Thanjavur Mathalam Thattama
From Pei Veedu · 1984
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- S. P. Sailaja
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Pei Veedu1984
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| ………….. | ... |
| Female | |
| Haei….thanjavur maththaalam | Hey... the Thanjavur drum, |
| Thattaamal vittaalae paavam | It would be a sin if left unplayed. |
| Achchaaram vaikkaatha machchanae | O cousin who hasn't given an advance token, |
| Un melae kovam | I am angry with you. |
| Female | |
| Thappaama thaalaththa pottu | Play the rhythm without missing a beat, |
| Chorus :………….. | Chorus :... |
| Female | |
| Thappaama thaalaththa pottu | Play the rhythm without missing a beat, |
| Sangeetha nyaanaththai kaattu | Show off your musical knowledge. |
| Adhukkuththaan idhukkunnu irukkuthu | That is meant for that, and this is meant for this! |
| Female | |
| Thanjavur maththaalam | The Thanjavur drum, |
| Thattaamal vittaalae paavam | It would be a sin if left unplayed. |
| Achchaaram vaikkaatha machchanae | O cousin who hasn't given an advance token, |
| Un melae kovam | I am angry with you. |
| Female | |
| Aalaiyitta sengarumbu | Red sugarcane fed into the mill, |
| Aakki vitta sittherumbbu | Has been turned into tiny ants! |
| Vaada unnai theda | Come, my heart searches for you. |
| Kaakka vachchu paakkuriyae | You make me wait and watch, |
| Kamanai pol thaakkuriyae | You attack like Kamadeva, the god of love. |
| neethaan adhu yaenthaan | You are the one, so why is this? |
| Female | |
| Kaiyodu ennai nee thaangu | Hold me close in your hands, |
| Nenjodu ennai nee vaangu | Receive me close to your heart. |
| Kaiyodu ennai nee thaangu | Hold me close in your hands, |
| Nenjodu ennai nee vaangu | Receive me close to your heart. |
| Ullaasam sallaabam ellaamae | Joyful moments and sweet flirtations, |
| Inneram nerunga nerungaththaan | As this hour comes closer and closer. |
| Female | |
| Thanjavur maththaalam | The Thanjavur drum, |
| Thattaamal vittaalae paavam | It would be a sin if left unplayed. |
| Achchaaram vaikkaatha machchanae | O cousin who hasn't given an advance token, |
| Un melae kovam | I am angry with you. |
| Female | |
| Thappaama thaalaththa pottu | Play the rhythm without missing a beat, |
| Ha sangeetha nyaanaththai kaattu | Ha, show off your musical knowledge. |
| Adhukkuththaan idhukkunnu irukkuthu | That is meant for that, and this is meant for this! |
| Female | |
| Thanjavur maththaalam | The Thanjavur drum, |
| Thattaamal vittaalae paavam | It would be a sin if left unplayed. |
| Achchaaram vaikkaatha machchanae | O cousin who hasn't given an advance token, |
| Un melae kovam | I am angry with you. |
| Male | |
| …………….. | ... |
| Female | |
| Yaer marantha senkazhani | A fertile red field forgotten by the plow, |
| Thaer marantha thenpazhani | The southern Palani town forgotten by the temple chariot. |
| Yaeththukkanum kaiyanaichchu | You must lift me up by holding my hands, |
| Saeththukkanum mei anaichchu maadhu adangaathu | You must accept me with a warm hug, this woman cannot be subdued! |
| Female | |
| Nallaaththaan paaduvaen paattu | I will sing a song really well, |
| Ellorum aadanum kettu | Everyone should listen and dance. |
| Nallaaththaan paaduvaen paattu | I will sing a song really well, |
| Ellorum aadanum kettu | Everyone should listen and dance. |
| Thenpaandi themmaangu | A southern folksong style (Thenpaandi Themmaangu), |
| Naan paada nee kelu vidiya vidiyaththaan | Listen to me sing until dawn breaks. |
| Female | |
| Thanjavur maththaalam | The Thanjavur drum, |
| Thattaamal vittaalae paavam | It would be a sin if left unplayed. |
| Achchaaram vaikkaatha machchanae | O cousin who hasn't given an advance token, |
| Un melae kovam | I am angry with you. |
| Female | |
| Thappaama thaalaththa pottu | Play the rhythm without missing a beat, |
| Chorus :………….. | Chorus :... |
| Female | |
| Thappaama thaalaththa pottu | Play the rhythm without missing a beat, |
| Sangeetha nyaanaththai kaattu | Show off your musical knowledge. |
| Adhukkuththaan idhukkunnu irukkuthu | That is meant for that, and this is meant for this! |
| Female | |
| Thanjavur maththaalam | The Thanjavur drum, |
| Thattaamal vittaalae paavam | It would be a sin if left unplayed. |
| Achchaaram vaikkaatha machchanae | O cousin who hasn't given an advance token, |
| Un melae kovam | I am angry with you. |
.......................
