Aathu Mettula
From Ponnumani · 1993
- Lyricist
- R. V. Udhaya Kumar
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Ponnumani1993
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Aathu mettula | On the river mound |
| Mutham onnu koduthaa | Just giving one kiss |
| Moththa kadan theeraadhu | Will not settle the entire debt |
| Kaathu vaakkula | In the passing breeze |
| Kannadichi kavutha | Winking and knocking me down |
| Ketta manam theradhu | The ruined heart will not recover |
| Female | |
| Aathu mettula | On the river mound |
| Mutham onnu koduthaa | Just giving one kiss |
| Moththa kadan theeraadhu | Will not settle the entire debt |
| Kaathu vaakkula | In the passing breeze |
| Kannadichi kavutha | Winking and knocking me down |
| Ketta manam theradhu | The ruined heart will not recover |
| Female | |
| Patti thotti pakkam ellam | In all the villages and hamlets around |
| Love-u love-u love aachi | It has all become love, love, love |
| Katti vacha katta vandhu | The tied-up log has come |
| Ichi ichi kiss aaachi | And turned into sweet, sweet kisses |
| Female | |
| Ada.. aathu mettula.. | Oh.. on the river mound.. |
| Male :Aathu mettula | Male: On the river mound |
| Mutham onnu koduthaa | Just giving one kiss |
| Moththa kadan theeraadhu | Will not settle the entire debt |
| Kaathu vaakkula | In the passing breeze |
| Kannadichi kavutha | Winking and knocking me down |
| Ketta manam theradhu | The ruined heart will not recover |
| Male | |
| Vetti kadhaiyila vegam koraiyila | When speed doesn't lessen in idle talk |
| Veen pechi yen maanae | Why useless talk, my dear? |
| Thatti kettukka kitta aalilla | There is no one nearby to question or stop us |
| Nee onnu thaa maanae | You are the only one, my dear |
| Female | |
| Kattaantharayila | On the hard bare ground |
| Kattil irukkudhu | There is a bed |
| Kaathaada vaa maama | Come enjoy the breeze, uncle/mister |
| Kattipudichiko vattam adichiko | Embrace me and spin around |
| Kepaaru yaar maama | Who is there to ask, uncle/mister? |
| Male | |
| Vethalaya pottu pottu | Chewing betel leaves repeatedly |
| Mutha karai nee poda | You leave a kiss mark |
| Female :Nitham adha paathu paathu | Female: Seeing that daily |
| Pithathula nee aada | You dance in madness |
| Male | |
| Patti thotti pakkam ellam | In all the villages and hamlets around |
| Love-u love-u love aachi | It has all become love, love, love |
| Female :Katti vacha katta vandhu | Female: The tied-up log has come |
| Ichi ichi kiss aaachi | And turned into sweet, sweet kisses |
| Female | |
| Ada.. aathu mettula.. | Oh.. on the river mound.. |
| Male :Hey hooi | Male: Hey hooi |
| Aathu mettula | On the river mound |
| Mutham onnu koduthaa | Just giving one kiss |
| Moththa kadan theeraadhu | Will not settle the entire debt |
| Kaathu vaakkula | In the passing breeze |
| Kannadichi kavutha | Winking and knocking me down |
| Ketta manam theradhu | The ruined heart will not recover |
| Female | |
| Kaattu kuyilonnu | A wild cuckoo bird |
| Gaanam padikudhu | Is singing a song |
| Kettodi vaa maama | Listen and run to me, uncle/mister |
| Yettil irukira paadam pudikala | I don't like the lesson in the book |
| Nee pesa vaa maama | Come talk to me, uncle/mister |
| Male | |
| Maamam verappula | With uncle's stubbornness |
| Meesai murukkuna | If you twirl your mustache |
| Thaangaadhu unn dhegam | Your body won't be able to bear it |
| Yedho kanakkula naanum thavikiran | In some calculation, I am yearning too |
| Yen innum sandhegam | Why do you still have doubts? |
| Female | |
| Vetkam enna vittu vittu | Leaving me bit by bit, my shyness... |
| Romba thooram pogaathaa.. | Won't it go far away? |
| Male :Pacharisi achu vellam | Male: Raw rice and jaggery block |
