Paavalaru Pattu
From Uthama Raasa · 1993
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Paavalaru paatu | Song of the poet minstrel |
| Ithu panna pura paatu | This is a song of Pannapuram |
| Cudalore thaandi | Crossing Cudalore |
| Ithu kumuli pogum paatu | This song goes all the way to Kumily |
| Male | |
| Enga yesai paatu | Our music song |
| Athu ettu dhisai koorum | It proclaims across all eight directions |
| Engalathu ooru | Our village is |
| Oru sanga tamil koodam | An academy of Sangam Tamil |
| Male | |
| Oora suthum raasathiyae | Oh princess roaming around the village |
| Thaenil oora vecha roosa poovae | Oh rose flower soaked in honey |
| Enga oora suthum raasathiyae | Oh princess roaming around our village |
| Thaenil oora vecha roosa poovae | Oh rose flower soaked in honey |
| Male | |
| Paavalaru paatu | Song of the poet minstrel |
| Ithu panna pura paatu | This is a song of Pannapuram |
| Cudalore thaandi | Crossing Cudalore |
| Ithu kumuli pogum paatu uuu | This song goes all the way to Kumily |
| Male | |
| Anju vidha ssathi | Five types of discrimination |
| Ithil aalukkoru needhi | With a different rule for each person |
| Engalathu ooril illa oohhoo | Is not present in our village |
| Nanjai oru paadhi nalla | One half is fertile wetland, good |
| Punjai oru paadhai | The other half is dry land |
| Panjam pasi yedhum illa | There is no famine or hunger here |
| Male | |
| Maadu katti pottu | Tying up cattle to thresh grain |
| Naanga bor adichu paathu | We tried threshing harvest with them |
| Aagavillai velai endru ohhoo | Thinking the work was progressing slowly |
| Aanai katti naanga | Tying up elephants |
| Nellu bor adichu paartha | We threshed the paddy grain with them |
| Muppatanin kaalam undu | Such was the prosperous era of our ancestors |
| Male | |
| Potti illa poosal illa | No competition, no conflict |
| Uzhaikkirom | We work hard |
| Orr thaai vayathu pillaiya pol | Like children born of the same mother |
| Pozhaikkirom | We prosper together |
| Katchi illa kodiyum illa | No political parties, no flags |
| Sirikkirom | We smile with joy |
| Oor mothamumae othumaiyaa | The entire village in unity |
| Irukkirom | We live together |
| Male | |
| Enga oora suthum raasathiyae | Oh princess roaming around our village |
| Thaenil oora vecha roosa poovae | Oh rose flower soaked in honey |
| Male | |
| Paavalaru paatu | Song of the poet minstrel |
| Ithu panna pura paatu | This is a song of Pannapuram |
| Cudalore thaandi | Crossing Cudalore |
| Ithu kumuli pogum paatu | This song goes all the way to Kumily |
| Hoi hoi hoi hoi | Hoi hoi hoi hoi |
| Chorus | |
| Ohoo oo oo ho oo oo oo | Ohoo oo oo ho oo oo oo |
| Ohoo oo oo ho oo | Ohoo oo oo ho oo |
| Ohoo oo oo ho oo ooo oo | Ohoo oo oo ho oo ooo oo |
| Male | |
| Paasi mani oosi virkkum | Selling bead necklaces and needles |
| Aadhi mala vaasi | Ancient mountain dwellers |
| Ella pura kattil undu hoo | Exist in all the outskirts |
| Dappakalil thaalam | Rhythm played on hand-drums |
| Nadathappagama thaan podum | Played effortlessly without effort |
| Lambadigal aatam undu | Dance of the Lambadi tribe exists |
| Male | |
