Kadan
From Naatpadu Theral 2 · 2022
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Anthony Daasan, Ramesh Vinayakam
- Music director
- Ramesh Vinayakam
- Details
- Naatpadu Theral 22022
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kolathang karaiyoram | On the bank of the pond |
| Kurumbaadu maechuvarum | Herding short-horned sheep |
| Aiyaa paeru enna | Sir, what is your name? |
| Aiyyanaaru chaervaingalaa? | Are you belonging to Ayyanaar? |
| Male | |
| Kaathu kadungaathu | The wind, severe wind |
| Kannmaraikkum chengaathu | Red dust wind that hides the eyes |
| Ammi parandhuvara | Wind strong enough to fly a grinding stone |
| Aalamaram vizhum kaathu | Wind that causes the banyan tree to fall |
| Male | |
| Indhak kaathoda | In this very wind |
| Elandhamullu kaattoda | Along with this jungle of spiky jujube bushes |
| Andhima kaalathula | In the twilight of your life |
| Aadotti alaivadhenna? | Why are you wandering driving sheep? |
| Male | |
| Ottu kovanamae | Even your single loincloth |
| Oridathil nikkalaiyae | Doesn't stay in one place |
| Athuvaana kaattukkulla | In this dense wild forest |
| Aadotti alaivadhenna? | Why are you wandering driving sheep? |
| Aadotti alaivadhenna? | Why are you wandering driving sheep? |
| Aadotti alaivadhenna? | Why are you wandering driving sheep? |
| Male | |
| Ukkaaru thambi | Sit down, my young brother |
| Oorupatta kadhaiyirukku | There is a whole town's worth of stories |
| Ninnabadi naan chonnaa | If I tell them while standing up |
| Nenjuvali vandhuvidum | Chest pain will come |
| Male | |
| Padamedukkum paambidam | To a hooded snake |
| Naan pattahadhai chonnaakkaa | If I tell what I went through |
| Padatha churuttividum | It will roll up its hood |
| Padapadannu azhudhuvidum | It will cry trembling in shock |
| Male | |
| Padamedukkum paambidam | To a hooded snake |
| Naan pattahadhai chonnaakkaa | If I tell what I went through |
| Padatha churuttividum | It will roll up its hood |
| Padapadannu azhudhuvidum | It will cry trembling in shock |
| Male | |
| Ennakki pondaatti | The day my wife |
| Ennavittu ponaaloo | Passed away and left me |
| Annaikkae embadukkai | On that very day, my bedding |
| Thinnaikku vandhiruchu | Moved out to the front porch |
| Male | |
| Naaidhinnum chothula | From the rice meant for the dog |
| Naalanju kavalatha | Four or five morsels |
| Enakkum pottuvachaan | He served to me too |
| Erakkamulla embulla | My merciful son |
| Male | |
| Naaidhinnum chothula | From the rice meant for the dog |
| Naalanju kavalatha | Four or five morsels |
| Enakkum pottuvachaan | He served to me too |
| Erakkamulla embulla | My merciful son |
| Male | |
| Koni chaakkoda | With gunny sacks |
| Kudumbam naan nadathaiyila | When I was managing my family |
| Loganaadhan mavaraasan | Loganadhan, the grand man |
| Loanu vaangi thaaraennaan | Said he would get me a loan |
| Male | |
| Aenjaadhi ennaannu | What is my caste? |
| Ezhubaeru kaettaaga | Seven people asked |
| Yedhedho kadhapaesi | Talking random stories |
| Engileesil chirichaaga | They laughed in English |
| Male | |
| Nadaiyaa nadakkavittu | Making me walk endlessly |
| Narambellaam thaeyavittu | Making my nerves wear out |
| Commison eduthukkittu | Taking a cut as commission |
| Kadangaasu kuduthaaga | They handed over the loan money |
| Male | |
| Avanukku ainnooraam | 500 rupees for that man |
| Ivanukku munnooraam | 300 rupees for this man |
| Anga anga vettalanaa | If cuts aren't given here and there |
| Aadugutti podaadhaam | They said the ewe wouldn't give birth to lambs |
| Male | |
| Kottagatta loanu vaangi | Taking a loan meant to build a shed |
| Kudisai katti nikkiranae | I stand having built a hut |
| Kottagatta loanu vaangi | Taking a loan meant to build a shed |
| Kudisai katti nikkiranae | I stand having built a hut |
| Aanaivaanga loanvaangi | Taking a loan meant for buying an elephant |
| Aaduvaangi maeykkiranae | I buy goats and herd them |
| Male | |
| Aattukku patta kadan | The debt taken for the sheep |
| Adaibadavae aadirukku | There are sheep to clear it |
| Lanjathil patta kadan | The debt incurred due to bribes |
| Naangatta thoadhirukkaa? | Do I have a way to repay it? |
| Lanjathil patta kadan | The debt incurred due to bribes |
| Naangatta thoadhirukkaa? | Do I have a way to repay it? |
| Male | |
| Agilathai ellaam | The whole universe |
| Aadhisaesan chumakkiradhaam | Aadhiseshan is said to carry |
| Aadhisaesanum chaethu | Including Aadhiseshan too |
| Aiyanaaru naanjumakkaen | I, Ayyanaar, carry it all |
கொளத்தங் கரையோரம்
குறும்பாடு மேச்சுவரும்
அய்யா பேரு என்ன
அய்யனாரு சேர்வைங்களா?
