Aathula Pathi Sethula Pathi
From Vacha Kuri Thappathu · 1988
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Shankar Ganesh, Suja Radhakrishnan
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Vacha Kuri Thappathu1988
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aaththula paadhi saeththula paadhi | Half in the river, half in the mud |
| Kaala vaikkaathae | Don't place your foot |
| Angaeyum konjam ingaeyum konjam | A bit over there, a bit over here |
| Kanna vaikkaathae | Don't cast your eyes |
| Aaththula paadhi saeththula paadhi | Half in the river, half in the mud |
| Kaala vaikkaathae | Don't place your foot |
| Angaeyum konjam ingaeyum konjam | A bit over there, a bit over here |
| Kanna vaikkaathae | Don't cast your eyes |
| Female | |
| Pooththathu poovu kaachchathu kaai kaiya vaikkaathae | The flower bloomed, the fruit ripened, don't lay your hands on it |
| Pooththathu poovu kaachchathu kaai kaiya vaikkaathae | The flower bloomed, the fruit ripened, don't lay your hands on it |
| Paaya podu paatta paadu kaakka vaikkaathae | Lay out the mat, sing a song, don't make me wait |
| Male | |
| Haiyo kokkarak kokkarak kokkarakko | Oh my, rooster crowing sounds (Kokkarakko) |
| Kokkarak kokkarakko | Rooster crowing sound |
| Aah kokkarak kokkarak kokkarakko | Ah, rooster crowing sounds (Kokkarakko) |
| Kokkarak kokkarakko | Rooster crowing sound |
| Male | |
| : Aaththula paadhi saeththula paadhi | : Half in the river, half in the mud |
| Kaala vaikkaathae | Don't place your foot |
| Angaeyum konjam ingaeyum konjam | A bit over there, a bit over here |
| Kanna vaikkaathae | Don't cast your eyes |
| Male | |
| Adadada machchaan vachchandi manasu ummelae | Oh my, mister, my heart has set itself on you |
| Konjam orasu emmelae | Brush against me a little bit |
| Haang…..machchaan vachchandi manasu ummelae | Yeah... mister, my heart has set itself on you |
| Konjam orasu emmelae | Brush against me a little bit |
| Female | |
| Thaali kattum munnaalae | Before tying the sacred thread (marriage) |
| Thooli katta ennaathae | Don't think of hanging a cradle (having a baby) |
| Thaali kattum munnaalae | Before tying the sacred thread |
| Thooli katta ennaathae | Don't think of hanging a cradle |
| Vegappattu enna thottu vambu pannaathae | Don't get impatient, touch me, and cause trouble |
| Male | |
| Ada maamara kiliyae | Oh parrot of the mango tree |
| Siru thamarakodiyae | Oh tender lotus vine |
| Unna naan pudipenae | I will catch you |
| Pudhu thaen kudippaenae | I will sip fresh honey |
| Male | |
| Aaththula paadhi saeththula paadhi | Half in the river, half in the mud |
| Kaala vaikkaathae | Don't place your foot |
| Angaeyum konjam ingaeyum konjam | A bit over there, a bit over here |
| Kanna vaikkaathae | Don't cast your eyes |
| Female | |
| Pooththathu poovu kaachchathu kaai kaiya vaikkaathae | The flower bloomed, the fruit ripened, don't lay your hands on it |
| Paaya podu paatta paadu kaakka vaikkaathae | Lay out the mat, sing a song, don't make me wait |
| Male | |
| Haiyo kokkarak kokkarak kokkarakko | Oh my, rooster crowing sounds (Kokkarakko) |
| Kokkarak kokkarakko | Rooster crowing sound |
| Aah kokkarak kokkarak kokkarakko | Ah, rooster crowing sounds (Kokkarakko) |
