Aattama Paattama
From Nadigan · 1990
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Nadigan1990
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| ………………….. | |
| Male | |
| Aattamma paattamaa paaththukko vesham aarambam | Dance and song, take a look, the disguise begins! |
| Koottamma kumpalaa senthukko podu tham tham tham | Gather around as a crowd, join in and beat the drums, tham tham tham! |
| Paaththaa naan thaaththaathaan | To look at, I am an old grandfather, |
| Padippaen naan paattaathaan | I will sing song after song. |
| Male | |
| Oru nadigan endru maariyaachchu | I have now turned into an actor, |
| Powder poosi poosi koochcham pochchi | Applying makeup powder again and again, my shyness is gone! |
| Oru nadigan endru maariyaachchu | I have now turned into an actor, |
| Powder poosi poosi koochcham pochchi | Applying makeup powder again and again, my shyness is gone! |
| Male | |
| Aattamma paattamaa paaththukko vesham aarambam | Dance and song, take a look, the disguise begins! |
| Koottamma kumpalaa senthukko podu tham tham tham | Gather around as a crowd, join in and beat the drums, tham tham tham! |
| Male | |
| Naadinaen thedinaen naanoru vaaththiyaar velai | I sought and searched for a teacher's job, |
| Maattinaal maattalaam yaaradaa kandathu naalai | Circumstances change, who knows what tomorrow holds? |
| Hoi….hoi…..hoi…. | Hoi... hoi... hoi... |
| Ennadaa seivathu yaavumae aandavan leelai | What can be done? Everything is God's play! |
| Nallathai enninaen soodalaam vettriyin maalai | I intended well, so I can wear the garland of victory. |
| Yaarai naan thottaalum kuththamillai | No matter whom I touch, there is no fault in it now, |
| Male | |
| Nadigan endru maariyaachchu | Since I have turned into an actor, |
| Powder poosi poosi koochcham pochchi | Applying makeup powder again and again, my shyness is gone! |
| Oru nadigan endru maariyaachchu | I have now turned into an actor, |
| Powder poosi poosi koochcham pochchi | Applying makeup powder again and again, my shyness is gone! |
| Chorus | |
| ………………….. | |
| Male | |
| Poigalai meigalaai eppavum nambidum boomi | This world always believes lies to be the truth, |
| Unmaiyai pesidum uththaman yaaradaa kaami | Who is that righteous man speaking only the truth, O seeker? |
| Haang….haang….haang…. | Haang... haang... haang... |
| Thapputhaan kaaranam thapputhaan seithida yaarum | Desperation or circumstances are the reason for anyone committing a mistake, |
| Ullavan yaaraiyum nallavan aakkumae oorum | Yet the town treats anyone who has wealth as a good person. |
| Hoi hoi hoi | Hoi hoi hoi |
| Male | |
| Kuraththi valli ennum maanai kandu | Seeing Valli, the gypsy girl who was like a deer, |
| Thuraththi vanthu nindra velan andru | Lord Murugan chased and stood before her in disguise back then. |
| Eduththa vesham pola vesham illae | There is no disguise like the role he took, |
| Enakkum vaazhkkaithaanaa thosham illae | So there is no fault in my life or disguise either. |
| Yaarai naan thottaalum kuththamillai | No matter whom I touch, there is no fault in it, |
| Male | |
| Nadigan endru maariyaachchu | Since I have turned into an actor, |
| Powder poosi poosi koochcham pochchi | Applying makeup powder again and again, my shyness is gone! |
| Oru nadigan endru maariyaachchu | I have now turned into an actor, |
| Powder poosi poosi koochcham pochchi | Applying makeup powder again and again, my shyness is gone! |
| Male | |
| Aattamma paattamaa paaththukko vesham aarambam | Dance and song, take a look, the disguise begins! |
| Koottamma kumpalaa senthukko podu tham tham tham | Gather around as a crowd, join in and beat the drums, tham tham tham! |
| Paaththaa naan thaaththaathaan | To look at, I am an old grandfather, |
| Padippaen naan paattaathaan | I will sing song after song. |
| Male | |
| Oru nadigan endru maariyaachchu | I have now turned into an actor, |
| Powder poosi poosi koochcham pochchi | Applying makeup powder again and again, my shyness is gone! |
| Oru nadigan endru maariyaachchu | I have now turned into an actor, |
| Powder poosi poosi koochcham pochchi | Applying makeup powder again and again, my shyness is gone! |
| Chorus | |
| ………………… | |
.................................
