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IsaimozhiLyrics · Translation · Meaning

Lyrics & meaning

Machanukku Vethala Madichu

From Aalappirandhavan · 1987

Lyricist: Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singer: S. Janaki
Music director: Ilayaraja
Movie name: Aalappirandhavan
Movie release year: 1987
Lyrics added on: 4 Apr 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics

↻ English translation

Machanukku veththala madichch vachchirunthaen

Machanukku veththala madichch vachchirunthaen

Naan vachcha idam maranthu pochu enna seivaen

Naan vachcha idam maranthu pochu enna seivaen

Paakkeduththu idichchu idichchu

Sunnaambaiyum thadavi thadavi

Ada vachchirunthaen vachchirunthaen

Enga vechchaen enga vechchaen

Machanukku veththala madichch vachchirunthaen

Naan vachcha idam maranthu pochu enna seivaen

Veththala kodi pola en chinna odambu

Adhan pachcha neram pola en pechchum irukku

Antha veththala kodi pola en chinna odambu

Adhan pachcha neram pola en pechchum irukku

Kottaappaakku pola rendu kannum irukku

Sunnaambu pola antha vella manasu

Adha pottaa sevakkuthillaiyae

Idha kettaa koduppathillaiyae

Thedi kedaikkavillaiyae

Thedaatti rompa thollaiyae

Ada vachcha edam maranthu pochchu

Enga vechchaen enga vechchaen

Machanukku veththala madichch vachchirunthaen

Naan vachcha idam maranthu pochu enna seivaen

Jodiyaaga saernthaa naan chittukkuruvi

Aadippaadi paranthaa antha annakkilithaan

Ooraarum paarththaa ketta kannu padumae

En pera kettaa adhu romba sogamae

Naan pudichchaa pudichcha edamthaan

Nalla puliyangkombu puliyangkombuthaan

Naan madichchaa kozhunthu veththalathaan

Idhu kedachchaa machchaanukku mattumthaan

Ada vachcha edam maranthu pochchu

Enga vechchen enga vechchen

Machanukku veththala madichch vachchirunthaen

Naan vachcha idam maranthu pochu enna seivaen

Paakkeduththu idichchu idichchu

Sunnaambaiyum thadavi thadavi

Ada vachchirunthaen vachchirunthaen

Enga vechchen enga vechchen

Machanukku veththala madichch vachchirunthaen

Machaanukku veththala madichch vachchirunthaen

Naan vachcha idam maranthu pochu enna seivaen

Naan vachcha idam maranthu pochu enna seivaen

I folded a betel leaf and kept it for my sweetheart,

I folded a betel leaf and kept it for my sweetheart,

I forgot where I kept it, what do I do?

I forgot where I kept it, what do I do?

Crushing and pounding the areca nut,

Smearing and spreading the lime paste,

Ah, I had kept it ready, kept it ready,

Where did I put it? Where did I put it?

I folded a betel leaf and kept it for my sweetheart,

I forgot where I kept it, what do I do?

My slender body is like a betel vine,

And my words are as fresh and green as its leaves.

My slender body is like that betel vine,

And my words are as fresh and green as its leaves.

My two eyes are like round areca nuts,

And my pure heart is white like lime paste.

Yet it does not leave a red stain when chewed,

And when asked for it, he does not give it!

I searched and could not find it,

And if I do not look, it is nothing but trouble!

Ah, I forgot where I placed it,

Where did I put it? Where did I put it?

I folded a betel leaf and kept it for my sweetheart,

I forgot where I kept it, what do I do?

When we are together, I am like a little sparrow,

Dancing, singing, and soaring like a graceful bird.

If the townsfolk look at us, the evil eye will fall,

Yet just hearing my name brings so much joy!

What I have held onto is firm and strong,

Truly like a sturdy tamarind branch!

What I fold is only a tender betel leaf,

And if anyone gets it, it is only for my sweetheart!

Ah, I forgot where I placed it,

Where did I put it? Where did I put it?

I folded a betel leaf and kept it for my sweetheart,

I forgot where I kept it, what do I do?

Crushing and pounding the areca nut,

Smearing and spreading the lime paste,

Ah, I had kept it ready, kept it ready,

Where did I put it? Where did I put it?

I folded a betel leaf and kept it for my sweetheart,

I forgot where I kept it, what do I do?

I folded a betel leaf and kept it for my sweetheart,

I forgot where I kept it, what do I do?

Female

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Female

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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

Keep listening

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From the same album

More songs from Aalappirandhavan

Yaethi Vacha Nerupinile1987

AalappirandhavanPassionate

Unnaiyum Ennaiyum1987

AalappirandhavanRomantic

Kodi Katti Parakira1987

AalappirandhavanCelebratory

Ennal Mudiyadhu Summa1987

AalappirandhavanDefiant

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