...
ஹேய்.....தஞ்சாவூர் மத்தாளம்
தட்டாமல் விட்டாலே பாவம்
அச்சாரம் வைக்காத மச்சானே
உன் மேலே கோவம்
Hey... the Thanjavur drum,
It would be a sin if left unplayed.
O cousin who hasn't given an advance token,
I am angry with you.
தப்பாம தாளத்த போட்டு
குழு :
.........................
Play the rhythm without missing a beat,
Chorus :...
தப்பாம தாளத்த போட்டு
சங்கீத ஞானத்தைக் காட்டு
அதுக்குத்தான் இதுக்குன்னு இருக்குது
Play the rhythm without missing a beat,
Show off your musical knowledge.
That is meant for that, and this is meant for this!
தஞ்சாவூர் மத்தாளம்
தட்டாமல் விட்டாலே பாவம்
அச்சாரம் வைக்காத மச்சானே
உன் மேலே கோவம்
The Thanjavur drum,
It would be a sin if left unplayed.
O cousin who hasn't given an advance token,
I am angry with you.
ஆலையிட்ட செங்கரும்பு
ஆக்கி விட்ட சித்தெறும்பு
வாட உன்னை தேட
காக்க வச்சு பாக்குறியே
காமனைப் போல் தாக்குறியே
நீதான் அது ஏன் தான்
Red sugarcane fed into the mill,
Has been turned into tiny ants!
Come, my heart searches for you.
You make me wait and watch,
You attack like Kamadeva, the god of love.
You are the one, so why is this?
கையோடு என்னை நீ தாங்கு
நெஞ்சோடு என்னை நீ வாங்கு
கையோடு என்னை நீ தாங்கு
நெஞ்சோடு என்னை நீ வாங்கு
உல்லாசம் சல்லாபம் எல்லாமே
இந்நேரம் நெருங்க நெருங்கத்தான்
Hold me close in your hands,
Receive me close to your heart.
Hold me close in your hands,
Receive me close to your heart.
Joyful moments and sweet flirtations,
As this hour comes closer and closer.
தஞ்சாவூர் மத்தாளம்
தட்டாமல் விட்டாலே பாவம்
அச்சாரம் வைக்காத மச்சானே
உன் மேலே கோவம்
The Thanjavur drum,
It would be a sin if left unplayed.
O cousin who hasn't given an advance token,
I am angry with you.
தப்பாம தாளத்த போட்டு
ஹ சங்கீத ஞானத்தைக் காட்டு
அதுக்குத்தான் இதுக்குன்னு இருக்குது
Play the rhythm without missing a beat,
Ha, show off your musical knowledge.
That is meant for that, and this is meant for this!
தஞ்சாவூர் மத்தாளம்
தட்டாமல் விட்டாலே பாவம்
அச்சாரம் வைக்காத மச்சானே
உன் மேலே கோவம்
The Thanjavur drum,
It would be a sin if left unplayed.