ஆட்டமா பாட்டமா பாத்துக்கோ வேஷம் ஆரம்பம்
கூட்டமா கும்பலா சேந்துக்கோ போடு தம் தம் தம்
பாத்தா நான் தாத்தாதான்
படிப்பேன் நான் பாட்டாதான்
Dance and song, take a look, the disguise begins!
Gather around as a crowd, join in and beat the drums, tham tham tham!
To look at, I am an old grandfather,
I will sing song after song.
ஒரு நடிகன் என்று மாறியாச்சு
பௌடர் பூசி பூசி கூச்சம் போச்சி
ஒரு நடிகன் என்று மாறியாச்சு
பௌடர் பூசி பூசி கூச்சம் போச்சி
I have now turned into an actor,
Applying makeup powder again and again, my shyness is gone!
I have now turned into an actor,
Applying makeup powder again and again, my shyness is gone!
ஆட்டமா பாட்டமா பாத்துக்கோ வேஷம் ஆரம்பம்
கூட்டமா கும்பலா சேந்துக்கோ போடு தம் தம் தம்
Dance and song, take a look, the disguise begins!
Gather around as a crowd, join in and beat the drums, tham tham tham!
நாடினேன் தேடினேன் நானொரு வாத்தியார் வேலை
மாட்டினால் மாட்டலாம் யாரடா கண்டது நாளை..
ஹோய்....ஹோய்....ஹோய்....
என்னடா செய்வது யாவுமே ஆண்டவன் லீலை
நல்லதை எண்ணினேன் சூடலாம் வெற்றியின் மாலை
I sought and searched for a teacher's job,
Circumstances change, who knows what tomorrow holds?
Hoi... hoi... hoi...
What can be done? Everything is God's play!
I intended well, so I can wear the garland of victory.
No matter whom I touch, there is no fault in it now,
நடக்க தத்தளிச்சு கால் நடக்கும்
எனக்கு சின்னப் பெண்கள் கை கொடுக்கும்
மதிச்சு என்னை இந்த ஊர் நடத்தும்
கிழட்டு வேஷம் நல்ல பேரெடுக்கும்
Since I have turned into an actor,
Applying makeup powder again and again, my shyness is gone!
I have now turned into an actor,
Applying makeup powder again and again, my shyness is gone!
யாரை நான் தொட்டாலும் குத்தமில்லை
நடிகன் என்று மாறியாச்சு
பௌடர் பூசி பூசி கூச்சம் போச்சி
ஹான் நடிகன் என்று மாறியாச்சு
பௌடர் பூசி பூசி கூச்சம் போச்சி
.............................
This world always believes lies to be the truth,
Who is that righteous man speaking only the truth, O seeker?
Haang... haang... haang...
Desperation or circumstances are the reason for anyone committing a mistake,
Yet the town treats anyone who has wealth as a good person.
Hoi hoi hoi
பொய்களை மெய்களாய் எப்பவும் நம்பிடும் பூமி
உண்மையை பேசிடும் உத்தமன் யாரடா காமி..
ஹாங்...ஹாங்...ஹாங்...
தப்புதான் காரணம் தப்புதான் செய்திட யாரும்
உள்ளவன் யாரையும் நல்லவன் ஆக்குமே ஊரும்.....
ஹோய்....ஹோய்....ஹோய்....
