Machanukku Vethala Madichu
From Aalappirandhavan · 1987
- Lyricist
- Isaignani Ilayaraja
- Singer
- S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Aalappirandhavan1987
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Machanukku veththala madichch vachchirunthaen | I folded and kept a betel leaf for my beloved. |
| Machanukku veththala madichch vachchirunthaen | I folded and kept a betel leaf for my beloved. |
| Naan vachcha idam maranthu pochu enna seivaen | I forgot where I placed it, what shall I do? |
| Naan vachcha idam maranthu pochu enna seivaen | I forgot where I placed it, what shall I do? |
| Female | |
| Paakkeduththu idichchu idichchu | Crushing and pounding the betel nut again and again, |
| Sunnaambaiyum thadavi thadavi | And smearing the edible lime paste again and again, |
| Ada vachchirunthaen vachchirunthaen | Oh, I kept it, I kept it, |
| Enga vechchaen enga vechchaen | Where did I keep it, where did I keep it? |
| Female | |
| Machanukku veththala madichch vachchirunthaen | I folded and kept a betel leaf for my beloved. |
| Naan vachcha idam maranthu pochu enna seivaen | I forgot where I placed it, what shall I do? |
| Female | |
| Veththala kodi pola en chinna odambu | My slender body is like a betel vine, |
| Adhan pachcha neram pola en pechchum irukku | And my speech is fresh and raw like its green color. |
| Antha veththala kodi pola en chinna odambu | My slender body is like that betel vine, |
| Adhan pachcha neram pola en pechchum irukku | And my speech is fresh and raw like its green color. |
| Kottaappaakku pola rendu kannum irukku | Both my eyes are round like betel nuts, |
| Sunnaambu pola antha vella manasu | That pure heart is white like lime paste. |
| Female | |
| Adha pottaa sevakkuthillaiyae | When applied, it does not turn red, |
| Idha kettaa koduppathillaiyae | When asked for, it is not given, |
| Thedi kedaikkavillaiyae | Even when searched for, it wasn't found, |
| Thedaatti rompa thollaiyae | If I stop searching, it is a big bother! |
| Female | |
| Ada vachcha edam maranthu pochchu | Oh, I forgot where I placed it, |
| Enga vechchaen enga vechchaen | Where did I keep it, where did I keep it? |
| Female | |
| Machanukku veththala madichch vachchirunthaen | I folded and kept a betel leaf for my beloved. |
| Naan vachcha idam maranthu pochu enna seivaen | I forgot where I placed it, what shall I do? |
| Female | |
| Jodiyaaga saernthaa naan chittukkuruvi | When joined together as a pair, I am a little sparrow, |
| Aadippaadi paranthaa antha annakkilithaan | Flying while singing and dancing, I am that graceful bird. |
| Ooraarum paarththaa ketta kannu padumae | If the whole town gazes, the evil eye will fall, |
| En pera kettaa adhu romba sogamae | If my name is heard, it is sweet/tender. |
| Female | |
| Naan pudichchaa pudichcha edamthaan | Whatever branch I hold onto, |
| Nalla puliyangkombu puliyangkombuthaan | Is a strong tamarind branch, a sturdy tamarind branch! |
| Naan madichchaa kozhunthu veththalathaan | The betel leaf I fold is tender betel leaf, |
| Idhu kedachchaa machchaanukku mattumthaan | If anyone gets this, it is reserved only for my beloved! |
| Female | |
| Ada vachcha edam maranthu pochchu | Oh, I forgot where I placed it, |
| Enga vechchen enga vechchen | Where did I keep it, where did I keep it? |
| Female | |
| Machanukku veththala madichch vachchirunthaen | I folded and kept a betel leaf for my beloved. |
| Naan vachcha idam maranthu pochu enna seivaen | I forgot where I placed it, what shall I do? |
| Female | |
| Paakkeduththu idichchu idichchu | Crushing and pounding the betel nut again and again, |
| Sunnaambaiyum thadavi thadavi | And smearing the edible lime paste again and again, |
| Ada vachchirunthaen vachchirunthaen | Oh, I kept it, I kept it, |
| Enga vechchen enga vechchen | Where did I keep it, where did I keep it? |
| Female | |
| Machanukku veththala madichch vachchirunthaen | I folded and kept a betel leaf for my beloved. |
| Machaanukku veththala madichch vachchirunthaen | I folded and kept a betel leaf for my beloved. |
| Naan vachcha idam maranthu pochu enna seivaen | I forgot where I placed it, what shall I do? |
| Naan vachcha idam maranthu pochu enna seivaen | I forgot where I placed it, what shall I do? |
மச்சானுக்கு வெத்தல மடிச்சு வச்சிருந்தேன்
மச்சானுக்கு வெத்தல மடிச்சு வச்சிருந்தேன்
நான் வச்ச இடம் மறந்து போச்சு என்ன செய்வேன்
நான் வச்ச இடம் மறந்து போச்சு என்ன செய்வேன்
I folded and kept a betel leaf for my beloved.
I folded and kept a betel leaf for my beloved.
