Aathukkulle Oththu
From Veerapandiya Kattabomman · 1959
- Lyricist
- Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam
- Music director
- G. Ramanathan
- Details
- Veerapandiya Kattabomman1959
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aathukkullae oothu vetti | Digging a spring inside the riverbed, |
| Aathukkullae oothu vetti | Digging a spring inside the riverbed, |
| Aasaiyaga thanni mondu | Fetching water with deep desire, |
| Aasaiyaga thanni mondu | Fetching water with deep desire, |
| Naethu nee sonna sollu | The words you spoke to me yesterday, |
| Allaelae kuyilae | Oh Cuckoo bird, |
| Nenjukullae inikkudhadi | Tastes sweet inside my heart, my dear, |
| Allaelae kuyilae | Oh Cuckoo bird, |
| Female | |
| Thumbai malar vaetti katti | Wearing a dhoti white as a Thumbai flower, |
| Thumbai malar vaetti katti | Wearing a dhoti white as a Thumbai flower, |
| Thoorathilae nee vandhaalum | Even if you come from far away, |
| Thoorathilae nee vandhaalum | Even if you come from far away, |
| Maarazhagai paakkum podhum | When seeing your handsome chest and frame, |
| Kannadi karupae | Oh dark complexioned, shiny like a mirror, |
| Anja mugam minnudhaiya | Your brave face glows with brilliance, |
| Kannadi karupae | Oh dark complexioned, shiny like a mirror, |
| Male | |
| Kumbakonam kolunthu vethala | Like tender betel leaf from Kumbakonam, |
| Chappathi pazhamae enakku | Oh Prickly Pear fruit-like sweet girl to me, |
| Konjam kooda sevakalaiyae | It has not reddened even a little bit, |
| Chappathi pazhame | Oh Prickly Pear fruit, |
| Kumbakonam kolunthu vethala | Like tender betel leaf from Kumbakonam, |
| Chappathi pazhamae enakku | Oh Prickly Pear fruit-like sweet girl to me, |
| Konjam kooda sevakalaiyae | It has not reddened even a little bit, |
| Chappathi pazhame | Oh Prickly Pear fruit, |
| Female | |
| Thanjaavooru kadhambha poovum | Like the mixed garland flowers of Thanjavur, |
| Sippaayi mavanae enakku | Oh soldier's son, for me, |
| Thanimaiyilae manakaliyae | The fragrance does not spread in loneliness, |
| Sippayi mavanae | Oh soldier's son, |
| Thanjaavooru kadhambha poovum | Like the mixed garland flowers of Thanjavur, |
| Sippaayi mavanae enakku | Oh soldier's son, for me, |
| Thanimaiyilae manakaliyae | The fragrance does not spread in loneliness, |
| Sippayi mavanae | Oh soldier's son, |
| Male | |
| Oda kara mann eduthu | Taking clay from the riverbank, |
| Un uruvam senju vechen | I crafted a statue of your form, |
| Ragasiyatha pesamalae | Without sharing secrets with me, |
| Allaelae kuyilae | Oh Cuckoo bird, |
| Raa pagala thookamillae | I have no sleep day or night, |
| Allaelae kuyilae | Oh Cuckoo bird, |
| Female | |
| Mookuthi nathu nee enakku | You are like a nose-ring ornament to me, |
| Muthu pallakku naan unakku | I am like a pearl palanquin for you, |
| Mookuthi nathu nee enakku | You are like a nose-ring ornament to me, |
| Muthu pallakku naan unakku | I am like a pearl palanquin for you, |
| Enna mosam panni pogathinga | Do not deceive me and walk away, |
| Sippaayi mavanae | Oh soldier's son, |
