Kumbakonam Vethala
From Purusha Lakshanam · 1993
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kumkum kumkum kumkum | Vermilion, vermilion, vermilion! |
| Kumbakonam veththala | The betel leaf from Kumbakonam! |
| Kamkam kamkam kamkam | Fragrant, fragrant, fragrant! |
| Kaambu innum muththala | Its stem has not matured yet. |
| Female | |
| Kumbakonam veththala | The betel leaf from Kumbakonam! |
| Kaambu innum muththala | Its stem has not matured yet. |
| Kondaangadaa kottaa paakku | Bring the whole areca nut, man! |
| Madichchu vechchu pottaa sevakkum naakku | If folded with betel leaf and chewed, the tongue turns red! |
| Female | |
| Anthiraththila panthal podalaam vaa mama | Come uncle, let us erect a grand pavilion in the sky! |
| Anga naam panthu aadalaam | We can play ball games up there! |
| Hoi palpalaangu palpalaangu doi | Hoi, rhythmic playful expression! |
| En mama pallaavaram salpalaangudaa | My uncle is the smooth star from Pallavaram! |
| Female | |
| Kumbakonam veththala | The betel leaf from Kumbakonam! |
| Kumkum kumkum kumkum | Vermilion, vermilion, vermilion! |
| Kaambu innum muththala | Its stem has not matured yet. |
| Kamkam kamkam | Fragrant, fragrant! |
| Female | |
| Annaadam paththu perudaa en mama | Every single day, ten people follow me, my uncle! |
| Pinnaala suththum paaradaa | Look at them circling behind me! |
| Kattaana mottu naanadaa needhaanae | I am a well-formed flower bud; aren't you... |
| Thottaalae kottum theanudaa | ...the honey that flows when touched! |
| Female | |
| Kutti madhura pakkam aalu | A fine person from around Madurai! |
| Kai pattaa kodukkanum nee maalu | If your hand touches me, you must hand over the cash! |
| Ada kitta nerungi vanthu kaelu | Hey, come close and ask me! |
| Naan ettu padi karakkum balu | I am a prized cow that yields eight measures of milk! |
| Female | |
| Ponnu ooru periyamaedudaa | The girl's home town is Periyamedu! |
| En mama porantha edam chinna oorudaa | The place where my uncle was born is a small town! |
| Ponnu ooru periyamaedudaa | The girl's home town is Periyamedu! |
| En mama porantha edam chinna oorudaa | The place where my uncle was born is a small town! |
| Female | |
| Kumbakonam veththala haei | The betel leaf from Kumbakonam, hey! |
| Kaambu innum muththala | Its stem has not matured yet. |
| Female | |
| Haei kattaana muththam thenudaa | Hey, a firm kiss is pure honey! |
| Naanthaan kattaatha pisthaa yaarudaa | Who else is an untamed hotshot but me? |
| Singaara thanga thaerudaa ennai | A lovely golden chariot! For me... |
| Seendaathaa komban yaarudaa | ...is there any brave hero who wouldn't tease me? |
| Female | |
| Wiskey odachchu konjam podu | Open the whiskey bottle and pour a drink! |
| Naan baski edukka ippa moodu | I am now in the mood to do push-ups! |
| Huskey koralil konjam paadu | Sing a little in a husky voice! |
| Haei appo porakkum oru soodu | Hey, then a distinct warmth will be born! |
| Female | |
| Tap-pu malae oosi podudaa | Place the stylus needle onto the gramophone record! |
| Nee pottaa paattu varum kettu paarudaa | If you play it, music will flow; listen and see! |
| Haei tap-pu malae oosi podudaa | Hey, place the stylus needle onto the gramophone record! |
| Nee pottaa paattu varum kettu paarudaa | If you play it, music will flow; listen and see! |
| Female | |
| Kumkum kumkum kumkum | Vermilion, vermilion, vermilion! |
| Kumbakonam veththala | The betel leaf from Kumbakonam! |
| Kamkam kamkam kamkam | Fragrant, fragrant, fragrant! |
| Kaambu innum muththala | Its stem has not matured yet. |
| Female | |
| Kumbakonam veththala | The betel leaf from Kumbakonam! |
| Kaambu innum muththala | Its stem has not matured yet. |
| Kondaangadaa kottaa paakku | Bring the whole areca nut, man! |
| Madichchu vechchu pottaa sevakkum naakku | If folded with betel leaf and chewed, the tongue turns red! |
| Female | |
| Anthiraththila panthal podalaam vaa mama | Come uncle, let us erect a grand pavilion in the sky! |
| Anga naam panthu aadalaam | We can play ball games up there! |
| Hoi palpalaangu palpalaangu doi | Hoi, rhythmic playful expression! |
| En mama pallaavaram salpalaangudaa | My uncle is the smooth star from Pallavaram! |
| Female | |
| Kumbakonam veththala | The betel leaf from Kumbakonam! |
| Haehaehae haei | Hae-hae-hae hey! |
| Kaambu innum muththala | Its stem has not matured yet. |
| Haehae haei haei… | Hae-hae hey hey… |
கும்கும் கும்கும் கும்கும்
கும்பகோணம் வெத்தல
கம்கம் கம்கம் கம்கம்
காம்பு இன்னும் முத்தல
Vermilion, vermilion, vermilion!
