Pothi Vacha Rathiname
From Vasanthakala Paravai · 1991
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Mano, K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- Deva
- Details
- Vasanthakala Paravai1991
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Naethu vacha meen kulambhae | Yesterday's left-over fish curry |
| Ae…ae….ae…ae… | Ae…ae….ae…ae… |
| Mamudhanin kai karumbae | The sugarcane in Cupid's hand |
| Kaathadikkum karukalilae | In the breezy twilight |
| Vedichaadum poo arumbhae | The flower bud that bursts open and dances |
| Un jaadhi naanthan enakku ponjaadhi nee thaan | I am of your kind, and you are my wife |
| Chorus | |
| ……………………. | |
| Male | |
| Pothi vacha rathinamae | Oh gem that is safely treasured |
| Pottu vacha chithiramae | Oh portrait adorned with a bindi |
| Mukkulichu naan edutha | The one I retrieved by diving deep |
| Thoothukudi muthinamae | Oh pearl from Thoothukudi |
| Pakkam vandhu thottaal enna | What if I come close and touch you? |
| Pathu viral pattaal enna | What if my ten fingers touch you? |
| Nathu bullackku sollikkum muthu pallaakku | A pearl palanquin that speaks to the nose ring |
| Thottu thinaakka inikkum thenga punnakku | Coconut cake that is sweet to touch and eat |
| Chorus | |
| Nathu bullackku sollikkum muthu pallaakku | A pearl palanquin that speaks to the nose ring |
| Male :Podu | Male: Play it! |
| Chorus :Thottu thinaakka inikkum thenga punnakku | Chorus: Coconut cake that is sweet to touch and eat |
| Male :Thinthanakkida | Male: Thinthanakkida |
| Chorus | |
| ……………………… | |
| Male | |
| Ohoo sunnanbhu ingirukku dindukallu vethalaiyae | Ohoo, here is the lime, and Dindigul betel leaf |
| Onnaaga sernthukittaa vachidalaam muthiraiyae | If we come together, we can seal the deal |
| Female :Ennaalum kaeni thanni aathodathaan povaadhu | Female: Well water never flows together with the river |
| Male :Aahaa | Male: Aahaa |
| Female :Ponaana naeram varum ippo adhu aagadhu | Female: The right time will come, it cannot happen right now |
| Male | |
| Thattaama thavikudhu mathaalam | The drum is agonizing without being struck |
| Kottama irukkuma kuthaalam | Will Courtallam remain without pouring water? |
| Adi ammadi aathaadi parisam podu munnadi | Hey dear mother, place the betrothal dowry first |
| Chorus | |
| Raamaiyaa osthavaiyaa | Ramaiya Vastavaiya (O Ramaiya, will you come?) |
| Raamaiyaa osthavaiyaa | Ramaiya Vastavaiya |
| Male :Haah | Male: Haah |
| Chorus :Raamaiyaa osthavaiyaa | Chorus: Ramaiya Vastavaiya |
| Raamaiyaa osthavaiyaa | Ramaiya Vastavaiya |
| Male :Haan | Male: Haan |
| Chorus :Mere dil thujko diya | Chorus: I gave my heart to you |
| Male :Haan | Male: Haan |
| Chorus :Mere dil thujko diya | Chorus: I gave my heart to you |
| Chorus | |
| Raamaiyaa osthavaiyaa | Ramaiya Vastavaiya |
| Raamaiyaa osthavaiyaa | Ramaiya Vastavaiya |
| Male | |
| Pinnala poo vaikka pozhuthu paathu vanthirukken | I have come at the right time to place flowers in your braid |
| Female :Haan | Female: Haan |
| Male :Kannala jaada solli kalachu poyi ninnu irukken | Male: Expressing desire through my eyes, I stand exhausted |
| Female :Kannaalam kattum munnae silmisham thaan pannadhae | Female: Before getting married, do not play mischief |