| Aala mara oonjal | Swings tied to Banyan trees |
| Katti aadugira pengal | Girls swinging on them |
| Chittu chittaa ooril undu hoo | Exist like little sparrows all over the village |
| Chinnanjiru chittu | The tiny little sparrow |
| Adhan thavaniya thottu | Touching her half-saree |
| Seendugindra thendral undu | There is a playful gentle breeze teasing her |
| Male | |
| Seeri vantha puliya kooda | Even a tiger that came pouncing furiously |
| Murathinaal | With a winnowing basket |
| Orr parathi engal oorilathaan | A brave woman in our village |
| Thurathinaal | Chased away |
| Sinthaiyila veeramulla | A girl with courage in her spirit |
| Ponnu thaan | Indeed she is |
| Per sollum badi vazhnthathintha | Renownedly lived on this |
| Mannu thaan | Very land |
| Male | |
| Enga oora suthum | Roaming around our village |
| Raasathiyae hoi | Oh princess hoi |
| Thaenil oora vecha roosa poovae | Oh rose flower soaked in honey |
| Male | |
| Paavalaru paatu | Song of the poet minstrel |
| Ithu panna pura paatu | This is a song of Pannapuram |
| Cudalore thaandi | Crossing Cudalore |
| Ithu kumuli pogum paatu | This song goes all the way to Kumily |
| Male | |
| Enga yesai paatu | Our music song |
| Athu ettu dhisai koorum | It proclaims across all eight directions |
| Engalathu ooru | Our village is |
| Oru sanga tamil koodam | An academy of Sangam Tamil |
| Male | |
| Oora suthum raasathiyae | Oh princess roaming around the village |
| Thaenil oora vecha roosa poovae | Oh rose flower soaked in honey |
| Enga oora suthum raasathiyae | Oh princess roaming around our village |
| Thaenil oora vecha roosa poovae | Oh rose flower soaked in honey |
| Ye ye ye ye | Ye ye ye ye |
| Male | |
| Paavalaru paatu | Song of the poet minstrel |
| Ithu panna pura paatu | This is a song of Pannapuram |
| Cudalore thaandi | Crossing Cudalore |
| Ithu kumuli pogum paatu uuu | This song goes all the way to Kumily |
| Hoi hoi hoi hoyi oo | Hoi hoi hoi hoyi oo |
பாவலரு பாட்டு
இது பண்ண புற பாட்டு
கூடலூர் தாண்டி
இது குமுளி போகும் பாட்டு
Song of the poet minstrel
This is a song of Pannapuram
Crossing Cudalore
This song goes all the way to Kumily
எங்க இசை பாட்டு
அது எட்டு திசை கூறும்
எங்களது ஊரு
ஒரு சங்க தமிழ் கூடம்
Our music song
It proclaims across all eight directions
Our village is
An academy of Sangam Tamil
ஊற சுத்தும் ராசத்தியே
தேனில் ஊற வெச்ச ரோசா பூவே
எங்க ஊற சுத்தும் ராசாத்தியே
தேனில் ஊற வெச்ச ரோசா பூவே
Oh princess roaming around the village
Oh rose flower soaked in honey
Oh princess roaming around our village
Oh rose flower soaked in honey
பாவலரு பாட்டு
இது பண்ண புற பாட்டு
கூடலூர் தாண்டி
இது குமுளி போகும் பாட்டு
Song of the poet minstrel
This is a song of Pannapuram
Crossing Cudalore
This song goes all the way to Kumily
அஞ்சு வித சாதி
இதில் ஆளுக்கொரு நீதி
எங்களது ஊரில் இல்லை ஓஹ்ஹோ
நஞ்சை ஒரு பாதி நல்ல
புஞ்சை ஒரு பாதி
பஞ்சம் பசி ஏதும் இல்ல
Five types of discrimination
With a different rule for each person
Is not present in our village
One half is fertile wetland, good
The other half is dry land
There is no famine or hunger here
மாடு கட்டி போட்டு
நாங்க போர் அடிச்சு பாத்து
ஆகவில்லை வேலை என்று ஓஹ்ஹோ
ஆணை கட்டி நாங்க
