Senthamizh Naatu Thamizhachiye
From Vandicholai Chinraasu · 1994
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Shahul Hameed
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Vandicholai Chinraasu1994
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae | Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil, |
| Sela udutha thayanguriyae | Why do you hesitate to wear a saree? |
| Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae | Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil, |
| Sela udutha thayanguriyae | Why do you hesitate to wear a saree? |
| Male | |
| Nesavu seiyum thirunaattil | In this sacred land famous for weaving, |
| Neechal udaiyil alayiriyae | Why do you roam around wearing a swimsuit? |
| Kanavan mattum kaanum azhagai | The beauty meant to be seen only by a husband, |
| Kadaigal pootu kaaturiyae… | Why do you display it like an open market stall? |
| Male | |
| Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae | Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil, |
| Sela udutha thayanguriyae | Why do you hesitate to wear a saree? |
| Nesavu seiyum thirunaattil | In this sacred land famous for weaving, |
| Neechal udaiyil alayiriyae | Why do you roam around wearing a swimsuit? |
| Kanavan mattum kaanum azhagai | The beauty meant to be seen only by a husband, |
| Kadaigal pootu kaaturiyae… | Why do you display it like an open market stall? |
| Male | |
| Elantha kaatil poranthava thaanae | You were born in the land of jujube forests, |
| London model nadai ethukku | Why adopt a walk like a London model? |
| Kaanjeepurangal jolikindra pothu | When glowing Kanjeevaram sarees are available, |
| Kaathu vaangum udai ethukku | Why wear airy, skimpy clothes? |
| Male | |
| Udambu verkum ushna naatil | In a hot country where the body sweats, |
| Urasi pesum style ethukku | Why adopt a style where clothes cling tightly? |
| Takkar kungumam manakum naatil | In a land fragrance-filled with traditional kumkum, |
| Sticker pootu unakku ethukku… | Why do you need sticker bindi? |
| Male | |
| Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae | Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil, |
| Sela udutha thayanguriyae | Why do you hesitate to wear a saree? |
| Nesavu seiyum thirunaattil | In this sacred land famous for weaving, |
| Neechal udaiyil alayiriyae | Why do you roam around wearing a swimsuit? |
| Kanavan mattum kaanum azhagai | The beauty meant to be seen only by a husband, |
| Kadaigal pootu kaaturiyae… | Why do you display it like an open market stall? |
| Male | |
| Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae | Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil, |
| Sela udutha thayanguriyae | Why do you hesitate to wear a saree? |
| Nesavu seiyum thirunaattil | In this sacred land famous for weaving, |
| Neechal udaiyil alayiriyae | Why do you roam around wearing a swimsuit? |
| Male | |
| Karpu enbathu pirpokku illa | Chastity is not regressive or backward, |
| Kavasam endrae therinjikanum | You must realize it is a protective shield. |
| Kaatril mithakum kaarkuzhal pinni | Braid your dark hair floating in the wind, |
| Kanaga pookal aninjikanum | And adorn it with golden flowers. |
| Male | |
| Pazhamai veru pazhasu veru | Tradition is different from being outdated, |
| Verupaatta arinjikanum | You must understand this distinction. |
| Puratchi engae malarchi engae | Where lies true revolution, and where lies flourishing growth? |
| Purunji neeyum nadandhukanum… | Understand this and conduct yourself accordingly. |
| Male | |
| Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae | Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil, |
| Sela udutha thayanguriyae | Why do you hesitate to wear a saree? |
| Nesavu seiyum thirunaattil | In this sacred land famous for weaving, |
| Neechal udaiyil alayiriyae | Why do you roam around wearing a swimsuit? |
| Kanavan mattum kaanum azhagai | The beauty meant to be seen only by a husband, |
| Kadaigal pootu kaaturiyae… | Why do you display it like an open market stall? |
| Male | |
| Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae | Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil, |
| Sela udutha thayanguriyae | Why do you hesitate to wear a saree? |
| Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae | Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil, |
| Sela udutha thayanguriyae | Why do you hesitate to wear a saree? |
| Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae | Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil, |
| Sela udutha thayanguriyae | Why do you hesitate to wear a saree? |
| Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae | Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil, |
| Sela udutha thayanguriyae…. | Why do you hesitate to wear a saree? |
செந்தமிழ் நாட்டு தமிழச்சியே
சேல உடுத்த தயங்குறியே
செந்தமிழ் நாட்டு தமிழச்சியே
சேல உடுத்த தயங்குறியே
Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil,
Why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil,
Why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
நெசவு செய்யும் திருநாட்டில்
நீச்சல் உடையில் அலையிறியே
கணவன் மட்டும் காணும் அழகை
கடைகள் போட்டு காட்டுறியே
In this sacred land famous for weaving,
Why do you roam around wearing a swimsuit?
