Valartha Kada
From Kalthoon · 1981
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Kalthoon1981
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Valatha kadaa mutta vandhaa | If the ram raised comes back to butt, |
| Vacha sedi mullaanaa | If the plant nurtured turns into a thorn, |
| Pona jenma paavamadi ammaalu | It is the sin of the past life, O Ammaalu! |
| Thottililae paambirundhaa | If there is a snake inside the cradle, |
| Tholilae puli kedandhaa | If a tiger rests upon the shoulder, |
| Pethavanga thalai ezhuthu ammaalu | It is the destiny of the parents, O Ammaalu! |
| Pethavanga thalai ezhuthu ammaalu | It is the destiny of the parents, O Ammaalu! |
| Male | |
| Valatha kadaa mutta vandhaa | If the ram raised comes back to butt, |
| Vacha sedi mullaanaa | If the plant nurtured turns into a thorn, |
| Pona jenma paavamadi ammaalu | It is the sin of the past life, O Ammaalu! |
| Thottililae paambirundhaa | If there is a snake inside the cradle, |
| Tholilae puli kedandhaa | If a tiger rests upon the shoulder, |
| Pethavanga thalai ezhuthu ammaalu | It is the destiny of the parents, O Ammaalu! |
| Pethavanga thalai ezhuthu ammaalu | It is the destiny of the parents, O Ammaalu! |
| Male | |
| Muthamittum aasai illae | Even after kissing, there is no affection, |
| Sithathilum paasam illae… | Even in the heart, there is no love... |
| Male | |
| Muthamittum aasai illae | Even after kissing, there is no affection, |
| Sithathilum paasam illae… | Even in the heart, there is no love... |
| Ratham enna aachudhadi ammaalu | What has happened to blood ties, O Ammaalu? |
| Vithu vitta maadugalum | Even cattle that were sold away, |
| Veedu kandu thirumba varum | Find their way back home, |
| Petha pulla odudhadi ammaalu | But the child born to me runs away, O Ammaalu! |
| Buthi kettu porakka vechaan ammaalu | He was born lacking wisdom, O Ammaalu! |
| Male | |
| Valatha kadaa mutta vandhaa | If the ram raised comes back to butt, |
| Vacha sedi mullaanaa | If the plant nurtured turns into a thorn, |
| Pona jenma paavamadi ammaalu | It is the sin of the past life, O Ammaalu! |
| Pona jenma paavamadi ammaalu | It is the sin of the past life, O Ammaalu! |
| Male | |
| Kannilae eeramillae | There is no moisture in the eyes, |
| Kai chorum erangavillae… | The rice fed by hand does not go down... |
| Male | |
| Kannilae eeramillae | There is no moisture in the eyes, |
| Kai chorum erangavillae… | The rice fed by hand does not go down... |
| Ennamellaam thudikkudhadi ammaalu | My thoughts are all trembling in anguish, O Ammaalu! |
| Mannilae naan nadandhaa | If I walk upon this earth, |
| Man kooda kumbidumae | Even the soil would bow down in respect, |
| En pillae pagaichudhadi ammaalu | Yet my own child has turned hostile, O Ammaalu! |
| Rendu pethu onnu kettadhu ammaalu | I gave birth to two, and one went bad, O Ammaalu! |
| Male | |
| Valatha kadaa mutta vandhaa | If the ram raised comes back to butt, |
| Vacha sedi mullaanaa | If the plant nurtured turns into a thorn, |
| Pona jenma paavamadi ammaalu | It is the sin of the past life, O Ammaalu! |
| Pona jenma paavamadi ammaalu | It is the sin of the past life, O Ammaalu! |
| Male | |
| Oorilae paerirukka | Despite having a respectable name in town, |
| Uttravanga madhippirukka | And holding the esteem of kin, |
| Vaeru vazhi theriyalaiyae ammaalu… | I see no other way out, O Ammaalu... |
| Male | |
| Oorilae paerirukka | Despite having a respectable name in town, |
| Uttravanga madhippirukka | And holding the esteem of kin, |
| Vaeru vazhi theriyalaiyae ammaalu… | I see no other way out, O Ammaalu... |
| Tholilae potta thundu | If the towel draped over one's shoulder, |
| Kaalilae vizhundhu vittaa | Falls down at one's feet, |
| Vaazhvilae artham enna ammaalu | What is the meaning of life, O Ammaalu? |
| Pillae vagaiyaaga maaruvadhu ennaalu | When will the child reform properly? |
| Pillae vagaiyaaga maaruvadhu ennaalu | When will the child reform properly? |
| Pillae vagaiyaaga maaruvadhu ennaalu | When will the child reform properly? |
வளர்த்த கடா முட்ட வந்தா
வச்ச செடி முள்ளானா
போன ஜென்மம் பாவமடி அம்மாளு
தொட்டிலிலே பாம்பிருந்தா
தோளிலே புலி கெடந்தா
பெத்தவங்க தலையெழுத்து அம்மாளு
பெத்தவங்க தலையெழுத்து அம்மாளு
If the ram raised comes back to butt,
If the plant nurtured turns into a thorn,
It is the sin of the past life, O Ammaalu!
