Mattukkara Vela Un Matta
From Vannakili · 1959
- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Singer
- Seerkazhi Govindarajan
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Vannakili1959
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kattu malli poothirukka | Wild jasmine is in full bloom, |
| Kaaval kaaran paarthirukka | The watchman is keeping a close watch, |
| Attam pottu mayilakaala | Dancing around, Mayilakaala the bull, |
| Thottam maeya pakkuthada | Is looking to graze in the garden. |
| Mattukaara vela | Oh cowherd Vela, |
| On matta konjam pathukadaa | Keep an eye on your bull! |
| Mattukaara vela | Oh cowherd Vela, |
| On matta konjam pathukadaa | Keep an eye on your bull! |
| Male | |
| Kattu malli poothirukka | Wild jasmine is in full bloom, |
| Kaaval kaaran paarthirukka | The watchman is keeping a close watch, |
| Kattu malli poothirukka | Wild jasmine is in full bloom, |
| Kaaval kaaran paarthirukka | The watchman is keeping a close watch, |
| Attam pottu mayilakaala | Dancing around, Mayilakaala the bull, |
| Thottam maeya pakkuthada | Is looking to graze in the garden. |
| Mattukaara vela | Oh cowherd Vela, |
| On matta konjam pathukadaa | Keep an eye on your bull! |
| Mattukaara vela | Oh cowherd Vela, |
| On matta konjam pathukadaa | Keep an eye on your bull! |
| Male | |
| Kottai suvar pola vaeliyirukku | The fence stands strong like a fort wall, |
| Kuthungkaruvaela mullumirukku | Sharp thorns of the gum arabic tree are also there. |
| Kottai suvar pola vaeliyirukku | The fence stands strong like a fort wall, |
| Kuthungkaruvaela mullumirukku | Sharp thorns of the gum arabic tree are also there. |
| Thottakaaran kaiyil kambumirukku | The gardener has a stick in his hand, |
| Thottakaaran kaiyil kambumirukku | The gardener has a stick in his hand, |
| Suthi suzhattravae thembumirukku | And he has the strength to swirl it around! |
| Male | |
| Mattukaara vela | Oh cowherd Vela, |
| On matta konjam pathukadaa | Keep an eye on your bull! |
| Mattukaara vela | Oh cowherd Vela, |
| On matta konjam pathukadaa | Keep an eye on your bull! |
| Kattu malli poothirukka | Wild jasmine is in full bloom, |
| Kaaval kaaran paarthirukka | The watchman is keeping a close watch, |
| Attam pottu mayilakaala | Dancing around, Mayilakaala the bull, |
| Thottam maeya pakkuthada | Is looking to graze in the garden. |
| Mattukaara vela | Oh cowherd Vela, |
| On matta konjam pathukadaa | Keep an eye on your bull! |
| Mattukaara vela | Oh cowherd Vela, |
| On matta konjam pathukadaa | Keep an eye on your bull! |
| Male | |
| Pogatha paadhaiyilae poga koodathu | One shouldn't walk on forbidden paths, |
| Summa buthi kettu | Losing sense foolishly, |
| Angum ingum sutha koodathu | One shouldn't wander here and there. |
| Pogatha paadhaiyilae poga koodathu | One shouldn't walk on forbidden paths, |
| Summa buthi kettu | Losing sense foolishly, |
| Angum ingum sutha koodathu | One shouldn't wander here and there. |
| Maadaagavae..ae | Like a beast... oh, |
| Maadaagavae manushan maara koodathu | A human shouldn't turn into a beast! |
| Mathavanga porula mela | On the possessions of others, |
| Aasai veikka koodathu | One shouldn't set eyes or desire. |
| Male | |
| Mattukaara vela | Oh cowherd Vela, |
| On matta konjam pathukadaa | Keep an eye on your bull! |
| Mattukaara vela | Oh cowherd Vela, |
| On matta konjam pathukadaa | Keep an eye on your bull! |
| Kattu malli poothirukka | Wild jasmine is in full bloom, |
| Kaaval kaaran paarthirukka | The watchman is keeping a close watch, |
| Attam pottu mayilakaala | Dancing around, Mayilakaala the bull, |
| Thottam maeya pakkuthada | Is looking to graze in the garden. |
| Mattukaara vela | Oh cowherd Vela, |
| On matta konjam pathukadaa | Keep an eye on your bull! |
| Mattukaara vela | Oh cowherd Vela, |
| On matta konjam pathukadaa | Keep an eye on your bull! |
காட்டு மல்லி பூத்திருக்க
காவல்காரன் பாத்திருக்க
ஆட்டம் போட்டு மயிலக்காள
தோட்டம் மேயப் பாக்குதடா
Wild jasmine is in full bloom,
The watchman is keeping a close watch,
Dancing around, Mayilakaala the bull,
Is looking to graze in the garden.
Oh cowherd Vela,
Keep an eye on your bull!
Oh cowherd Vela,
Keep an eye on your bull!
