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Isaimozhi
Vandicholai Chinraasu album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Senthamizh Naatu Thamizhachiye

From Vandicholai Chinraasu · 1994

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Shahul Hameed
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Movie name
Vandicholai Chinraasu
Movie release year
1994
Lyrics added on
20 Aug 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae
Sela udutha thayanguriyae
Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae
Sela udutha thayanguriyae
Nesavu seiyum thirunaattil
Neechal udaiyil alayiriyae
Kanavan mattum kaanum azhagai
Kadaigal pootu kaaturiyae…
Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae
Sela udutha thayanguriyae
Nesavu seiyum thirunaattil
Neechal udaiyil alayiriyae
Kanavan mattum kaanum azhagai
Kadaigal pootu kaaturiyae…
Elantha kaatil poranthava thaanae
London model nadai ethukku
Kaanjeepurangal jolikindra pothu
Kaathu vaangum udai ethukku
Udambu verkum ushna naatil
Urasi pesum style ethukku
Takkar kungumam manakum naatil
Sticker pootu unakku ethukku…
Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae
Sela udutha thayanguriyae
Nesavu seiyum thirunaattil
Neechal udaiyil alayiriyae
Kanavan mattum kaanum azhagai
Kadaigal pootu kaaturiyae…
Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae
Sela udutha thayanguriyae
Nesavu seiyum thirunaattil
Neechal udaiyil alayiriyae
Karpu enbathu pirpokku illa
Kavasam endrae therinjikanum
Kaatril mithakum kaarkuzhal pinni
Kanaga pookal aninjikanum
Pazhamai veru pazhasu veru
Verupaatta arinjikanum
Puratchi engae malarchi engae
Purunji neeyum nadandhukanum…
Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae
Sela udutha thayanguriyae
Nesavu seiyum thirunaattil
Neechal udaiyil alayiriyae
Kanavan mattum kaanum azhagai
Kadaigal pootu kaaturiyae…
Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae
Sela udutha thayanguriyae
Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae
Sela udutha thayanguriyae
Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae
Sela udutha thayanguriyae
Senthamizh naattu thamizhachiyae
Sela udutha thayanguriyae….
O Tamil girl of our sweet Tamil land,
why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
O Tamil girl of our sweet Tamil land,
why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
In this blessed land of weavers,
why do you roam around in a swimsuit?
The beauty meant only for your husband's eyes,
you put on display out in the open...
O Tamil girl of our sweet Tamil land,
why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
In this blessed land of weavers,
why do you roam around in a swimsuit?
The beauty meant only for your husband's eyes,
you put on display out in the open...
You were born in simple country groves,
so why walk like a London model?
When radiant Kanchipuram silks are right here,
why wear skimpy, revealing clothes?
In this hot land where bodies sweat,
why talk while brushing up against people?
In a land fragrant with rich kumkum (traditional red powder),
why do you need sticker bindis?
O Tamil girl of our sweet Tamil land,
why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
In this blessed land of weavers,
why do you roam around in a swimsuit?
The beauty meant only for your husband's eyes,
you put on display out in the open...
O Tamil girl of our sweet Tamil land,
why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
In this blessed land of weavers,
why do you roam around in a swimsuit?
Modesty is not being backward,
you must know it is your shield.
You should braid your dark hair that blows in the wind,
and wear golden flowers in it.
Tradition is one thing, being worn-out is another;
you must understand the difference.
Know what true revolution is and what true growth is,
understand that and carry yourself well...
O Tamil girl of our sweet Tamil land,
why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
In this blessed land of weavers,
why do you roam around in a swimsuit?
The beauty meant only for your husband's eyes,
you put on display out in the open...
O Tamil girl of our sweet Tamil land,
why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
O Tamil girl of our sweet Tamil land,
why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
O Tamil girl of our sweet Tamil land,
why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
O Tamil girl of our sweet Tamil land,
why do you hesitate to wear a saree?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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