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Deivathin Deivam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Paattu Paada

From Deivathin Deivam · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Movie name
Deivathin Deivam
Movie release year
1962
Lyrics added on
5 Jun 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Paattu paada vaayeduthaen yeleloo
Adhu paadhaiyilae ninnu pochae yeleloo
Paattu paada vaayeduthaen yeleloo
Adhu paadhaiyilae ninnu pochae yeleloo
Pesa oru kiliyeduthaen yelelo
Pesa oru kiliyeduthaen yelelo
Adhu pesu munnae parandhu pochae yelelo
Palliyarai kaanalaiyae
Paaleduthu kodukkaliyae
Thulli vandhu paarkkaliyae
Thottu vilaiyaadaliyae
Vakkanaiyaa soraakki yelelo
Naan pachai elai podaliayae yelelo
Vakkanaiyaa soraakki yelelo
Naan pachai elai podaliayae yelelo
Vaayinikka unnalaiyae yelelo
Vaayinikka unnalaiyae yelelo
Naan manam kulira paarkkalaiyae yelelo
Maandadhu pol thonalaiyae
Manasara ninaikalaiyae
Vazhi anuppi vaitha thandhai
Vizhi moodi thongalaiyae
Poomaalai vaadalaiyae yelelo
Potta pandhal pirikkaliyae yelelo
Poomaalai vaadalaiyae yelelo
Potta pandhal pirikkaliyae yelelo
Maavilaiyum thoranamum yelelo
Maavilaiyum thoranamum yelelo
Nee marainthadhaaga sollalaiyae yelelo
Paattu paada vaayeduthaen yeleloo
Adhu paadhaiyilae ninnu pochae yeleloo
I opened my mouth to sing a song, elelo...
But it stopped midway, elelo...
I opened my mouth to sing a song, elelo...
But it stopped midway, elelo...
I brought a parrot to talk with, elelo...
I brought a parrot to talk with, elelo...
Before it could speak, it flew away, elelo...
I never even saw the bridal room...
I never got to offer you sweet milk...
You didn't eagerly come running to see me...
You never touched me and played with me...
Cooking a loving meal with care, elelo...
I didn't even serve it on a fresh banana leaf, elelo...
Cooking a loving meal with care, elelo...
I didn't even serve it on a fresh banana leaf, elelo...
You never tasted it with joy, elelo...
You never tasted it with joy, elelo...
Nor could I watch you to my heart's content, elelo...
It doesn't feel like you are dead...
My whole heart refuses to believe it...
The father who saw you off on your way...
Has not closed his eyes in sleep...
The wedding flower garland has not yet faded, elelo...
The wedding canopy has not been taken down, elelo...
The wedding flower garland has not yet faded, elelo...
The wedding canopy has not been taken down, elelo...
The mango leaves and festive decorations, elelo...
The mango leaves and festive decorations, elelo...
Do not say that you are gone, elelo...
I opened my mouth to sing a song, elelo...
But it stopped midway, elelo...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant song is a sorrowful lament (Oppari style adaptation) sung by a newly married bride who grieves the sudden loss of her husband. She reflects on how her dreams of married life were shattered before they could even begin. She speaks of unfulfilled domestic routines—preparing meals, serving him, and spending time together in the bridal chamber. She contrasts the abrupt tragedy with the reality around her: the wedding garlands are still fresh, the pandal (canopy) is still standing, and the celebratory festoons haven't even been removed. The grief is compounded by disbelief, as neither she nor her family can accept that he is gone so suddenly right after the wedding rituals.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Eyaipodhu (End Rhyme / Monorhyme)

Palliyarai kaanalaiyae / Paaleduthu kodukkaliyae...

Consecutive lines end with the suffix '-laiyae' (kaanalaiyae, kodukkaliyae, paarkkaliyae, vilaiyaadaliyae), creating a rhythmic and mournful cadence typical of Tamil folk laments.

Folk Refrain (Madakku / Oppari Rhythm)

Paattu paada vaayeduthaen yeleloo

The rhythmic filler 'yelelo' / 'yeleloo' is heavily used in traditional Tamil folk songs to maintain tempo and convey deep emotional grief.

Metaphor and Imagery

Adhu pesu munnae parandhu pochae yelelo

The 'parrot' and the 'half-sung song' act as metaphors for unfinished life and unspoken dreams cut short by tragedy.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by G. Ramanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan, this song remains one of Tamil cinema's most iconic tragedy numbers. P. Susheela's deeply emotional vocal performance elevated the song into a classic representation of Tamil folk lamentation adapted for film music.

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