Saarattu Vandiyile
From Kaatru Veliyidai · 2017
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Nikhita Gandhi, Tippu, A. R. Reihana
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Kaatru Veliyidai2017
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| {Saarattu vandiyila seerattoliyila | {In the horse-drawn carriage, amidst the jingling sound |
| Orantherinjathu unmugam | Your face was dimly visible from the corner of my eye |
| Ullam killum antha | At that sly smile |
| Kalla chirippila | That pinched my heart, |
| Mella chivandhadhu enmugam} (2) | My face slowly turned red} (2) |
| Male | |
| Adi vethala potta | Hey, those betel-stained |
| Udhatta enakku | Lips of yours, to me, |
| Pathiram pannikkudu | Keep them safe and hand them over |
| Naan kudutha kadana | The debt that I gave you, |
| Thiruppi kudukka | To pay it back in return, |
| Sathiyam pannikkudu | Make a promise to me |
| En ratham soodukkolla | For my blood to warm up |
| Pathu nimisham | Ten minutes |
| Dhaan raasaathi | Is enough, my princess |
| Female | |
| Aanukko pathu nimisham -ha | For a man, ten minutes -ha |
| Ponnuko anju nimisham -ha | For a woman, five minutes -ha |
| Podhuvaa sandi thanam pannum | Generally, a man who acts headstrong, |
| Aambalaya ponnu | A woman will dig him up by his roots |
| Kindi kezhangeduppaa | And turn him upside down |
| Male | |
| Selaikku saayam pogu mattum | Until the color fades from the saree |
| Unna naan velukka venumadi | I must beat/thrash you with love, girl |
| Paadu pattu vidiyum pozhudhu | When dawn breaks after all the hard work, |
| Veliyil solla poigal venumadi | We need lies to tell the outside world |
| Male | |
| Pudhu pennae.. | Oh new bride.. |
| Adhuthaandi | That right there is |
| Tamizh naattu baanii… | The tradition and style of Tamil Nadu… |
| Female | |
| {Saratu vandiyila seerattoliyila | {In the horse-drawn carriage, amidst the jingling sound |
| Orantherinjathu unmugam | Your face was dimly visible from the corner of my eye |
| Ullam killum antha | At that sly smile |
| Kalla chirippila | That pinched my heart, |
| Mella chivandhadhu enmugam} (2) | My face slowly turned red} (2) |
| Chorus | |
| ……………….. | ……………….. |
| Male | |
| Vekkaththayae | Mixing and blending |
| Kozhachchu kozhachchu | Shyness itself, |
| Kungumam poosikkodi | Apply it like vermilion |
| Aasai ulla vervaiya pol | Is there any fragrance better than |
| Vaasam edhadi | The sweat born out of desire, girl? |
| Female | |
| Ae poongodi | Oh flowering creeper, |
| Vandhu thenkudi | Come and drink the honey |
| Avan kaigalil udaiyattum | In his hands, let it break, |
| Kanni kannadi | The maiden glass mirror |
| Female | |
| Kathaazhang gaattukkul | Inside the cactus forest, |
| Maththaalam kekkudhu | The sound of rhythmic drums is heard |
| Sithaanai rendukkum kondaattam | A celebration for the two young wild elephants |
| Kuththaala chaaralae | The drizzle of Courtallam falls |
| Muththana panneeru | Is like precious rosewater, |
| Vithaara kallikku thallaattam | Making the stylish woman sway in ecstasy |
| Male | |
| Avan manmadha kaattu | From Cupid's forest, |
| Sandhanam eduthu | He took the sandalwood |
| Maarbil appikittaan | And smeared it across his chest |
| Iva kurangu kazhuththil | She, like a baby monkey |
| Kuttiya pola | Holding onto its mother's neck, |
| Tholil ottikittaa | Clung tightly onto his shoulder |