மாட்டுக்கார வேலா
ஒன் மாட்டேக் கொஞ்சம் பாத்துக்கடா
மாட்டுக்கார வேலா
ஒன் மாட்டேக் கொஞ்சம் பாத்துக்கடா
Wild jasmine is in full bloom,
The watchman is keeping a close watch,
Wild jasmine is in full bloom,
The watchman is keeping a close watch,
Dancing around, Mayilakaala the bull,
Is looking to graze in the garden.
Oh cowherd Vela,
Keep an eye on your bull!
Oh cowherd Vela,
Keep an eye on your bull!
காட்டு மல்லி பூத்திருக்க
காவல்காரன் பாத்திருக்க
காட்டு மல்லி பூத்திருக்க
காவல்காரன் பாத்திருக்க
ஆட்டம் போட்டு மயிலக்காள
தோட்டம் மேயப் பாக்குதடா
The fence stands strong like a fort wall,
Sharp thorns of the gum arabic tree are also there.
The fence stands strong like a fort wall,
Sharp thorns of the gum arabic tree are also there.
The gardener has a stick in his hand,
The gardener has a stick in his hand,
And he has the strength to swirl it around!
மாட்டுக்கார வேலா
ஒன் மாட்டேக் கொஞ்சம் பாத்துக்கடா
மாட்டுக்கார வேலா
ஒன் மாட்டேக் கொஞ்சம் பாத்துக்கடா
Oh cowherd Vela,
Keep an eye on your bull!
Oh cowherd Vela,
Keep an eye on your bull!
Wild jasmine is in full bloom,
The watchman is keeping a close watch,
Dancing around, Mayilakaala the bull,
Is looking to graze in the garden.
Oh cowherd Vela,
Keep an eye on your bull!
Oh cowherd Vela,
Keep an eye on your bull!
கோட்டைச் சுவர் போல வேலியிருக்கு
குத்துங்கருவேல முள்ளுமிருக்கு
கோட்டைச் சுவர் போல வேலியிருக்கு
குத்துங்கருவேல முள்ளுமிருக்கு
தோட்டக்காரன் கையில் கம்புமிருக்கு
தோட்டக்காரன் கையில் கம்புமிருக்கு
சுத்தி சுழற்றவே தெம்புமிருக்கு
One shouldn't walk on forbidden paths,
Losing sense foolishly,
One shouldn't wander here and there.
One shouldn't walk on forbidden paths,
Losing sense foolishly,
One shouldn't wander here and there.
Like a beast... oh,
A human shouldn't turn into a beast!
On the possessions of others,
One shouldn't set eyes or desire.
மாட்டுக்கார வேலா
ஒன் மாட்டேக் கொஞ்சம் பாத்துக்கடா
மாட்டுக்கார வேலா
ஒன் மாட்டேக் கொஞ்சம் பாத்துக்கடா
Oh cowherd Vela,
Keep an eye on your bull!
Oh cowherd Vela,
Keep an eye on your bull!
Wild jasmine is in full bloom,
The watchman is keeping a close watch,
Dancing around, Mayilakaala the bull,
Is looking to graze in the garden.
Oh cowherd Vela,
Keep an eye on your bull!
Oh cowherd Vela,
Keep an eye on your bull!
காட்டு மல்லி பூத்திருக்க
காவல்காரன் பாத்திருக்க
ஆட்டம் போட்டு மயிலக்காள
தோட்டம் மேயப் பாக்குதடா
மாட்டுக்கார வேலா
ஒன் மாட்டேக் கொஞ்சம் பாத்துக்கடா
மாட்டுக்கார வேலா
ஒன் மாட்டேக் கொஞ்சம் பாத்துக்கடா
போகாத பாதையிலே போகக்கூடாது
சும்மா புத்திகெட்டு அங்கும் இங்கும் சுத்தக்கூடாது
போகாத பாதையிலே போகக்கூடாது
சும்மா புத்திகெட்டு அங்கும் இங்கும் சுத்தக்கூடாது
மாடாகவே....
மாடாகவே மனுஷன் மாறக்கூடாது
மத்தவங்க பொருளு மேல ஆசை வைக்கக்கூடாது
மாட்டுக்கார வேலா
ஒன் மாட்டேக் கொஞ்சம் பாத்துக்கடா
மாட்டுக்கார வேலா
ஒன் மாட்டேக் கொஞ்சம் பாத்துக்கடா
காட்டு மல்லி பூத்திருக்க
காவல்காரன் பாத்திருக்க
ஆட்டம் போட்டு மயிலக்காள
தோட்டம் மேயப் பாக்குதடா
மாட்டுக்கார வேலா
ஒன் மாட்டேக் கொஞ்சம் பாத்துக்கடா
மாட்டுக்கார வேலா
ஒன் மாட்டேக் கொஞ்சம் பாத்துக்கடா
Kattu malli poothirukka
Wild jasmine is in full bloom,
Kaaval kaaran paarthirukka
The watchman is keeping a close watch,
Attam pottu mayilakaala
Dancing around, Mayilakaala the bull,
Thottam maeya pakkuthada
Is looking to graze in the garden.
