Sara Sara Saara Kaathu
From Vaagai Sooda Vaa · 2011
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Chinmayi
- Music director
- Ghibran
- Details
- Vaagai Sooda Vaa2011
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Sara sara saara kaathu veesum pothu | When the rustling breeze blows, |
| Sir ah paathu pesum pothu | When looking at 'Sir' and talking, |
| Saara paambu pola nenjam satham poduthae.. | My heart makes a hiss like a rat snake... |
| Sara sara saara kaathu veesum pothu | When the rustling breeze blows, |
| Sir ah paathu pesum pothu | When looking at 'Sir' and talking, |
| Saara paambu pola nenjam satham poduthae.. | My heart makes a hiss like a rat snake... |
| Female | |
| Ithu ithu ithu pona nenju thaika | To stitch up this torn heart, |
| Otha paarava paathu sellu | Look at me with a single glance before you leave. |
| Motha sotha eluthi tharen | I will transfer all my worldly possessions to you, |
| Moochu utpada.. | Including my very breath... |
| Ithu ithu ithu pona nenju thaika | To stitch up this torn heart, |
| Otha paarava paathu sellu | Look at me with a single glance before you leave. |
| Motha sotha eluthi tharen | I will transfer all my worldly possessions to you, |
| Moochu utpada.. | Including my very breath... |
| Female | |
| Sara sara saara kaathu veesum pothu | When the rustling breeze blows, |
| Sir ah paathu pesum pothu | When looking at 'Sir' and talking, |
| Saara paambu pola nenjam satham poduthae.. | My heart makes a hiss like a rat snake... |
| Female | |
| : Enga ooru pudikutha..enga thanni inikutha | : Do you like our village? Does our water taste sweet? |
| Suthi varum kaathula..sutta eeral manakutha | In the blowing breeze, does the aroma of roasted liver smell delicious? |
| Mutta mozhi pudikava..munnu padi samaikava | Do you like my baby talk? Shall I cook three measures of rice? |
| Elumbhugal kadaikayil..enna konja ninaika vaa | When crunching bones, do you feel like adoring me? |
| Female | |
| Kamansooru rusika va..samaicha kaiya konjam rasikava | Do you relish the hot freshly cooked food? Or do you admire the hands that cooked it? |
| Modakatha rasam vachu madakathan paakuren | Making balloon-vine soup, I try to entice you, |
| Rettai dosai suttu vachu kaava kaakuren | Cooking double dosas, I wait and guard, |
| Mukannu noongu naan nikiren | I stand like a three-eyed tender ice-apple, |
| Mandu ne kangam yen kekura | You fool, why do you ask for hot embers instead? |
| Female | |
| Sara sara saara kaathu veesum pothu | When the rustling breeze blows, |
| Sir ah paathu pesum pothu | When looking at 'Sir' and talking, |
| Saara paambu pola nenjam satham poduthae.. | My heart makes a hiss like a rat snake... |
| Female | |
| Pullu kattu vaasama.. puthikkulla veesura | Like the scent of a fresh bundle of grass, you blow into my mind, |
| Maatu mani sathamma..manasukul kekura | Like the rhythmic sound of a cowbell, you echo inside my heart. |
| Katta vandi ottura..kaiyalavu manasula | Driving a wooden cart inside my palm-sized heart, |
| Kaiyeluthu podura..kanni ponnu maarbula | You leave your signature on a maiden's chest. |
| Female | |
| Moonu naala paakala..ooril entha poovum pookala | I haven't seen you for three days, and no flower has bloomed in this town, |
| Aatu kallu kuliyila orangi pogum poonaiya | Like a cat sleeping inside the hole of a grinding stone, |
| Vanthu vanthu pathuthan kirangi porenya | I keep visiting you again and again, feeling swooned and mesmerized! |
| Meenuku engura kokku nee | You are like a crane craving for fish, |
| Kothavae theriyala makku nee | Yet you don't even know how to peck it, you simpleton! |
| Female | |
| {Sara sara saara kaathu veesum pothu | When the rustling breeze blows, / When looking at 'Sir' and talking, |
| Sir ah paathu pesum pothu | When looking at 'Sir' and talking, |
| Saara paambu pola nenjam satham poduthae..}(2) | My heart makes a hiss like a rat snake... |
| Female | |
| {Ithu ithu ithu pona nenju thaika | To stitch up this torn heart, |
| Otha paarava paathu sellu | Look at me with a single glance before you leave. |
| Motha sotha eluthi tharen | I will transfer all my worldly possessions to you, |
| Moochu utpada.}(2). | Including my very breath... |
| Female | |
| Kaatu malliga poothirukkudhu kaadhala kaadhala | Wild jasmine has bloomed, my lover, my lover, |
| Vanthu vanthu odipogum vandukena kaachala | Why does the beetle that keeps flying back and forth act as if it has a fever? |
சரசர சாரக்காத்து
வீசும் போது சார பாத்து
பேசும்போது சாரப்பாம்பு
போல நெஞ்சம் சத்தம்போடுதே
சரசர சாரக்காத்து வீசும் போது
சார பாத்து பேசும்போது
சாரப்பாம்பு போல நெஞ்சம்
சத்தம்போடுதே
When the rustling breeze blows,
When looking at 'Sir' and talking,
My heart makes a hiss like a rat snake...
