Mathaalam Podudhu
From Anbin Mugavari · 1985
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singer
- Gangai Amaran
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Anbin Mugavari1985
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Aehae haehae haehae haehae hae hae | (Vocalizing) |
| Aehae… aehae… | (Vocalizing) |
| Aehae haehae haehae haehae hae hae | (Vocalizing) |
| Male | |
| Mathaalam podudhu kuthaala aruvi | The Courtallam waterfall beats like a drum, |
| Machaana thaedudhu vithaara kuruvi | The stylish bird searches for its lover. |
| Mathaalam podudhu kuthaala aruvi | The Courtallam waterfall beats like a drum, |
| Machaana thaedudhu vithaara kuruvi | The stylish bird searches for its lover. |
| Muthaadha yelaneera kothoda thazhuvi | Embracing the untouched cluster of tender coconuts, |
| Mutham ittu pogum kaathu ottaama nazhuvi | The breeze slips away quietly after stealing a kiss. |
| Male | |
| Mathaalam podudhu kuthaala aruvi | The Courtallam waterfall beats like a drum, |
| Machaana thaedudhu vithaara kuruvi | The stylish bird searches for its lover. |
| Chorus | |
| …………………………… | ... |
| Male | |
| Mandhaara kannazhagi | Beautiful one with eyes like hibiscus flowers, |
| Marudhaani kaiyazhagi | Beautiful one with henna-adorned hands, |
| Sendhoora dhega kalli | Stealer of hearts with a crimson complexion, |
| Sri ranga vaasa malli | Fragrant jasmine like that of Srirangam, |
| Male | |
| Ottu thinnaiyila | On the adjoining porch, |
| Oru naal pazhakkatthula | Through just a single day's acquaintance, |
| Ottikkitta em manasu | My heart became completely attached, |
| Vittu piriyaladi | It refuses to leave or part from you, my dear! |
| Gaana mayilae adi karpagavalli | O singing peacock, my dearest Karpagavalli, |
| Onna kai vida maattaennu | Promising that I will never leave your side, |
| Sathiyam solli | Taking a solemn vow, |
| Velavar koyilu vaasalilae | At the entrance of Lord Murugan's temple, |
| En vaettiya pottu naan thaanduraendi | I cross over placing my dhoti as a sacred vow, my girl! |
| Male | |
| Mathaalam podudhu kuthaala aruvi | The Courtallam waterfall beats like a drum, |
| Machaana thaedudhu vithaara kuruvi | The stylish bird searches for its lover. |
| Muthaadha yelaneera kothoda thazhuvi | Embracing the untouched cluster of tender coconuts, |
| Mutham ittu pogum kaathu ottaama nazhuvi | The breeze slips away quietly after stealing a kiss. |
| Male | |
| Mathaalam podudhu kuthaala aruvi | The Courtallam waterfall beats like a drum, |
| Machaana thaedudhu vithaara kuruvi…eh | The stylish bird searches for its lover... eh! |
| Chorus | |
| (Thandhaanae naanaanae | (Folk rhythm vocal refrain) |
| Thandhaanae naanaanae | (Folk rhythm vocal refrain) |
| Male : Aehae hae hae | Male: (Vocalizing) |
| Chorus :Thandhaanae naanaanae | Chorus: (Folk rhythm vocal refrain) |
| Thandhaanae naanaanae | (Folk rhythm vocal refrain) |
| Male : Aahaa haa aaa | Male: (Vocalizing) |
| Chorus :Thandhaanae naanaanae | Chorus: (Folk rhythm vocal refrain) |
| Thandhaanae naanaanae | (Folk rhythm vocal refrain) |
| Male : Aehae hae hae | Male: (Vocalizing) |
| Chorus :Thandhaanae naanaanae | Chorus: (Folk rhythm vocal refrain) |
| Thandhaanae naanaanae | (Folk rhythm vocal refrain) |
| Male :Aahaa haa aaa | Male: (Vocalizing) |
ஏஹே ஹேஹே ஹேஹே ஹேஹே ஹே ஹே
ஏஹே... ஏஹே...