The beauty meant to be seen only by a husband,
Why do you display it like an open market stall?
செந்தமிழ் நாட்டு தமிழச்சியே
சேல உடுத்த தயங்குறியே
நெசவு செய்யும் திருநாட்டில்
நீச்சல் உடையில் அலையிறியே
கணவன் மட்டும் காணும் அழகை
கடைகள் போட்டு காட்டுறியே
Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil,
Why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
In this sacred land famous for weaving,
Why do you roam around wearing a swimsuit?
The beauty meant to be seen only by a husband,
Why do you display it like an open market stall?
எலந்த காட்டில் பொறந்தவ தானே
லண்டன் மாடல் நட எதுக்கு
காஞ்சிபுரங்கள் ஜொலிகின்ற போது
காத்து வாங்கும் உடை எதுக்கு
You were born in the land of jujube forests,
Why adopt a walk like a London model?
When glowing Kanjeevaram sarees are available,
Why wear airy, skimpy clothes?
உடம்பு வேர்க்கும் உஷ்ண நாட்டில்
உரசி பேசும் ஸ்டைல் எதுக்கு
டக்கர் குங்குமம் மணக்கும் நாட்டில்
ஸ்டிக்கர் பொட்டு உனக்கு எதுக்கு
In a hot country where the body sweats,
Why adopt a style where clothes cling tightly?
In a land fragrance-filled with traditional kumkum,
Why do you need sticker bindi?
செந்தமிழ் நாட்டு தமிழச்சியே
சேல உடுத்த தயங்குறியே
நெசவு செய்யும் திருநாட்டில்
நீச்சல் உடையில் அலையிறியே
கணவன் மட்டும் காணும் அழகை
கடைகள் போட்டு காட்டுறியே
Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil,
Why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
In this sacred land famous for weaving,
Why do you roam around wearing a swimsuit?
The beauty meant to be seen only by a husband,
Why do you display it like an open market stall?
செந்தமிழ் நாட்டு தமிழச்சியே
சேல உடுத்த தயங்குறியே
நெசவு செய்யும் திருநாட்டில்
நீச்சல் உடையில் அலையிறியே
Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil,
Why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
In this sacred land famous for weaving,
Why do you roam around wearing a swimsuit?
கற்பு என்பது பிற்போக்கு இல்ல
கவசம் என்றே தெரிஞ்சிக்கணும்
காற்றில் மிதக்கும் கார்குழல் பின்னி
கனக பூக்கள் அணிஞ்சிக்கணும்
புரட்சி எங்கே மலர்ச்சி எங்கே
புரிஞ்சி நீயும் நடந்துக்கணும்
Chastity is not regressive or backward,
You must realize it is a protective shield.
Braid your dark hair floating in the wind,
And adorn it with golden flowers.
செந்தமிழ் நாட்டு தமிழச்சியே
சேல உடுத்த தயங்குறியே
நெசவு செய்யும் திருநாட்டில்
நீச்சல் உடையில் அலையிறியே
கணவன் மட்டும் காணும் அழகை
கடைகள் போட்டு காட்டுறியே
Tradition is different from being outdated,
You must understand this distinction.
Where lies true revolution, and where lies flourishing growth?
Understand this and conduct yourself accordingly.
செந்தமிழ் நாட்டு தமிழச்சியே
சேல உடுத்த தயங்குறியே
செந்தமிழ் நாட்டு தமிழச்சியே
சேல உடுத்த தயங்குறியே
செந்தமிழ் நாட்டு தமிழச்சியே
சேல உடுத்த தயங்குறியே
செந்தமிழ் நாட்டு தமிழச்சியே
சேல உடுத்த தயங்குறியே
Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil,
Why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
In this sacred land famous for weaving,
Why do you roam around wearing a swimsuit?
The beauty meant to be seen only by a husband,
Why do you display it like an open market stall?
Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil,
Why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil,
Why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil,
Why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil,
Why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae
Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil,
Sela udutha thayanguriyae
Why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae
Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil,
Sela udutha thayanguriyae
Why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
Nesavu seiyum thirunaattil
In this sacred land famous for weaving,
Neechal udaiyil alayiriyae
Why do you roam around wearing a swimsuit?
Kanavan mattum kaanum azhagai
The beauty meant to be seen only by a husband,
Kadaigal pootu kaaturiyae…
Why do you display it like an open market stall?
Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae
Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil,
Sela udutha thayanguriyae
Why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
Nesavu seiyum thirunaattil
In this sacred land famous for weaving,
Neechal udaiyil alayiriyae
Why do you roam around wearing a swimsuit?