நெல்லு போர் அடிச்சு பார்த்த
முப்பாட்டனின் காலம் உண்டு
Tying up cattle to thresh grain
We tried threshing harvest with them
Thinking the work was progressing slowly
Tying up elephants
We threshed the paddy grain with them
Such was the prosperous era of our ancestors
போட்டி இல்லை பூசல் இல்ல
உழைக்கிறோம்
ஒர் தாய் வயித்து பிள்ளைய போல்
பொழைக்கிறோம்
கட்சி இல்லை கொடியும் இல்ல
சிரிக்கிறோம்
ஊர் மொத்தமுமே ஒத்துமையா
இருக்கிறோம்
No competition, no conflict
We work hard
Like children born of the same mother
We prosper together
No political parties, no flags
We smile with joy
The entire village in unity
We live together
எங்க ஊற சுத்தும் ராசாத்தியே
தேனில் ஊற வெச்ச ரோசா பூவே
Oh princess roaming around our village
Oh rose flower soaked in honey
பாவலரு பாட்டு
இது பண்ண புற பாட்டு
கூடலூர் தாண்டி
இது குமுளி போகும் பாட்டு
ஹோய் ஹோய் ஹோய் ஹோய்
Song of the poet minstrel
This is a song of Pannapuram
Crossing Cudalore
This song goes all the way to Kumily
Hoi hoi hoi hoi
ஓஹோ ஊ ஊ ஹோ ஊ ஊ ஊ
ஓஹோ ஊ ஊ ஹோ ஊ
ஓஹோ ஊ ஊ ஹோ ஊ ஊ ஊ
Ohoo oo oo ho oo oo oo
Ohoo oo oo ho oo
Ohoo oo oo ho oo ooo oo
பாசி மணி ஊசி விற்கும்
ஆதி மல வாசி
எல்லை புற காட்டில் உண்டு ஹோ
டப்பாகளில் தாளம்
நடதப்பாம தான் போடும்
லம்பாடிகள் ஆட்டம் உண்டு
Selling bead necklaces and needles
Ancient mountain dwellers
Exist in all the outskirts
Rhythm played on hand-drums
Played effortlessly without effort
Dance of the Lambadi tribe exists
ஆல மர ஊஞ்சல்
கட்டி ஆடுகிற பெண்கள்
சிட்டு சிட்டா ஊரில் உண்டு ஹோ
சின்னஞ்சிறு சிட்டு
அதன் தாவணிய தொட்டு
சீண்டுகிற தென்றல் உண்டு
Swings tied to Banyan trees
Girls swinging on them
Exist like little sparrows all over the village
The tiny little sparrow
Touching her half-saree
There is a playful gentle breeze teasing her
சீறி வந்த புலிய கூட
முரத்தினால்
ஓர் பரத்தி எங்கள் ஊரில்தான்
துரத்தினாள்
சிந்தையில்லா வீரமுள்ள
பொண்ணு தான்
பேர் சொல்லும் படி வாழ்ந்ததிந்த
மண்ணு தான்
Even a tiger that came pouncing furiously
With a winnowing basket
A brave woman in our village
Chased away
A girl with courage in her spirit
Indeed she is
Renownedly lived on this
Very land
எங்க ஊற சுத்தும்
ராசதியே ஹோய்
தேனில் ஊற வெச்ச ரோசா பூவே
Roaming around our village
Oh princess hoi
Oh rose flower soaked in honey
பாவலரு பாட்டு
இது பண்ண புற பாட்டு
கூடலூர் தாண்டி
இது குமுளி போகும் பாட்டு
Song of the poet minstrel
This is a song of Pannapuram
Crossing Cudalore
This song goes all the way to Kumily
எங்க இசை பாட்டு
அது எட்டு திசை கூறும்
எங்களது ஊரு
ஒரு சங்க தமிழ் கூடம்
Our music song
It proclaims across all eight directions
Our village is
An academy of Sangam Tamil
ஊற சுத்தும் ராசத்தியே
தேனில் ஊற வெச்ச ரோசா பூவே
எங்க ஊற சுத்தும் ராசாத்தியே
தேனில் ஊற வெச்ச ரோசா பூவே
ஏ ஏ ஏ ஏ
Oh princess roaming around the village
Oh rose flower soaked in honey
Oh princess roaming around our village
Oh rose flower soaked in honey
Ye ye ye ye
பாவலரு பாட்டு
இது பண்ண புற பாட்டு
கூடலூர் தாண்டி
இது குமுளி போகும் பாட்டு
ஹோய் ஹோய் ஹோய் ஹோய் ஓ
Song of the poet minstrel
This is a song of Pannapuram
Crossing Cudalore
This song goes all the way to Kumily
Hoi hoi hoi hoyi oo
Paavalaru paatu
Song of the poet minstrel
Ithu panna pura paatu
This is a song of Pannapuram
Cudalore thaandi
Crossing Cudalore
Ithu kumuli pogum paatu
This song goes all the way to Kumily
