Em Peru Kathamuthu
From Pudhiya Sangamam · 1984
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Malaysia Vasudevan
- Music director
- Ramakrishna Raja
- Details
- Pudhiya Sangamam1984
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Em peru kaaththamuththu | My name is Kaaththamuththu, |
| Kaani nilam enthan soththu | A small plot of land is my property. |
| Em peru kaaththamuththu | My name is Kaaththamuththu, |
| Kaani nilam enthan soththu | A small plot of land is my property. |
| Padichurukken naalaezhuththu | I have studied a few basic letters, |
| Paadiduvaen paateduththu | I will sing taking up a song, |
| Oorukellaam sevai seithu | By serving the entire village, |
| Vaazhnthiduvaenae peraeduththu | I will live and earn a good name. |
| Male | |
| Em peru kaaththamuththu | My name is Kaaththamuththu, |
| Kaani nilam enthan soththu | A small plot of land is my property. |
| Male | |
| Aaththa nambi meenirukku | Relying on the river, there is fish, |
| Saeththa nambi payirirukku | Relying on the mud, there are crops, |
| Ooththa nambi kenarirukki | Relying on the natural spring, there is a well, |
| Yaelaelangiliyae | Oh parrot singing Yaelaelam, |
| Yaelaelangiliyae aa….haan | Oh parrot singing Yaelaelam aa....haan, |
| Male | |
| Aaththa nambi meenirukku | Relying on the river, there is fish, |
| Saeththa nambi payirirukku | Relying on the mud, there are crops, |
| Ooththa nambi kenarirukki | Relying on the natural spring, there is a well, |
| Yaelaelangiliyae | Oh parrot singing Yaelaelam, |
| Male | |
| Soththa nambi vayirirukku | Relying on food, there is a stomach, |
| Kaaththa nambi moochirukku | Relying on air, there is breath, |
| Kaiya nambi naanirukken | Relying on my own hands, I exist, |
| Yaelaelangiliyae | Oh parrot singing Yaelaelam, |
| Yaelaelangiliyae aa….haan | Oh parrot singing Yaelaelam aa....haan, |
| Male | |
| Em peru kaaththamuththu | My name is Kaaththamuththu, |
| Kaani nilam enthan soththu | A small plot of land is my property. |
| Padichurukken naalaezhuththu | I have studied a few basic letters, |
| Paadiduvaen paateduththu | I will sing taking up a song, |
| Oorukellaam sevai seithu | By serving the entire village, |
| Vaazhnthiduvaenae peraeduththu | I will live and earn a good name. |
| Male | |
| Em peru kaaththamuththu | My name is Kaaththamuththu, |
| Kaani nilam enthan soththu | A small plot of land is my property. |
| Male | |
| Naadi muththu aasaari | Naadimuththu is the artisan, |
| Nagai mattum seivaaru | He only makes jewelry, |
| Kaalimuththu enbavaru | The one called Kaalimuththu, |
| Savaal mattum viduvaaru | He only throws challenges, |
| Male | |
| Silambu sanda therinja muththu | The Muththu who knows silambam martial arts, |
| Segappi magan singamuththu | Segappi's son Singamuththu, |
| Ellaamae therinja muththu | The Muththu who knows everything, |
| Intha muththu sellamuththu | This Muththu is Sellamuththu, |
| Male | |
| Em peru kaaththamuththu | My name is Kaaththamuththu, |
| Kaani nilam enthan soththu | A small plot of land is my property. |
| Padichurukken naalaezhuththu | I have studied a few basic letters, |
| Paadiduvaen paateduththu | I will sing taking up a song, |
| Oorukellaam sevai seithu | By serving the entire village, |
| Vaazhnthiduvaenae peraeduththu | I will live and earn a good name. |
| Male | |
| Em peru kaaththamuththu | My name is Kaaththamuththu, |
| Kaani nilam enthan soththu | A small plot of land is my property. |
| Male | |
| Porakka vachcha aandavanae | The Almighty who gave us birth, |
| Irakkum thedhi ezhuthi vachchu | Wrote down the date of death, |
| Marakka vachchaan manithargalai | And made humans forget about it, |
