Aathile Thanni Vara
From Vannakili · 1959
- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Singer
- Seerkazhi Govindarajan
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Vannakili1959
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Haaa…aaa…aaa…aa..hoo oo oo | Haaa…aaa…aaa…aa..hoo oo oo |
| Aathilae thanni vara | When water flows in the river, |
| Adhiloruvan meen pidikka | And a man stands waiting to catch fish, |
| Kaathirundha kokku adhai | Why does a waiting stork swoop in, |
| Kavvikondu povadhum yen | And snatch it away? |
| Aathilae thanni vara | When water flows in the river, |
| Adhiloruvan meen pidikka | And a man stands waiting to catch fish, |
| Kaathirundha kokku adhai | Why does a waiting stork swoop in, |
| Kavvikondu povadhum yen | And snatch it away? |
| Kannamma… | Oh Kannamma… |
| Kannamma adhai paathu | Oh Kannamma, watching that happen, |
| Avan yenguvadhaen sollammaa | Tell me why he yearns in anguish? |
| Male | |
| Paathi katti naathu nattu | Building bunds and planting saplings, |
| Palanedukkum naaliyilae | On the day meant to reap the harvest, |
| Poothathellaam ver oruvan | Why does everything that blossomed, |
| Paathiyama povadhum yen | Become the sole property of another? |
| Paathi katti naathu nattu | Building bunds and planting saplings, |
| Palanedukkum naaliyilae | On the day meant to reap the harvest, |
| Poothathellaam ver oruvan | Why does everything that blossomed, |
| Paathiyama povadhum yen | Become the sole property of another? |
| Kannamma… | Oh Kannamma… |
| Kannamma kalappai pudichavanum | Oh Kannamma, why does the one who holds the plough, |
| Thavipadhum yen sollamma | Suffer in endless agony? Tell me. |
| Kalappai pudichavanum | Why does the one who holds the plough, |
| Thavipadhum yen sollamma | Suffer in endless agony? Tell me. |
| Chorus | |
| …………………. | |
| Male | |
| Panjeduthu padhapaduthi | Taking raw cotton, processing it with care, |
| Pakkuvama nool noottru | And spinning the thread meticulously, |
| Nenjodiya aadai neidhom kannamma | We wove clothes with all our heart, Kannamma, |
| Ingu kandhal udai kattuvadhen sollamma | Tell me why we end up wearing tattered rags here? |
| Panjeduthu padhapaduthi | Taking raw cotton, processing it with care, |
| Pakkuvama nool noottru | And spinning the thread meticulously, |
| Nenjodiya aadai neidhom kannamma | We wove clothes with all our heart, Kannamma, |
| Ingu kandhal udai kattuvadhen sollamma..haaaa | Tell me why we end up wearing tattered rags here? |
| Kaathirukkum athai mavan | While the waiting maternal cousin's eyes, |
| Kann kalangi nirkkaiyilae | Stand brimming with tearful heartbreak, |
| Naethu vandha oruvanukku | Why exchange wedding garlands, |
| Maathu maalai poduvadhaen | With a stranger who arrived just yesterday? |
| Male | |
| Kaathirukkum athai mavan | While the waiting maternal cousin's eyes, |
| Kann kalangi nirkkaiyilae | Stand brimming with tearful heartbreak, |
| Naethu vandha oruvanukku | Why exchange wedding garlands, |
| Maathu maalai poduvadhaen | With a stranger who arrived just yesterday? |
| Kannamma kannamma aval | Oh Kannamma, Kannamma, why does he, |
| Nethirathai paripadhum yen sollamma | Steal away her vision and joy? Tell me. |
| Chorus | |
| ……………………. | |
| Male | |
| Yettra thazhvum yemaattrum | Inequality and deception, |
| Ivvulagil iruppadhu thaan | Prevailed throughout this world, |
| Ithanaikkum karanamaam kannamma | Are the root cause of all these woes, Kannamma! |
| Yettra thazhvum yemaattrum | Inequality and deception, |
| Ivvulagil iruppadhu thaan | Prevailed throughout this world, |
| Ithanaikkum karanamaam kannamma | Are the root cause of all these woes, Kannamma! |
| Idhai ellorkkum nee eduthu sollamma | Go and explain this truth to everyone, tell them! |
| Kannamma… | Oh Kannamma… |
| Ellorkkum nee eduthu sollamma | Go and explain this truth to everyone, tell them! |
| Male | |
| Aathilae thanni vara | When water flows in the river, |
| Adhiloruvan meen pidikka | And a man stands waiting to catch fish, |
| Kaathirundha kokku adhai | Why does a waiting stork swoop in, |
| Kavvikondu povadhum yen | And snatch it away? |
| Kannamma… | Oh Kannamma… |
| Kannamma adhai paathu | Oh Kannamma, watching that happen, |
| Avan yenguvadhaen sollammaa | Tell me why he yearns in anguish? |
| Chorus | |
| ………………….. | |
| Male | |
| Kannamma…sollammaa | Oh Kannamma… tell me! |
| Kannamma…sollammaa | Oh Kannamma… tell me! |
ஹா..ஆ..ஆ..ஆ..ஹோ ..ஓ ஓ ..ஹோ..
