Saanthu Pottu
From Veera Thalattu · 1998
- Lyricist
- Kasthuri Raja
- Singers
- Arun Mozhi, Swarnalatha
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Veera Thalattu1998
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Saanthu pottum | The paste bindi, |
| Santhana pottum | The sandalwood bindi, |
| Thala thalakkura sarigai pattum | The shimmering zari silk saree, |
| En manasula kokki poduthu | Hooks my heart, |
| Naagarathinamae | Oh Naagarathinam! |
| Chorus | |
| Saanthu pottum | The paste bindi, |
| Santhana pottum | The sandalwood bindi, |
| Thala thalakkura sarigai pattum | The shimmering zari silk saree, |
| En manasula kokki poduthu | Hooks my heart, |
| Naagarathinamae | Oh Naagarathinam! |
| Male | |
| Nadu chaamathila | In the middle of the night, |
| Urakkam kettadhu | My sleep was ruined, |
| Naagarathinamae | Oh Naagarathinam! |
| Andha kaaranatha | Find out the reason for that, |
| Therinji solladi naagarathinamae | And tell me, oh Naagarathinam! |
| Chorus | |
| Nadu chaamathila | In the middle of the night, |
| Urakkam kettadhu | My sleep was ruined, |
| Naagarathinamae | Oh Naagarathinam! |
| Andha kaaranatha | Find out the reason for that, |
| Therinji solladi naagarathinamae | And tell me, oh Naagarathinam! |
| Female | |
| Velanja nethu vedichirukku | The grown crop has sprouted, |
| Velanja naathu vedichirukku | The grown sapling has sprouted, |
| Vedala pulla samanjirukku | The young girl has come of age, |
| Kadala poovum malarndhu nikkuthu | The peanut blossom is blooming, |
| Aasa raasaavae | Oh beloved king! |
| Chorus | |
| Velanja naathu vedichirukku | The grown sapling has sprouted, |
| Vedala pulla samanjirukku | The young girl has come of age, |
| Kadala poovum malarndhu nikkuthu | The peanut blossom is blooming, |
| Aasa raasaavae | Oh beloved king! |
| Female | |
| Ada kaninja pazhaththa | Ah, a bird pecks at the ripe fruit, |
| Kuruvi kothuthu aasa raasaavae | Pecks at it, oh beloved king! |
| Andha kaaranatha | Find out the reason for that, |
| Therinji sollanum aasa raasaavae | And tell me, oh beloved king! |
| Chorus | |
| Ada kaninja pazhaththa | Ah, a bird pecks at the ripe fruit, |
| Kuruvi kothuthu aasa raasaavae | Pecks at it, oh beloved king! |
| Andha kaaranatha | Find out the reason for that, |
| Therinji sollanum aasa raasaavae | And tell me, oh beloved king! |
| Male | |
| Paadhi raathiri padhari ezhunthu | Waking up startled in the middle of the night, |
| Paaya viruchi muzhuchirunthen | I spread out the mat and stayed awake, |
| Male | |
| Ada paadhi raathiri padhari ezhunthu | Ah, waking up startled in the middle of the night, |
| Paaya viruchi muzhuchirunthen | I spread out the mat and stayed awake, |
| Muzhuchirunthum kanavu vandhathu | Even while awake, a dream arrived, |
| Naagarathinamae | Oh Naagarathinam! |
| Chorus | |
| Paadhi raathiri padhari ezhunthu | Waking up startled in the middle of the night, |
| Paaya viruchi muzhuchirunthen | I spread out the mat and stayed awake, |
| Muzhuchirunthum kanavu vandhathu | Even while awake, a dream arrived, |
| Naagarathinamae | Oh Naagarathinam! |
| Male | |
| Oru maadhiriyaaga | In a strange kind of way, |
| Manasu kettadhu naagarathinamae | My heart went awry, oh Naagarathinam! |
| Andha kaaranatha | Find out the reason for that, |
| Therinji solladi naagarathinamae | And tell me, oh Naagarathinam! |
| Female | |
| Soru thanni erangalaiyae | Food and water won't go down, |
| Velai seiya thonalaiyae | Don't feel like working, |
| Soru thanni erangalaiyae | Food and water won't go down, |
