Paakku Vethala Pottean
From My Dear Marthandan · 1990
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- My Dear Marthandan1990
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Paakku veththala pottaen paththala | I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough, |
| Ponnu paarththaalae | When she looked at the bride. |
| Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu | Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu |
| Male :Oru paakku veththala pottaen paththala | Male: I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough, |
| Parisham pottathaalae | Because the betrothal token was given. |
| Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu | Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu |
| Male | |
| Aaththaadi raasaaththi adichchaalae soodaeththi | Oh my, the princess raised the heat! |
| Pudichchen oru kombu adhu puliyam poongombu | I caught hold of a strong branch, a tamarind flower branch. |
| Chorus :Pudichchaan oru kombu adhu puliyam poongombu | Chorus: He caught hold of a strong branch, a tamarind flower branch. |
| Male | |
| Paakku veththala pottaen paththala | I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough, |
| Ponnu paarththaalae | When she looked at the bride. |
| Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu | Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu |
| Male :Oru paakku veththala pottaen paththala | Male: I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough, |
| Parisham pottathaalae | Because the betrothal token was given. |
| Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu | Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu |
| Male | |
| Paadhi kannaalae saethi sonnaalae | With half a glance of her eyes, she conveyed the news, |
| Piththa naadi sathamaachchu | My pulse began racing loudly. |
| Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu | Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu |
| Male :Mogam thaangaama thegam thoongaama | Male: Unable to bear the passion, my body unable to sleep, |
| Motta maadi kettupochchu | The open terrace got ruined. |
| Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu | Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu |
| Male | |
| Soodum undaachchu moodum vanthachchu | Heat was generated, the mood arrived, |
| Jodi naan searththaan | I joined with my partner. |
| Soodum undaachchu moodum vanthachchu | Heat was generated, the mood arrived, |
| Jodi naan searththaan | I joined with my partner. |
| Male | |
| Kadhal sangathi | Love affairs, |
| Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu dagudu | Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu dagudu |
| Male :Koorum sundhari | Male: Told by the beautiful maiden, |
| Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu dagudu | Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu dagudu |
| Male :Maalai sooda velai kooda | Male: To wear the garland as the time arrives, |
| Bodhai yaera aasai theera hoi | For excitement to rise and desires to be fulfilled, hey! |
| Male | |
| Paakku veththala pottaen paththala | I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough, |
| Ponnu paarththaalae | When she looked at the bride. |
| Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu | Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu |
| Male :Oru paakku veththala pottaen paththala | Male: I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough, |
| Parisham pottathaalae | Because the betrothal token was given. |
| Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu | Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu |
| Male | |
| Aaththaadi rasaaththi adichchaalae soodaeththi | Oh my, the princess raised the heat! |
| Pudichchen oru kombu adhu puliyam poongombu | I caught hold of a strong branch, a tamarind flower branch. |
| Chorus :Pudichchaan oru kombu adhu puliyam poongombu | Chorus: He caught hold of a strong branch, a tamarind flower branch. |
| Male | |
| Paakku veththala pottaen paththala | I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough, |
| Ponnu paarththaalae | When she looked at the bride. |
| Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu | Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu |
| Male :Oru paakku veththala pottaen paththala | Male: I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough, |
| Parisham pottathaalae | Because the betrothal token was given. |
| Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu | Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu |
| Male | |
| Naadu poorAavum thedi paarththaalum | Even if you search across the entire country, |
| Nammaalu pola yaedhu | Where will you find anyone like our girl? |
| Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu | Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu |
| Male :Maman naanaaga paavam thaanaaga | Male: As I became the rightful groom, naturally, |
| Vaasal thaedi vantha maadhu | The maiden came searching for my doorstep. |
| Male | |
| Aala paarththaachchu maalai pottaachchu | Saw the person, put on the garland, |
| Jodi saernthaachchu | Joined as a couple. |
| Aala paarththaachchu maalai pottaachchu | Saw the person, put on the garland, |
| Jodi saernthaachchu | Joined as a couple. |
| Male | |
| Paalai kaachchudaa | Boil the milk! |
| Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu dagudu | Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu dagudu |
| Male :Payai podudaa | Male: Lay out the mat! |
| Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu dagudu | Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu dagudu |
| Male :Vaasam veesum rosa poovai | Male: The fragrant blooming rose flowers, |
| Vaangi vanthu thoovu thoovu hoi | Go buy them and scatter them, sprinkle them, hey! |
| Male | |
| Aaththaadi raasaaththi adichchaalae soodaeththi | Oh my, the princess raised the heat! |
| Pudichchen oru kombu adhu puliyam poongombu | I caught hold of a strong branch, a tamarind flower branch. |
| Chorus :Pudichchaan oru kombu | Chorus: He caught hold of a branch, |
| Male :Haan | Male: Haan! |
| Chorus :Adhu puliyam poongombu | Chorus: That tamarind flower branch. |
| Male :Adattadadaa | Male: Adattadadaa! |
| Male | |
| Paakku veththala pottaen paththala | I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough, |
| Ponnu paarththaalae | When she looked at the bride. |
| Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu | Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu |
| Male :Oru paakku veththala pottaen paththala | Male: I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough, |
| Parisham pottathaalae | Because the betrothal token was given. |
| Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu | Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu |
பாக்கு வெத்தல போட்டேன் பத்தல
பொண்ணு பார்த்ததாலே
குழு :
டுகுடு டகுடு டுகுடு
ஒரு பாக்கு வெத்தல போட்டேன் பத்தல
பரிசம் போட்டதாலே
குழு :
டுகுடு டகுடு டுகுடு
I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough,
When she looked at the bride.
