Pullai Thingum
From Anthimanthaarai · 1996
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Sumangali
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Anthimanthaarai1996
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Pullu thingum pullathaachi | Grass-eating pregnant mother, |
| Pottuvacha muthupechi | Pearl-adorned Muthupechi, |
| Valakaapu senju veppom vaanga | Come, let us celebrate the bangle ceremony (Valaikappu) for you. |
| Female | |
| Kutty potta aatu kootam | Flock of goats that have given birth to kids, |
| Kondai aattum kozhi kootam | Group of chickens shaking their crests, |
| Nesam ulla saadhi sanam neenga | You are all loving kin and folk. |
| Female | |
| Pasumaatukku valakaappu | A bangle ceremony for the cow, |
| Velaadudhaan sollum varaverppu | A welcome announced by the female goat! |
| Pasumaatukku valakaappu | A bangle ceremony for the cow, |
| Velaadudhaan sollum varaverppu | A welcome announced by the female goat! |
| Female | |
| Pullu thingum pullathaachi | Grass-eating pregnant mother, |
| Pottuvacha muthupechi | Pearl-adorned Muthupechi, |
| Valakaapu senju veppom vaanga | Come, let us celebrate the bangle ceremony for you. |
| Female | |
| Kutty potta aatu kootam | Flock of goats that have given birth to kids, |
| Kondai aattum kozhi kootam | Group of chickens shaking their crests, |
| Nesam ulla saadhi sanam neenga | You are all loving kin and folk. |
| Female | |
| Kokarakoo kooo | Cock-a-doodle-doo! |
| {Kokara kokara kok kok koo | {Kokara kokara kok kok koo |
| Kokara kokara kok kok koo | Kokara kokara kok kok koo |
| Kok kok kok kok kok kok | Kok kok kok kok kok kok |
| Kok kok ko ko kooo} (2) | Kok kok ko ko kooo} (2) |
| Female | |
| Suththam ulla paalu | Knowing that pure milk |
| Ratham endru kandum | Is indeed transformed blood, |
| Saathibaedham ilaama | Without any caste discrimination, |
| Kudikkiringa | You drink it all. |
| Female | |
| Vella pasu sindhum | Taking the sacred cow urine (komiyam) |
| Komiyaththa alli | Shed by the white cow, |
| Veedu vaasal ellaamae | Across the home and doorstep, |
| Thelikkirigaa | You sprinkle it everywhere. |
| Female | |
| Kondaatam pasu | It is a celebration if a cow |
| Potta kannu potta | Gives birth to a female calf; |
| Kondaatam oru | But if a human girl child is born, |
| Potta pulla porandha | It leads to endless trouble! |
| Female | |
| Thindaatam ini | From now on, if I am born |
| Pottiya porandhu | As a female in my next birth, |
| Vandhaalae naan | Let me be born |
| Pasuvaa porakkanum | As a sacred cow! |
| Female | |
| Pullu thingum pullathaachi | Grass-eating pregnant mother, |
| Pottuvacha muthupechi | Pearl-adorned Muthupechi, |
| Valakaapu senju veppom vaanga | Come, let us celebrate the bangle ceremony for you. |
| Female | |
| Kutty potta aatu kootam | Flock of goats that have given birth to kids, |
| Kondai aattum kozhi kootam | Group of chickens shaking their crests, |
| Nesam ulla saadhi sanam neenga | You are all loving kin and folk. |
| Female | |
| Pasumaatukku valakaappu | A bangle ceremony for the cow, |
| Velaadudhaan sollum varaverppu | A welcome announced by the female goat! |
| Pasumaatukku valakaappu | A bangle ceremony for the cow, |
| Velaadudhaan sollum varaverppu | A welcome announced by the female goat! |
| Female | |
| Santhanatha appi | Smearing sandalwood paste, |
| Kungumaththa vachi | Placing vermilion (kumkum), |
| Komba suththi sevandhi | Tying yellow chrysanthemum flowers |
| Poo mudingaa | Around her horns, |
| Female | |
