Achamae Agandruvidu
From Naatpadu Theral · 2021
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Shruti Haasan, Ramya NSK
- Music director
- Ghibran
- Details
- Naatpadu Theral2021
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Achamae agandruvidu | Fear, go away! |
| Madamae madindhuvidu | Ignorance, perish! |
| Female | |
| Achamae agandruvidu | Fear, go away! |
| Madamae madindhuvidu | Ignorance, perish! |
| Naanamae nagarndhuvidu | Shyness, move aside! |
| Payirppae parandhuvidu | Hesitation, fly away! |
| Female | |
| Achamae agandruvidu | Fear, go away! |
| Madamae madindhuvidu | Ignorance, perish! |
| Naanamae nagarndhuvidu | Shyness, move aside! |
| Payirppae parandhuvidu | Hesitation, fly away! |
| Female | |
| Udambu enna viragaa | Is my body just firewood? |
| Naan unarchi izhandha sarugaa | Am I a dry leaf that has lost all feeling? |
| Udambu enna viragaa | Is my body just firewood? |
| Naan unarchi izhandha sarugaa | Am I a dry leaf that has lost all feeling? |
| Female | |
| Kaadhal enbadhu thavara | Is falling in love a mistake? |
| Naan kallil seidha suvara | Am I a wall built out of stone? |
| Female | |
| Achamae agandruvidu | Fear, go away! |
| Madamae madindhuvidu | Ignorance, perish! |
| Naanamae nagarndhuvidu | Shyness, move aside! |
| Payirppae parandhuvidu | Hesitation, fly away! |
| Female | |
| Thekkamadaindhu kidakkindren | I lie stagnant and trapped, |
| Ookkamizhandha vaazhkkaiyilae | In a life devoid of motivation. |
| Padukkai melae sidharugiren | I lie scattered across the bed, |
| Paaraiyil kottiya paal polae | Like milk spilled upon a rock. |
| Female | |
| Thekkamadaindhu kidakkindren | I lie stagnant and trapped, |
| Ookkamizhandha vaazhkkaiyile | In a life devoid of motivation. |
| Padukkai melae sidharugiren | I lie scattered across the bed, |
| Paaraiyil kottiya paal polae | Like milk spilled upon a rock. |
| Female | |
| Thuikkaadha en idhazhai | My unexperienced lips, |
| Thuppi tholaiyeno | Shall I spit out and cast away? |
| Thoondaadha en idhayathai thondi eriyeno | My unawakened heart, shall I dig up and discard? |
| Paaraadha en azhugai paayil pudhaippeno | My unseen tears, shall I bury them in the bed mat? |
| Theeraadha en kaadhal theeyil erippeno | My unquenched love, shall I burn it in the fire? |
| Female | |
| Munnor podhiyai sumappaeno | Shall I carry the burden of my ancestors? |
| Illai innor vidhiyai padaippaeno | Or shall I forge another destiny? |
| Munnor podhiyai sumappaeno | Shall I carry the burden of my ancestors? |
| Illai innor vidhiyai padaippaeno | Or shall I forge another destiny? |
| Female | |
| Achamae agandruvidu | Fear, go away! |
| Madamae madindhuvidu | Ignorance, perish! |
| Naanamae nagarndhuvidu | Shyness, move aside! |
| Payirppae parandhuvidu | Hesitation, fly away! |
| Female | |
| Saathira kaidhiyaagindren | I am becoming a prisoner of dogma, |
| Saadhi padaitha siraigalilae | In the prisons constructed by caste. |
| Mangaiyaga naan yen pirandhen | Why was I born as a woman, |
| Malaiyil muttiya nadhi polae | Like a river that collides against a mountain? |
| Female | |
| Saathira kaidhiyaagindren | I am becoming a prisoner of dogma, |
| Saadhi padaitha siraigalilae | In the prisons constructed by caste. |
| Mangaiyaga naan yen pirandhen | Why was I born as a woman, |
| Malaiyil muttiya nadhi polae | Like a river that collides against a mountain? |
| Female | |
| Africa kaattil naan anilai pirappaeno | Would I rather be born as a squirrel in the African forest? |
| Atlantic kadalodu aara meenaaveno | Or become a rare fish in the Atlantic ocean? |
| Malaiyala malaiyil naan manikiliyaveno | Shall I become a precious parrot in the Malayalam mountains? |
| Manidha piraviyatru manam pol vaazhveno | Free from human incarnation, shall I live as my mind desires? |
| Female | |
| Koottu puzhuvaai marippaeno | Shall I die trapped inside a cocoon? |
| Illai pattupoochiyaai parappaeno | Or shall I break free and fly like a butterfly? |
| Koottu puzhuvaai marippaeno | Shall I die trapped inside a cocoon? |
| Illai pattupoochiyai parappaeno | Or shall I break free and fly like a butterfly? |
| Female | |
| Achamae agandruvidu | Fear, go away! |
| Madamae madindhuvidu | Ignorance, perish! |
| Naanamae nagarndhuvidu | Shyness, move aside! |
| Payirppae parandhuvidu | Hesitation, fly away! |
| Female | |
| Achamae agandruvidu | Fear, go away! |
| Madamae madindhuvidu | Ignorance, perish! |
| Naanamae nagarndhuvidu | Shyness, move aside! |
| Payirppae parandhuvidu | Hesitation, fly away! |
அச்சமே அகன்றுவிடு
மடமே மடிந்துவிடு
Fear, go away!