| Machaanae kannagiya maadhaviya ennadhae | My husband, do not treat me like Kannagi or Madhavi |
| Male | |
| Summalum alapaadha nippaattu | Stop making unnecessary fuss |
| Kummunnu kelambudhu en paattu | My song rises up cheerfully |
| Female :Oru poo maala nee maathu | Female: Exchange a flower garland first |
| Valachu podu appodhu | Put your arms around me then |
| Male | |
| Hoi pothi vacha rathinamae | Hey gem that is safely treasured |
| Pottu vacha chithiramae | Oh portrait adorned with a bindi |
| Mukkulichu naan edutha | The one I retrieved by diving deep |
| Thoothukudi muthinamae | Oh pearl from Thoothukudi |
| Pakkam vandhu thottaal enna | What if I come close and touch you? |
| Pathu viral pattaal enna | What if my ten fingers touch you? |
| Nathu bullackku sollikkum muthu pallaakku | A pearl palanquin that speaks to the nose ring |
| Thottu thinaakka inikkum thenga punnakku | Coconut cake that is sweet to touch and eat |
| Chorus | |
| Nathu bullackku sollikkum muthu pallaakku | A pearl palanquin that speaks to the nose ring |
| Male :Hahaan | Male: Hahaan |
| Chorus :Thottu thinaakka inikkum thenga punnakku | Chorus: Coconut cake that is sweet to touch and eat |
| Male | |
| Haei pothi vacha rathinamae | Hey gem that is safely treasured |
| Pottu vacha chithiramae | Oh portrait adorned with a bindi |
| Mukkulichu naan edutha | The one I retrieved by diving deep |
| Thoothukudi muthinamae | Oh pearl from Thoothukudi |
| Pakkam vandhu thottaal enna | What if I come close and touch you? |
| Pathu viral pattaal enna | What if my ten fingers touch you? |
| Nathu bullackku sollikkum muthu pallaakku haan | A pearl palanquin that speaks to the nose ring, haan |
| Thottu thinaakka inikkum thenga punnakku aama | Coconut cake that is sweet to touch and eat, yes |
| Chorus | |
| Nathu bullackku sollikkum muthu pallaakku | A pearl palanquin that speaks to the nose ring |
| Male :Adidaa | Male: Play it! |
| Chorus :Thottu thinaakka inikkum thenga punnakku | Chorus: Coconut cake that is sweet to touch and eat |
| Male :Burrrrr…ahh | Male: Burrrrr…ahh |
நேத்து வெச்ச மீன் கொழம்பே.....
ஏ ..ஏ ..ஏ
மம்முதன் கைக் கரும்பே
காத்தடிக்கும் கருக்கலிலே
வெடிச்சாடும் பூ அரும்பே....
உன் ஜாதி நாந்தான் எனக்கு
பொஞ்சாதி நீதான்....
Yesterday's left-over fish curry
Ae…ae….ae…ae…
The sugarcane in Cupid's hand
In the breezy twilight
The flower bud that bursts open and dances
I am of your kind, and you are my wife
.............................
பொத்தி வச்ச ரத்தினமே பொட்டு வச்ச சித்திரமே
முக்குளிச்சு நானெடுத்த தூத்துக்குடி முத்தினமே
பக்கம் வந்து தொட்டாலென்ன
பத்து விரல் பட்டாலென்ன
நத்து புல்லாக்கு ஜொலிக்கும் முத்து பல்லாக்கு
தொட்டு தின்னாக்க இனிக்கும் தேங்கா புண்ணாக்கு....
Oh gem that is safely treasured
Oh portrait adorned with a bindi
The one I retrieved by diving deep
Oh pearl from Thoothukudi
What if I come close and touch you?
What if my ten fingers touch you?
A pearl palanquin that speaks to the nose ring
Coconut cake that is sweet to touch and eat
நத்து புல்லாக்கு ஜொலிக்கும் முத்து பல்லாக்கு
போடு
குழு :
தொட்டு தின்னாக்க இனிக்கும் தேங்கா புண்ணாக்கு....
ஆண் : திந்தனக்கிட
A pearl palanquin that speaks to the nose ring
Male: Play it!
Chorus: Coconut cake that is sweet to touch and eat
Male: Thinthanakkida
..............................
