Poonthottam Valarthene
From Vellaiya Thevan · 1990
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Poonthottam valarththaenae | I nurtured a flower garden, |
| Puyal kaattril izhanthaenae | I lost it to a stormy wind. |
| Ammaadi en nenjam thaangaathu | Oh dear, my heart cannot bear this. |
| Poraattam ini maelthaan | The struggle begins from now on, |
| Male | |
| Pazhi theerppaen oru naalthaan | I will avenge this one day. |
| Theerkkaamal en kangal thoongaathu | My eyes will not sleep without settling the score. |
| Paavigal vaazhvai naan mudippaen | I will put an end to the lives of those sinners, |
| Nettriyil kaasai naan padhippaen | I will press a coin onto their foreheads. |
| Paaradi munnae naalaithaan | Just watch what happens in the days ahead! |
| Male | |
| Thangachchi kaalukkoru thanga kolusu | A golden anklet for my little sister's feet, |
| Muththaaram mookkuththigal paththu thinusu | A pearl necklace and ten types of nose rings, |
| Thangachchi kaalukkoru thanga kolusu | A golden anklet for my little sister's feet, |
| Muththaaram mookkuththigal paththu thinusu | A pearl necklace and ten types of nose rings. |
பூந்தோட்டம் வளர்த்தேனே
புயல் காற்றில் இழந்தேனே
அம்மாடி என் நெஞ்சம் தாங்காது
போராட்டம் இனி மேல்தான்
I nurtured a flower garden,
I lost it to a stormy wind.
Oh dear, my heart cannot bear this.
The struggle begins from now on,
பழி தீர்ப்பேன் ஒரு நாள்தான்
தீர்க்காமல் என் கண்கள் தூங்காது
பாவிகள் வாழ்வை நான் முடிப்பேன்
நெற்றியில் காசை நான் பதிப்பேன்
பாரடி முன்னே நாளை தான்
I will avenge this one day.
My eyes will not sleep without settling the score.
I will put an end to the lives of those sinners,
I will press a coin onto their foreheads.
Just watch what happens in the days ahead!
தங்கச்சி காலுக்கொரு தங்கக் கொலுசு
முத்தாரம் மூக்குத்திகள் பத்து தினுசு
தங்கச்சி காலுக்கொரு தங்கக் கொலுசு
முத்தாரம் மூக்குத்திகள் பத்து தினுசு
A golden anklet for my little sister's feet,
A pearl necklace and ten types of nose rings,
A golden anklet for my little sister's feet,
A pearl necklace and ten types of nose rings.
Poonthottam valarththaenae
I nurtured a flower garden,
Puyal kaattril izhanthaenae
I lost it to a stormy wind.
Ammaadi en nenjam thaangaathu
Oh dear, my heart cannot bear this.
Poraattam ini maelthaan
The struggle begins from now on,
Pazhi theerppaen oru naalthaan
I will avenge this one day.
Theerkkaamal en kangal thoongaathu
My eyes will not sleep without settling the score.
Paavigal vaazhvai naan mudippaen
I will put an end to the lives of those sinners,
Nettriyil kaasai naan padhippaen
I will press a coin onto their foreheads.
Paaradi munnae naalaithaan
Just watch what happens in the days ahead!
Thangachchi kaalukkoru thanga kolusu
A golden anklet for my little sister's feet,
Muththaaram mookkuththigal paththu thinusu
A pearl necklace and ten types of nose rings,
Thangachchi kaalukkoru thanga kolusu
A golden anklet for my little sister's feet,
Muththaaram mookkuththigal paththu thinusu
A pearl necklace and ten types of nose rings.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
In this emotionally intense track from 'Vellaiya Thevan', the protagonist laments the tragic destruction of his peaceful life and loved ones, metaphorically described as losing a nurtured garden to a violent storm. Overwhelmed by grief and rage, he vows relentless vengeance against the evil perpetrators, swearing not to rest or sleep until he has ended their lives and brought justice. Interspersed with his oath of revenge is his deep affection for his younger sister, promising to deck her with fine golden anklets, pearl necklaces, and traditional ornaments once peace and justice are restored.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Urvagam)
“Poonthottam valarththaenae / Puyal kaattril izhanthaenae”
The speaker's peaceful family life is metaphorically described as a flower garden ('Poonthottam'), while the tragic calamity that destroyed it is represented as a stormy wind ('Puyal kaattril').
Initial Alliteration (Monai)
“Poonthottam valarththaenae”
Repetition of the initial 'P' sound across lines ('Poonthottam', 'Puyal', 'Poraattam', 'Pazhi', 'Paavigal') creates a strong, driving rhythmic cadence expressing anger.
Cultural Allusion
“Nettriyil kaasai naan padhippaen”
Placing a coin on the forehead ('Nettriyil kaasai padhippaen') references a Tamil funeral custom where a coin is pressed onto a corpse's forehead, signifying his pledge to kill his enemies.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Vellaiya Thevan' (1990) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali. Rendered by singer Mano, the song masterfully contrasts fierce vengeance with tender sibling love, highlighted by traditional folk-infused instrumentation.
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