Nethu Rathiri Yamma
From Sakalakala Vallavan 1982 · 1982
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Sakalakala Vallavan 19821982
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Hmmm haaa..hmmm..haaa | Hmmm haaa..hmmm..haaa |
| Male :Hmm..Female :Haaa | Male: Hmmm... Female: Haaa... |
| Male :Hmm..Female :Haaa | Male: Hmmm... Female: Haaa... |
| Male | |
| Nethu raathiri…thookkam pochidi | Last night, I lost my sleep. |
| Nethu raathiri..Female :Yamma | Last night... Female: Oh my! |
| Thookkam pochidi…Female :Yamma | I lost my sleep... Female: Oh my! |
| Male | |
| {Aavo ji aa anaarkali | Come along, Anarkali! |
| Achcha achcha pachaikili} (2) | Good, good green parrot! |
| Ammadi aathadi unnaalathaan | Come along, Anarkali! |
| Male | |
| Nethu raathiri..Female :Yamma | Good, good green parrot! |
| Thookkam pochidi…Female :Yamma | Oh goodness! It is all because of you! |
| Female | |
| {Achchaarathaa podu | Last night... Female: Oh my! |
| Kachcheriyai kelu | I lost my sleep... Female: Oh my! |
| Chinna udal silukku | Give an advance token/promise, |
| Jillunnu thaan irukku | And listen to this musical concert. |
| Santhanathil panni vecha thaeru} (2) | Your slender body shivers with delight, |
| Male | |
| Kanndenadi kaashmir roja | It feels so cool and refreshing. |
| Vandhenadi kaabul raaja | A chariot sculpted out of sandalwood! |
| Enn peru thaan abdul khaja | Give an advance token/promise, |
| Ennkitta thaan anbae aajaa | And listen to this musical concert. |
| Male | |
| Anju viral pattavudan | Your slender body shivers with delight, |
| Anjugathai thottavudan | It feels so cool and refreshing. |
| Aanandham vaarae vaaa | A chariot sculpted out of sandalwood! |
| Female | |
| Nethu raathiri..Male :Yamma | I spotted a Kashmir rose, my girl! |
| Thookkam pochidhu…Male :Yamma | I, the King of Kabul, have arrived! |
| Female | |
| Anaarkali naanthaan aiyya | My name is Abdul Khaja! |
| Anbae saleem neethaan aiyya | Come to me, my love! |
| Ammaadi aathaadi unnaalathaan | The moment five fingers touch, |
| Female | |
| Nethu raathiri..Male :Yamma | The moment I touch this parrot-like beauty, |
| Thookkam pochidhu…Male :Yamma | Oh, what sublime bliss, wow! |
| Male | |
| {Ennodu vaa dooba | Last night... Male: Oh my! |
| Yeraalam thaan rooba | I lost my sleep... Male: Oh my! |
| Ottagangal irukku pettagangal irukku | I am Anarkali, my lord! |
| Unna naanum vachirupen anbaa} (2) | My love, you are Prince Salim! |
| Female | |
| Unnmela thaan aasapatten | Oh goodness! It is all because of you! |
| Unnaikkanndu naalun ketten | Last night... Male: Oh my! |
| Kuberan un kaiya thotten | I lost my sleep... Male: Oh my! |
| Kuselanin kaiya vitten | Come with me, my dear friend! |
| Andhapuram vandhavudan | There are heaps of money! |
| Antharangam kanndavudan | There are camels, and there are treasure chests, |
| Aaasaigal appappaa | I will cherish and keep you lovingly! |
| Male | |
| {Nethu raathiri..Female :Yamma | Come with me, my dear friend! |
| Thookkam pochidi…Female :Yamma} (2) | There are heaps of money! |
| Male | |
| {Aavo ji aa anaarkali | There are camels, and there are treasure chests, |
| Achcha achcha pachaikili} (2) | I will cherish and keep you lovingly! |
| Ammadi aathadi unnaalathaan | I desired only you, |
| Male | |
| Nethu raathiri..Female :Yamma | Upon seeing you, I inquired about auspicious dates, |
| Thookkam pochidi…Female :Yamma | I held the wealthy hand of Lord Kubera, |
| Male | |
| Yehh..Nethu raathiri..Female :Yamma | And let go of the poor hand of Kusela. |
| Thookkam pochidi…Female :Yamma | Once I entered the inner chamber, |
ஹ்ம்ம் ஹா ஹ்ம்ம் ஹா
ஹ்ம்ம் பெண் :
ஹா
ஹ்ம்ம் பெண் :
ஹா
Hmmm haaa..hmmm..haaa
Male: Hmmm... Female: Haaa...
Male: Hmmm... Female: Haaa...
நேத்து ராத்திரி
தூக்கம் போச்சிடி
நேத்து ராத்திரி பெண் :
யம்மா
தூக்கம் போச்சிடி பெண் :
யம்மா
Last night, I lost my sleep.