Enga yesai paatu
Our music song
Athu ettu dhisai koorum
It proclaims across all eight directions
Engalathu ooru
Our village is
Oru sanga tamil koodam
An academy of Sangam Tamil
Oora suthum raasathiyae
Oh princess roaming around the village
Thaenil oora vecha roosa poovae
Oh rose flower soaked in honey
Enga oora suthum raasathiyae
Oh princess roaming around our village
Thaenil oora vecha roosa poovae
Oh rose flower soaked in honey
Paavalaru paatu
Song of the poet minstrel
Ithu panna pura paatu
This is a song of Pannapuram
Cudalore thaandi
Crossing Cudalore
Ithu kumuli pogum paatu uuu
This song goes all the way to Kumily
Anju vidha ssathi
Five types of discrimination
Ithil aalukkoru needhi
With a different rule for each person
Engalathu ooril illa oohhoo
Is not present in our village
Nanjai oru paadhi nalla
One half is fertile wetland, good
Punjai oru paadhai
The other half is dry land
Panjam pasi yedhum illa
There is no famine or hunger here
Maadu katti pottu
Tying up cattle to thresh grain
Naanga bor adichu paathu
We tried threshing harvest with them
Aagavillai velai endru ohhoo
Thinking the work was progressing slowly
Aanai katti naanga
Tying up elephants
Nellu bor adichu paartha
We threshed the paddy grain with them
Muppatanin kaalam undu
Such was the prosperous era of our ancestors
Potti illa poosal illa
No competition, no conflict
Uzhaikkirom
We work hard
Orr thaai vayathu pillaiya pol
Like children born of the same mother
Pozhaikkirom
We prosper together
Katchi illa kodiyum illa
No political parties, no flags
Sirikkirom
We smile with joy
Oor mothamumae othumaiyaa
The entire village in unity
Irukkirom
We live together
Enga oora suthum raasathiyae
Oh princess roaming around our village
Thaenil oora vecha roosa poovae
Oh rose flower soaked in honey
Paavalaru paatu
Song of the poet minstrel
Ithu panna pura paatu
This is a song of Pannapuram
Cudalore thaandi
Crossing Cudalore
Ithu kumuli pogum paatu
This song goes all the way to Kumily
Hoi hoi hoi hoi
Hoi hoi hoi hoi
Ohoo oo oo ho oo oo oo
Ohoo oo oo ho oo oo oo
Ohoo oo oo ho oo
Ohoo oo oo ho oo
Ohoo oo oo ho oo ooo oo
Ohoo oo oo ho oo ooo oo
Paasi mani oosi virkkum
Selling bead necklaces and needles
Aadhi mala vaasi
Ancient mountain dwellers
Ella pura kattil undu hoo
Exist in all the outskirts
Dappakalil thaalam
Rhythm played on hand-drums
Nadathappagama thaan podum
Played effortlessly without effort
Lambadigal aatam undu
Dance of the Lambadi tribe exists
Aala mara oonjal
Swings tied to Banyan trees
Katti aadugira pengal
Girls swinging on them
Chittu chittaa ooril undu hoo
Exist like little sparrows all over the village
Chinnanjiru chittu
The tiny little sparrow
Adhan thavaniya thottu
Touching her half-saree
Seendugindra thendral undu
There is a playful gentle breeze teasing her
Seeri vantha puliya kooda
Even a tiger that came pouncing furiously
Murathinaal
With a winnowing basket
Orr parathi engal oorilathaan
A brave woman in our village
Thurathinaal
Chased away
Sinthaiyila veeramulla
A girl with courage in her spirit
Ponnu thaan
Indeed she is
Per sollum badi vazhnthathintha
Renownedly lived on this
Mannu thaan
Very land
Enga oora suthum