When the rustling breeze blows,
When looking at 'Sir' and talking,
My heart makes a hiss like a rat snake...
இத்து இத்து
இத்துப்போன நெஞ்சு தைக்க
ஒத்த பார்வை பாத்து செல்லு
மொத்த சொத்த எழுதித்தாரேன்
மூச்சு உட்பட இத்து இத்து
இத்துப்போன நெஞ்சு தைக்க
ஒத்த பார்வை பாத்து செல்லு
மொத்த சொத்த எழுதித்தாரேன்
மூச்சு உட்பட டீ போல நீ
என்னை ஏன் ஆத்துற
To stitch up this torn heart,
Look at me with a single glance before you leave.
I will transfer all my worldly possessions to you,
Including my very breath...
To stitch up this torn heart,
Look at me with a single glance before you leave.
I will transfer all my worldly possessions to you,
Including my very breath...
சரசர சாரக்காத்து
வீசும் போது சார பாத்து
பேசும்போது சாரப்பாம்பு
போல நெஞ்சம் சத்தம்போடுதே
When the rustling breeze blows,
When looking at 'Sir' and talking,
My heart makes a hiss like a rat snake...
எங்க ஊரு புடிக்குதா
எங்கத் தண்ணி இனிக்குதா
சுத்தி வரும் காத்துல சுட்ட
ஈரல் மணக்குதா முட்டக்கோழி
புடிக்கவா மூணு படி சமைக்கவா
எலும்புகள் கடிக்கையில்
என்ன கொஞ்ச நினைக்கவா
: Do you like our village? Does our water taste sweet?
In the blowing breeze, does the aroma of roasted liver smell delicious?
Do you like my baby talk? Shall I cook three measures of rice?
When crunching bones, do you feel like adoring me?
கம்மஞ்சோறு ருசிக்கவா
சமைச்ச கைய கொஞ்சம் ரசிக்கவா
மொடக்கத்த ரசம் வச்சு
மடக்கத்தான் பாக்குறேன் ரெட்டை
தோசை சுட்டு வச்சு காவக் காக்குறேன்
முக்கண்ணு நொங்கு நான் நிக்கிறேன்
மண்டு நீ கங்கம் ஏன் கேக்குற
Do you relish the hot freshly cooked food? Or do you admire the hands that cooked it?
Making balloon-vine soup, I try to entice you,
Cooking double dosas, I wait and guard,
I stand like a three-eyed tender ice-apple,
You fool, why do you ask for hot embers instead?
சரசர சாரக்காத்து
வீசும் போது சார பாத்து
பேசும்போது சாரப்பாம்பு
போல நெஞ்சம் சத்தம்போடுதே
When the rustling breeze blows,
When looking at 'Sir' and talking,
My heart makes a hiss like a rat snake...