Seeing Valli, the gypsy girl who was like a deer,
Lord Murugan chased and stood before her in disguise back then.
There is no disguise like the role he took,
So there is no fault in my life or disguise either.
No matter whom I touch, there is no fault in it,
குறத்தி வள்ளி என்னும் மானைக் கண்டு
துரத்தி வந்து நின்ற வேலன் அன்று
எடுத்த வேஷம் போல வேஷம் இல்லே
எனக்கும் வாழ்க்கைதானா தோஷம் இல்லே
யாரை நான் தொட்டாலும் குத்தமில்லை
Since I have turned into an actor,
Applying makeup powder again and again, my shyness is gone!
I have now turned into an actor,
Applying makeup powder again and again, my shyness is gone!
நடிகன் என்று மாறியாச்சு
பௌடர் பூசி பூசி கூச்சம் போச்சி
நடிகன் என்று மாறியாச்சு
பௌடர் பூசி பூசி கூச்சம் போச்சி
Dance and song, take a look, the disguise begins!
Gather around as a crowd, join in and beat the drums, tham tham tham!
To look at, I am an old grandfather,
I will sing song after song.
ஆட்டமா பாட்டமா பாத்துக்கோ வேஷம் ஆரம்பம்
கூட்டமா கும்பலா சேந்துக்கோ போடு தம் தம் தம்
பாத்தா நான் தாத்தாதான்
படிப்பேன் நான் பாட்டாதான்
I have now turned into an actor,
Applying makeup powder again and again, my shyness is gone!
I have now turned into an actor,
Applying makeup powder again and again, my shyness is gone!
ஒரு நடிகன் என்று மாறியாச்சு
பௌடர் பூசி பூசி கூச்சம் போச்சி
ஒரு நடிகன் என்று மாறியாச்சு
பௌடர் பூசி பூசி கூச்சம் போச்சி
.............................
…………………..
Aattamma paattamaa paaththukko vesham aarambam
Dance and song, take a look, the disguise begins!
Koottamma kumpalaa senthukko podu tham tham tham
Gather around as a crowd, join in and beat the drums, tham tham tham!
Paaththaa naan thaaththaathaan
To look at, I am an old grandfather,
Padippaen naan paattaathaan
I will sing song after song.
Oru nadigan endru maariyaachchu
I have now turned into an actor,
Powder poosi poosi koochcham pochchi
Applying makeup powder again and again, my shyness is gone!
Oru nadigan endru maariyaachchu
I have now turned into an actor,
Powder poosi poosi koochcham pochchi
Applying makeup powder again and again, my shyness is gone!
Aattamma paattamaa paaththukko vesham aarambam
Dance and song, take a look, the disguise begins!
Koottamma kumpalaa senthukko podu tham tham tham
Gather around as a crowd, join in and beat the drums, tham tham tham!
Naadinaen thedinaen naanoru vaaththiyaar velai
I sought and searched for a teacher's job,
Maattinaal maattalaam yaaradaa kandathu naalai
Circumstances change, who knows what tomorrow holds?
Hoi….hoi…..hoi….
Hoi... hoi... hoi...
Ennadaa seivathu yaavumae aandavan leelai
What can be done? Everything is God's play!
Nallathai enninaen soodalaam vettriyin maalai
I intended well, so I can wear the garland of victory.
Yaarai naan thottaalum kuththamillai
No matter whom I touch, there is no fault in it now,
Nadigan endru maariyaachchu
Since I have turned into an actor,
Powder poosi poosi koochcham pochchi
Applying makeup powder again and again, my shyness is gone!
Oru nadigan endru maariyaachchu
I have now turned into an actor,
Powder poosi poosi koochcham pochchi
Applying makeup powder again and again, my shyness is gone!
…………………..
Poigalai meigalaai eppavum nambidum boomi
This world always believes lies to be the truth,
Unmaiyai pesidum uththaman yaaradaa kaami
Who is that righteous man speaking only the truth, O seeker?