The betel leaf from Kumbakonam!
Fragrant, fragrant, fragrant!
Its stem has not matured yet.
கும்பகோணம் வெத்தல
காம்பு இன்னும் முத்தல
கொண்டாங்கடா கொட்டப் பாக்கு
மடிச்சு வெச்சு போட்டா செவக்கும் நாக்கு
The betel leaf from Kumbakonam!
Its stem has not matured yet.
Bring the whole areca nut, man!
If folded with betel leaf and chewed, the tongue turns red!
அந்தரத்தில பந்தல் போடலாம் வா மாமா
அங்க நாம பந்து ஆடலாம்
ஹோய் பல்பளாங்கு பல்பளாங்கு டோய்
என் மாமா பல்லாவரம் சல்பளாங்குடா
Come uncle, let us erect a grand pavilion in the sky!
We can play ball games up there!
Hoi, rhythmic playful expression!
My uncle is the smooth star from Pallavaram!
கும்பகோணம் வெத்தல
கும்கும் கும்கும்
காம்பு இன்னும் முத்தல
கம்கம் கம்கம்
The betel leaf from Kumbakonam!
Vermilion, vermilion, vermilion!
Its stem has not matured yet.
Fragrant, fragrant!
அன்னாடம் பத்து பேருடா என் மாமா
பின்னால சுத்தும் பாரடா
கட்டான மொட்டு நானடா நீதானே
தொட்டாலே கொட்டும் தேனுடா
Every single day, ten people follow me, my uncle!
Look at them circling behind me!
I am a well-formed flower bud; aren't you...
...the honey that flows when touched!
குட்டி மதுரப் பக்கம் ஆளு
கைப் பட்டா கொடுக்கணும் நீ மாலு
அட கிட்ட நெருங்கி வந்து கேளு
நான் எட்டுப் படிக் கறக்கும் பாலு
A fine person from around Madurai!
If your hand touches me, you must hand over the cash!
Hey, come close and ask me!
I am a prized cow that yields eight measures of milk!
பொண்ணு ஊரு பெரியமேடுடா
என் மாமா பொறந்த எடம் சின்ன ஊருடா
பொண்ணு ஊரு பெரியமேடுடா
என் மாமா பொறந்த எடம் சின்ன ஊருடா
The girl's home town is Periyamedu!
The place where my uncle was born is a small town!
The girl's home town is Periyamedu!
The place where my uncle was born is a small town!
கும்பகோணம் வெத்தல ஹேய்
காம்பு இன்னும் முத்தல..
The betel leaf from Kumbakonam, hey!
Its stem has not matured yet.
ஹேய் கட்டான முத்தம் தேனுடா
நான்தான் கட்டாத பிஸ்தா யாருடா
சிங்கார தங்கத் தேருடா என்னை
சீண்டாத கொம்பன் யாருடா
Hey, a firm kiss is pure honey!
Who else is an untamed hotshot but me?