| Naan moozhgiduven thanniyila | I will drown in the water, |
| Sippaayi mavanae | Oh soldier's son, |
| Male | |
| Thookanaththaan koodu polae | Like a weaver bird's nest, |
| Nee mudicha kondaiyilae | In the hair bun that you tied, |
| Puthiya pari koduthu | Giving away my mind as a prize, |
| Allaelae kuyilae | Oh Cuckoo bird, |
| Raa pagala thookamillae | I have no sleep day or night, |
| Allaelae kuyilae | Oh Cuckoo bird, |
| Pithu kondu nikkirenadi | I stand here driven mad by love, |
| Allaela kuyilae | Oh Cuckoo bird, |
| Female | |
| Savuku mara neelam polae | Tall like a Casuarina tree, |
| Saami nee valanthathalae | Because my lord grew so tall, |
| Etti vandhu maalai poda | To reach up and place a garland on you, |
| Kannadi karupae | Oh dark complexioned, shiny like a mirror, |
| En valathi podhadhaiyaa | My height is not enough, |
| Kannadi karupae | Oh dark complexioned, shiny like a mirror, |
| Male | |
| Ettadi kuchi pottukkalam | We can set up an eight-foot hut, |
| Izhuthu ullae pootikalam | We can pull ourselves inside and lock it, |
| Ettadi kuchi pottukkalam | We can set up an eight-foot hut, |
| Izhuthu ullae pootikalam | We can pull ourselves inside and lock it, |
| Ketti manjala poosikkodi | Apply rich yellow turmeric, |
| Chappathi pazhame | Oh Prickly Pear fruit, |
| Endhan kitta kundhi pesikkodi | Sit down near me and talk, |
| Chappathi pazhame | Oh Prickly Pear fruit, |
| Female | |
| Velli molachi ponaalum | Even if the morning star rises, |
| Vidiya kaalam aanalum | Even when dawn arrives, |
| En saedhi solli | Telling my feelings, |
| Maaladhaiya | It never comes to an end, |
| Sippaayi mavanae | Oh soldier's son, |
| Saettaigalum ooyadhaiyaa | And our playful teasing will not cease, |
| Sippaayi mavanae | Oh soldier's son, |
| Male | |
| Aathukkullae oothu vetti | Digging a spring inside the riverbed, |
| Aasaiyaga thanni mondu | Fetching water with deep desire, |
| Naethu nee sonna sollu | The words you spoke to me yesterday, |
| Allaelae kuyilae | Oh Cuckoo bird, |
| Nenjukullae inikkudhadi | Tastes sweet inside my heart, my dear. |
ஆத்துக்குள்ளே ஊத்து வெட்டி
ஆத்துக்குள்ளே ஊத்து வெட்டி
ஆசையாக தண்ணி மொண்டு
ஆசையாக தண்ணி மொண்டு
நேத்து நீ சொன்ன சொல்லு
அல்லேலக் குயிலே
நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே இனிக்குதடி
அல்லேலக் குயிலே
Digging a spring inside the riverbed,
Digging a spring inside the riverbed,
Fetching water with deep desire,
Fetching water with deep desire,
The words you spoke to me yesterday,
Oh Cuckoo bird,
Tastes sweet inside my heart, my dear,
Oh Cuckoo bird,
தும்பை மலர் வேட்டி கட்டி
தும்பை மலர் வேட்டி கட்டி
தூரத்திலே நீ வந்தாலும்
தூரத்திலே நீ வந்தாலும்
மாரழகை பாக்கும் போதும்
கண்ணாடிக் கருப்பே
அஞ்சா முகம் மின்னுதையா
கண்ணாடிக் கருப்பே
Wearing a dhoti white as a Thumbai flower,
Wearing a dhoti white as a Thumbai flower,
Even if you come from far away,
Even if you come from far away,
When seeing your handsome chest and frame,
Oh dark complexioned, shiny like a mirror,
Your brave face glows with brilliance,
Oh dark complexioned, shiny like a mirror,
கும்பகோணம் கொழுந்து வெத்தல
சப்பாத்திப் பழமே எனக்கு
கொஞ்சம் கூட செவக்கலையே
சப்பாத்திப் பழமே
