Mathalam Kottuthadi
From Sindhu Nathi Poo · 1994
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Swarnalatha, Loose Mohan
- Music director
- Soundaryan
- Details
- Sindhu Nathi Poo1994
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ponndugalaa ponndugalaa | O girls, O girls |
| Pothikittu kedanga | Stay cautious and covered |
| Pasupathi odi varaan | Pasupathi is running towards us |
| Bathiramaa irunga | Stay safe and careful |
| Pombalainna ivanukku buthikkulla kirukku | When it comes to women, he has madness in his mind |
| Kaiya kaala thottu veippan kaalam kettu kedakku | He will touch hands and feet, times are corrupt |
| Ushaaru ushaaru ushaaru awww | Be careful, be careful, be careful, awww! |
| Female | |
| Maththalam kottudhadi manasu | The heart is beating like a drum, my dear |
| Idhu malliyapoo manakkura vayasu | This is the youthful age that smells like jasmine |
| Maththalam kottudhadi manasu | The heart is beating like a drum, my dear |
| Idhu malliyapoo manakkura vayasu | This is the youthful age that smells like jasmine |
| Kaattu poovukku oru pootu edhukku | Why put a lock on a wild flower? |
| Kattu thariyaa adhu yedhu namakku | Why a hitching post, what does that have to do with us? |
| Kaattu poovukku oru pootu edhukku | Why put a lock on a wild flower? |
| Kattu thariyaa adhu yedhu namakku | Why a hitching post, what does that have to do with us? |
| Male | |
| Maththalam kottudhadi manasu | The heart is beating like a drum, my dear |
| Idhu malliyapoo manakkura vayasu | This is the youthful age that smells like jasmine |
| Maththalam kottudhadi manasu | The heart is beating like a drum, my dear |
| Idhu malliyapoo manakkura vayasu | This is the youthful age that smells like jasmine |
| Male | |
| Chinna maanga athu thirandhirukku | The little tender mango is open |
| Thirudi thinnaa adhil rusi irukku | There is a unique taste in stealing and eating it |
| Female | |
| Aama aamaa amaaamaaaa | Yes, yes, oh yes |
| Ada aamaa aama aamaa maaa | Oh yes, yes, yes |
| Male | |
| Pattu poochchi pala ragam irukku | There are many varieties of butterflies |
| Pudichchuputtaa thani sugamirukku | There is a special joy in catching them |
| Female | |
| Aama aamaa amaaamaaaa | Yes, yes, oh yes |
| Ada aamaa aama aamaa maaa | Oh yes, yes, yes |
| Male | |
| Kammaayo neranjirukku | The water tank is full |
| Kaakkaa neechchal adippoma | Shall we do the crow paddle swim? |
| Erumayellaam padagaaga | Using buffaloes as boats |
| Ethir karaikku povoma | Shall we go to the opposite bank? |
| Female | |
| Kizhakka pora rayileri | Riding the train going east |
| keezha karayil kudhippoma | Shall we jump off at the lower bank? |
| Male :Kezhadu katta sevappu kodi | Male: If an old hag shows a red flag |
| Kaata vandha odhaippoma | Shall we kick them if they come to show it? |
| Female | |
| Maththalam kottudhadi manasu | The heart is beating like a drum, my dear |
| Idhu malliyapoo manakkura vayasu | This is the youthful age that smells like jasmine |
| Male | |
| Poovarasa ilayinilae peepee senju | Making a whistle out of a Portia tree leaf |
| Pudhu raagam onnu padikkattumaa | Shall I play a new tune? |
| Female | |
| Pee pee pee pii pii pee ee pii pii | Pee pee pee pii pii pee ee pii pii |
| Male | |
| Aiyanaaru vella kudhirayilae | On Lord Ayyanar's white horse |
| Aiyaavum konjam yerattuma | Can this gentleman also ride for a bit? |
| Female :Kudhira vaala pudichchukittu | Female: Holding onto the horse's tail |
| Un kooda naanum varalaama | May I come along with you? |