| Yaelaelangiliyae yaelaelangiliyae….. | Oh parrot singing Yaelaelam, oh parrot singing Yaelaelam... |
| Male | |
| Porakka vachcha aandavanae | The Almighty who gave us birth, |
| Irakkum thedhi ezhuthi vachchu | Wrote down the date of death, |
| Marakka vachchaan manithargalai | And made humans forget about it, |
| Yaelaelangiliyae yaelaelangiliyae….. | Oh parrot singing Yaelaelam, oh parrot singing Yaelaelam... |
| Male | |
| Irantha pinnum namma peru | Only if we make our name endure, |
| Irukkumpadi seithaalthaan | Even after we pass away, |
| Poranthatharkku arththam undu | There is meaning to having been born, |
| Yaelaelangiliyae yaelaelangiliyae….. | Oh parrot singing Yaelaelam, oh parrot singing Yaelaelam... |
| Male | |
| Em peru kaaththamuththu | My name is Kaaththamuththu, |
| Kaani nilam enthan soththu | A small plot of land is my property. |
| Padichurukken naalaezhuththu | I have studied a few basic letters, |
| Paadiduvaen paateduththu | I will sing taking up a song, |
| Oorukellaam sevai seithu | By serving the entire village, |
| Vaazhnthiduvaenae peraeduththu | I will live and earn a good name. |
| Male | |
| Em peru kaaththamuththu | My name is Kaaththamuththu, |
| Kaani nilam enthan soththu | A small plot of land is my property. |
எம் பேரு காத்தமுத்து
காணி நிலம் எந்தன் சொத்து
எம் பேரு காத்தமுத்து
காணி நிலம் எந்தன் சொத்து
படிச்சிருக்கேன் நாலெழுத்து
பாடிடுவேன் பாட்டெடுத்து
ஊருக்கெல்லாம் சேவை செய்து
வாழ்ந்திடுவேனே பேரெடுத்து........
My name is Kaaththamuththu,
A small plot of land is my property.
My name is Kaaththamuththu,
A small plot of land is my property.
I have studied a few basic letters,
I will sing taking up a song,
By serving the entire village,
I will live and earn a good name.
எம் பேரு காத்தமுத்து
காணி நிலம் எந்தன் சொத்து
My name is Kaaththamuththu,
A small plot of land is my property.
ஆத்த நம்பி மீனிருக்கு
சேத்த நம்பி பயிரிருக்கு
ஊத்த நம்பி கெணறிருக்கு
ஏலேலங்கிளியே
ஏலேலங்கிளியே ஆ....ஹான்
Relying on the river, there is fish,
Relying on the mud, there are crops,
Relying on the natural spring, there is a well,
Oh parrot singing Yaelaelam,
Oh parrot singing Yaelaelam aa....haan,
ஆத்த நம்பி மீனிருக்கு
சேத்த நம்பி பயிரிருக்கு
ஊத்த நம்பி கெணறிருக்கு
ஏலேலங்கிளியே
Relying on the river, there is fish,
Relying on the mud, there are crops,
Relying on the natural spring, there is a well,
Oh parrot singing Yaelaelam,
சோத்த நம்பி வயிறிருக்கு
காத்த நம்பி மூச்சிருக்கு
கைய நம்பி நானிருக்கேன்
ஏலேலங்கிளியே......
ஏலேலங்கிளியே ஆ....ஹான்
Relying on food, there is a stomach,
Relying on air, there is breath,
Relying on my own hands, I exist,
Oh parrot singing Yaelaelam,
Oh parrot singing Yaelaelam aa....haan,
எம் பேரு காத்தமுத்து
காணி நிலம் எந்தன் சொத்து
படிச்சிருக்கேன் நாலெழுத்து
பாடிடுவேன் பாட்டெடுத்து
ஊருக்கெல்லாம் சேவை செய்து
வாழ்ந்திடுவேனே பேரெடுத்து........
My name is Kaaththamuththu,
A small plot of land is my property.
I have studied a few basic letters,
I will sing taking up a song,
By serving the entire village,
I will live and earn a good name.
எம் பேரு காத்தமுத்து
காணி நிலம் எந்தன் சொத்து
My name is Kaaththamuththu,
A small plot of land is my property.
நாடி முத்து ஆசாரி
நகை மட்டும் செய்வாரு
காளிமுத்து என்பவரு
சவால் மட்டும் விடுவாரு
Naadimuththu is the artisan,
He only makes jewelry,
The one called Kaalimuththu,
He only throws challenges,
சிலம்பு சண்ட தெரிஞ்ச முத்து
செகப்பி மகன் சிங்கமுத்து
எல்லாமே தெரிஞ்ச முத்து
இந்த முத்து செல்லமுத்து
The Muththu who knows silambam martial arts,
Segappi's son Singamuththu,
The Muththu who knows everything,
This Muththu is Sellamuththu,
எம் பேரு காத்தமுத்து
காணி நிலம் எந்தன் சொத்து
படிச்சிருக்கேன் நாலெழுத்து
பாடிடுவேன் பாட்டெடுத்து
ஊருக்கெல்லாம் சேவை செய்து
வாழ்ந்திடுவேனே பேரெடுத்து........
