Patta Kashtam
From Veettuku Veedu Vasapadi · 1979
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- S. Janaki
- Music director
- Rajan Nagendra
- Details
- Veettuku Veedu Vasapadi1979
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Hmm patta kastam metha undaiyaa | Hmm, is there any hardship greater than what we suffered, sir? |
| Patta kastam metha undaiyaa | Is there any hardship greater than what we suffered, sir? |
| Naangha patta kastam metha undaiyaa | Is there any hardship greater than what we suffered, sir? |
| Kotta muzhakathodu | Accompanied by the loud beating of wedding drums, |
| Thaali kattiya kanavanodu | With the husband who tied the sacred marriage thread, |
| Patta kastam metha undaiyaa | Is there any hardship greater than what we suffered, sir? |
| Naangha patta kastam metha undaiyaa | Is there any hardship greater than what we suffered, sir? |
| Female | |
| Kallu thanni pottukittu | Drinking toddy and liquor, |
| Kaasai kariyakki kittu | Squandering hard-earned money away, |
| Kallu thanni pottukittu | Drinking toddy and liquor, |
| Kaasai kariyakki kittu | Squandering hard-earned money away, |
| Ullukullae pesikittu | Muttering incoherently within himself, |
| Ooru vambhai vaaghikittu | Inviting unnecessary trouble from the entire town, |
| Vandhu vandhu | Coming repeatedly, |
| Ada vandhu vandhu nirkiraanaiyaa | Ah, he keeps coming and standing here repeatedly, sir! |
| Komali vaayai katta mudaliyae aiyaa | Unable to quiet down this jester's mouth, sir! |
| Vandhu vandhu nirkiraanaiyaa | He keeps coming and standing here repeatedly, sir! |
| Komali vaayai katta mudaliyae aiyaa | Unable to quiet down this jester's mouth, sir! |
| Female | |
| Anbae vaa anbae vaa | Come my love, come my love, |
| Unnodu naan vaazha | For me to live together with you, |
| Thaedi thaedi naal ellaam | Searching and longing day after day, |
| Kann thaeindhaal poo maadhu | If the flower-like woman's eyes wear out, |
| Thendral veesa naalaanaal | If it takes too long for the gentle breeze to blow, |
| Poondhaegam vaazhadhu | This delicate tender body cannot survive, |
| Anbae vaa anbae vaa | Come my love, come my love, |
| Unnodu naan vaazha | For me to live together with you, |
| Female | |
| Kattiya pondatti thannai | When the wedded wife, |
| Mutta paya thiyil urinjaa | Is consumed in fire by the foolish fellow, |
| Kattiya pondatti thannai | When the wedded wife, |
| Mutta paya thiyil urinjaa | Is consumed in fire by the foolish fellow, |
| Etta ninnu paarkiraane | He stands far away and just watches, |
| Yenunnu ketkkiliyae | Without even asking why or stopping it! |
| Thanni pottu kettaan aiyaa | He got ruined by drinking liquor, sir, |
| Komali sakkadai pol aanaanae aiyaa | This foolish jester became filthy like an open sewer drain, sir! |
| Thanni pottu kettaan aiyaa | He got ruined by drinking liquor, sir, |
| Komali sakkadai pol aanaanae aiyaa | This foolish jester became filthy like an open sewer drain, sir! |
| Aiyoo thanni pottu kettaan aiyaa | Alas, he got ruined by drinking liquor, sir, |
| Komali sakkadai pol aanaanae aiyaa | This foolish jester became filthy like an open sewer drain, sir! |
| Female | |
| Kaanjipuram pattumillai | There is no fine Kanchipuram silk saree, |
| Kandaangi sarigai illai | There is no traditional Kandangi zari saree, |
| Kaanjipuram pattumillai | There is no fine Kanchipuram silk saree, |
| Kandaangi sarigai illai | There is no traditional Kandangi zari saree, |
| Ettu rooba saelai katti | Draped in a simple eight-rupee saree, |
| Indha pakkam vandha ennai | When I came walking towards this side, |
| Kaiyai thottu izhukkurae aiyaa | You grab my hand and pull me, sir! |
| Ellaam kallu senja velaidhaan aiyaa | This misbehavior is all the doing of alcohol, sir! |
| Ahaa kaiyai thottu izhukkurae aiyaa | Aha, you grab my hand and pull me, sir! |
| Ada ellaam kallu senja velaidhaan aiyaa | Ah, this is all the mischief caused by liquor, sir! |