| Male | |
| Velaattu paal peechchi | Squeezing milk from the goat |
| Kannukulla vidalaama | Shall we squirt it into each other's eyes? |
| Pudhupatti rottoram | By the side of the Pudhupatti road |
| Puliyanga adippoma | Shall we knock down tamarinds? |
| Female | |
| Indha vayasu maaraama | Without this age changing |
| Irukkum varaikkum iruppoma | Shall we remain as we are as long as it lasts? |
| Male :Pottu thavidu paruththi kotta | Male: Husk, bran, and cotton seeds |
| Sittaa vaanil parappoma | Shall we fly like sparrows in the sky? |
| Female | |
| Maththalam kottudhadi manasu | The heart is beating like a drum, my dear |
| Idhu malliyapoo manakkura vayasu | This is the youthful age that smells like jasmine |
| Male :Maththalam kottudhadi manasu | Male: The heart is beating like a drum, my dear |
| Idhu malliyapoo manakkura vayasu | This is the youthful age that smells like jasmine |
| Female | |
| Kaattu poovukku oru pootu edhukku | Why put a lock on a wild flower? |
| Kattu thariyaa adhu yedhu namakku | Why a hitching post, what does that have to do with us? |
| Male :Kaattu poovukku oru pootu edhukku | Male: Why put a lock on a wild flower? |
| Kattu thariyaa adhu yedhu namakku | Why a hitching post, what does that have to do with us? |
பொண்டுகளா பொண்டுகளா
பொத்திகிட்டு கெடங்க
பசுபதி ஓடி வர்றான்
பத்திரமா இருங்க
பொம்பளைங்க நா இவனுக்கு புத்திக்குள்ள கிறுக்கு
கைய கால தொட்டு வைப்பான் காலம் கெட்டுகெடக்கு
உஷாரு உஷாரு உஷாரு ..........
O girls, O girls
Stay cautious and covered
Pasupathi is running towards us
Stay safe and careful
When it comes to women, he has madness in his mind
He will touch hands and feet, times are corrupt
Be careful, be careful, be careful, awww!
மத்தாளம் கொட்டுதடி மனசு
இது மல்லியப்பூ மணக்குற வயசு
மத்தாளம் கொட்டுதடி மனசு
இது மல்லியப்பூ மணக்குற வயசு
காட்டு பூவுக்கு ஒரு பூட்டு எதுக்கு
கட்டுத் தறியா அது ஏது நமக்கு
காட்டு பூவுக்கு ஒரு பூட்டு எதுக்கு
கட்டுத் தறியா அது ஏது நமக்கு
The heart is beating like a drum, my dear
This is the youthful age that smells like jasmine
The heart is beating like a drum, my dear
This is the youthful age that smells like jasmine
Why put a lock on a wild flower?
Why a hitching post, what does that have to do with us?
Why put a lock on a wild flower?
Why a hitching post, what does that have to do with us?
மத்தாளம் கொட்டுதடி மனசு
இது மல்லியப்பூ மணக்குற வயசு
மத்தாளம் கொட்டுதடி மனசு
இது மல்லியப்பூ மணக்குற வயசு
The heart is beating like a drum, my dear
This is the youthful age that smells like jasmine
The heart is beating like a drum, my dear
This is the youthful age that smells like jasmine
சின்ன மாங்கா அது திறந்திருக்கு
திருடி தின்ன அதில் ருசி இருக்கு
ஆமா ஆமா ஆமாமாஆஆ
அட ஆமா ஆமா ஆமாமாஆஆ
The little tender mango is open
There is a unique taste in stealing and eating it
பட்டு பூச்சி பல ரகம் இருக்கு
புடிச்சுப்புட்டா தனி சுகமிருக்கு
Yes, yes, oh yes
Oh yes, yes, yes
ஆமா ஆமா ஆமாமாஆஆ
அட ஆமா ஆமா ஆமாமாஆஆ
There are many varieties of butterflies
There is a special joy in catching them
கம்மாயோ நெறஞ்சிருக்கு
காக்கா நீச்சல் அடிப்போமா
எருமையெல்லாம் படகாக
எதிர் கரைக்கு போவோமா
Yes, yes, oh yes
Oh yes, yes, yes
கிழக்க போற ரயிலேறி
கீழக் கரையில் குதிப்போமா
கெழடு கட்ட செவப்புக் கொடி
காட்ட வந்த ஒதைப்போமா
The water tank is full
Shall we do the crow paddle swim?
Using buffaloes as boats
Shall we go to the opposite bank?
மத்தாளம் கொட்டுதடி மனசு
இது மல்லியப்பூ மணக்குற வயசு
Riding the train going east
Shall we jump off at the lower bank?
Male: If an old hag shows a red flag
Shall we kick them if they come to show it?
