Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paalu Vikkira Pathumma

From Delhi To Madras · 1972

Lyricist
Mayavanathan
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, K. Swarna
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Delhi To Madras1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Paalu vikkira paththummaaPathumma, the milk seller woman
Un paalu rompa suththammaYour milk is very pure, dear woman
Aiyyo amma vetkkammaaOh my, oh my, it brings shyness!
Adhuthaan ippo michchammaa haangThat is the only thing left now, haang!
Adhuthaan ippo michchammaaThat is the only thing left now!
Female
Palichchinnu kettuduvaenI will ask directly and clearly
Pattunnu thookki pottuduvaenI will knock you down instantly!
Palichchinnu kettuduvaenI will ask directly and clearly
Pattunnu thookki pottuduvaenI will knock you down instantly!
Adippathu pooraavum single teaEverything drank here is just single tea
Adippathu pooraavum single teaEverything drank here is just single tea
Thalaiyil iruppathu pooraavum emptyEverything inside the head is empty
Thalaiyil iruppathu pooraavum emptyEverything inside the head is empty
Male
Paalu vikkira paththummaaPathumma, the milk seller woman
Un paalu rompa suththammaYour milk is very pure, dear woman
Aiyyo amma vetkkammaaOh my, oh my, it brings shyness!
Adhuthaan ippo michchammaa haangThat is the only thing left now, haang!
Adhuthaan ippo michchammaaThat is the only thing left now!
Female
Ambikapathi kadhalichchaanAmbikapathi fell in love
Appuram ennaannaanAnd then what happened?
Ambikapathi kadhalichchaanAmbikapathi fell in love
Appuram ennaannaanAnd then what happened?
Male
Ambujam appanai konnu pottuHe killed Ambujam's father
Jailukku ponaanAnd went straight to prison
Ambujam appanai konnu pottuHe killed Ambujam's father
Jailukku ponaanAnd went straight to prison
Female
Anaarkaliyai kadhalichchaWhen Anarkali fell in love
Akpar ennaannnaanWhat did Akbar do?
Anaarkaliyai kadhalichchaWhen Anarkali fell in love
Akpar ennaannnaanWhat did Akbar do?
Male :Aiyyo paavam kalyaanam panniOh poor thing, getting married
Avanum maattikkittaan….Even he got trapped...
Avanum maattikkittaan….Even he got trapped...
Male
Paalu vikkira paththummaaPathumma, the milk seller woman
Un paalu rompa suththammaYour milk is very pure, dear woman
Aiyyo amma vetkkammaaOh my, oh my, it brings shyness!
Adhuthaan ippo michchammaa haangThat is the only thing left now, haang!
Adhuthaan ippo michchammaaThat is the only thing left now!
Female
Thaeyilaiyum paalum saeraWhen tea leaves and milk combine
Enna undaagumWhat comes into existence?
Thaeyilaiyum paalum saeraWhen tea leaves and milk combine
Enna undaagumWhat comes into existence?
Male
Thirumbi varaa ulagai kaattumIt shows a world that never returns
Single tea aagumIt turns into single tea
Thirumbi varaa ulagai kaattumIt shows a world that never returns
Single tea aagumIt turns into single tea
Female
Kalyaanam naam panni kondaaIf we both get married
Kadaiyum ennaagumWhat will happen to the tea shop?
Kalyaanam naam panni kondaaIf we both get married
Kadaiyum ennaagumWhat will happen to the tea shop?
Male
Kavalai pattu aavathennaWhat is the point of worrying?
Namma kallaa dull aagumOur cash counter will go dull
Kavalai pattu aavathennaWhat is the point of worrying?
Namma kallaa dull aagumOur cash counter will go dull
Male
Paalu vikkira paththummaaPathumma, the milk seller woman
Un paalu rompa suththammaYour milk is very pure, dear woman
Aiyyo amma vetkkammaaOh my, oh my, it brings shyness!
Adhuthaan ippo michchammaa haangThat is the only thing left now, haang!
Adhuthaan ippo michchammaaThat is the only thing left now!
Adhuthaan ippo michchammaaThat is the only thing left now!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Paalu vikkira paththummaa' from the 1972 film 'Delhi To Madras' is a humorous duet between a tea shop owner and a milkmaid named Pathumma. Through witty banter, the characters exchange playful quips about love, marriage, tea-making, and historical lovers like Ambikapathi and Anarkali. They weigh the practical side of romance against business concerns like cash flow at the tea counter. Composed by V. Kumar with lyrics by Mayavanathan, the song features energetic vocals by Malaysia Vasudevan and K. Swarna. Its lighthearted rhythm and folk-style comedy make it a lively highlight of the movie's soundtrack.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monorhyme / Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Paalu vikkira paththummaa / Un paalu rompa suththamma

The repetition of 'mmii' / '-mmaa' endings ('paththummaa', 'suththamma', 'vetkkammaa', 'michchammaa') creates a rhythmic, musical cadence across the refrain.

Alliteration (Monaai)

Palichchinnu kettuduvaen / Pattunnu thookki pottuduvaen

Repetition of initial phonetic sounds such as 'Palichchinnu' and 'Pattunnu' provides an upbeat, energetic acoustic flow.

Metaphor

Thaeyilaiyum paalum saera / Enna undaagum ... Single tea aagum

Comparing life and love to 'single tea' made from mixing milk and tea leaves symbolises simple, everyday working-class realities.

Did you know?

Trivia

This fun duet features early playback singing work by iconic singer Malaysia Vasudevan, showcasing his signature comic timing and energetic delivery alongside K. Swarna.

Keep listening

More from Delhi To Madras