Thappu Thappunnu
From Lava Kusa · 1963
- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Singers
- L. R. Eswari, Trichy Loganathan
- Music director
- Ghantasala
- Details
- Lava Kusa1963
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Thappu thappunnu thunyai thuvachi thappu | Beat and beat, wash the clothes with a rhythmic thump |
| Summa kummu kummunnu nanaichi pizhinji kummu | Soak it, squeeze it well, and pound it hard |
| Chorus | |
| Thappu thappunnu thunyai thuvachi thappu | Beat and beat, wash the clothes with a rhythmic thump |
| Male : Thappu | Male : Beat! |
| Chorus :Summa kummu kummunnu nanaichi pizhinji kummu | Chorus : Soak it, squeeze it well, and pound it hard |
| Male : Kummu | Male : Pound! |
| Male | |
| Thuppuruvaagha alukku pogha thuvachi viruchi podu | Wash thoroughly to remove the dirt and spread them out to dry |
| Adhai thumbai poovai pol veluppadhu pullae unadhu paadu | Making it as white as a leadwort flower is your duty, my girl |
| Thuppuruvaagha alukku pogha thuvachi viruchi podu | Wash thoroughly to remove the dirt and spread them out to dry |
| Adhai thumbai poovai pol veluppadhu pullae unadhu paadu | Making it as white as a leadwort flower is your duty, my girl |
| Female | |
| Thuniyul ulla alukkai pokka ulamannirukkudhu | Fuller's earth is available to remove the dirt from clothes |
| Thuniyul ulla alukkai pokka ulamannirukkudhu | Fuller's earth is available to remove the dirt from clothes |
| Namma manasil ulla azhikki neekka enna irundhadhu | What is available to clear away the impurity in our minds? |
| Namma manasil ulla azhikki neekka enna irundhadhu | What is available to clear away the impurity in our minds? |
| Male | |
| Manushanukku pagutharivu edhukku irukkudhu | Why does a human possess rational thinking? |
| Konjam nenachi paaru vishayam unakkau purinji povadhu | Ponder a little, and you will understand the truth |
| Manushanukku pagutharivu edhukku irukkudhu | Why does a human possess rational thinking? |
| Konjam nenachi paaru vishayam unakkau purinji povadhu | Ponder a little, and you will understand the truth |
| Chorus | |
| Thappu thappunnu thunyai thuvachi thappu | Beat and beat, wash the clothes with a rhythmic thump |
| Male : Thappu | Male : Beat! |
| Chorus :Summa kummu kummunnu nanaichi pizhinji kummu | Chorus : Soak it, squeeze it well, and pound it hard |
| Male | |
| Karuppu varna patta paaru kanna parikkudhu | Look at that black silk cloth, it dazzles the eyes |
| Adha kaanum podhu en manasu engho parandhadhu | When seeing it, my mind flew off somewhere |
| Karuppu varna patta paaru kanna parikkudhu | Look at that black silk cloth, it dazzles the eyes |
| Adha kaanum podhu en manasu engho parandhadhu | When seeing it, my mind flew off somewhere |
| Female | |
| Seghappu vellai pattu naalum serndhae sirikkudhu | The red and white silks are smiling together |
| Seghappu vellai pattu naalum serndhae sirikkudhu | The red and white silks are smiling together |
