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Lyrics & meaning

Oru Thai Maasam

From Vandichakkaram · 1980

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Vandichakkaram1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Oru thai maasam vanthaachu nethuYesterday, the auspicious month of Thai arrived
Iru kaiyodu kaiyaaga saeththuJoining hand in hand together
Kettimelam kottum neramAt the time when the wedding drums beat loud
Subha laali solla vaadiCome girl, to sing a sacred auspicious lullaby
Varum kaalam nalla kaalamunnuSaying that the coming times will be good times
Kummi kottungadi….Clap your hands and play the Kummi dance, girls!
Female
Oru thai maasam vanthaachu nethuYesterday, the auspicious month of Thai arrived
Iru kaiyodu kaiyaaga saeththuJoining hand in hand together
Kettimelam kottum neramAt the time when the wedding drums beat loud
Subha laali solla vaadiCome girl, to sing a sacred auspicious lullaby
Varum kaalam nalla kaalamunnuSaying that the coming times will be good times
Kummi kottungadi…Clap your hands and play the Kummi dance, girls!
Female
Maappillai ponnukku vegu poruththamdiThe groom is a great match for the bride, girl!
Mai potta kannukku sogam irukkuthadiYet there is a slight sadness in her kohl-rimmed eyes, girl
Maappillai ponnukku vegu poruththamdiThe groom is a great match for the bride, girl!
Mai potta kannukku sogam irukkuthadiYet there is a slight sadness in her kohl-rimmed eyes, girl
Female
Velli kolusu thullaathoWon't the silver anklet jump with joy?
Alli anaikka sollaathoWon't it plead to embrace her tightly?
Anaichchuputtaa silikkuthunnuSaying she shivers when embraced
Mayakkam kollaathi…oo…oo….Don't faint or get overcome with bliss... oo... oo...
Female
Oru thai maasam vanthaachu nethuYesterday, the auspicious month of Thai arrived
Iru kaiyodu kaiyaaga saeththuJoining hand in hand together
Kettimelam kottum neramAt the time when the wedding drums beat loud
Subha laali solla vaadiCome girl, to sing a sacred auspicious lullaby
Varum kaalam nalla kaalamunnuSaying that the coming times will be good times
Kummi kottungadi….Clap your hands and play the Kummi dance, girls!
Female
Oru thai maasam vanthaachu nethuYesterday, the auspicious month of Thai arrived
Iru kaiyodu kaiyaaga saeththuJoining hand in hand together
Chorus
……………….
Female
Machaanai kaikaari mayakki vachikkittaThe clever girl captivated her groom
Maaraappu selaiyilae izhuththu kattikittaaShe pulled and bound him within the drape of her saree
Machaanai kaikaari mayakki vachikkittaThe clever girl captivated her groom
Maaraappu selaiyilae izhuththu kattikittaaShe pulled and bound him within the drape of her saree
Female
Pudhu ravikkai thanthaanaa athai rasikka vanthaanaaDid he give a new blouse and come to admire it?
Pudhu ravikkai thanthaanaa athai rasikka vanthaanaaDid he give a new blouse and come to admire it?
Ravikkai thanthu ragasiyaththai unakku sonnaanaaAfter giving the blouse, did he whisper a secret to you?
Female
Oru thai maasam vanthaachu nethuYesterday, the auspicious month of Thai arrived
Iru kaiyodu kaiyaaga saeththuJoining hand in hand together
Kettimelam kottum neramAt the time when the wedding drums beat loud
Subha laali solla vaadiCome girl, to sing a sacred auspicious lullaby
Varum kaalam nalla kaalamunnuSaying that the coming times will be good times
Kummi kottungadi….Clap your hands and play the Kummi dance, girls!
Female
: Oru thai maasam vanthaachu nethuYesterday, the auspicious month of Thai arrived
Iru kaiyodu kaiyaaga saeththuJoining hand in hand together

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Oru Thai Maasam Vanthaachu' is a festive folk-style song rooted in traditional Tamil culture, specifically formatted as a Kummi dance performance. The month of Thai (January-February) holds deep cultural significance in Tamil Nadu as a time of harvest, prosperity, and auspicious events like weddings. The lyrics portray a group of village women joining together in a circle, clapping hands, and celebrating a marriage in their community.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyming)

Oru thai maasam vanthaachu nethu / Iru kaiyodu kaiyaaga saeththu

The second letter 'ru' rhymes across consecutive lines ('Oru' and 'Iru').

Monai (Initial Letter Alliteration)

Machaanai kaikaari mayakki vachikkitta

Repetition of the 'M' sound across words ('Machaanai', 'mayakki') in the same line.

Cultural Symbolism

Oru thai maasam vanthaachu nethu

The month of Thai symbolises new beginnings and wedded bliss according to the Tamil proverb 'Thai Pirandhal Vazhi Pirakkum'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is featured in the 1980 Tamil hit film 'Vandichakkaram', directed by K. Vijayan and starring Sivakumar and Saritha. The movie is famous for introducing actress Silk Smitha to the Tamil film industry in her iconic debut role as 'Silukku'.

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