| Rendum onnu seradhaa.. | Won't the two come together? |
| Female | |
| Patti thotti pakkam ellam | In all the villages and hamlets around |
| Love-u love-u love aachi | It has all become love, love, love |
| Male :Katti vacha katta vandhu | Male: The tied-up log has come |
| Ichi ichi kiss aaachi | And turned into sweet, sweet kisses |
| Male | |
| Aathu mettula.. | On the river mound.. |
| Female :Aathu mettula | Female: On the river mound |
| Mutham onnu koduthaa | Just giving one kiss |
| Moththa kadan theeraadhu | Will not settle the entire debt |
| Kaathu vaakkula | In the passing breeze |
| Kannadichi kavutha | Winking and knocking me down |
| Ketta manam theradhu | The ruined heart will not recover |
| Male | |
| Patti thotti pakkam ellam | In all the villages and hamlets around |
| Love-u love-u love aachi | It has all become love, love, love |
| Katti vacha katta vandhu | The tied-up log has come |
| Hmm..mm…kiss aaachi | Hmm..mm… turned into a kiss |
| Male | |
| Ada.. aathu mettula.. hooi | Oh.. on the river mound.. hooi |
| Female :Aathu mettula | Female: On the river mound |
| Mutham onnu koduthaa | Just giving one kiss |
| Moththa kadan theeraadhu | Will not settle the entire debt |
| Kaathu vaakkula | In the passing breeze |
| Kannadichi kavutha | Winking and knocking me down |
| Ketta manam theradhu | The ruined heart will not recover |
| Male | |
| Aathu mettula | On the river mound |
| Mutham onnu koduthaa | Just giving one kiss |
| Moththa kadan theeraadhu | Will not settle the entire debt |
| Kaathu vaakkula | In the passing breeze |
| Kannadichi kavutha | Winking and knocking me down |
| Ketta manam theradhu | The ruined heart will not recover |
ஆத்து மேட்டுல
முத்தம் ஒன்னு கொடுத்தா
மொத்த கடன் தீராது காத்து
வாக்குல கண்ணடிச்சி கவுத்த
கெட்ட மனம் தேறாது
On the river mound
Just giving one kiss
Will not settle the entire debt
In the passing breeze
Winking and knocking me down
The ruined heart will not recover
ஆத்து மேட்டுல
முத்தம் ஒன்னு கொடுத்தா
மொத்த கடன் தீராது காத்து
வாக்குல கண்ணடிச்சி கவுத்த
கெட்ட மனம் தேறாது
On the river mound
Just giving one kiss
Will not settle the entire debt
In the passing breeze
Winking and knocking me down
The ruined heart will not recover
பட்டி தொட்டி
பக்கம் எல்லாம் லவ்வு
லவ்வு லவ் ஆச்சி கட்டி
வச்ச கட்ட வந்து இச்சி
இச்சி கிஸ் ஆச்சி
In all the villages and hamlets around
It has all become love, love, love
The tied-up log has come
And turned into sweet, sweet kisses
அட ஆத்து மேட்டுல
ஆத்து மேட்டுல
முத்தம் ஒன்னு கொடுத்தா
மொத்த கடன் தீராது காத்து
வாக்குல கண்ணடிச்சி கவுத்த
கெட்ட மனம் தேறாது
Oh.. on the river mound..
Male: On the river mound
Just giving one kiss
Will not settle the entire debt
In the passing breeze
Winking and knocking me down
The ruined heart will not recover
வெட்டி கதையில
வேகம் கொறையல வீண்
பேச்சி ஏன் மானே தட்டி
கேட்டுக்க கிட்ட ஆளில்ல
நீ ஒன்னு தா மானே
When speed doesn't lessen in idle talk
Why useless talk, my dear?
There is no one nearby to question or stop us
You are the only one, my dear
கட்டாந்தரையில
கட்டில் இருக்குது காத்தாட
வா மாமா கட்டி புடிச்சிக்கோ
வட்டம் அடிச்சிக்கோ
கேப்பாரு யார் மாமா
On the hard bare ground
There is a bed
Come enjoy the breeze, uncle/mister
Embrace me and spin around
Who is there to ask, uncle/mister?
வெத்தலைய
போட்டு போட்டு முத்த
கரை நீ போட
நித்தம் அத
பாத்து பாத்து பித்ததுல
நீ ஆட
Chewing betel leaves repeatedly
You leave a kiss mark
Female: Seeing that daily
You dance in madness
பட்டி தொட்டி
பக்கம் எல்லாம் லவ்வு
லவ்வு லவ் ஆச்சி
கட்டி வச்ச
கட்ட வந்து இச்சி
இச்சி கிஸ் ஆச்சி
In all the villages and hamlets around
It has all become love, love, love
Female: The tied-up log has come
And turned into sweet, sweet kisses
அட ஆத்து மேட்டுல
ஹே ஹோய் ஆத்து
மேட்டுல முத்தம் ஒன்னு
கொடுத்தா மொத்த கடன்
தீராது காத்து வாக்குல
கண்ணடிச்சி கவுத்த
கெட்ட மனம் தேறாது
Oh.. on the river mound..