கும்பகோணம் கொழுந்து வெத்தல
சப்பாத்திப் பழமே எனக்கு
கொஞ்சம் கூட செவக்கலையே
சப்பாத்திப் பழமே
Like tender betel leaf from Kumbakonam,
Oh Prickly Pear fruit-like sweet girl to me,
It has not reddened even a little bit,
Oh Prickly Pear fruit,
Like tender betel leaf from Kumbakonam,
Oh Prickly Pear fruit-like sweet girl to me,
It has not reddened even a little bit,
Oh Prickly Pear fruit,
தஞ்சாவூரு கதம்ப பூவும்
சிப்பாயி மவனே எனக்கு
தனிமையிலே மணக்கலியே
சிப்பாயி மவனே
தஞ்சாவூரு கதம்ப பூவும்
சிப்பாயி மவனே எனக்கு
தனிமையிலே மணக்கலியே
சிப்பாயி மவனே
Like the mixed garland flowers of Thanjavur,
Oh soldier's son, for me,
The fragrance does not spread in loneliness,
Oh soldier's son,
Like the mixed garland flowers of Thanjavur,
Oh soldier's son, for me,
The fragrance does not spread in loneliness,
Oh soldier's son,
ஓடக் கர மண்ணெடுத்து
உன் உருவம் செஞ்சு வச்சேன்
ரகசியத்த பேசாமலே
அல்லேலக் குயிலே
ராப் பகலா தூக்கமில்ல
அல்லேலக் குயிலே..
Taking clay from the riverbank,
I crafted a statue of your form,
Without sharing secrets with me,
Oh Cuckoo bird,
I have no sleep day or night,
Oh Cuckoo bird,
மூக்குத்தி நத்து நீ எனக்கு
முத்துப் பல்லாக்கு நான் உனக்கு
மூக்குத்தி நத்து நீ எனக்கு
முத்துப் பல்லாக்கு நான் உனக்கு
என்ன மோசம் பண்ணி போகாதீங்க
சிப்பாயி மவனே
நான் முழுகிடுவேன் தண்ணியில
சிப்பாயி மவனே
You are like a nose-ring ornament to me,
I am like a pearl palanquin for you,
You are like a nose-ring ornament to me,
I am like a pearl palanquin for you,
Do not deceive me and walk away,
Oh soldier's son,
I will drown in the water,
Oh soldier's son,
தூக்கணத்தான் கூடு போலே
நீ முடிச்ச கொண்டையில
புத்திய பறி கொடுத்து
அல்லேலக் குயிலே
ரா பகலா தூக்கமில்லே
அல்லேலக் குயிலே
பித்து கொண்டு நிக்கிறேன்டி
அல்லேலக் குயிலே
Like a weaver bird's nest,
In the hair bun that you tied,
Giving away my mind as a prize,
Oh Cuckoo bird,
I have no sleep day or night,
Oh Cuckoo bird,
I stand here driven mad by love,
Oh Cuckoo bird,
சவுக்கு மர நீளம் போலே
சாமி நீ வளந்ததாலே
எட்டி வந்து மாலை போட
கண்ணாடிக் கருப்பே
என் வளத்தி போதாதய்யா
கண்ணாடிக் கருப்பே
Tall like a Casuarina tree,
Because my lord grew so tall,
To reach up and place a garland on you,
Oh dark complexioned, shiny like a mirror,
My height is not enough,
Oh dark complexioned, shiny like a mirror,
எட்டடி குச்சி போட்டுக்கலாம்
இழுத்து உள்ளே பூட்டிக்கலாம்
எட்டடி குச்சி போட்டுக்கலாம்
இழுத்து உள்ளே பூட்டிக்கலாம்
கெட்டி மஞ்சள பூசிக்கோடி
சப்பாதிப் பழமே
எந்தன் கிட்ட குந்தி பேசிக்கோடி
சப்பாதிப் பழமே
We can set up an eight-foot hut,
We can pull ourselves inside and lock it,
We can set up an eight-foot hut,
We can pull ourselves inside and lock it,
Apply rich yellow turmeric,
Oh Prickly Pear fruit,
Sit down near me and talk,
Oh Prickly Pear fruit,
வெள்ளி மொளச்சி போனாலும்
விடியக் காலம் ஆனாலும்
என் சேதி சொல்லி
மாளாதையா சிப்பாயி மவனே
சேட்டைகளும் ஓயாதையா
சிப்பாயி மவனே
Even if the morning star rises,
Even when dawn arrives,
Telling my feelings,
It never comes to an end,
Oh soldier's son,
And our playful teasing will not cease,
Oh soldier's son,
ஆத்துக்குள்ளே ஊத்து வெட்டி
ஆசையாக தண்ணி மொண்டு
நேத்து நீ சொன்ன சொல்லு
அல்லேலக் குயிலே
நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே இனிக்குதடி...