| Female | |
| Naalum ketta pombalaiyum | A woman devoid of good fortune, |
| Moonun ketta aambalaiyum | And a man devoid of basic moral virtues, |
| Naai padura paadupadum | Will suffer a miserable life like a stray dog, |
| Nallavungha sonnadhudhaan | That is what the wise elders have said, |
| Nallavungha sonnadhudhaan | That is what the wise elders have said, |
| Naanga patta paadu konjama | Is the suffering we endured a small thing? |
| Enga pillaingha yengi vitta kaalam konjama | Is the long time our children spent yearning and suffering a small thing? |
| Naanga patta paadu konjama | Is the suffering we endured a small thing? |
| Enga pillaingha yengi vitta kaalam konjama | Is the long time our children spent yearning and suffering a small thing? |
| Female | |
| Adadaa andha kaala paanjaliyal | Ah, like Panchali of ancient times, |
| Avizhthu vitta koondhalai pol | Who let down her unknotted hair in a pledge of protest, |
| Indha kaala paanjaliyal | If modern-day Panchalis like us, |
| Izhuthu vittaal koondhal thanai | Untie and let down our hair in anger, |
| Kallukudi niruthungalaiyaa | Please put an end to liquor drinking, sir! |
| Enga koondhalai kattikirom naangal aiyaa | We will tie up our hair in peace, sir! |
| Haei kallukudi niruthungalaiyaa | Hey, please put an end to liquor drinking, sir! |
| Enga koondhalai kattikirom naangal aiyaa | We will tie up our hair in peace, sir! |
ஹ்ம்ம் பட்ட கஷ்டம் மெத்த உண்டையா
பட்ட கஷ்டம் மெத்த உண்டையா
நாங்க பட்ட கஷ்டம் மெத்த உண்டையா
கொட்டு முழக்கத்தோடு
தாலி கட்டிய கணவனோடு
கொட்டு முழக்கத்தோடு
தாலி கட்டிய கணவனோடு
பட்ட கஷ்டம் மெத்த உண்டையா
நாங்க பட்ட கஷ்டம் மெத்த உண்டையா
Hmm, is there any hardship greater than what we suffered, sir?
Is there any hardship greater than what we suffered, sir?
Is there any hardship greater than what we suffered, sir?
Accompanied by the loud beating of wedding drums,
With the husband who tied the sacred marriage thread,
Is there any hardship greater than what we suffered, sir?
Is there any hardship greater than what we suffered, sir?
கள்ளுத் தண்ணி போட்டுக்கிட்டு
காசைக் கரியாக்கிக் கிட்டு
கள்ளுத் தண்ணி போட்டுக்கிட்டு
காசைக் கரியாக்கிக் கிட்டு
உள்ளுக்குள்ளே பேசிக்கிட்டு
ஊரு வம்பை வாங்கிக்கிட்டு
வந்து வந்து..அட வந்து வந்து நிற்கிறானய்யா
கோமாளி வாயைக் கட்ட முடியலியேயய்யா...
ஹா வந்து வந்து நிற்கிறானய்யா
கோமாளி வாயைக் கட்ட முடியலியேயய்யா...
Drinking toddy and liquor,
Squandering hard-earned money away,
Drinking toddy and liquor,
Squandering hard-earned money away,
Muttering incoherently within himself,
Inviting unnecessary trouble from the entire town,
Coming repeatedly,
Ah, he keeps coming and standing here repeatedly, sir!
Unable to quiet down this jester's mouth, sir!
He keeps coming and standing here repeatedly, sir!
Unable to quiet down this jester's mouth, sir!
வசனம் :
...........
Come my love, come my love,
For me to live together with you,
Searching and longing day after day,
If the flower-like woman's eyes wear out,
If it takes too long for the gentle breeze to blow,
This delicate tender body cannot survive,
Come my love, come my love,
For me to live together with you,
கட்டிய பொண்டாட்டி தன்னை
முட்டாப் பய துயிலுரிஞ்சா
கட்டிய பொண்டாட்டி தன்னை
முட்டாப் பய துயிலுரிஞ்சா
எட்ட நின்னு பார்க்கிறானே
ஏனுன்னு கேட்கலியே
தண்ணிப் போட்டுக் கெட்டானைய்யா
கோமாளி சாக்கடை போல் ஆனானேயய்யா
அய்யோ தண்ணிப் போட்டுக் கெட்டானைய்யா
கோமாளி சாக்கடை போல் ஆனானேயய்யா
When the wedded wife,
Is consumed in fire by the foolish fellow,
When the wedded wife,
Is consumed in fire by the foolish fellow,
He stands far away and just watches,
Without even asking why or stopping it!
He got ruined by drinking liquor, sir,
This foolish jester became filthy like an open sewer drain, sir!
He got ruined by drinking liquor, sir,
This foolish jester became filthy like an open sewer drain, sir!
Alas, he got ruined by drinking liquor, sir,
This foolish jester became filthy like an open sewer drain, sir!
வசனம் :
..................
