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Lyrics & meaning

Kaathada Vanthirukken

From Paasa Deepam · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Paasa Deepam
Movie release year
1973
Lyrics added on
21 Jan 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kaaththaada vanthirukkaen yaendi vekkamaa
Kaaththaada vanthirukkaen yaendi vekkamaa
Adi aaththaadi vaadiyammaa inthapakkamaa
Nee paakkaatha kandaangi ketkaatha poomaalae
Kaiyodu vanthirukkammaa
Nee pottaakkaa thookkumadi azhagu mothammaa
Nee pottaakkaa thookkumadi azhagu mothammaa
Kaaththaada vanthirukkaen yaendi vekkamaa
Adi aaththaadi vaadiyammaa inthapakkamaa
Naan kettu rompa naalaachu
Nallaaththaan kaakka vachcheenga machaan
Oorkolam adhu epponnu enna
Ooraarum ketkka vachcheenga
Kaaththaada vanthirukkum vegam paththumaa
Ada saaththaatha maalaiyellaam saatththu moththamaa
Kaaththaada vanthirukkum vegam paththumaa
Ada saaththaatha maalaiyellaam saatththu moththamaa
Naan kettaen konjam thaen kettaen
Pooppola alli kodammaa
Amma paal pottu rendu pazham pottu
Adha pakkuvamaa killi kodammaa
Dindigul-lu vethalaikku vaai sevakkumaa
Naan saethi sonnaa
Sevanthathellaam veluththu pogumaa
Kaaththaada vanthirukkaen yaendi vekkamaa
Adi aaththaadi vaadiyammaa inthapakkamaa
Aalaana ponnu naalaanaa
Kelaama enna pannunga machaan
Vaazhaamae sugam kaanaamae dhinam
Vaadaatha chinna ponnunga
Soodaatha poovaiyellaam saerthi paarunga
Pinnae podaatha methai ellaam pottu paarunga
Aa….paai pottu thalaiyanai pottu
Pakkathillae kuthu vilakku
Thaanaaga angu naam pesa
Varum thai maatham thaedhiyirukku
Pogaatha oorukellaam poyi varuvom
Adhai ennamellaam vaazha viduvom
Kaaththaada vanthirukkaen yaendi vekkamaa
Adi aaththaadi vaadiyammaa inthapakkamaa
I’ve come to catch some fresh air, why are you so shy, girl?
I’ve come to catch some fresh air, why are you so shy, girl?
Oh my goodness, come on over this way!
A Kandangi sari you’ve never seen, a flower garland you never asked for,
I have brought them right here with me.
If you put them on, all your beauty will truly shine!
If you put them on, all your beauty will truly shine!
I’ve come to catch some fresh air, why are you so shy, girl?
Oh my goodness, come on over this way!
It’s been so long since I asked,
you really made me wait, my darling!
Asking when our wedding procession will be,
you made the whole town start questioning me!
Is this easygoing pace of yours really enough?
Come on, put on every garland you haven’t worn yet!
Is this easygoing pace of yours really enough?
Come on, put on every garland you haven’t worn yet!
I asked for something sweet, I asked for a little honey,
gather it gently like a flower and give it to me!
Add some milk, mix in a couple of bananas,
and lovingly feed it to me bit by bit!
Does chewing Dindigul betel leaf make lips turn red,
or if I whisper sweet secrets,
will all that redness blush and fade away?
I’ve come to catch some fresh air, why are you so shy, girl?
Oh my goodness, come on over this way!
When a grown girl has been waiting day after day,
what else can she do but ask, my darling?
Without living together and tasting happiness,
young girls will only wither away every single day...
Gather and try on all the unworn flowers,
and then make all the wedding beds we haven't slept on yet!
Ah... spreading out the mat, placing the pillows,
with a brass oil lamp glowing beside us,
for the two of us to talk intimately by ourselves,
a wedding date is set in the coming month of Thai!
We’ll travel together to all the places we have never been,
and let all our dreams and wishes come alive!
I’ve come to catch some fresh air, why are you so shy, girl?
Oh my goodness, come on over this way!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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