| Kokkarak kokkarakko | Rooster crowing sound |
| Female | |
| Chummaa nikkaama parisam kondaadu | Don't just stand idly, pay the bride price and celebrate |
| Intha vayasa pennodu | With a girl of this ripe age |
| Haiyo….chummaa nikkaama parisam kondaadu | Oh my... don't just stand idly, pay the bride price and celebrate |
| Intha vayasa pennodu | With a girl of this ripe age |
| Male | |
| Yammaa pooveduththu vanthaenae | Oh lady, I brought flowers |
| Kondaiyilae vachchenae | And placed them in your hair bun |
| Pooveduththu vanthaenae | I brought flowers |
| Kondaiyilae vachchenae | And placed them in your hair bun |
| Oosi munai polae vanthu ottikittaenae | I came and clung like the fine tip of a needle |
| Female | |
| Dhinam raaththiri pozhuthu | Every night time |
| Pudhu ragaththai ezhuthu | Write a new musical melody |
| Oru paaththiram edhukku | Why do we need a vessel/container |
| Nadu saamaththil namakku | In the middle of the night for us |
| Male | |
| Aaththula paadhi saeththula paadhi | Half in the river, half in the mud |
| Kaala vaikkaathae | Don't place your foot |
| Angaeyum konjam ingaeyum konjam | A bit over there, a bit over here |
| Kanna vaikkaathae | Don't cast your eyes |
| Aaththula paadhi saeththula paadhi | Half in the river, half in the mud |
| Kaala vaikkaathae | Don't place your foot |
| Angaeyum konjam ingaeyum konjam | A bit over there, a bit over here |
| Kanna vaikkaathae | Don't cast your eyes |
| Female | |
| Pooththathu poovu kaachchathu kaai kaiya vaikkaathae | The flower bloomed, the fruit ripened, don't lay your hands on it |
| Pooththathu poovu kaachchathu kaai kaiya vaikkaathae | The flower bloomed, the fruit ripened, don't lay your hands on it |
| Paaya podu paatta paadu kaakka vaikkaathae | Lay out the mat, sing a song, don't make me wait |
| Male | |
| Haiyo kokkarak kokkarak kokkarakko | Oh my, rooster crowing sounds (Kokkarakko) |
| Kokkarak kokkarakko | Rooster crowing sound |
| Haang…..kokkarak kokkarak kokkarakko | Yeah... rooster crowing sounds (Kokkarakko) |
| Kokkarak kokkarakko | Rooster crowing sound |
| Haang…..kokkarak kokkarak kokkarakko | Yeah... rooster crowing sounds (Kokkarakko) |
| Kokkarak kokkarakko | Rooster crowing sound |
ஆத்துல பாதி சேத்துல பாதி
கால வைக்காதே
அங்கேயும் கொஞ்சம் இங்கேயும் கொஞ்சம்
கண்ண வைக்காதே
ஆத்துல பாதி சேத்துல பாதி
கால வைக்காதே
அங்கேயும் கொஞ்சம் இங்கேயும் கொஞ்சம்
கண்ண வைக்காதே
Half in the river, half in the mud
Don't place your foot
A bit over there, a bit over here
Don't cast your eyes
Half in the river, half in the mud
Don't place your foot
A bit over there, a bit over here
Don't cast your eyes
பூத்தது பூவு காச்சது காய் கைய வைக்காதே
பூத்தது பூவு காச்சது காய் கைய வைக்காதே
பாயப் போடு பாட்ட பாடு காக்க வைக்காதே
The flower bloomed, the fruit ripened, don't lay your hands on it
The flower bloomed, the fruit ripened, don't lay your hands on it
Lay out the mat, sing a song, don't make me wait
ஹையோ கொக்கரக் கொக்கரக் கொக்கரக்கோ
கொக்கரக் கொக்கரக்கோ
ஹாங்.....கொக்கரக் கொக்கரக் கொக்கரக்கோ
கொக்கரக் கொக்கரக்கோ
Oh my, rooster crowing sounds (Kokkarakko)
Rooster crowing sound
Ah, rooster crowing sounds (Kokkarakko)
Rooster crowing sound
ஆத்துல பாதி சேத்துல பாதி
கால வைக்காதே
அங்கேயும் கொஞ்சம் இங்கேயும் கொஞ்சம்
கண்ண வைக்காதே..