There is no fine Kanchipuram silk saree,
There is no traditional Kandangi zari saree,
There is no fine Kanchipuram silk saree,
There is no traditional Kandangi zari saree,
Draped in a simple eight-rupee saree,
When I came walking towards this side,
You grab my hand and pull me, sir!
This misbehavior is all the doing of alcohol, sir!
Aha, you grab my hand and pull me, sir!
Ah, this is all the mischief caused by liquor, sir!
காஞ்சிபுரம் பட்டுமில்லை
கண்டாங்கி சரிகை இல்லை
காஞ்சிபுரம் பட்டுமில்லை
கண்டாங்கி சரிகை இல்லை
எட்டு ரூபா சேலை கட்டி
இந்த பக்கம் வந்த என்னை
கையைத் தொட்டு இழுக்கிறேயய்யா
எல்லாம் கள்ளு செஞ்ச வேலைதானய்யா
ஆஹா கையைத் தொட்டு இழுக்கிறேயய்யா
அட எல்லாம் கள்ளு செஞ்ச வேலைதானய்யா
A woman devoid of good fortune,
And a man devoid of basic moral virtues,
Will suffer a miserable life like a stray dog,
That is what the wise elders have said,
That is what the wise elders have said,
Is the suffering we endured a small thing?
Is the long time our children spent yearning and suffering a small thing?
Is the suffering we endured a small thing?
Is the long time our children spent yearning and suffering a small thing?
வசனம் :
..................
Ah, like Panchali of ancient times,
Who let down her unknotted hair in a pledge of protest,
If modern-day Panchalis like us,
Untie and let down our hair in anger,
Please put an end to liquor drinking, sir!
We will tie up our hair in peace, sir!
Hey, please put an end to liquor drinking, sir!
We will tie up our hair in peace, sir!
நாலும் கெட்ட பொம்பளையும்
மூணுங் கெட்ட ஆம்பளையும்
நாய் படுற பாடுபடும்
நல்லவுங்க சொன்னதுதான்
நல்லவுங்க சொன்னதுதான்
நாங்க பட்டபாடு கொஞ்சமா
எங்க பிள்ளைங்க ஏங்கி விட்ட காலம் கொஞ்சமா
நாங்க பட்டபாடு கொஞ்சமா
எங்க பிள்ளைங்க ஏங்கி விட்ட காலம் கொஞ்சமா
வசனம் :
..................
அடடா அந்தக் கால பாஞ்சாலியாள்
அவிழ்த்து விட்ட கூந்தலைப் போல்
இந்தக் கால பாஞ்சாலியாள்
இழுத்து விட்டாள் கூந்தல் தனை
கள்ளுக்குடி நிறுத்துங்களயய்யா
எங்க கூந்தலை கட்டிக்கிறோம் நாங்களய்யா......
ஹேய் கள்ளுக்குடி நிறுத்துங்களயய்யா
எங்க கூந்தலை கட்டிக்கிறோம் நாங்களய்யா......
Hmm patta kastam metha undaiyaa
Hmm, is there any hardship greater than what we suffered, sir?
Patta kastam metha undaiyaa
Is there any hardship greater than what we suffered, sir?
Naangha patta kastam metha undaiyaa
Is there any hardship greater than what we suffered, sir?
Kotta muzhakathodu
Accompanied by the loud beating of wedding drums,
Thaali kattiya kanavanodu
With the husband who tied the sacred marriage thread,
Patta kastam metha undaiyaa
Is there any hardship greater than what we suffered, sir?
Naangha patta kastam metha undaiyaa
Is there any hardship greater than what we suffered, sir?
Kallu thanni pottukittu
Drinking toddy and liquor,
Kaasai kariyakki kittu
Squandering hard-earned money away,
Kallu thanni pottukittu
Drinking toddy and liquor,
Kaasai kariyakki kittu
Squandering hard-earned money away,
Ullukullae pesikittu
Muttering incoherently within himself,
Ooru vambhai vaaghikittu
Inviting unnecessary trouble from the entire town,
Vandhu vandhu
Coming repeatedly,
Ada vandhu vandhu nirkiraanaiyaa
Ah, he keeps coming and standing here repeatedly, sir!
Komali vaayai katta mudaliyae aiyaa
Unable to quiet down this jester's mouth, sir!
Vandhu vandhu nirkiraanaiyaa
He keeps coming and standing here repeatedly, sir!
Komali vaayai katta mudaliyae aiyaa
Unable to quiet down this jester's mouth, sir!