O cousin who hasn't given an advance token,
I am angry with you.
...........................
...
ஏர் மறந்த செங்கழனி
தேர் மறந்த தென்பழனி ஏது புவி மீது
ஏத்துக்கணும் கையணைச்சு
சேத்துக்கணும் மெய் அணைச்சு மாது அடங்காது
A fertile red field forgotten by the plow,
The southern Palani town forgotten by the temple chariot.
You must lift me up by holding my hands,
You must accept me with a warm hug, this woman cannot be subdued!
நல்லாத்தான் பாடுவேன் பாட்டு
எல்லோரும் ஆடணும் கேட்டு
நல்லாத்தான் பாடுவேன் பாட்டு
எல்லோரும் ஆடணும் கேட்டு
தென் பாண்டி தெம்மாங்கு
நான் பாட நீ கேளு விடிய விடியத்தான்
I will sing a song really well,
Everyone should listen and dance.
I will sing a song really well,
Everyone should listen and dance.
A southern folksong style (Thenpaandi Themmaangu),
Listen to me sing until dawn breaks.
தஞ்சாவூர் மத்தாளம்
தட்டாமல் விட்டாலே பாவம்
அச்சாரம் வைக்காத மச்சானே
உன் மேலே கோவம்
The Thanjavur drum,
It would be a sin if left unplayed.
O cousin who hasn't given an advance token,
I am angry with you.
தப்பாம தாளத்த போட்டு
குழு :
.........................
Play the rhythm without missing a beat,
Chorus :...
தப்பாம தாளத்த போட்டு
சங்கீத ஞானத்தைக் காட்டு
அதுக்குத்தான் இதுக்குன்னு இருக்குது
Play the rhythm without missing a beat,
Show off your musical knowledge.
That is meant for that, and this is meant for this!
தஞ்சாவூர் மத்தாளம்
தட்டாமல் விட்டாலே பாவம்
அச்சாரம் வைக்காத மச்சானே
உன் மேலே கோவம்
The Thanjavur drum,
It would be a sin if left unplayed.
O cousin who hasn't given an advance token,
I am angry with you.
…………..
...
Haei….thanjavur maththaalam
Hey... the Thanjavur drum,
Thattaamal vittaalae paavam
It would be a sin if left unplayed.
Achchaaram vaikkaatha machchanae
O cousin who hasn't given an advance token,
Un melae kovam
I am angry with you.
Thappaama thaalaththa pottu
Play the rhythm without missing a beat,
Chorus :…………..
Chorus :...
Thappaama thaalaththa pottu
Play the rhythm without missing a beat,
Sangeetha nyaanaththai kaattu
Show off your musical knowledge.
Adhukkuththaan idhukkunnu irukkuthu
That is meant for that, and this is meant for this!
Thanjavur maththaalam
The Thanjavur drum,
Thattaamal vittaalae paavam
It would be a sin if left unplayed.
Achchaaram vaikkaatha machchanae
O cousin who hasn't given an advance token,
Un melae kovam
I am angry with you.
Aalaiyitta sengarumbu
Red sugarcane fed into the mill,
Aakki vitta sittherumbbu
Has been turned into tiny ants!
Vaada unnai theda
Come, my heart searches for you.
Kaakka vachchu paakkuriyae
You make me wait and watch,
Kamanai pol thaakkuriyae
You attack like Kamadeva, the god of love.
neethaan adhu yaenthaan
You are the one, so why is this?
Kaiyodu ennai nee thaangu
Hold me close in your hands,
Nenjodu ennai nee vaangu
Receive me close to your heart.
Kaiyodu ennai nee thaangu
Hold me close in your hands,
Nenjodu ennai nee vaangu
Receive me close to your heart.
Ullaasam sallaabam ellaamae
Joyful moments and sweet flirtations,
Inneram nerunga nerungaththaan
As this hour comes closer and closer.