Male: Hey hooi
On the river mound
Just giving one kiss
Will not settle the entire debt
In the passing breeze
Winking and knocking me down
The ruined heart will not recover
காட்டு குயிலொன்னு
கானம் படிக்குது கேட்டோடி
வா மாமா ஏட்டில் இருக்கிற
பாடம் புடிக்கல நீ பேச வா
மாமா
A wild cuckoo bird
Is singing a song
Listen and run to me, uncle/mister
I don't like the lesson in the book
Come talk to me, uncle/mister
மாமன் வெரப்புல
மீசை முறுக்குனா தாங்காது
உன் தேகம் ஏதோ கணக்குல
நானும் தவிக்கிறேன் ஏன்
இன்னும் சந்தேகம்
With uncle's stubbornness
If you twirl your mustache
Your body won't be able to bear it
In some calculation, I am yearning too
Why do you still have doubts?
வெட்கம் என்ன
விட்டு விட்டு ரொம்ப
தூரம் போகாதா
பச்சரிசி அச்சு
வெள்ளம் ரெண்டும்
ஒன்னு சேராதா
Leaving me bit by bit, my shyness...
Won't it go far away?
Male: Raw rice and jaggery block
Won't the two come together?
பட்டி தொட்டி
பக்கம் எல்லாம் லவ்வு
லவ்வு லவ் ஆச்சி
கட்டி வச்ச
கட்ட வந்து இச்சி
இச்சி கிஸ் ஆச்சி
In all the villages and hamlets around
It has all become love, love, love
Male: The tied-up log has come
And turned into sweet, sweet kisses
ஆத்து மேட்டுல
ஆத்து மேட்டுல
முத்தம் ஒன்னு கொடுத்தா
மொத்த கடன் தீராது காத்து
வாக்குல கண்ணடிச்சி கவுத்த
கெட்ட மனம் தேறாது
On the river mound..
Female: On the river mound
Just giving one kiss
Will not settle the entire debt
In the passing breeze
Winking and knocking me down
The ruined heart will not recover
பட்டி தொட்டி
பக்கம் எல்லாம் லவ்வு
லவ்வு லவ் ஆச்சி கட்டி
வச்ச கட்ட வந்து ஹ்ம்ம்
ம்ம் கிஸ் ஆச்சி
In all the villages and hamlets around
It has all become love, love, love
The tied-up log has come
Hmm..mm… turned into a kiss
அட ஆத்து
மேட்டுல ஹோய்
ஆத்து மேட்டுல
முத்தம் ஒன்னு கொடுத்தா
மொத்த கடன் தீராது காத்து
வாக்குல கண்ணடிச்சி கவுத்த
கெட்ட மனம் தேறாது
Oh.. on the river mound.. hooi
Female: On the river mound
Just giving one kiss
Will not settle the entire debt
In the passing breeze
Winking and knocking me down
The ruined heart will not recover
ஆத்து மேட்டுல
முத்தம் ஒன்னு கொடுத்தா
மொத்த கடன் தீராது காத்து
வாக்குல கண்ணடிச்சி கவுத்த
கெட்ட மனம் தேறாது
On the river mound
Just giving one kiss
Will not settle the entire debt
In the passing breeze
Winking and knocking me down
The ruined heart will not recover
Aathu mettula
On the river mound
Mutham onnu koduthaa
Just giving one kiss
Moththa kadan theeraadhu
Will not settle the entire debt
Kaathu vaakkula
In the passing breeze
Kannadichi kavutha
Winking and knocking me down
Ketta manam theradhu
The ruined heart will not recover
Aathu mettula
On the river mound
Mutham onnu koduthaa
Just giving one kiss
Moththa kadan theeraadhu
Will not settle the entire debt
Kaathu vaakkula
In the passing breeze
Kannadichi kavutha
Winking and knocking me down
Ketta manam theradhu
The ruined heart will not recover
Patti thotti pakkam ellam
In all the villages and hamlets around
Love-u love-u love aachi
It has all become love, love, love
Katti vacha katta vandhu
The tied-up log has come
Ichi ichi kiss aaachi
And turned into sweet, sweet kisses
Ada.. aathu mettula..
Oh.. on the river mound..
Male :Aathu mettula
Male: On the river mound
Mutham onnu koduthaa
Just giving one kiss
Moththa kadan theeraadhu
Will not settle the entire debt
Kaathu vaakkula
In the passing breeze
Kannadichi kavutha
Winking and knocking me down
Ketta manam theradhu
The ruined heart will not recover
Vetti kadhaiyila vegam koraiyila
When speed doesn't lessen in idle talk
Veen pechi yen maanae
Why useless talk, my dear?
Thatti kettukka kitta aalilla
There is no one nearby to question or stop us
Nee onnu thaa maanae
You are the only one, my dear
Kattaantharayila
On the hard bare ground
Kattil irukkudhu
There is a bed
Kaathaada vaa maama
Come enjoy the breeze, uncle/mister
Kattipudichiko vattam adichiko
Embrace me and spin around
Kepaaru yaar maama
Who is there to ask, uncle/mister?
