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Lyrics & meaning

Vandondru Vanthathu

From Kattu Roja · 1963

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kattu Roja1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vandondru vanthathuA beetle came
Vaavendru sonnadhuIt beckoned me to come
Ennendru naanum kettenI asked what it wanted
Kannendru sonnadhuIt called me its eyes
Male
Vandondru vanthathuA beetle came
Vaavendru sonnadhuIt beckoned me to come
Ennendru naanum kettenI asked what it wanted
Kannendru sonnadhuIt called me its eyes
Female
Kannondru vanthathuAn eye came seeking
Kaanendru sonnathuIt asked me to look
Pennendru naanum sonnenI said I am a modest woman
Pesaamal nindrathuIt stood silently
Female
Kannondru vanthathuAn eye came seeking
Kaanendru sonnathuIt asked me to look
Pennendru naanum sonnenI said I am a modest woman
Pesaamal nindrathuIt stood silently
Male
{Paatondru vanthathuA song resonated
Paruvathai kettadhuIt asked for my youthful affection
Kaattirkkul naan ponnenI walked into the forest
Kani angae nindrathu} (2)A ripe fruit stood waiting there
Female
Kani angae nindrathuA ripe fruit stood waiting there
Kaigalil saainthathuIt leaned softly into my hands
Kani angae nindrathuA ripe fruit stood waiting there
Kaigalil saainthathuIt leaned softly into my hands
Ini endhan kaalangalFrom now on, all my times
Ingae thaan endrathuIt declared will be right here
Ini endhan kaalangalFrom now on, all my times
Ingae thaan endrathuIt declared will be right here
Male
Vandondru vanthathuA beetle came
Vaavendru sonnadhuIt beckoned me to come
Female :Pennendru naanum sonnenFemale: I said I am a modest woman
Pesaamal nindrathuIt stood silently
Male
Yar endru kandathuI discovered who it was
Yaar solli vanthathuAt whose bidding did it arrive?
Neeer konda megam polLike a rain-bearing cloud
Nenjathil nindrathuIt settled deeply inside my heart
Female
Nenjathil nindrathuIt settled deeply inside my heart
Konjathil maarumooCan such love fade in a brief moment?
Vanjikku vaazhvellamFor this woman, her entire life
Thanjam un paadhamaeFinds refuge at your feet
Male
Vandondru vanthathuA beetle came
Vaavendru sonnadhuIt beckoned me to come
Female :Pennendru naanum sonnenFemale: I said I am a modest woman
Pesaamal nindrathu….hmm mm mmmIt stood silently... hmm mm mmm

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Vandondru Vanthathu' is a enchanting romantic duet written by Kannadasan for the 1963 film 'Kattu Roja'. Through rich poetic metaphors involving nature—such as beetles, blossoms, ripe fruits, and rain-laden clouds—the song captures the timid beginnings of romance and blossoming passion between two lovers. The heroine describes how love approached her innocently, overcame her bashfulness, and ultimately took permanent root in her heart, leading to complete devotion. Kannadasan masterfully weaves traditional Tamil poetic tropes into modern film music, delivering a timeless melody of love and surrender.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Vandondru vanthathu / Vaavendru sonnadhu

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'Va' in 'Vandondru' and 'Vaavendru'.

Edhukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Vandondru vanthathu / Kannondru vanthathu

Rhyming of the second letter 'n' in 'Vandondru', 'Kannondru', and 'Paatondru'.

Upamai (Simile)

Neeer konda megam pol / Nenjathil nindrathu

Comparing the overwhelming presence of love in the heart to a rain-laden cloud ('Neeer konda megam pol').

Uruvagathil Nature Metaphor

Kaattirkkul naan ponnen / Kani angae nindrathu

Using 'Vandu' (beetle) to symbolize the persistent lover and 'Kani' (fruit) to represent sweet fulfilled romance.

Did you know?

Trivia

From the 1963 Tamil film 'Kattu Roja' starring S. S. Rajendran and Devika. The film's musical score was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, and this famous duet was rendered by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela with lyrics penned by Kaviarasu Kannadasan.

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