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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pakku Vethalai

From Chinnappadass · 1989

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
K. S. Chithra, Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Chinnappadass1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Paakku vethala vechikka vechikkaKeep the betel nut and betel leaf, keep it
Paakku vethala vechikka vechikkaKeep the betel nut and betel leaf, keep it
Naakku sevakka vechikka vechikka vaaCome, make your tongue turn red
Paakku vethala vechikka vechikkaKeep the betel nut and betel leaf, keep it
Naakku sevakka vechikka vechikka vaaCome, make your tongue turn red
Female
Naan javvadhu javvadhuI am fragrant like civet perfume
Vaa thalladhu aiyaa ippodhuMy words will not hesitate now, sir
Naan pakkathil irukkaWhen I am right beside you
Paakku vethala vechikka vechikkaKeep the betel nut and betel leaf, keep it
Naakku sevakka vechikka vechikka vaaCome, make your tongue turn red
Paakku vethala vechikka vechikkaKeep the betel nut and betel leaf, keep it
Naakku sevakka vechikka vechikka vaaCome, make your tongue turn red
Female
Kalyanthaam illa illaMarriage has not happened yet
Undaachudhu pulla pullaA child has come into existence
Solladhadha sollavillaI haven't said what shouldn't be said
Unnalathaan thollai illaBecause of you, there is no trouble
Female
Thaekku kattilu othaiyil nikkuthuThe teakwood bed stands alone
Potta thottilil pullaiya veikkuthu raasavaePlacing the child in the prepared cradle, my king
Naethu enna nee pattunnu thottadhaYesterday, when you touched me so suddenly
Paartha kannula niththirai kettadhu raasavaeSleep was lost from the eyes that saw you, my king
Female
Poovaanava aalanavaI have blossomed and grown into a woman
Ponnaana penn pillai naanaeI am a golden girl
Ennai thottukka thottukkaTouch me, touch me
Male
Paakku vethala vechikka vechikkaKeep the betel nut and betel leaf, keep it
Naakku sevakka vechikka vechikka vaaCome, make your tongue turn red
Paakku vethala vechikka vechikkaKeep the betel nut and betel leaf, keep it
Naakku sevakka vechikka vechikka vaaCome, make your tongue turn red
Nee javvadhu javvadhuYou are fragrant like civet perfume
Vaa thalladhu yamma ippodhuMy words will not hesitate now, my lady
Naan pakkathil irukkaWhen I am right beside you
Male
Paakku vethala vechikka vechikkaKeep the betel nut and betel leaf, keep it
Naakku sevakka vechikka vechikka vaaCome, make your tongue turn red
Paakku vethala vechikka vechikkaKeep the betel nut and betel leaf, keep it
Naakku sevakka vechikka vechikka vaa haeiCome, make your tongue turn red, hey
Male
Mundhaana than podavillaThe pallu hasn't been draped yet
Senthazham poo vaadavillaThe red screwpine flower hasn't withered
Unnoda thaan koodavillaI haven't united with you yet
Onnaaga thaan paadavillaWe haven't sung together as one
Male
Potta sangadhi kachidham kachidhamThe plan made is perfect and precise
Paatta padikkum ranjitham ranjitham nee thaaneYou are the lovely flower who sings this song
Saetta pannudhu nithamum nithamumMischief happens every single day
Paathu kottanum mothamum mothamum naanthaaneI am the one who must shower all of it
Paaloothavaa thaenoothavaaShall I pour milk or shall I pour honey?
Paalodu thaenaaga vaa vaaCome like honey mixed into milk
Enna pattunnu allikkaEmbrace me softly and swiftly
Female
Paakku vethala vechikka vechikkaKeep the betel nut and betel leaf, keep it
Naakku sevakka vechikka vechikka vaaCome, make your tongue turn red
Male :Paakku vethala vechikka vechikkaMale: Keep the betel nut and betel leaf, keep it
Naakku sevakka vechikka vechikka vaaMale: Come, make your tongue turn red
Female :Naan javvadhu javvadhuFemale: I am fragrant like civet perfume
Male :Vaa thalladhu yamma ippodhuMale: My words will not hesitate now, my lady
Naan pakkathil irukkaMale: When I am right beside you

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful folk-style song from the movie Chinnappadass (1989) captures a romantic and flirtatious conversation between two lovers. The central motif of chewing betel leaf and betel nut (paakku vethala) to stain the tongue red is a classic South Indian cultural symbol for passion, warmth, and romantic intimacy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Paakku vethala vechikka vechikka / Naakku sevakka vechikka vechikka vaa

The second consonant 'kku' matches across consecutive lines, creating a bouncy rhythmic pulse typical of Tamil folk songs.

Adukku Thodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Kalyanthaam illa illa / Undaachudhu pulla pulla

Words like 'vechikka vechikka', 'pulla pulla', and 'mothamum mothamum' are repeated sequentially to add rhythmic emphasis and folk authenticity.

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Paaloothavaa thaenoothavaa / Paalodu thaenaaga vaa vaa

Comparing sweet unity and love to the mixture of milk and honey ('Paalodu thaenaaga').

Did you know?

Trivia

Chinnappadass (1989) stars Sathyaraj and Radha in the lead roles. The film's soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with popular folk-lyrical contributions by Gangai Amaran.

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