Pethu Eduthavathaan
From Velaikaran · 1987
- Lyricist
- Mu. Metha
- Singer
- Malaysia Vasudevan
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Velaikaran1987
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Peththu eduthavadhaan | The woman who gave birth to me |
| Ennaiyum thaththu koduthupputtaa | Has given me away in adoption |
| Peththa kadanukkudhaan | To pay off the debt of bringing me into this world |
| Ennai vithu vattiyai kattipputtaa | She sold me and paid off the interest |
| Male | |
| Peththu eduthavadhaan | The woman who gave birth to me |
| Ennaiyum thaththu koduthupputtaa | Has given me away in adoption |
| Peththa kadanukkudhaan | To pay off the debt of bringing me into this world |
| Ennai vithu vattiyai kattipputtaa | She sold me and paid off the interest |
| Male | |
| Pillaiyin manasu pithaachu | The child's heart has gone crazy |
| Inga peththava manasu kallaachu | Here, the birth mother's heart has turned to stone |
| Innoru manasu ennaachu | What happened to the other mother's heart? |
| Adhu murinjupona villaachu | That became a broken bow |
| Male | |
| Peththu eduthavadhaan | The woman who gave birth to me |
| Ennaiyum thaththu koduthupputtaa | Has given me away in adoption |
| Thaththu koduthupputtaa | She gave me away in adoption |
| Male | |
| Vaiyuthulla valatha pulla | The child raised in the womb |
| Vandhu nikka vaasalillai | Has no doorstep to come and stand at |
| Madiyila valanthathukku | For having been raised in the lap |
| Ingirukka aasaiyillai | There is no desire to stay here |
| Male | |
| Maganaa poranthadhukku | For being born as a son |
| Thottanaikka thaayumillai | There is no mother to embrace and comfort me |
| Maganaa valarndha pulla | A child who grew up as a son |
| Thulluradhu nyaayamillai | It is not fair to jump around in arrogance |
| Male | |
| Thottilil naam kidanthaa | When we lie in the cradle |
| Sogam vandhu servathillai | Sorrow does not reach us |
| Thozhilae vaazhum varai | As long as we live on shoulders |
| Thunbaminnu onnumillai | There is no such thing as suffering |
| Male | |
| Kattila paartha pinnae | After seeing the marriage bed |
| Kaanbathellaam yengu solla | Where can I express all that I witness? |
| Kannula aarirukku | There is a river in my eyes |
| Povathukku thoni illai | There is no boat to cross it |
| Male | |
| Sattai kizhinjirundhaa… | If the shirt is torn... |
| Thaichchi mudichiralaam | It can be stitched up |
| Nenju kizhinjiruchae… | The heart is torn... |
| Enga muraiyidalaam | Where can I complain? |
| Kaaveri gangai aarugal pola | Like the Kaveri and Ganges rivers |
| Kangalum ingae neeraada | The eyes here bathe in tears |
| Male | |
| Peththu eduthavadhaan | The woman who gave birth to me |
| Ennaiyum thaththu koduthupputtaa | Has given me away in adoption |
| Peththa kadanukkudhaan | To pay off the debt of bringing me into this world |
| Ennai vithu vattiyai kattipputtaa | She sold me and paid off the interest |
| Male | |
| Thalaiyil vakidu edutha | The golden finger that parted my hair |
| Thanga viral paarthenae | I saw it then |
| Thalaiyila ezhuthi vaicha | Did I see the finger that wrote my fate? |
| Andha viral paarthenaa | If you raise a parrot |
| Male | |
| Kiliya valarththeduthaa | It will not ask questions |
| Kelviyadhu ketkaathu | If you raise a tiger |
| Puliyai valarththeduthaa | It will not look at affection |
| Paasamunnu paarkkaathu | Without words to express |
| Male | |
| Sollathaan vaarthaiyindri | The mother's heart aches over there |
| Thaai manasu nogum angae | Without even a mouth to speak |
| Sollavae vaayumindri | One heart wilts over here |
| Orr manasu vaadumingae | Taking a spear out of words |
| Male | |
| Sollilae vel eduthu | The child hurls it over there |
| Veesugindra seiyum angae | If silence is allowed to speak |
