Pathu Maadham
From Pesum Dheivam · 1967
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Pesum Dheivam1967
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Pathu maadham sumakavillai sellaiyaa | I did not carry you in my womb for ten months, my dear child. |
| Naan pathiyamum irundhadhundo sollaiyaa | Tell me, did I ever have to observe pregnancy dietary rules? |
| Pathu maadham sumakavillai sellaiyaa | I did not carry you in my womb for ten months, my dear child. |
| Naan pathiyamum irundhadhundo sollaiyaa | Tell me, did I ever have to observe pregnancy dietary rules? |
| Female | |
| Unnai thathu pillai endru solla ennaiyaa | Why should I refer to you as an adopted child? |
| Enakku dhairiyamum podhavillai chinnaiya | I do not even have the courage to call you that, my little one. |
| Unnai thathu pillai endru solla ennaiyaa | Why should I refer to you as an adopted child? |
| Enakku dhairiyamum podhavillai chinnaiya | I do not even have the courage to call you that, my little one. |
| Female | |
| Pathu maadham sumakavillai sellaiyaa | I did not carry you in my womb for ten months, my dear child. |
| Naan pathiyamum irundhadhundo sollaiyaa | Tell me, did I ever have to observe pregnancy dietary rules? |
| Male | |
| Kandavar kannu padum chellaathaa | Anyone who sees my darling will cast an evil eye. |
| Kannathula karuppu potta | Place a black dot on the cheek, |
| Vekka solli sollaathaa… | Won't you tell them to place it? |
| Kandavar kannu padum chellaathaa | Anyone who sees my darling will cast an evil eye. |
| Kannathula karuppu potta | Place a black dot on the cheek, |
| Vekka solli sollaathaa… | Won't you tell them to place it? |
| Thanda silambeduthu podaathaa | Won't you put sounding anklets on his feet? |
| Nalla thamizhaalae thaalaattonnu paadaathaa | Won't you sing a sweet lullaby in beautiful Tamil? |
| Thanda silambeduthu podaathaa | Won't you put sounding anklets on his feet? |
| Nalla thamizhaalae thaalaattonnu paadaathaa | Won't you sing a sweet lullaby in beautiful Tamil? |
| Female | |
| Maavaduvai kadikkavillai sellaiyaa | I didn't bite into tender raw mangoes craving pregnancy, my dear. |
| Saambal mannai alli thinnadhundo sollaiyaa | Tell me, did I ever scoop up and eat ash or soil? |
| Maavaduvai kadikkavillai sellaiyaa | I didn't bite into tender raw mangoes craving pregnancy, my dear. |
| Saambal mannai alli thinnadhundo sollaiyaa | Tell me, did I ever scoop up and eat ash or soil? |
| Naan marundhu maayam kaanavillai ennaiyaa | I did not seek any magical potions or medicines, my dear. |
| Ennai maatri vittai petravaalai chinnaiyaa | Yet you transformed me completely into a birth mother, my little one! |
| Naan marundhu maayam kaanavillai ennaiyaa | I did not seek any magical potions or medicines, my dear. |
| Ennai maatri vittai petravaalai chinnaiyaa | Yet you transformed me completely into a birth mother, my little one! |
| Female | |
| Pathu maadham sumakavillai sellaiyaa | I did not carry you in my womb for ten months, my dear child. |
| Naan pathiyamum irundhadhundo sollaiyaa | Tell me, did I ever have to observe pregnancy dietary rules? |
| Male | |
| Pattu sokkaa vaetti edutthu kattaathaa | Won't you dress him in a silk shirt and dhoti? |
| Appuram paaka venum | After that, you must look at him; |
| Aayiram thaan kannaathaa | You will need a thousand eyes to take in his beauty! |
| Pattu sokkaa vaetti edutthu kattaathaa | Won't you dress him in a silk shirt and dhoti? |
| Appuram paaka venum | After that, you must look at him; |
| Aayiram thaan kannaathaa | You will need a thousand eyes to take in his beauty! |
| Male | |
| Sutti payala thottililae podaathaa | Won't you place the playful little boy in the cradle? |
| Azhudhaa butti paala karachu konjam | If he cries, mix a little bottle milk, |
| Ooththaathaa | And feed him? |
| Sutti payala thottililae podaathaa | Won't you place the playful little boy in the cradle? |
| Azhudhaa butti paala karachu konjam | If he cries, mix a little bottle milk, |
| Ooththaathaa | And feed him? |
| Male | |
| Kandavar kannu padum chellaathaa | Anyone who sees my darling will cast an evil eye. |
| Kannathula karuppu potta | Place a black dot on the cheek, |
| Vekka solli sollaathaa | Won't you tell them to place it? |
| Thanda silambeduthu poadaathaa | Won't you put sounding anklets on his feet? |
| Nalla thamizhaalae thaalaattonnu paadaathaa | Won't you sing a sweet lullaby in beautiful Tamil? |
| Female | |
| Pathu maadham sumakavillai sellaiyaa | I did not carry you in my womb for ten months, my dear child. |
| Naan pathiyamum irundhadhundo sollaiyaa | Tell me, did I ever have to observe pregnancy dietary rules? |
| Pathu maadham sumakavillai sellaiyaa | I did not carry you in my womb for ten months, my dear child. |
| Naan pathiyamum irundhadhundo sollaiyaa | Tell me, did I ever have to observe pregnancy dietary rules? |
பத்து மாதம் சுமக்கவில்லை செல்லைய்யா
நான் பத்தியமும் இருந்ததுண்டோ சொல்லைய்யா
பத்து மாதம் சுமக்கவில்லை செல்லைய்யா
நான் பத்தியமும் இருந்ததுண்டோ சொல்லைய்யா
I did not carry you in my womb for ten months, my dear child.