Mattukaara vela
Oh cowherd Vela,
On matta konjam pathukadaa
Keep an eye on your bull!
Mattukaara vela
Oh cowherd Vela,
On matta konjam pathukadaa
Keep an eye on your bull!
Kattu malli poothirukka
Wild jasmine is in full bloom,
Kaaval kaaran paarthirukka
The watchman is keeping a close watch,
Kattu malli poothirukka
Wild jasmine is in full bloom,
Kaaval kaaran paarthirukka
The watchman is keeping a close watch,
Attam pottu mayilakaala
Dancing around, Mayilakaala the bull,
Thottam maeya pakkuthada
Is looking to graze in the garden.
Mattukaara vela
Oh cowherd Vela,
On matta konjam pathukadaa
Keep an eye on your bull!
Mattukaara vela
Oh cowherd Vela,
On matta konjam pathukadaa
Keep an eye on your bull!
Kottai suvar pola vaeliyirukku
The fence stands strong like a fort wall,
Kuthungkaruvaela mullumirukku
Sharp thorns of the gum arabic tree are also there.
Kottai suvar pola vaeliyirukku
The fence stands strong like a fort wall,
Kuthungkaruvaela mullumirukku
Sharp thorns of the gum arabic tree are also there.
Thottakaaran kaiyil kambumirukku
The gardener has a stick in his hand,
Thottakaaran kaiyil kambumirukku
The gardener has a stick in his hand,
Suthi suzhattravae thembumirukku
And he has the strength to swirl it around!
Mattukaara vela
Oh cowherd Vela,
On matta konjam pathukadaa
Keep an eye on your bull!
Mattukaara vela
Oh cowherd Vela,
On matta konjam pathukadaa
Keep an eye on your bull!
Kattu malli poothirukka
Wild jasmine is in full bloom,
Kaaval kaaran paarthirukka
The watchman is keeping a close watch,
Attam pottu mayilakaala
Dancing around, Mayilakaala the bull,
Thottam maeya pakkuthada
Is looking to graze in the garden.
Mattukaara vela
Oh cowherd Vela,
On matta konjam pathukadaa
Keep an eye on your bull!
Mattukaara vela
Oh cowherd Vela,
On matta konjam pathukadaa
Keep an eye on your bull!
Pogatha paadhaiyilae poga koodathu
One shouldn't walk on forbidden paths,
Summa buthi kettu
Losing sense foolishly,
Angum ingum sutha koodathu
One shouldn't wander here and there.
Pogatha paadhaiyilae poga koodathu
One shouldn't walk on forbidden paths,
Summa buthi kettu
Losing sense foolishly,
Angum ingum sutha koodathu
One shouldn't wander here and there.
Maadaagavae..ae
Like a beast... oh,
Maadaagavae manushan maara koodathu
A human shouldn't turn into a beast!
Mathavanga porula mela
On the possessions of others,
Aasai veikka koodathu
One shouldn't set eyes or desire.
Mattukaara vela
Oh cowherd Vela,
On matta konjam pathukadaa
Keep an eye on your bull!
Mattukaara vela
Oh cowherd Vela,
On matta konjam pathukadaa
Keep an eye on your bull!
Kattu malli poothirukka
Wild jasmine is in full bloom,
Kaaval kaaran paarthirukka
The watchman is keeping a close watch,
Attam pottu mayilakaala
Dancing around, Mayilakaala the bull,
Thottam maeya pakkuthada
Is looking to graze in the garden.
Mattukaara vela
Oh cowherd Vela,
On matta konjam pathukadaa
Keep an eye on your bull!
Mattukaara vela
Oh cowherd Vela,
On matta konjam pathukadaa
Keep an eye on your bull!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Kattu Malli Poothirukka from the 1959 film Vannakili is an allegorical folk song sung as a warning to Vela, a cowherd. His bull, Mayilakaala, is eyeing a well-guarded flower garden. The singer warns Vela that the garden is heavily protected with thick thorn fences and an alert guard wielding a staff, urging him to restrain his bull before it gets beaten.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Allegory / Metaphor
“Maadaagavae manushan maara koodathu”
The song uses the straying bull trespassing into a guarded garden as an allegory for human greed, warning people not to stray into immoral paths or desire others' property.
Simile (Upamai)
“Kottai suvar pola vaeliyirukku”
Compares the sturdy garden fence to a fort wall ('kottai suvar pola') to emphasize its strength and impenetrability.
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Kottai suvar pola vaeliyirukku / Kuthungkaruvaela mullumirukku”
The second consonant sound 't' (ட்/த்) is repeated across adjacent lines to create rhythmic harmony.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics by A. Maruthakasi, this track features the rich, classical-trained voice of Seerkazhi Govindarajan. It remains one of Tamil cinema's classic moral-instruction folk songs, famous for seamlessly blending rural imagery with practical social philosophy.
Keep listening
More from Vannakili
Vannakili
Vannakili
Vannakili
Vannakili
Vannakili
Vannakili