| Kaala neram paarthu | Looking for an auspicious time, |
| Kaal valavi ittu | Putting bangles on her legs, |
| Mukkaama pulla pera | Bless her to give birth |
| Varam kodungaa | Without much pain or strain! |
| Female | |
| Ammadi intha potta maadu | Oh girl, this female cow |
| Ennaikkumae namaalu | Is always our own family member. |
| Oru potta kannu poda solli | Ask her to give birth |
| Nee kelu | To a female calf! |
| Female | |
| Konjam poruthukka | Wait just a little while, |
| Vara podhu seempaalu | Colostrum milk (seempaal) will arrive soon, |
| Andha rusiyo rusiyadi | Ah, what a delicious taste that will be! |
| Female | |
| Pullu thingum pullathaachi | Grass-eating pregnant mother, |
| Pottuvacha muthupechi | Pearl-adorned Muthupechi, |
| Valakaapu senju veppom vaanga | Come, let us celebrate the bangle ceremony for you. |
| Female | |
| Kutty potta aatu kootam | Flock of goats that have given birth to kids, |
| Kondai aattum kozhi kootam | Group of chickens shaking their crests, |
| Nesam ulla saadhi sanam neenga | You are all loving kin and folk. |
| Female | |
| Pasumaatukku valakaappu | A bangle ceremony for the cow, |
| Velaadudhaan sollum varaverppu | A welcome announced by the female goat! |
| Pasumaatukku valakaappu | A bangle ceremony for the cow, |
| Velaadudhaan sollum varaverppu | A welcome announced by the female goat! |
புல்லு திங்கும் புள்ளத்தாச்சி
பொட்டுவச்ச முத்துபேச்சி
வளைகாப்பு செஞ்சு வைப்போம் வாங்க
Grass-eating pregnant mother,
Pearl-adorned Muthupechi,
Come, let us celebrate the bangle ceremony (Valaikappu) for you.
குட்டி போட்ட ஆட்டு கூட்டம்
கொண்டை ஆட்டும் கோழி கூட்டம்
நேசம் உள்ள சாதி சனம் நீங்க
Flock of goats that have given birth to kids,
Group of chickens shaking their crests,
You are all loving kin and folk.
பசுமாட்டுக்கு வளைகாப்பு
வெள்ளாடுதான் சொல்லும் வரவேற்ப்பு
பசுமாட்டுக்கு வளைகாப்பு
வெள்ளாடுதான் சொல்லும் வரவேற்ப்பு
A bangle ceremony for the cow,
A welcome announced by the female goat!
A bangle ceremony for the cow,
A welcome announced by the female goat!
புல்லு திங்கும் புள்ளத்தாச்சி
பொட்டுவச்ச முத்துபேச்சி
வளைகாப்பு செஞ்சு வைப்போம் வாங்க
Grass-eating pregnant mother,
Pearl-adorned Muthupechi,
Come, let us celebrate the bangle ceremony for you.
குட்டி போட்ட ஆட்டு கூட்டம்
கொண்டை ஆட்டும் கோழி கூட்டம்
நேசம் உள்ள சாதி சனம் நீங்க
Flock of goats that have given birth to kids,
Group of chickens shaking their crests,
You are all loving kin and folk.
கொக்கரகோ கோ
{கொக்கர கொக்கர கோக் கோக் கூ
கொக்கர கொக்கர கோக் கோக் கூ
கோக் கோக் கோக் கோக் கோக் கோக்
கோக் கோக் கோ கோ கூ} (2)
Cock-a-doodle-doo!
{Kokara kokara kok kok koo
Kokara kokara kok kok koo
Kok kok kok kok kok kok
Kok kok ko ko kooo} (2)
சுத்தம் உள்ள பாலு
ரத்தம் என்று கண்டும்
சாதிபேதம் இல்லாம
குடிகிறிங்க
Knowing that pure milk
Is indeed transformed blood,
Without any caste discrimination,
You drink it all.
கொண்டாட்டம் பசு
பொட்ட கன்னு போட்டா
கொண்டாட்டம் ஒரு
பொட்ட புள்ள பொறந்தா
Taking the sacred cow urine (komiyam)
Shed by the white cow,
Across the home and doorstep,
You sprinkle it everywhere.
திண்டாட்டம் இனி
போட்டியா பொறந்து
வந்தாலே நான்
பசுவா பொறக்கணும்
It is a celebration if a cow
Gives birth to a female calf;
But if a human girl child is born,
It leads to endless trouble!
புல்லு திங்கும் புள்ளத்தாச்சி
பொட்டுவச்ச முத்துபேச்சி
வளைகாப்பு செஞ்சு வைப்போம் வாங்க
From now on, if I am born
As a female in my next birth,
Let me be born
As a sacred cow!
குட்டி போட்ட ஆட்டு கூட்டம்
கொண்டை ஆட்டும் கோழி கூட்டம்
நேசம் உள்ள சாதி சனம் நீங்க
Grass-eating pregnant mother,
Pearl-adorned Muthupechi,
Come, let us celebrate the bangle ceremony for you.
