- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- P. B. Sreenivas, S. Janaki
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Movie name
- Veerathirumagan
- Movie release year
- 1962
- Lyrics added on
- 12 Apr 2017
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Paadaatha Paatellam from the 1962 film Veerathirumagan is a timeless romantic duet written by Kannadasan and composed by Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy, rendered by P. B. Sreenivas and S. Janaki. The song expresses the enchanting feelings that arise when new love awakens—transforming unspoken thoughts into melody and bringing joy to a young woman's heart. Through tender exchanges and poetic metaphors involving nature, moonlight, and gentle breezes, the song beautifully portrays the lovers' playful banter, overcoming hesitation and shyness to embrace love.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second letter rhyme)
“Paadaatha paatellam paada vandhaal”
The second letters of 'Paadaatha', 'Kaanaatha', and 'Pesaatha' share rhyming consonant patterns ('da', 'na', 'sa' with matching vowel lengths).
Onomatopoeia
“Kaiyodu valaiyalum jal jal jal”
The word 'jal jal jal' mimics the actual sound of bangles clanking together on a woman's wrist.
Personification
“Nilavilae nilavilae sedhi vandhadhaa”
The moon is personified as a messenger sending news to the lovers.
Anaphora
“Paadaatha paatellam paada vandhaal”
The repetition of '-aatha' sound and 'vandhaal' ending at the start and end of parallel phrasing builds a rhythmic, melodic refrain.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy and sung by P. B. Sreenivas along with S. Janaki, 'Paadaatha Paatellam' remains one of the most iconic romantic melodies in Golden Age Tamil cinema. The song features actor Anandhan and Sachu in the movie Veerathirumagan (1962).
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