ஓஹோ சுண்ணாம்பு இங்கிருக்கு
திண்டுக்கல்லு வெத்தலையே
ஒண்ணாக சேந்துகிட்டா வச்சிடலாம் முத்திரையே
எந்நாளும் கேணித் தண்ணி
ஆத்தோடத்தான் போவாது
ஆஹா
பொன்னான நேரம் வரும் இப்போ அது ஆகாது
Ohoo, here is the lime, and Dindigul betel leaf
If we come together, we can seal the deal
Female: Well water never flows together with the river
Male: Aahaa
Female: The right time will come, it cannot happen right now
தட்டாம தவிக்குது மத்தாளம்
கொட்டாம இருக்குமா குத்தாலம்
அடி அம்மாடி ஆத்தாடி
பரிசம் போடு முன்னாடி......
The drum is agonizing without being struck
Will Courtallam remain without pouring water?
Hey dear mother, place the betrothal dowry first
ராமைய்யா ஒஸ்தாவய்யா
ராமைய்யா ஒஸ்தாவய்யா
ஹா
குழு :
ராமைய்யா ஒஸ்தாவய்யா
ராமைய்யா ஒஸ்தாவய்யா
ஹான்
குழு :
மேரே தில் துஜுக்கோ தியா
ஹான்
குழு :
மேரே தில் துஜுக்கோ தியா...
Ramaiya Vastavaiya (O Ramaiya, will you come?)
Ramaiya Vastavaiya
Male: Haah
Chorus: Ramaiya Vastavaiya
Ramaiya Vastavaiya
Male: Haan
Chorus: I gave my heart to you
Male: Haan
Chorus: I gave my heart to you
ராமைய்யா ஒஸ்தாவய்யா
ராமைய்யா ஒஸ்தாவய்யா
Ramaiya Vastavaiya
Ramaiya Vastavaiya
பின்னால பூவ வைக்க பொழுது பாத்து வந்திருக்கேன்
ஹான்
கண்ணால ஜாட சொல்லி களச்சு போயி நின்னுருக்கேன்
கண்ணாலம் கட்டும் முன்னே சில்மிஷம்தான் பண்ணாதே
மச்சானே கண்ணகிய மாதவியா எண்ணாதே
I have come at the right time to place flowers in your braid
Female: Haan
Male: Expressing desire through my eyes, I stand exhausted
Female: Before getting married, do not play mischief
My husband, do not treat me like Kannagi or Madhavi
சும்மாலும் அளப்பத நிப்பாட்டு
கும்முன்னு கெளம்புது என் பாட்டு
ஒரு பூமால நீ மாத்து வளச்சு போடு அப்போது
Stop making unnecessary fuss
My song rises up cheerfully
Female: Exchange a flower garland first
Put your arms around me then
ஹோய்....பொத்தி வச்ச ரத்தினமே பொட்டு வச்ச சித்திரமே
முக்குளிச்சு நானெடுத்த தூத்துக்குடி முத்தினமே
பக்கம் வந்து தொட்டாலென்ன
பத்து விரல் பட்டாலென்ன
நத்து புல்லாக்கு ஜொலிக்கும் முத்து பல்லாக்கு
தொட்டு தின்னாக்க இனிக்கும் தேங்கா புண்ணாக்கு....
Hey gem that is safely treasured
Oh portrait adorned with a bindi
The one I retrieved by diving deep
Oh pearl from Thoothukudi
What if I come close and touch you?
What if my ten fingers touch you?
A pearl palanquin that speaks to the nose ring
Coconut cake that is sweet to touch and eat
நத்து புல்லாக்கு ஜொலிக்கும் முத்து பல்லாக்கு
ஹாஹான்
குழு :
தொட்டு தின்னாக்க இனிக்கும் தேங்கா புண்ணாக்கு....
A pearl palanquin that speaks to the nose ring
Male: Hahaan
Chorus: Coconut cake that is sweet to touch and eat
ஹேய்....பொத்தி வச்ச ரத்தினமே பொட்டு வச்ச சித்திரமே
முக்குளிச்சு நானெடுத்த தூத்துக்குடி முத்தினமே
பக்கம் வந்து தொட்டாலென்ன
பத்து விரல் பட்டாலென்ன
நத்து புல்லாக்கு ஜொலிக்கும் முத்து பல்லாக்கு
தொட்டு தின்னாக்க இனிக்கும் தேங்கா புண்ணாக்கு....
