Annamma Pethavalae
From Naatpadu Theral 2 · 2022
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Vaikom Vijayalakshmi
- Music director
- AIS. Nawfalraja
- Details
- Naatpadu Theral 22022
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Annamaa pethavalae | O mother of Annamma, |
| Aadu meikka ponavalae | She who went to herd the goats, |
| Andhi masangum munnae | Before dusk falls, |
| Aada vandha maayam enna | What magic brought her back swaying? |
| Female | |
| Annamaa pethavalae | O mother of Annamma, |
| Aadu meikka ponavalae | She who went to herd the goats, |
| Andhi masangum munnae | Before dusk falls, |
| Aada vandha maayam enna | What magic brought her back swaying? |
| Female | |
| Vaaikaa karaiyoram | By the bank of the canal, |
| Vayathavali vanthirucha | Did stomach pain strike her? |
| Bayanthu nadungayilae | While trembling with fear, |
| Paavadai nanainjirucha | Did her skirt get soaked? |
| Female | |
| Pinju paluthiruchae | The tender fruit has ripened prematurely, |
| Perunthunbam vanthiruchae | A great sorrow has arrived, |
| Nelarukka pogaiyilae | When going to harvest paddy, |
| Vel erukku poothiruchae | The milkweed flower bloomed along the fence. |
| Female | |
| Annamaa pethavalae | O mother of Annamma, |
| Aadu meikka ponavalae | She who went to herd the goats, |
| Andhi masangum munnae | Before dusk falls, |
| Aada vandha maayam enna | What magic brought her back swaying? |
| Female | |
| Pavada sattaiyae | The skirt and top, |
| Paramasivan kodutha varam | A boon granted by Lord Shiva, |
| Sakkalathi magale naan | I am the daughter of a co-wife, |
| Thaavanikku enna panna | What do I do for a half-saree? |
| Female | |
| Pavada sattaiyae | The skirt and top, |
| Paramasivan kodutha varam | A boon granted by Lord Shiva, |
| Sakkalathi magale naan | I am the daughter of a co-wife, |
| Thaavanikku enna panna | What do I do for a half-saree? |
| Female | |
| Thaavani venum innaa | If a half-saree is needed, |
| Thaai maaman varavenum | The maternal uncle must come, |
| Thaaimaaman varanuminna | If the maternal uncle is to come, |
| Jaaminil varavenum | He must come out on bail, |
| Female | |
| Appan verunkoodu | Father is an empty shell, |
| Aatha karuvaadu | Mother is dried like salt fish, |
| Indha oru latchanathil | In such a dire plight, |
| Yendiammaa kuthavcecha | Why did you attain puberty, my girl? |
| Indha oru latchanathil | In such a dire plight, |
| Yendiammaa kuthavcecha | Why did you attain puberty, my girl? |
| Female | |
| Annamaa pethavalae | O mother of Annamma, |
| Aadu meikka ponavalae | She who went to herd the goats, |
| Andhi masangum munnae | Before dusk falls, |
| Aada vandha maayam enna | What magic brought her back swaying? |
| Female | |
| Aalaagi ninnavala | Now that she has come of age, |
| Aadumeikka sonnaakka | If asked to herd goats, |
| Appan thaduppaaga | Father will object, |
| Aduthavaga morappaga | The neighbours will glare angrily, |
| Female | |
| Aalaagi ninnavala | Now that she has come of age, |
| Aadumeikka sonnaakka | If asked to herd goats, |
| Appan thaduppaaga | Father will object, |
| Aduthavaga morappaga | The neighbours will glare angrily, |
| Female | |
| Rathirikku raathiriyae | In the dead of night itself, |
| Ragasiyamaa thalamulugi | Take a ritual head bath secretly, |
