Paadhavathi
From Vaazhai · 2024
- Lyricist
- Mari Selvaraj
- Singers
- Jayamoorthy, Meenakshi Elayaraja
- Music director
- Santhosh Narayanan
- Details
- Vaazhai2024
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Yappa nee ponavazhi | Oh father, along the path you walked |
| Paadhaiyila mandiyitta paadhavathi | I am the sinner who knelt on that path |
| Naan mandiyitta paadhavathi | I am the sinner who knelt down |
| Yaiya un punchirippu | Oh lord, your gentle smile |
| Regaiyila theekkulicha paadhavathi | I am the sinner who bathed in fire within palm lines |
| Naan theekkulicha paadhavathi | I am the sinner who bathed in fire |
| Male | |
| Othapana keethukkulla | Inside the lone palm leaf shade |
| Otha roova minnayila | When a single rupee glistened |
| Pathuthala ketkumunnu | That ten heads would be demanded |
| Paadhavathi nambalaiye | This sinner did not believe |
| Naan paadhavathi nambalaiye | I, the sinner, did not believe |
| Paadhavathi nambalaiye | This sinner did not believe |
| Male | |
| Patta maram kaaikkumnunnu | That a dried tree would bear fruit |
| Pathu kadha kettirunthen | I had heard ten stories |
| Motha maram povumunnu | That the entire tree would perish |
| Paadhavathi nambalaiye | This sinner did not believe |
| Naan paadhavathi nambalaiye | I, the sinner, did not believe |
| Naan paadhavathi nambalaiye | I, the sinner, did not believe |
| Male | |
| Mala uchiyila pootha | Bloomed atop the mountain peak |
| En pichu poova enga | Where is my tender jasmine flower? |
| Kothu kothaa kaaicha | Fruiting in heavy clusters |
| En vellarippinja enga | Where is my young tender cucumber? |
| Male | |
| Kollaiyila kaanja | Drying in the backyard |
| En pattu selaiya paartha | Looking at my silk saree |
| Pacha maram vevum | Even green trees would burn in grief |
| Pacha kiliyellaam novum | Even green parrots would ache in distress |
| Male | |
| Attakaaliyum naandhaan | I am the dancing maiden too |
| Kottukaaliyum naandhaan | I am the drumming maiden too |
| Patti thedum mutti modhum | Searching the pen and bumping about |
| Kannukutti vaa vaa | Come, my little calf, come come |
| En kannukutti vaa vaa | My tender calf, come come |
| Male | |
| Vathipona maara naan | With my withered breast |
| Picheduthu thaaren | I shall tear open and offer feed |
| Rathama nee muthama nee | Are you my blood, are you my kiss? |
| Mothama nee vaayen | Come to me completely, oh come |
| Sathama nee vaayen | Come with a loud voice, oh come |
| Male | |
| Kanne kaananguruvi kathiduchi | Oh dear, the forest sparrow cried out |
| Kaadu medellam kathiduchi | Across forests and hills, it cried out |
| Unna kaanamunnuthaan kathiduchi | Because you were nowhere to be found, it cried out |
| Vaazhappoovu kaattukkulla | Inside the grove of banana blossoms |
| En vaasappoova naan thedaiyile | When I searched for my fragrant flower |
| Paambu onnudhaan kothiduchi | A snake bit me |
| Pacha paambu onnudhaan kothiduchi | A green snake bit me |
| Paambu onnudhaan kothiduchi | A snake bit me |
| Aahaahaahaahaah…. | Aahaahaahaahaah.... |
| Male | |
| Mandhaiyila pona | Going along with the herd |
| En varikkuthiraya enga | Where is my striped zebra horse? |
| Santhaiyila ketta | Heard about in the market |
| En seeni kezhanga enga | Where is my sweet potato? |