Tell me, did I ever have to observe pregnancy dietary rules?
I did not carry you in my womb for ten months, my dear child.
Tell me, did I ever have to observe pregnancy dietary rules?
உன்னை தத்துப் பிள்ளை என்று சொல்ல என்னைய்யா
எனக்கு தைரியமும் போதவில்லை சின்னைய்யா
உன்னை தத்துப் பிள்ளை என்று சொல்ல என்னைய்யா
எனக்கு தைரியமும் போதவில்லை சின்னைய்யா
Why should I refer to you as an adopted child?
I do not even have the courage to call you that, my little one.
Why should I refer to you as an adopted child?
I do not even have the courage to call you that, my little one.
பத்து மாதம் சுமக்கவில்லை செல்லைய்யா
நான் பத்தியமும் இருந்ததுண்டோ சொல்லைய்யா
I did not carry you in my womb for ten months, my dear child.
Tell me, did I ever have to observe pregnancy dietary rules?
கண்டவர் கண்ணு படும் செல்லாத்தா
கன்னத்துல கருப்பு பொட்ட
வெக்க சொல்லி சொல்லாத்தா
கண்டவர் கண்ணு படும் செல்லாத்தா
கன்னத்துல கருப்பு பொட்ட
வெக்க சொல்லி சொல்லாத்தா
தங்க சிலம்பெடுத்து போடாத்தா
நல்ல தமிழாலே தாலாட்டொண்ணு பாடாத்தா
தங்க சிலம்பெடுத்து போடாத்தா
நல்ல தமிழாலே தாலாட்டொண்ணு பாடாத்தா
Anyone who sees my darling will cast an evil eye.
Place a black dot on the cheek,
Won't you tell them to place it?
Anyone who sees my darling will cast an evil eye.
Place a black dot on the cheek,
Won't you tell them to place it?
Won't you put sounding anklets on his feet?
Won't you sing a sweet lullaby in beautiful Tamil?
Won't you put sounding anklets on his feet?
Won't you sing a sweet lullaby in beautiful Tamil?
மாவடுவை கடிக்கவில்லை செல்லைய்யா
சாம்பல் மண்ணை அள்ளி தின்னதுண்டோ சொல்லைய்யா
மாவடுவை கடிக்கவில்லை செல்லைய்யா
சாம்பல் மண்ணை அள்ளி தின்னதுண்டோ சொல்லைய்யா
நான் மருந்து மாயம் காணவில்லை என்னைய்யா
என்னை மாற்றி விட்டாய் பெற்றவளாய் சின்னைய்யா
நான் மருந்து மாயம் காணவில்லை என்னைய்யா
என்னை மாற்றி விட்டாய் பெற்றவளாய் சின்னைய்யா
I didn't bite into tender raw mangoes craving pregnancy, my dear.
Tell me, did I ever scoop up and eat ash or soil?
I didn't bite into tender raw mangoes craving pregnancy, my dear.
Tell me, did I ever scoop up and eat ash or soil?
I did not seek any magical potions or medicines, my dear.
Yet you transformed me completely into a birth mother, my little one!
I did not seek any magical potions or medicines, my dear.