Last night... Female: Oh my!
I lost my sleep... Female: Oh my!
{ ஆவோஜி ஆ
அனார்கலி அச்சா
அச்சா பச்சைக்கிளி } (2)
அம்மாடி ஆத்தாடி
உன்னால தான்
Come along, Anarkali!
Good, good green parrot!
Come along, Anarkali!
நேத்து ராத்திரி
யம்மா
தூக்கம் போச்சிடி
யம்மா
Good, good green parrot!
Oh goodness! It is all because of you!
{ அச்சாரத்தை போடு
கச்சேரிய கேளு சின்ன உடல்
சிலுக்கு சில்லுன்னு தான்
இருக்கு சந்தனத்தில் பண்ணி
வச்ச தேரு } (2)
Last night... Female: Oh my!
I lost my sleep... Female: Oh my!
Give an advance token/promise,
And listen to this musical concert.
Your slender body shivers with delight,
கண்டேனடி காஷ்மீர்
ரோஜா வந்தேனடி காபுல்
ராஜா என்பேரு தான் அப்துல்
காஜா என்கிட்ட தான் அன்பே
ஆஜா
It feels so cool and refreshing.
A chariot sculpted out of sandalwood!
Give an advance token/promise,
And listen to this musical concert.
அஞ்சு விரல்
பட்டவுடன் அஞ்சுகத்தை
தொட்டவுடன் ஆனந்தம்
வாரே வா .
Your slender body shivers with delight,
It feels so cool and refreshing.
A chariot sculpted out of sandalwood!
நேத்து ராத்திரி
யம்மா
தூக்கம் போச்சிது
யம்மா
I spotted a Kashmir rose, my girl!
I, the King of Kabul, have arrived!
அனார்கலி நான்
தானய்யா அன்பே சலீம்
நீதானய்யா அம்மாடி
ஆத்தாடி உன்னாலதான்
My name is Abdul Khaja!
Come to me, my love!
The moment five fingers touch,
நேத்து ராத்திரி
யம்மா
தூக்கம் போச்சிது
யம்மா
The moment I touch this parrot-like beauty,
Oh, what sublime bliss, wow!
{ என்னோடு வா
தூபா ஏராளம் தான் ரூபா
ஒட்டகங்கள் இருக்கு
பெட்டகங்கள் இருக்கு
உன்ன நானும் வச்சிருப்பேன்
அன்பா } (2)
Last night... Male: Oh my!
I lost my sleep... Male: Oh my!
I am Anarkali, my lord!
My love, you are Prince Salim!
உன் மேல தான்
ஆசப் பட்டேன் உன்னக்
கண்டு நாளுங் கெட்டேன்
குபேரன் உன் கைய தொட்டேன்
குசேலனின் கைய விட்டேன்
அந்த புறம் வந்தவுடன்
அந்தரங்கம் கண்டவுடன்
ஆசைகள் அப்பப்பா.
Oh goodness! It is all because of you!
Last night... Male: Oh my!
I lost my sleep... Male: Oh my!
Come with me, my dear friend!
There are heaps of money!
There are camels, and there are treasure chests,
I will cherish and keep you lovingly!
{ நேத்து ராத்திரி
யம்மா
தூக்கம் போச்சிடி
யம்மா } (2)
Come with me, my dear friend!
There are heaps of money!
{ ஆவோஜி ஆ
அனார்கலி அச்சா
அச்சா பச்சைக்கிளி } (2)
அம்மாடி ஆத்தாடி
உன்னால தான்
There are camels, and there are treasure chests,
I will cherish and keep you lovingly!
I desired only you,
நேத்து ராத்திரி
யம்மா
தூக்கம் போச்சிடி
யம்மா
Upon seeing you, I inquired about auspicious dates,
I held the wealthy hand of Lord Kubera,
யே நேத்து ராத்திரி
யம்மா
தூக்கம் போச்சிடி
யம்மா
And let go of the poor hand of Kusela.
Once I entered the inner chamber,
Hmmm haaa..hmmm..haaa
Hmmm haaa..hmmm..haaa
Male :Hmm..Female :Haaa
Male: Hmmm... Female: Haaa...
Male :Hmm..Female :Haaa
Male: Hmmm... Female: Haaa...
Nethu raathiri…thookkam pochidi
Last night, I lost my sleep.
Nethu raathiri..Female :Yamma
Last night... Female: Oh my!
Thookkam pochidi…Female :Yamma
I lost my sleep... Female: Oh my!
{Aavo ji aa anaarkali
Come along, Anarkali!
Achcha achcha pachaikili} (2)
Good, good green parrot!
Ammadi aathadi unnaalathaan
Come along, Anarkali!
Nethu raathiri..Female :Yamma
Good, good green parrot!
Thookkam pochidi…Female :Yamma
Oh goodness! It is all because of you!