| Female | |
| Ini buthi kalangura | Now give a kiss that bewilders the mind, |
| Muththam koduthidu raasaavae | My king! |
| Male | |
| Ponnu dhaan rathina katti – ha | The bride is a precious gem – ha |
| Maappilla vethala potti | The groom is a betel box |
| Eduthu rathina kattiya | Take that precious gem, |
| Vethala pottiyil | And inside the betel box, |
| Mooda chollungadi | Tell them to lock it up, friends! |
| Male | |
| Modhalil maala maathungadi | First, exchange the garlands, friends! |
| Piraghu paala maathungadi | Next, exchange the milk, friends! |
| Kattil vittu kaalaiyilae | In the morning, when leaving the bed, |
| Kasangi vandhaa | If she comes out crumpled and ruffled, |
| Selai maathungadi | Change her saree, friends! |
| Female | |
| Maharaani..adhuthaandi | Oh queen.. that right there is |
| Tamizh naattu baani.. | The tradition and style of Tamil Nadu.. |
| Female | |
| {Kathaazhang gaattukkul | {Inside the cactus forest, |
| Maththaalam kekkudhu | The sound of rhythmic drums is heard |
| Sithaanai rendukkum kondaattam | A celebration for the two young wild elephants |
| Kuththaala chaaralae | The drizzle of Courtallam falls |
| Muththana panneeru | Is like precious rosewater, |
| Vithaara kallikku thallaattam} (4) | Making the stylish woman sway in ecstasy} (4) |
| Male | |
| {Pudhu pennae.. | {Oh new bride.. |
| Adhuthaandi | That right there is |
| Tamizh naattu baanii} (4) | The tradition and style of Tamil Nadu} (4) |
{ சரட்டு வண்டியிலே
சிரட்டொலியில ஓரந் தொிஞ்சது
உன் முகம் உள்ளம் கிள்ளும்
அந்த கள்ளச்சிாிப்பில
மெல்லச்சிவந்தது என் முகம் } (2)
{In the horse-drawn carriage, amidst the jingling sound
Your face was dimly visible from the corner of my eye
At that sly smile
That pinched my heart,
My face slowly turned red} (2)
அடி வெத்தலபோட்ட
உதட்ட எனக்கு பத்திரம் பண்ணிக்குடு
நான் குடுத்த கடன திருப்பிக் குடுக்க
சத்தியம் பண்ணிக்குடு என் இரத்தம்
சூடு கொள்ள பத்து நிமிசம் தான் ராசாத்தி
Hey, those betel-stained
Lips of yours, to me,
Keep them safe and hand them over
The debt that I gave you,
To pay it back in return,
Make a promise to me
For my blood to warm up
Ten minutes
Is enough, my princess
ஆணுக்கோ பத்து
நிமிசம் ஹா பொண்ணுக்கோ
அஞ்சு நிமிசம் ஹா பொதுவா
சண்டித்தனம் பண்ணும் ஆம்பளைய
பொண்ணு கிண்டி கெழங்கெடுப்பா
For a man, ten minutes -ha
For a woman, five minutes -ha
Generally, a man who acts headstrong,
A woman will dig him up by his roots
And turn him upside down
சேலைக்கு சாயம்
போகு மட்டும் உன்ன நான்
வெளுக்க வேணுமடி பாடுபட்டு
விடியும் பொழுது வெளியில்
சொல்ல பொய்கள் வேணுமடி
Until the color fades from the saree
I must beat/thrash you with love, girl
When dawn breaks after all the hard work,
We need lies to tell the outside world
புது பெண்ணே……
அது தாண்டி தமிழ் நாட்டு பாணி…
Oh new bride..
That right there is
The tradition and style of Tamil Nadu…
{ சரட்டு வண்டியிலே
சிரட்டொலியில ஓரந் தொிஞ்சது
உன் முகம் உள்ளம் கிள்ளும்
அந்த கள்ளச்சிாிப்பில
மெல்லச்சிவந்தது என் முகம் } (2)
{In the horse-drawn carriage, amidst the jingling sound
Your face was dimly visible from the corner of my eye
At that sly smile
That pinched my heart,
My face slowly turned red} (2)
...................................
………………..
வெக்கத்தையே கொழச்சி
கொழச்சி குங்குமம் பூசிக்கோடி
ஆசையுள்ள வோ்வையப்போல் வாசம் ஏதடி
Mixing and blending
Shyness itself,
Apply it like vermilion
Is there any fragrance better than
The sweat born out of desire, girl?