| Mounathai pesavittaa | Everything here will change |
| Maarividum yaavum ingae | There are two parrots |
| Male | |
| Rendu kiliyirukku | One is left all alone |
| Onnu thanichsirukku | For that mother parrot |
| Peththa kili athukku | What companion is there? |
| Endha thunaiyirukku | Where in the town, where in the country |
| Oorla engae naattula engae | Show me someone like my mother |
| Kaattunga enga thaaippola | The woman who gave birth to me |
| Male | |
| Peththu eduthavadhaan | Has given me away in adoption |
| Ennaiyum thaththu koduthupputtaa | To pay off the debt of bringing me into this world |
| Peththa kadanukkudhaan | She sold me and paid off the interest |
| Ennai vithu vattiyai kattipputtaa | The child's heart has gone crazy |
| Male | |
| Pillaiyin manasu pithaachu | Here, the birth mother's heart has turned to stone |
| Inga peththava manasu kallaachu | What happened to the other mother's heart? |
| Innoru manasu ennaachu | That became a broken bow |
| Adhu murinjupona villaachu | The woman who gave birth to me |
| Male | |
| Peththu eduthavadhaan | Has given me away in adoption |
| Ennaiyum thaththu koduthupputtaa | To pay off the debt of bringing me into this world |
| Peththa kadanukkudhaan | She sold me and paid off the interest |
| Ennai vithu vattiyai kattipputtaa | |
பெத்து எடுத்தவதான்
என்னையும் தத்து கொடுத்துப்புட்டா
பெத்த கடனுக்குத்தான் என்னை
வித்து வட்டியை கட்டிப்புட்டா
The woman who gave birth to me
Has given me away in adoption
To pay off the debt of bringing me into this world
She sold me and paid off the interest
பெத்து எடுத்தவதான்
என்னையும் தத்து கொடுத்துப்புட்டா
பெத்த கடனுக்குத்தான் என்னை
வித்து வட்டியை கட்டிப்புட்டா
The woman who gave birth to me
Has given me away in adoption
To pay off the debt of bringing me into this world
She sold me and paid off the interest
பிள்ளையின் மனசு
பித்தாச்சு இங்க பெத்தவ
மனசு கல்லாச்சு இன்னொரு
மனசு என்னாச்சு அது
முறிஞ்சுபோன வில்லாச்சு
The child's heart has gone crazy
Here, the birth mother's heart has turned to stone
What happened to the other mother's heart?
That became a broken bow
பெத்து எடுத்தவதான்
என்னையும் தத்து கொடுத்துப்புட்டா
தத்து கொடுத்துப்புட்டா
The woman who gave birth to me
Has given me away in adoption
She gave me away in adoption
வயித்துல வளத்த
புள்ள வந்து நிக்க வாசலில்லை
மடியில வளந்ததுக்கு
இங்கிருக்க ஆசையில்லை
The child raised in the womb
Has no doorstep to come and stand at
For having been raised in the lap
There is no desire to stay here
மகனா பொறந்ததுக்கு
தொட்டணைக்க தாயுமில்லை
மகனா வளர்ந்த புள்ள துள்ளுறது
நியாயமில்லை
For being born as a son
There is no mother to embrace and comfort me
A child who grew up as a son
It is not fair to jump around in arrogance
தொட்டிலில் நாம்
கிடந்தா சோகம் வந்து
சேர்வதில்லை தோளிலே
வாழும் வரை துன்பமின்னு
ஒன்னுமில்லை
When we lie in the cradle
Sorrow does not reach us
As long as we live on shoulders
There is no such thing as suffering
கட்டில பார்த்த
பின்னே காண்பதெல்லாம்
எங்கு சொல்ல கண்ணுல
ஆறிருக்கு போவதுக்கு
தோணி இல்லை
After seeing the marriage bed
Where can I express all that I witness?
There is a river in my eyes
There is no boat to cross it
சட்டை கிழிஞ்சிருந்தா
தைச்சி முடிச்சிரலாம் நெஞ்சு
கிழிஞ்சிருச்சே எங்க
முறையிடலாம் காவிரி கங்கை
ஆறுகள் போல கண்களும்
இங்கே நீராட
If the shirt is torn...
It can be stitched up
The heart is torn...
Where can I complain?
Like the Kaveri and Ganges rivers
The eyes here bathe in tears
பெத்து எடுத்தவதான்
என்னையும் தத்து கொடுத்துப்புட்டா
பெத்த கடனுக்குத்தான் என்னை
வித்து வட்டியை கட்டிப்புட்டா
The woman who gave birth to me
Has given me away in adoption
To pay off the debt of bringing me into this world
She sold me and paid off the interest
தலையில் வகிடெடுத்த
தங்க விரல் பார்த்தேனே
தலையில எழுதிவைச்ச
அந்த விரல் பார்த்தேனா
The golden finger that parted my hair
I saw it then
Did I see the finger that wrote my fate?
