Oru Veetti Vanthu
From Irandil Ondru · 1988
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singers
- Mano, K. S. Chitra
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Irandil Ondru1988
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| …………….. | ... |
| Female | |
| Oru vetti | A veshti (traditional male attire) |
| Vanthu sela katta poduthoru potti | Has come to compete with a saree |
| Thalaiyaatti ponnu | A head-nodding girl |
| Solluratha kekkum pattu vetti | A silk veshti that listens to whatever is said |
| Female | |
| Neega podaatha kottam illae | There is no end to the antics you pull off |
| Male Chorus :Oho oho | Male Chorus: Oho oho |
| Female :Inth penn pilla mattam illae | Female: This girl is not inferior at all |
| Male Chorus :Oho ho ho | Male Chorus: Oho ho ho |
| Female | |
| Oru vetti | A veshti |
| Vanthu sela katta poduthoru potti | Has come to compete with a saree |
| Male | |
| Oru sela | A saree |
| Vanthu vetti kitta kaattuthoru vela | Is showing off its tricks to the veshti |
| Oru naala enni kaaththirukku | Counting down the days, waiting |
| Kattikkittu vaazha | To marry and live together |
| Male | |
| Iva podaatha kottam illae | There is no end to the antics she pulls off |
| Female Chorus :Oho oho | Female Chorus: Oho oho |
| Male :Intha aan pilla mattam illae | Male: This guy is not inferior either |
| Female Chorus :Oho ho ho | Female Chorus: Oho ho ho |
| Male | |
| Oru sela | A saree |
| Vanthu vetti kitta kaattuthoru vela | Is showing off its tricks to the veshti |
| Female | |
| Kadhalikkumpothu iddhu | While in love, this is how it goes |
| Kattupattu pogum kaala vegamthaan | The pace of time stays under control |
| Kalyaanam aana pinbu | After marriage happens |
| Kandapadi meyum vera paagamthaan | It wanders around recklessly in a different direction |
| Female | |
| Sonnapadithaan ippa nadakkum | Right now, things happen as requested |
| Appuram vanthu etti mithikkum | Later, it will come and kick you away |
| Ponna pola vedhanai illa | There is no pain like what a woman goes through |
| Enni paaru aambala tholla | Just think about the trouble caused by men |
| Female | |
| Thaali pottu veli pottu | Tying the holy thread and putting up a fence |
| Thaaram aagum parithaabam | The plight of becoming a wife |
| Male | |
| Oru sela | A saree |
| Vanthu vetti kitta kaattuthoru vela | Is showing off its tricks to the veshti |
| Oru naala enni kaaththirukku | Counting down the days, waiting |
| Kattikkittu vaazha | To marry and live together |
| Male | |
| Iva podaatha kottam illae | There is no end to the antics she pulls off |
| Female Chorus :Oho oho | Female Chorus: Oho oho |
| Male :Intha aan pilla mattam illae | Male: This guy is not inferior either |
| Female Chorus :Oho ho ho | Female Chorus: Oho ho ho |
| Male | |
| Oru sela | A saree |
| Vanthu vetti kitta kaattuthoru vela | Is showing off its tricks to the veshti |
| Oru naala enni kaaththirukku | Counting down the days, waiting |
| Male | |
| Mattu mariyaatha vechchu | Maintaining self-restraint and respect |
| Vekkappattu pogum yaavum polithaan | All the shyness shown is fake |
| Vettu onnu thundu rendu | Decisive and blunt in speech ("one cut, two pieces") |
| Vetti vetti pesum jaalakkaarithaan | She is a clever talker who speaks sharp words |
| Male | |
| Ulla nenappu onnu irukkum | There is one thought inside |
| Kallam irukkum pala mullum irukkum | There is deceit, and there are many thorns |
| Katti pottu podanum veli | One must tie her up and put a fence |
| Kaalam paaththu poottanum thaali | At the right time, tie the mangalsutra |
| Male | |
| Aala paaththu azhaga paaththu | Looking at the person, looking at the beauty |
| Maalae pottu mayangaathae | Don't get entranced by putting on a garland |
| Male | |
| Ini vaai sanda thevai illa | There is no need for verbal spats anymore |
| Female Chorus :Oho oho | Female Chorus: Oho oho |
| Female :Idhu onnaachchu onnukkulla | Female: They have merged into one another now |
| Female Chorus :Oho ho ho | Female Chorus: Oho ho ho |
............................