| Andha sithiari selai sindhanaikku velai kodukkudhu | That printed saree gives work to one's thoughts |
| Andha sithiari selai sindhanaikku velai kodukkudhu | That printed saree gives work to one's thoughts |
| Male | |
| Edhukku pulla vetti pechu velai kedakkaudhu | Why engaging in idle talk, girl? Work is pending! |
| Thunaiyai eduthu nalla udhari podu veiyil adikuthu | Take the clothes, shake them out well, and spread them as the sun shines bright |
| Edhukku pulla vetti pechu velai kedakkaudhu | Why engaging in idle talk, girl? Work is pending! |
| Thunaiyai eduthu nalla udhari podu veiyil adikuthu | Take the clothes, shake them out well, and spread them as the sun shines bright |
| Chorus | |
| Thappu thappunnu thunyai thuvachi thappu | Beat and beat, wash the clothes with a rhythmic thump |
| Male : Thappu | Male : Beat! |
| Chorus :Summa kummu kummunnu nanaichi pizhinji kummu | Chorus : Soak it, squeeze it well, and pound it hard |
| Male : Kummu kummu | Male : Pound, pound! |
| Chorus :Thappu thappunnu thunyai thuvachi thappu | Chorus : Beat and beat, wash the clothes with a rhythmic thump |
| Summa kummu kummunnu nanaichi pizhinji kummu | Soak it, squeeze it well, and pound it hard |
தப்பு தப்புன்னு துணியை துவச்சி தப்பு
சும்மா கும்மு கும்முன்னு நனைச்சி பிழிஞ்சி கும்மு
Beat and beat, wash the clothes with a rhythmic thump
Soak it, squeeze it well, and pound it hard
தப்பு தப்புன்னு துணியை துவச்சி தப்பு
ஆண் : தப்பு
குழு :
சும்மா கும்மு கும்முன்னு நனைச்சி பிழிஞ்சி கும்மு
ஆண் : கும்மு
Beat and beat, wash the clothes with a rhythmic thump
Male : Beat!
Chorus : Soak it, squeeze it well, and pound it hard
Male : Pound!
துப்புரவாக அழுக்கு போக துவச்சி விரிச்சி போடு
அதை தும்பை பூவைப்போல் வெளுப்பது புள்ளே உனது பாடு
துப்புரவாக அழுக்கு போக துவச்சி விரிச்சி போடு
அதை தும்பை பூவைப்போல் வெளுப்பது புள்ளே உனது பாடு
Wash thoroughly to remove the dirt and spread them out to dry
Making it as white as a leadwort flower is your duty, my girl
Wash thoroughly to remove the dirt and spread them out to dry
Making it as white as a leadwort flower is your duty, my girl
துணியிலுள்ள அழுக்கைப் போக்க உளமண்ணிருக்குது
துணியிலுள்ள அழுக்கைப் போக்க உளமண்ணிருக்குது
நம்ம மனசிலுள்ள அழிக்கி நீக்க என்ன இருக்குது
நம்ம மனசிலுள்ள அழிக்கி நீக்க என்ன இருக்குது
Fuller's earth is available to remove the dirt from clothes
Fuller's earth is available to remove the dirt from clothes
What is available to clear away the impurity in our minds?
What is available to clear away the impurity in our minds?
மனுஷனுக்கு பகுத்தறிவு எதுக்கு இருக்குது
கொஞ்சம் நெனச்சிப் பாரு விஷயம் உனக்கு புரிஞ்சிப் போவுது
மனுஷனுக்கு பகுத்தறிவு எதுக்கு இருக்குது
கொஞ்சம் நெனச்சிப் பாரு விஷயம் உனக்கு புரிஞ்சிப் போவுது
Why does a human possess rational thinking?
Ponder a little, and you will understand the truth
Why does a human possess rational thinking?
Ponder a little, and you will understand the truth
தப்பு தப்புன்னு துணியை துவச்சி தப்பு
ஆண் : தப்பு
குழு :
சும்மா கும்மு கும்முன்னு நனைச்சி பிழிஞ்சி கும்மு
Beat and beat, wash the clothes with a rhythmic thump
Male : Beat!
