Nattupura Pattu Onnu
From Nattupura Pattu · 1995
- Lyricist
- Kasthuri Raja
- Singers
- Manorama, K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Nattupura Pattu1995
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Thandhaanana naa naa nana | Folk rhythmic vocalization (Thandhaanana naa naa nana) |
| Ye thandhanaana naanaa | Oh, folk rhythmic vocalization (Ye thandhanaana naanaa) |
| Female | |
| Thandhanaanaa thaanaanana | Folk rhythmic vocalization (Thandhanaanaa thaanaanana) |
| Thandhanaanaa thanaanana | Folk rhythmic vocalization (Thandhanaanaa thanaanana) |
| Female | |
| Nattupura paatu onnu | A folk song |
| Naan padikkiren kelu machaan | I am singing, listen my dear friend |
| Female | |
| Nattupura paatu onnu | A folk song |
| Naan padikkiren kelu machaan | I am singing, listen my dear friend |
| Female | |
| Nattupura paatu onnu | A folk song |
| Naan padikkiren kelu machaan | I am singing, listen my dear friend |
| Ithu yettu sorakaaiyum illa | This is not an impractical paper-gourd |
| Pattan nalla paadi vechaan | Our forefathers composed and passed it down well |
| Entha veetukadhavaiyum thattum | It will knock on any home's door |
| Entha naatukullaeyum ettum | It will reach across any land |
| Chorus | |
| Entha veetukadhavaiyum | Any home's door |
| Thattum | Knock |
| Entha naatukullaeyum ettum | It will reach across any land |
| Ettum ettum | Will reach, will reach |
| Female | |
| Nattupura paatu onnu | A folk song |
| Naan padikkiren kelu machaan | I am singing, listen my dear friend |
| Ithu yettu sorakaaiyum illa | This is not an impractical paper-gourd |
| Pattan nalla paadi vechaan | Our forefathers composed and passed it down well |
| Female | |
| Adichu thuvaikkum | From the sound of beating clothes while washing |
| Saththathukku paatu varumae | A song emerges |
| Idikkum olakka | From the rhythm of a pounding pestle |
| Saththathukkum paatu varumae | A song emerges too |
| Female | |
| Marathil kuyilin | Is the call of a cuckoo in the tree |
| Saththamo paatu ragamae | The melody of a song? |
| Chorus :Paatu ragamae | Chorus: The melody of a song! |
| Female :Karakkum pasuvin | Female: Is the sound of a cow being milked |
| Saththamo paatu ragamae | The melody of a song? |
| Chorus :Paatu ragamae | Chorus: The melody of a song! |
| Female | |
| Vayaloora paatu | A song sung by the fields |
| Varamaana paatu | A song that is a true blessing |
| Vayasaana podhum | Even as time grows old |
| Valamaana paatu | A song that remains rich and fertile |
| Oramaana paatu | A song born from the humble corners |
| Ulagaalum paatu | A song that rules the entire world |
| Edhu vandha podhum | No matter what challenges arrive |
| Elaikkatha paatu | A song that never gets worn out or exhausted |
| Female | |
| Naathu nadum nerathula | During the time of planting young saplings |
| Naaku vazhi valanthathithu | It grew naturally through the tip of the tongue |
| Chorus :Daaku dakku dadakku dakku | Chorus: (Rhythmic beat sounds) |
| Daaku dakku dadakku dakku | Chorus: (Rhythmic beat sounds) |
| Female | |
| Kalai edukkum kootathula | Among the crowd weeding the fields |
| Kadhakadhaiya porandhathithu | It was born story by story |
| Chorus :Daaku dakku dadakku dakku | Chorus: (Rhythmic beat sounds) |
| Daaku dakku dadakku da | Chorus: (Rhythmic beat sounds) |
| Female | |
| Theru thinnaiyilae | Crawling on the street verandahs |
| Thavazhnthu | Crawling |
| Intha mannilae mulaichathithu | It sprouted in this very soil |
| Female | |
| Nattupura paatu onnu | A folk song |
| Naan padikkiren kelu machaan | I am singing, listen my dear friend |
| Ithu yettu sorakaaiyum illa | This is not an impractical paper-gourd |
| Pattan nalla paadi vechaan | Our forefathers composed and passed it down well |
