Aathu Mettula
From Thambi Durai · 1997
- Lyricist
- Piraisoodan
- Singer
- Mano
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Thambi Durai1997
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aathula mettula | In the river, on the mound, |
| Veettula naattula | In the house, in the land, |
| Ezhaigalin selvamae | O treasure of the poor! |
| Yelae yelo saamiyae | Yelae yelo, Lord! |
| Endrum indha paattu thaan | This song is forever, |
| Yelae yelo saamiyae | Yelae yelo, Lord! |
| Theeraadha vedhanai thaan theerumae | The endless pain will indeed end, |
| Maaraadha baaramae oodoodumae | The unyielding weight will run away. |
| Male | |
| Aathula mettula | In the river, on the mound, |
| Veettula naattula | In the house, in the land, |
| Ezhaigalin selvamae | O treasure of the poor! |
| Yelae yelo saamiyae | Yelae yelo, Lord! |
| Endrum indha paattu thaan | This song is forever, |
| Yelae yelo saamiyae | Yelae yelo, Lord! |
| Theeraadha vedhanai thaan theerumae | The endless pain will indeed end, |
| Maaraadha baaramae oodoodumae | The unyielding weight will run away. |
| Male | |
| Sevalin paattu kettu varum | It comes listening to the song of the rooster, |
| Kaalai nan neram | The good morning time. |
| Paavalar paattu paadi chendraalae | When poets pass by singing songs, |
| Ezhaikkum kozhaikkum thembu varum | Even the poor and the weak gain courage. |
| Yeththathu paattu thulli varum | The folk song leaps forth, |
| Vayal veli kandu | Seeing the open agricultural fields. |
| Sothukku thaalam pottidum paattu | The song that beats time for a meal, |
| Endraikkum ingae undu undu | Will forever be here. |
| Male | |
| Kannan sonna paattu | The song spoken by Krishna, |
| Geethai aachu andru | Became the Gita back then. |
| Munnor thandha paattu | The song given by our ancestors, |
| Paadhai aachu indru | Became our pathway today. |
| Aareeraariro… annai paattu anbin paattu | Lullaby... mother's song, the song of love, |
| Endrum eedu yedhu | What can ever equal it? |
| Male | |
| Aathula mettula | In the river, on the mound, |
| Veettula naattula | In the house, in the land, |
| Ezhaigalin selvamae | O treasure of the poor! |
| Yelae yelo saamiyae | Yelae yelo, Lord! |
| Endrum indha paattu thaan | This song is forever, |
| Yelae yelo saamiyae | Yelae yelo, Lord! |
| Theeraadha vedhanai thaan theerumae | The endless pain will indeed end, |
| Maaraadha baaramae oodoodumae | The unyielding weight will run away. |
| Male | |
| Ikkarai vittu akkaraikku | To go from this bank to that bank, |
| Poi vara ingae | And come back here, |
| Aatrai kadakka aatril midhakkum | To cross the river without a coracle, |
| Parisalum indri povadhum engae | Floating on the water, where can one go? |
| Thunbathai vittu vaazhkkai thanai | To leave sorrow behind and live life, |
| Vaazhndhida ingae | Here in this world, |
| Aandiyum enna arasanum enna | Be it a beggar or a king, |
| Aandavan indri povadhengae | Where can one go without God? |
| Male | |
| Nallor podum paadhai | The path laid down by good people, |
| Neraai pogum thambi | Goes straight, my brother. |
| Pollor pogum paadhai | The path taken by wicked people, |
| Aaraai pogum thambi | Splits into six ways, my brother. |
| Yelae yelaelo… ooo | Yelae yelaelo… ooo |
| Endhan paattu inbam koottum | My song brings joy, |
| Endrum vaazhvil ingae | Forever in life here. |
| Male | |
| Aathula mettula | In the river, on the mound, |
| Veettula naattula | In the house, in the land, |
| Ezhaigalin selvamae | O treasure of the poor! |
| Yelae yelo saamiyae | Yelae yelo, Lord! |
| Endrum indha paattu thaan | This song is forever, |
| Yelae yelo saamiyae | Yelae yelo, Lord! |
| Theeraadha vedhanai thaan theerumae | The endless pain will indeed end, |
| Maaraadha baaramae oodoodumae | The unyielding weight will run away. |
| Male | |
| Aathula mettula aathula …aa…aa… | In the river, on the mound, in the river... ah... ah... |
ஆத்துல மேட்டுல
வீட்டுல நாட்டுல
ஏழைகளின் செல்வமே
ஏலே ஏலோ சாமியே
In the river, on the mound,
In the house, in the land,
O treasure of the poor!
Yelae yelo, Lord!
This song is forever,
Yelae yelo, Lord!
The endless pain will indeed end,
The unyielding weight will run away.