Digging a spring inside the riverbed,
Fetching water with deep desire,
The words you spoke to me yesterday,
Oh Cuckoo bird,
Tastes sweet inside my heart, my dear.
Aathukkullae oothu vetti
Digging a spring inside the riverbed,
Aathukkullae oothu vetti
Digging a spring inside the riverbed,
Aasaiyaga thanni mondu
Fetching water with deep desire,
Aasaiyaga thanni mondu
Fetching water with deep desire,
Naethu nee sonna sollu
The words you spoke to me yesterday,
Allaelae kuyilae
Oh Cuckoo bird,
Nenjukullae inikkudhadi
Tastes sweet inside my heart, my dear,
Allaelae kuyilae
Oh Cuckoo bird,
Thumbai malar vaetti katti
Wearing a dhoti white as a Thumbai flower,
Thumbai malar vaetti katti
Wearing a dhoti white as a Thumbai flower,
Thoorathilae nee vandhaalum
Even if you come from far away,
Thoorathilae nee vandhaalum
Even if you come from far away,
Maarazhagai paakkum podhum
When seeing your handsome chest and frame,
Kannadi karupae
Oh dark complexioned, shiny like a mirror,
Anja mugam minnudhaiya
Your brave face glows with brilliance,
Kannadi karupae
Oh dark complexioned, shiny like a mirror,
Kumbakonam kolunthu vethala
Like tender betel leaf from Kumbakonam,
Chappathi pazhamae enakku
Oh Prickly Pear fruit-like sweet girl to me,
Konjam kooda sevakalaiyae
It has not reddened even a little bit,
Chappathi pazhame
Oh Prickly Pear fruit,
Kumbakonam kolunthu vethala
Like tender betel leaf from Kumbakonam,
Chappathi pazhamae enakku
Oh Prickly Pear fruit-like sweet girl to me,
Konjam kooda sevakalaiyae
It has not reddened even a little bit,
Chappathi pazhame
Oh Prickly Pear fruit,
Thanjaavooru kadhambha poovum
Like the mixed garland flowers of Thanjavur,
Sippaayi mavanae enakku
Oh soldier's son, for me,
Thanimaiyilae manakaliyae
The fragrance does not spread in loneliness,
Sippayi mavanae
Oh soldier's son,
Thanjaavooru kadhambha poovum
Like the mixed garland flowers of Thanjavur,
Sippaayi mavanae enakku
Oh soldier's son, for me,
Thanimaiyilae manakaliyae
The fragrance does not spread in loneliness,
Sippayi mavanae
Oh soldier's son,
Oda kara mann eduthu
Taking clay from the riverbank,
Un uruvam senju vechen
I crafted a statue of your form,
Ragasiyatha pesamalae
Without sharing secrets with me,
Allaelae kuyilae
Oh Cuckoo bird,
Raa pagala thookamillae
I have no sleep day or night,
Allaelae kuyilae
Oh Cuckoo bird,
Mookuthi nathu nee enakku
You are like a nose-ring ornament to me,
Muthu pallakku naan unakku
I am like a pearl palanquin for you,
Mookuthi nathu nee enakku
You are like a nose-ring ornament to me,
Muthu pallakku naan unakku
I am like a pearl palanquin for you,
Enna mosam panni pogathinga
Do not deceive me and walk away,
Sippaayi mavanae
Oh soldier's son,
Naan moozhgiduven thanniyila
I will drown in the water,
Sippaayi mavanae
Oh soldier's son,
Thookanaththaan koodu polae
Like a weaver bird's nest,
Nee mudicha kondaiyilae
In the hair bun that you tied,
Puthiya pari koduthu
Giving away my mind as a prize,
Allaelae kuyilae
Oh Cuckoo bird,
Raa pagala thookamillae