பூவரச இலையிலே பீபீ செஞ்சு
புது ராகம் ஒண்ணு படிக்கட்டுமா
பீ பீ பீ பீ பீ பீ பீ பீ பீ பீ பீ பீ
அய்யனாரு வெள்ளக் குதிரையிலே
ஐயாவும் கொஞ்சம் ஏறட்டுமா
The heart is beating like a drum, my dear
This is the youthful age that smells like jasmine
குதிர வால புடிச்சிக்கிட்டு
உன் கூட நானும் வரலாமா
Making a whistle out of a Portia tree leaf
Shall I play a new tune?
வெள்ளாட்டு பால் பீச்சி
கண்ணுக்குள்ள விடலாமா
புதுப்பட்டி ரோட்டோரம்
புளியங்கா அடிப்போமா
Pee pee pee pii pii pee ee pii pii
இந்த வயசு மாறாம
இருக்கும் வரைக்கும் இருப்போமா
பொட்டு தவிடு பருத்தி கொட்ட
சிட்டா வானில் பறப்போமா
On Lord Ayyanar's white horse
Can this gentleman also ride for a bit?
Female: Holding onto the horse's tail
May I come along with you?
மத்தாளம் கொட்டுதடி மனசு
இது மல்லியப்பூ மணக்குற வயசு
மத்தாளம் கொட்டுதடி மனசு
இது மல்லியப்பூ மணக்குற வயசு
Squeezing milk from the goat
Shall we squirt it into each other's eyes?
By the side of the Pudhupatti road
Shall we knock down tamarinds?
காட்டு பூவுக்கு ஒரு பூட்டு எதுக்கு
கட்டுத் தறியா அது ஏது நமக்கு
காட்டு பூவுக்கு ஒரு பூட்டு எதுக்கு
கட்டுத் தறியா அது ஏது நமக்கு
Without this age changing
Shall we remain as we are as long as it lasts?
Male: Husk, bran, and cotton seeds
Shall we fly like sparrows in the sky?
மத்தாளம் கொட்டுதடி மனசு
இது மல்லியப்பூ மணக்குற வயசு
மத்தாளம் கொட்டுதடி மனசு
இது மல்லியப்பூ மணக்குற வயசு
The heart is beating like a drum, my dear
This is the youthful age that smells like jasmine
Male: The heart is beating like a drum, my dear
This is the youthful age that smells like jasmine
Why put a lock on a wild flower?
Why a hitching post, what does that have to do with us?
Male: Why put a lock on a wild flower?
Why a hitching post, what does that have to do with us?
Ponndugalaa ponndugalaa
O girls, O girls
Pothikittu kedanga
Stay cautious and covered
Pasupathi odi varaan
Pasupathi is running towards us
Bathiramaa irunga
Stay safe and careful
Pombalainna ivanukku buthikkulla kirukku
When it comes to women, he has madness in his mind
Kaiya kaala thottu veippan kaalam kettu kedakku
He will touch hands and feet, times are corrupt
Ushaaru ushaaru ushaaru awww
Be careful, be careful, be careful, awww!
Maththalam kottudhadi manasu
The heart is beating like a drum, my dear
Idhu malliyapoo manakkura vayasu
This is the youthful age that smells like jasmine
Maththalam kottudhadi manasu
The heart is beating like a drum, my dear
Idhu malliyapoo manakkura vayasu
This is the youthful age that smells like jasmine
Kaattu poovukku oru pootu edhukku
Why put a lock on a wild flower?
Kattu thariyaa adhu yedhu namakku
Why a hitching post, what does that have to do with us?
Kaattu poovukku oru pootu edhukku
Why put a lock on a wild flower?
Kattu thariyaa adhu yedhu namakku
Why a hitching post, what does that have to do with us?
Maththalam kottudhadi manasu
The heart is beating like a drum, my dear
Idhu malliyapoo manakkura vayasu
This is the youthful age that smells like jasmine
Maththalam kottudhadi manasu
The heart is beating like a drum, my dear
Idhu malliyapoo manakkura vayasu
This is the youthful age that smells like jasmine
Chinna maanga athu thirandhirukku
The little tender mango is open
Thirudi thinnaa adhil rusi irukku
There is a unique taste in stealing and eating it
Aama aamaa amaaamaaaa
Yes, yes, oh yes
Ada aamaa aama aamaa maaa
Oh yes, yes, yes
Pattu poochchi pala ragam irukku
There are many varieties of butterflies
Pudichchuputtaa thani sugamirukku
There is a special joy in catching them
Aama aamaa amaaamaaaa
Yes, yes, oh yes
Ada aamaa aama aamaa maaa
Oh yes, yes, yes
Kammaayo neranjirukku
The water tank is full
Kaakkaa neechchal adippoma
Shall we do the crow paddle swim?