Yet you transformed me completely into a birth mother, my little one!
பத்து மாதம் சுமக்கவில்லை செல்லைய்யா
நான் பத்தியமும் இருந்ததுண்டோ சொல்லைய்யா
I did not carry you in my womb for ten months, my dear child.
Tell me, did I ever have to observe pregnancy dietary rules?
பட்டு சொக்கா வேட்டி எடுத்து கட்டாத்தா
அப்புறம் பாக்க வேணும்
ஆயிரம்தான் கண்ணாத்தா
பட்டு சொக்கா வேட்டி எடுத்து கட்டாத்தா
அப்புறம் பாக்க வேணும்
ஆயிரம்தான் கண்ணாத்தா
Won't you dress him in a silk shirt and dhoti?
After that, you must look at him;
You will need a thousand eyes to take in his beauty!
Won't you dress him in a silk shirt and dhoti?
After that, you must look at him;
You will need a thousand eyes to take in his beauty!
சுட்டி பயல தொட்டிலிலே போடாத்தா
அழுதா புட்டி பால கரச்சு கொஞ்சம்
ஊத்தாத்தா
சுட்டி பயல தொட்டிலிலே போடாத்தா
அழுதா புட்டி பால கரச்சு கொஞ்சம்
ஊத்தாத்தா
Won't you place the playful little boy in the cradle?
If he cries, mix a little bottle milk,
And feed him?
Won't you place the playful little boy in the cradle?
If he cries, mix a little bottle milk,
And feed him?
கண்டவர் கண்ணு படும் செல்லாத்தா
கன்னத்துல கருப்பு பொட்ட
வெக்க சொல்லி சொல்லாத்தா
தங்க சிலம்பெடுத்து போடாத்தா
நல்ல தமிழாலே தாலாட்டொண்ணு பாடாத்தா
Anyone who sees my darling will cast an evil eye.
Place a black dot on the cheek,
Won't you tell them to place it?
Won't you put sounding anklets on his feet?
Won't you sing a sweet lullaby in beautiful Tamil?
பத்து மாதம் சுமக்கவில்லை செல்லைய்யா
நான் பத்தியமும் இருந்ததுண்டோ சொல்லையா
பத்து மாதம் சுமக்கவில்லை செல்லைய்யா
நான் பத்தியமும் இருந்ததுண்டோ சொல்லையா
I did not carry you in my womb for ten months, my dear child.
Tell me, did I ever have to observe pregnancy dietary rules?
I did not carry you in my womb for ten months, my dear child.
Tell me, did I ever have to observe pregnancy dietary rules?
Pathu maadham sumakavillai sellaiyaa
I did not carry you in my womb for ten months, my dear child.
Naan pathiyamum irundhadhundo sollaiyaa
Tell me, did I ever have to observe pregnancy dietary rules?
Pathu maadham sumakavillai sellaiyaa
I did not carry you in my womb for ten months, my dear child.
Naan pathiyamum irundhadhundo sollaiyaa
Tell me, did I ever have to observe pregnancy dietary rules?
Unnai thathu pillai endru solla ennaiyaa
Why should I refer to you as an adopted child?
Enakku dhairiyamum podhavillai chinnaiya
I do not even have the courage to call you that, my little one.
Unnai thathu pillai endru solla ennaiyaa
Why should I refer to you as an adopted child?
Enakku dhairiyamum podhavillai chinnaiya
I do not even have the courage to call you that, my little one.
Pathu maadham sumakavillai sellaiyaa
I did not carry you in my womb for ten months, my dear child.
Naan pathiyamum irundhadhundo sollaiyaa
Tell me, did I ever have to observe pregnancy dietary rules?
Kandavar kannu padum chellaathaa
Anyone who sees my darling will cast an evil eye.
Kannathula karuppu potta
Place a black dot on the cheek,
Vekka solli sollaathaa…
Won't you tell them to place it?
Kandavar kannu padum chellaathaa
Anyone who sees my darling will cast an evil eye.
Kannathula karuppu potta
Place a black dot on the cheek,
Vekka solli sollaathaa…
Won't you tell them to place it?
Thanda silambeduthu podaathaa
Won't you put sounding anklets on his feet?
Nalla thamizhaalae thaalaattonnu paadaathaa
Won't you sing a sweet lullaby in beautiful Tamil?
Thanda silambeduthu podaathaa
Won't you put sounding anklets on his feet?
Nalla thamizhaalae thaalaattonnu paadaathaa
Won't you sing a sweet lullaby in beautiful Tamil?