Haaa…aaa…aaa…aa..hoo oo oo
When water flows in the river,
And a man stands waiting to catch fish,
Why does a waiting stork swoop in,
And snatch it away?
When water flows in the river,
And a man stands waiting to catch fish,
Why does a waiting stork swoop in,
And snatch it away?
Oh Kannamma…
Oh Kannamma, watching that happen,
Tell me why he yearns in anguish?
ஆத்திலே தண்ணி வர
அதிலொருவன் மீன் பிடிக்க
காத்திருந்த கொக்கு அதைக்
கவ்விக்கொண்டு போவதும் ஏன்?
ஆத்திலே தண்ணி வர
அதிலொருவன் மீன் பிடிக்க
காத்திருந்த கொக்கு அதைக்
கவ்விக்கொண்டு போவதும் ஏன்?
கண்ணம்மா
கண்ணம்மா அதைப் பாத்து
அவன் ஏங்குவதேன் சொல்லம்மா
Building bunds and planting saplings,
On the day meant to reap the harvest,
Why does everything that blossomed,
Become the sole property of another?
Building bunds and planting saplings,
On the day meant to reap the harvest,
Why does everything that blossomed,
Become the sole property of another?
Oh Kannamma…
Oh Kannamma, why does the one who holds the plough,
Suffer in endless agony? Tell me.
Why does the one who holds the plough,
Suffer in endless agony? Tell me.
பாத்தி கட்டி நாத்து நட்டுப்
பலனெடுக்கும் நாளையிலே
பூத்ததெல்லாம் வேறொருவன்
பாத்தியமாப் போவதும் ஏன்
பாத்தி கட்டி நாத்து நட்டுப்
பலனெடுக்கும் நாளையிலே
பூத்ததெல்லாம் வேறொருவன்
பாத்தியமாப் போவதும் ஏன்
கண்ணம்மா
கண்ணம்மா கலப்பை புடிச்சவனும்
தவிப்பதும் ஏன் சொல்லம்மா
கலப்பை புடிச்சவனும்
தவிப்பதும் ஏன் சொல்லம்மா
.......................
Taking raw cotton, processing it with care,
And spinning the thread meticulously,
We wove clothes with all our heart, Kannamma,
Tell me why we end up wearing tattered rags here?
Taking raw cotton, processing it with care,
And spinning the thread meticulously,
We wove clothes with all our heart, Kannamma,
Tell me why we end up wearing tattered rags here?
While the waiting maternal cousin's eyes,
Stand brimming with tearful heartbreak,
Why exchange wedding garlands,
With a stranger who arrived just yesterday?
பஞ்செடுத்துப் பதப்படுத்தி
பக்குவமா நூல் நூற்று
நெஞ்சொடிய ஆடை நெய்தோம் கண்ணம்மா
இங்கு கந்தலுடை கட்டுவதேன் சொல்லம்மா
பஞ்செடுத்துப் பதப்படுத்தி
பக்குவமா நூல் நூற்று
நெஞ்சொடிய ஆடை நெய்தோம் கண்ணம்மா
இங்கு கந்தலுடை கட்டுவதேன் சொல்லம்மா ஆ..