: Half in the river, half in the mud
Don't place your foot
A bit over there, a bit over here
Don't cast your eyes
அடடட மச்சான் வச்சான்டி மனச உம்மேலே
கொஞ்சம் ஒரசு எம்மேலே
ஹாங்......மச்சான் வச்சான்டி மனச உம்மேலே
கொஞ்சம் ஒரசு எம்மேலே
Oh my, mister, my heart has set itself on you
Brush against me a little bit
Yeah... mister, my heart has set itself on you
Brush against me a little bit
தாலிக் கட்டும் முன்னாலே
தூளிக் கட்ட எண்ணாதே
தாலிக் கட்டும் முன்னாலே
தூளிக் கட்ட எண்ணாதே
வேகப்பட்டு என்னத் தொட்டு வம்பு பண்ணாதே
Before tying the sacred thread (marriage)
Don't think of hanging a cradle (having a baby)
Before tying the sacred thread
Don't think of hanging a cradle
Don't get impatient, touch me, and cause trouble
அட மாமரக் கிளியே
சிறு தாமரக்கொடியே
உன்ன நான் புடிப்பேனே
புதுத் தேன் குடிப்பேனே
Oh parrot of the mango tree
Oh tender lotus vine
I will catch you
I will sip fresh honey
ஆத்துல பாதி சேத்துல பாதி
கால வைக்காதே
அங்கேயும் கொஞ்சம் இங்கேயும் கொஞ்சம்
கண்ண வைக்காதே.....
Half in the river, half in the mud
Don't place your foot
A bit over there, a bit over here
Don't cast your eyes
பூத்தது பூவு காச்சது காய் கைய வைக்காதே
பாயப் போடு பாட்ட பாடு காக்க வைக்காதே
The flower bloomed, the fruit ripened, don't lay your hands on it
Lay out the mat, sing a song, don't make me wait
ஹையோ கொக்கரக் கொக்கரக் கொக்கரக்கோ
கொக்கரக் கொக்கரக்கோ
ஹாங்.....கொக்கரக் கொக்கரக் கொக்கரக்கோ
கொக்கரக் கொக்கரக்கோ
Oh my, rooster crowing sounds (Kokkarakko)
Rooster crowing sound
Ah, rooster crowing sounds (Kokkarakko)
Rooster crowing sound
சும்மா நிக்காம பரிசம் கொண்டாடு
இந்த வயசக் பெண்ணோடு
ஹையோ...சும்மா நிக்காம பரிசம் கொண்டாடு
இந்த வயசக் பெண்ணோடு
Don't just stand idly, pay the bride price and celebrate
With a girl of this ripe age
Oh my... don't just stand idly, pay the bride price and celebrate
With a girl of this ripe age
யம்மா பூவெடுத்து வந்தேனே
கொண்டையிலே வச்சேனே
பூவெடுத்து வந்தேனே கொண்டையிலே வச்சேனே
ஊசி முனைப் போலே வந்து ஒட்டிக்கிட்டேனே
Oh lady, I brought flowers
And placed them in your hair bun
I brought flowers
And placed them in your hair bun
I came and clung like the fine tip of a needle
தினம் ராத்திரி பொழுது
புது ராகத்தை எழுது
ஒரு பாத்திரம் எதுக்கு
நடு சாமத்தில் நமக்கு
Every night time
Write a new musical melody
Why do we need a vessel/container
In the middle of the night for us
ஆத்துல பாதி சேத்துல பாதி
கால வைக்காதே
அங்கேயும் கொஞ்சம் இங்கேயும் கொஞ்சம்
கண்ண வைக்காதே
ஆத்துல பாதி சேத்துல பாதி
கால வைக்காதே
அங்கேயும் கொஞ்சம் இங்கேயும் கொஞ்சம்
கண்ண வைக்காதே
Half in the river, half in the mud
Don't place your foot
A bit over there, a bit over here
Don't cast your eyes
Half in the river, half in the mud
Don't place your foot
A bit over there, a bit over here
Don't cast your eyes
பூத்தது பூவு காச்சது காய் கைய வைக்காதே
பூத்தது பூவு காச்சது காய் கைய வைக்காதே
பாயப் போடு பாட்ட பாடு காக்க வைக்காதே
The flower bloomed, the fruit ripened, don't lay your hands on it
The flower bloomed, the fruit ripened, don't lay your hands on it
Lay out the mat, sing a song, don't make me wait
ஹையோ கொக்கரக் கொக்கரக் கொக்கரக்கோ
கொக்கரக் கொக்கரக்கோ
ஹாங்.....கொக்கரக் கொக்கரக் கொக்கரக்கோ
கொக்கரக் கொக்கரக்கோ
ஹாங்.....கொக்கரக் கொக்கரக் கொக்கரக்கோ
கொக்கரக் கொக்கரக்கோ.....