Anbae vaa anbae vaa
Come my love, come my love,
Unnodu naan vaazha
For me to live together with you,
Thaedi thaedi naal ellaam
Searching and longing day after day,
Kann thaeindhaal poo maadhu
If the flower-like woman's eyes wear out,
Thendral veesa naalaanaal
If it takes too long for the gentle breeze to blow,
Poondhaegam vaazhadhu
This delicate tender body cannot survive,
Anbae vaa anbae vaa
Come my love, come my love,
Unnodu naan vaazha
For me to live together with you,
Kattiya pondatti thannai
When the wedded wife,
Mutta paya thiyil urinjaa
Is consumed in fire by the foolish fellow,
Kattiya pondatti thannai
When the wedded wife,
Mutta paya thiyil urinjaa
Is consumed in fire by the foolish fellow,
Etta ninnu paarkiraane
He stands far away and just watches,
Yenunnu ketkkiliyae
Without even asking why or stopping it!
Thanni pottu kettaan aiyaa
He got ruined by drinking liquor, sir,
Komali sakkadai pol aanaanae aiyaa
This foolish jester became filthy like an open sewer drain, sir!
Thanni pottu kettaan aiyaa
He got ruined by drinking liquor, sir,
Komali sakkadai pol aanaanae aiyaa
This foolish jester became filthy like an open sewer drain, sir!
Aiyoo thanni pottu kettaan aiyaa
Alas, he got ruined by drinking liquor, sir,
Komali sakkadai pol aanaanae aiyaa
This foolish jester became filthy like an open sewer drain, sir!
Kaanjipuram pattumillai
There is no fine Kanchipuram silk saree,
Kandaangi sarigai illai
There is no traditional Kandangi zari saree,
Kaanjipuram pattumillai
There is no fine Kanchipuram silk saree,
Kandaangi sarigai illai
There is no traditional Kandangi zari saree,
Ettu rooba saelai katti
Draped in a simple eight-rupee saree,
Indha pakkam vandha ennai
When I came walking towards this side,
Kaiyai thottu izhukkurae aiyaa
You grab my hand and pull me, sir!
Ellaam kallu senja velaidhaan aiyaa
This misbehavior is all the doing of alcohol, sir!
Ahaa kaiyai thottu izhukkurae aiyaa
Aha, you grab my hand and pull me, sir!
Ada ellaam kallu senja velaidhaan aiyaa
Ah, this is all the mischief caused by liquor, sir!
Naalum ketta pombalaiyum
A woman devoid of good fortune,
Moonun ketta aambalaiyum
And a man devoid of basic moral virtues,
Naai padura paadupadum
Will suffer a miserable life like a stray dog,
Nallavungha sonnadhudhaan
That is what the wise elders have said,
Nallavungha sonnadhudhaan
That is what the wise elders have said,
Naanga patta paadu konjama
Is the suffering we endured a small thing?
Enga pillaingha yengi vitta kaalam konjama
Is the long time our children spent yearning and suffering a small thing?
Naanga patta paadu konjama
Is the suffering we endured a small thing?
Enga pillaingha yengi vitta kaalam konjama
Is the long time our children spent yearning and suffering a small thing?
Adadaa andha kaala paanjaliyal
Ah, like Panchali of ancient times,
Avizhthu vitta koondhalai pol
Who let down her unknotted hair in a pledge of protest,
Indha kaala paanjaliyal
If modern-day Panchalis like us,
Izhuthu vittaal koondhal thanai
Untie and let down our hair in anger,
Kallukudi niruthungalaiyaa
Please put an end to liquor drinking, sir!
Enga koondhalai kattikirom naangal aiyaa
We will tie up our hair in peace, sir!
Haei kallukudi niruthungalaiyaa
Hey, please put an end to liquor drinking, sir!
Enga koondhalai kattikirom naangal aiyaa
We will tie up our hair in peace, sir!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from 'Veettuku Veedu Vasapadi' (1979), written by Kannadasan and sung by S. Janaki, is a powerful social commentary against alcoholism presented in a folk/street-play narrative style. The protagonist laments the deep emotional and financial distress brought upon working-class families due to liquor addiction. The husband squanders hard-earned money on alcohol, becomes a nuisance to the public, and neglects his family duties, leaving the wife and children in extreme poverty where even basic clothing is a luxury.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Mythological Allusion
“Adadaa andha kaala paanjaliyal / Avizhthu vitta koondhalai pol”
Reference to Panchali (Draupadi) from Mahabharata, whose unknotted hair symbolized anger and protest against injustice until righteousness was restored.
Simile (Uvamaani)
“Komali sakkadai pol aanaanae aiyaa”
Comparing the moral degradation and filthiness of a drunkard to an open sewer drain (sakkadai).
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Kattiya pondatti thannai / Mutta paya thiyil urinjaa”
The second letters 'tt' match across consecutive lines (Kattiya / Mutta), forming a classic Tamil poetic rhythm.
Did you know?
Trivia
Kannadasan frequently wrote awareness and reformer songs integrated into commercial Tamil cinema. In 'Veettuku Veedu Vasapadi', this track uses the Therukoothu (street theatre) tradition to deliver a anti-addiction message directly to rural and working-class audiences.
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