பசுமாட்டுக்கு வளைகாப்பு
வெள்ளாடுதான் சொல்லும் வரவேற்ப்பு
பசுமாட்டுக்கு வளைகாப்பு
வெள்ளாடுதான் சொல்லும் வரவேற்ப்பு
Flock of goats that have given birth to kids,
Group of chickens shaking their crests,
You are all loving kin and folk.
சந்தனத்த அப்பி
குங்குமத்த வச்சி
கொம்ப சுத்தி செவ்வந்தி
பூ முடிங்க
A bangle ceremony for the cow,
A welcome announced by the female goat!
A bangle ceremony for the cow,
A welcome announced by the female goat!
கால நேரம் பார்த்து
கால் வளவி இட்டு
முக்காம புள்ள பெற
வரம் கொடுங்க
Smearing sandalwood paste,
Placing vermilion (kumkum),
Tying yellow chrysanthemum flowers
Around her horns,
அம்மாடி இந்த பொட்ட மாடு
என்னைக்குமே நம்மாளு
ஒரு பொட்ட கன்னு போட சொல்லி
நீ கேளு
Looking for an auspicious time,
Putting bangles on her legs,
Bless her to give birth
Without much pain or strain!
கொஞ்சம் பொறுத்துக்க
வரபோது சீம்பாலு
அந்த ருசியோ ருசியடி
Oh girl, this female cow
Is always our own family member.
Ask her to give birth
To a female calf!
புல்லு திங்கும் புள்ளத்தாச்சி
பொட்டுவச்ச முத்துபேச்சி
வளைகாப்பு செஞ்சு வைப்போம் வாங்க
Wait just a little while,
Colostrum milk (seempaal) will arrive soon,
Ah, what a delicious taste that will be!
குட்டி போட்ட ஆட்டு கூட்டம்
கொண்டை ஆட்டும் கோழி கூட்டம்
நேசம் உள்ள சாதி சனம் நீங்க
Grass-eating pregnant mother,
Pearl-adorned Muthupechi,
Come, let us celebrate the bangle ceremony for you.
பசுமாட்டுக்கு வளைகாப்பு
வெள்ளாடுதான் சொல்லும் வரவேற்ப்பு
பசுமாட்டுக்கு வளைகாப்பு
வெள்ளாடுதான் சொல்லும் வரவேற்ப்பு
Flock of goats that have given birth to kids,
Group of chickens shaking their crests,
You are all loving kin and folk.
A bangle ceremony for the cow,
A welcome announced by the female goat!
A bangle ceremony for the cow,
A welcome announced by the female goat!
Pullu thingum pullathaachi
Grass-eating pregnant mother,
Pottuvacha muthupechi
Pearl-adorned Muthupechi,
Valakaapu senju veppom vaanga
Come, let us celebrate the bangle ceremony (Valaikappu) for you.
Kutty potta aatu kootam
Flock of goats that have given birth to kids,
Kondai aattum kozhi kootam
Group of chickens shaking their crests,
Nesam ulla saadhi sanam neenga
You are all loving kin and folk.
Pasumaatukku valakaappu
A bangle ceremony for the cow,
Velaadudhaan sollum varaverppu
A welcome announced by the female goat!
Pasumaatukku valakaappu
A bangle ceremony for the cow,
Velaadudhaan sollum varaverppu
A welcome announced by the female goat!
Pullu thingum pullathaachi
Grass-eating pregnant mother,
Pottuvacha muthupechi
Pearl-adorned Muthupechi,
Valakaapu senju veppom vaanga
Come, let us celebrate the bangle ceremony for you.
Kutty potta aatu kootam
Flock of goats that have given birth to kids,
Kondai aattum kozhi kootam
Group of chickens shaking their crests,
Nesam ulla saadhi sanam neenga
You are all loving kin and folk.
Kokarakoo kooo
Cock-a-doodle-doo!
{Kokara kokara kok kok koo
{Kokara kokara kok kok koo
Kokara kokara kok kok koo
Kokara kokara kok kok koo
Kok kok kok kok kok kok
Kok kok kok kok kok kok
Kok kok ko ko kooo} (2)
Kok kok ko ko kooo} (2)
Suththam ulla paalu
Knowing that pure milk
Ratham endru kandum
Is indeed transformed blood,
Saathibaedham ilaama
Without any caste discrimination,
Kudikkiringa
You drink it all.