I forgot where I placed it, what shall I do?
I forgot where I placed it, what shall I do?
பாக்கெடுத்து இடிச்சு இடிச்சு
சுண்ணாம்பையும் தடவி தடவி
அட வச்சிருந்தேன் வச்சிருந்தேன்
எங்க வெச்சேன் எங்க வெச்சேன்
Crushing and pounding the betel nut again and again,
And smearing the edible lime paste again and again,
Oh, I kept it, I kept it,
Where did I keep it, where did I keep it?
மச்சானுக்கு வெத்தல மடிச்சு வச்சிருந்தேன்
நான் வச்ச இடம் மறந்து போச்சு என்ன செய்வேன்
I folded and kept a betel leaf for my beloved.
I forgot where I placed it, what shall I do?
வெத்தல கொடிப்போல என் சின்ன ஒடம்பு
அதன் பச்ச நெறம் போல என் பேச்சும் இருக்கு
அந்த வெத்தல கொடிப்போல என் சின்ன ஒடம்பு
அதன் பச்ச நெறம் போல என் பேச்சும் இருக்கு
கொட்டப்பாக்கு போல ரெண்டு கண்ணும் இருக்கு
சுண்ணாம்பு போல அந்த வெள்ள மனசு
My slender body is like a betel vine,
And my speech is fresh and raw like its green color.
My slender body is like that betel vine,
And my speech is fresh and raw like its green color.
Both my eyes are round like betel nuts,
That pure heart is white like lime paste.
அத போட்டா செவக்குதில்லையே
இத கேட்டா கொடுப்பதில்லையே
தேடி கெடைக்கவில்லையே
தேடாட்டி ரொம்ப தொல்லையே
When applied, it does not turn red,
When asked for, it is not given,
Even when searched for, it wasn't found,
If I stop searching, it is a big bother!
அட வச்ச எடம் மறந்து போச்சு
எங்க வெச்சேன் எங்க வெச்சேன்
Oh, I forgot where I placed it,
Where did I keep it, where did I keep it?
மச்சானுக்கு வெத்தல மடிச்சு வச்சிருந்தேன்
நான் வச்ச இடம் மறந்து போச்சு என்ன செய்வேன்
I folded and kept a betel leaf for my beloved.
I forgot where I placed it, what shall I do?
ஜோடியாக சேர்ந்தா நான் சிட்டுக்குருவி
ஆடிப்பாடி பறந்தா அந்த அன்னக்கிளிதான்
ஊராரும் பார்த்தா கெட்ட கண்ணு படுமே
என் பேர கேட்டா அது ரொம்ப சொகமே
When joined together as a pair, I am a little sparrow,
Flying while singing and dancing, I am that graceful bird.
If the whole town gazes, the evil eye will fall,
If my name is heard, it is sweet/tender.
நான் புடிச்சா புடிச்ச எடம்தான்
நல்ல புளியங்கொம்பு புளியங்கொம்புதான்
நான் மடிச்சா கொழுந்து வெத்தலதான்
இது கெடச்சா மச்சானுக்கு மட்டும்தான்
Whatever branch I hold onto,
Is a strong tamarind branch, a sturdy tamarind branch!
The betel leaf I fold is tender betel leaf,
If anyone gets this, it is reserved only for my beloved!
அட வச்ச எடம் மறந்து போச்சு
எங்க வெச்சேன் எங்க வெச்சேன்
Oh, I forgot where I placed it,
Where did I keep it, where did I keep it?
மச்சானுக்கு வெத்தல மடிச்சு வச்சிருந்தேன்
நான் வச்ச இடம் மறந்து போச்சு என்ன செய்வேன்
I folded and kept a betel leaf for my beloved.
I forgot where I placed it, what shall I do?
பாக்கெடுத்து இடிச்சு இடிச்சு
சுண்ணாம்பையும் தடவி தடவி
அட வச்சிருந்தேன் வச்சிருந்தேன்
எங்க வெச்சேன் எங்க வெச்சேன்
Crushing and pounding the betel nut again and again,
And smearing the edible lime paste again and again,
Oh, I kept it, I kept it,
Where did I keep it, where did I keep it?
மச்சானுக்கு வெத்தல மடிச்சு வச்சிருந்தேன்
நான் வச்ச இடம் மறந்து போச்சு என்ன செய்வேன்
மச்சானுக்கு வெத்தல மடிச்சு வச்சிருந்தேன்
நான் வச்ச இடம் மறந்து போச்சு என்ன செய்வேன்
I folded and kept a betel leaf for my beloved.
I folded and kept a betel leaf for my beloved.
I forgot where I placed it, what shall I do?
I forgot where I placed it, what shall I do?
Machanukku veththala madichch vachchirunthaen
I folded and kept a betel leaf for my beloved.
Machanukku veththala madichch vachchirunthaen
I folded and kept a betel leaf for my beloved.
Naan vachcha idam maranthu pochu enna seivaen
I forgot where I placed it, what shall I do?
Naan vachcha idam maranthu pochu enna seivaen
I forgot where I placed it, what shall I do?