ஏஹே ஹேஹே ஹேஹே ஹேஹே ஹே ஹே
(Vocalizing)
(Vocalizing)
(Vocalizing)
மத்தாளம் போடுது குத்தால அருவி
மச்சானத் தேடுது வித்தாரக் குருவி
மத்தாளம் போடுது குத்தால அருவி
மச்சானத் தேடுது வித்தாரக் குருவி
முத்தாத எளநீர கொத்தோடத் தழுவி
முத்தம் இட்டு போகும் காத்து ஒட்டாம நழுவி
The Courtallam waterfall beats like a drum,
The stylish bird searches for its lover.
The Courtallam waterfall beats like a drum,
The stylish bird searches for its lover.
Embracing the untouched cluster of tender coconuts,
The breeze slips away quietly after stealing a kiss.
மத்தாளம் போடுது குத்தால அருவி
மச்சானத் தேடுது வித்தாரக் குருவி
The Courtallam waterfall beats like a drum,
The stylish bird searches for its lover.
.......................................
...
மந்தாரக் கண்ணழகி
மருதானிக் கையழகி
செந்தூரத் தேகக் கள்ளி
ஸ்ரீரங்க வாச மல்லி
Beautiful one with eyes like hibiscus flowers,
Beautiful one with henna-adorned hands,
Stealer of hearts with a crimson complexion,
Fragrant jasmine like that of Srirangam,
ஒட்டு திண்ணையில
ஒரு நாள் பழக்கத்துல
ஒட்டிக்கிட்ட எம் மனசு
விட்டுப் பிரியலடி
கான மயிலே அடி கற்பகவல்லி
ஒன்ன கை விடமாட்டேன்னு
சத்தியம் சொல்லி
வேலவர் கோயிலு வாசலிலே
என் வேட்டிய போட்டு
நான் தாண்டுறேன்டி
On the adjoining porch,
Through just a single day's acquaintance,
My heart became completely attached,
It refuses to leave or part from you, my dear!
O singing peacock, my dearest Karpagavalli,
Promising that I will never leave your side,
Taking a solemn vow,
At the entrance of Lord Murugan's temple,
I cross over placing my dhoti as a sacred vow, my girl!
மத்தாளம் போடுது குத்தால அருவி
மச்சானத் தேடுது வித்தாரக் குருவி
முத்தாத எளநீர கொத்தோடத் தழுவி
முத்தம் இட்டு போகும் காத்து ஒட்டாம நழுவி
The Courtallam waterfall beats like a drum,
The stylish bird searches for its lover.
Embracing the untouched cluster of tender coconuts,
The breeze slips away quietly after stealing a kiss.
மத்தாளம் போடுது குத்தால அருவி
மச்சானத் தேடுது வித்தாரக் குருவி....எஹ்
The Courtallam waterfall beats like a drum,
The stylish bird searches for its lover... eh!
தந்தானே னானானே
தந்தானே னானானே
ஏஹே ஹே ஹே
குழு :
தந்தானே னானானே
தந்தானே னானானே
ஆஹா ஹா ஆஅ
குழு :
தந்தானே னானானே
தந்தானே னானானே
ஏஹே ஹே ஹே
குழு :
தந்தானே னானானே
தந்தானே னானானே
ஆஹா ஹா ஆஅ
(Folk rhythm vocal refrain)
(Folk rhythm vocal refrain)
Male: (Vocalizing)
Chorus: (Folk rhythm vocal refrain)
(Folk rhythm vocal refrain)
Male: (Vocalizing)
Chorus: (Folk rhythm vocal refrain)
(Folk rhythm vocal refrain)
Male: (Vocalizing)
Chorus: (Folk rhythm vocal refrain)
(Folk rhythm vocal refrain)
Male: (Vocalizing)
Aehae haehae haehae haehae hae hae
(Vocalizing)
Aehae… aehae…
(Vocalizing)
Aehae haehae haehae haehae hae hae
(Vocalizing)
Mathaalam podudhu kuthaala aruvi
The Courtallam waterfall beats like a drum,
Machaana thaedudhu vithaara kuruvi
The stylish bird searches for its lover.
Mathaalam podudhu kuthaala aruvi
The Courtallam waterfall beats like a drum,
Machaana thaedudhu vithaara kuruvi
The stylish bird searches for its lover.