| Female | |
| Porandha kolandha | When a newborn child |
| Pasichu paalukazhuthaa | Cries out of hunger for milk |
| Chorus :Paalukazhuthaa | Chorus: Cries for milk |
| Female :Aathaa anachu | Female: Mother holds the child tight |
| Paala paataa tharuva | And gives milk wrapped in a song |
| Chorus :Paataa tharuva | Chorus: Gives it as a song |
| Female | |
| Urakkam varavae | To bring peaceful sleep |
| Dhinamum thaalaatudanae | Every day with a lullaby |
| Karuthu neranja paatta | A song filled with deep wisdom |
| Kalandhu tharuvaa | She mixes and offers it |
| Female | |
| Thaaiveetu paatu | A song from the maternal home |
| Thamizhnaatu paatu | A song of Tamil land |
| Thadam maari poga | To stray away from the right path |
| Teriyaatha paatu | A song that does not know how to |
| Agambaavam theerkkum | A song that cures arrogance |
| Arivaana paatu | A song full of wisdom |
| Ariyaamai noikku | For the disease of ignorance |
| Marunthaana paatu | A song that serves as a remedy |
| Female | |
| Paavalaru varadharaasan | Poet Varatharasan |
| Paadi vecha paatu ithu | This is the song he composed and left behind |
| Chorus :Daaku dakku dadakku dakku | Chorus: (Rhythmic beat sounds) |
| Daaku dakku dadakku dakku | Chorus: (Rhythmic beat sounds) |
| Female | |
| Pamararum padikkum badi | So that even the uneducated common folk can sing |
| Paadi vecha paatu ithu | This is the song composed and left behind |
| Chorus :Daaku dakku dadakku dakku | Chorus: (Rhythmic beat sounds) |
| Daaku dakku dadakku da | Chorus: (Rhythmic beat sounds) |
| Female | |
| En sakthi terinjirukka | Have you understood my strength now? |
| Un buththi thelinjirukka | Has your intellect become clear now? |
| Female | |
| Nattupura paatu onnu | A folk song |
| Naan padikkiren kelu machaan | I am singing, listen my dear friend |
| Ithu yettu sorakaaiyum illa | This is not an impractical paper-gourd |
| Pattan nalla paadi vechaan | Our forefathers composed and passed it down well |
| Entha veetukadhavaiyum thattum | It will knock on any home's door |
| Entha naatukullaeyum ettum | It will reach across any land |
| Chorus | |
| Entha veetukadhavaiyum | Any home's door |
| Thattum | Knock |
| Entha naatukullaeyum ettum | It will reach across any land |
| Ettum ettum | Will reach, will reach |
| Female | |
| Nattupura paatu onnu | A folk song |
| Naan padikkiren kelu machaan | I am singing, listen my dear friend |
| Ithu yettu sorakaaiyum illa | This is not an impractical paper-gourd |
| Pattan nalla paadi vechaan | Our forefathers composed and passed it down well |
தந்தா னா நன னானா னானா .....
ஏ தந்தானானானா னானா ....
Folk rhythmic vocalization (Thandhaanana naa naa nana)
Oh, folk rhythmic vocalization (Ye thandhanaana naanaa)
தந்தானானா தானானானா னானா .....
தந்தனான னானா தனானானா...
Folk rhythmic vocalization (Thandhanaanaa thaanaanana)
Folk rhythmic vocalization (Thandhanaanaa thanaanana)
நாட்டுப்புற பாட்டு ஒண்ணு
நான் படிக்கிறேன் கேளு மச்சான்
A folk song
I am singing, listen my dear friend
நாட்டுப்புற பாட்டு ஒண்ணு
நான் படிக்கிறேன் கேளு மச்சான்
A folk song
I am singing, listen my dear friend
நாட்டுப்புற பாட்டு ஒண்ணு நான்
படிக்கிறேன் கேளு மச்சான்...
இது ஏட்டு சொரக்காயும் இல்ல
பாட்டன் நல்லா பாடி வெச்சான்...
A folk song
I am singing, listen my dear friend
This is not an impractical paper-gourd
Our forefathers composed and passed it down well
It will knock on any home's door
It will reach across any land
எந்த வீட்டுக் கதவையும் தட்டும்
எந்த நாட்டுக்குள்ளேயும் எட்டும்...
குழு :
எந்த வீட்டுக் கதவையும் தட்டும்
எந்த நாட்டுக்குள்ளேயும்
எட்டும்... எட்டும்
Any home's door
Knock
It will reach across any land
Will reach, will reach
நாட்டுப்புற பாட்டு ஒண்ணு நான்
படிக்கிறேன் கேளு மச்சான்...
இது ஏட்டு சொரக்காயும் இல்ல
பாட்டன் நல்லா பாடி வெச்சான்...
