthalaennaa velakkumaaru veesu
If he still doesn't reform after this, hit him with a broomstick!
Pillai peththupputtean aaru vayasil
I gave birth to a child at six years old,
Peththi irukkiraa nooru vayasila
And I have a granddaughter who is a hundred years old!
Naadu kettu ponathennu veedu vittu
Seeing that the country has gone to ruin, leaving home...
Aaththaa vanthaen sollungadi
Tell everyone, Aaththaa has arrived!
Ulagam enakku aththupadi
I know the world inside out.
Aaththaa ooru ooththankudi
Aaththaa's native place is Ooththankudi,
Sonnaa nadakkum sonnapadi
Whatever she says will happen as spoken.
Enga veetukkaararukku race maelae paiththiyam
My husband is crazy about horse racing,
Sandai pottum thirunthavillai
He hasn't reformed even after fighting,
Enna seiyyanum vaiththiyam
What medicine should I give him?
Appadi kelu ammaalu….oo…
Ask it like that, Ammaalu... oo...
Kadivaalam pottu vaiyi edhukku varuthu sanda
Put a rein on him, why does a fight arise?
Kadivaalam pottu vaiyi edhukku varuthu sanda
Put a rein on him, why does a fight arise?
Neeyum kooda pottu paaru kudhira vaalu konda
You too try wearing a ponytail hairstyle,
Kudhira vaalu konda…
A ponytail hairstyle...
Enga veettukaararu
My husband,
Thanni vanni aanathaala
Because he got addicted to alcohol,
Thallu vandi aanaaru
Has turned into a pushcart!
Avara thiruththi maaththiputtaa
If you correct and transform him,
Neethaan enakku thaayaaru
You will be like a mother to me.
Appadi kelu ammaalu….aa….
Ask it like that, Ammaalu... aa...
Mullai meththa pottu vachchu
Lay down a bed of jasmine,
Panju meththa podu
Put a soft cotton mattress,
Kallu mayakkam…aa…..aaa……aa…..
Intoxication of toddy... aa... aaa... aa...
Ellaaththaiyum kannukkullae kaattu
Show everything through your eyes.
……………….
...
Naadu kettu ponathennu veedu vittu
Seeing that the country has gone to ruin, leaving home...
Aaththaa vanthaen sollungadi
Tell everyone, Aaththaa has arrived!
Ulagam enakku aththupadi
I know the world inside out.
Aaththaa ooru ooththankudi
Aaththaa's native place is Ooththankudi,
Sonnaa nadakkum sonnapadi
Whatever she says will happen as spoken.
Therthalilae ninnu jeyikanum
I want to stand in the election and win,
Adhukku enna seiyaanum
What should I do for that?
Adhuvaa….appadi kelu aiyaavu
Is that so... ask it like that, sir!
Therthalilae jeyichchu vara
To win in the election,
Oru vazhithaan poganum
You must take only one path.
Therthalilae jeyichchu vara
To win in the election,
Oru vazhithaan poganum
You must take only one path.
Male :Adha mattum sollanum
Male: You just tell me that path!
Edhirththu nirkira aalavida
Than the person standing opposite to you,
Adhiga oottu vaanganum
You must get more votes!
Siru vayasu kaalaiyai sokka vaikkum
To charm young men,
Sikka vaikkum sooththiraththai sollu aaththaa
Tell us the secret trick that traps them, Aaththaa!
Antha sooththiraththai sollu aaththaa
Tell us that secret trick, Aaththaa!
Appadi kelu ammaalu….oo….
Ask it like that, Ammaalu... oo...
Kannaala nooru kadithaasu podu
Send a hundred letters through your eyes,
Kadhal ennum thenoottru
A sweet fountain called love,
Paruvangal thantha parisinai
The gifts that youth gave you,
Ellaam jaadaiyaaga nee kaattu
Show them all through subtle gestures.
Avan angam thottu niruthangam thattu
Touch his body and play rhythm,
Maedaiyittu neeraattu
Set up a stage and bathe him,
Kannangal engum thennangal thandu
Cheeks smooth like tender coconut stalks,
Kaalai nenjai nee maattru
Transform the young man's heart!
: …………..
...
Naadu kettu ponathennu veedu vittu
Seeing that the country has gone to ruin, leaving home...
Aaththaa vanthaen sollungadi
Tell everyone, Aaththaa has arrived!
Ulagam enakku aththupadi
I know the world inside out.
Aaththaa ooru ooththankudi
Aaththaa's native place is Ooththankudi,
Sonnaa nadakkum sonnapadi
Whatever she says will happen as spoken.
…………..
...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This satirical folk song centers around 'Aaththaa', an all-knowing, witty village matriarch and fortune-teller figure. Villagers approach her with diverse personal problems—wives complaining about unfaithful, alcoholic, or gambling husbands, a politician seeking advice to win elections, and young people asking for love tricks. Aaththaa responds with humor, practical quips, and lighthearted solutions. Lyricist Vairamuthu blends traditional village storytelling with comedic social commentary, touching on domestic squabbles, societal vices, and romantic allure with playful folk rhythms.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Pillai peththupputtean aaru vayasil / Peththi irukkiraa nooru vayasila”
Matching second consonants across lines, such as 'Aaththaa' and 'Ulagam' or 'Pillai' and 'Peththi', maintaining folk song flow.
Pun / Wordplay (Siledai)
“Thanni vanni aanathaala / Thallu vandi aanaaru”
Clever rhyming wordplay using liquor slang ('Thanni vanni') leading to a punchline about becoming a pushcart ('Thallu vandi').
Irony / Humor
“Pillai peththupputtean aaru vayasil / Peththi irukkiraa nooru vayasila”
Humorous paradoxes typical of folk riddles, stating she had a child at 6 years old and has a 100-year-old granddaughter.
Did you know?
Trivia
This song showcases Vairamuthu's versatility in writing authentic Tamil folk song structures (Gramiya Paatu) early in his career. The character of 'Aaththaa' draws upon popular South Indian street theater and village fortune-teller tropes.
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