Nethu Vacha Meen Kozhambu
From Vaasalil Oru Vennilaa · 1992
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- Swarnalatha
- Music director
- Deva
- Details
- Vaasalil Oru Vennilaa1992
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Naethu vecha meen kulambhu naanu | I am like yesterday's fish curry, getting richer with time, |
| Unga naakkula thaan oorum ippo thaenu | Now honey will water in your mouth. |
| Hoi thottukaiyaa aasa vandhaa melae | Hey, touch me if desire overcomes you, |
| Enna suttu vachu uppu kandam polae | Like roasted salted dried meat. |
| Female | |
| Naan virundhu vacha indha oor thirandu varum | If I host a feast, this whole town will gather, |
| Naan vizhi asaichaa pala perr manangavarum | If I bat my eyes, many hearts will be captivated. |
| Naan dappanguthu mettu padippen | I will sing to a lively folk beat, |
| Yaarum daavadichaa bendeduppen | If anyone tries to mess with me, I will beat them up. |
| Naan kummanguthu vitta theriyum | You will know if I give you a solid blow, |
| Enna kitta vandhu thotta puriyum | You will understand if you come close and touch me. |
| Female | |
| Naethu vecha meen kulambhu naanu | I am like yesterday's fish curry, getting richer with time, |
| Unga naakkula thaan oorum ippo thaenu | Now honey will water in your mouth. |
| Female | |
| Saidhapettaiyum meesa pettaiyum | Saidapet and Meesapet, |
| En katcherikku date-u ketkudhu | Are asking for dates for my performance. |
| China bajarum burma bajarum | China Bazaar and Burma Bazaar, |
| En naina kittae rate pesudhu | Are negotiating rates with my father. |
| Female | |
| Ettu kattaila naan paadina | If I sing at a high pitch, |
| Kettu pogaadhoo madrasu | Won't the whole of Madras go crazy? |
| Sandhu pondhellam naan aadina | If I dance through every narrow alley, |
| Vandhu kottadhoo kai kaasu | Won't money rain down as tips? |
| Pala machaan machaan vandhu idhukku thaan | Many young men came just for this, |
| Ingu vachaan vachaan pudhu kanakkuthaan | And opened a brand new account here. |
| Female | |
| Naethu vecha meen kulambhu naanu | I am like yesterday's fish curry, getting richer with time, |
| Unga naakkula thaan oorum ippo thaenu | Now honey will water in your mouth. |
| Hoi thottukaiyaa aasa vandhaa melae | Hey, touch me if desire overcomes you, |
| Enna suttu vachu uppu kandam polae | Like roasted salted dried meat. |
| Female | |
| Koozha kudikkum ezha pasanga | Poor kids who drink simple porridge, |
| Vanna kovanatha thaan katti irukkum | Wearing colorful loincloths, |
| Koovam manakkum kuppam muzhukka | Across the entire neighborhood along the Cooum, |
| En kooda vanthu kottam adikkum | Will join me and make merry. |
| Female | |
| Naan kaalaiyilae naasthaavukku | For breakfast in the morning, |
| Naathiyillaadha vargam thaan | I belong to the underprivileged class. |
| Vaadi nikkaama paateduthaa | If I sing passionately without pausing, |
| Vaazhkai eppodhum sorgam thaan | Life is always a paradise. |
| Ada illae illae ingu kavala thaan | Oh no, there is no sorrow here at all, |
| Naan thaechu vacha thanga thavala thaan | I am like a polished golden frog. |
| Female | |
| Naethu vecha meen kulambhu naanu | I am like yesterday's fish curry, getting richer with time, |
| Unga naakkula thaan oorum ippo thaenu | Now honey will water in your mouth. |
| Hoi thottukaiyaa aasa vandhaa melae | Hey, touch me if desire overcomes you, |
| Enna suttu vachu uppu kandam polae | Like roasted salted dried meat. |
| Female | |
| Naan virundhu vacha indha oor thirandu varum | If I host a feast, this whole town will gather, |
| Naan vizhi asaichaa pala perr manangavarum | If I bat my eyes, many hearts will be captivated. |
| Naan dappanguthu mettu padippen | I will sing to a lively folk beat, |
| Yaarum daavadichaa bendeduppen | If anyone tries to mess with me, I will beat them up. |
| Naan kummanguthu vitta theriyum | You will know if I give you a solid blow, |
| Enna kitta vandhu thotta puriyum | You will understand if you come close and touch me. |
| Female | |
| Naethu vecha meen kulambhu naanu | I am like yesterday's fish curry, getting richer with time, |
| Unga naakkula thaan oorum ippo thaenu | Now honey will water in your mouth. |
நேத்து வச்ச மீன் கொழம்பு நானு உங்க
நாக்குலத்தான் ஊறும் இப்போ தேனு ஹோய்
தொட்டுக்கய்யா ஆச வந்தா மேலே என்ன
சுட்டு வச்ச உப்புக் கண்டம் போலே
I am like yesterday's fish curry, getting richer with time,
Now honey will water in your mouth.