A lovely golden chariot! For me...
...is there any brave hero who wouldn't tease me?
விஸ்கி ஒடச்சு கொஞ்சம் போடு
நான் பஸ்கி எடுக்க இப்ப மூடு
ஹஸ்கி கொரலில் கொஞ்சம் பாடு
ஹேய் அப்போ பொறக்கும் ஒரு சூடு
Open the whiskey bottle and pour a drink!
I am now in the mood to do push-ups!
Sing a little in a husky voice!
Hey, then a distinct warmth will be born!
டேப்பு மேலே ஊசிப் போடுடா
நீ போட்டா பாட்டு வரும் கேட்டுப் பாருடா
ஹேய் டேப்பு மேலே ஊசிப் போடுடா
நீ போட்டா பாட்டு வரும் கேட்டுப் பாருடா
Place the stylus needle onto the gramophone record!
If you play it, music will flow; listen and see!
Hey, place the stylus needle onto the gramophone record!
If you play it, music will flow; listen and see!
கும்கும் கும்கும் கும்கும்
கும்பகோணம் வெத்தல
கம்கம் கம்கம் கம்கம்
காம்பு இன்னும் முத்தல
Vermilion, vermilion, vermilion!
The betel leaf from Kumbakonam!
Fragrant, fragrant, fragrant!
Its stem has not matured yet.
கும்பகோணம் வெத்தல
காம்பு இன்னும் முத்தல
கொண்டாங்கடா கொட்டப் பாக்கு
மடிச்சு வெச்சு போட்டா செவக்கும் நாக்கு
The betel leaf from Kumbakonam!
Its stem has not matured yet.
Bring the whole areca nut, man!
If folded with betel leaf and chewed, the tongue turns red!
அந்தரத்தில பந்தல் போடலாம் வா மாமா
அங்க நாம பந்து ஆடலாம்
ஹோய் பல்பளாங்கு பல்பலாங்கு டோய்
என் மாமா பல்லாவரம் சல்பளாங்குடா
Come uncle, let us erect a grand pavilion in the sky!
We can play ball games up there!
Hoi, rhythmic playful expression!
My uncle is the smooth star from Pallavaram!
கும்பகோணம் வெத்தல
ஹேஹேஹே ஹேய்
காம்பு இன்னும் முத்தல
ஹேஹே ஹேய் ஹேய்....
The betel leaf from Kumbakonam!
Hae-hae-hae hey!
Its stem has not matured yet.
Hae-hae hey hey…
Kumkum kumkum kumkum
Vermilion, vermilion, vermilion!
Kumbakonam veththala
The betel leaf from Kumbakonam!
Kamkam kamkam kamkam
Fragrant, fragrant, fragrant!
Kaambu innum muththala
Its stem has not matured yet.
Kumbakonam veththala
The betel leaf from Kumbakonam!
Kaambu innum muththala
Its stem has not matured yet.
Kondaangadaa kottaa paakku
Bring the whole areca nut, man!
Madichchu vechchu pottaa sevakkum naakku
If folded with betel leaf and chewed, the tongue turns red!
Anthiraththila panthal podalaam vaa mama
Come uncle, let us erect a grand pavilion in the sky!
Anga naam panthu aadalaam
We can play ball games up there!
Hoi palpalaangu palpalaangu doi
Hoi, rhythmic playful expression!
En mama pallaavaram salpalaangudaa
My uncle is the smooth star from Pallavaram!
Kumbakonam veththala
The betel leaf from Kumbakonam!
Kumkum kumkum kumkum
Vermilion, vermilion, vermilion!
Kaambu innum muththala
Its stem has not matured yet.
Kamkam kamkam
Fragrant, fragrant!
Annaadam paththu perudaa en mama
Every single day, ten people follow me, my uncle!
Pinnaala suththum paaradaa
Look at them circling behind me!
Kattaana mottu naanadaa needhaanae
I am a well-formed flower bud; aren't you...
Thottaalae kottum theanudaa
...the honey that flows when touched!
Kutti madhura pakkam aalu
A fine person from around Madurai!
