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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paattondru Paadattuma

From Vesham · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Vivek Sarathy
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Vesham1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
………………..
Male
Paattondru paadattumaaShall I sing a song?
Yaarendru kaattattumaaShall I show who I am?
Naanthaanae kalikaala manmathanI am indeed the Cupid of this modern age.
Pen dhesam arasaalum mannavanThe king ruling over the realm of women.
Vaalibarae vandugaleO young men, like bees!
Thaenmalarai killungalaenPluck the honey-filled flower!
Male
Paattondru paadattumaaShall I sing a song?
Yaarendru kaattattumaaShall I show who I am?
Naanthaanae kalikaala manmathanI am indeed the Cupid of this modern age.
Pen dhesam arasaalum mannavanThe king ruling over the realm of women.
Vaalibarae vandugaleO young men, like bees!
Thaenmalarai killungalaen…..ae…..Pluck the honey-filled flower!
Chorus
……………..
Male
Pennai maranthuForgetting woman,
Yaen piththan alainthaanWhy did the madman wander?
Illam thuranthu yaen puththan thirinthaanRenouncing home, why did Buddha roam?
Pennai maranthuForgetting woman,
Yaen piththan alainthaanWhy did the madman wander?
Illam thuranthu yaen puththan thirinthaanRenouncing home, why did Buddha roam?
Male
Pudavai nizhalthaan pothimaramaeThe shadow of a saree is the true Bodhi tree.
Vilakkai anaiththaal nyaanam varumaeIf you turn off the light, wisdom will dawn.
Aahaa pon sorkkamAha, a golden heaven,
Pen kann kaattumaeA woman's eyes will show!
Male
Paattondru paadattumaaShall I sing a song?
Yaarendru kaattattumaaShall I show who I am?
Naanthaanae kalikaala manmathanI am indeed the Cupid of this modern age.
Pen dhesam arasaalum mannavanThe king ruling over the realm of women.
Vaalibarae vandugaleO young men, like bees!
Thaenmalarai killungalaen…..Pluck the honey-filled flower!
Chorus
……………..
Male
Kattru tharuvaen oru muththa oththigaliI will teach you a rehearsal of kissing.
Muththam muzhuthum en moththa kuththagaiAll kisses are my sole monopoly.
Kattru tharuvaen oru muththa oththigaliI will teach you a rehearsal of kissing.
Muththam muzhuthum en moththa kuththagaiAll kisses are my sole monopoly.
Male
Evarum varalaam edharkku vazhakkuAnyone may come, why dispute it?
Udhattil edharkku kizhakku maerkkuWhy look for East or West on lips?
Yaaro penn yaaroWhoever that woman may be,
En thol saerppathuI embrace her on my shoulder.
Male
Paattondru paadattumaaShall I sing a song?
Yaarendru kaattattumaaShall I show who I am?
Naanthaanae kalikaala manmathanI am indeed the Cupid of this modern age.
Pen dhesam arasaalum mannavanThe king ruling over the realm of women.
Vaalibarae vandugaleO young men, like bees!
Thaenmalarai killungalaen…..Pluck the honey-filled flower!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and seductive song presents the protagonist proclaiming himself as the modern-day Manmatha (Cupid) who reigns supreme over the kingdom of romantic desire. Addressing young men as bees drawn to flowers, he encourages them to freely partake in romance and celebrate bodily pleasures without hesitation. Through witty and subversively humorous lyrics, Vairamuthu contrasts ascetic ideals with sensory indulgence, questioning why figures like Buddha gave up worldly life. The song argues that true paradise and wisdom are found in the warmth and gaze of a woman, presenting romantic love as the ultimate enlightenment.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Vaalibarae vandugale

Compares young men directly to bees seeking honeyed flowers, enhancing the sensual mood of the track.

End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Paattondru paadattumaa

Consecutive lines end with matching phonetic sounds ('paadattumaa' / 'kaattattumaa') creating a memorable rhythmic flow.

Irony / Subversion

Pudavai nizhalthaan pothimaramae

Playfully turns spiritual enlightenment on its head by calling a saree's shade the Bodhi tree and turning off lights the path to wisdom.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by lyricist Vairamuthu for the 1985 movie 'Vesham', the lyrics feature his signature witty wordplay that cleverly twists solemn spiritual metaphors—like Buddha's enlightenment—into lighthearted, sensual commentary.

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