On the bank of the pond
Herding short-horned sheep
Sir, what is your name?
Are you belonging to Ayyanaar?
காத்து கடுங்காத்து
கண்மறைக்கும் செங்காத்து
அம்மி பறந்துவர
ஆலமரம் விழும் காத்து
The wind, severe wind
Red dust wind that hides the eyes
Wind strong enough to fly a grinding stone
Wind that causes the banyan tree to fall
இந்தக் காத்தோட
எலந்தமுள்ளுக் காட்டோட
அந்திம காலத்துல
ஆடோட்டி அலைவதென்ன?
In this very wind
Along with this jungle of spiky jujube bushes
In the twilight of your life
Why are you wandering driving sheep?
ஒட்டுக் கோவணமே
ஓரிடத்தில் நிக்கலையே
அத்துவானக் காட்டுக்குள்ள
ஆடோட்டி அலைவதென்ன?
ஆடோட்டி அலைவதென்ன?
ஆடோட்டி அலைவதென்ன?
Even your single loincloth
Doesn't stay in one place
In this dense wild forest
Why are you wandering driving sheep?
Why are you wandering driving sheep?
Why are you wandering driving sheep?
உக்காரு தம்பி
ஊருபட்ட கதையிருக்கு
நின்னபடி நான் சொன்னா
நெஞ்சுவலி வந்துவிடும்
Sit down, my young brother
There is a whole town's worth of stories
If I tell them while standing up
Chest pain will come
படமெடுக்கும் பாம்பிடம்நான்
பட்டகதை சொன்னாக்கா
படத்தச் சுருட்டிவிடும்
படபடன்னு அழுதுவிடும்
To a hooded snake
If I tell what I went through
It will roll up its hood
It will cry trembling in shock
படமெடுக்கும் பாம்பிடம்நான்
பட்டகதை சொன்னாக்கா
படத்தச் சுருட்டிவிடும்
படபடன்னு அழுதுவிடும்
To a hooded snake
If I tell what I went through
It will roll up its hood
It will cry trembling in shock
என்னக்கிப் பொண்டாட்டி
என்னவிட்டுப் போனாளோ
அன்னைக்கே எம்படுக்கை
திண்ணைக்கு வந்திருச்சு
The day my wife
Passed away and left me
On that very day, my bedding
Moved out to the front porch
நாய்தின்னும் சோத்துல
நாலஞ்சு கவளத்த
எனக்கும் போட்டுவச்சான்
எரக்கமுள்ள எம்புள்ள
From the rice meant for the dog
Four or five morsels
He served to me too
My merciful son
நாய்தின்னும் சோத்துல
நாலஞ்சு கவளத்த
எனக்கும் போட்டுவச்சான்
எரக்கமுள்ள எம்புள்ள
From the rice meant for the dog
Four or five morsels
He served to me too
My merciful son
கோணிச் சாக்கோட
குடும்பம்நான் நடத்தையில
லோகநாதன் மவராசன்
லோன்வாங்கித் தாரேன்னான்
With gunny sacks
When I was managing my family
Loganadhan, the grand man
Said he would get me a loan
ஏஞ்சாதி என்னான்னு
ஏழுபேரு கேட்டாக
ஏதேதோ கதபேசி
இங்கிலீசில் சிரிச்சாக
What is my caste?