| Naalaikkae aadottu | Drive the goats back tomorrow, |
| Yaarukkum theriyadhu | No one needs to know, |
| Female | |
| Aadu meikka pogaiyilae | When going to herd goats, |
| Angangae nillaahdae | Do not linger here and there, |
| Adiyae sangathiya | Hey girl, this secret news, |
| Aatukkunjolladhae | Do not even tell the goat kid, |
| Adiyae sangathiya | Hey girl, this secret news, |
| Aatukkunjolladhae | Do not even tell the goat kid, |
| Female | |
| Annamaa pethavalae | O mother of Annamma, |
| Aadu meikka ponavalae | She who went to herd the goats, |
| Andhi masangum munnae | Before dusk falls, |
| Aada vandha maayam enna | What magic brought her back swaying? |
| Female | |
| Vaaikaa karaiyoram | By the bank of the canal, |
| Vayathavali vanthirucha | Did stomach pain strike her? |
| Bayanthu nadungayilae | While trembling with fear, |
| Paavadai nanainjirucha | Did her skirt get soaked? |
| Female | |
| Pinju paluthiruchae | The tender fruit has ripened prematurely, |
| Perunthunbam vanthiruchae | A great sorrow has arrived, |
| Nelarukka pogaiyilae | When going to harvest paddy, |
| Vel erukku poothiruchae | The milkweed flower bloomed along the fence. |
| Female | |
| Annamaa pethavalae | O mother of Annamma, |
| Aadu meikka ponavalae | She who went to herd the goats, |
| Andhi masangum munnae | Before dusk falls, |
| Aada vandha maayam enna | What magic brought her back swaying? |
அன்னம்மா பெத்தவளே
ஆடுமேய்க்கப் போனவளே
அந்தி மசங்குமுன்னே
ஆடுவந்த மாயமென்ன?
O mother of Annamma,
She who went to herd the goats,
Before dusk falls,
What magic brought her back swaying?
அன்னம்மா பெத்தவளே
ஆடுமேய்க்கப் போனவளே
அந்தி மசங்குமுன்னே
ஆடுவந்த மாயமென்ன?
O mother of Annamma,
She who went to herd the goats,
Before dusk falls,
What magic brought her back swaying?
வாய்க்காக் கரையோரம்
வயித்தவலி வந்திருச்சா?
பயந்து நடுங்கையிலே
பாவாடை நனஞ்சிருச்சா?
By the bank of the canal,
Did stomach pain strike her?
While trembling with fear,
Did her skirt get soaked?
பிஞ்சு பழுத்திருச்சே
பெருந்துன்பம் வந்திருச்சே
நெல்லறுக்கப் போகையிலே
வெள்ளெருக்குப் பூத்திருச்சே
The tender fruit has ripened prematurely,
A great sorrow has arrived,
When going to harvest paddy,
The milkweed flower bloomed along the fence.
அன்னம்மா பெத்தவளே
ஆடுமேய்க்கப் போனவளே
அந்தி மசங்குமுன்னே
ஆடுவந்த மாயமென்ன?
O mother of Annamma,
She who went to herd the goats,
Before dusk falls,
What magic brought her back swaying?
பாவாட சட்டையே
பரமசிவன் கொடுத்த வரம்
சக்களத்தி மகளே நான்
தாவணிக்கு என்னபண்ண?
The skirt and top,
A boon granted by Lord Shiva,
I am the daughter of a co-wife,
What do I do for a half-saree?
பாவாட சட்டையே
பரமசிவன் கொடுத்த வரம்
சக்களத்தி மகளே நான்
தாவணிக்கு என்னபண்ண?
The skirt and top,
A boon granted by Lord Shiva,
I am the daughter of a co-wife,
What do I do for a half-saree?
தாவணி வேணுமின்னா
தாய்மாமன் வரவேணும்
தாய்மாமன் வரணுமின்னா
ஜாமீனில் வரவேணும்
If a half-saree is needed,
The maternal uncle must come,
If the maternal uncle is to come,
He must come out on bail,
அப்பன் வெறுங்கூடு
ஆத்தா கருவாடு
இந்தவொரு லட்சணத்தில்
ஏண்டியம்மா குத்தவச்ச?
Father is an empty shell,
Mother is dried like salt fish,
In such a dire plight,
Why did you attain puberty, my girl?
In such a dire plight,
Why did you attain puberty, my girl?
அன்னம்மா பெத்தவளே
ஆடுமேய்க்கப் போனவளே
அந்தி மசங்குமுன்னே
ஆடுவந்த மாயமென்ன?