Ignorance, perish!
அச்சமே அகன்றுவிடு
மடமே மடிந்துவிடு
நாணமே நகர்ந்துவிடு
பயிர்ப்பே பறந்துவிடு
Fear, go away!
Ignorance, perish!
Shyness, move aside!
Hesitation, fly away!
அச்சமே அகன்றுவிடு
மடமே மடிந்துவிடு
நாணமே நகர்ந்துவிடு
பயிர்ப்பே பறந்துவிடு
Fear, go away!
Ignorance, perish!
Shyness, move aside!
Hesitation, fly away!
உடம்பு என்ன விறகா
நான் உணர்ச்சி இழந்த சருகா
உடம்பு என்ன விறகா
நான் உணர்ச்சி இழந்த சருகா
Is my body just firewood?
Am I a dry leaf that has lost all feeling?
Is my body just firewood?
Am I a dry leaf that has lost all feeling?
காதல் என்பது தவறா
நான் கல்லில் செய்த சுவரா
Is falling in love a mistake?
Am I a wall built out of stone?
அச்சமே அகன்றுவிடு
மடமே மடிந்துவிடு
நாணமே நகர்ந்துவிடு
பயிர்ப்பே பறந்துவிடு
Fear, go away!
Ignorance, perish!
Shyness, move aside!
Hesitation, fly away!
தேக்கமடைந்து கிடக்கின்றேன்
ஊக்கமிழந்த வாழ்க்கையிலே
படுக்கை மேலே சிதறுகிறேன்
பாறையில் கொட்டிய பால் போலே
I lie stagnant and trapped,
In a life devoid of motivation.
I lie scattered across the bed,
Like milk spilled upon a rock.
தேக்கமடைந்து கிடக்கின்றேன்
ஊக்கமிழந்த வாழ்க்கையிலே
படுக்கை மேலே சிதறுகிறேன்
பாறையில் கொட்டிய பால் போலே
I lie stagnant and trapped,
In a life devoid of motivation.
I lie scattered across the bed,
Like milk spilled upon a rock.
துய்க்காத என் இதழில்
துப்பி தொலையேனோ
தூண்டாத என் இதயத்தை தோண்டி எறியேனோ
பாராத என் அழுகை பாயில் புதைப்பேனோ
தீராத என் காதல் தீயில் எரிப்பேனோ
My unexperienced lips,
Shall I spit out and cast away?
My unawakened heart, shall I dig up and discard?
My unseen tears, shall I bury them in the bed mat?
My unquenched love, shall I burn it in the fire?
முன்னோர் பொதியை சுமப்பேனோ
இல்லை இன்னோர் விதியை படைப்பேனோ
முன்னோர் பொதியை சுமப்பேனோ
இல்லை இன்னோர் விதியை படைப்பேனோ
Shall I carry the burden of my ancestors?
Or shall I forge another destiny?
Shall I carry the burden of my ancestors?
Or shall I forge another destiny?
அச்சமே அகன்றுவிடு
மடமே மடிந்துவிடு
நாணமே நகர்ந்துவிடு
பயிர்ப்பே பறந்துவிடு
Fear, go away!
Ignorance, perish!
Shyness, move aside!
Hesitation, fly away!
சாத்திர கைதியாகின்றேன்
சாதி படைத்த சிறைகளிலே
மங்கையாக நான் பிறந்தேன்
மலையில் முட்டிய நதி போலே
I am becoming a prisoner of dogma,
In the prisons constructed by caste.
