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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vatti Edutha

From Gramatthu Minnal · 1987

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
Ilayaraja, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Gramatthu Minnal1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vatti edutha soththa pottutaaShe served the drained cooked rice
Thanni oothuna uppa pottutaaShe poured water and added salt
Thottukkira onnum illiyaeThere is no side dish to go with it
Naan unna konjam thottukkiravaaCan I touch you a little bit as my side dish?
Female
Naana naana naanaa naananaa…Naana naana naanaa naananaa...
Naa… naana naana naanaa naananaa…Naa... naana naana naanaa naananaa...
Female
Vatti eduthen soththa pottutenI drained and served the cooked rice
Thanni oothunen uppa pottutenI poured water and added salt
Thottukkira onnum illiyaeThere is no side dish to go with it
Enna thottu kollu kutham illiyaeEmbrace me instead, there is no fault in it
Male
Hae naana naana naanaa naananaa…Hae naana naana naanaa naananaa...
Aehae naana naana naanaa naananaa…Aehae naana naana naanaa naananaa...
Female
Veedu vaasal thottam illaWe have no house, entrance, or garden
Illa ennum vaattam illaYet there is no worry about having nothing
Female
Kaasu yedhum serthadhillaWe haven't saved any wealth or money
Saavi poda poottum illaThere isn't even a lock that requires a key
Male
Ullathula neeyum naanumIn our hearts, you and I
Mosam illaHave no deceit or malice
Ezhaiyoda ezha serndhaa dhosham illaWhen a poor person joins another poor person, there is no fault
Female
Pirinjirukka mudiyaliyaeWe simply cannot stay separated
Male :Aaha haaAaha haa
Female :Pirikkiravan porakkaliyaeThe one who can separate us hasn't been born
Male :Aaha haaAaha haa
Naan thoda nee unduWhen I reach out to touch, you are there
Nee thoda naan undu raasaatthiWhen you reach out to touch, I am there, my princess
Male
Vatti edutha soththa pottutaaShe served the drained cooked rice
Thanni oothuna uppa pottutaaShe poured water and added salt
Female :Thottukkira onnum illiyaeThere is no side dish to go with it
Enna thottu kollu kutham illiyaeEmbrace me instead, there is no fault in it
Male
Naanaa maala poda porenAm I going to wear the wedding garland myself?
Naalum aatta meikka porenEvery day I go to herd the goats
Male
Raasaa kooda poga porraShe is going to go with her king
Raani pola vaazha poraShe is going to live like a queen
Female
Onna vida yaarumBeyond you, there is no one who is
Raasaadhi raasan illaA king of kings
Ponnu porul paathuLooking merely at girls or material wealth
Pookkaadhu vaasa mullaThe fragrant jasmine does not bloom
Male
Verum paiya naan virumburiyaaI am just a penniless guy, do you love me?
Female :Aaha haaAaha haa
Male :Pareecha vechu paakkuriyaaAre you putting me to a test?
Female :Aaha haaAaha haa
Unakkena samanjadhuThe one matured and destined for you
Unakkena samachadhu naan thaanaeThe one who cooked for you is only me
Male
Vatti edutha soththa pottutaaShe served the drained cooked rice
Thanni oothuna uppa pottutaaShe poured water and added salt
Thottukkira onnum illiyaeThere is no side dish to go with it
Female :Enna thottu kollu kutham illiyaeEmbrace me instead, there is no fault in it
Male
Hae naana naana naanaa naananaa…Hae naana naana naanaa naananaa...
Female :Naanaa naana naana naanaa naananaa…Naanaa naana naana naanaa naananaa...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and romantic rural duet from Gramatthu Minnal (1987) revolves around a humble young couple preparing a basic meal of simple drained rice soaked in water. Lacking any condiments or side dishes ('thottukkira'), they playfully flirt, suggesting that their mutual love and physical affection serve as the best accompaniment to a simple life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Double Entendre / Pun (Sledai)

Thottukkira onnum illiyae / Naan unna konjam thottukkiravaa

The word 'Thottukkira' is used cleverly to mean both eating a side dish with rice and physically touching/embracing each other.

Rhyme / Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Vatti edutha soththa pottutaa / Thanni oothuna uppa pottutaa

The repetition of matching end suffixes like 'pottutaa' creates a rhythmic cadence suitable for folk melodies.

Contrast / Anthesis

Naalum aatta meikka poren / Raani pola vaazha pora

Juxtaposing their physical poverty (herding goats, no house/lock) with royal grandeur (living like a queen with a king of kings).

Did you know?

Trivia

Gramatthu Minnal (1987) was directed by K. Rangaraj and featured music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by his brother Gangai Amaran. The song vividly captures the aesthetic of rural Tamil Nadu, using everyday village metaphors like 'pazhaya saadham' (soaked rice) to convey deep emotional bonding.

Keep listening

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