என்றும் இந்த பாட்டுதான்
ஏலே ஏலோ சாமியே
தீராத வேதனை தான் தீருமே
மாறாத பாரமே ஓடோடுமே
In the river, on the mound,
In the house, in the land,
O treasure of the poor!
Yelae yelo, Lord!
This song is forever,
Yelae yelo, Lord!
The endless pain will indeed end,
The unyielding weight will run away.
ஆத்துல மேட்டுல
வீட்டுல நாட்டுல
ஏழைகளின் செல்வமே
ஏலே ஏலோ சாமியே
It comes listening to the song of the rooster,
The good morning time.
When poets pass by singing songs,
Even the poor and the weak gain courage.
The folk song leaps forth,
Seeing the open agricultural fields.
The song that beats time for a meal,
Will forever be here.
என்றும் இந்த பாட்டுதான்
ஏலே ஏலோ சாமியே
தீராத வேதனை தான் தீருமே
மாறாத பாரமே ஓடோடுமே
The song spoken by Krishna,
Became the Gita back then.
The song given by our ancestors,
Became our pathway today.
Lullaby... mother's song, the song of love,
What can ever equal it?
சேவலின் பாட்டு கேட்டு
வரும் காலை நன்நேரம்
பாவலர் பாட்டு பாடிச் சென்றாலே
ஏழைக்கும் கோழைக்கும் தெம்பு வரும்
In the river, on the mound,
In the house, in the land,
O treasure of the poor!
Yelae yelo, Lord!
This song is forever,
Yelae yelo, Lord!
The endless pain will indeed end,
The unyielding weight will run away.
ஏத்தத்துப் பாட்டு துள்ளி வரும்
வயல் வெளி கண்டு
சோத்துக்குத் தாளம் போட்டிடும் பாட்டு
என்றைக்கும் இங்கே உண்டு உண்டு
To go from this bank to that bank,
And come back here,
To cross the river without a coracle,
Floating on the water, where can one go?
To leave sorrow behind and live life,
Here in this world,
Be it a beggar or a king,
Where can one go without God?
கண்ணன் சொன்ன பாட்டு
கீதை ஆச்சு அன்று
முன்னோர் தந்த பாட்டு
பாதை ஆச்சு இன்று
ஆரீராரிரோ.........
அன்னை பாட்டு அன்பின் பாட்டு
என்றும் ஈடு ஏது...
The path laid down by good people,
Goes straight, my brother.
The path taken by wicked people,
Splits into six ways, my brother.
Yelae yelaelo… ooo
My song brings joy,
Forever in life here.
ஆத்துல மேட்டுல
வீட்டுல நாட்டுல
ஏழைகளின் செல்வமே
ஏலே ஏலோ சாமியே
In the river, on the mound,
In the house, in the land,
O treasure of the poor!
Yelae yelo, Lord!
This song is forever,
Yelae yelo, Lord!
The endless pain will indeed end,
The unyielding weight will run away.
என்றும் இந்த பாட்டுதான்
ஏலே ஏலோ சாமியே
தீராத வேதனை தான் தீருமே
மாறாத பாரமே ஓடோடுமே
In the river, on the mound, in the river... ah... ah...
இக்கரை விட்டு
அக்கரைக்குப் போய் வர இங்கே
ஆற்றைக் கடக்க ஆற்றில் மிதக்கும்
பரிசலும் இன்றி போவதும் எங்கே
துன்பத்தை விட்டு
வாழ்க்கை தனை வாழ்ந்திட இங்கே
ஆண்டியும் என்ன அரசனும் என்ன
ஆண்டவன் இன்றிப் போவதெங்கே
நல்லோர் போடும் பாதை
நேராய் போகும் தம்பி
பொல்லோர் போகும் பாதை
ஆறாய் போகும் தம்பி
ஏலே ஏலேலோ...
எந்தன் பாட்டு இன்பம் கூட்டும்
என்றும் வாழ்வில் இங்கே....
ஆத்துல மேட்டுல
வீட்டுல நாட்டுல
ஏழைகளின் செல்வமே
ஏலே ஏலோ சாமியே
என்றும் இந்த பாட்டுதான்
ஏலே ஏலோ சாமியே
தீராத வேதனை தான் தீருமே
மாறாத பாரமே ஓடோடுமே
ஆத்துல மேட்டுல
ஆத்துல.....ஆஅ......
Aathula mettula
In the river, on the mound,
Veettula naattula
In the house, in the land,
Ezhaigalin selvamae
O treasure of the poor!
Yelae yelo saamiyae
Yelae yelo, Lord!
Endrum indha paattu thaan
This song is forever,
Yelae yelo saamiyae
Yelae yelo, Lord!
Theeraadha vedhanai thaan theerumae
The endless pain will indeed end,
Maaraadha baaramae oodoodumae
The unyielding weight will run away.