My name is Kaaththamuththu,
A small plot of land is my property.
I have studied a few basic letters,
I will sing taking up a song,
By serving the entire village,
I will live and earn a good name.
எம் பேரு காத்தமுத்து
காணி நிலம் எந்தன் சொத்து
My name is Kaaththamuththu,
A small plot of land is my property.
பொறக்க வச்ச ஆண்டவனே
இறக்கும் தேதி எழுதி வச்சு
மறக்க வச்சான் மனிதர்களை
ஏலேலங்கிளியே ஏலேலங்கிளியே......
The Almighty who gave us birth,
Wrote down the date of death,
And made humans forget about it,
Oh parrot singing Yaelaelam, oh parrot singing Yaelaelam...
பொறக்க வச்ச ஆண்டவனே
இறக்கும் தேதி எழுதி வச்சு
மறக்க வச்சான் மனிதர்களை
ஏலேலங்கிளியே ஏலேலங்கிளியே......
The Almighty who gave us birth,
Wrote down the date of death,
And made humans forget about it,
Oh parrot singing Yaelaelam, oh parrot singing Yaelaelam...
இறந்த பின்னும் நம்ம பேரு
இருக்கும்படி செய்தால்தான்
பொறந்ததற்கு அர்த்தம் உண்டு
ஏலேலங்கிளியே ஏலேலங்கிளியே......
Only if we make our name endure,
Even after we pass away,
There is meaning to having been born,
Oh parrot singing Yaelaelam, oh parrot singing Yaelaelam...
எம் பேரு காத்தமுத்து
காணி நிலம் எந்தன் சொத்து
படிச்சிருக்கேன் நாலெழுத்து
பாடிடுவேன் பாட்டெடுத்து
ஊருக்கெல்லாம் சேவை செய்து
வாழ்ந்திடுவேனே பேரெடுத்து........
My name is Kaaththamuththu,
A small plot of land is my property.
I have studied a few basic letters,
I will sing taking up a song,
By serving the entire village,
I will live and earn a good name.
எம் பேரு காத்தமுத்து
காணி நிலம் எந்தன் சொத்து
My name is Kaaththamuththu,
A small plot of land is my property.
Em peru kaaththamuththu
My name is Kaaththamuththu,
Kaani nilam enthan soththu
A small plot of land is my property.
Em peru kaaththamuththu
My name is Kaaththamuththu,
Kaani nilam enthan soththu
A small plot of land is my property.
Padichurukken naalaezhuththu
I have studied a few basic letters,
Paadiduvaen paateduththu
I will sing taking up a song,
Oorukellaam sevai seithu
By serving the entire village,
Vaazhnthiduvaenae peraeduththu
I will live and earn a good name.
Em peru kaaththamuththu
My name is Kaaththamuththu,
Kaani nilam enthan soththu
A small plot of land is my property.
Aaththa nambi meenirukku
Relying on the river, there is fish,
Saeththa nambi payirirukku
Relying on the mud, there are crops,
Ooththa nambi kenarirukki
Relying on the natural spring, there is a well,
Yaelaelangiliyae
Oh parrot singing Yaelaelam,
Yaelaelangiliyae aa….haan
Oh parrot singing Yaelaelam aa....haan,
Aaththa nambi meenirukku
Relying on the river, there is fish,
Saeththa nambi payirirukku
Relying on the mud, there are crops,
Ooththa nambi kenarirukki
Relying on the natural spring, there is a well,
Yaelaelangiliyae
Oh parrot singing Yaelaelam,
Soththa nambi vayirirukku
Relying on food, there is a stomach,
Kaaththa nambi moochirukku
Relying on air, there is breath,
Kaiya nambi naanirukken
Relying on my own hands, I exist,
Yaelaelangiliyae
Oh parrot singing Yaelaelam,
Yaelaelangiliyae aa….haan
Oh parrot singing Yaelaelam aa....haan,
Em peru kaaththamuththu
My name is Kaaththamuththu,
Kaani nilam enthan soththu
A small plot of land is my property.