புல்லு கட்டு வாசமா
புத்திக்குள்ள வீசுர மாட்டு மணி
சத்தமா மனசுக்குள் கேக்குற
கட்டவண்டி ஓட்டுற கையளவு
மனசுல கையெழுத்து போடுற
கன்னிப்பொண்ணு மார்புல
Like the scent of a fresh bundle of grass, you blow into my mind,
Like the rhythmic sound of a cowbell, you echo inside my heart.
Driving a wooden cart inside my palm-sized heart,
You leave your signature on a maiden's chest.
மூணு நாளா பாக்கல
ஊரில் எந்த பூவும் பூக்கல
ஆட்டுக்கல்லு குழியில
உறங்கிப்போகும் பூனையா
வந்து வந்து பார்த்து தான்
கிறங்கி போறேன்யா மீனுக்கு
ஏங்குற கொக்கு நீ கொத்தவே
தெரியல மக்கு நீ
I haven't seen you for three days, and no flower has bloomed in this town,
Like a cat sleeping inside the hole of a grinding stone,
I keep visiting you again and again, feeling swooned and mesmerized!
You are like a crane craving for fish,
Yet you don't even know how to peck it, you simpleton!
சரசர சாரக்காத்து
வீசும் போது சார பாத்து
பேசும்போது சாரப்பாம்பு
போல நெஞ்சம் சத்தம்போடுதே
சரசர சாரக்காத்து வீசும் போது
சார பாத்து பேசும்போது
சாரப்பாம்பு போல நெஞ்சம்
சத்தம்போடுதே
When the rustling breeze blows, / When looking at 'Sir' and talking,
When looking at 'Sir' and talking,
My heart makes a hiss like a rat snake...
இத்து இத்து
இத்துப்போன நெஞ்சு தைக்க
ஒத்த பார்வை பாத்து செல்லு
மொத்த சொத்த எழுதித்தாரேன்
மூச்சு உட்பட இத்து இத்து
இத்துப்போன நெஞ்சு தைக்க
ஒத்த பார்வை பாத்து செல்லு
மொத்த சொத்த எழுதித்தாரேன்
மூச்சு உட்பட டீ போல நீ
என்னை ஏன் ஆத்துற
To stitch up this torn heart,
Look at me with a single glance before you leave.
I will transfer all my worldly possessions to you,
Including my very breath...
காட்டு மல்லிகை
பூத்திருக்குது காதலா காதலா
வந்து வந்து ஓடிப்போகும்
வண்டுக்கென்ன காய்ச்சலா
Wild jasmine has bloomed, my lover, my lover,
Why does the beetle that keeps flying back and forth act as if it has a fever?
Sara sara saara kaathu veesum pothu
When the rustling breeze blows,
Sir ah paathu pesum pothu
When looking at 'Sir' and talking,
Saara paambu pola nenjam satham poduthae..
My heart makes a hiss like a rat snake...
Sara sara saara kaathu veesum pothu
When the rustling breeze blows,
Sir ah paathu pesum pothu
When looking at 'Sir' and talking,
Saara paambu pola nenjam satham poduthae..
My heart makes a hiss like a rat snake...
Ithu ithu ithu pona nenju thaika
To stitch up this torn heart,
Otha paarava paathu sellu
Look at me with a single glance before you leave.
Motha sotha eluthi tharen
I will transfer all my worldly possessions to you,
Moochu utpada..
Including my very breath...
Ithu ithu ithu pona nenju thaika
To stitch up this torn heart,
Otha paarava paathu sellu
Look at me with a single glance before you leave.
Motha sotha eluthi tharen
I will transfer all my worldly possessions to you,
Moochu utpada..
Including my very breath...
Sara sara saara kaathu veesum pothu
When the rustling breeze blows,
Sir ah paathu pesum pothu
When looking at 'Sir' and talking,
Saara paambu pola nenjam satham poduthae..
My heart makes a hiss like a rat snake...
: Enga ooru pudikutha..enga thanni inikutha
: Do you like our village? Does our water taste sweet?
Suthi varum kaathula..sutta eeral manakutha
In the blowing breeze, does the aroma of roasted liver smell delicious?
Mutta mozhi pudikava..munnu padi samaikava
Do you like my baby talk? Shall I cook three measures of rice?