If you raise a parrot
கிளியை வளர்த்தெடுத்தா
கேள்வியது கேட்காது புலியை
வளர்த்தெடுத்தா பாசமுன்னு
பார்க்காது
It will not ask questions
If you raise a tiger
It will not look at affection
Without words to express
சொல்லத்தான்
வார்த்தையின்றி தாய்
மனசு நோகுமங்கே
சொல்லவே வாயுமின்றி
ஓர் மனசு வாடுமிங்கே
The mother's heart aches over there
Without even a mouth to speak
One heart wilts over here
Taking a spear out of words
சொல்லிலே
வேலெடுத்து வீசுகின்ற
சேயுமங்கே மௌனத்தை
பேசவிட்டா மாறிவிடும்
யாவும் இங்கே
The child hurls it over there
If silence is allowed to speak
Everything here will change
There are two parrots
ரெண்டு கிளியிருக்கு
ஒன்னு தனிச்சிருக்கு பெத்த
கிளி அதுக்கு எந்த துணையிருக்கு
ஊர்ல எங்கே நாட்டுல எங்கே
காட்டுங்க எங்க தாய்ப்போல
One is left all alone
For that mother parrot
What companion is there?
Where in the town, where in the country
Show me someone like my mother
The woman who gave birth to me
பெத்து எடுத்தவதான்
என்னையும் தத்து கொடுத்துப்புட்டா
பெத்த கடனுக்குத்தான் என்னை
வித்து வட்டியை கட்டிப்புட்டா
Has given me away in adoption
To pay off the debt of bringing me into this world
She sold me and paid off the interest
The child's heart has gone crazy
பிள்ளையின் மனசு
பித்தாச்சு இங்க பெத்தவ
மனசு கல்லாச்சு இன்னொரு
மனசு என்னாச்சு அது
முறிஞ்சுபோன வில்லாச்சு
Here, the birth mother's heart has turned to stone
What happened to the other mother's heart?
That became a broken bow
The woman who gave birth to me
பெத்து எடுத்தவதான்
என்னையும் தத்து கொடுத்துப்புட்டா
பெத்த கடனுக்குத்தான் என்னை
வித்து வட்டியை கட்டிப்புட்டா
Has given me away in adoption
To pay off the debt of bringing me into this world
She sold me and paid off the interest
Peththu eduthavadhaan
The woman who gave birth to me
Ennaiyum thaththu koduthupputtaa
Has given me away in adoption
Peththa kadanukkudhaan
To pay off the debt of bringing me into this world
Ennai vithu vattiyai kattipputtaa
She sold me and paid off the interest
Peththu eduthavadhaan
The woman who gave birth to me
Ennaiyum thaththu koduthupputtaa
Has given me away in adoption
Peththa kadanukkudhaan
To pay off the debt of bringing me into this world
Ennai vithu vattiyai kattipputtaa
She sold me and paid off the interest
Pillaiyin manasu pithaachu
The child's heart has gone crazy
Inga peththava manasu kallaachu
Here, the birth mother's heart has turned to stone
Innoru manasu ennaachu
What happened to the other mother's heart?
Adhu murinjupona villaachu
That became a broken bow
Peththu eduthavadhaan
The woman who gave birth to me
Ennaiyum thaththu koduthupputtaa
Has given me away in adoption
Thaththu koduthupputtaa
She gave me away in adoption
Vaiyuthulla valatha pulla
The child raised in the womb
Vandhu nikka vaasalillai
Has no doorstep to come and stand at
Madiyila valanthathukku
For having been raised in the lap
Ingirukka aasaiyillai
There is no desire to stay here
Maganaa poranthadhukku
For being born as a son
Thottanaikka thaayumillai
There is no mother to embrace and comfort me
Maganaa valarndha pulla
A child who grew up as a son
Thulluradhu nyaayamillai
It is not fair to jump around in arrogance
Thottilil naam kidanthaa
When we lie in the cradle
Sogam vandhu servathillai
Sorrow does not reach us
Thozhilae vaazhum varai
As long as we live on shoulders
Thunbaminnu onnumillai
There is no such thing as suffering
Kattila paartha pinnae
After seeing the marriage bed
Kaanbathellaam yengu solla
Where can I express all that I witness?