I have no sleep day or night,
Allaelae kuyilae
Oh Cuckoo bird,
Pithu kondu nikkirenadi
I stand here driven mad by love,
Allaela kuyilae
Oh Cuckoo bird,
Savuku mara neelam polae
Tall like a Casuarina tree,
Saami nee valanthathalae
Because my lord grew so tall,
Etti vandhu maalai poda
To reach up and place a garland on you,
Kannadi karupae
Oh dark complexioned, shiny like a mirror,
En valathi podhadhaiyaa
My height is not enough,
Kannadi karupae
Oh dark complexioned, shiny like a mirror,
Ettadi kuchi pottukkalam
We can set up an eight-foot hut,
Izhuthu ullae pootikalam
We can pull ourselves inside and lock it,
Ettadi kuchi pottukkalam
We can set up an eight-foot hut,
Izhuthu ullae pootikalam
We can pull ourselves inside and lock it,
Ketti manjala poosikkodi
Apply rich yellow turmeric,
Chappathi pazhame
Oh Prickly Pear fruit,
Endhan kitta kundhi pesikkodi
Sit down near me and talk,
Chappathi pazhame
Oh Prickly Pear fruit,
Velli molachi ponaalum
Even if the morning star rises,
Vidiya kaalam aanalum
Even when dawn arrives,
En saedhi solli
Telling my feelings,
Maaladhaiya
It never comes to an end,
Sippaayi mavanae
Oh soldier's son,
Saettaigalum ooyadhaiyaa
And our playful teasing will not cease,
Sippaayi mavanae
Oh soldier's son,
Aathukkullae oothu vetti
Digging a spring inside the riverbed,
Aasaiyaga thanni mondu
Fetching water with deep desire,
Naethu nee sonna sollu
The words you spoke to me yesterday,
Allaelae kuyilae
Oh Cuckoo bird,
Nenjukullae inikkudhadi
Tastes sweet inside my heart, my dear.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic Tamil folk song from the historical epic 'Veerapandiya Kattabomman' (1959) captures a joyful group romance dynamic between young village men and women. Through lighthearted back-and-forth banter, they express their deep affection, admiration, and longing for one another using rich rural metaphors, local flora, and regional delicacies.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uwamai)
“Thumbai malar vaetti katti”
Comparing the white dhoti to a Thumbai flower ('Thumbai malar vaetti') and comparing the lover's height to a tall Casuarina tree ('Savuku mara neelam polae').
Apostrophe / Metaphor
“Allaelae kuyilae”
Addressing the loved ones with affectionate metaphors derived from local nature like 'Allaelae kuyilae' (oh cuckoo bird), 'Kannadi karupae' (mirror-shiny dark one), and 'Chappathi pazhame' (prickly pear fruit).
Rhyme / Anaaphora (Emoni & Ethirai)
“Ettadi kuchi pottukkalam”
Use of repetitive chorus hooks and line-initial rhyming (e.g., 'Ettadi kuchi pottukkalam' and 'Izhuthu ullae pootikalam') to maintain a fast-paced folk rhythm.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by G. Ramanathan for the iconic movie 'Veerapandiya Kattabomman' starring Sivaji Ganesan, this lively folk song showcases traditional rural romantic exchanges, utilizing authentic regional dialect terms like 'Oothu' (spring) and 'Chappathi pazham' (prickly pear fruit).
Keep listening
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