Muthaadha yelaneera kothoda thazhuvi
Embracing the untouched cluster of tender coconuts,
Mutham ittu pogum kaathu ottaama nazhuvi
The breeze slips away quietly after stealing a kiss.
Mathaalam podudhu kuthaala aruvi
The Courtallam waterfall beats like a drum,
Machaana thaedudhu vithaara kuruvi
The stylish bird searches for its lover.
……………………………
...
Mandhaara kannazhagi
Beautiful one with eyes like hibiscus flowers,
Marudhaani kaiyazhagi
Beautiful one with henna-adorned hands,
Sendhoora dhega kalli
Stealer of hearts with a crimson complexion,
Sri ranga vaasa malli
Fragrant jasmine like that of Srirangam,
Ottu thinnaiyila
On the adjoining porch,
Oru naal pazhakkatthula
Through just a single day's acquaintance,
Ottikkitta em manasu
My heart became completely attached,
Vittu piriyaladi
It refuses to leave or part from you, my dear!
Gaana mayilae adi karpagavalli
O singing peacock, my dearest Karpagavalli,
Onna kai vida maattaennu
Promising that I will never leave your side,
Sathiyam solli
Taking a solemn vow,
Velavar koyilu vaasalilae
At the entrance of Lord Murugan's temple,
En vaettiya pottu naan thaanduraendi
I cross over placing my dhoti as a sacred vow, my girl!
Mathaalam podudhu kuthaala aruvi
The Courtallam waterfall beats like a drum,
Machaana thaedudhu vithaara kuruvi
The stylish bird searches for its lover.
Muthaadha yelaneera kothoda thazhuvi
Embracing the untouched cluster of tender coconuts,
Mutham ittu pogum kaathu ottaama nazhuvi
The breeze slips away quietly after stealing a kiss.
Mathaalam podudhu kuthaala aruvi
The Courtallam waterfall beats like a drum,
Machaana thaedudhu vithaara kuruvi…eh
The stylish bird searches for its lover... eh!
(Thandhaanae naanaanae
(Folk rhythm vocal refrain)
Thandhaanae naanaanae
(Folk rhythm vocal refrain)
Male : Aehae hae hae
Male: (Vocalizing)
Chorus :Thandhaanae naanaanae
Chorus: (Folk rhythm vocal refrain)
Thandhaanae naanaanae
(Folk rhythm vocal refrain)
Male : Aahaa haa aaa
Male: (Vocalizing)
Chorus :Thandhaanae naanaanae
Chorus: (Folk rhythm vocal refrain)
Thandhaanae naanaanae
(Folk rhythm vocal refrain)
Male : Aehae hae hae
Male: (Vocalizing)
Chorus :Thandhaanae naanaanae
Chorus: (Folk rhythm vocal refrain)
Thandhaanae naanaanae
(Folk rhythm vocal refrain)
Male :Aahaa haa aaa
Male: (Vocalizing)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Mathaalam podudhu kuthaala aruvi is a vibrant rural Tamil folk-style romantic song penned by Gangai Amaran. The song vividly captures the joy of rustic romance by drawing parallels with nature's beauty—describing the crashing Courtallam waterfalls as beating drums and the gentle breeze as stealthily kissing tender coconuts. The male protagonist expresses his deep affection for his beloved, praising her henna-dyed hands, beautiful eyes, and sweet presence. He recalls how a brief acquaintance on a porch transformed into deep love, leading him to take a sacred vow at the local deity's temple to remain loyal to her forever.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Personification
“Mutham ittu pogum kaathu ottaama nazhuvi”
Nature is given human attributes: the waterfall beats drums (Mathaalam podudhu) and the wind kisses tender coconuts (Mutham ittu pogum kaathu).
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Mathaalam podudhu kuthaala aruvi”
The second consonant sound 'tha' repeats in consecutive lines ('Mathaalam' and 'Machaana').
Metaphor
“Sri ranga vaasa malli”
The beloved is metaphorically addressed as fragrant Srirangam jasmine and a singing peacock.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by Gangai Amaran, this track exemplifies his characteristic style of blending traditional Tamil folk rhythms, local dialect phrases, and vivid natural imagery to portray rural romance.
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