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Lyrics & meaning

Karthigai Matham

From Vetri Vizha · 1989

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Vani Jairam, Vidya
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Vetri Vizha1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kaarthigai maadhamIn the month of Kaarthigai
Karuthiruttu maegamDark pitch-black clouds
Kaatrinil koothaadaDance in the wind
Neerthuli yendhum vanna vanna pookkalColorful flowers holding raindrops
Thaen madal virithaadaSpread open their honey-laden petals
Female
Odaiyin neeril …In the stream's water...
Female :LalalalallaFemale: Lalalalalla
Female :Velliyilai thaaviFemale: Leaping over silver leaves
Female :LalalalaFemale: Lalalala
Female :Angum ingum thithi thithi odaFemale: Running here and there with rhythmic joy
Ammammaa enna solli paadaOh my, how shall I describe it in song?
Female
Kaarthigai maadhamIn the month of Kaarthigai
Karuthiruttu maegamDark pitch-black clouds
Kaatrinil koothaadaDance in the wind
Neerthuli yendhum vanna vanna pookkalColorful flowers holding raindrops
Thaen madal virithaadaSpread open their honey-laden petals
Female
Odaiyin neeril …In the stream's water...
Female :LalalalallaFemale: Lalalalalla
Female :Velliyilai thaaviFemale: Leaping over silver leaves
Female :LalalalaFemale: Lalalala
Female :Angum ingum thithi thithi odaFemale: Running here and there with rhythmic joy
Ammammaa enna solli paadaOh my, how shall I describe it in song?
Female
Ongiya moongilin melaeAtop the tall bamboo trees
Mella modhum poongaatruThe gentle breeze softly brushes
Venguzhal osaiyai polaeLike the sound of a bamboo flute
Oru gaanam paadudhuIt sings a sweet melody
Female
Ullasamaai siragadithuFlapping its wings with joy
Poguthamma poonguruviThe little female bird flies away
Kaiyodu thaan serthanaikkaTo embrace her in his arms
Oduthamma aan kuruviThe male bird runs along
Kummalam kondaattam engum irukkaWith celebration and joy everywhere
Kalyanam katcheri ingu nadakkaAs a grand wedding concert happens here
Female
Kaarthigai maadhamIn the month of Kaarthigai
Karuthiruttu maegamDark pitch-black clouds
Kaatrinil koothaadaDance in the wind
Neerthuli yendhum vanna vanna pookkalColorful flowers holding raindrops
Thaen madal virithaadaSpread open their honey-laden petals
Female
Odaiyin neeril …In the stream's water...
Female :LalalalallaFemale: Lalalalalla
Female :Velliyilai thaaviFemale: Leaping over silver leaves
Female :LalalalaFemale: Lalalala
Female :Angum ingum thithi thithi odaFemale: Running here and there with rhythmic joy
Ammammaa enna solli paadaOh my, how shall I describe it in song?
Female
Aayiram ninaivugal odaAs a thousand memories stream by
Ullam oonjal pol aadaMy heart sways like a swing
Aanandha raagangal paadaTo sing joyful ragas
Oru aasai thonudhuA deep desire arises in me
Female
Vin meedhilae parapadharkkuTo fly high up into the sky
Enakkilaiyae poonjiraguYet I do not possess delicate wings
Kannodu thaan malarnthathammaBlossomed right within my eyes
Vidhavidhamaai pala kanavuAre various kinds of beautiful dreams
Sangeetham engaeyum thendral isaikkaAs the breeze plays music everywhere
Santhosa vellathil nenjam midhakkaMy heart floats in a ocean of happiness
Female
Kaarthigai maadhamIn the month of Kaarthigai
Karuthiruttu maegamDark pitch-black clouds
Kaatrinil koothaadaDance in the wind
Neerthuli yendhum vanna vanna pookkalColorful flowers holding raindrops
Thaen madal virithaadaSpread open their honey-laden petals
Female
Odaiyin neeril …In the stream's water...
Female :LalalalallaFemale: Lalalalalla
Female :Velliyilai thaaviFemale: Leaping over silver leaves
Female :LalalalaFemale: Lalalala
Female :Angum ingum thithi thithi odaFemale: Running here and there with rhythmic joy
Ammammaa enna solli paadaOh my, how shall I describe it in song?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song celebrates the exuberance of nature during the monsoon month of Kaarthigai, mirroring the heroine's inner joy and romantic excitement. Dark clouds, rain-dappled flowers, streams, and whistling breezes through bamboo groves create an atmosphere of natural festivity. The lyrics paint a picture of playful birds, blossoming dreams, and an overflowing sense of delight where the heart feels like flying and floating on music.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kaarthigai maadham / Karuthiruttu maegam

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound in consecutive lines creates a rhythmic musical start.

Upamai (Simile)

Venguzhal osaiyai polae / Oru gaanam paadudhu

The sound created by the breeze passing through tall bamboo trees is explicitly compared to a bamboo flute ('Venguzhal osaiyai polae').

Upamai (Simile)

Ullam oonjal pol aada

The heart swaying with surging memories is compared to a swing or cradle ('oonjal pol').

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Santhosa vellathil nenjam midhakka

Extreme happiness is metaphorically described as a flood or sea ('Santhosa vellam') in which the heart floats.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung brilliantly by K. S. Chithra, this vibrant track features in the 1989 blockbuster action film 'Vetri Vizha' starring Kamal Haasan, Prabhu, and Amala. The lyrics were penned by veteran poet Vaali, effectively weaving lush natural imagery into a festive dance song.

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