Hey gem that is safely treasured
Oh portrait adorned with a bindi
The one I retrieved by diving deep
Oh pearl from Thoothukudi
What if I come close and touch you?
What if my ten fingers touch you?
A pearl palanquin that speaks to the nose ring, haan
Coconut cake that is sweet to touch and eat, yes
நத்து புல்லாக்கு ஜொலிக்கும் முத்து பல்லாக்கு
அடிடா
குழு :
தொட்டு தின்னாக்க இனிக்கும் தேங்கா புண்ணாக்கு....
புர்ர் ஆஹ .............
A pearl palanquin that speaks to the nose ring
Male: Play it!
Chorus: Coconut cake that is sweet to touch and eat
Male: Burrrrr…ahh
Naethu vacha meen kulambhae
Yesterday's left-over fish curry
Ae…ae….ae…ae…
Ae…ae….ae…ae…
Mamudhanin kai karumbae
The sugarcane in Cupid's hand
Kaathadikkum karukalilae
In the breezy twilight
Vedichaadum poo arumbhae
The flower bud that bursts open and dances
Un jaadhi naanthan enakku ponjaadhi nee thaan
I am of your kind, and you are my wife
…………………….
Pothi vacha rathinamae
Oh gem that is safely treasured
Pottu vacha chithiramae
Oh portrait adorned with a bindi
Mukkulichu naan edutha
The one I retrieved by diving deep
Thoothukudi muthinamae
Oh pearl from Thoothukudi
Pakkam vandhu thottaal enna
What if I come close and touch you?
Pathu viral pattaal enna
What if my ten fingers touch you?
Nathu bullackku sollikkum muthu pallaakku
A pearl palanquin that speaks to the nose ring
Thottu thinaakka inikkum thenga punnakku
Coconut cake that is sweet to touch and eat
Nathu bullackku sollikkum muthu pallaakku
A pearl palanquin that speaks to the nose ring
Male :Podu
Male: Play it!
Chorus :Thottu thinaakka inikkum thenga punnakku
Chorus: Coconut cake that is sweet to touch and eat
Male :Thinthanakkida
Male: Thinthanakkida
………………………
Ohoo sunnanbhu ingirukku dindukallu vethalaiyae
Ohoo, here is the lime, and Dindigul betel leaf
Onnaaga sernthukittaa vachidalaam muthiraiyae
If we come together, we can seal the deal
Female :Ennaalum kaeni thanni aathodathaan povaadhu
Female: Well water never flows together with the river
Male :Aahaa
Male: Aahaa
Female :Ponaana naeram varum ippo adhu aagadhu
Female: The right time will come, it cannot happen right now
Thattaama thavikudhu mathaalam
The drum is agonizing without being struck
Kottama irukkuma kuthaalam
Will Courtallam remain without pouring water?
Adi ammadi aathaadi parisam podu munnadi
Hey dear mother, place the betrothal dowry first
Raamaiyaa osthavaiyaa
Ramaiya Vastavaiya (O Ramaiya, will you come?)
Raamaiyaa osthavaiyaa
Ramaiya Vastavaiya
Male :Haah
Male: Haah
Chorus :Raamaiyaa osthavaiyaa
Chorus: Ramaiya Vastavaiya
Raamaiyaa osthavaiyaa
Ramaiya Vastavaiya
Male :Haan
Male: Haan
Chorus :Mere dil thujko diya
Chorus: I gave my heart to you
Male :Haan
Male: Haan
Chorus :Mere dil thujko diya
Chorus: I gave my heart to you
Raamaiyaa osthavaiyaa
Ramaiya Vastavaiya
Raamaiyaa osthavaiyaa
Ramaiya Vastavaiya
Pinnala poo vaikka pozhuthu paathu vanthirukken
I have come at the right time to place flowers in your braid
Female :Haan
Female: Haan
Male :Kannala jaada solli kalachu poyi ninnu irukken
Male: Expressing desire through my eyes, I stand exhausted
Female :Kannaalam kattum munnae silmisham thaan pannadhae
Female: Before getting married, do not play mischief
Machaanae kannagiya maadhaviya ennadhae
My husband, do not treat me like Kannagi or Madhavi
Summalum alapaadha nippaattu
Stop making unnecessary fuss
Kummunnu kelambudhu en paattu
My song rises up cheerfully
Female :Oru poo maala nee maathu
Female: Exchange a flower garland first
Valachu podu appodhu
Put your arms around me then
Hoi pothi vacha rathinamae
Hey gem that is safely treasured
Pottu vacha chithiramae
Oh portrait adorned with a bindi
Mukkulichu naan edutha
The one I retrieved by diving deep
Thoothukudi muthinamae
Oh pearl from Thoothukudi
Pakkam vandhu thottaal enna
What if I come close and touch you?