...
ஒரு வேட்டி
வந்து சேல கட்டப் போடுதொரு போட்டி
தலையாட்டி பொண்ணு
சொல்லுறத கேக்கும் பட்டு வேட்டி
A veshti (traditional male attire)
Has come to compete with a saree
A head-nodding girl
A silk veshti that listens to whatever is said
நீங்க போடாத கொட்டம் இல்லே
ஆண் குழு :
ஓஹோ ஓஹோ
இந்தப் பெண் பிள்ள மட்டம் இல்லே
ஆண் குழு :
ஓஹோ ஹோ ஹோ
There is no end to the antics you pull off
Male Chorus: Oho oho
Female: This girl is not inferior at all
Male Chorus: Oho ho ho
பெண் குழு :
நீங்க போடாத கொட்டம் இல்லே
ஆண் குழு :
ஓஹோ ஓஹோ
பெண் குழு :
இந்தப் பெண் பிள்ள மட்டம் இல்லே
ஆண் குழு :
ஓஹோ ஹோ ஹோ
A veshti
Has come to compete with a saree
ஒரு வேட்டி
வந்து சேல கட்டப் போடுதொரு போட்டி
A saree
Is showing off its tricks to the veshti
Counting down the days, waiting
To marry and live together
ஒரு சேல
வந்து வேட்டி கிட்ட காட்டுதொரு வேல
ஒரு நாள எண்ணி காத்திருக்கு
கட்டிக்கிட்டு வாழ
There is no end to the antics she pulls off
Female Chorus: Oho oho
Male: This guy is not inferior either
Female Chorus: Oho ho ho
இவ போடாத கொட்டம் இல்லே
பெண் குழு :
ஓஹோ ஓஹோ
இந்த ஆண் பிள்ள மட்டம் இல்லே...
பெண் குழு :
ஓஹோ ஹோ ஹோ
A saree
Is showing off its tricks to the veshti
ஆண் குழு :
இவ போடாத கொட்டம் இல்லே
பெண் குழு :
ஓஹோ ஓஹோ
ஆண் குழு :
இந்த ஆண் பிள்ள மட்டம் இல்லே...
பெண் குழு :
ஓஹோ ஹோ ஹோ
While in love, this is how it goes
The pace of time stays under control
After marriage happens
It wanders around recklessly in a different direction
ஒரு சேல
வந்து வேட்டி கிட்ட காட்டுதொரு வேல
Right now, things happen as requested
Later, it will come and kick you away
There is no pain like what a woman goes through
Just think about the trouble caused by men
காதலிக்கும் போது இது
கட்டுப்பட்டுப் போகும் காள வேகம்தான்
கல்யாணம் ஆன பின்பு
கண்ட படி மேயும் வேற பாகம்தான்
Tying the holy thread and putting up a fence
The plight of becoming a wife
சொன்ன படிதான் இப்ப நடக்கும்
அப்புறம் வந்து எட்டி மிதிக்கும்
பொண்ணப் போல வேதனை இல்ல
எண்ணிப் பாரு ஆம்பள தொல்ல
A saree
Is showing off its tricks to the veshti
Counting down the days, waiting
To marry and live together
பெண் குழு :
பொண்ணப் போல
வேதனை இல்ல
பெண் குழு :
எண்ணிப் பாரு
ஆம்பள தொல்ல
There is no end to the antics she pulls off
Female Chorus: Oho oho
Male: This guy is not inferior either
Female Chorus: Oho ho ho
தாலி போட்டு வேலி போட்டு
தாரம் ஆகும் பரிதாபம்.....