| Male | |
| Aathukkulla neenthum | Swimming in the river |
| Antha kokku meena | If I look at that stork and fish |
| Naanum paarthaa | My heart pounds in agony |
| Nenja mutti modhum | It pecks at my eyes and carries them away |
| En kanna kothi kondu povum | Oh, I am the mother who gave birth |
| Male | |
| Ae pethathaayum naanthaan | I am also the ghost that consumed |
| Thinna peyum naanthaan | Running away in fear, escaping and running |
| Anji odum thappi odum | Come, darling child, come come |
| Sellakkutti vaa vaa | Come, block of gold, come come |
| Thangakatti vaa vaa | Oh, with my withered breast |
| Male | |
| Ae vathipona maara naan | I shall tear open and offer feed |
| Picheduthu thaaren | Are you my blood, are you my kiss? |
| Rathama nee muthama nee | Come to me completely, oh come |
| Mothama nee vaayen | Come with a loud voice, oh come |
| Sathama nee vaayen | Oh dear, the forest fire caught ablaze |
| Male | |
| Kanne kaattu theeyumdhan pathiduchi | Across houses and lands, it caught ablaze |
| Veedu naadellam pathiduchi | Because you were nowhere to be seen, it caught ablaze |
| Unna kaanamunnuthaan pathiduchi | Within the cluster of Korandi flowers |
| Korandippoovu koottukkulla | When I searched for a single drop of honey |
| Oru sottu thena naanum thedaiyile | A scorpion stung me |
| Thelu onnudhaan kothiduchi | A black scorpion stung me |
| Karunthelu onnudhaan kothiduchi | A scorpion stung me |
| Thelu onnudhaan kothiduchi | A scorpion stung me |
| Thelu onnudhaan kothiduchi | Yayyaaaaaahh |
| Female | |
| Yayyaaaaaahh | I am the sinner, I am the sinner |
| Female | |
| Naan paadhavathi naan paadhavathi | I am the sinner who let you slip away |
| Unna thappavitta naan paadhavathi | I am the sinner who let you run away |
| Unna odavitta naan paadhavathi | I am the sinner who let you fly away |
| Unna parakka vitta naan paadhavathi | I am the sinner, I am the sinner |
| Female | |
| Naan paadhavathi naan paadhavathi | I am the sinner, I am the sinner |
| Naan paadhavathi naan paadhavathi | I am the sinner, I am the sinner |
| Naan paadhavathi naan paadhavathi | Yayyaaaaaahh |
| Yayyaaaaaahh | |
யப்பா நீ போனவழி
பாதையில மண்டியிட்ட பாதவத்தி
நான் மண்டியிட்ட பாதவத்தி
யய்யா உன் புஞ்சிரிப்பு
ரேகையில தீக்குழிச்ச பாதவத்தி
நான் தீக்குளிச்ச பாதவத்தி
Oh father, along the path you walked
I am the sinner who knelt on that path
I am the sinner who knelt down
Oh lord, your gentle smile
I am the sinner who bathed in fire within palm lines
I am the sinner who bathed in fire
ஒத்தபன கீத்துக்குள்ள
ஓத ரூவா மின்னயில
பத்துதால கேட்குமுன்னு
பாதவத்தி நம்பலையே
நான் பாதவத்தி நம்பலையே
பாதவத்தி நம்பலையே
Inside the lone palm leaf shade
When a single rupee glistened
That ten heads would be demanded
This sinner did not believe
I, the sinner, did not believe
This sinner did not believe
பட்ட மரம் காய்க்குமுன்னு
பத்து கதை கேட்டிருந்தேன்
மொத்த மரம் போவமுன்னு
பாதவத்தி நம்பலையே
நான் பாதவத்தி நம்பலையே
நான் பாதவத்தி நம்பலையே
That a dried tree would bear fruit
I had heard ten stories
That the entire tree would perish
This sinner did not believe
I, the sinner, did not believe
I, the sinner, did not believe
மலை உச்சியில பூத்த
என் பிச்சு பூவ எங்க
கொத்து கொத்தா காய்ச்ச
என் வெள்ளரிப்பிஞ்சா எங்க
Bloomed atop the mountain peak
Where is my tender jasmine flower?