ஏ பூங்கொடி வந்து
தேன் குடி அவன் கைகளில்
உடையட்டும் கண்ணி கண்ணாடி
Oh flowering creeper,
Come and drink the honey
In his hands, let it break,
The maiden glass mirror
கத்தாழங்காட்டுக்குள்
மத்தாளம் கேக்குது சித்தானை
ரெண்டுக்கும் கொண்டாட்டம்
குத்தாலச்சாரலே முத்தானப் பன்னீரு
வித்தாரக்கல்லிக்கு தள்ளாட்டம்
Inside the cactus forest,
The sound of rhythmic drums is heard
A celebration for the two young wild elephants
The drizzle of Courtallam falls
Is like precious rosewater,
Making the stylish woman sway in ecstasy
அவன் மன்மதகாட்டு
சந்தனம் எடுத்து மாா்பில்
அப்பிக்கிட்டான் இவ குரங்கு
கழுத்தில் குட்டிய போல
தோளில் ஒட்டிக்கிட்டா
From Cupid's forest,
He took the sandalwood
And smeared it across his chest
She, like a baby monkey
Holding onto its mother's neck,
Clung tightly onto his shoulder
இனி புத்தி கலங்குற
முத்தம் கொடுத்திடு ராசாவே
Now give a kiss that bewilders the mind,
My king!
பொண்ணுதான்
ரத்தனக்கட்டி ஹா மாப்பிள்ள
வெத்தலப்பொட்டி எடுத்து
ரத்தினகட்டிய வெத்தல
பொட்டியில் மூடச்சொல்லுங்கடி
The bride is a precious gem – ha
The groom is a betel box
Take that precious gem,
And inside the betel box,
Tell them to lock it up, friends!
முதலில் மாலை
மாத்துங்கடி பிறகு பாலை
மாத்துங்கடி கட்டில் விட்டு
காலையிலே கசங்கி வந்தா
சேலை மாத்துங்கடி
First, exchange the garlands, friends!
Next, exchange the milk, friends!
In the morning, when leaving the bed,
If she comes out crumpled and ruffled,
Change her saree, friends!
மகராணி…
அதுதாண்டி தமிழ்நாட்டு பானி…
Oh queen.. that right there is
The tradition and style of Tamil Nadu..
{ கத்தாழங்காட்டுக்குள்
மத்தாளம் கேக்குது சித்தானை
ரெண்டுக்கும் கொண்டாட்டம்
குத்தாலச்சாரலே முத்தானப் பன்னீரு
வித்தாரக்கல்லிக்கு தள்ளாட்டம் } (4)
{Inside the cactus forest,
The sound of rhythmic drums is heard
A celebration for the two young wild elephants
The drizzle of Courtallam falls
Is like precious rosewater,
Making the stylish woman sway in ecstasy} (4)
{ புது பெண்ணே……
அது தாண்டி தமிழ் நாட்டு பாணி…} (4)
{Oh new bride..
That right there is
The tradition and style of Tamil Nadu} (4)
{Saarattu vandiyila seerattoliyila
{In the horse-drawn carriage, amidst the jingling sound
Orantherinjathu unmugam
Your face was dimly visible from the corner of my eye
Ullam killum antha
At that sly smile
Kalla chirippila
That pinched my heart,
Mella chivandhadhu enmugam} (2)
My face slowly turned red} (2)
Adi vethala potta
Hey, those betel-stained
Udhatta enakku
Lips of yours, to me,
Pathiram pannikkudu
Keep them safe and hand them over
Naan kudutha kadana
The debt that I gave you,
Thiruppi kudukka
To pay it back in return,
Sathiyam pannikkudu
Make a promise to me
En ratham soodukkolla
For my blood to warm up
Pathu nimisham
Ten minutes
Dhaan raasaathi
Is enough, my princess
Aanukko pathu nimisham -ha
For a man, ten minutes -ha
Ponnuko anju nimisham -ha
For a woman, five minutes -ha
Podhuvaa sandi thanam pannum
Generally, a man who acts headstrong,
Aambalaya ponnu
A woman will dig him up by his roots
Kindi kezhangeduppaa
And turn him upside down
Selaikku saayam pogu mattum
Until the color fades from the saree
Unna naan velukka venumadi
I must beat/thrash you with love, girl
Paadu pattu vidiyum pozhudhu
When dawn breaks after all the hard work,
Veliyil solla poigal venumadi
We need lies to tell the outside world
Pudhu pennae..
Oh new bride..
Adhuthaandi
That right there is
Tamizh naattu baanii…
The tradition and style of Tamil Nadu…
{Saratu vandiyila seerattoliyila
{In the horse-drawn carriage, amidst the jingling sound
Orantherinjathu unmugam
Your face was dimly visible from the corner of my eye
Ullam killum antha
At that sly smile
Kalla chirippila
That pinched my heart,
Mella chivandhadhu enmugam} (2)
My face slowly turned red} (2)
………………..