Maavaduvai kadikkavillai sellaiyaa
I didn't bite into tender raw mangoes craving pregnancy, my dear.
Saambal mannai alli thinnadhundo sollaiyaa
Tell me, did I ever scoop up and eat ash or soil?
Maavaduvai kadikkavillai sellaiyaa
I didn't bite into tender raw mangoes craving pregnancy, my dear.
Saambal mannai alli thinnadhundo sollaiyaa
Tell me, did I ever scoop up and eat ash or soil?
Naan marundhu maayam kaanavillai ennaiyaa
I did not seek any magical potions or medicines, my dear.
Ennai maatri vittai petravaalai chinnaiyaa
Yet you transformed me completely into a birth mother, my little one!
Naan marundhu maayam kaanavillai ennaiyaa
I did not seek any magical potions or medicines, my dear.
Ennai maatri vittai petravaalai chinnaiyaa
Yet you transformed me completely into a birth mother, my little one!
Pathu maadham sumakavillai sellaiyaa
I did not carry you in my womb for ten months, my dear child.
Naan pathiyamum irundhadhundo sollaiyaa
Tell me, did I ever have to observe pregnancy dietary rules?
Pattu sokkaa vaetti edutthu kattaathaa
Won't you dress him in a silk shirt and dhoti?
Appuram paaka venum
After that, you must look at him;
Aayiram thaan kannaathaa
You will need a thousand eyes to take in his beauty!
Pattu sokkaa vaetti edutthu kattaathaa
Won't you dress him in a silk shirt and dhoti?
Appuram paaka venum
After that, you must look at him;
Aayiram thaan kannaathaa
You will need a thousand eyes to take in his beauty!
Sutti payala thottililae podaathaa
Won't you place the playful little boy in the cradle?
Azhudhaa butti paala karachu konjam
If he cries, mix a little bottle milk,
Ooththaathaa
And feed him?
Sutti payala thottililae podaathaa
Won't you place the playful little boy in the cradle?
Azhudhaa butti paala karachu konjam
If he cries, mix a little bottle milk,
Ooththaathaa
And feed him?
Kandavar kannu padum chellaathaa
Anyone who sees my darling will cast an evil eye.
Kannathula karuppu potta
Place a black dot on the cheek,
Vekka solli sollaathaa
Won't you tell them to place it?
Thanda silambeduthu poadaathaa
Won't you put sounding anklets on his feet?
Nalla thamizhaalae thaalaattonnu paadaathaa
Won't you sing a sweet lullaby in beautiful Tamil?
Pathu maadham sumakavillai sellaiyaa
I did not carry you in my womb for ten months, my dear child.
Naan pathiyamum irundhadhundo sollaiyaa
Tell me, did I ever have to observe pregnancy dietary rules?
Pathu maadham sumakavillai sellaiyaa
I did not carry you in my womb for ten months, my dear child.
Naan pathiyamum irundhadhundo sollaiyaa
Tell me, did I ever have to observe pregnancy dietary rules?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This poignant lullaby from 'Pesum Dheivam' explores the depth of maternal love that transcends biological birth. The mother reflects on how, despite not experiencing pregnancy symptoms like cravings (eating tender mangoes or ash), dietary restrictions, or carrying the child in her womb for ten months, her love for the child makes her feel every bit like a biological mother. She refuses to think of the child as merely 'adopted'.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Pathu maadham sumakavillai sellaiyaa / Naan pathiyamum irundhadhundo sollaiyaa”
The second consonant 'th' matches between 'Pathu' and 'pathiyamum', adding rhythmic harmony.
Hyperbole (Exaggeration)
“Aayiram thaan kannaathaa”
The phrase 'Aayiram thaan kannaathaa' (a thousand eyes wouldn't be enough) exaggerates the child's breathtaking beauty.
Cultural Imagery & Allusion
“Maavaduvai kadikkavillai sellaiyaa / Saambal mannai alli thinnadhundo sollaiyaa”
Mentions traditional pregnancy cravings ('Maavaduvai kadikkavillai', eating ash/soil) and protective customs ('Kannathula karuppu potta' - putting a black spot to ward off evil eyes).
Did you know?
Trivia
'Pesum Dheivam' (1967) starring Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini features music composed by K. V. Mahadevan, with lyrics penned by Vaali. The track 'Pathu Maadham Sumandhathillai' was sung by P. Susheela and remains one of Tamil cinema's most famous songs celebrating non-biological maternal devotion.
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