காத்திருக்கும் அத்தை மவன்
கண்கலங்கி நிற்கையிலே
நேத்து வந்த ஒருவனுக்கு
மாத்துமாலை போடுவதேன்
While the waiting maternal cousin's eyes,
Stand brimming with tearful heartbreak,
Why exchange wedding garlands,
With a stranger who arrived just yesterday?
Oh Kannamma, Kannamma, why does he,
Steal away her vision and joy? Tell me.
காத்திருக்கும் அத்தை மவன்
கண்கலங்கி நிற்கையிலே
நேத்து வந்த ஒருவனுக்கு
மாத்துமாலை போடுவதேன்
கண்ணம்மா கண்ணம்மா அவள்
நேத்திரத்தைப் பறிப்பதும் ஏன் சொல்லம்மா
.......................
Inequality and deception,
Prevailed throughout this world,
Are the root cause of all these woes, Kannamma!
Inequality and deception,
Prevailed throughout this world,
Are the root cause of all these woes, Kannamma!
Go and explain this truth to everyone, tell them!
Oh Kannamma…
Go and explain this truth to everyone, tell them!
ஏற்றத் தாழ்வும் ஏமாற்றும்
இவ்வுலகில் இருப்பதுதான்
இத்தனைக்கும் காரணமாம் கண்ணம்மா
ஏற்றத் தாழ்வும் ஏமாற்றும்
இவ்வுலகில் இருப்பதுதான்
இத்தனைக்கும் காரணமாம் கண்ணம்மா
இதை எல்லோர்க்கும் நீ எடுத்து சொல்லம்மா கண்ணம்மா
எல்லோர்க்கும் நீ எடுத்து சொல்லம்மா
When water flows in the river,
And a man stands waiting to catch fish,
Why does a waiting stork swoop in,
And snatch it away?
Oh Kannamma…
Oh Kannamma, watching that happen,
Tell me why he yearns in anguish?
ஆத்திலே தண்ணி வர
அதிலொருவன் மீன் பிடிக்க
காத்திருந்த கொக்கு அதைக்
கவ்விக்கொண்டு போவதும் ஏன்?
கண்ணம்மா
கண்ணம்மா அதைப் பாத்து
அவன் ஏங்குவதேன் சொல்லம்மா
கண்ணம்மா ..சொல்லம்மா
கண்ணம்மா ..சொல்லம்மா
Oh Kannamma… tell me!
Oh Kannamma… tell me!
Haaa…aaa…aaa…aa..hoo oo oo
Haaa…aaa…aaa…aa..hoo oo oo
Aathilae thanni vara
When water flows in the river,
Adhiloruvan meen pidikka
And a man stands waiting to catch fish,
Kaathirundha kokku adhai
Why does a waiting stork swoop in,
Kavvikondu povadhum yen
And snatch it away?
Aathilae thanni vara
When water flows in the river,
Adhiloruvan meen pidikka
And a man stands waiting to catch fish,
Kaathirundha kokku adhai
Why does a waiting stork swoop in,
Kavvikondu povadhum yen
And snatch it away?
Kannamma…
Oh Kannamma…
Kannamma adhai paathu
Oh Kannamma, watching that happen,
Avan yenguvadhaen sollammaa
Tell me why he yearns in anguish?
Paathi katti naathu nattu
Building bunds and planting saplings,
Palanedukkum naaliyilae
On the day meant to reap the harvest,
Poothathellaam ver oruvan
Why does everything that blossomed,
Paathiyama povadhum yen
Become the sole property of another?
Paathi katti naathu nattu
Building bunds and planting saplings,
Palanedukkum naaliyilae
On the day meant to reap the harvest,
Poothathellaam ver oruvan
Why does everything that blossomed,
Paathiyama povadhum yen
Become the sole property of another?
Kannamma…
Oh Kannamma…
Kannamma kalappai pudichavanum
Oh Kannamma, why does the one who holds the plough,
Thavipadhum yen sollamma
Suffer in endless agony? Tell me.