Paakkeduththu idichchu idichchu
Crushing and pounding the betel nut again and again,
Sunnaambaiyum thadavi thadavi
And smearing the edible lime paste again and again,
Ada vachchirunthaen vachchirunthaen
Oh, I kept it, I kept it,
Enga vechchaen enga vechchaen
Where did I keep it, where did I keep it?
Machanukku veththala madichch vachchirunthaen
I folded and kept a betel leaf for my beloved.
Naan vachcha idam maranthu pochu enna seivaen
I forgot where I placed it, what shall I do?
Veththala kodi pola en chinna odambu
My slender body is like a betel vine,
Adhan pachcha neram pola en pechchum irukku
And my speech is fresh and raw like its green color.
Antha veththala kodi pola en chinna odambu
My slender body is like that betel vine,
Adhan pachcha neram pola en pechchum irukku
And my speech is fresh and raw like its green color.
Kottaappaakku pola rendu kannum irukku
Both my eyes are round like betel nuts,
Sunnaambu pola antha vella manasu
That pure heart is white like lime paste.
Adha pottaa sevakkuthillaiyae
When applied, it does not turn red,
Idha kettaa koduppathillaiyae
When asked for, it is not given,
Thedi kedaikkavillaiyae
Even when searched for, it wasn't found,
Thedaatti rompa thollaiyae
If I stop searching, it is a big bother!
Ada vachcha edam maranthu pochchu
Oh, I forgot where I placed it,
Enga vechchaen enga vechchaen
Where did I keep it, where did I keep it?
Machanukku veththala madichch vachchirunthaen
I folded and kept a betel leaf for my beloved.
Naan vachcha idam maranthu pochu enna seivaen
I forgot where I placed it, what shall I do?
Jodiyaaga saernthaa naan chittukkuruvi
When joined together as a pair, I am a little sparrow,
Aadippaadi paranthaa antha annakkilithaan
Flying while singing and dancing, I am that graceful bird.
Ooraarum paarththaa ketta kannu padumae
If the whole town gazes, the evil eye will fall,
En pera kettaa adhu romba sogamae
If my name is heard, it is sweet/tender.
Naan pudichchaa pudichcha edamthaan
Whatever branch I hold onto,
Nalla puliyangkombu puliyangkombuthaan
Is a strong tamarind branch, a sturdy tamarind branch!
Naan madichchaa kozhunthu veththalathaan
The betel leaf I fold is tender betel leaf,
Idhu kedachchaa machchaanukku mattumthaan
If anyone gets this, it is reserved only for my beloved!
Ada vachcha edam maranthu pochchu
Oh, I forgot where I placed it,
Enga vechchen enga vechchen
Where did I keep it, where did I keep it?
Machanukku veththala madichch vachchirunthaen
I folded and kept a betel leaf for my beloved.
Naan vachcha idam maranthu pochu enna seivaen
I forgot where I placed it, what shall I do?
Paakkeduththu idichchu idichchu
Crushing and pounding the betel nut again and again,
Sunnaambaiyum thadavi thadavi
And smearing the edible lime paste again and again,
Ada vachchirunthaen vachchirunthaen
Oh, I kept it, I kept it,
Enga vechchen enga vechchen
Where did I keep it, where did I keep it?
Machanukku veththala madichch vachchirunthaen
I folded and kept a betel leaf for my beloved.
Machaanukku veththala madichch vachchirunthaen
I folded and kept a betel leaf for my beloved.
Naan vachcha idam maranthu pochu enna seivaen
I forgot where I placed it, what shall I do?
Naan vachcha idam maranthu pochu enna seivaen
I forgot where I placed it, what shall I do?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic Tamil folk-style track features a young woman playfully lamenting that she prepared a traditional paan (betel leaf, nut, and lime) for her suitor but has misplaced it. Through clever metaphors, she compares her physical attributes—her slender frame, bright eyes, and pure heart—to the components of betel paan (vine, nut, and lime paste). The song portrays innocent romantic yearning wrapped in playful forgetfulness, characteristic of traditional rural romance.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uwamai)
“Veththala kodi pola en chinna odambu”
Compares her slender body to a betel vine ('Veththala kodi pola en chinna odambu').
Metaphor / Simile
“Kottaappaakku pola rendu kannum irukku”
Compares her two eyes to round betel nuts ('Kottaappaakku pola rendu kannum irukku').
Idiom / Metaphor
“Nalla puliyangkombu puliyangkombuthaan”
Refers to securing a reliable, sturdy support in life using the traditional Tamil idiom 'puliyangkombu' (tamarind branch).
Repetition (Adukkuthodar)
“Paakkeduththu idichchu idichchu”
Repetition of words like 'idichchu idichchu' and 'thadavi thadavi' to emphasize continuous folk actions.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is composed by Ilaiyaraaja for the 1987 film 'Aalappirandhavan', starring Sathyaraj. In addition to scoring the music, Ilaiyaraaja penned the lyrics for this song himself, capturing authentic rural Tamil dialect and imagery, seamlessly brought to life by legendary singer S. Janaki.
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