Chorus : Soak it, squeeze it well, and pound it hard
கருப்பு வர்ண பட்ட பாரு கண்ணா பறிக்குது
அத காணும் போது என் மனசு எங்கோ பறக்குது
கருப்பு வர்ண பட்ட பாரு கண்ணா பறிக்குது
அத காணும் போது என் மனசு எங்கோ பறக்குது
Look at that black silk cloth, it dazzles the eyes
When seeing it, my mind flew off somewhere
Look at that black silk cloth, it dazzles the eyes
When seeing it, my mind flew off somewhere
செகப்பு வெள்ளை பட்டு நாளும் சேர்ந்தே சிரிக்குது
செகப்பு வெள்ளை பட்டு நாளும் சேர்ந்தே சிரிக்குது
அந்த சித்திரை சேலை சிந்தனைக்கு வேலை கொடுக்குது
அந்த சித்திரை சேலை சிந்தனைக்கு வேலை கொடுக்குது
The red and white silks are smiling together
The red and white silks are smiling together
That printed saree gives work to one's thoughts
That printed saree gives work to one's thoughts
எதுக்குப் புள்ளே வெட்டிப் பேச்சு வேலை கெடக்குது
துணியை எடுத்து நல்லா உதறிப் போடு வெய்யில் அடிக்குது
எதுக்குப் புள்ளே வெட்டிப் பேச்சு வேலை கெடக்குது
துணியை எடுத்து நல்லா உதறிப் போடு வெய்யில் அடிக்குது
Why engaging in idle talk, girl? Work is pending!
Take the clothes, shake them out well, and spread them as the sun shines bright
Why engaging in idle talk, girl? Work is pending!
Take the clothes, shake them out well, and spread them as the sun shines bright
தப்பு தப்புன்னு துணியை துவச்சி தப்பு
ஆண் : தப்பு
குழு :
சும்மா கும்மு கும்முன்னு நனைச்சி பிழிஞ்சி கும்மு
ஆண் : கும்மு கும்மு
குழு :
தப்பு தப்புன்னு துணியை துவச்சி தப்பு
சும்மா கும்மு கும்முன்னு நனைச்சி பிழிஞ்சி கும்மு
Beat and beat, wash the clothes with a rhythmic thump
Male : Beat!
Chorus : Soak it, squeeze it well, and pound it hard
Male : Pound, pound!
Chorus : Beat and beat, wash the clothes with a rhythmic thump
Soak it, squeeze it well, and pound it hard
Thappu thappunnu thunyai thuvachi thappu
Beat and beat, wash the clothes with a rhythmic thump
Summa kummu kummunnu nanaichi pizhinji kummu
Soak it, squeeze it well, and pound it hard
Thappu thappunnu thunyai thuvachi thappu
Beat and beat, wash the clothes with a rhythmic thump
Male : Thappu
Male : Beat!
Chorus :Summa kummu kummunnu nanaichi pizhinji kummu
Chorus : Soak it, squeeze it well, and pound it hard
Male : Kummu
Male : Pound!
Thuppuruvaagha alukku pogha thuvachi viruchi podu
Wash thoroughly to remove the dirt and spread them out to dry
Adhai thumbai poovai pol veluppadhu pullae unadhu paadu
Making it as white as a leadwort flower is your duty, my girl
Thuppuruvaagha alukku pogha thuvachi viruchi podu
Wash thoroughly to remove the dirt and spread them out to dry
Adhai thumbai poovai pol veluppadhu pullae unadhu paadu
Making it as white as a leadwort flower is your duty, my girl
Thuniyul ulla alukkai pokka ulamannirukkudhu
Fuller's earth is available to remove the dirt from clothes
Thuniyul ulla alukkai pokka ulamannirukkudhu
Fuller's earth is available to remove the dirt from clothes
Namma manasil ulla azhikki neekka enna irundhadhu
What is available to clear away the impurity in our minds?
Namma manasil ulla azhikki neekka enna irundhadhu
What is available to clear away the impurity in our minds?
Manushanukku pagutharivu edhukku irukkudhu
Why does a human possess rational thinking?
Konjam nenachi paaru vishayam unakkau purinji povadhu
Ponder a little, and you will understand the truth
Manushanukku pagutharivu edhukku irukkudhu
Why does a human possess rational thinking?