Kanavan mattum kaanum azhagai
The beauty meant to be seen only by a husband,
Kadaigal pootu kaaturiyae…
Why do you display it like an open market stall?
Elantha kaatil poranthava thaanae
You were born in the land of jujube forests,
London model nadai ethukku
Why adopt a walk like a London model?
Kaanjeepurangal jolikindra pothu
When glowing Kanjeevaram sarees are available,
Kaathu vaangum udai ethukku
Why wear airy, skimpy clothes?
Udambu verkum ushna naatil
In a hot country where the body sweats,
Urasi pesum style ethukku
Why adopt a style where clothes cling tightly?
Takkar kungumam manakum naatil
In a land fragrance-filled with traditional kumkum,
Sticker pootu unakku ethukku…
Why do you need sticker bindi?
Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae
Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil,
Sela udutha thayanguriyae
Why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
Nesavu seiyum thirunaattil
In this sacred land famous for weaving,
Neechal udaiyil alayiriyae
Why do you roam around wearing a swimsuit?
Kanavan mattum kaanum azhagai
The beauty meant to be seen only by a husband,
Kadaigal pootu kaaturiyae…
Why do you display it like an open market stall?
Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae
Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil,
Sela udutha thayanguriyae
Why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
Nesavu seiyum thirunaattil
In this sacred land famous for weaving,
Neechal udaiyil alayiriyae
Why do you roam around wearing a swimsuit?
Karpu enbathu pirpokku illa
Chastity is not regressive or backward,
Kavasam endrae therinjikanum
You must realize it is a protective shield.
Kaatril mithakum kaarkuzhal pinni
Braid your dark hair floating in the wind,
Kanaga pookal aninjikanum
And adorn it with golden flowers.
Pazhamai veru pazhasu veru
Tradition is different from being outdated,
Verupaatta arinjikanum
You must understand this distinction.
Puratchi engae malarchi engae
Where lies true revolution, and where lies flourishing growth?
Purunji neeyum nadandhukanum…
Understand this and conduct yourself accordingly.
Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae
Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil,
Sela udutha thayanguriyae
Why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
Nesavu seiyum thirunaattil
In this sacred land famous for weaving,
Neechal udaiyil alayiriyae
Why do you roam around wearing a swimsuit?
Kanavan mattum kaanum azhagai
The beauty meant to be seen only by a husband,
Kadaigal pootu kaaturiyae…
Why do you display it like an open market stall?
Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae
Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil,
Sela udutha thayanguriyae
Why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae
Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil,
Sela udutha thayanguriyae
Why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae
Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil,
Sela udutha thayanguriyae
Why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae
Oh Tamil woman from the land of pure Tamil,
Sela udutha thayanguriyae….
Why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Senthamizh Naattu Thamizhachiye' from the film Vandicholai Chinraasu (1994) is a social critique lyricized by Vairamuthu and composed by A. R. Rahman. Sung by Shahul Hameed, the song addresses modern Tamil women who abandon traditional clothing and customs in favor of Western fashion and lifestyle trends. Through witty rhetorical questions and contrasts between Tamil cultural heritage (such as Kanjeevaram silk sarees and natural kumkum) and Western fashion (swimsuits, clingy outfits, sticker bindis), the protagonist urges women to distinguish between true progress/revolution and mere imitation of foreign culture, arguing that traditional values act as a protective shield rather than backwardness.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Nesavu seiyum thirunaattil / Neechal udaiyil alayiriyae”
The second consonant sound matches across adjacent lines, such as 'Senthamizh' and 'Sela' (n sound in Tamil alphabet rhyming structure) or 'Nesavu' and 'Neechal' ('sa'/'cha' class sounds).
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae / Sela udutha thayanguriyae”
Matching starting letters across lines, e.g., 'Senthamizh' and 'Sela' both starting with the 'Sa' family sound.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“London model nadai ethukku ... Kaathu vaangum udai ethukku”
Lines ending with identical rhyming suffixes like 'ethukku' (ethukku/ethukku/ethukku/ethukku).
Contrast / Anthesis
“Kaanjeepurangal jolikindra pothu / Kaathu vaangum udai ethukku”
Contrasting traditional Tamil heritage (Kaanjeepuram silk, kumkum) with modern Western trends (London model walk, sticker bindi).
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by A. R. Rahman for the 1994 film 'Vandicholai Chinraasu' starring Sathyaraj, this iconic song was rendered by the late singer Shahul Hameed. It became hugely popular in the 1990s for its energetic folk beat blended with modern arrangements and Vairamuthu's playful yet provocative lyrical style.
Keep listening
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