Why was I born as a woman,
Like a river that collides against a mountain?
சாத்திர கைதியாகின்றேன்
சாதி படைத்த சிறைகளிலே
மங்கையாக நான் பிறந்தேன்
மலையில் முட்டிய நதி போலே
I am becoming a prisoner of dogma,
In the prisons constructed by caste.
Why was I born as a woman,
Like a river that collides against a mountain?
ஆப்பிரிக்கா காட்டில் நான் அணிலாய்
பிறப்பேனோ
அட்லாண்டிக் கடலோடு ஆர மீனாவேனோ
மலையாள மலையில் நான் மணிக்கிளியாவேனோ
மனித பிறவியற்று மனம் போல் வாழ்வேனோ
Would I rather be born as a squirrel in the African forest?
Or become a rare fish in the Atlantic ocean?
Shall I become a precious parrot in the Malayalam mountains?
Free from human incarnation, shall I live as my mind desires?
கூட்டு புழுவாய் மரிப்பெனோ
இல்லை பட்டுபூச்சியாய் பறப்பேனோ
கூட்டு புழுவாய் மரிப்பெனோ
இல்லை பட்டுபூச்சியாய் பறப்பேனோ
Shall I die trapped inside a cocoon?
Or shall I break free and fly like a butterfly?
Shall I die trapped inside a cocoon?
Or shall I break free and fly like a butterfly?
அச்சமே அகன்றுவிடு
மடமே மடிந்துவிடு
நாணமே நகர்ந்துவிடு
பயிர்ப்பே பறந்துவிடு
Fear, go away!
Ignorance, perish!
Shyness, move aside!
Hesitation, fly away!
அச்சமே அகன்றுவிடு
மடமே மடிந்துவிடு
நாணமே நகர்ந்துவிடு
பயிர்ப்பே பறந்துவிடு
Fear, go away!
Ignorance, perish!
Shyness, move aside!
Hesitation, fly away!
Achamae agandruvidu
Fear, go away!
Madamae madindhuvidu
Ignorance, perish!
Achamae agandruvidu
Fear, go away!
Madamae madindhuvidu
Ignorance, perish!
Naanamae nagarndhuvidu
Shyness, move aside!
Payirppae parandhuvidu
Hesitation, fly away!
Achamae agandruvidu
Fear, go away!
Madamae madindhuvidu
Ignorance, perish!
Naanamae nagarndhuvidu
Shyness, move aside!
Payirppae parandhuvidu
Hesitation, fly away!
Udambu enna viragaa
Is my body just firewood?
Naan unarchi izhandha sarugaa
Am I a dry leaf that has lost all feeling?
Udambu enna viragaa
Is my body just firewood?
Naan unarchi izhandha sarugaa
Am I a dry leaf that has lost all feeling?
Kaadhal enbadhu thavara
Is falling in love a mistake?
Naan kallil seidha suvara
Am I a wall built out of stone?
Achamae agandruvidu
Fear, go away!
Madamae madindhuvidu
Ignorance, perish!
Naanamae nagarndhuvidu
Shyness, move aside!
Payirppae parandhuvidu
Hesitation, fly away!
Thekkamadaindhu kidakkindren
I lie stagnant and trapped,
Ookkamizhandha vaazhkkaiyilae
In a life devoid of motivation.
Padukkai melae sidharugiren
I lie scattered across the bed,
Paaraiyil kottiya paal polae
Like milk spilled upon a rock.
Thekkamadaindhu kidakkindren
I lie stagnant and trapped,
Ookkamizhandha vaazhkkaiyile
In a life devoid of motivation.
Padukkai melae sidharugiren
I lie scattered across the bed,
Paaraiyil kottiya paal polae
Like milk spilled upon a rock.
Thuikkaadha en idhazhai
My unexperienced lips,
Thuppi tholaiyeno
Shall I spit out and cast away?
Thoondaadha en idhayathai thondi eriyeno
My unawakened heart, shall I dig up and discard?
Paaraadha en azhugai paayil pudhaippeno
My unseen tears, shall I bury them in the bed mat?
Theeraadha en kaadhal theeyil erippeno
My unquenched love, shall I burn it in the fire?
Munnor podhiyai sumappaeno
Shall I carry the burden of my ancestors?
Illai innor vidhiyai padaippaeno
Or shall I forge another destiny?
Munnor podhiyai sumappaeno
Shall I carry the burden of my ancestors?
