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Lyrics & meaning

Vaadai Kaatramma

From Ratha Thilagam · 1963

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Ratha Thilagam1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vaadai kaaththammaaO chilly northern breeze,
Vaadai kaaththammaaO chilly northern breeze,
Vaaliba manasaA youthful heart,
Naalukku naalaaDay after day,
VaattuvadhennammaaWhy do you torment it so?
VaattuvadhennammaaWhy do you torment it so?
Female
Vaadai kaaththammaaO chilly northern breeze,
Vaadai kaaththammaaO chilly northern breeze,
Vaaliba manasaA youthful heart,
Naalukku naalaaDay after day,
VaattuvadhennammaaWhy do you torment it so?
VaattuvadhennammaaWhy do you torment it so?
Female
Odai neeril naattiyamaadiDancing upon the stream's water,
OdugindraaiYou run along.
Pen ullam kandu mella sendruPerceiving a woman's heart, going softly,
PesugindraaiYou speak to it.
Female
Odai neeril naattiyamaadiDancing upon the stream's water,
OdugindraaiYou run along.
Pen ullam kandu mella sendruPerceiving a woman's heart, going softly,
PesugindraaiYou speak to it.
Female
Aadai thottu aadavar polaTouching my clothes like a lover,
AadugindraaiYou dance around.
Angam muzhudhum pongi thazhuviEmbracing my whole body passionately,
PaadugindraaiYou sing.
Female
Aadai thottu aadavar polaTouching my clothes like a lover,
AadugindraaiYou dance around.
En angam muzhudhum pongi thazhuviEmbracing my entire body passionately,
PaadugindraaiYou sing.
Female
Aaahhnn..ohhoooo…Aaahhnn.. ohhoooo...
Aaaahhh…aaahhh…aaaahhh …Aaaahhh... aaahhh... aaaahhh...
Aaaahhh…aaa..Aaaahhh... aaa..
Female
Vaadai kaaththammaaO chilly northern breeze,
Vaadai kaaththammaaO chilly northern breeze,
Vaaliba manasaA youthful heart,
Naalukku naalaaDay after day,
VaattuvadhennammaaWhy do you torment it so?
VaattuvadhennammaaWhy do you torment it so?
Female
Raajaa raani ragasiyamellaamAll the secrets of the king and queen,
SollugindraaiYou whisper to me.
En rojaa idhazhai lesa thadaviGently caressing my rose-like lips,
KollugindraaiYou thrill me to death.
Female
Raajaa raani ragasiyamellaamAll the secrets of the king and queen,
SollugindraaiYou whisper to me.
En rojaa idhazhai lesa thadaviGently caressing my rose-like lips,
KollugindraaiYou thrill me to death.
Female
Therkku thendral unnidam sonnaWhat news did the southern breeze tell you,
Sangadhi ennaammaaO dear wind?
En chinna udambai iruvarum thottaalIf both of you touch my fragile body,
En gadhi ennaammaaWhat will become of me?
Female
Therkku thendral unnidam sonnaWhat news did the southern breeze tell you,
Sangadhi ennaammaaO dear wind?
En chinna udambai iruvarum thottaalIf both of you touch my fragile body,
En gadhi ennaammaaWhat will become of me?
Female
Aaahhnn..ohhoooo…Aaahhnn.. ohhoooo...
Aaaahhh…aaahhh…aaaahhh …Aaaahhh... aaahhh... aaaahhh...
Aaaahhh…aaa..Aaaahhh... aaa..
Female
Vaadai kaaththammaaO chilly northern breeze,
Vaadai kaaththammaaO chilly northern breeze,
Vaaliba manasaA youthful heart,
Naalukku naalaaDay after day,
VaattuvadhennammaaWhy do you torment it so?
VaattuvadhennammaaWhy do you torment it so?
Female
Vaadai kaaththammaaO chilly northern breeze,
Vaadai kaaththammaaO chilly northern breeze,
Vaaliba manasaA youthful heart,
Naalukku naalaaDay after day,
VaattuvadhennammaaWhy do you torment it so?
VaattuvadhennammaaWhy do you torment it so?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In 'Vaadai Kaaththammaa' from the film Ratha Thilagam (1963), the heroine addresses the cool northern wind (Vaadai Kaatru) as a intimate companion and gentle tormentor. She playfully questions why the breeze tantalizes a young woman's heart day in and day out, comparing its touch to that of an affectionate lover who dances upon stream waters and brushes past her garments. The lyrics evoke the tender longing of youth, romantic anticipation, and sensory beauty through vivid nature imagery.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification (Uruvagam / Manidhamakkudhal)

Vaadai kaaththammaa

The northern wind is personified as a woman/friend ('Kaaththammaa') and a lover who talks, dances on stream water, and touches garments.

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagam)

En rojaa idhazhai lesa thadavi

'Rojaa idhazh' metaphors the heroine's lips to soft rose petals.

Rhyme / Alliteration (Monai & Edhugai)

Aadai thottu aadavar pola

Rhythmic repetition of 'Aadai thottu aadavar pola / Aadugindraai' creates acoustic harmony standard in Tamil lyrical poetry.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Ratha Thilagam' (1963) stars Sivaji Ganesan and Savitri, set against the backdrop of the 1962 Sino-Indian War. The music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, with lyrics written by Kannadasan, portraying deeply evocative romantic themes alongside patriotic narratives.

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