{Achchaarathaa podu
Last night... Female: Oh my!
Kachcheriyai kelu
I lost my sleep... Female: Oh my!
Chinna udal silukku
Give an advance token/promise,
Jillunnu thaan irukku
And listen to this musical concert.
Santhanathil panni vecha thaeru} (2)
Your slender body shivers with delight,
Kanndenadi kaashmir roja
It feels so cool and refreshing.
Vandhenadi kaabul raaja
A chariot sculpted out of sandalwood!
Enn peru thaan abdul khaja
Give an advance token/promise,
Ennkitta thaan anbae aajaa
And listen to this musical concert.
Anju viral pattavudan
Your slender body shivers with delight,
Anjugathai thottavudan
It feels so cool and refreshing.
Aanandham vaarae vaaa
A chariot sculpted out of sandalwood!
Nethu raathiri..Male :Yamma
I spotted a Kashmir rose, my girl!
Thookkam pochidhu…Male :Yamma
I, the King of Kabul, have arrived!
Anaarkali naanthaan aiyya
My name is Abdul Khaja!
Anbae saleem neethaan aiyya
Come to me, my love!
Ammaadi aathaadi unnaalathaan
The moment five fingers touch,
Nethu raathiri..Male :Yamma
The moment I touch this parrot-like beauty,
Thookkam pochidhu…Male :Yamma
Oh, what sublime bliss, wow!
{Ennodu vaa dooba
Last night... Male: Oh my!
Yeraalam thaan rooba
I lost my sleep... Male: Oh my!
Ottagangal irukku pettagangal irukku
I am Anarkali, my lord!
Unna naanum vachirupen anbaa} (2)
My love, you are Prince Salim!
Unnmela thaan aasapatten
Oh goodness! It is all because of you!
Unnaikkanndu naalun ketten
Last night... Male: Oh my!
Kuberan un kaiya thotten
I lost my sleep... Male: Oh my!
Kuselanin kaiya vitten
Come with me, my dear friend!
Andhapuram vandhavudan
There are heaps of money!
Antharangam kanndavudan
There are camels, and there are treasure chests,
Aaasaigal appappaa
I will cherish and keep you lovingly!
{Nethu raathiri..Female :Yamma
Come with me, my dear friend!
Thookkam pochidi…Female :Yamma} (2)
There are heaps of money!
{Aavo ji aa anaarkali
There are camels, and there are treasure chests,
Achcha achcha pachaikili} (2)
I will cherish and keep you lovingly!
Ammadi aathadi unnaalathaan
I desired only you,
Nethu raathiri..Female :Yamma
Upon seeing you, I inquired about auspicious dates,
Thookkam pochidi…Female :Yamma
I held the wealthy hand of Lord Kubera,
Yehh..Nethu raathiri..Female :Yamma
And let go of the poor hand of Kusela.
Thookkam pochidi…Female :Yamma
Once I entered the inner chamber,
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Nethu Raathiri Thookkam Pochidi' is an iconic, playful romantic duet from the 1982 Tamil blockbuster 'Sakalakala Vallavan'. The song portrays a playful dynamic between the lead characters as they express how their newfound romantic attraction and longing kept them awake all night. Incorporating fun disguises and references to historical and mythical figures like Salim, Anarkali, King of Kabul, Kubera, and Kusela, the lyrics convey an energetic game of romantic roleplay. The emotional tone is exuberant, teasing, and deeply affectionate. Lyricist Vaali uses colloquial Tamil slang mixed with catchy Hindi expressions to capture the thrill of intimacy, touch, and passionate love that keeps lovers mesmerized throughout the night.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Muran (Antithesis)
“Kuberan un kaiya thotten / Kuselanin kaiya vitten”
Contrasts Kubera (the god of immense wealth) with Kusela (a famously poor devotee of Krishna), symbolizing a transition from poverty/deprivation to rich abundance in love.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Kanndenadi kaashmir roja / Vandhenadi kaabul raaja / Enn peru thaan abdul khaja / Ennkitta thaan anbae aajaa”
Uses matching end-rhymes ('roja', 'raaja', 'khaja', 'aajaa') to create a playful rhythm and musical flow.
Uvamai (Simile / Metaphor)
“Santhanathil panni vecha thaeru”
Compares the beloved's smooth, fragrant physical form to a temple chariot meticulously carved out of sandalwood.
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Anju viral pattavudan / Anjugathai thottavudan”
The second letter 'n' (ன்) in 'Anju' and 'Anjugathai' rhymes perfectly across adjacent lines.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung by the legendary duo S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki, 'Nethu Raathiri' became an instant chartbuster upon its release in 1982. Featured in 'Sakalakala Vallavan' starring Kamal Haasan and Ambika, the song is celebrated for its fast-paced dance choreography and colorful, flamboyant costume changes that highlighted Kamal Haasan's versatility as an entertainer.
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