A folk song
I am singing, listen my dear friend
This is not an impractical paper-gourd
Our forefathers composed and passed it down well
அடிச்சு தொவைக்கும்
சத்தத்துக்கு பாட்டு வருமே
இடிக்கும் ஒலக்க
சத்தத்துக்கும் பாட்டு வருமே
From the sound of beating clothes while washing
A song emerges
From the rhythm of a pounding pestle
A song emerges too
மரத்தில் குயிலின்
சத்தமோ பாட்டு ரகமே
குழு :
பாட்டு ரகமே
கறக்கும் பசுவின்
சத்தமோ பாட்டு ரகமே
குழு :
பாட்டு ரகமே
Is the call of a cuckoo in the tree
The melody of a song?
Chorus: The melody of a song!
Female: Is the sound of a cow being milked
The melody of a song?
Chorus: The melody of a song!
வயலோரப் பாட்டு
வரமான பாட்டு
வயசான போதும்
வளமான பாட்டு
ஒரமான பாட்டு
உலகாளும் பாட்டு
எது வந்த போதும்
எளைக்காத பாட்டு
A song sung by the fields
A song that is a true blessing
Even as time grows old
A song that remains rich and fertile
A song born from the humble corners
A song that rules the entire world
No matter what challenges arrive
A song that never gets worn out or exhausted
நாத்து நடும் நேரத்துல
நாக்கு வழி வளந்ததிது
குழு :
டாக்கு டக்கு டடக்கு டக்கு
டாக்கு டக்கு டடக்கு டக்கு....
During the time of planting young saplings
It grew naturally through the tip of the tongue
Chorus: (Rhythmic beat sounds)
Chorus: (Rhythmic beat sounds)
களை எடுக்கும் கூட்டத்துல
கதகதையா பொறந்ததிது
குழு :
டாக்கு டக்கு டடக்கு டக்கு
டாக்கு டக்கு டடக்கு டா....
Among the crowd weeding the fields
It was born story by story
Chorus: (Rhythmic beat sounds)
Chorus: (Rhythmic beat sounds)
தெரு திண்ணையிலே
தவழ்ந்து
இந்த மண்ணில் முளைச்சதிது...
Crawling on the street verandahs
Crawling
It sprouted in this very soil
நாட்டுப்புற பாட்டு ஒண்ணு நான்
படிக்கிறேன் கேளு மச்சான்...
இது ஏட்டு சொரக்காயும் இல்ல
பாட்டன் நல்லா பாடி வெச்சான்...
A folk song
I am singing, listen my dear friend
This is not an impractical paper-gourd
Our forefathers composed and passed it down well
பொறந்த கொழந்த
பசிச்சு பாலுக்கழுதா
குழு :
பாலுக்கழுதா
ஆத்தா அணச்சு
பால பாட்டா தருவா
குழு :
பாட்டா தருவா
When a newborn child
Cries out of hunger for milk
Chorus: Cries for milk
Female: Mother holds the child tight
And gives milk wrapped in a song
Chorus: Gives it as a song
ஒறக்கம் வரவே
தெனமும் தாலாட்டுடனே
கருத்து நெறஞ்ச பாட்ட
கலந்து தருவா
To bring peaceful sleep
Every day with a lullaby
A song filled with deep wisdom
She mixes and offers it
தாய் வீட்டுப் பாட்டு
தமிழ்நாட்டுப் பாட்டு
தடம் மாறிப் போக
தெரியாத பாட்டு
அகம்பாவம் தீர்க்கும்
அறிவான பாட்டு
அறியாமை நோய்க்கு
மருந்தான பாட்டு
A song from the maternal home
A song of Tamil land
To stray away from the right path
A song that does not know how to
A song that cures arrogance
A song full of wisdom
For the disease of ignorance
A song that serves as a remedy
பாவலரு வரதராசன்
பாடி வச்ச பாட்டு இது
குழு :
டாக்கு டக்கு டடக்கு டக்கு
டாக்கு டக்கு டடக்கு டக்கு....
Poet Varatharasan
This is the song he composed and left behind
Chorus: (Rhythmic beat sounds)
Chorus: (Rhythmic beat sounds)
பாமரரும் படிக்கும்படி
பக்குவமா அமஞ்சதிது
குழு :
டாக்கு டக்கு டடக்கு டக்கு
டாக்கு டக்கு டடக்கு டா....
So that even the uneducated common folk can sing
This is the song composed and left behind
Chorus: (Rhythmic beat sounds)
Chorus: (Rhythmic beat sounds)
என் சக்தி தெரிஞ்சிருச்சா
ஓம் புத்தி தெளிஞ்சிருச்சா
Have you understood my strength now?