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Male: I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough,
Because the betrothal token was given.
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu
ஆத்தாடி ராசாத்தி அடிச்சாளே சூடேத்தி
புடிச்சேன் ஒரு கொம்பு அது புளியம் பூங்கொம்பு
குழு :
புடிச்சான் ஒரு கொம்பு அது புளியம் பூங்கொம்பு
Oh my, the princess raised the heat!
I caught hold of a strong branch, a tamarind flower branch.
Chorus: He caught hold of a strong branch, a tamarind flower branch.
பாக்கு வெத்தல போட்டேன் பத்தல
பொண்ணு பார்த்ததாலே
குழு :
டுகுடு டகுடு டுகுடு
ஒரு பாக்கு வெத்தல போட்டேன் பத்தல
பரிசம் போட்டதாலே
குழு :
டுகுடு டகுடு டுகுடு
I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough,
When she looked at the bride.
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Male: I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough,
Because the betrothal token was given.
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu
பாதிக் கண்ணாலே சேதி சொன்னாளே
பித்த நாடி சத்தமாச்சு
குழு :
டுகுடு டகுடு டுகுடு
மோகம் தாங்காம தேகம் தூங்காம
மொட்ட மாடி கெட்டுப்போச்சு
குழு :
டுகுடு டகுடு டுகுடு
With half a glance of her eyes, she conveyed the news,
My pulse began racing loudly.
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Male: Unable to bear the passion, my body unable to sleep,
The open terrace got ruined.
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu
சூடும் உண்டாச்சு மூடும் வந்தாச்சு
ஜோடி நான் சேரத்தான்
சூடும் உண்டாச்சு மூடும் வந்தாச்சு
ஜோடி நான் சேரத்தான்
Heat was generated, the mood arrived,
I joined with my partner.
Heat was generated, the mood arrived,
I joined with my partner.
காதல் சங்கதி
குழு :
டுகுடு டகுடு டுகுடு டகுடு
கூறும் சுந்தரி
குழு :
டுகுடு டகுடு டுகுடு டகுடு
மாலை சூட வேளை கூட
போதை ஏற ஆசை தீர ஹோய்
Love affairs,
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu dagudu
Male: Told by the beautiful maiden,
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu dagudu
Male: To wear the garland as the time arrives,
For excitement to rise and desires to be fulfilled, hey!
அட பாக்கு வெத்தல போட்டேன் பத்தல
பொண்ணு பார்த்ததாலே
குழு :
டுகுடு டகுடு டுகுடு
ஒரு பாக்கு வெத்தல போட்டேன் பத்தல
பரிசம் போட்டதாலே
குழு :
டுகுடு டகுடு டுகுடு
I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough,
When she looked at the bride.
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Male: I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough,
Because the betrothal token was given.
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu
ஆத்தாடி ராசாத்தி அடிச்சாளே சூடேத்தி
புடிச்சேன் ஒரு கொம்பு அது புளியம் பூங்கொம்பு ஹான்
குழு :
புடிச்சான் ஒரு கொம்பு அது புளியம் பூங்கொம்பு
Oh my, the princess raised the heat!
I caught hold of a strong branch, a tamarind flower branch.
Chorus: He caught hold of a strong branch, a tamarind flower branch.
பாக்கு வெத்தல போட்டேன் பத்தல
பொண்ணு பார்த்ததாலே
குழு :
டுகுடு டகுடு டுகுடு
ஒரு பாக்கு வெத்தல போட்டேன் பத்தல
பரிசம் போட்டதாலே
குழு :
டுகுடு டகுடு டுகுடு
I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough,
When she looked at the bride.
