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Lyrics & meaning

Theerthathil Vizhuntha

From Vazhvu En Pakkam · 1975

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
L. R. Eswari, Saibaba
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Vazhvu En Pakkam1975

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
…………….....
Female
Theerthththil vizhuntha vanduA beetle that fell into holy water,
Thigaikkuthu mayakkam konduIs bewildered and intoxicated.
Karthigai vizhigal renduTwo eyes bright like Karthigai lamps,
Kadavul padaiththathu karuppo sivappo…Did God create them black or red...?
Female
Theerthththil vizhuntha vanduA beetle that fell into holy water,
Thigaikkuthu mayakkam konduIs bewildered and intoxicated.
Karthigai vizhigal renduTwo eyes bright like Karthigai lamps,
Kadavul padaiththathu karuppo sivappo…Did God create them black or red...?
Female
Achcham naanam aayiram unduShe has a thousand fears and shyness,
Adhanaalthaanae mounam konduThat is why she maintains silence.
Achcham naanam aayiram unduShe has a thousand fears and shyness,
Adhanaalthaanae mounam konduThat is why she maintains silence.
Female
Paththini pennithu suttruthu suzhaluthuThis chaste woman is spinning around in confusion,
Eththanai mattrangal avalthaan ivalaaSo many changes; is she that same girl or someone new?
Paththini pennithu suttruthu suzhaluthuThis chaste woman is spinning around in confusion,
Eththanai mattrangal avalthaan ivalaaSo many changes; is she that same girl or someone new?
Female
Idhu aaduvathum paaduvathumAs for her dancing and singing,
Kaaranaththai yaaru kandaaWho really knows the reason?
Ooru muzhuthum kettu enna laabamWhat is the point of asking the entire town?
Adi melum idhai aada vittaaIf you let her dance further,
Boomiyellaam aadumadiThe whole world will start shaking!
Kaalai katti podungadi paavamTie her feet up, poor thing!
Chorus
Idhu aaduvathum paaduvathumAs for her dancing and singing,
Kaaranaththai yaaru kandaaWho really knows the reason?
Ooru muzhuthum kettu enna laabamWhat is the point of asking the entire town?
Adi melum idhai aada vittaaIf you let her dance further,
Boomiyellaam aadumadiThe whole world will start shaking!
Kaalai katti podungadi paavamTie her feet up, poor thing!
Female
Theerthththil vizhuntha vanduA beetle that fell into holy water,
Thigaikkuthu mayakkam konduIs bewildered and intoxicated.
Karthigai vizhigal renduTwo eyes bright like Karthigai lamps,
Kadavul padaiththathu karuppo sivappo…Did God create them black or red...?
Female
Kaakkai polae kuyilgal unduThere are cuckoos that resemble crows,
Kazhuthai polae kuthiraigal unduThere are horses that resemble donkeys.
Kaakkai polae kuyilgal unduThere are cuckoos that resemble crows,
Kazhuthai polae kuthiraigal unduThere are horses that resemble donkeys.
Female
Peththathu yaaradi piranthathu eppadiWho gave birth to them? How were they born?
Vaaiththathu ippadi jodiHow did such a pair come together?
Peththathu yaaradi piranthathu eppadiWho gave birth to them? How were they born?
Vaaiththathu ippadi jodiHow did such a pair come together?
Female
Thaali kattayilae naama illaeWe were not there when the sacred thread was tied,
Thaai thagappan yaarumillaeNeither mother nor father is present.
Suttri vanthu kottungadi melamGather around and beat the drums!
Iva nattuvanaar illaamalWithout a dance master to guide her,
Naattiyaththai kaththu vanthaaShe learned and performed the dance.
Thattungadi kottungadi thaalamClap your hands and beat the rhythm!
Chorus
Thaali kattayilae naama illaeWe were not there when the sacred thread was tied,
Thaai thagappan yaarumillaeNeither mother nor father is present.
Suttri vanthu kottungadi melamGather around and beat the drums!
Iva nattuvanaar illaamalWithout a dance master to guide her,
Naattiyaththai kaththu vanthaaShe learned and performed the dance.
Thattungadi kottungadi thaalamClap your hands and beat the rhythm!
Female
Theerthththil vizhuntha vanduA beetle that fell into holy water,
Thigaikkuthu mayakkam konduIs bewildered and intoxicated.
Karthigai vizhigal renduTwo eyes bright like Karthigai lamps,
Kadavul padaiththathu karuppo sivappo…Did God create them black or red...?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the film 'Vazhvu En Pakkam' (1975) captures a lively and dramatic scene filled with lighthearted teasing and observation of a woman acting out of character. The lyrics metaphorically describe a beetle getting dizzy after falling into sanctified water, mirroring the protagonist's dazed, emotional, and erratic state as she dances and sings unpredictably.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani (Simile)

Theerthththil vizhuntha vandu

Comparing the confused state of the protagonist to a beetle trapped and dizzy in holy water ('Theerththil vizhuntha vandu').

Metaphor / Visual Imagery

Karthigai vizhigal rendu

Comparing the eyes to bright 'Karthigai' oil lamps ('Karthigai vizhigal').

Ethirai (Contrast / Parallelism)

Kaakkai polae kuyilgal undu / Kazhuthai polae kuthiraigal undu

Comparing contrasting animals like cuckoos/crows and horses/donkeys to comment ironically on the unconventional pairing of individuals.

Emona / Rhyme (Monai and Ethirai)

Thigaikkuthu mayakkam kondu

Use of matching internal sounds and end-rhymes ('undu', 'kondu', 'rendu') enhancing the musical rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Vazhvu En Pakkam' (1975) stars Lakshmi and Jaishankar. The song is composed by the legendary M. S. Viswanathan with playful lyrics written by Kannadasan, showcasing L. R. Eswari's signature energetic vocal style alongside Saibaba.

Keep listening

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