Has your intellect become clear now?
நாட்டுப்புற பாட்டு ஒண்ணு நான்
படிக்கிறேன் கேளு மச்சான்...
இது ஏட்டு சொரக்காயும் இல்ல
பாட்டன் நல்லா பாடி வெச்சான்...
A folk song
I am singing, listen my dear friend
This is not an impractical paper-gourd
Our forefathers composed and passed it down well
It will knock on any home's door
It will reach across any land
எந்த வீட்டு கதவையும் தட்டும்..
எந்த நாட்டுக்குள்ளேயும் எட்டும்...
குழு :
எந்த வீட்டு கதவையும் தட்டும்..
எந்த நாட்டுக்குள்ளேயும்
எட்டும் எட்டும்....
Any home's door
Knock
It will reach across any land
Will reach, will reach
நாட்டுப்புற பாட்டு ஒண்ணு நான்
படிக்கிறேன் கேளு மச்சான்...
இது ஏட்டு சொரக்காயும் இல்ல
பாட்டன் நல்லா பாடி வெச்சான்...
A folk song
I am singing, listen my dear friend
This is not an impractical paper-gourd
Our forefathers composed and passed it down well
Thandhaanana naa naa nana
Folk rhythmic vocalization (Thandhaanana naa naa nana)
Ye thandhanaana naanaa
Oh, folk rhythmic vocalization (Ye thandhanaana naanaa)
Thandhanaanaa thaanaanana
Folk rhythmic vocalization (Thandhanaanaa thaanaanana)
Thandhanaanaa thanaanana
Folk rhythmic vocalization (Thandhanaanaa thanaanana)
Nattupura paatu onnu
A folk song
Naan padikkiren kelu machaan
I am singing, listen my dear friend
Nattupura paatu onnu
A folk song
Naan padikkiren kelu machaan
I am singing, listen my dear friend
Nattupura paatu onnu
A folk song
Naan padikkiren kelu machaan
I am singing, listen my dear friend
Ithu yettu sorakaaiyum illa
This is not an impractical paper-gourd
Pattan nalla paadi vechaan
Our forefathers composed and passed it down well
Entha veetukadhavaiyum thattum
It will knock on any home's door
Entha naatukullaeyum ettum
It will reach across any land
Entha veetukadhavaiyum
Any home's door
Thattum
Knock
Entha naatukullaeyum ettum
It will reach across any land
Ettum ettum
Will reach, will reach
Nattupura paatu onnu
A folk song
Naan padikkiren kelu machaan
I am singing, listen my dear friend
Ithu yettu sorakaaiyum illa
This is not an impractical paper-gourd
Pattan nalla paadi vechaan
Our forefathers composed and passed it down well
Adichu thuvaikkum
From the sound of beating clothes while washing
Saththathukku paatu varumae
A song emerges
Idikkum olakka
From the rhythm of a pounding pestle
Saththathukkum paatu varumae
A song emerges too
Marathil kuyilin
Is the call of a cuckoo in the tree
Saththamo paatu ragamae
The melody of a song?
Chorus :Paatu ragamae
Chorus: The melody of a song!
Female :Karakkum pasuvin
Female: Is the sound of a cow being milked
Saththamo paatu ragamae
The melody of a song?
Chorus :Paatu ragamae
Chorus: The melody of a song!