Kannula aarirukku
There is a river in my eyes
Povathukku thoni illai
There is no boat to cross it
Sattai kizhinjirundhaa…
If the shirt is torn...
Thaichchi mudichiralaam
It can be stitched up
Nenju kizhinjiruchae…
The heart is torn...
Enga muraiyidalaam
Where can I complain?
Kaaveri gangai aarugal pola
Like the Kaveri and Ganges rivers
Kangalum ingae neeraada
The eyes here bathe in tears
Peththu eduthavadhaan
The woman who gave birth to me
Ennaiyum thaththu koduthupputtaa
Has given me away in adoption
Peththa kadanukkudhaan
To pay off the debt of bringing me into this world
Ennai vithu vattiyai kattipputtaa
She sold me and paid off the interest
Thalaiyil vakidu edutha
The golden finger that parted my hair
Thanga viral paarthenae
I saw it then
Thalaiyila ezhuthi vaicha
Did I see the finger that wrote my fate?
Andha viral paarthenaa
If you raise a parrot
Kiliya valarththeduthaa
It will not ask questions
Kelviyadhu ketkaathu
If you raise a tiger
Puliyai valarththeduthaa
It will not look at affection
Paasamunnu paarkkaathu
Without words to express
Sollathaan vaarthaiyindri
The mother's heart aches over there
Thaai manasu nogum angae
Without even a mouth to speak
Sollavae vaayumindri
One heart wilts over here
Orr manasu vaadumingae
Taking a spear out of words
Sollilae vel eduthu
The child hurls it over there
Veesugindra seiyum angae
If silence is allowed to speak
Mounathai pesavittaa
Everything here will change
Maarividum yaavum ingae
There are two parrots
Rendu kiliyirukku
One is left all alone
Onnu thanichsirukku
For that mother parrot
Peththa kili athukku
What companion is there?
Endha thunaiyirukku
Where in the town, where in the country
Oorla engae naattula engae
Show me someone like my mother
Kaattunga enga thaaippola
The woman who gave birth to me
Peththu eduthavadhaan
Has given me away in adoption
Ennaiyum thaththu koduthupputtaa
To pay off the debt of bringing me into this world
Peththa kadanukkudhaan
She sold me and paid off the interest
Ennai vithu vattiyai kattipputtaa
The child's heart has gone crazy
Pillaiyin manasu pithaachu
Here, the birth mother's heart has turned to stone
Inga peththava manasu kallaachu
What happened to the other mother's heart?
Innoru manasu ennaachu
That became a broken bow
Adhu murinjupona villaachu
The woman who gave birth to me
Peththu eduthavadhaan
Has given me away in adoption
Ennaiyum thaththu koduthupputtaa
To pay off the debt of bringing me into this world
Peththa kadanukkudhaan
She sold me and paid off the interest
Ennai vithu vattiyai kattipputtaa
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This emotional song from the movie 'Velaikaran' (1987) conveys the intense pain of maternal sacrifice, adoption, and torn family relationships. The protagonist laments how his birth mother had to give him away due to unbearable circumstances and financial debts, metaphorically selling him off to pay the interest of life. The song explores the psychological conflict between his birth mother, who was forced to harden her heart, and his adoptive mother, whose heart is broken like a bent bow.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani / Uvamai)
“Kaaveri gangai aarugal pola”
Compares tears flowing from eyes to major rivers like Kaveri and Ganges ('Kaaveri gangai aarugal pola / Kangalum ingae neeraada').
Rhyme / Alliteration (Monai & Ethirhai)
“Sattai kizhinjirundhaa… / Nenju kizhinjiruchae…”
Use of matching sounds in adjacent words such as 'Peththu' and 'Thaththu' or 'Sattai' and 'Nenju' creating poetic rhythm.
Contrast / Antithesis
“Kiliya valarththeduthaa... Puliyai valarththeduthaa...”
Contrasting a raised parrot (submissive) with a raised tiger (devoid of affection) to highlight unpredictable human emotional bonds.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song 'Peththu Eduthavadhaan' features Rajinikanth in a dramatic musical moment in the 1987 blockbuster film Velaikaran. The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics written by renowned Tamil poet Mu. Metha, and sung by Malaysia Vasudevan.
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