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Lyrics & meaning

Paadatha Pattellam

From Veerathirumagan · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. B. Sreenivas, S. Janaki
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Veerathirumagan1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Paadaatha paatellam paada vandhaalShe came to sing songs that had never been sung before
Kaanaatha kangalai kaana vandhaalShe came to see eyes that had never been seen before
Pesaatha mozhiyellam pesa vandhaalShe came to speak words that had never been spoken before
Pen paavai nenjilae aada vandhaal…She came to dance in the heart of this gentle maiden
Male
Paadaatha paatellam paada vandhaalShe came to sing songs that had never been sung before
Kaanaatha kangalai kaana vandhaalShe came to see eyes that had never been seen before
Pesaatha mozhiyellam pesa vandhaalShe came to speak words that had never been spoken before
Pen paavai nenjilae aada vandhaal…She came to dance in the heart of this gentle maiden
Pen paavai nenjilae aada vandhaal…She came to dance in the heart of this gentle maiden
Male
{Melaadai thendralil aahaa…haaHer upper garment fluttering in the breeze, ah ha...
Poovadai vandhathae… hmm..hmm..hmm} (2)A floral fragrance arrived with the wind, hmm... hmm...
Kaiyodu valaiyalum jal jal jalThe bangles on her hands chimed jal jal jal
Kannodu pesavaa sol sol sol …Shall I speak with my eyes? Tell me, tell me, tell me...
Male
Paadaatha paatellam paada vandhaalShe came to sing songs that had never been sung before
Kaanaatha kangalai kaana vandhaalShe came to see eyes that had never been seen before
Pesaatha mozhiyellam pesa vandhaalShe came to speak words that had never been spoken before
Pen paavai nenjilae aada vandhaal…She came to dance in the heart of this gentle maiden
Male
{Achamaa naanamaa innum vendumaaIs it fear? Is it shyness? Do you still need them?
Female :Ahhaaa…Female: Ah ha...
Male :Anjinaal nenjilae kaadhal thondrumaaMale: If you fear, will love ever blossom in your heart?
Female :Ohhhoo…} (2)Female: Oh ho...
Male
Michamaa meedhamaaIs there anything left over or remaining?
Indha naadagamIn this drama of ours
Menmayae penmayae vaa vaa..vaa…Oh gentle womanhood, come, come, come...
Male
Paadaatha paatellam paada vandhaalShe came to sing songs that had never been sung before
Kaanaatha kangalai kaana vandhaalShe came to see eyes that had never been seen before
Pesaatha mozhiyellam pesa vandhaalShe came to speak words that had never been spoken before
Pen paavai nenjilae aada vandhaal…She came to dance in the heart of this gentle maiden
Female
Ahaaa..hooo.hooo..ahaaa..haaa..Ahaaa... hooo... hooo... ahaaa... haaa...
Male
{Nilavilae nilavilae sedhi vandhadhaaDid news arrive from the moon?
Female :Aah.. aah…Female: Aah... aah...
Male :Uravilae uravilae aasai vandhadhaaMale: Did desire blossom in our relationship?
Female :Ohh… oh..} (2)Female: Oh... oh...
Male
Maraivilae maraivilae aadalaagumaaCan we dance while staying in hiding?
Female :Hmm…hmm…Female: Hmm... hmm...
Male :Arugilae arugilae vandhu pesammaa…Male: Come close and speak to me, my dear...
Female :Hmm…hmm…Female: Hmm... hmm...
Female
Ahaaa…aaa…aaa…aa…..Ahaaa... aaa... aaa... aa...
Male :Paadaatha paatellam paada vandhaalMale: She came to sing songs that had never been sung before
Kaanaatha kangalai kaana vandhaalKaanaatha kangalai kaana vandhaal
Pesaatha mozhiyellam pesa vandhaalPesaatha mozhiyellam pesa vandhaal
Pen paavai nenjilae aada vandhaal…Pen paavai nenjilae aada vandhaal...
Hmmm..mmmm..mmmm..mmm…….Hmmm... mmmm... mmmm... mmm...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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).

Keep listening

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