………………..
Vekkaththayae
Mixing and blending
Kozhachchu kozhachchu
Shyness itself,
Kungumam poosikkodi
Apply it like vermilion
Aasai ulla vervaiya pol
Is there any fragrance better than
Vaasam edhadi
The sweat born out of desire, girl?
Ae poongodi
Oh flowering creeper,
Vandhu thenkudi
Come and drink the honey
Avan kaigalil udaiyattum
In his hands, let it break,
Kanni kannadi
The maiden glass mirror
Kathaazhang gaattukkul
Inside the cactus forest,
Maththaalam kekkudhu
The sound of rhythmic drums is heard
Sithaanai rendukkum kondaattam
A celebration for the two young wild elephants
Kuththaala chaaralae
The drizzle of Courtallam falls
Muththana panneeru
Is like precious rosewater,
Vithaara kallikku thallaattam
Making the stylish woman sway in ecstasy
Avan manmadha kaattu
From Cupid's forest,
Sandhanam eduthu
He took the sandalwood
Maarbil appikittaan
And smeared it across his chest
Iva kurangu kazhuththil
She, like a baby monkey
Kuttiya pola
Holding onto its mother's neck,
Tholil ottikittaa
Clung tightly onto his shoulder
Ini buthi kalangura
Now give a kiss that bewilders the mind,
Muththam koduthidu raasaavae
My king!
Ponnu dhaan rathina katti – ha
The bride is a precious gem – ha
Maappilla vethala potti
The groom is a betel box
Eduthu rathina kattiya
Take that precious gem,
Vethala pottiyil
And inside the betel box,
Mooda chollungadi
Tell them to lock it up, friends!
Modhalil maala maathungadi
First, exchange the garlands, friends!
Piraghu paala maathungadi
Next, exchange the milk, friends!
Kattil vittu kaalaiyilae
In the morning, when leaving the bed,
Kasangi vandhaa
If she comes out crumpled and ruffled,
Selai maathungadi
Change her saree, friends!
Maharaani..adhuthaandi
Oh queen.. that right there is
Tamizh naattu baani..
The tradition and style of Tamil Nadu..
{Kathaazhang gaattukkul
{Inside the cactus forest,
Maththaalam kekkudhu
The sound of rhythmic drums is heard
Sithaanai rendukkum kondaattam
A celebration for the two young wild elephants
Kuththaala chaaralae
The drizzle of Courtallam falls
Muththana panneeru
Is like precious rosewater,
Vithaara kallikku thallaattam} (4)
Making the stylish woman sway in ecstasy} (4)
{Pudhu pennae..
{Oh new bride..
Adhuthaandi
That right there is
Tamizh naattu baanii} (4)
The tradition and style of Tamil Nadu} (4)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Saarattu Vandiyila is a festive, high-energy folk-pop wedding track from Mani Ratnam's Kaatru Veliyidai (2017), composed by A.R. Rahman with lyrics by Vairamuthu. The song captures the playful banter, romantic anticipation, and sensual excitement surrounding traditional Tamil marriage rituals and the wedding night (Shobanam). It uses vivid village imagery, comparing the lovers to young wild elephants and comparing marital intimacy to traditional customs uniquely characteristic of Tamil culture.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monaai (Alliteration)
“Saarattu vandiyila seerattoliyila”
Matching first letters in words within the line or across lines, such as 'Saarattu' and 'seerattoliyila'.
Edhugai (Rhyming second letters)
“Kathaazhang gaattukkul / Maththaalam kekkudhu”
Second letter 'th' matches across 'Kathaazhang' and 'Maththaalam'.
Uvamai (Metaphor / Simile)
“Ponnu dhaan rathina katti / Maappilla vethala potti”
Comparing the lovers to young wild elephants ('Sithaanai') and comparing the bride/groom to a gem and a betel box.
Tharkurippetradani (Personification / Imagery)
“Aasai ulla vervaiya pol / Vaasam edhadi”
Vivid metaphorical imagery comparing intimate sweat to perfume and using nature elements like Courtallam falls.
Did you know?
Trivia
Although the movie Kaatru Veliyidai is primarily set against the backdrop of Kashmir and the Indian Air Force, this track brings an authentic, energetic rural Tamil folk flavor arranged dynamically with modern orchestral pop production by A.R. Rahman. The song features vocals by Tipu, A.R. Raihanah, and Nivas.
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