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Vaasalil Oru Vennilaa album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Nethu Vacha Meen Kozhambu

From Vaasalil Oru Vennilaa · 1992

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Swarnalatha
Music director
Deva
Movie name
Vaasalil Oru Vennilaa
Movie release year
1992
Lyrics added on
8 Oct 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Naethu vecha meen kulambhu naanu
Unga naakkula thaan oorum ippo thaenu
Hoi thottukaiyaa aasa vandhaa melae
Enna suttu vachu uppu kandam polae
Naan virundhu vacha indha oor thirandu varum
Naan vizhi asaichaa pala perr manangavarum
Naan dappanguthu mettu padippen
Yaarum daavadichaa bendeduppen
Naan kummanguthu vitta theriyum
Enna kitta vandhu thotta puriyum
Naethu vecha meen kulambhu naanu
Unga naakkula thaan oorum ippo thaenu
Saidhapettaiyum meesa pettaiyum
En katcherikku date-u ketkudhu
China bajarum burma bajarum
En naina kittae rate pesudhu
Ettu kattaila naan paadina
Kettu pogaadhoo madrasu
Sandhu pondhellam naan aadina
Vandhu kottadhoo kai kaasu
Pala machaan machaan vandhu idhukku thaan
Ingu vachaan vachaan pudhu kanakkuthaan
Naethu vecha meen kulambhu naanu
Unga naakkula thaan oorum ippo thaenu
Hoi thottukaiyaa aasa vandhaa melae
Enna suttu vachu uppu kandam polae
Koozha kudikkum ezha pasanga
Vanna kovanatha thaan katti irukkum
Koovam manakkum kuppam muzhukka
En kooda vanthu kottam adikkum
Naan kaalaiyilae naasthaavukku
Naathiyillaadha vargam thaan
Vaadi nikkaama paateduthaa
Vaazhkai eppodhum sorgam thaan
Ada illae illae ingu kavala thaan
Naan thaechu vacha thanga thavala thaan
Naethu vecha meen kulambhu naanu
Unga naakkula thaan oorum ippo thaenu
Hoi thottukaiyaa aasa vandhaa melae
Enna suttu vachu uppu kandam polae
Naan virundhu vacha indha oor thirandu varum
Naan vizhi asaichaa pala perr manangavarum
Naan dappanguthu mettu padippen
Yaarum daavadichaa bendeduppen
Naan kummanguthu vitta theriyum
Enna kitta vandhu thotta puriyum
Naethu vecha meen kulambhu naanu
Unga naakkula thaan oorum ippo thaenu
I am like yesterday’s fish curry;
Your tongue will water like honey right now, hoy!
Come taste me, mister, if you crave it,
Just like roasted dried meat!
If I host a feast, the whole town will gather,
If I bat my eyes, I will win many hearts!
I will sing to the dappankuthu (folk dance) beat,
If anyone messes with me, I will knock them into shape!
You will know my power if I throw a punch,
You will understand if you dare come close and touch me..
I am like yesterday’s fish curry;
Your tongue will water like honey right now, hoy!
Saidapet and Meesapet
Are asking for dates for my concert!
China Bazaar and Burma Bazaar
Are bargaining the price with my father!
If I sing at a soaring high pitch,
Won’t the whole city of Madras go wild?
If I dance through every nook and corner,
Won’t piles of cash come pouring in?
It is for this that so many suitors come,
And start up brand new reckonings here!
I am like yesterday’s fish curry;
Your tongue will water like honey right now, hoy!
Come taste me, mister, if you crave it,
Just like roasted dried meat!
The poor folk who drink porridge,
Wearing their colorful loincloths,
Across the whole seaside neighborhood by the Cooum,
Will join me and celebrate wildly!
For tomorrow morning's breakfast,
They are a class with no one to turn to,
Yet without wilting, if we lift our voices in song,
Life is always heaven!
Ah, there is no worry here at all,
I am like a well-polished golden pot!
I am like yesterday’s fish curry;
Your tongue will water like honey right now, hoy!
Hoy, come taste me, mister, if you crave it,
Just like roasted dried meat!
If I host a feast, the whole town will gather,
If I bat my eyes, I will win many hearts!
I will sing to the dappankuthu (folk dance) beat,
If anyone messes with me, I will knock them into shape!
You will know my power if I throw a punch,
You will understand if you dare come close and touch me..
I am like yesterday’s fish curry;
Your tongue will water like honey right now, hoy!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
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Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This energetic item number celebrates the singer's vibrant, bold, and irresistible personality rooted in the working-class culture of Madras (Chennai). By metaphorically comparing herself to yesterday's fish curry—which tastes better as it ages—and salted dried meat, she highlights her alluring charisma and street-smart swagger. She proudly references various iconic Madras localities (Saidapet, Burma Bazaar, China Bazaar) and describes her deep connection with the local working-class people who find joy and celebration in her performance despite their daily struggles. The song embodies a defiant, joyful spirit where music and dance serve as an escape from hardship. It mixes bold romantic flirtation with raw, colloquial Madras Tamil slang, emphasizing her independence, tough nature, and deep pride in her roots.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uwamai Ani)

“Naethu vecha meen kulambhu naanu”

Compares herself to yesterday's fish curry, implying that her appeal grows stronger and richer over time.

Simile (Uwamai Ani)

“Enna suttu vachu uppu kandam polae”

Compares herself to salted dried meat ('uppu kandam'), enhancing the earthy culinary imagery of desire.

Metaphor (Uruwagai)

“Naan thaechu vacha thanga thavala thaan”

Directly identifies herself as a polished golden frog ('thanga thavala'), metaphorically signifying brightness and value.

Rhyme / Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Saidhapettaiyum meesa pettaiyum / China bajarum burma bajarum”

Uses rhythmic, matching location names from old Madras to build cadence and local flavor.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by renowned lyricist Vaali, the song heavily employs mid-20th century 'Madras Baashai' (slang specific to North Chennai working-class neighborhoods). Vaali was famous for effortlessly shifting between high classical Tamil literature and raw, energetic street slang.

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