| Velai seiya thonalaiyae | Don't feel like working, |
| En nenappum enkitta illaiyae | Even my thoughts are not with me, |
| Aasa raasaavae | Oh beloved king! |
| Chorus | |
| Soru thanni erangalaiyae | Food and water won't go down, |
| Velai seiya thonalaiyae | Don't feel like working, |
| En nenappum enkitta illaiyae | Even my thoughts are not with me, |
| Aasa raasaavae | Oh beloved king! |
| Female | |
| Oru maadhiriyaa | In a peculiar way, |
| Mayakkam varuthu aasa raasaavae | Dizziness overcomes me, oh beloved king! |
| Andha kaaranatha | Find out the reason for that, |
| Therinji sollanum aasaraasaavae | And tell me, oh beloved king! |
| Male | |
| Yeru pudichi uzhugaiyila | While holding the plow and farming, |
| Yetham katti yerakkaiyila | While pulling up the water lift, |
| Yeru pudichi uzhugaiyila | While holding the plow and farming, |
| Yetham katti yerakkaiyila | While pulling up the water lift, |
| Thaarumaara buththi poguthu | My mind goes crazy and wild, |
| Naagarathinamae | Oh Naagarathinam! |
| Chorus | |
| Yeru pudichi uzhugaiyila | While holding the plow and farming, |
| Yetham katti yerakkaiyila | While pulling up the water lift, |
| Thaarumaara buththi poguthu | My mind goes crazy and wild, |
| Naagarathinamae | Oh Naagarathinam! |
| Male | |
| Raathiri pagalu theriyalaiyae | I can't tell night from day, |
| Naagarathinamae | Oh Naagarathinam! |
| Andha kaaranatha | Find out the reason for that, |
| Therinji solladi naagarathinamae | And tell me, oh Naagarathinam! |
| Female | |
| Kodi sananga irukkaiyila | While millions of people are there, |
| Sodi ponnunga sirikkaiyila | While young couples laugh around, |
| Kodi sananga irukkaiyila | While millions of people are there, |
| Sodi ponnunga sirikkaiyila | While young couples laugh around, |
| Aadi adangi naan kidakken | I lie down quiet and subdued, |
| Aasa raasaavae | Oh beloved king! |
| Chorus | |
| Kodi sananga irukkaiyila | While millions of people are there, |
| Sodi ponnunga sirikkaiyila | While young couples laugh around, |
| Aadi adangi naan kidakken | I lie down quiet and subdued, |
| Aasa raasaavae | Oh beloved king! |
| Female | |
| Adha ooru muzhukka | About that, the whole village, |
| Jaada pesuthu aasa raasaavae | Speaks in subtle hints, oh beloved king! |
| Andha kaaranatha | Find out the reason for that, |
| Therinji sollanum aasaraasaavae | And tell me, oh beloved king! |
சாந்து பொட்டும்
சந்தன பொட்டும்
தல தளக்குற சரிகை பட்டும்
எம்மனசுல கொக்கி போடுது
நாகரத்தினமே
The paste bindi,
The sandalwood bindi,
The shimmering zari silk saree,
Hooks my heart,
Oh Naagarathinam!
ஆண் குழு :
அடி சாந்து பொட்டும்
சந்தன பொட்டும்
தல தளக்குற சரிகை பட்டும்
எம்மனசுல கொக்கி போடுது
நாகரத்தினமே
The paste bindi,
The sandalwood bindi,
The shimmering zari silk saree,
Hooks my heart,
Oh Naagarathinam!
நடு சமத்துல
உறக்கம் கெட்டதும் நாகரத்தினமே
அந்த காரணத்த தெரிஞ்சு
சொல்லடி நாகரத்தினமே
In the middle of the night,
My sleep was ruined,
Oh Naagarathinam!
Find out the reason for that,
And tell me, oh Naagarathinam!
ஆண் குழு :
நடு சமத்துல
உறக்கம் கெட்டதும் நாகரத்தினமே
அந்த காரணத்த தெரிஞ்சு
சொல்லடி நாகரத்தினமே...
In the middle of the night,
My sleep was ruined,
Oh Naagarathinam!
Find out the reason for that,
And tell me, oh Naagarathinam!
வெளஞ்ச நெத்து வெடிச்சிருக்கு
வெளஞ்ச நெத்து வெடிச்சிருக்கு
வெடலப்புள்ள சமஞ்சிருக்கு
கடலைப்பூவும் மலர்ந்து நிக்குது
ஆச ராசாவே...
The grown crop has sprouted,
The grown sapling has sprouted,
The young girl has come of age,
The peanut blossom is blooming,
Oh beloved king!