Haang….haang….haang….
Haang... haang... haang...
Thapputhaan kaaranam thapputhaan seithida yaarum
Desperation or circumstances are the reason for anyone committing a mistake,
Ullavan yaaraiyum nallavan aakkumae oorum
Yet the town treats anyone who has wealth as a good person.
Hoi hoi hoi
Hoi hoi hoi
Kuraththi valli ennum maanai kandu
Seeing Valli, the gypsy girl who was like a deer,
Thuraththi vanthu nindra velan andru
Lord Murugan chased and stood before her in disguise back then.
Eduththa vesham pola vesham illae
There is no disguise like the role he took,
Enakkum vaazhkkaithaanaa thosham illae
So there is no fault in my life or disguise either.
Yaarai naan thottaalum kuththamillai
No matter whom I touch, there is no fault in it,
Nadigan endru maariyaachchu
Since I have turned into an actor,
Powder poosi poosi koochcham pochchi
Applying makeup powder again and again, my shyness is gone!
Oru nadigan endru maariyaachchu
I have now turned into an actor,
Powder poosi poosi koochcham pochchi
Applying makeup powder again and again, my shyness is gone!
Aattamma paattamaa paaththukko vesham aarambam
Dance and song, take a look, the disguise begins!
Koottamma kumpalaa senthukko podu tham tham tham
Gather around as a crowd, join in and beat the drums, tham tham tham!
Paaththaa naan thaaththaathaan
To look at, I am an old grandfather,
Padippaen naan paattaathaan
I will sing song after song.
Oru nadigan endru maariyaachchu
I have now turned into an actor,
Powder poosi poosi koochcham pochchi
Applying makeup powder again and again, my shyness is gone!
Oru nadigan endru maariyaachchu
I have now turned into an actor,
Powder poosi poosi koochcham pochchi
Applying makeup powder again and again, my shyness is gone!
…………………
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Aattamma Paattamaa' is a high-energy theatrical song from the 1990 Tamil movie Nadigan. In the song, the protagonist (played by Sathyaraj) justifies donning the disguise of an elderly teacher to secure employment and survival. He sings about shedding his inhibitions after putting on make-up and becoming an actor on the stage of life.\n\nThe lyricist Vaali uses witty philosophical reflections, pointing out that society often favors wealth over honesty and accepts pretenses as truth. The song draws a playful comparison to Lord Murugan taking a disguise to win Valli's heart, humorously asserting that deceiving for a good intention carries no moral sin. Maestro Ilaiyaraaja's lively tune combined with SPB's exuberant vocal delivery creates a memorable, entertaining track.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Adukku Thodar (Repetition)
“Powder poosi poosi koochcham pochchi”
The repetition of 'poosi poosi' emphasizes the repetitive act of putting on theatrical makeup.
Edhukai (Second letter rhyme)
“Aattamma paattamaa paaththukko vesham aarambam / Koottamma kumpalaa senthukko podu tham tham tham”
The second letter 'tta' rhymes between 'Aattamma' and 'Koottamma', creating a rhythmic flow.
Monaai (Initial letter alliteration)
“Paaththaa naan thaaththaathaan / Padippaen naan paattaathaan”
Initial sound alignment with 'P' in 'Paaththaa' and 'Padippaen'.
Mythological Allusion
“Kuraththi valli ennum maanai kandu / Thuraththi vanthu nindra velan andru”
References Lord Murugan taking the disguise of an old hunter/man to court Valli, using divine mythology to justify the protagonist's disguise.
Did you know?
Trivia
Nadigan (1990), directed by P. Vasu, was a major commercial hit. Sathyaraj's comedic disguise as an elderly teacher was heavily praised by critics and audiences. Ilaiyaraaja's energetic soundtrack, particularly SPB's expressive rendition of this song, remains an iconic track in 1990s Tamil cinema.
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