Padichurukken naalaezhuththu
I have studied a few basic letters,
Paadiduvaen paateduththu
I will sing taking up a song,
Oorukellaam sevai seithu
By serving the entire village,
Vaazhnthiduvaenae peraeduththu
I will live and earn a good name.
Em peru kaaththamuththu
My name is Kaaththamuththu,
Kaani nilam enthan soththu
A small plot of land is my property.
Naadi muththu aasaari
Naadimuththu is the artisan,
Nagai mattum seivaaru
He only makes jewelry,
Kaalimuththu enbavaru
The one called Kaalimuththu,
Savaal mattum viduvaaru
He only throws challenges,
Silambu sanda therinja muththu
The Muththu who knows silambam martial arts,
Segappi magan singamuththu
Segappi's son Singamuththu,
Ellaamae therinja muththu
The Muththu who knows everything,
Intha muththu sellamuththu
This Muththu is Sellamuththu,
Em peru kaaththamuththu
My name is Kaaththamuththu,
Kaani nilam enthan soththu
A small plot of land is my property.
Padichurukken naalaezhuththu
I have studied a few basic letters,
Paadiduvaen paateduththu
I will sing taking up a song,
Oorukellaam sevai seithu
By serving the entire village,
Vaazhnthiduvaenae peraeduththu
I will live and earn a good name.
Em peru kaaththamuththu
My name is Kaaththamuththu,
Kaani nilam enthan soththu
A small plot of land is my property.
Porakka vachcha aandavanae
The Almighty who gave us birth,
Irakkum thedhi ezhuthi vachchu
Wrote down the date of death,
Marakka vachchaan manithargalai
And made humans forget about it,
Yaelaelangiliyae yaelaelangiliyae…..
Oh parrot singing Yaelaelam, oh parrot singing Yaelaelam...
Porakka vachcha aandavanae
The Almighty who gave us birth,
Irakkum thedhi ezhuthi vachchu
Wrote down the date of death,
Marakka vachchaan manithargalai
And made humans forget about it,
Yaelaelangiliyae yaelaelangiliyae…..
Oh parrot singing Yaelaelam, oh parrot singing Yaelaelam...
Irantha pinnum namma peru
Only if we make our name endure,
Irukkumpadi seithaalthaan
Even after we pass away,
Poranthatharkku arththam undu
There is meaning to having been born,
Yaelaelangiliyae yaelaelangiliyae…..
Oh parrot singing Yaelaelam, oh parrot singing Yaelaelam...
Em peru kaaththamuththu
My name is Kaaththamuththu,
Kaani nilam enthan soththu
A small plot of land is my property.
Padichurukken naalaezhuththu
I have studied a few basic letters,
Paadiduvaen paateduththu
I will sing taking up a song,
Oorukellaam sevai seithu
By serving the entire village,
Vaazhnthiduvaenae peraeduththu
I will live and earn a good name.
Em peru kaaththamuththu
My name is Kaaththamuththu,
Kaani nilam enthan soththu
A small plot of land is my property.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Em peru kaaththamuththu is a rustic Tamil folk-style song sung by the character Kaaththamuththu, who takes pride in his modest identity, basic literacy, and humble plot of land. He expresses his desire to live a meaningful life by serving his community and earning a good reputation. The lyrics draw rich parallels between natural interdependences—like fish needing rivers and crops needing soil—and human self-reliance through hard work. The song also playfully catalogues various villagers named 'Muththu' before transitioning into a deeper philosophical reflection. It highlights how God predetermined death yet granted forgetfulness to humans, concluding that life gains true value only when one leaves behind an enduring legacy of service and goodwill after death.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Aaththa nambi meenirukku / Saeththa nambi payirirukku”
The second consonant 'th' matches across consecutive lines creating melodic harmony (Aaththa / Saeththa / Ooththa / Soththa / Kaaththa).
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Silambu sanda therinja muththu / Segappi magan singamuththu”
The repetition of 'muththu' at the end of successive lines creates a rhythmic wordplay on village names.
Kilippaattu Motif (Address to Parrot)
“Yaelaelangiliyae yaelaelangiliyae…..”
Addressing 'Giliye' (parrot) is a classical Tamil poetic genre (Kilippaattu) used in folk literature to express philosophical truths.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song incorporates elements of classic Tamil 'Kilippaattu' (parrot-song folk tradition) combined with Vairamuthu's signature blend of rural imagery and existential philosophy.
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