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Idam Porul Yaeval album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Atthuvaana Kaatukku

From Idam Porul Yaeval · 2014

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Music director
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Movie name
Idam Porul Yaeval
Movie release year
2014
Lyrics added on
14 Dec 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Mmm…mm…mm…mm..
Hmmm…mm….
Athuvaana kaatukku
Thappi vantha aattukku
Thaai madi amanjathadaa
Kallirukkum thaeraikkum
Ullirukkum vaazhvundu
Unakonnu vaaithathadaa
Ooro uravo varandae kedakku
Usura nenaikka mazhaiyum irukku
Pethava illaiyae mathava illaiyaa
Iva saami solli vandhava…aa….
Athuvaana kaatukku
Thappi vantha aattukku
Thaai madi amanjathadaa
Kallirukkum thaeraikkum
Ullirukkum vaazhvundu
Unakonnu vaaithathadaa
Ava enna thaayaa
Nee enna maganaa
Adadaa paasam thulirvidumae
Karungal idukil kaakai itta
Echathil aalamaramae varumae
Desam vittu pogum bothum
Vaanam enna neelam thaan
Paasam ulla selaiyil ellaam
Thaai paalin vaasam thaan
Pacha molugaayil
Paasam inikuthae
Aaththaa vaasamoo
Sothula veesuthae
Idam porul yeval
Amaivathai poruthae
Uravo pirivo yerpadumae
Yaarum attra kaatil
Pechu thunai yaaru
Chittu kuruvi pothumae
Oththa maram aagi pona
Iththu pona pombala
Magizhnthu thaan poothu pona
Magan vantha thembula
Nanjchu pona vaazhkkai
Sonthamae thedumae
Pincha kodaiyum
Mazhaikku pothumae
Athuvaana kaatukku
Thappi vantha aattukku
Thaai madi amanjathadaa
Kallirukkum thaeraikkum
Ullirukkum vaazhvundu
Unakonnu vaaithathadaa…aaa…mmm…
Mmm… mm… mm… mm…
Hmmm… mm…
In the desolate wilderness,
for the lamb that escaped,
a mother’s lap has been found!
Even for a toad trapped inside a rock,
life is sustained within.
And you too have been blessed with one!
Town and relatives may be dry and distant,
yet there is rain to drench the soul.
She didn't give birth to you, but isn't she still a mother?
She is the one who came at God's bidding… ah…
In the desolate wilderness,
for the lamb that escaped,
a mother’s lap has been found!
Even for a toad trapped inside a rock,
life is sustained within.
And you too have been blessed with one!
Is she really your mother?
Are you really her son?
Yet, look how love sprouts between you!
From the droppings left by a crow
in the crack of a black rock, a great banyan tree grows!
Even when you leave for a distant land,
the sky remains just as blue.
In every saree wrapped in love,
there is the scent of a mother's milk.
Even in a green chilli,
love tastes sweet.
A mother's warm scent
wafts from the bowl of rice.
Time, place, and circumstance—
depending on how they align,
bonds are formed or broken.
In a forest with no one around,
who is there to keep you company?
A little sparrow is enough!
She who stood like a solitary tree,
a frail, worn-out woman,
has now blossomed with joy,
given strength by the arrival of a son.
A bruised, battered life
will always search for its own kin.
Even a torn umbrella
is shelter enough against the rain.
In the desolate wilderness,
for the lamb that escaped,
a mother’s lap has been found!
Even for a toad trapped inside a rock,
life is sustained within.
And you too have been blessed with one… ah… mmm…
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
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Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Athuvaana Kaatukku' from the movie 'Idam Porul Yaeval' is a deeply philosophical song about destiny, unexpected human connections, and the unconditional nature of maternal love. Lyricist Vairamuthu uses rich imagery from rural life and nature to convey that no soul is left completely abandoned; just as nature sustains a toad enclosed inside a rock or sprouts a banyan tree from a rock crevice, fate provides emotional refuge to those in need. The song explores how non-biological relationships can blossom into deep maternal bonds, giving renewed life and joy to both a forlorn individual and a lonely, weary mother.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhukai (Second letter rhyming)

“Athuvaana kaatukku / Thappi vantha aattukku”

Rhyming of the second consonant sound 'th' in consecutive lines.

Metaphor (Uvamai)

“Karungal idukil kaakai itta / Echathil aalamaramae varumae”

Comparing the unexpected blossoming of deep affection in unlikely circumstances to a banyan tree growing out of bird droppings on a barren rock.

Moonaai (Initial letter alliteration)

“Pacha molugaayil / Paasam inikuthae”

Repetition of the initial 'Pa' sound creating rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Idam Porul Yaeval' directed by Seenu Ramasamy features music by Yuvan Shankar Raja. Though recorded around 2014, the film and soundtrack faced prolonged financial delays, but the songs gained a cult following among fans of the director-composer collaboration.

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