A saree
Is showing off its tricks to the veshti
Counting down the days, waiting
ஒரு சேல
வந்து வேட்டி கிட்ட காட்டுதொரு வேல
ஒரு நாள எண்ணி காத்திருக்கு
கட்டிக்கிட்டு வாழ
Maintaining self-restraint and respect
All the shyness shown is fake
Decisive and blunt in speech ("one cut, two pieces")
She is a clever talker who speaks sharp words
இவ போடாத கொட்டம் இல்லே
பெண் குழு :
ஓஹோ ஓஹோ
இந்த ஆண் பிள்ள மட்டம் இல்லே...
பெண் குழு :
ஓஹோ ஹோ ஹோ
There is one thought inside
There is deceit, and there are many thorns
One must tie her up and put a fence
At the right time, tie the mangalsutra
ஒரு சேல
வந்து வேட்டி கிட்ட காட்டுதொரு வேல
ஒரு நாள எண்ணி காத்திருக்கு
Looking at the person, looking at the beauty
Don't get entranced by putting on a garland
மட்டு மரியாத வெச்சு
வெக்கப்பட்டு போகும் யாவும் போலிதான்
வெட்டு ஒன்னு துண்டு ரெண்டு
வெட்டி வெட்டிப் பேசும் ஜாலக்காரிதான்
There is no need for verbal spats anymore
Female Chorus: Oho oho
Female: They have merged into one another now
Female Chorus: Oho ho ho
உள்ள நெனப்பு ஒன்னு இருக்கும்
கள்ளம் இருக்கும் பல முள்ளும் இருக்கும்
கட்டிப் போட்டு போடணும் வேலி
காலம் பாத்து பூட்டணும் தாலி
ஆண் குழு :
கட்டிப் போட்டு
போடணும் வேலி
ஆண் குழு :
காலம் பாத்து
பூட்டணும் தாலி
ஆளப் பாத்து அழகப் பாத்து
மால போட்டு மயங்காதே
பெண் குழு :
புது சேல வந்து வேட்டி கிட்ட சேந்ததிந்த வேள
ஆண் குழு :
அட நாள எண்ணி காத்திருக்கு கட்டிக்கிட்டு வாழ
பெண் குழு :
இனி வாய் சண்ட தேவை இல்ல
ஓஹோ ஓஹோ
ஆண் குழு :
இது ஒண்ணாச்சு ஒண்ணுக்குள்ள
பெண் குழு :
ஓஹோ ஹோ ஹோ
இனி வாய் சண்ட தேவை இல்ல
பெண் குழு :
ஓஹோ ஓஹோ
இது ஒண்ணாச்சு ஒண்ணுக்குள்ள
பெண் குழு :
ஓஹோ ஹோ ஹோ
தன நானா
தன தந்தனன தந்தனன நானா
தன நானா
தன தந்தனன தந்தனன நானா
……………..
...
Oru vetti
A veshti (traditional male attire)
Vanthu sela katta poduthoru potti
Has come to compete with a saree
Thalaiyaatti ponnu
A head-nodding girl
Solluratha kekkum pattu vetti
A silk veshti that listens to whatever is said
Neega podaatha kottam illae
There is no end to the antics you pull off
Male Chorus :Oho oho
Male Chorus: Oho oho
Female :Inth penn pilla mattam illae
Female: This girl is not inferior at all
Male Chorus :Oho ho ho
Male Chorus: Oho ho ho
Oru vetti
A veshti
Vanthu sela katta poduthoru potti
Has come to compete with a saree
Oru sela
A saree
Vanthu vetti kitta kaattuthoru vela
Is showing off its tricks to the veshti
Oru naala enni kaaththirukku
Counting down the days, waiting
Kattikkittu vaazha
To marry and live together
Iva podaatha kottam illae
There is no end to the antics she pulls off
Female Chorus :Oho oho
Female Chorus: Oho oho
Male :Intha aan pilla mattam illae
Male: This guy is not inferior either
Female Chorus :Oho ho ho
Female Chorus: Oho ho ho
Oru sela
A saree
Vanthu vetti kitta kaattuthoru vela
Is showing off its tricks to the veshti
Kadhalikkumpothu iddhu
While in love, this is how it goes
Kattupattu pogum kaala vegamthaan
The pace of time stays under control
Kalyaanam aana pinbu
After marriage happens
Kandapadi meyum vera paagamthaan
It wanders around recklessly in a different direction
Sonnapadithaan ippa nadakkum
Right now, things happen as requested
Appuram vanthu etti mithikkum
Later, it will come and kick you away
Ponna pola vedhanai illa
There is no pain like what a woman goes through
Enni paaru aambala tholla
Just think about the trouble caused by men
Thaali pottu veli pottu
Tying the holy thread and putting up a fence
Thaaram aagum parithaabam
The plight of becoming a wife
Oru sela
A saree
Vanthu vetti kitta kaattuthoru vela
Is showing off its tricks to the veshti