Oh my, rooster crowing sounds (Kokkarakko)
Rooster crowing sound
Yeah... rooster crowing sounds (Kokkarakko)
Rooster crowing sound
Yeah... rooster crowing sounds (Kokkarakko)
Rooster crowing sound
Aaththula paadhi saeththula paadhi
Half in the river, half in the mud
Kaala vaikkaathae
Don't place your foot
Angaeyum konjam ingaeyum konjam
A bit over there, a bit over here
Kanna vaikkaathae
Don't cast your eyes
Aaththula paadhi saeththula paadhi
Half in the river, half in the mud
Kaala vaikkaathae
Don't place your foot
Angaeyum konjam ingaeyum konjam
A bit over there, a bit over here
Kanna vaikkaathae
Don't cast your eyes
Pooththathu poovu kaachchathu kaai kaiya vaikkaathae
The flower bloomed, the fruit ripened, don't lay your hands on it
Pooththathu poovu kaachchathu kaai kaiya vaikkaathae
The flower bloomed, the fruit ripened, don't lay your hands on it
Paaya podu paatta paadu kaakka vaikkaathae
Lay out the mat, sing a song, don't make me wait
Haiyo kokkarak kokkarak kokkarakko
Oh my, rooster crowing sounds (Kokkarakko)
Kokkarak kokkarakko
Rooster crowing sound
Aah kokkarak kokkarak kokkarakko
Ah, rooster crowing sounds (Kokkarakko)
Kokkarak kokkarakko
Rooster crowing sound
: Aaththula paadhi saeththula paadhi
: Half in the river, half in the mud
Kaala vaikkaathae
Don't place your foot
Angaeyum konjam ingaeyum konjam
A bit over there, a bit over here
Kanna vaikkaathae
Don't cast your eyes
Adadada machchaan vachchandi manasu ummelae
Oh my, mister, my heart has set itself on you
Konjam orasu emmelae
Brush against me a little bit
Haang…..machchaan vachchandi manasu ummelae
Yeah... mister, my heart has set itself on you
Konjam orasu emmelae
Brush against me a little bit
Thaali kattum munnaalae
Before tying the sacred thread (marriage)
Thooli katta ennaathae
Don't think of hanging a cradle (having a baby)
Thaali kattum munnaalae
Before tying the sacred thread
Thooli katta ennaathae
Don't think of hanging a cradle
Vegappattu enna thottu vambu pannaathae
Don't get impatient, touch me, and cause trouble
Ada maamara kiliyae
Oh parrot of the mango tree
Siru thamarakodiyae
Oh tender lotus vine
Unna naan pudipenae
I will catch you
Pudhu thaen kudippaenae
I will sip fresh honey
Aaththula paadhi saeththula paadhi
Half in the river, half in the mud
Kaala vaikkaathae
Don't place your foot
Angaeyum konjam ingaeyum konjam
A bit over there, a bit over here
Kanna vaikkaathae
Don't cast your eyes
Pooththathu poovu kaachchathu kaai kaiya vaikkaathae
The flower bloomed, the fruit ripened, don't lay your hands on it
Paaya podu paatta paadu kaakka vaikkaathae
Lay out the mat, sing a song, don't make me wait
Haiyo kokkarak kokkarak kokkarakko
Oh my, rooster crowing sounds (Kokkarakko)
Kokkarak kokkarakko
Rooster crowing sound
Aah kokkarak kokkarak kokkarakko
Ah, rooster crowing sounds (Kokkarakko)
Kokkarak kokkarakko
Rooster crowing sound
Chummaa nikkaama parisam kondaadu
Don't just stand idly, pay the bride price and celebrate
Intha vayasa pennodu
With a girl of this ripe age
Haiyo….chummaa nikkaama parisam kondaadu
Oh my... don't just stand idly, pay the bride price and celebrate
Intha vayasa pennodu
With a girl of this ripe age