Vella pasu sindhum
Taking the sacred cow urine (komiyam)
Komiyaththa alli
Shed by the white cow,
Veedu vaasal ellaamae
Across the home and doorstep,
Thelikkirigaa
You sprinkle it everywhere.
Kondaatam pasu
It is a celebration if a cow
Potta kannu potta
Gives birth to a female calf;
Kondaatam oru
But if a human girl child is born,
Potta pulla porandha
It leads to endless trouble!
Thindaatam ini
From now on, if I am born
Pottiya porandhu
As a female in my next birth,
Vandhaalae naan
Let me be born
Pasuvaa porakkanum
As a sacred cow!
Pullu thingum pullathaachi
Grass-eating pregnant mother,
Pottuvacha muthupechi
Pearl-adorned Muthupechi,
Valakaapu senju veppom vaanga
Come, let us celebrate the bangle ceremony for you.
Kutty potta aatu kootam
Flock of goats that have given birth to kids,
Kondai aattum kozhi kootam
Group of chickens shaking their crests,
Nesam ulla saadhi sanam neenga
You are all loving kin and folk.
Pasumaatukku valakaappu
A bangle ceremony for the cow,
Velaadudhaan sollum varaverppu
A welcome announced by the female goat!
Pasumaatukku valakaappu
A bangle ceremony for the cow,
Velaadudhaan sollum varaverppu
A welcome announced by the female goat!
Santhanatha appi
Smearing sandalwood paste,
Kungumaththa vachi
Placing vermilion (kumkum),
Komba suththi sevandhi
Tying yellow chrysanthemum flowers
Poo mudingaa
Around her horns,
Kaala neram paarthu
Looking for an auspicious time,
Kaal valavi ittu
Putting bangles on her legs,
Mukkaama pulla pera
Bless her to give birth
Varam kodungaa
Without much pain or strain!
Ammadi intha potta maadu
Oh girl, this female cow
Ennaikkumae namaalu
Is always our own family member.
Oru potta kannu poda solli
Ask her to give birth
Nee kelu
To a female calf!
Konjam poruthukka
Wait just a little while,
Vara podhu seempaalu
Colostrum milk (seempaal) will arrive soon,
Andha rusiyo rusiyadi
Ah, what a delicious taste that will be!
Pullu thingum pullathaachi
Grass-eating pregnant mother,
Pottuvacha muthupechi
Pearl-adorned Muthupechi,
Valakaapu senju veppom vaanga
Come, let us celebrate the bangle ceremony for you.
Kutty potta aatu kootam
Flock of goats that have given birth to kids,
Kondai aattum kozhi kootam
Group of chickens shaking their crests,
Nesam ulla saadhi sanam neenga
You are all loving kin and folk.
Pasumaatukku valakaappu
A bangle ceremony for the cow,
Velaadudhaan sollum varaverppu
A welcome announced by the female goat!
Pasumaatukku valakaappu
A bangle ceremony for the cow,
Velaadudhaan sollum varaverppu
A welcome announced by the female goat!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from the film Anthimanthaarai (1996) depicts a traditional, heartwarming ritual—a baby shower (Valaikappu) performed for a pregnant cow named Muthupechi. Through rich folk motifs and rustic imagery, the lyrics celebrate the deep bond between rural villagers and their livestock, treating the pregnant cow with the same tender love and ritual care given to a human mother-to-be. Simultaneously, lyricist Vairamuthu weaves a poignant social critique into the narrative. He contrasts the unconditional joy and celebration surrounding the birth of a female calf with the hardship, social prejudice, and sorrow often associated with the birth of a human girl child in patriarchal systems. Expressing this irony, the narrator poignantly wishes that if she must be born female in a future life, she would rather be born as a cow.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Suththam ulla paalu / Ratham endru kandum”
The second consonant 'th'/'tt' creates rhythmic harmony across lines in folk style.
Onomatopoeia
“Kokarakoo kooo”
Use of phonetic sounds mimicking a rooster to evoke the rural village atmosphere.
Personification
“Pasumaatukku valakaappu / Velaadudhaan sollum varaverppu”
Animals are treated as human relatives participating in human cultural rites like Valaikappu.
Irony / Social Contrast
“Kondaatam pasu Potta kannu potta / Kondaatam oru Potta pulla porandha Thindaatam”
Sharp thematic contrast comparing societal joy for female calves against grief over female human babies.
Did you know?
Trivia
Anthimanthaarai (1996) was directed by Bharathiraja with music composed by A. R. Rahman. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil. The lyrics by Vairamuthu reflect regional folk culture while subtly highlighting pressing social issues of female discrimination.
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