Pathu viral pattaal enna
What if my ten fingers touch you?
Nathu bullackku sollikkum muthu pallaakku
A pearl palanquin that speaks to the nose ring
Thottu thinaakka inikkum thenga punnakku
Coconut cake that is sweet to touch and eat
Nathu bullackku sollikkum muthu pallaakku
A pearl palanquin that speaks to the nose ring
Male :Hahaan
Male: Hahaan
Chorus :Thottu thinaakka inikkum thenga punnakku
Chorus: Coconut cake that is sweet to touch and eat
Haei pothi vacha rathinamae
Hey gem that is safely treasured
Pottu vacha chithiramae
Oh portrait adorned with a bindi
Mukkulichu naan edutha
The one I retrieved by diving deep
Thoothukudi muthinamae
Oh pearl from Thoothukudi
Pakkam vandhu thottaal enna
What if I come close and touch you?
Pathu viral pattaal enna
What if my ten fingers touch you?
Nathu bullackku sollikkum muthu pallaakku haan
A pearl palanquin that speaks to the nose ring, haan
Thottu thinaakka inikkum thenga punnakku aama
Coconut cake that is sweet to touch and eat, yes
Nathu bullackku sollikkum muthu pallaakku
A pearl palanquin that speaks to the nose ring
Male :Adidaa
Male: Play it!
Chorus :Thottu thinaakka inikkum thenga punnakku
Chorus: Coconut cake that is sweet to touch and eat
Male :Burrrrr…ahh
Male: Burrrrr…ahh
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Naethu Vacha Meen Kulambhae' from the film Vasanthakala Paravai (1991) is a lively, playful folk duet depicting a romantic bantering match between the male and female leads. The male protagonist showers his beloved with inventive, rustic compliments—comparing her beauty to flavorful overnight fish curry, sweet sugarcane, and precious pearls from Thoothukudi—while eagerly coaxing her for affection. In response, the heroine playfully rebuffs his impatience, insisting on traditional norms, betrothal, and marriage before any physical closeness. Expressed through lyricist Vaali's signature earthy phrasing and playful cross-lingual allusions to classic Hindi songs, the duet captures the rural charm, teasing chemistry, and joyful anticipation of young love.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani / Uruvagam)
“Naethu vacha meen kulambhae”
The lyricist compares the girl's allure to overnight fish curry ('Naethu vacha meen kulambhae'), which is culturally celebrated for tasting richer and deeper the next day.
Anaphora / Initial Rhyme (Moona)
“Pothi vacha rathinamae / Pottu vacha chithiramae”
Repetition of the initial 'Po' sound across consecutive lines creating a melodic rhythmic beat.
Cultural Allusion
“Raamaiyaa osthavaiyaa / Machaanae kannagiya maadhaviya ennadhae”
The song seamlessly incorporates iconic refrains from the legendary Hindi song 'Ramaiya Vastavaiya' from Shree 420 as well as literary references to Kannagi and Madhavi from Silappatikaram.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Vasanthakala Paravai' (1991) was directed by Pavithran with music composed by Deva. Lyricist Vaali cleverly fused classic Tamil folk metaphors with pop-culture references, including lines from the famous 1955 Hindi song 'Ramaiya Vastavaiya', creating a massive chartbuster that remains popular in Tamil folk music dance numbers.
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