If there is a snake inside the cradle,
If a tiger rests upon the shoulder,
It is the destiny of the parents, O Ammaalu!
It is the destiny of the parents, O Ammaalu!
வளர்த்த கடா முட்ட வந்தா
வச்ச செடி முள்ளானா
போன ஜென்மம் பாவமடி அம்மாளு
தொட்டிலிலே பாம்பிருந்தா
தோளிலே புலி கெடந்தா
பெத்தவங்க தலையெழுத்து அம்மாளு
பெத்தவங்க தலையெழுத்து அம்மாளு
If the ram raised comes back to butt,
If the plant nurtured turns into a thorn,
It is the sin of the past life, O Ammaalu!
If there is a snake inside the cradle,
If a tiger rests upon the shoulder,
It is the destiny of the parents, O Ammaalu!
It is the destiny of the parents, O Ammaalu!
முத்தமிட்டும் ஆசை இல்லே
சித்தத்திலும் பாசமில்லே.....
Even after kissing, there is no affection,
Even in the heart, there is no love...
முத்தமிட்டும் ஆசை இல்லே
சித்தத்திலும் பாசமில்லே......
ரத்தம் என்ன ஆச்சுதடி அம்மாளு
வித்து விட்ட மாடுகளும்
வீடு கண்டு திரும்ப வரும்
பெத்த புள்ள ஓடுதடி அம்மாளு
புத்தி கெட்டு பொறக்க வெச்சான் அம்மாளு
Even after kissing, there is no affection,
Even in the heart, there is no love...
What has happened to blood ties, O Ammaalu?
Even cattle that were sold away,
Find their way back home,
But the child born to me runs away, O Ammaalu!
He was born lacking wisdom, O Ammaalu!
வளர்த்த கடா முட்ட வந்தா
வச்ச செடி முள்ளானா
போன ஜென்மம் பாவமடி அம்மாளு
போன ஜென்மம் பாவமடி அம்மாளு
If the ram raised comes back to butt,
If the plant nurtured turns into a thorn,
It is the sin of the past life, O Ammaalu!
It is the sin of the past life, O Ammaalu!
கண்ணிலே ஈரமில்லே
கைச்சோறும் இறங்கவில்லே.....
There is no moisture in the eyes,
The rice fed by hand does not go down...
கண்ணிலே ஈரமில்லே
கைச்சோறும் இறங்கவில்லே.....
எண்ணமெல்லாம் துடிக்குதடி அம்மாளு
மண்ணிலே நான் நடந்தா
மண்கூடக் கும்பிடுமே
என் புள்ளே பகைச்சுதடி அம்மாளு
ரெண்டு பெத்து ஒன்னு கெட்டுது அம்மாளு
There is no moisture in the eyes,
The rice fed by hand does not go down...
My thoughts are all trembling in anguish, O Ammaalu!
If I walk upon this earth,
Even the soil would bow down in respect,
Yet my own child has turned hostile, O Ammaalu!
I gave birth to two, and one went bad, O Ammaalu!
வளர்த்த கடா முட்ட வந்தா
வச்ச செடி முள்ளானா
போன ஜென்மம் பாவமடி அம்மாளு
போன ஜென்மம் பாவமடி அம்மாளு
If the ram raised comes back to butt,
If the plant nurtured turns into a thorn,
It is the sin of the past life, O Ammaalu!
It is the sin of the past life, O Ammaalu!
ஊரிலே பேரிருக்க
உற்றவங்க மதிப்பிருக்க
வேறு வழி தெரியலையே அம்மாளு
Despite having a respectable name in town,
And holding the esteem of kin,
I see no other way out, O Ammaalu...
ஊரிலே பேரிருக்க
உற்றவங்க மதிப்பிருக்க
வேறு வழி தெரியலையே அம்மாளு
தோளிலே போட்டதுண்டு
காலிலே விழுந்துவிட்டா
வாழ்விலே அர்த்தமென்ன அம்மாளு
பிள்ளை வகையாக மாறுவது எந்நாளு
பிள்ளை வகையாக மாறுவது எந்நாளு
பிள்ளை வகையாக மாறுவது எந்நாளு
Despite having a respectable name in town,
And holding the esteem of kin,
I see no other way out, O Ammaalu...
If the towel draped over one's shoulder,
Falls down at one's feet,
What is the meaning of life, O Ammaalu?
When will the child reform properly?
When will the child reform properly?
When will the child reform properly?
Valatha kadaa mutta vandhaa
If the ram raised comes back to butt,
Vacha sedi mullaanaa
If the plant nurtured turns into a thorn,
Pona jenma paavamadi ammaalu
It is the sin of the past life, O Ammaalu!
Thottililae paambirundhaa
If there is a snake inside the cradle,
Tholilae puli kedandhaa
If a tiger rests upon the shoulder,
Pethavanga thalai ezhuthu ammaalu
It is the destiny of the parents, O Ammaalu!