Aathula mettula
In the river, on the mound,
Veettula naattula
In the house, in the land,
Ezhaigalin selvamae
O treasure of the poor!
Yelae yelo saamiyae
Yelae yelo, Lord!
Endrum indha paattu thaan
This song is forever,
Yelae yelo saamiyae
Yelae yelo, Lord!
Theeraadha vedhanai thaan theerumae
The endless pain will indeed end,
Maaraadha baaramae oodoodumae
The unyielding weight will run away.
Sevalin paattu kettu varum
It comes listening to the song of the rooster,
Kaalai nan neram
The good morning time.
Paavalar paattu paadi chendraalae
When poets pass by singing songs,
Ezhaikkum kozhaikkum thembu varum
Even the poor and the weak gain courage.
Yeththathu paattu thulli varum
The folk song leaps forth,
Vayal veli kandu
Seeing the open agricultural fields.
Sothukku thaalam pottidum paattu
The song that beats time for a meal,
Endraikkum ingae undu undu
Will forever be here.
Kannan sonna paattu
The song spoken by Krishna,
Geethai aachu andru
Became the Gita back then.
Munnor thandha paattu
The song given by our ancestors,
Paadhai aachu indru
Became our pathway today.
Aareeraariro… annai paattu anbin paattu
Lullaby... mother's song, the song of love,
Endrum eedu yedhu
What can ever equal it?
Aathula mettula
In the river, on the mound,
Veettula naattula
In the house, in the land,
Ezhaigalin selvamae
O treasure of the poor!
Yelae yelo saamiyae
Yelae yelo, Lord!
Endrum indha paattu thaan
This song is forever,
Yelae yelo saamiyae
Yelae yelo, Lord!
Theeraadha vedhanai thaan theerumae
The endless pain will indeed end,
Maaraadha baaramae oodoodumae
The unyielding weight will run away.
Ikkarai vittu akkaraikku
To go from this bank to that bank,
Poi vara ingae
And come back here,
Aatrai kadakka aatril midhakkum
To cross the river without a coracle,
Parisalum indri povadhum engae
Floating on the water, where can one go?
Thunbathai vittu vaazhkkai thanai
To leave sorrow behind and live life,
Vaazhndhida ingae
Here in this world,
Aandiyum enna arasanum enna
Be it a beggar or a king,
Aandavan indri povadhengae
Where can one go without God?
Nallor podum paadhai
The path laid down by good people,
Neraai pogum thambi
Goes straight, my brother.
Pollor pogum paadhai
The path taken by wicked people,
Aaraai pogum thambi
Splits into six ways, my brother.
Yelae yelaelo… ooo
Yelae yelaelo… ooo
Endhan paattu inbam koottum
My song brings joy,
Endrum vaazhvil ingae
Forever in life here.
Aathula mettula
In the river, on the mound,
Veettula naattula
In the house, in the land,
Ezhaigalin selvamae
O treasure of the poor!
Yelae yelo saamiyae
Yelae yelo, Lord!
Endrum indha paattu thaan
This song is forever,
Yelae yelo saamiyae
Yelae yelo, Lord!
Theeraadha vedhanai thaan theerumae
The endless pain will indeed end,
Maaraadha baaramae oodoodumae
The unyielding weight will run away.
Aathula mettula aathula …aa…aa…
In the river, on the mound, in the river... ah... ah...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song celebrates the solace, beauty, and omnipresence of music and faith in rural Tamil life. It describes music as the true wealth of the impoverished, capable of soothing endless pain, giving courage to the weak, and accompanying daily work in the fields from morning till night. The lyrics draw parallels between sacred songs like the Bhagavad Gita and everyday folk lullabies, highlighting how music guides humanity just like moral pathways laid down by ancestors and good souls. Ultimately, it emphasizes that whether one is a pauper or a king, divine grace and uplifting songs are essential pillars to navigate life's rivers and hardships successfully.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rhyme / Monodistich (Edhukai)
“Aathula mettula”
Second letter rhyming in 'Aathula' / 'Veettula' and 'Kannan' / 'Munnor'.
Anaphora (Monaai)
“Aathula mettula”
Repetition of initial letter/sound across consecutive phrases: 'Aathula', 'Veettula', 'Ezhaigalin'.
Refrain
“Yelae yelo saamiyae”
The rhythmic chant 'Yelae yelo saamiyae' repeats throughout as a folk work-song refrain.
Contrast / Antonymy
“Aandiyum enna arasanum enna”
Contrasting 'Nallor' (good people) and 'Pollor' (wicked people), as well as 'Aandiyum' (beggar) and 'Arasanum' (king).
Did you know?
Trivia
The lyricist Piraisoodan uses classical Tamil folk refrain structures like 'Yelae Yelo' which traditionally belong to 'Yethappaattu' (irrigation/working folk songs) to emphasize the therapeutic power of music among rural working-class communities.
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