Vethalaya pottu pottu
Chewing betel leaves repeatedly
Mutha karai nee poda
You leave a kiss mark
Female :Nitham adha paathu paathu
Female: Seeing that daily
Pithathula nee aada
You dance in madness
Patti thotti pakkam ellam
In all the villages and hamlets around
Love-u love-u love aachi
It has all become love, love, love
Female :Katti vacha katta vandhu
Female: The tied-up log has come
Ichi ichi kiss aaachi
And turned into sweet, sweet kisses
Ada.. aathu mettula..
Oh.. on the river mound..
Male :Hey hooi
Male: Hey hooi
Aathu mettula
On the river mound
Mutham onnu koduthaa
Just giving one kiss
Moththa kadan theeraadhu
Will not settle the entire debt
Kaathu vaakkula
In the passing breeze
Kannadichi kavutha
Winking and knocking me down
Ketta manam theradhu
The ruined heart will not recover
Kaattu kuyilonnu
A wild cuckoo bird
Gaanam padikudhu
Is singing a song
Kettodi vaa maama
Listen and run to me, uncle/mister
Yettil irukira paadam pudikala
I don't like the lesson in the book
Nee pesa vaa maama
Come talk to me, uncle/mister
Maamam verappula
With uncle's stubbornness
Meesai murukkuna
If you twirl your mustache
Thaangaadhu unn dhegam
Your body won't be able to bear it
Yedho kanakkula naanum thavikiran
In some calculation, I am yearning too
Yen innum sandhegam
Why do you still have doubts?
Vetkam enna vittu vittu
Leaving me bit by bit, my shyness...
Romba thooram pogaathaa..
Won't it go far away?
Male :Pacharisi achu vellam
Male: Raw rice and jaggery block
Rendum onnu seradhaa..
Won't the two come together?
Patti thotti pakkam ellam
In all the villages and hamlets around
Love-u love-u love aachi
It has all become love, love, love
Male :Katti vacha katta vandhu
Male: The tied-up log has come
Ichi ichi kiss aaachi
And turned into sweet, sweet kisses
Aathu mettula..
On the river mound..
Female :Aathu mettula
Female: On the river mound
Mutham onnu koduthaa
Just giving one kiss
Moththa kadan theeraadhu
Will not settle the entire debt
Kaathu vaakkula
In the passing breeze
Kannadichi kavutha
Winking and knocking me down
Ketta manam theradhu
The ruined heart will not recover
Patti thotti pakkam ellam
In all the villages and hamlets around
Love-u love-u love aachi
It has all become love, love, love
Katti vacha katta vandhu
The tied-up log has come
Hmm..mm…kiss aaachi
Hmm..mm… turned into a kiss
Ada.. aathu mettula.. hooi
Oh.. on the river mound.. hooi
Female :Aathu mettula
Female: On the river mound
Mutham onnu koduthaa
Just giving one kiss
Moththa kadan theeraadhu
Will not settle the entire debt
Kaathu vaakkula
In the passing breeze
Kannadichi kavutha
Winking and knocking me down
Ketta manam theradhu
The ruined heart will not recover
Aathu mettula
On the river mound
Mutham onnu koduthaa
Just giving one kiss
Moththa kadan theeraadhu
Will not settle the entire debt
Kaathu vaakkula
In the passing breeze
Kannadichi kavutha
Winking and knocking me down
Ketta manam theradhu
The ruined heart will not recover
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Aathu Mettula from the 1993 film Ponnumani is a playful, romantic duet set in a rural backdrop. The song captures a lively conversation between two lovers who tease and express their affection for each other near a riverbank. The lyrics use rural metaphors such as betel leaf stains, cuckoo songs, raw rice, and jaggery to depict intimacy, romantic banter, and the undeniable pull of love that transforms even rigid minds into passionate devotion.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Aathu mettula / Kaathu vaakkula”
Matching second consonants across lines, such as 'Aathu' (ஆத்து) and 'Kaathu' (காத்து) or 'Patti' (பட்டி) and 'Katti' (கட்டி).
Metaphor
“Pacharisi achu vellam / Rendum onnu seradhaa..”
Comparing the combination of the lovers to 'Pacharisi' (raw rice) and 'Achu vellam' (jaggery block) joining together in harmony.
Onomatopoeia / Repetition (Adukku Thodar)
“Ichi ichi kiss aaachi”
Repetition of sounds like 'Ichi ichi' and 'Love-u love-u' to accentuate affection and playful rhythm.
Did you know?
Trivia
Ponnumani (1993), directed by R. V. Udhayakumar, features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. This song 'Aathu Mettula' was sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki, becoming a popular folk-pop romantic duet known for its catchy rhythm and signature rustic Ilaiyaraaja orchestration.
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