Hey, touch me if desire overcomes you,
Like roasted salted dried meat.
நான் விருந்து வச்சா இந்த ஊர் திரண்டு வரும்
நான் விழி அசைச்சா பல பேர் மனங்கவரும்
நான் டப்பாங்குத்து மெட்டு படிப்பேன்
யாரும் டாவடிச்சா பெண்டு எடுப்பேன்
நான் கும்மாங்குத்து விட்டாத் தெரியும்
என்ன கிட்ட வந்து தொட்டாப் புரியும்..
If I host a feast, this whole town will gather,
If I bat my eyes, many hearts will be captivated.
I will sing to a lively folk beat,
If anyone tries to mess with me, I will beat them up.
You will know if I give you a solid blow,
You will understand if you come close and touch me.
நேத்து வச்ச மீன் கொழம்பு நானு உங்க
நாக்குலத்தான் ஊறும் இப்போ தேனு ஹோய்
I am like yesterday's fish curry, getting richer with time,
Now honey will water in your mouth.
சைதாப்பேட்டையும் மீசா பேட்டையும்
என் கச்சேரிக்கு டேட்டு கேக்குது
சைனாபஜாரும் பர்மாபஜாரும்
என் நைனா கிட்டே ரேட்டு பேசுது
Saidapet and Meesapet,
Are asking for dates for my performance.
China Bazaar and Burma Bazaar,
Are negotiating rates with my father.
எட்டுக் கட்டைல நான் பாடினா
கெட்டுப் போகாதோ மெட்ராசு
சந்து பொந்தெல்லாம் நான் ஆடினா
வந்து கொட்டாதோ கைக்காசு
பல மச்சான் மச்சான் வந்து இதுக்குத்தான்
இங்கு வச்சான் வச்சான் புது கணக்குதான்
If I sing at a high pitch,
Won't the whole of Madras go crazy?
If I dance through every narrow alley,
Won't money rain down as tips?
Many young men came just for this,
And opened a brand new account here.
நேத்து வச்ச மீன் கொழம்பு நானு உங்க
நாக்குலத்தான் ஊறும் இப்போ தேனு ஹோய்
தொட்டுக்கய்யா ஆச வந்தா மேலே என்ன
சுட்டு வச்ச உப்புக் கண்டம் போலே
I am like yesterday's fish curry, getting richer with time,
Now honey will water in your mouth.
Hey, touch me if desire overcomes you,
Like roasted salted dried meat.
கூழக் குடிக்கும் ஏழப் பசங்க
வண்ணக் கோவணத்தான் கட்டியிருக்கும்
கூவம் மணக்கும் குப்பம் முழுக்க
என் கூட வந்து கொட்டம் அடிக்கும்
Poor kids who drink simple porridge,
Wearing colorful loincloths,
Across the entire neighborhood along the Cooum,
Will join me and make merry.
நாளை காலையிலே நாஸ்தாவுக்கு
நாதியில்லாத வர்க்கம்தான்
வாடி நிக்காம பாட்டெடுத்தா
வாழ்க்கை எப்போதும் சொர்க்கம்தான்
அட இல்லே இல்லே இங்கு கவலத்தான்
நான் தேச்சு வச்ச தங்கத் தவலத்தான்
For breakfast in the morning,
I belong to the underprivileged class.
If I sing passionately without pausing,
Life is always a paradise.
Oh no, there is no sorrow here at all,
I am like a polished golden frog.
நேத்து வச்ச மீன் கொழம்பு நானு உங்க
நாக்குலத்தான் ஊறும் இப்போ தேனு ஹோய்
ஹோய் தொட்டுக்கய்யா ஆச வந்தா மேலே என்ன
சுட்டு வச்ச உப்புக் கண்டம் போலே
I am like yesterday's fish curry, getting richer with time,
Now honey will water in your mouth.
Hey, touch me if desire overcomes you,
Like roasted salted dried meat.
நான் விருந்து வச்சா இந்த ஊர் திரண்டு வரும்
நான் விழி அசைச்சா பல பேர் மனங்கவரும்
நான் டப்பாங்குத்து மெட்டு படிப்பேன்
யாரும் டாவடிச்சா பெண்டு எடுப்பேன்
நான் கும்மாங்குத்து விட்டாத் தெரியும்
என்ன கிட்ட வந்து தொட்டாப் புரியும்..