Oru naala enni kaaththirukku
Counting down the days, waiting
Kattikkittu vaazha
To marry and live together
Iva podaatha kottam illae
There is no end to the antics she pulls off
Female Chorus :Oho oho
Female Chorus: Oho oho
Male :Intha aan pilla mattam illae
Male: This guy is not inferior either
Female Chorus :Oho ho ho
Female Chorus: Oho ho ho
Oru sela
A saree
Vanthu vetti kitta kaattuthoru vela
Is showing off its tricks to the veshti
Oru naala enni kaaththirukku
Counting down the days, waiting
Mattu mariyaatha vechchu
Maintaining self-restraint and respect
Vekkappattu pogum yaavum polithaan
All the shyness shown is fake
Vettu onnu thundu rendu
Decisive and blunt in speech ("one cut, two pieces")
Vetti vetti pesum jaalakkaarithaan
She is a clever talker who speaks sharp words
Ulla nenappu onnu irukkum
There is one thought inside
Kallam irukkum pala mullum irukkum
There is deceit, and there are many thorns
Katti pottu podanum veli
One must tie her up and put a fence
Kaalam paaththu poottanum thaali
At the right time, tie the mangalsutra
Aala paaththu azhaga paaththu
Looking at the person, looking at the beauty
Maalae pottu mayangaathae
Don't get entranced by putting on a garland
Ini vaai sanda thevai illa
There is no need for verbal spats anymore
Female Chorus :Oho oho
Female Chorus: Oho oho
Female :Idhu onnaachchu onnukkulla
Female: They have merged into one another now
Female Chorus :Oho ho ho
Female Chorus: Oho ho ho
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Oru Vetti' from the film 'Irandil Ondru' (1988) is a playful, banter-filled duet between the lead male and female characters. Using the cultural metaphors of 'Vetti' (traditional dhoti representing the man) and 'Sela' (saree representing the woman), the song frames courtship as a fun competition where both sides try to outwit and tease each other. The verses touch upon stereotypical marital expectations, courtship behavior vs. post-marriage realities, and mutual teasing about gender dynamics. Despite the lighthearted arguments and comedic warnings about the struggles of married life, the song resolves harmoniously. The verbal sparring gives way to mutual acceptance, symbolizing the blending of two distinct personalities into a unified couple ('Idhu onnaachchu onnukkulla').
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (உருவகம் - Uruvagam)
“Oru vetti / Vanthu sela katta poduthoru potti”
The garments 'Vetti' (Dhoti) and 'Sela' (Saree) are used as metaphors to represent the male and female lead characters engaged in courtship banter.
Idiom (தமிழ் மரபுத்தொடர்)
“Vettu onnu thundu rendu”
A popular Tamil idiom literally meaning 'one cut, two pieces', used here to describe someone who speaks very bluntly and decisively.
Monai / Alliteration (மோனை)
“Thaali pottu veli pottu”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('pottu' / 'pottu') and structured rhythm within the line.
Ethugai (எதுகை)
“Aala paaththu azhaga paaththu / Maalae pottu mayangaathae”
The second letters ('la') match between lines, creating classic Tamil second-letter rhyming (Ethugai).
Did you know?
Trivia
'Oru Vetti' is composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by his brother Gangai Amaran for the 1988 film 'Irandil Ondru', directed by V. Azhagappan. The track features the energetic vocals of Mano and K. S. Chithra, who frequently paired up in the late 1980s for vibrant, folk-pop playful duets.
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