பெண் குழு :
வெளஞ்ச நெத்து வெடிச்சிருக்கு
வெளஞ்ச நெத்து வெடிச்சிருக்கு
வெடலப்புள்ள சமஞ்சிருக்கு
கடலைப்பூவும் மலர்ந்து நிக்குது
ஆச ராசாவே...
The grown sapling has sprouted,
The young girl has come of age,
The peanut blossom is blooming,
Oh beloved king!
அட கனிஞ்ச பழத்த
குருவி கொத்துது ஆச ராசாவே
அந்த காரணத்த தெரிஞ்சு சொல்லணும்
ஆச ராசாவே
Ah, a bird pecks at the ripe fruit,
Pecks at it, oh beloved king!
Find out the reason for that,
And tell me, oh beloved king!
பெண் குழு :
அட கனிஞ்ச பழத்த
குருவி கொத்துது ஆச ராசாவே
அந்த காரணத்த தெரிஞ்சு சொல்லணும்
ஆச ராசாவே
Ah, a bird pecks at the ripe fruit,
Pecks at it, oh beloved king!
Find out the reason for that,
And tell me, oh beloved king!
பாதி ராத்திரி
பதறி எழுந்து பாய விரிச்சி
முழிச்சிருந்தேன்
Waking up startled in the middle of the night,
I spread out the mat and stayed awake,
அட பாதி ராத்திரி
பதறி எழுந்து பாய விரிச்சி
முழிச்சிருந்தேன்
முழிச்சிருந்தும் கனவு வந்ததும்
நாகரத்தினமே
Ah, waking up startled in the middle of the night,
I spread out the mat and stayed awake,
Even while awake, a dream arrived,
Oh Naagarathinam!
ஆண் குழு :
பாதி ராத்திரி
பதறி எழுந்து பாய விரிச்சி
முழிச்சிருந்தேன்
முழிச்சிருந்தும் கனவு வந்ததும்
நாகரத்தினமே
Waking up startled in the middle of the night,
I spread out the mat and stayed awake,
Even while awake, a dream arrived,
Oh Naagarathinam!
ஒரு மாதிரியா மனசு கெட்டது
நாகரத்தினமே
அந்த காரணத்த
தெரிஞ்சு சொல்லடி நாகரத்தினமே
In a strange kind of way,
My heart went awry, oh Naagarathinam!
Find out the reason for that,
And tell me, oh Naagarathinam!
சோறு தண்ணி இறங்கலையே
வேலை செய்ய தோனலையே....
சோறு தண்ணி இறங்கலையே
வேலை செய்ய தோனலையே
என் நெனப்பும் எங்கிட்ட
இல்லையே ஆச ராசாவே
Food and water won't go down,
Don't feel like working,
Food and water won't go down,
Don't feel like working,
Even my thoughts are not with me,
Oh beloved king!
பெண் குழு :
சோறு தண்ணி இறங்கலையே
வேலை செய்ய தோனலையே
என் நெனப்பும் எங்கிட்ட
இல்லையே ஆச ராசாவே
Food and water won't go down,
Don't feel like working,
Even my thoughts are not with me,
Oh beloved king!
ஒரு மாதிரியா
மயக்கம் வருது ஆச ராசாவே
அந்த காரணத்த தெரிஞ்சு சொல்லணும்
ஆச ராசாவே
In a peculiar way,
Dizziness overcomes me, oh beloved king!
Find out the reason for that,
And tell me, oh beloved king!
ஏரு புடிச்சு உழுகையில்ல
ஏத்தம் கட்டி இறைக்கையிலே
அடி ஏரு புடிச்சு உழுகையில்ல
ஏத்தம் கட்டி இறைக்கையிலே
தாறு மாறா புத்தி போகுது நாகரத்தினமே
While holding the plow and farming,
While pulling up the water lift,
While holding the plow and farming,
While pulling up the water lift,
My mind goes crazy and wild,
Oh Naagarathinam!
ஆண் குழு :
ஏரு புடிச்சு உழுகையில்ல
ஏத்தம் கட்டி இறைக்கையிலே
தாறு மாறா புத்தி போகுது நாகரத்தினமே
While holding the plow and farming,
While pulling up the water lift,
My mind goes crazy and wild,
Oh Naagarathinam!
ராத்திரி பகலு
தெரியலையே நாகரத்தினமே
அந்த காரணத்த தெரிஞ்சு
சொல்லடி நாகரத்தினமே
I can't tell night from day,
Oh Naagarathinam!
Find out the reason for that,
And tell me, oh Naagarathinam!