Elumbhugal kadaikayil..enna konja ninaika vaa
When crunching bones, do you feel like adoring me?
Kamansooru rusika va..samaicha kaiya konjam rasikava
Do you relish the hot freshly cooked food? Or do you admire the hands that cooked it?
Modakatha rasam vachu madakathan paakuren
Making balloon-vine soup, I try to entice you,
Rettai dosai suttu vachu kaava kaakuren
Cooking double dosas, I wait and guard,
Mukannu noongu naan nikiren
I stand like a three-eyed tender ice-apple,
Mandu ne kangam yen kekura
You fool, why do you ask for hot embers instead?
Sara sara saara kaathu veesum pothu
When the rustling breeze blows,
Sir ah paathu pesum pothu
When looking at 'Sir' and talking,
Saara paambu pola nenjam satham poduthae..
My heart makes a hiss like a rat snake...
Pullu kattu vaasama.. puthikkulla veesura
Like the scent of a fresh bundle of grass, you blow into my mind,
Maatu mani sathamma..manasukul kekura
Like the rhythmic sound of a cowbell, you echo inside my heart.
Katta vandi ottura..kaiyalavu manasula
Driving a wooden cart inside my palm-sized heart,
Kaiyeluthu podura..kanni ponnu maarbula
You leave your signature on a maiden's chest.
Moonu naala paakala..ooril entha poovum pookala
I haven't seen you for three days, and no flower has bloomed in this town,
Aatu kallu kuliyila orangi pogum poonaiya
Like a cat sleeping inside the hole of a grinding stone,
Vanthu vanthu pathuthan kirangi porenya
I keep visiting you again and again, feeling swooned and mesmerized!
Meenuku engura kokku nee
You are like a crane craving for fish,
Kothavae theriyala makku nee
Yet you don't even know how to peck it, you simpleton!
{Sara sara saara kaathu veesum pothu
When the rustling breeze blows, / When looking at 'Sir' and talking,
Sir ah paathu pesum pothu
When looking at 'Sir' and talking,
Saara paambu pola nenjam satham poduthae..}(2)
My heart makes a hiss like a rat snake...
{Ithu ithu ithu pona nenju thaika
To stitch up this torn heart,
Otha paarava paathu sellu
Look at me with a single glance before you leave.
Motha sotha eluthi tharen
I will transfer all my worldly possessions to you,
Moochu utpada.}(2).
Including my very breath...
Kaatu malliga poothirukkudhu kaadhala kaadhala
Wild jasmine has bloomed, my lover, my lover,
Vanthu vanthu odipogum vandukena kaachala
Why does the beetle that keeps flying back and forth act as if it has a fever?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Sara Sara Saara Kaathu' is a folk-infused romantic song expressing a young village woman's innocent, playful, and deep infatuation with a newly arrived teacher ('Sir') in her village. She vividly describes her physical and emotional reactions when she sees him, comparing her pounding heart to the rustling sound of a rat snake sliding through dry leaves. Throughout the song, she uses rustic imagery from daily rural life—such as cooking traditional food, cattle bells, cart rides, and local flora—to express her affection and teasing frustration at his shyness and hesitation to respond to her feelings.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Saara paambu pola nenjam satham poduthae..”
Compares the nervous, rapid beating of her heart to the rustling sound of a rat snake ('Saara paambu pola nenjam satham poduthae').
Alliteration / Monai
“Sara sara saara kaathu veesum pothu”
Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'S' ('Sara', 'sara', 'saara', 'Sir', 'Saara') creating a rhythmic, wind-like auditory effect.
Metaphor (Urvagam)
“Meenuku engura kokku nee”
Compares the shy lover to a crane waiting for fish but too naive to peck ('Meenuku engura kokku nee, kothavae theriyala makku nee').
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi Ani)
“Moonu naala paakala..ooril entha poovum pookala”
Exaggerates that no flower bloomed in the village just because she didn't see him for three days.
Did you know?
Trivia
This hit song marked the stunning debut of composer Ghibran in Tamil cinema. Lyricist Vairamuthu used rich Madurai/rurual Tamil vernacular idioms. Singer Chinmayi Sripada won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for her expressive performance of this track.
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