Kai pattaa kodukkanum nee maalu
If your hand touches me, you must hand over the cash!
Ada kitta nerungi vanthu kaelu
Hey, come close and ask me!
Naan ettu padi karakkum balu
I am a prized cow that yields eight measures of milk!
Ponnu ooru periyamaedudaa
The girl's home town is Periyamedu!
En mama porantha edam chinna oorudaa
The place where my uncle was born is a small town!
Ponnu ooru periyamaedudaa
The girl's home town is Periyamedu!
En mama porantha edam chinna oorudaa
The place where my uncle was born is a small town!
Kumbakonam veththala haei
The betel leaf from Kumbakonam, hey!
Kaambu innum muththala
Its stem has not matured yet.
Haei kattaana muththam thenudaa
Hey, a firm kiss is pure honey!
Naanthaan kattaatha pisthaa yaarudaa
Who else is an untamed hotshot but me?
Singaara thanga thaerudaa ennai
A lovely golden chariot! For me...
Seendaathaa komban yaarudaa
...is there any brave hero who wouldn't tease me?
Wiskey odachchu konjam podu
Open the whiskey bottle and pour a drink!
Naan baski edukka ippa moodu
I am now in the mood to do push-ups!
Huskey koralil konjam paadu
Sing a little in a husky voice!
Haei appo porakkum oru soodu
Hey, then a distinct warmth will be born!
Tap-pu malae oosi podudaa
Place the stylus needle onto the gramophone record!
Nee pottaa paattu varum kettu paarudaa
If you play it, music will flow; listen and see!
Haei tap-pu malae oosi podudaa
Hey, place the stylus needle onto the gramophone record!
Nee pottaa paattu varum kettu paarudaa
If you play it, music will flow; listen and see!
Kumkum kumkum kumkum
Vermilion, vermilion, vermilion!
Kumbakonam veththala
The betel leaf from Kumbakonam!
Kamkam kamkam kamkam
Fragrant, fragrant, fragrant!
Kaambu innum muththala
Its stem has not matured yet.
Kumbakonam veththala
The betel leaf from Kumbakonam!
Kaambu innum muththala
Its stem has not matured yet.
Kondaangadaa kottaa paakku
Bring the whole areca nut, man!
Madichchu vechchu pottaa sevakkum naakku
If folded with betel leaf and chewed, the tongue turns red!
Anthiraththila panthal podalaam vaa mama
Come uncle, let us erect a grand pavilion in the sky!
Anga naam panthu aadalaam
We can play ball games up there!
Hoi palpalaangu palpalaangu doi
Hoi, rhythmic playful expression!
En mama pallaavaram salpalaangudaa
My uncle is the smooth star from Pallavaram!
Kumbakonam veththala
The betel leaf from Kumbakonam!
Haehaehae haei
Hae-hae-hae hey!
Kaambu innum muththala
Its stem has not matured yet.
Haehae haei haei…
Hae-hae hey hey…
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This playful dance duet uses regional references and metaphors centered around 'Kumbakonam veththala' (Kumbakonam betel leaf) to express youthful romance, flirtation, and energy. The female lead boasts of her youthfulness, beauty, and charm, comparing herself to a fresh betel leaf whose stem has not yet matured, a blooming flower bud overflowing with honey, and a golden chariot.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monae (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Kumbakonam veththala / Kaambu innum muththala”
Matching initial consonants across words such as 'Kumkum' and 'Kumbakonam' or 'Kamkam' and 'Kaambu'.
Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Anthiraththila panthal podalaam vaa mama / Anga naam panthu aadalaam”
Agreement of second letters across rhythmic lines, seen in 'Kumbakonam' and 'Kaambu' (m/m pattern) and 'Anthiraththila' / 'Anga'.
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Kaambu innum muththala”
Comparing youth and tender age to a fresh betel leaf with an immature stem ('kaambu muththala').
Did you know?
Trivia
The track is a high-energy folk item song composed by Deva for the 1993 film Purusha Lakshanam directed by K. S. Ravikumar, starring Jayaram and Meena. Kumbakonam betel leaves are famous across Tamil Nadu for their distinctive aroma and taste.
Keep listening
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