Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Vetri Vizha album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Karthigai Matham

From Vetri Vizha · 1989

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Vani Jairam, Vidya
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Movie name
Vetri Vizha
Movie release year
1989
Lyrics added on
8 Sept 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kaarthigai maadham
Karuthiruttu maegam
Kaatrinil koothaada
Neerthuli yendhum vanna vanna pookkal
Thaen madal virithaada
Odaiyin neeril …
Female :Lalalalalla
Female :Velliyilai thaavi
Female :Lalalala
Female :Angum ingum thithi thithi oda
Ammammaa enna solli paada
Kaarthigai maadham
Karuthiruttu maegam
Kaatrinil koothaada
Neerthuli yendhum vanna vanna pookkal
Thaen madal virithaada
Odaiyin neeril …
Female :Lalalalalla
Female :Velliyilai thaavi
Female :Lalalala
Female :Angum ingum thithi thithi oda
Ammammaa enna solli paada
Ongiya moongilin melae
Mella modhum poongaatru
Venguzhal osaiyai polae
Oru gaanam paadudhu
Ullasamaai siragadithu
Poguthamma poonguruvi
Kaiyodu thaan serthanaikka
Oduthamma aan kuruvi
Kummalam kondaattam engum irukka
Kalyanam katcheri ingu nadakka
Kaarthigai maadham
Karuthiruttu maegam
Kaatrinil koothaada
Neerthuli yendhum vanna vanna pookkal
Thaen madal virithaada
Odaiyin neeril …
Female :Lalalalalla
Female :Velliyilai thaavi
Female :Lalalala
Female :Angum ingum thithi thithi oda
Ammammaa enna solli paada
Aayiram ninaivugal oda
Ullam oonjal pol aada
Aanandha raagangal paada
Oru aasai thonudhu
Vin meedhilae parapadharkku
Enakkilaiyae poonjiragu
Kannodu thaan malarnthathamma
Vidhavidhamaai pala kanavu
Sangeetham engaeyum thendral isaikka
Santhosa vellathil nenjam midhakka
Kaarthigai maadham
Karuthiruttu maegam
Kaatrinil koothaada
Neerthuli yendhum vanna vanna pookkal
Thaen madal virithaada
Odaiyin neeril …
Female :Lalalalalla
Female :Velliyilai thaavi
Female :Lalalala
Female :Angum ingum thithi thithi oda
Ammammaa enna solli paada
In the month of Karthigai (November–December),
Dark, shadowy clouds
Dance in the wind,
Colorful flowers holding drops of water
Open their honey-filled petals and sway,
In the stream's flowing water...
Female: Lalalalla
Female: Leaping over silver leaves,
Female: Lalalala
Female: Dancing and running here and there,
Oh my, what song can I sing?
In the month of Karthigai (November–December),
Dark, shadowy clouds
Dance in the wind,
Colorful flowers holding drops of water
Open their honey-filled petals and sway,
In the stream's flowing water...
Female: Lalalalla
Female: Leaping over silver leaves,
Female: Lalalala
Female: Dancing and running here and there,
Oh my, what song can I sing?
High up above the tall bamboo,
A gentle breeze softly blows,
Like the melody of a bamboo flute,
It sings a sweet tune!
Happily fluttering its wings,
A lovely bird takes flight,
And to hold her close in his embrace,
The male bird rushes after her!
Joy and celebrations fill the air everywhere,
As a wedding concert happens right here!
In the month of Karthigai (November–December),
Dark, shadowy clouds
Dance in the wind,
Colorful flowers holding drops of water
Open their honey-filled petals and sway,
In the stream's flowing water...
Female: Lalalalla
Female: Leaping over silver leaves,
Female: Lalalala
Female: Dancing and running here and there,
Oh my, what song can I sing?
A thousand memories come rushing,
My heart sways like a swing,
To sing joyful melodies,
A sweet longing awakens in me!
To fly high into the open sky,
I do not have soft wings,
Yet right before my eyes,
Many colorful dreams have blossomed!
As the breeze plays music everywhere,
And my heart floats in a wave of joy!
In the month of Karthigai (November–December),
Dark, shadowy clouds
Dance in the wind,
Colorful flowers holding drops of water
Open their honey-filled petals and sway,
In the stream's flowing water...
Female: Lalalalla
Female: Leaping over silver leaves,
Female: Lalalala
Female: Dancing and running here and there,
Oh my, what song can I sing?
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

From the same album

More songs from Vetri Vizha

View album

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.