Roaming around our village
Raasathiyae hoi
Oh princess hoi
Thaenil oora vecha roosa poovae
Oh rose flower soaked in honey
Paavalaru paatu
Song of the poet minstrel
Ithu panna pura paatu
This is a song of Pannapuram
Cudalore thaandi
Crossing Cudalore
Ithu kumuli pogum paatu
This song goes all the way to Kumily
Enga yesai paatu
Our music song
Athu ettu dhisai koorum
It proclaims across all eight directions
Engalathu ooru
Our village is
Oru sanga tamil koodam
An academy of Sangam Tamil
Oora suthum raasathiyae
Oh princess roaming around the village
Thaenil oora vecha roosa poovae
Oh rose flower soaked in honey
Enga oora suthum raasathiyae
Oh princess roaming around our village
Thaenil oora vecha roosa poovae
Oh rose flower soaked in honey
Ye ye ye ye
Ye ye ye ye
Paavalaru paatu
Song of the poet minstrel
Ithu panna pura paatu
This is a song of Pannapuram
Cudalore thaandi
Crossing Cudalore
Ithu kumuli pogum paatu uuu
This song goes all the way to Kumily
Hoi hoi hoi hoyi oo
Hoi hoi hoi hoyi oo
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Paavalaru Paatu from the 1993 film Uthama Raasa (music composed by Ilaiyaraaja, lyrics by Vaali) is a rich, celebratory folk track honoring rural Tamil heritage, communal harmony, and agricultural abundance. The song pays explicit homage to Pannapuram, the native village of composer Ilaiyaraaja and his elder brother, communist folk bard Pavalar Varadharajan. It paints a picture of an ideal village free from caste discrimination, poverty, and political division, where people work together like children of the same mother. Furthermore, the lyrics evoke classical Sangam Tamil imagery and historical pride, citing ancient proverbs such as threshing grain with elephants to symbolize extreme agricultural wealth, and praising the legendary courage of Tamil women who chased away fierce tigers with simple winnowing baskets.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Thaenil oora vecha roosa poovae”
Compares the beloved young woman to a rose flower steeped in honey to emphasize her sweetness and beauty.
Hyperbole / Cultural Allusion
“Aanai katti naanga Nellu bor adichu paartha”
Uses the famous ancient Tamil hyperbole where harvests were so massive that farmers used elephants instead of bullocks to thresh grain.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Uzhaikkirom / Pozhaikkirom / Sirikkirom / Irukkirom”
Consonant end-rhyming verb forms creating a rhythmic, chanting cadence celebrating unity.
Sangam Literary Allusion
“Seeri vantha puliya kooda Murathinaal... Thurathinaal”
References the classical Sangam literary tale (Purananuru) of a brave Tamil woman chasing away a tiger using only a winnowing fan (Muram).
Did you know?
Trivia
'Pannapuram' referenced throughout the song is the native village in Theni district, Tamil Nadu, where maestro Ilaiyaraaja and his brothers Gangai Amaran and Pavalar Varadharajan were born. The phrase 'Paavalaru paatu' directly pays homage to Pavalar Varadharajan, Ilaiyaraaja's eldest brother and a renowned communist political folk singer who inspired Ilaiyaraaja's early musical career.
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