O mother of Annamma,
She who went to herd the goats,
Before dusk falls,
What magic brought her back swaying?
ஆளாகி நின்னவள
ஆடுமேய்க்கச் சொன்னாக்கா
அப்பன் தடுப்பாக
அடுத்தவுக மொறப்பாக
Now that she has come of age,
If asked to herd goats,
Father will object,
The neighbours will glare angrily,
ஆளாகி நின்னவள
ஆடுமேய்க்கச் சொன்னாக்கா
அப்பன் தடுப்பாக
அடுத்தவுக மொறப்பாக
Now that she has come of age,
If asked to herd goats,
Father will object,
The neighbours will glare angrily,
ராத்திரிக்கு ராத்திரியே
ரகசியமாத் தலமுழுகி
நாளைக்கே ஆடோட்டு
யாருக்குந் தெரியாது
In the dead of night itself,
Take a ritual head bath secretly,
Drive the goats back tomorrow,
No one needs to know,
ஆடுமேய்க்கப் போகையிலே
அங்கங்கே நில்லாதே
அடியேஓஞ் சங்கதிய
ஆட்டுக்குஞ் சொல்லாதே
அடியேஓஞ் சங்கதிய
ஆட்டுக்குஞ் சொல்லாதே
When going to herd goats,
Do not linger here and there,
Hey girl, this secret news,
Do not even tell the goat kid,
Hey girl, this secret news,
Do not even tell the goat kid,
அன்னம்மா பெத்தவளே
ஆடுமேய்க்கப் போனவளே
அந்தி மசங்குமுன்னே
ஆடுவந்த மாயமென்ன?
O mother of Annamma,
She who went to herd the goats,
Before dusk falls,
What magic brought her back swaying?
வாய்க்காக் கரையோரம்
வயித்தவலி வந்திருச்சா?
பயந்து நடுங்கையிலே
பாவாடை நனஞ்சிருச்சா?
By the bank of the canal,
Did stomach pain strike her?
While trembling with fear,
Did her skirt get soaked?
பிஞ்சு பழுத்திருச்சே
பெருந்துன்பம் வந்திருச்சே
நெல்லறுக்கப் போகையிலே
வெள்ளெருக்குப் பூத்திருச்சே
The tender fruit has ripened prematurely,
A great sorrow has arrived,
When going to harvest paddy,
The milkweed flower bloomed along the fence.
அன்னம்மா பெத்தவளே
ஆடுமேய்க்கப் போனவளே
அந்தி மசங்குமுன்னே
ஆடுவந்த மாயமென்ன?
O mother of Annamma,
She who went to herd the goats,
Before dusk falls,
What magic brought her back swaying?
Annamaa pethavalae
O mother of Annamma,
Aadu meikka ponavalae
She who went to herd the goats,
Andhi masangum munnae
Before dusk falls,
Aada vandha maayam enna
What magic brought her back swaying?
Annamaa pethavalae
O mother of Annamma,
Aadu meikka ponavalae
She who went to herd the goats,
Andhi masangum munnae
Before dusk falls,
Aada vandha maayam enna
What magic brought her back swaying?
Vaaikaa karaiyoram
By the bank of the canal,
Vayathavali vanthirucha
Did stomach pain strike her?
Bayanthu nadungayilae
While trembling with fear,
Paavadai nanainjirucha
Did her skirt get soaked?
Pinju paluthiruchae
The tender fruit has ripened prematurely,
Perunthunbam vanthiruchae
A great sorrow has arrived,
Nelarukka pogaiyilae
When going to harvest paddy,
Vel erukku poothiruchae
The milkweed flower bloomed along the fence.
Annamaa pethavalae
O mother of Annamma,
Aadu meikka ponavalae
She who went to herd the goats,
Andhi masangum munnae
Before dusk falls,
Aada vandha maayam enna
What magic brought her back swaying?
Pavada sattaiyae
The skirt and top,
Paramasivan kodutha varam
A boon granted by Lord Shiva,
Sakkalathi magale naan
I am the daughter of a co-wife,
Thaavanikku enna panna
What do I do for a half-saree?