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Male: I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough,
Because the betrothal token was given.
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu
நாடு பூராவும் தேடிப் பார்த்தாலும்
நம்மாளு போல ஏது
குழு :
டுகுடு டகுடு டுகுடு
மாமன் நானாக பாவம் தானாக
வாசல் தேடி வந்த மாது
குழு :
டுகுடு டகுடு டுகுடு
Even if you search across the entire country,
Where will you find anyone like our girl?
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Male: As I became the rightful groom, naturally,
The maiden came searching for my doorstep.
ஆளப் பார்த்தாச்சு மாலை போட்டாச்சு
ஜோடி சேர்ந்தாச்சம்மா
ஆளப் பார்த்தாச்சு மாலை போட்டாச்சு
ஜோடி சேர்ந்தாச்சம்மா
Saw the person, put on the garland,
Joined as a couple.
Saw the person, put on the garland,
Joined as a couple.
பாலைக் காச்சுடா
குழு :
டுகுடு டகுடு டுகுடு டகுடு
பாயைப் போடுடா
குழு :
டுகுடு டகுடு டுகுடு டகுடு
வாசம் வீசும் ரோசாப் பூவை
வாங்கி வந்து தூவு தூவு ஹேய்
Boil the milk!
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu dagudu
Male: Lay out the mat!
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu dagudu
Male: The fragrant blooming rose flowers,
Go buy them and scatter them, sprinkle them, hey!
அட பாக்கு வெத்தல போட்டேன் பத்தல
பொண்ணு பார்த்ததாலே
குழு :
டுகுடு டகுடு டுகுடு
ஒரு பாக்கு வெத்தல போட்டேன் பத்தல
பரிசம் போட்டதாலே
குழு :
டுகுடு டகுடு டுகுடு
Oh my, the princess raised the heat!
I caught hold of a strong branch, a tamarind flower branch.
Chorus: He caught hold of a branch,
Male: Haan!
Chorus: That tamarind flower branch.
Male: Adattadadaa!
ஆத்தாடி ராசாத்தி அடிச்சாளே சூடேத்தி
புடிச்சேன் ஒரு கொம்பு அது புளியம் பூங்கொம்பு
குழு :
புடிச்சான் ஒரு கொம்பு
ஹான்
குழு :
அது புளியம் பூங்கொம்பு
அடட்ட்ட்டா
I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough,
When she looked at the bride.
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Male: I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough,
Because the betrothal token was given.
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu
பாக்கு வெத்தல போட்டேன் பத்தல
பொண்ணு பார்த்ததாலே
குழு :
டுகுடு டகுடு டுகுடு
ஒரு பாக்கு வெத்தல போட்டேன் பத்தல
பரிசம் போட்டதாலே
குழு :
டுகுடு டகுடு டுகுடு
Paakku veththala pottaen paththala
I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough,
Ponnu paarththaalae
When she looked at the bride.
Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Male :Oru paakku veththala pottaen paththala
Male: I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough,
Parisham pottathaalae
Because the betrothal token was given.
Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Aaththaadi raasaaththi adichchaalae soodaeththi
Oh my, the princess raised the heat!
Pudichchen oru kombu adhu puliyam poongombu
I caught hold of a strong branch, a tamarind flower branch.
Chorus :Pudichchaan oru kombu adhu puliyam poongombu
Chorus: He caught hold of a strong branch, a tamarind flower branch.
Paakku veththala pottaen paththala
I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough,
Ponnu paarththaalae
When she looked at the bride.
Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Male :Oru paakku veththala pottaen paththala
Male: I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough,
Parisham pottathaalae
Because the betrothal token was given.
Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Paadhi kannaalae saethi sonnaalae
With half a glance of her eyes, she conveyed the news,
Piththa naadi sathamaachchu
My pulse began racing loudly.
Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Male :Mogam thaangaama thegam thoongaama
Male: Unable to bear the passion, my body unable to sleep,
Motta maadi kettupochchu
The open terrace got ruined.
Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Soodum undaachchu moodum vanthachchu
Heat was generated, the mood arrived,
Jodi naan searththaan
I joined with my partner.
Soodum undaachchu moodum vanthachchu
Heat was generated, the mood arrived,
Jodi naan searththaan
I joined with my partner.
Kadhal sangathi
Love affairs,
Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu dagudu
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu dagudu
Male :Koorum sundhari
Male: Told by the beautiful maiden,
Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu dagudu
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu dagudu
Male :Maalai sooda velai kooda
Male: To wear the garland as the time arrives,
Bodhai yaera aasai theera hoi
For excitement to rise and desires to be fulfilled, hey!