Vayaloora paatu
A song sung by the fields
Varamaana paatu
A song that is a true blessing
Vayasaana podhum
Even as time grows old
Valamaana paatu
A song that remains rich and fertile
Oramaana paatu
A song born from the humble corners
Ulagaalum paatu
A song that rules the entire world
Edhu vandha podhum
No matter what challenges arrive
Elaikkatha paatu
A song that never gets worn out or exhausted
Naathu nadum nerathula
During the time of planting young saplings
Naaku vazhi valanthathithu
It grew naturally through the tip of the tongue
Chorus :Daaku dakku dadakku dakku
Chorus: (Rhythmic beat sounds)
Daaku dakku dadakku dakku
Chorus: (Rhythmic beat sounds)
Kalai edukkum kootathula
Among the crowd weeding the fields
Kadhakadhaiya porandhathithu
It was born story by story
Chorus :Daaku dakku dadakku dakku
Chorus: (Rhythmic beat sounds)
Daaku dakku dadakku da
Chorus: (Rhythmic beat sounds)
Theru thinnaiyilae
Crawling on the street verandahs
Thavazhnthu
Crawling
Intha mannilae mulaichathithu
It sprouted in this very soil
Nattupura paatu onnu
A folk song
Naan padikkiren kelu machaan
I am singing, listen my dear friend
Ithu yettu sorakaaiyum illa
This is not an impractical paper-gourd
Pattan nalla paadi vechaan
Our forefathers composed and passed it down well
Porandha kolandha
When a newborn child
Pasichu paalukazhuthaa
Cries out of hunger for milk
Chorus :Paalukazhuthaa
Chorus: Cries for milk
Female :Aathaa anachu
Female: Mother holds the child tight
Paala paataa tharuva
And gives milk wrapped in a song
Chorus :Paataa tharuva
Chorus: Gives it as a song
Urakkam varavae
To bring peaceful sleep
Dhinamum thaalaatudanae
Every day with a lullaby
Karuthu neranja paatta
A song filled with deep wisdom
Kalandhu tharuvaa
She mixes and offers it
Thaaiveetu paatu
A song from the maternal home
Thamizhnaatu paatu
A song of Tamil land
Thadam maari poga
To stray away from the right path
Teriyaatha paatu
A song that does not know how to
Agambaavam theerkkum
A song that cures arrogance
Arivaana paatu
A song full of wisdom
Ariyaamai noikku
For the disease of ignorance
Marunthaana paatu
A song that serves as a remedy
Paavalaru varadharaasan
Poet Varatharasan
Paadi vecha paatu ithu
This is the song he composed and left behind
Chorus :Daaku dakku dadakku dakku
Chorus: (Rhythmic beat sounds)
Daaku dakku dadakku dakku
Chorus: (Rhythmic beat sounds)
Pamararum padikkum badi
So that even the uneducated common folk can sing
Paadi vecha paatu ithu
This is the song composed and left behind
Chorus :Daaku dakku dadakku dakku
Chorus: (Rhythmic beat sounds)
Daaku dakku dadakku da
Chorus: (Rhythmic beat sounds)
En sakthi terinjirukka
Have you understood my strength now?
Un buththi thelinjirukka
Has your intellect become clear now?
Nattupura paatu onnu
A folk song
Naan padikkiren kelu machaan
I am singing, listen my dear friend
Ithu yettu sorakaaiyum illa
This is not an impractical paper-gourd
Pattan nalla paadi vechaan
Our forefathers composed and passed it down well
Entha veetukadhavaiyum thattum
It will knock on any home's door
Entha naatukullaeyum ettum
It will reach across any land
Entha veetukadhavaiyum
Any home's door
Thattum
Knock
Entha naatukullaeyum ettum
It will reach across any land
Ettum ettum
Will reach, will reach
Nattupura paatu onnu
A folk song
Naan padikkiren kelu machaan
I am singing, listen my dear friend
Ithu yettu sorakaaiyum illa
This is not an impractical paper-gourd
Pattan nalla paadi vechaan
Our forefathers composed and passed it down well
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a grand celebration of Tamil folk music ('Nattupura Paatu') and its deep-rooted connection to daily human existence and nature. Unlike formal, bookish knowledge, folk songs are born organically from everyday tasks—such as washing clothes, pounding grain, planting saplings, or milking cows. The lyrics emphasize that folk music carries real-world wisdom, comfort, and heritage passed down by ancestors to illuminate minds and heal ignorance.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Proverbial Idiom (பழமொழி பாவனை)
“Ithu yettu sorakaaiyum illa”
The phrase 'Ithu yettu sorakaaiyum illa' references the famous Tamil proverb 'Ettu churakkai kootukku udhavadhu' (a picture of a gourd on paper cannot be cooked into a meal), implying folk songs are practical and real, not merely abstract theory.
Moonaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Vayaloora paatu / Varamaana paatu / Vayasaana podhum / Valamaana paatu”
Repetition of the initial 'Vay' sound in consecutive lines creates rhythm.
Ethirai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Naathu nadum nerathula / Naaku vazhi valanthathithu”
Matching of the second consonant sound 'th' in 'Naathu' and 'Naaku'.
Onomatopoeia (ஒலிக்குறிப்பு)
“Daaku dakku dadakku dakku”
Rhythmic vocal sounds mimicking traditional drum beats or labor movements.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is from the 1995 Tamil movie 'Nattupura Pattu', directed by Kasthuri Raja, featuring music composed by Soundaryan. The movie prominently featured rural themes and highlighted the tradition of Tamil folk artists.
Keep listening
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Nattupura Pattu