Seven people asked
Talking random stories
They laughed in English
நடையா நடக்கவிட்டு
நரம்பெல்லாம் தேயவிட்டு
கமிசன் எடுத்துக்கிட்டுக்
கடன்காசு குடுத்தாக
Making me walk endlessly
Making my nerves wear out
Taking a cut as commission
They handed over the loan money
அவனுக்கு ஐந்நூறாம்
இவனுக்கு முந்நூறாம்
அங்கேங்க வெட்டலேன்னா
ஆடுகுட்டி போடாதாம்
500 rupees for that man
300 rupees for this man
If cuts aren't given here and there
They said the ewe wouldn't give birth to lambs
கோட்டகட்ட லோனுவாங்கிக்
குடிசைகட்டி நிக்கிறனே
கோட்டகட்ட லோனுவாங்கிக்
குடிசைகட்டி நிக்கிறனே
ஆனைவாங்க லோன்வாங்கி
ஆடுவாங்கி மேய்க்கிறனே
Taking a loan meant to build a shed
I stand having built a hut
Taking a loan meant to build a shed
I stand having built a hut
Taking a loan meant for buying an elephant
I buy goats and herd them
ஆட்டுக்குப் பட்ட கடன்
அடைபடவே ஆடிருக்கு
லஞ்சத்தில் பட்ட கடன்
நான்கட்டத் தோதிருக்கா?
லஞ்சத்தில் பட்ட கடன்
நான்கட்டத் தோதிருக்கா?
The debt taken for the sheep
There are sheep to clear it
The debt incurred due to bribes
Do I have a way to repay it?
The debt incurred due to bribes
Do I have a way to repay it?
அகிலத்தை எல்லாம்
ஆதிசேசன் சுமக்கிறதாம்
ஆதிசேசனும் சேத்து
அய்யனாரு நாஞ்சுமக்கேன்
The whole universe
Aadhiseshan is said to carry
Including Aadhiseshan too
I, Ayyanaar, carry it all
Kolathang karaiyoram
On the bank of the pond
Kurumbaadu maechuvarum
Herding short-horned sheep
Aiyaa paeru enna
Sir, what is your name?
Aiyyanaaru chaervaingalaa?
Are you belonging to Ayyanaar?
Kaathu kadungaathu
The wind, severe wind
Kannmaraikkum chengaathu
Red dust wind that hides the eyes
Ammi parandhuvara
Wind strong enough to fly a grinding stone
Aalamaram vizhum kaathu
Wind that causes the banyan tree to fall
Indhak kaathoda
In this very wind
Elandhamullu kaattoda
Along with this jungle of spiky jujube bushes
Andhima kaalathula
In the twilight of your life
Aadotti alaivadhenna?
Why are you wandering driving sheep?
Ottu kovanamae
Even your single loincloth
Oridathil nikkalaiyae
Doesn't stay in one place
Athuvaana kaattukkulla
In this dense wild forest
Aadotti alaivadhenna?
Why are you wandering driving sheep?
Aadotti alaivadhenna?
Why are you wandering driving sheep?
Aadotti alaivadhenna?
Why are you wandering driving sheep?
Ukkaaru thambi
Sit down, my young brother
Oorupatta kadhaiyirukku
There is a whole town's worth of stories
Ninnabadi naan chonnaa
If I tell them while standing up
Nenjuvali vandhuvidum
Chest pain will come
Padamedukkum paambidam
To a hooded snake
Naan pattahadhai chonnaakkaa
If I tell what I went through
Padatha churuttividum
It will roll up its hood
Padapadannu azhudhuvidum
It will cry trembling in shock
Padamedukkum paambidam
To a hooded snake
Naan pattahadhai chonnaakkaa
If I tell what I went through
Padatha churuttividum
It will roll up its hood
Padapadannu azhudhuvidum
It will cry trembling in shock
Ennakki pondaatti
The day my wife
Ennavittu ponaaloo
Passed away and left me
Annaikkae embadukkai
On that very day, my bedding
Thinnaikku vandhiruchu
Moved out to the front porch
Naaidhinnum chothula
From the rice meant for the dog
Naalanju kavalatha
Four or five morsels
Enakkum pottuvachaan
He served to me too
Erakkamulla embulla
My merciful son
Naaidhinnum chothula
From the rice meant for the dog
Naalanju kavalatha
Four or five morsels
Enakkum pottuvachaan
He served to me too
Erakkamulla embulla
My merciful son
Koni chaakkoda
With gunny sacks
Kudumbam naan nadathaiyila
When I was managing my family
Loganaadhan mavaraasan
Loganadhan, the grand man
Loanu vaangi thaaraennaan
Said he would get me a loan
Aenjaadhi ennaannu
What is my caste?