Fruiting in heavy clusters
Where is my young tender cucumber?
கொல்லையில காஞ்ச
என் பாட்டு சேலையா பார்த்தா
பச்சை மரம் வேவும்
பச்சை கிளியெல்லாம் நோவும்
Drying in the backyard
Looking at my silk saree
Even green trees would burn in grief
Even green parrots would ache in distress
அட்டகாளியும் நான்தான்
கொட்டுகாளியும் நான்தான்
பட்டி தேடும் முட்டி மோதும்
கண்ணுக்குட்டி வா வா
என் கண்ணுக்குட்டி வா வா
I am the dancing maiden too
I am the drumming maiden too
Searching the pen and bumping about
Come, my little calf, come come
My tender calf, come come
வத்திபோன மார நான்
பிச்செடுத்து தாரேன்
ரத்தமா நீ முத்தமா நீ
மொத்தமா நீ வாயேன்
சத்தமா நீ வாயேன்
With my withered breast
I shall tear open and offer feed
Are you my blood, are you my kiss?
Come to me completely, oh come
Come with a loud voice, oh come
கண்ணே காணங்குருவி கத்திடுச்சி
காடு மேடெல்லாம் கத்திடுச்சி
உன்ன காணமுன்னுதான் கத்திடுச்சி
வாழப்பூவு காட்டுக்குள்ள
என் வாசப்பூவ நான் தேடயிலே
பாம்பு ஒண்ணுதான் கொத்திடுச்சி
பச்சை பாம்பு ஒண்ணுதான் கொத்திடுச்சி
பாம்பு ஒண்ணுதான் கொத்திடுச்சி
ஆஆஆ….
Oh dear, the forest sparrow cried out
Across forests and hills, it cried out
Because you were nowhere to be found, it cried out
Inside the grove of banana blossoms
When I searched for my fragrant flower
A snake bit me
A green snake bit me
A snake bit me
Aahaahaahaahaah....
மந்தையில போனா
என் வரிக்குதிரய எங்க
சந்தையில கேட்ட
என் சீனி கெழங்க எங்க
Going along with the herd
Where is my striped zebra horse?
Heard about in the market
Where is my sweet potato?
ஆத்துக்குள்ள நீந்தும்
அந்த கொக்கு மீனா நானும் பார்த்தா
நெஞ்ச முட்டு மோதும்
என் கண்ண கொத்தி கொண்டு போவும்
Swimming in the river
If I look at that stork and fish
My heart pounds in agony
It pecks at my eyes and carries them away
Oh, I am the mother who gave birth
ஏ பெத்ததாயும் நான்தான்
தின்ன பேயும் நான்தான்
அஞ்சி ஓடும் தப்பி ஓடும்
செல்லக்குட்டி வா வா
தங்ககட்டி வா வா
I am also the ghost that consumed
Running away in fear, escaping and running
Come, darling child, come come
Come, block of gold, come come
Oh, with my withered breast
ஏ வத்திபோன மாற
நான் பிச்செடுத்து தாறேன்
ரத்தமா நீ முத்தமா நீ
மொத்தமா நீ வாயேன்
சத்தமா நீ வாயேன்
I shall tear open and offer feed
Are you my blood, are you my kiss?