Kalappai pudichavanum
Why does the one who holds the plough,
Thavipadhum yen sollamma
Suffer in endless agony? Tell me.
………………….
Panjeduthu padhapaduthi
Taking raw cotton, processing it with care,
Pakkuvama nool noottru
And spinning the thread meticulously,
Nenjodiya aadai neidhom kannamma
We wove clothes with all our heart, Kannamma,
Ingu kandhal udai kattuvadhen sollamma
Tell me why we end up wearing tattered rags here?
Panjeduthu padhapaduthi
Taking raw cotton, processing it with care,
Pakkuvama nool noottru
And spinning the thread meticulously,
Nenjodiya aadai neidhom kannamma
We wove clothes with all our heart, Kannamma,
Ingu kandhal udai kattuvadhen sollamma..haaaa
Tell me why we end up wearing tattered rags here?
Kaathirukkum athai mavan
While the waiting maternal cousin's eyes,
Kann kalangi nirkkaiyilae
Stand brimming with tearful heartbreak,
Naethu vandha oruvanukku
Why exchange wedding garlands,
Maathu maalai poduvadhaen
With a stranger who arrived just yesterday?
Kaathirukkum athai mavan
While the waiting maternal cousin's eyes,
Kann kalangi nirkkaiyilae
Stand brimming with tearful heartbreak,
Naethu vandha oruvanukku
Why exchange wedding garlands,
Maathu maalai poduvadhaen
With a stranger who arrived just yesterday?
Kannamma kannamma aval
Oh Kannamma, Kannamma, why does he,
Nethirathai paripadhum yen sollamma
Steal away her vision and joy? Tell me.
…………………….
Yettra thazhvum yemaattrum
Inequality and deception,
Ivvulagil iruppadhu thaan
Prevailed throughout this world,
Ithanaikkum karanamaam kannamma
Are the root cause of all these woes, Kannamma!
Yettra thazhvum yemaattrum
Inequality and deception,
Ivvulagil iruppadhu thaan
Prevailed throughout this world,
Ithanaikkum karanamaam kannamma
Are the root cause of all these woes, Kannamma!
Idhai ellorkkum nee eduthu sollamma
Go and explain this truth to everyone, tell them!
Kannamma…
Oh Kannamma…
Ellorkkum nee eduthu sollamma
Go and explain this truth to everyone, tell them!
Aathilae thanni vara
When water flows in the river,
Adhiloruvan meen pidikka
And a man stands waiting to catch fish,
Kaathirundha kokku adhai
Why does a waiting stork swoop in,
Kavvikondu povadhum yen
And snatch it away?
Kannamma…
Oh Kannamma…
Kannamma adhai paathu
Oh Kannamma, watching that happen,
Avan yenguvadhaen sollammaa
Tell me why he yearns in anguish?
…………………..
Kannamma…sollammaa
Oh Kannamma… tell me!
Kannamma…sollammaa
Oh Kannamma… tell me!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic social reform song from Vannakili (1959) uses poignant allegories to critique socio-economic inequality and exploitation. Through simple yet evocative folk imagery—a fisherman losing his catch to a stork, a hard-working farmer losing his harvest to a landlord, weavers wearing rags despite crafting fine clothes, and traditional relationships severed by wealth—the lyricist highlights how the labor of the working class is systematically looted by opportunists.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Allegory (Uvamai)
“Kaathirundha kokku adhai kavvikondu povadhum yen”
The stork taking the fish caught by a fisherman serves as an allegory for capitalist exploitation of working class labor.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Panjeduthu padhapaduthi pakkuvama nool noottru”
Repetition of the 'Pa' sound at the beginning of words in the line.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Yettra thazhvum yemaattrum / Ivvulagil iruppadhu thaan”
The second consonant sound 'tt' rhymes in consecutive lines (Yettra / Ivvulagil / Ithanaikkum).
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by legendary lyricist A. Maruthakasi and sung powerfully by Seerkazhi Govindarajan, this song reflects the strong socialist and Dravidian movement themes prominent in 1950s Tamil cinema, advocating for social equality and agrarian rights.
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