Pavada sattaiyae
The skirt and top,
Paramasivan kodutha varam
A boon granted by Lord Shiva,
Sakkalathi magale naan
I am the daughter of a co-wife,
Thaavanikku enna panna
What do I do for a half-saree?
Thaavani venum innaa
If a half-saree is needed,
Thaai maaman varavenum
The maternal uncle must come,
Thaaimaaman varanuminna
If the maternal uncle is to come,
Jaaminil varavenum
He must come out on bail,
Appan verunkoodu
Father is an empty shell,
Aatha karuvaadu
Mother is dried like salt fish,
Indha oru latchanathil
In such a dire plight,
Yendiammaa kuthavcecha
Why did you attain puberty, my girl?
Indha oru latchanathil
In such a dire plight,
Yendiammaa kuthavcecha
Why did you attain puberty, my girl?
Annamaa pethavalae
O mother of Annamma,
Aadu meikka ponavalae
She who went to herd the goats,
Andhi masangum munnae
Before dusk falls,
Aada vandha maayam enna
What magic brought her back swaying?
Aalaagi ninnavala
Now that she has come of age,
Aadumeikka sonnaakka
If asked to herd goats,
Appan thaduppaaga
Father will object,
Aduthavaga morappaga
The neighbours will glare angrily,
Aalaagi ninnavala
Now that she has come of age,
Aadumeikka sonnaakka
If asked to herd goats,
Appan thaduppaaga
Father will object,
Aduthavaga morappaga
The neighbours will glare angrily,
Rathirikku raathiriyae
In the dead of night itself,
Ragasiyamaa thalamulugi
Take a ritual head bath secretly,
Naalaikkae aadottu
Drive the goats back tomorrow,
Yaarukkum theriyadhu
No one needs to know,
Aadu meikka pogaiyilae
When going to herd goats,
Angangae nillaahdae
Do not linger here and there,
Adiyae sangathiya
Hey girl, this secret news,
Aatukkunjolladhae
Do not even tell the goat kid,
Adiyae sangathiya
Hey girl, this secret news,
Aatukkunjolladhae
Do not even tell the goat kid,
Annamaa pethavalae
O mother of Annamma,
Aadu meikka ponavalae
She who went to herd the goats,
Andhi masangum munnae
Before dusk falls,
Aada vandha maayam enna
What magic brought her back swaying?
Vaaikaa karaiyoram
By the bank of the canal,
Vayathavali vanthirucha
Did stomach pain strike her?
Bayanthu nadungayilae
While trembling with fear,
Paavadai nanainjirucha
Did her skirt get soaked?
Pinju paluthiruchae
The tender fruit has ripened prematurely,
Perunthunbam vanthiruchae
A great sorrow has arrived,
Nelarukka pogaiyilae
When going to harvest paddy,
Vel erukku poothiruchae
The milkweed flower bloomed along the fence.
Annamaa pethavalae
O mother of Annamma,
Aadu meikka ponavalae
She who went to herd the goats,
Andhi masangum munnae
Before dusk falls,
Aada vandha maayam enna
What magic brought her back swaying?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Annamaa Pethavalae' depicts a poignant narrative set in a poverty-stricken rural Tamil household. A young girl, while out herding goats by the canal, suddenly attains puberty (comes of age). In traditional rural society, puberty triggers elaborate rituals, expenses (like gifting a half-saree by the maternal uncle), and social restrictions preventing the girl from working outdoors.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Pinju paluthiruchae”
Describing coming of age prematurely as a tender unripe fruit ripening suddenly.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Annamaa pethavalae / Aadu meikka ponavalae”
Repetition of the initial 'A' sound across words in consecutive lines.
Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Annamaa pethavalae / Andhi masangum munnae”
Rhyming of the second consonant 'n/nn' in consecutive lines.
Hyperbole / Social Satire
“Thaaimaaman varanuminna / Jaaminil varavenum”
Exaggerating family poverty where even the maternal uncle is imprisoned and parents are physically worn out.
Did you know?
Trivia
This song is part of 'Naatpadu Theral 2', an ambitious independent audio-visual album project produced by veteran lyricist Vairamuthu. The song highlights social realities of rural poverty overriding traditional puberty customs.
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