Come to me completely, oh come
Come with a loud voice, oh come
Oh dear, the forest fire caught ablaze
கண்ணே காட்டு தீயும்தான் பத்திடுச்சி
வீடு நாடெல்லாம் பத்திடுச்சி
உன்ன காணமுன்னுதான் பத்திடுச்சி
கொரண்டிப்பூவு கூட்டுக்குள்ள
ஒரு சொட்டு தேன நானும் தேடியிலே
தேளு ஒண்ணுதான் கொத்திடுச்சி
கருந்தேளு ஒண்ணுதான் கொத்திடுச்சி
தேளு ஒண்ணுதான் கொத்திடுச்சி
தேளு ஒண்ணுதான் கொத்திடுச்சி
Across houses and lands, it caught ablaze
Because you were nowhere to be seen, it caught ablaze
Within the cluster of Korandi flowers
When I searched for a single drop of honey
A scorpion stung me
A black scorpion stung me
A scorpion stung me
A scorpion stung me
Yayyaaaaaahh
அய்யா…
I am the sinner, I am the sinner
நான் பாதவத்தி நான் பாதவத்தி
உன்ன தப்பவிட்ட நான் பாதவத்தி
உன்ன ஓடவிட்ட நான் பாதவத்தி
உன்ன பறக்க விட்ட நான் பாதவத்தி
I am the sinner who let you slip away
I am the sinner who let you run away
I am the sinner who let you fly away
I am the sinner, I am the sinner
நான் பாதவத்தி நான் பாதவத்தி
நான் பாதவத்தி நான் பாதவத்தி
நான் பாதவத்தி நான் பாதவத்தி
I am the sinner, I am the sinner
I am the sinner, I am the sinner
Yayyaaaaaahh
Yappa nee ponavazhi
Oh father, along the path you walked
Paadhaiyila mandiyitta paadhavathi
I am the sinner who knelt on that path
Naan mandiyitta paadhavathi
I am the sinner who knelt down
Yaiya un punchirippu
Oh lord, your gentle smile
Regaiyila theekkulicha paadhavathi
I am the sinner who bathed in fire within palm lines
Naan theekkulicha paadhavathi
I am the sinner who bathed in fire
Othapana keethukkulla
Inside the lone palm leaf shade
Otha roova minnayila
When a single rupee glistened
Pathuthala ketkumunnu
That ten heads would be demanded
Paadhavathi nambalaiye
This sinner did not believe
Naan paadhavathi nambalaiye
I, the sinner, did not believe
Paadhavathi nambalaiye
This sinner did not believe
Patta maram kaaikkumnunnu
That a dried tree would bear fruit
Pathu kadha kettirunthen
I had heard ten stories
Motha maram povumunnu
That the entire tree would perish
Paadhavathi nambalaiye
This sinner did not believe
Naan paadhavathi nambalaiye
I, the sinner, did not believe
Naan paadhavathi nambalaiye
I, the sinner, did not believe
Mala uchiyila pootha
Bloomed atop the mountain peak
En pichu poova enga
Where is my tender jasmine flower?
Kothu kothaa kaaicha
Fruiting in heavy clusters
En vellarippinja enga
Where is my young tender cucumber?
Kollaiyila kaanja
Drying in the backyard
En pattu selaiya paartha
Looking at my silk saree
Pacha maram vevum
Even green trees would burn in grief
Pacha kiliyellaam novum
Even green parrots would ache in distress
Attakaaliyum naandhaan
I am the dancing maiden too
Kottukaaliyum naandhaan
I am the drumming maiden too
Patti thedum mutti modhum
Searching the pen and bumping about
Kannukutti vaa vaa
Come, my little calf, come come
En kannukutti vaa vaa
My tender calf, come come
Vathipona maara naan
With my withered breast
Picheduthu thaaren
I shall tear open and offer feed
Rathama nee muthama nee
Are you my blood, are you my kiss?
Mothama nee vaayen
Come to me completely, oh come
Sathama nee vaayen
Come with a loud voice, oh come
Kanne kaananguruvi kathiduchi
Oh dear, the forest sparrow cried out
Kaadu medellam kathiduchi
Across forests and hills, it cried out
Unna kaanamunnuthaan kathiduchi
Because you were nowhere to be found, it cried out
Vaazhappoovu kaattukkulla
Inside the grove of banana blossoms
En vaasappoova naan thedaiyile
When I searched for my fragrant flower
Paambu onnudhaan kothiduchi
A snake bit me
Pacha paambu onnudhaan kothiduchi
A green snake bit me
Paambu onnudhaan kothiduchi
A snake bit me
Aahaahaahaahaah….
Aahaahaahaahaah....