Erumayellaam padagaaga
Using buffaloes as boats
Ethir karaikku povoma
Shall we go to the opposite bank?
Kizhakka pora rayileri
Riding the train going east
keezha karayil kudhippoma
Shall we jump off at the lower bank?
Male :Kezhadu katta sevappu kodi
Male: If an old hag shows a red flag
Kaata vandha odhaippoma
Shall we kick them if they come to show it?
Maththalam kottudhadi manasu
The heart is beating like a drum, my dear
Idhu malliyapoo manakkura vayasu
This is the youthful age that smells like jasmine
Poovarasa ilayinilae peepee senju
Making a whistle out of a Portia tree leaf
Pudhu raagam onnu padikkattumaa
Shall I play a new tune?
Pee pee pee pii pii pee ee pii pii
Pee pee pee pii pii pee ee pii pii
Aiyanaaru vella kudhirayilae
On Lord Ayyanar's white horse
Aiyaavum konjam yerattuma
Can this gentleman also ride for a bit?
Female :Kudhira vaala pudichchukittu
Female: Holding onto the horse's tail
Un kooda naanum varalaama
May I come along with you?
Velaattu paal peechchi
Squeezing milk from the goat
Kannukulla vidalaama
Shall we squirt it into each other's eyes?
Pudhupatti rottoram
By the side of the Pudhupatti road
Puliyanga adippoma
Shall we knock down tamarinds?
Indha vayasu maaraama
Without this age changing
Irukkum varaikkum iruppoma
Shall we remain as we are as long as it lasts?
Male :Pottu thavidu paruththi kotta
Male: Husk, bran, and cotton seeds
Sittaa vaanil parappoma
Shall we fly like sparrows in the sky?
Maththalam kottudhadi manasu
The heart is beating like a drum, my dear
Idhu malliyapoo manakkura vayasu
This is the youthful age that smells like jasmine
Male :Maththalam kottudhadi manasu
Male: The heart is beating like a drum, my dear
Idhu malliyapoo manakkura vayasu
This is the youthful age that smells like jasmine
Kaattu poovukku oru pootu edhukku
Why put a lock on a wild flower?
Kattu thariyaa adhu yedhu namakku
Why a hitching post, what does that have to do with us?
Male :Kaattu poovukku oru pootu edhukku
Male: Why put a lock on a wild flower?
Kattu thariyaa adhu yedhu namakku
Why a hitching post, what does that have to do with us?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Maththalam Kottudhadi Manasu from the movie Sindhu Nathi Poo (1994) is a vibrant rural Tamil folk song celebrating youthful exuberance, freedom, and innocent romance. Set against a idyllic village backdrop, the lyrics depict young lovers expressing their desire to live life unfettered by traditional constraints or societal rules. Through playful banter, they reject rigid customs and embrace the carefree joy of youth. Vairamuthu utilizes rich, sensory imagery of village childhood and youth—such as stealing tender mangoes, playing leaf whistles, swimming across full ponds on buffaloes, and catching butterflies—to portray youth as an uncontrollable force of natural beauty that cannot be locked up or tamed.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Kaattu poovukku oru pootu edhukku”
Compares the wild, untamed nature of youth to a wild flower ('Kaattu poo') that cannot be locked up.
Olfactory & Auditory Imagery
“Maththalam kottudhadi manasu / Idhu malliyapoo manakkura vayasu”
Uses sensory details combining the beating sound of a drum ('Maththalam') with the fragrance of jasmine ('Malliyapoo') to describe youth.
Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Kaattu poovukku oru pootu edhukku / Kattu thariyaa adhu yedhu namakku”
Consonant agreement in the second letter ('t-tu' sound in Kaattu and Kattu) standard in Tamil prosody.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is from the 1994 Tamil film Sindhu Nathi Poo, directed by O. Ramdas and starring Prabhu and Rajashree. The soundtrack of the film was composed by Soundaryan, known for his authentic Tamil folk melodies in the 1990s.
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