Illai innor vidhiyai padaippaeno
Or shall I forge another destiny?
Achamae agandruvidu
Fear, go away!
Madamae madindhuvidu
Ignorance, perish!
Naanamae nagarndhuvidu
Shyness, move aside!
Payirppae parandhuvidu
Hesitation, fly away!
Saathira kaidhiyaagindren
I am becoming a prisoner of dogma,
Saadhi padaitha siraigalilae
In the prisons constructed by caste.
Mangaiyaga naan yen pirandhen
Why was I born as a woman,
Malaiyil muttiya nadhi polae
Like a river that collides against a mountain?
Saathira kaidhiyaagindren
I am becoming a prisoner of dogma,
Saadhi padaitha siraigalilae
In the prisons constructed by caste.
Mangaiyaga naan yen pirandhen
Why was I born as a woman,
Malaiyil muttiya nadhi polae
Like a river that collides against a mountain?
Africa kaattil naan anilai pirappaeno
Would I rather be born as a squirrel in the African forest?
Atlantic kadalodu aara meenaaveno
Or become a rare fish in the Atlantic ocean?
Malaiyala malaiyil naan manikiliyaveno
Shall I become a precious parrot in the Malayalam mountains?
Manidha piraviyatru manam pol vaazhveno
Free from human incarnation, shall I live as my mind desires?
Koottu puzhuvaai marippaeno
Shall I die trapped inside a cocoon?
Illai pattupoochiyaai parappaeno
Or shall I break free and fly like a butterfly?
Koottu puzhuvaai marippaeno
Shall I die trapped inside a cocoon?
Illai pattupoochiyai parappaeno
Or shall I break free and fly like a butterfly?
Achamae agandruvidu
Fear, go away!
Madamae madindhuvidu
Ignorance, perish!
Naanamae nagarndhuvidu
Shyness, move aside!
Payirppae parandhuvidu
Hesitation, fly away!
Achamae agandruvidu
Fear, go away!
Madamae madindhuvidu
Ignorance, perish!
Naanamae nagarndhuvidu
Shyness, move aside!
Payirppae parandhuvidu
Hesitation, fly away!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a powerful feminist anthem that radically rejects the traditional societal expectations placed upon women in Tamil culture. In classical Tamil literature, four qualities were prescribed as virtues for women: Acham (fear), Madam (innocence/submissiveness), Naanam (shyness), and Payirppu (modesty/hesitation). The protagonist directly commands these four traditional 'virtues' to leave her, declaring them to be constraints that suppress women's true emotional and intellectual autonomy. Throughout the track, the narrator laments being treated as a feelingless object and suffering under orthodoxy, caste oppression, and patriarchal norms. She uses vivid imagery to express her frustration—comparing herself to a river blocked by mountains or milk spilled uselessly on a stone. Ultimately, she questions whether she should remain trapped in societal burdens like a cocooned worm or break free and forge her own destiny like a butterfly.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Subversion of Classical Tropes
“Achamae agandruvidu / Madamae madindhuvidu / Naanamae nagarndhuvidu / Payirppae parandhuvidu”
The song repeatedly invokes 'Acham, Madam, Naanam, Payirppu'—the four virtues traditionally mandated for ideal women in Sangam and post-Sangam Tamil literature—and demands their total removal.
Simile (Upamai)
“Paaraiyil kottiya paal polae”
Compares uselessly scattered emotions and wasted life energy to milk spilled on a hard rock where it cannot be recovered.
Simile (Upamai)
“Malaiyil muttiya nadhi polae”
Compares a woman's suppressed life ambitions blocked by rigid social barriers to a river striking against an unyielding mountain.
Metaphor / Contrast
“Koottu puzhuvaai marippaeno / Illai pattupoochiyaai parappaeno”
Contrasts the image of dying as an enclosed silkworm inside a cocoon with breaking free into a vibrant butterfly, symbolizing submission versus liberation.
Moni / Rhyme (Initial and End Assonance)
“Achamae agandruvidu / Madamae madindhuvidu”
Repeated use of 'Achamae agandruvidu' exhibits strong initial letter alliteration (Monaai) and rhythmic end-phrasing (Iyaibu).
Did you know?
Trivia
This track is part of lyricist Vairamuthu's independent non-film music album project titled 'Naatpadu Theral', which featured 10 independent songs composed by various prominent Indian music directors. 'Achamae Agandruvidu' was set to music by Ghibran and sung powerfully by Shruti Haasan and Ramya NSK.
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