Mandhaiyila pona
Going along with the herd
En varikkuthiraya enga
Where is my striped zebra horse?
Santhaiyila ketta
Heard about in the market
En seeni kezhanga enga
Where is my sweet potato?
Aathukkulla neenthum
Swimming in the river
Antha kokku meena
If I look at that stork and fish
Naanum paarthaa
My heart pounds in agony
Nenja mutti modhum
It pecks at my eyes and carries them away
En kanna kothi kondu povum
Oh, I am the mother who gave birth
Ae pethathaayum naanthaan
I am also the ghost that consumed
Thinna peyum naanthaan
Running away in fear, escaping and running
Anji odum thappi odum
Come, darling child, come come
Sellakkutti vaa vaa
Come, block of gold, come come
Thangakatti vaa vaa
Oh, with my withered breast
Ae vathipona maara naan
I shall tear open and offer feed
Picheduthu thaaren
Are you my blood, are you my kiss?
Rathama nee muthama nee
Come to me completely, oh come
Mothama nee vaayen
Come with a loud voice, oh come
Sathama nee vaayen
Oh dear, the forest fire caught ablaze
Kanne kaattu theeyumdhan pathiduchi
Across houses and lands, it caught ablaze
Veedu naadellam pathiduchi
Because you were nowhere to be seen, it caught ablaze
Unna kaanamunnuthaan pathiduchi
Within the cluster of Korandi flowers
Korandippoovu koottukkulla
When I searched for a single drop of honey
Oru sottu thena naanum thedaiyile
A scorpion stung me
Thelu onnudhaan kothiduchi
A black scorpion stung me
Karunthelu onnudhaan kothiduchi
A scorpion stung me
Thelu onnudhaan kothiduchi
A scorpion stung me
Thelu onnudhaan kothiduchi
Yayyaaaaaahh
Yayyaaaaaahh
I am the sinner, I am the sinner
Naan paadhavathi naan paadhavathi
I am the sinner who let you slip away
Unna thappavitta naan paadhavathi
I am the sinner who let you run away
Unna odavitta naan paadhavathi
I am the sinner who let you fly away
Unna parakka vitta naan paadhavathi
I am the sinner, I am the sinner
Naan paadhavathi naan paadhavathi
I am the sinner, I am the sinner
Naan paadhavathi naan paadhavathi
I am the sinner, I am the sinner
Naan paadhavathi naan paadhavathi
Yayyaaaaaahh
Yayyaaaaaahh
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This heart-wrenching song from the movie 'Vaazhai' expresses the immense grief, guilt, and raw lamentation of a mother/elderly figure who feels responsible for the tragic loss of her young child. The lyricist Mari Selvaraj uses vivid rural imagery—banana groves, sparrows, storks, snakes, and scorpions—to paint a picture of innocence met with cruel fate. The speaker refers to herself repeatedly as 'Paadhavathi' (a sinner/unfortunate woman) for failing to protect the beloved child.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora / Repetition
“Naan paadhavathi naan paadhavathi”
The repeated use of 'Naan paadhavathi' emphasizes deep self-condemnation and maternal guilt.
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“En pichu poova enga / Thangakatti vaa vaa”
The child is affectionately compared to a tender jasmine flower ('pichu poo'), a tender cucumber ('vellarippinju'), and a block of gold ('thangakatti').
Metaphor & Personification
“Kanne kaattu theeyumdhan pathiduchi”
The forest fire catching blaze symbolizes the engulfing grief spreading through the village upon losing the child.
Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)
“Vaazhappoovu kaattukkulla / En vaasappoova naan thedaiyile”
Tamil poetic rhyme where the second letter of consecutive lines match (e.g., Vaazhappoovu / Kaasappoova / Paambu).
Did you know?
Trivia
Mari Selvaraj, the director of 'Vaazhai', wrote these raw, folk-infused lyrics based on his real-life childhood trauma in Tirunelveli. The music composition by Santhosh Narayanan blends traditional oppari (lament) folk vocals with poignant orchestral arrangements.
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