Thanjavur maththaalam
The Thanjavur drum,
Thattaamal vittaalae paavam
It would be a sin if left unplayed.
Achchaaram vaikkaatha machchanae
O cousin who hasn't given an advance token,
Un melae kovam
I am angry with you.
Thappaama thaalaththa pottu
Play the rhythm without missing a beat,
Ha sangeetha nyaanaththai kaattu
Ha, show off your musical knowledge.
Adhukkuththaan idhukkunnu irukkuthu
That is meant for that, and this is meant for this!
Thanjavur maththaalam
The Thanjavur drum,
Thattaamal vittaalae paavam
It would be a sin if left unplayed.
Achchaaram vaikkaatha machchanae
O cousin who hasn't given an advance token,
Un melae kovam
I am angry with you.
……………..
...
Yaer marantha senkazhani
A fertile red field forgotten by the plow,
Thaer marantha thenpazhani
The southern Palani town forgotten by the temple chariot.
Yaeththukkanum kaiyanaichchu
You must lift me up by holding my hands,
Saeththukkanum mei anaichchu maadhu adangaathu
You must accept me with a warm hug, this woman cannot be subdued!
Nallaaththaan paaduvaen paattu
I will sing a song really well,
Ellorum aadanum kettu
Everyone should listen and dance.
Nallaaththaan paaduvaen paattu
I will sing a song really well,
Ellorum aadanum kettu
Everyone should listen and dance.
Thenpaandi themmaangu
A southern folksong style (Thenpaandi Themmaangu),
Naan paada nee kelu vidiya vidiyaththaan
Listen to me sing until dawn breaks.
Thanjavur maththaalam
The Thanjavur drum,
Thattaamal vittaalae paavam
It would be a sin if left unplayed.
Achchaaram vaikkaatha machchanae
O cousin who hasn't given an advance token,
Un melae kovam
I am angry with you.
Thappaama thaalaththa pottu
Play the rhythm without missing a beat,
Chorus :…………..
Chorus :...
Thappaama thaalaththa pottu
Play the rhythm without missing a beat,
Sangeetha nyaanaththai kaattu
Show off your musical knowledge.
Adhukkuththaan idhukkunnu irukkuthu
That is meant for that, and this is meant for this!
Thanjavur maththaalam
The Thanjavur drum,
Thattaamal vittaalae paavam
It would be a sin if left unplayed.
Achchaaram vaikkaatha machchanae
O cousin who hasn't given an advance token,
Un melae kovam
I am angry with you.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Thanjavur Maththaalam is a vibrant folk dance song from the 1984 movie Pei Veedu, composed by Shankar Ganesh and written by Vaali. Sung by S. P. Sailaja, the protagonist playfully scolds her beloved for being hesitant and maintaining distance. She uses traditional metaphors such as the famous Thanjavur drum, red sugarcane, unplowed fields, and temple chariots to express her affection and yearning for intimacy. The lyrics combine playful romance with infectious rhythm, calling her lover to step up, hold her close, and embrace the musical joy. She promises a spirited performance that will keep everyone dancing until the break of dawn.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Thanjavur maththaalam / Thattaamal vittaalae paavam”
Repetition of the initial sound 'Th' in consecutive words.
Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Yaer marantha senkazhani / Thaer marantha thenpazhani”
Matching of second consonants ('r') in parallel poetic lines.
Uvamaani (Simile)
“Kamanai pol thaakkuriyae”
Comparing the hero's seductive influence to Lord Kamadeva (the god of love) using 'pol'.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Kaiyodu ennai nee thaangu / Nenjodu ennai nee vaangu”
Matching end-rhyme with 'thaangu' and 'vaangu'.
Did you know?
Trivia
Pei Veedu (1984) featured dynamic music by the Shankar-Ganesh duo, who were prolific in crafting energetic rural and commercial beats during the 1980s Tamil cinema era. Lyricist Vaali crafted this song with authentic regional slang and classic folk wordplay.
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