Yammaa pooveduththu vanthaenae
Oh lady, I brought flowers
Kondaiyilae vachchenae
And placed them in your hair bun
Pooveduththu vanthaenae
I brought flowers
Kondaiyilae vachchenae
And placed them in your hair bun
Oosi munai polae vanthu ottikittaenae
I came and clung like the fine tip of a needle
Dhinam raaththiri pozhuthu
Every night time
Pudhu ragaththai ezhuthu
Write a new musical melody
Oru paaththiram edhukku
Why do we need a vessel/container
Nadu saamaththil namakku
In the middle of the night for us
Aaththula paadhi saeththula paadhi
Half in the river, half in the mud
Kaala vaikkaathae
Don't place your foot
Angaeyum konjam ingaeyum konjam
A bit over there, a bit over here
Kanna vaikkaathae
Don't cast your eyes
Aaththula paadhi saeththula paadhi
Half in the river, half in the mud
Kaala vaikkaathae
Don't place your foot
Angaeyum konjam ingaeyum konjam
A bit over there, a bit over here
Kanna vaikkaathae
Don't cast your eyes
Pooththathu poovu kaachchathu kaai kaiya vaikkaathae
The flower bloomed, the fruit ripened, don't lay your hands on it
Pooththathu poovu kaachchathu kaai kaiya vaikkaathae
The flower bloomed, the fruit ripened, don't lay your hands on it
Paaya podu paatta paadu kaakka vaikkaathae
Lay out the mat, sing a song, don't make me wait
Haiyo kokkarak kokkarak kokkarakko
Oh my, rooster crowing sounds (Kokkarakko)
Kokkarak kokkarakko
Rooster crowing sound
Haang…..kokkarak kokkarak kokkarakko
Yeah... rooster crowing sounds (Kokkarakko)
Kokkarak kokkarakko
Rooster crowing sound
Haang…..kokkarak kokkarak kokkarakko
Yeah... rooster crowing sounds (Kokkarakko)
Kokkarak kokkarakko
Rooster crowing sound
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This playful Tamil folk duet revolves around a romantic banter between a young woman and her suitor. The woman warns her lover not to step onto unstable ground or harbor wavering intentions ('half in the river, half in the mud'). She insists on cultural propriety, reminding him that wedlock (tying the Thaali) must come before intimacy and parenthood, while teasingly asking him to pay the traditional bride price (parisam) to formally claim her.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor / Folk Idiom
“Aaththula paadhi saeththula paadhi”
The phrase metaphorically describes double-mindedness or indecisiveness in love.
Alliteration (Monaai) and Imagery
“Pooththathu poovu kaachchathu kaai kaiya vaikkaathae”
Repetition of initial 'P' and 'K' sounds alongside imagery of blooming flowers and ripening fruits symbolizing youthful maturity.
Simile (Uwamai)
“Oosi munai polae vanthu ottikittaenae”
Compares attachment to the sharpness of a needle tip sticking closely.
Rhyme (Ethukai)
“Thaali kattum munnaalae / Thooli katta ennaathae”
The second letters 'li' in Thaali and Thooli rhyme, creating a rhythmic cadence.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by renowned lyricist Vaali for the 1988 film 'Vacha Kuri Thappathu', the song incorporates authentic rural Tamil proverbs and folk rhythm patterns. The refrain 'Kokkarakko' mimics the rooster's crow, adding a lively village aesthetic to the composition.
Keep listening
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