Paakku veththala pottaen paththala
I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough,
Ponnu paarththaalae
When she looked at the bride.
Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Male :Oru paakku veththala pottaen paththala
Male: I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough,
Parisham pottathaalae
Because the betrothal token was given.
Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Aaththaadi rasaaththi adichchaalae soodaeththi
Oh my, the princess raised the heat!
Pudichchen oru kombu adhu puliyam poongombu
I caught hold of a strong branch, a tamarind flower branch.
Chorus :Pudichchaan oru kombu adhu puliyam poongombu
Chorus: He caught hold of a strong branch, a tamarind flower branch.
Paakku veththala pottaen paththala
I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough,
Ponnu paarththaalae
When she looked at the bride.
Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Male :Oru paakku veththala pottaen paththala
Male: I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough,
Parisham pottathaalae
Because the betrothal token was given.
Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Naadu poorAavum thedi paarththaalum
Even if you search across the entire country,
Nammaalu pola yaedhu
Where will you find anyone like our girl?
Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Male :Maman naanaaga paavam thaanaaga
Male: As I became the rightful groom, naturally,
Vaasal thaedi vantha maadhu
The maiden came searching for my doorstep.
Aala paarththaachchu maalai pottaachchu
Saw the person, put on the garland,
Jodi saernthaachchu
Joined as a couple.
Aala paarththaachchu maalai pottaachchu
Saw the person, put on the garland,
Jodi saernthaachchu
Joined as a couple.
Paalai kaachchudaa
Boil the milk!
Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu dagudu
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu dagudu
Male :Payai podudaa
Male: Lay out the mat!
Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu dagudu
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu dagudu
Male :Vaasam veesum rosa poovai
Male: The fragrant blooming rose flowers,
Vaangi vanthu thoovu thoovu hoi
Go buy them and scatter them, sprinkle them, hey!
Aaththaadi raasaaththi adichchaalae soodaeththi
Oh my, the princess raised the heat!
Pudichchen oru kombu adhu puliyam poongombu
I caught hold of a strong branch, a tamarind flower branch.
Chorus :Pudichchaan oru kombu
Chorus: He caught hold of a branch,
Male :Haan
Male: Haan!
Chorus :Adhu puliyam poongombu
Chorus: That tamarind flower branch.
Male :Adattadadaa
Male: Adattadadaa!
Paakku veththala pottaen paththala
I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough,
Ponnu paarththaalae
When she looked at the bride.
Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Male :Oru paakku veththala pottaen paththala
Male: I chewed betel nut and leaf, but it wasn't enough,
Parisham pottathaalae
Because the betrothal token was given.
Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Chorus: Dugudu dagudu dugudu
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This upbeat Tamil folk song expresses the protagonist's thrill and overwhelming excitement after securing his formal engagement (parisham) to his beloved. He sings about how a single romantic glance from her makes his pulse race and keeps him restless at night. Celebrating his good fortune in securing a prize match, he looks forward eagerly to the wedding rituals and the upcoming nuptial night, instructing everyone to prepare the boiled milk, lay out the mat, and shower rose petals.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (உவமை/உருவகம்)
“Pudichchen oru kombu adhu puliyam poongombu”
The phrase 'puliyam poongombu' (tamarind flower branch) is a traditional Tamil metaphor referring to securing a wealthy, stable, or highly desirable alliance or support.
Monai / Alliteration (மோனை)
“Paakku veththala pottaen paththala”
Repetition of initial consonant sound 'P' across consecutive words ('Paakku', 'pottaen', 'paththala', 'Ponnu', 'paarththaalae').
Edhugai / Rhyme (எதுகை)
“Male :Mogam thaangaama thegam thoongaama”
Rhyming second letter sound '-gaa-' in 'thaangaama' and 'thoongaama'.
Onomatopoeia (ஒலிக்குறிப்பு)
“Chorus :Dugudu dagudu dugudu”
Rhythmic folk vocalization ('Dugudu dagudu') mimicking traditional percussion beat rhythms.
Did you know?
Trivia
'My Dear Marthandan' (1990) was directed by Prathap K. Pothan and stars Prabhu and Kushboo in the lead roles. The film's music was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Gangai Amaran. The song relies heavily on native Tamil wedding idioms and lively folk rhythm structures.
Keep listening
More from My Dear Marthandan
My Dear Marthandan
My Dear Marthandan
My Dear Marthandan
My Dear Marthandan
My Dear Marthandan
My Dear Marthandan