Ezhubaeru kaettaaga
Seven people asked
Yedhedho kadhapaesi
Talking random stories
Engileesil chirichaaga
They laughed in English
Nadaiyaa nadakkavittu
Making me walk endlessly
Narambellaam thaeyavittu
Making my nerves wear out
Commison eduthukkittu
Taking a cut as commission
Kadangaasu kuduthaaga
They handed over the loan money
Avanukku ainnooraam
500 rupees for that man
Ivanukku munnooraam
300 rupees for this man
Anga anga vettalanaa
If cuts aren't given here and there
Aadugutti podaadhaam
They said the ewe wouldn't give birth to lambs
Kottagatta loanu vaangi
Taking a loan meant to build a shed
Kudisai katti nikkiranae
I stand having built a hut
Kottagatta loanu vaangi
Taking a loan meant to build a shed
Kudisai katti nikkiranae
I stand having built a hut
Aanaivaanga loanvaangi
Taking a loan meant for buying an elephant
Aaduvaangi maeykkiranae
I buy goats and herd them
Aattukku patta kadan
The debt taken for the sheep
Adaibadavae aadirukku
There are sheep to clear it
Lanjathil patta kadan
The debt incurred due to bribes
Naangatta thoadhirukkaa?
Do I have a way to repay it?
Lanjathil patta kadan
The debt incurred due to bribes
Naangatta thoadhirukkaa?
Do I have a way to repay it?
Agilathai ellaam
The whole universe
Aadhisaesan chumakkiradhaam
Aadhiseshan is said to carry
Aadhisaesanum chaethu
Including Aadhiseshan too
Aiyanaaru naanjumakkaen
I, Ayyanaar, carry it all
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from 'Naatpadu Theral 2' depicts a poignant conversation between a traveler and an elderly shepherd named Ayyanaar. Seeing the old man herding sheep in a harsh, dusty storm during the twilight of his life, the traveler asks why he endures such hardship. Ayyanaar shares his tragic life story: after his wife died, his son relegated him to the outer porch and fed him dog scraps. To survive, he sought a government loan to buy livestock, only to fall victim to rampant bureaucracy, casteism, and official corruption where intermediaries ate away most of his loan through bribes. Ultimately, the old man reflects on the crippling burden of debt created by systemic bribery. While standard livestock debt can be cleared by selling sheep, the debt compounded by extortionate corruption is impossible to repay. In a powerful concluding metaphor, Ayyanaar asserts that while the mythical serpent Aadhiseshan allegedly carries the weight of the universe, he as a poor, oppressed old man carries both the universe and Aadhiseshan on his weary shoulders.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Alliteration)
“Padamedukkum paambidam / Naan pattahadhai chonnaakkaa / Padatha churuttividum / Padapadannu azhudhuvidum”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('P') in consecutive lines ('Padamedukkum', 'Pattahadhai', 'Padatha', 'Padapadannu').
Erhai (Rhyme)
“Kaathu kadungaathu / Kannmaraikkum chengaathu”
Rhyming second letters in adjacent lines, a classic Tamil poetic meter structure (e.g., 'Kaathu' / 'Kannmaraikkum').
Hyperbole (Uruvakamm / Uyarnavu Navitchi)
“Ammi parandhuvara / Aalamaram vizhum kaathu”
Exaggerating the severity of the wind ('grinding stone flying') to emphasize the harshness of nature and the old man's struggle.
Personification / Metaphor
“Padamedukkum paambidam... Padatha churuttividum / Padapadannu azhudhuvidum”
Attributing deep human grief and shock to a venomous hooded snake upon hearing his life story.
Irony & Hyperbole
“Agilathai ellaam Aadhisaesan chumakkiradhaam / Aadhisaesanum chaethu Aiyanaaru naanjumakkaen”
Closing image contrasting the cosmic myth of Aadhiseshan holding the Earth with the humble old man bearing a burden far heavier than the cosmos itself.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Naatpadu Theral' is a celebrated independent music album project created by legendary lyricist Vairamuthu, featuring compositions by various music directors to showcase diverse Tamil cultural themes, rural life, and social commentary.
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