கூடி சனங்க இருக்கையிலே
சோடிப் பொண்ணுங்க சிரிக்கையிலே
கூடி சனங்க இருக்கையிலே
சோடிப் பொண்ணுங்க சிரிக்கையிலே
ஆடி அடங்கி நான்
கிடக்கேன் ஆச ராசாவே
While millions of people are there,
While young couples laugh around,
While millions of people are there,
While young couples laugh around,
I lie down quiet and subdued,
Oh beloved king!
பெண் குழு :
கூடி சனங்க இருக்கையிலே
சோடிப் பொண்ணுங்க சிரிக்கையிலே
ஆடி அடங்கி நான்
கிடக்கேன் ஆச ராசாவே
While millions of people are there,
While young couples laugh around,
I lie down quiet and subdued,
Oh beloved king!
அத ஊரு முழுக்க ஜாடை
பேசுது ஆச ராசாவே
அந்த காரணத்த தெரிஞ்சு சொல்லணும்
ஆச ராசாவே
About that, the whole village,
Speaks in subtle hints, oh beloved king!
Find out the reason for that,
And tell me, oh beloved king!
Saanthu pottum
The paste bindi,
Santhana pottum
The sandalwood bindi,
Thala thalakkura sarigai pattum
The shimmering zari silk saree,
En manasula kokki poduthu
Hooks my heart,
Naagarathinamae
Oh Naagarathinam!
Saanthu pottum
The paste bindi,
Santhana pottum
The sandalwood bindi,
Thala thalakkura sarigai pattum
The shimmering zari silk saree,
En manasula kokki poduthu
Hooks my heart,
Naagarathinamae
Oh Naagarathinam!
Nadu chaamathila
In the middle of the night,
Urakkam kettadhu
My sleep was ruined,
Naagarathinamae
Oh Naagarathinam!
Andha kaaranatha
Find out the reason for that,
Therinji solladi naagarathinamae
And tell me, oh Naagarathinam!
Nadu chaamathila
In the middle of the night,
Urakkam kettadhu
My sleep was ruined,
Naagarathinamae
Oh Naagarathinam!
Andha kaaranatha
Find out the reason for that,
Therinji solladi naagarathinamae
And tell me, oh Naagarathinam!
Velanja nethu vedichirukku
The grown crop has sprouted,
Velanja naathu vedichirukku
The grown sapling has sprouted,
Vedala pulla samanjirukku
The young girl has come of age,
Kadala poovum malarndhu nikkuthu
The peanut blossom is blooming,
Aasa raasaavae
Oh beloved king!
Velanja naathu vedichirukku
The grown sapling has sprouted,
Vedala pulla samanjirukku
The young girl has come of age,
Kadala poovum malarndhu nikkuthu
The peanut blossom is blooming,
Aasa raasaavae
Oh beloved king!
Ada kaninja pazhaththa
Ah, a bird pecks at the ripe fruit,
Kuruvi kothuthu aasa raasaavae
Pecks at it, oh beloved king!
Andha kaaranatha
Find out the reason for that,
Therinji sollanum aasa raasaavae
And tell me, oh beloved king!
Ada kaninja pazhaththa
Ah, a bird pecks at the ripe fruit,
Kuruvi kothuthu aasa raasaavae
Pecks at it, oh beloved king!
Andha kaaranatha
Find out the reason for that,
Therinji sollanum aasa raasaavae
And tell me, oh beloved king!
Paadhi raathiri padhari ezhunthu
Waking up startled in the middle of the night,
Paaya viruchi muzhuchirunthen
I spread out the mat and stayed awake,
Ada paadhi raathiri padhari ezhunthu
Ah, waking up startled in the middle of the night,
Paaya viruchi muzhuchirunthen
I spread out the mat and stayed awake,
Muzhuchirunthum kanavu vandhathu
Even while awake, a dream arrived,
Naagarathinamae
Oh Naagarathinam!
Paadhi raathiri padhari ezhunthu
Waking up startled in the middle of the night,
Paaya viruchi muzhuchirunthen
I spread out the mat and stayed awake,
Muzhuchirunthum kanavu vandhathu
Even while awake, a dream arrived,
Naagarathinamae
Oh Naagarathinam!
Oru maadhiriyaaga
In a strange kind of way,
Manasu kettadhu naagarathinamae
My heart went awry, oh Naagarathinam!
Andha kaaranatha
Find out the reason for that,
Therinji solladi naagarathinamae
And tell me, oh Naagarathinam!
