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Dheena album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Vathikuchi Pathikadhuda

From Dheena · 2001

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Movie name
Dheena
Movie release year
2001
Lyrics added on
18 Jan 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vathi kuchi pathikaadhuda
Yarum vandhu urasura varaiyilae
Vambu thumbu vachukaadhada
Yaarum unnai usupura varaiyilae
Eekuchiya illaama nee theekuchiya iruda
Ullae oru ushnam vandhaa un vaazhvil velicham varum
Vathi kuchi pathikaadhuda
Yarum vandhu urasura varaiyilae
Vambu thumbu vachukaadhada
Yaarum unnai usupura varaiyilae
Manasu uduthina kavalai thuni
Eduthu avizhtheri edharku ini
Irukum kanneeraiyum
Yetham nee pottedu
Azhavaa ingae vandhom
Aadu paadu aanandhamaa … aaaaa
Vathi kuchi pathikaadhuda
Yarum vandhu urasura varaiyilae
Vambu thumbu vachukaadhada
Yaarum unnai usupura varaiyilae
Muyarchi seithaal samayathulae
Mudhuku thaangum imayathaiyae
Manasa irumbaakanum
Malaiya thurumbaakanum
Aazhkadal koodathaan
Aaru polae maarumadaa …. ooo ooo oh
Vathi kuchi pathikaadhuda
Yarum vandhu urasura varaiyilae
Vambu thumbu vachukaadhada
Yaarum unnai usupura varaiyilae
Eekuchiya illaama nee theekuchiya iruda
Ullae oru ushnam vandhaa un vaazhvil velicham varum
Vathi kuchi pathikaadhuda
Yarum vandhu urasura varaiyilae
Vambu thumbu vachukaadhada
Yaarum unnai usupura varaiyilae
A matchstick will not catch fire, man,
Until someone strikes it.
Do not get into trouble or fights,
Until someone provokes you!
Do not be a flimsy broomstick, be a fiery matchstick!
Once a fire ignites within you, light will fill your life.
A matchstick will not catch fire, man,
Until someone strikes it.
Do not get into trouble or fights,
Until someone provokes you!
The clothes of worry your heart has put on,
Strip them off and throw them away—what use are they now?
Whatever tears are left inside,
Draw them all out and be done.
Did we come into this world just to cry?
Dance and sing with joy... aah aah!
A matchstick will not catch fire, man,
Until someone strikes it.
Do not get into trouble or fights,
Until someone provokes you!
If you put in the effort at the right moment,
Your back can even carry the Himalayas!
You must forge your heart into iron,
And treat mountains like mere pieces of straw.
Even the deepest ocean
Will turn into a simple river, man... oh oh oh!
A matchstick will not catch fire, man,
Until someone strikes it.
Do not get into trouble or fights,
Until someone provokes you!
Do not be a flimsy broomstick, be a fiery matchstick!
Once a fire ignites within you, light will fill your life.
A matchstick will not catch fire, man,
Until someone strikes it.
Do not get into trouble or fights,
Until someone provokes you!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Vathi Kuchi Pathikaadhuda is a high-energy philosophical mass song from the 2001 Tamil movie Dheena. Through vibrant matchstick metaphors, veteran lyricist Vaali urges the protagonist (and listeners) to remain calm and composed until provoked, but to unleash inner strength when challenged. The song serves as a motivational anthem advising one to cast aside worries, remain resilient against life's hardships, and develop an unbreakable iron mindset capable of overcoming mountain-sized obstacles.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Manasu uduthina kavalai thuni

'Kavalai thuni' (clothes of worry) metaphors negative emotions as removable garments, encouraging the listener to shed sadness easily.

Metaphor & Hyperbole (Uruvagam & Uruvagaparamaartham)

Manasa irumbaakanum / Malaiya thurumbaakanum

Comparing the mind to iron ('Manasa irumbaakanum') and a mountain to a piece of straw ('Malaiya thurumbaakanum') highlights mental fortitude and resilience.

Second-letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

Eekuchiya illaama nee theekuchiya iruda

Matching second consonants in 'Eekuchiya' and 'Theekuchiya' creates a rhythmic contrast between fragile coconut leaf stems and potent matchsticks.

Alliteration (Monai)

Vathi kuchi pathikaadhuda / Vambu thumbu vachukaadhada

Repetition of initial consonant sounds 'Va' in 'Vathi kuchi' and 'Vambu thumbu' enhances rhythmic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja and rendered by SP Balasubrahmanyam, this song played a pivotal role in cementing Ajith Kumar's onscreen 'mass' persona and earned him the moniker 'Thala' through AR Murugadoss's directorial debut movie Dheena (2001).

Keep listening

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