Pethavanga thalai ezhuthu ammaalu
It is the destiny of the parents, O Ammaalu!
Valatha kadaa mutta vandhaa
If the ram raised comes back to butt,
Vacha sedi mullaanaa
If the plant nurtured turns into a thorn,
Pona jenma paavamadi ammaalu
It is the sin of the past life, O Ammaalu!
Thottililae paambirundhaa
If there is a snake inside the cradle,
Tholilae puli kedandhaa
If a tiger rests upon the shoulder,
Pethavanga thalai ezhuthu ammaalu
It is the destiny of the parents, O Ammaalu!
Pethavanga thalai ezhuthu ammaalu
It is the destiny of the parents, O Ammaalu!
Muthamittum aasai illae
Even after kissing, there is no affection,
Sithathilum paasam illae…
Even in the heart, there is no love...
Muthamittum aasai illae
Even after kissing, there is no affection,
Sithathilum paasam illae…
Even in the heart, there is no love...
Ratham enna aachudhadi ammaalu
What has happened to blood ties, O Ammaalu?
Vithu vitta maadugalum
Even cattle that were sold away,
Veedu kandu thirumba varum
Find their way back home,
Petha pulla odudhadi ammaalu
But the child born to me runs away, O Ammaalu!
Buthi kettu porakka vechaan ammaalu
He was born lacking wisdom, O Ammaalu!
Valatha kadaa mutta vandhaa
If the ram raised comes back to butt,
Vacha sedi mullaanaa
If the plant nurtured turns into a thorn,
Pona jenma paavamadi ammaalu
It is the sin of the past life, O Ammaalu!
Pona jenma paavamadi ammaalu
It is the sin of the past life, O Ammaalu!
Kannilae eeramillae
There is no moisture in the eyes,
Kai chorum erangavillae…
The rice fed by hand does not go down...
Kannilae eeramillae
There is no moisture in the eyes,
Kai chorum erangavillae…
The rice fed by hand does not go down...
Ennamellaam thudikkudhadi ammaalu
My thoughts are all trembling in anguish, O Ammaalu!
Mannilae naan nadandhaa
If I walk upon this earth,
Man kooda kumbidumae
Even the soil would bow down in respect,
En pillae pagaichudhadi ammaalu
Yet my own child has turned hostile, O Ammaalu!
Rendu pethu onnu kettadhu ammaalu
I gave birth to two, and one went bad, O Ammaalu!
Valatha kadaa mutta vandhaa
If the ram raised comes back to butt,
Vacha sedi mullaanaa
If the plant nurtured turns into a thorn,
Pona jenma paavamadi ammaalu
It is the sin of the past life, O Ammaalu!
Pona jenma paavamadi ammaalu
It is the sin of the past life, O Ammaalu!
Oorilae paerirukka
Despite having a respectable name in town,
Uttravanga madhippirukka
And holding the esteem of kin,
Vaeru vazhi theriyalaiyae ammaalu…
I see no other way out, O Ammaalu...
Oorilae paerirukka
Despite having a respectable name in town,
Uttravanga madhippirukka
And holding the esteem of kin,
Vaeru vazhi theriyalaiyae ammaalu…
I see no other way out, O Ammaalu...
Tholilae potta thundu
If the towel draped over one's shoulder,
Kaalilae vizhundhu vittaa
Falls down at one's feet,
Vaazhvilae artham enna ammaalu
What is the meaning of life, O Ammaalu?
Pillae vagaiyaaga maaruvadhu ennaalu
When will the child reform properly?
Pillae vagaiyaaga maaruvadhu ennaalu
When will the child reform properly?
Pillae vagaiyaaga maaruvadhu ennaalu
When will the child reform properly?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This poignant song depicts the deep grief and anguish of a parent whose child has turned treacherous and ungrateful. Through vivid rural allegories, the parent laments how a child nurtured with utmost love has turned into a source of pain, comparing the situation to a hand-raised ram coming back to attack its master or a planted crop yielding only thorns.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Valatha kadaa mutta vandhaa”
Compares an ungrateful child to a ram that butts its rearer ('Valatha kadaa') and a plant that turns into a thorn ('Vacha sedi mullaanaa').
Contrast / Antithesis (Ethirukki)
“Vithu vitta maadugalum veedu kandu thirumba varum”
Contrasts sold cattle returning home with one's own child fleeing away.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Thottililae paambirundhaa”
Matching of initial consonant sounds across lines ('Thottililae' and 'Tholilae').
Idiomatic Symbolism
“Tholilae potta thundu”
Using 'Tholilae potta thundu kaalilae vizhundhu vittaa' (shoulder towel falling to feet) as a metaphor for loss of pride and honor.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Kalthoon' (1981) was directed by Major Sundarrajan and featured Sivaji Ganesan, K.R. Vijaya, and Major Sundarrajan in pivotal roles. The music for the film was composed by the legendary M. S. Viswanathan, with lyrics written by Kannadasan.
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