Soru thanni erangalaiyae
Food and water won't go down,
Velai seiya thonalaiyae
Don't feel like working,
Soru thanni erangalaiyae
Food and water won't go down,
Velai seiya thonalaiyae
Don't feel like working,
En nenappum enkitta illaiyae
Even my thoughts are not with me,
Aasa raasaavae
Oh beloved king!
Soru thanni erangalaiyae
Food and water won't go down,
Velai seiya thonalaiyae
Don't feel like working,
En nenappum enkitta illaiyae
Even my thoughts are not with me,
Aasa raasaavae
Oh beloved king!
Oru maadhiriyaa
In a peculiar way,
Mayakkam varuthu aasa raasaavae
Dizziness overcomes me, oh beloved king!
Andha kaaranatha
Find out the reason for that,
Therinji sollanum aasaraasaavae
And tell me, oh beloved king!
Yeru pudichi uzhugaiyila
While holding the plow and farming,
Yetham katti yerakkaiyila
While pulling up the water lift,
Yeru pudichi uzhugaiyila
While holding the plow and farming,
Yetham katti yerakkaiyila
While pulling up the water lift,
Thaarumaara buththi poguthu
My mind goes crazy and wild,
Naagarathinamae
Oh Naagarathinam!
Yeru pudichi uzhugaiyila
While holding the plow and farming,
Yetham katti yerakkaiyila
While pulling up the water lift,
Thaarumaara buththi poguthu
My mind goes crazy and wild,
Naagarathinamae
Oh Naagarathinam!
Raathiri pagalu theriyalaiyae
I can't tell night from day,
Naagarathinamae
Oh Naagarathinam!
Andha kaaranatha
Find out the reason for that,
Therinji solladi naagarathinamae
And tell me, oh Naagarathinam!
Kodi sananga irukkaiyila
While millions of people are there,
Sodi ponnunga sirikkaiyila
While young couples laugh around,
Kodi sananga irukkaiyila
While millions of people are there,
Sodi ponnunga sirikkaiyila
While young couples laugh around,
Aadi adangi naan kidakken
I lie down quiet and subdued,
Aasa raasaavae
Oh beloved king!
Kodi sananga irukkaiyila
While millions of people are there,
Sodi ponnunga sirikkaiyila
While young couples laugh around,
Aadi adangi naan kidakken
I lie down quiet and subdued,
Aasa raasaavae
Oh beloved king!
Adha ooru muzhukka
About that, the whole village,
Jaada pesuthu aasa raasaavae
Speaks in subtle hints, oh beloved king!
Andha kaaranatha
Find out the reason for that,
Therinji sollanum aasaraasaavae
And tell me, oh beloved king!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Saanthu Pottum is a playful yet emotionally rich folk duet from the Tamil film Veera Thalattu (1998). The song depicts a romantic back-and-forth dialogue between a man and a woman in a rural setting. The male protagonist addresses his beloved, calling her Naagarathinam, expressing how her appearance, traditional bindi, and silk sarees constantly distract his heart and disrupt his sleep and work. In response, the female protagonist refers to him as Aasa Raasa (beloved king) and playfully describes her own youthfulness, physical maturity, and romantic longing through agricultural and nature metaphors like blooming flowers and ripe fruits. Together, both express the sweet agony of falling in love—restlessness, loss of appetite, inability to focus on daily chores, and the playful teasing of the villagers around them.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor / Agricultural Imagery
“Velanja naathu vedichirukku / Kadala poovum malarndhu nikkuthu”
The lyrics use rich rural metaphors such as blooming peanut flowers, sprouting crops, and birds pecking ripe fruits to symbolically describe youth, physical maturity, and blossoming love.
Monorhyme and Rhyme (Edhukai / Monai)
“Saanthu pottum / Santhana pottum”
The song employs traditional Tamil poetic rhymes where initial or second syllables match across lines (e.g., Saanthu / Santhana, Yeru / Yetham).
Refrain / Anaphora
“Andha kaaranatha / Therinji solladi naagarathinamae”
Repeated refrains like 'Naagarathinamae' and 'Aasa raasaavae' establish a rhythmic cadence typical of Tamil folk music.
Did you know?
Trivia
Veera Thalattu (1998) features music composed by Ilaiyaraaja, starring Murali, Vineetha, and Khushbu. Kasthuri Raja, who directed the film, also wrote the lyrics for this track, showcasing his signature raw, authentic rural Tamil folk style.
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