Konjam nenachi paaru vishayam unakkau purinji povadhu
Ponder a little, and you will understand the truth
Thappu thappunnu thunyai thuvachi thappu
Beat and beat, wash the clothes with a rhythmic thump
Male : Thappu
Male : Beat!
Chorus :Summa kummu kummunnu nanaichi pizhinji kummu
Chorus : Soak it, squeeze it well, and pound it hard
Karuppu varna patta paaru kanna parikkudhu
Look at that black silk cloth, it dazzles the eyes
Adha kaanum podhu en manasu engho parandhadhu
When seeing it, my mind flew off somewhere
Karuppu varna patta paaru kanna parikkudhu
Look at that black silk cloth, it dazzles the eyes
Adha kaanum podhu en manasu engho parandhadhu
When seeing it, my mind flew off somewhere
Seghappu vellai pattu naalum serndhae sirikkudhu
The red and white silks are smiling together
Seghappu vellai pattu naalum serndhae sirikkudhu
The red and white silks are smiling together
Andha sithiari selai sindhanaikku velai kodukkudhu
That printed saree gives work to one's thoughts
Andha sithiari selai sindhanaikku velai kodukkudhu
That printed saree gives work to one's thoughts
Edhukku pulla vetti pechu velai kedakkaudhu
Why engaging in idle talk, girl? Work is pending!
Thunaiyai eduthu nalla udhari podu veiyil adikuthu
Take the clothes, shake them out well, and spread them as the sun shines bright
Edhukku pulla vetti pechu velai kedakkaudhu
Why engaging in idle talk, girl? Work is pending!
Thunaiyai eduthu nalla udhari podu veiyil adikuthu
Take the clothes, shake them out well, and spread them as the sun shines bright
Thappu thappunnu thunyai thuvachi thappu
Beat and beat, wash the clothes with a rhythmic thump
Male : Thappu
Male : Beat!
Chorus :Summa kummu kummunnu nanaichi pizhinji kummu
Chorus : Soak it, squeeze it well, and pound it hard
Male : Kummu kummu
Male : Pound, pound!
Chorus :Thappu thappunnu thunyai thuvachi thappu
Chorus : Beat and beat, wash the clothes with a rhythmic thump
Summa kummu kummunnu nanaichi pizhinji kummu
Soak it, squeeze it well, and pound it hard
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic song features a group of washerfolk engaged in their daily work of washing clothes on riverbanks. Set to a lively beat matching the physical action of beating and wringing clothes, the song uses the mundane task of laundering as a metaphor for deep philosophical reflection. While dirt on fabric can easily be washed using detergent or clay, the lyricist A. Maruthakasi highlights that human intellect and rational wisdom (pagutharivu) are the essential tools meant to cleanse inner impurities from human minds and hearts.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Onomatopoeia (Irettai Kilavi)
“Thappu thappunnu thunyai thuvachi thappu”
Use of rhythmic sound words 'Thappu thappunnu' and 'kummu kummunnu' mimicking the physical sounds of beating and crushing clothes on stone.
Simile (Uwamai)
“Adhai thumbai poovai pol veluppadhu pullae unadhu paadu”
Comparing the pristine whiteness of freshly washed clothes to 'Thumbai poo' (white Leucas flower).
Metaphor & Allegory
“Namma manasil ulla azhikki neekka enna irundhadhu”
Using physical dirt on cloth as a metaphor for moral/mental vices, suggesting rationality cleanses the soul.
Alliteration (Mona / Edhukai)
“Andha sithiari selai sindhanaikku velai kodukkudhu”
Rhythmic sound repetition in words like 'Seghappu', 'selai', 'sindhanaikku'.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Lava Kusa' (1963) was a landmark epic mythological film directed by C. Pullaiah and C. S. Rao, shot simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil. It was the first full-length color film in Telugu and was renowned for Ghantasala's immortal musical score.
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