If I host a feast, this whole town will gather,
If I bat my eyes, many hearts will be captivated.
I will sing to a lively folk beat,
If anyone tries to mess with me, I will beat them up.
You will know if I give you a solid blow,
You will understand if you come close and touch me.
நேத்து வச்ச மீன் கொழம்பு நானு உங்க
நாக்குலத்தான் ஊறும் இப்போ தேனு
I am like yesterday's fish curry, getting richer with time,
Now honey will water in your mouth.
Naethu vecha meen kulambhu naanu
I am like yesterday's fish curry, getting richer with time,
Unga naakkula thaan oorum ippo thaenu
Now honey will water in your mouth.
Hoi thottukaiyaa aasa vandhaa melae
Hey, touch me if desire overcomes you,
Enna suttu vachu uppu kandam polae
Like roasted salted dried meat.
Naan virundhu vacha indha oor thirandu varum
If I host a feast, this whole town will gather,
Naan vizhi asaichaa pala perr manangavarum
If I bat my eyes, many hearts will be captivated.
Naan dappanguthu mettu padippen
I will sing to a lively folk beat,
Yaarum daavadichaa bendeduppen
If anyone tries to mess with me, I will beat them up.
Naan kummanguthu vitta theriyum
You will know if I give you a solid blow,
Enna kitta vandhu thotta puriyum
You will understand if you come close and touch me.
Naethu vecha meen kulambhu naanu
I am like yesterday's fish curry, getting richer with time,
Unga naakkula thaan oorum ippo thaenu
Now honey will water in your mouth.
Saidhapettaiyum meesa pettaiyum
Saidapet and Meesapet,
En katcherikku date-u ketkudhu
Are asking for dates for my performance.
China bajarum burma bajarum
China Bazaar and Burma Bazaar,
En naina kittae rate pesudhu
Are negotiating rates with my father.
Ettu kattaila naan paadina
If I sing at a high pitch,
Kettu pogaadhoo madrasu
Won't the whole of Madras go crazy?
Sandhu pondhellam naan aadina
If I dance through every narrow alley,
Vandhu kottadhoo kai kaasu
Won't money rain down as tips?
Pala machaan machaan vandhu idhukku thaan
Many young men came just for this,
Ingu vachaan vachaan pudhu kanakkuthaan
And opened a brand new account here.
Naethu vecha meen kulambhu naanu
I am like yesterday's fish curry, getting richer with time,
Unga naakkula thaan oorum ippo thaenu
Now honey will water in your mouth.
Hoi thottukaiyaa aasa vandhaa melae
Hey, touch me if desire overcomes you,
Enna suttu vachu uppu kandam polae
Like roasted salted dried meat.
Koozha kudikkum ezha pasanga
Poor kids who drink simple porridge,
Vanna kovanatha thaan katti irukkum
Wearing colorful loincloths,
Koovam manakkum kuppam muzhukka
Across the entire neighborhood along the Cooum,
En kooda vanthu kottam adikkum
Will join me and make merry.
Naan kaalaiyilae naasthaavukku
For breakfast in the morning,
Naathiyillaadha vargam thaan
I belong to the underprivileged class.
Vaadi nikkaama paateduthaa
If I sing passionately without pausing,
Vaazhkai eppodhum sorgam thaan
Life is always a paradise.
Ada illae illae ingu kavala thaan
Oh no, there is no sorrow here at all,
Naan thaechu vacha thanga thavala thaan
I am like a polished golden frog.
Naethu vecha meen kulambhu naanu
I am like yesterday's fish curry, getting richer with time,
Unga naakkula thaan oorum ippo thaenu
Now honey will water in your mouth.
Hoi thottukaiyaa aasa vandhaa melae
Hey, touch me if desire overcomes you,
Enna suttu vachu uppu kandam polae
Like roasted salted dried meat.
Naan virundhu vacha indha oor thirandu varum
If I host a feast, this whole town will gather,
Naan vizhi asaichaa pala perr manangavarum
If I bat my eyes, many hearts will be captivated.
Naan dappanguthu mettu padippen
I will sing to a lively folk beat,
Yaarum daavadichaa bendeduppen
If anyone tries to mess with me, I will beat them up.
Naan kummanguthu vitta theriyum
You will know if I give you a solid blow,
Enna kitta vandhu thotta puriyum
You will understand if you come close and touch me.
Naethu vecha meen kulambhu naanu
I am like yesterday's fish curry, getting richer with time,
Unga naakkula thaan oorum ippo thaenu
Now honey will water in your mouth.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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.
Keep listening
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