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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaathada Vanthirukken

From Paasa Deepam · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Paasa Deepam1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kaaththaada vanthirukkaen yaendi vekkamaaI have come to get some fresh air; why are you shy, girl?
Kaaththaada vanthirukkaen yaendi vekkamaaI have come to get some fresh air; why are you shy, girl?
Adi aaththaadi vaadiyammaa inthapakkamaaOh my goodness, come over to this side, my girl!
Nee paakkaatha kandaangi ketkaatha poomaalaeA Kandaangi saree you haven't seen, a garland you haven't asked for,
Kaiyodu vanthirukkammaaHas come right in my hands, girl.
Nee pottaakkaa thookkumadi azhagu mothammaaIf you wear it, your total beauty will be highlighted!
Nee pottaakkaa thookkumadi azhagu mothammaaIf you wear it, your total beauty will be highlighted!
Male
Kaaththaada vanthirukkaen yaendi vekkamaaI have come to get some fresh air; why are you shy, girl?
Adi aaththaadi vaadiyammaa inthapakkamaaOh my goodness, come over to this side, my girl!
Female
Naan kettu rompa naalaachuIt has been many days since I asked.
Nallaaththaan kaakka vachcheenga machaanYou made me wait for a long time, my machaan!
Oorkolam adhu epponnu ennaAsking when the wedding procession will be,
Ooraarum ketkka vachcheengaYou made the entire town ask about it!
Female
Kaaththaada vanthirukkum vegam paththumaaWill this speed of coming for fresh air be enough?
Ada saaththaatha maalaiyellaam saatththu moththamaaHey, put all the unadorned garlands together completely!
Kaaththaada vanthirukkum vegam paththumaaWill this speed of coming for fresh air be enough?
Ada saaththaatha maalaiyellaam saatththu moththamaaHey, put all the unadorned garlands together completely!
Male
Naan kettaen konjam thaen kettaenI asked for a little honey;
Pooppola alli kodammaaScoop it up like a flower and give it to me, girl.
Amma paal pottu rendu pazham pottuOh mother, add milk and add two fruits,
Adha pakkuvamaa killi kodammaaMash it carefully and give it to me.
Male
Dindigul-lu vethalaikku vaai sevakkumaaWill the mouth turn red from Dindigul betel leaves?
Naan saethi sonnaaIf I tell you a news,
Sevanthathellaam veluththu pogumaaWill all that turned red fade away into white?
Male
Kaaththaada vanthirukkaen yaendi vekkamaaI have come to get some fresh air; why are you shy, girl?
Adi aaththaadi vaadiyammaa inthapakkamaaOh my goodness, come over to this side, my girl!
Female
Aalaana ponnu naalaanaaOnce a girl matures and comes of age,
Kelaama enna pannunga machaanWhat will you do without asking her, machaan?
Vaazhaamae sugam kaanaamae dhinamWithout living and experiencing pleasure daily,
Vaadaatha chinna ponnungaYoung girls shouldn't wither away!
Female
Soodaatha poovaiyellaam saerthi paarungaGather and see all the unadorned flowers!
Pinnae podaatha methai ellaam pottu paarungaThen spread out the beds that haven't been laid before!
Male
Aa….paai pottu thalaiyanai pottuAh... laying out the mat and laying out the pillow,
Pakkathillae kuthu vilakkuWith an oil lamp right beside us,
Thaanaaga angu naam pesaFor us to talk there automatically,
Varum thai maatham thaedhiyirukkuThe auspicious date in the month of Thai is set!
Male
Pogaatha oorukellaam poyi varuvomWe will visit all the places we have never been to,
Adhai ennamellaam vaazha viduvomAnd let all our thoughts and desires come alive!
Male
Kaaththaada vanthirukkaen yaendi vekkamaaI have come to get some fresh air; why are you shy, girl?
Adi aaththaadi vaadiyammaa inthapakkamaaOh my goodness, come over to this side, my girl!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kaaththaada vanthirukkaen is a playful romantic duet between a man and his beloved, set against a rich rural backdrop. The hero teasingly approaches the heroine under the guise of enjoying the cool breeze, bringing her gifts like a traditional Kandaangi saree and garlands. The heroine responds with playful banter, reminding him of how long she has waited for their official wedding procession and how the whole town is eagerly anticipating their union. As the song progresses, their dialogue touches upon romantic anticipation and the arrival of the auspicious Tamil month of Thai, which traditionally marks wedding seasons. With evocative folk imagery like Dindigul betel leaves, oil lamps, and woven mats, Kannadasan captures the genuine warmth, impatience, and romantic dreams of two lovers looking forward to marriage.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Kaaththaada vanthirukkaen yaendi vekkamaa / Adi aaththaadi vaadiyammaa inthapakkamaa

The second consonant 'th' matches across the openings 'Kaaththaada' and 'Aaththaadi', establishing Tamil poetic rhythm.

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Pooppola alli kodammaa

The act of offering affection gently is metaphorically compared to scooping up flowers ('Pooppola').

Cultural Imagery & Local Color

Dindigul-lu vethalaikku vaai sevakkumaa

References local specialties like Dindigul betel leaves ('Dindigul vethalai') and traditional cotton sarees ('Kandaangi') to anchor the romance in authentic rural Tamil culture.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features the distinct vocal pairing of T. M. Soundararajan and L. R. Eswari, set to M. S. Viswanathan's vibrant folk-infused rhythm. Lyricist Kannadasan skillfully incorporates authentic regional Tamil motifs, such as the renowned betel leaves from Dindigul and traditional Kandaangi sarees from Chettinad, symbolizing rural romance and wedding festivities.

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