Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vazhkayilae Kashtapattu

From Vaathiyaar Veettu Pillai · 1989

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Vaathiyaar Veettu Pillai1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Neththu penja mazhaiyilaeIn the rain that fell yesterday,
Innaikki mulaicha kaalaanThe mushroom that sprouted today,
Ennai paathu oru kelvi kettaalaeLooked at me and asked a question.
Naan valartha sediyilaeIn the plant that I nurtured,
Moonu ilai thulirkkalaThree leaves did not sprout,
Ennai paathu oru paattu sonnaalaeIt looked at me and sang a song.
Male
Vaazhkkaiyilae kashtam vandhuFor all those who suffer hardships in life
NondhavanukkellaamAnd are deeply broken,
Thanjam adhu indha idandaaThis place is the ultimate refuge, my friend.
Bodhaiyila yeri ninnuFor anyone who stands high in intoxication
PaarppavanukkellaamAnd observes the world,
Nyaanam ingu odi varumdaaWisdom will come running to them here, my friend.
Male
Paadaadhavanaiyum paadavaikkumIt makes even those who don't sing, sing,
Aadaadhavanaiyum aada vaikkumIt makes even those who don't dance, dance.
Paadaadhavanaiyum paadavaikkumIt makes even those who don't sing, sing,
Aadaadhavanaiyum aada vaikkumIt makes even those who don't dance, dance.
Aadi aadi adiyum vizhundhaaEven if beatings fall while dancing around,
Adhu dhaan valikkaadhuThat alone will not cause pain,
Valichchaalum theriyaadhuEven if it hurts, it won't be felt.
Male
Vaazhkkaiyilae kashtam vandhuFor all those who suffer hardships in life
NondhavanukkellaamAnd are deeply broken,
Thanjam adhu indha idandaaThis place is the ultimate refuge, my friend.
Male
Thaavani potta en thanghachikkuFor my younger sister who wore a half-saree,
Saelaiyai uduthi vittenI draped a full saree,
Laavani paadi en thanghathukkuSinging folk ballads for my golden girl,
Thangha kaappaiyum pottu vittenI even put golden bangles on her.
Andha kaiyaalae ennai adichaalumEven if she hits me with that hand,
Yedhum oraikkaadhu adhu valikkaadhuIt won't affect me, nor will it hurt.
Oru sollaalae ennai adichaalaeBut if she strikes me with a single word,
Vadu maaraadhu adhu maraiyaadhuThat scar won't heal, nor will it disappear.
Paasam nesam vesham veshamAffection and love are all pretense and act,
Paadam kidaichaachuI have learned the lesson,
Bandhangal poyaachuRelationships are gone.
Male
Vaazhkkaiyilae kashtam vandhuFor all those who suffer hardships in life
NondhavanukkellaamAnd are deeply broken,
Thanjam adhu indha idandaaThis place is the ultimate refuge, my friend.
Bodhaiyila yeri ninnuFor anyone who stands high in intoxication
PaarppavanukkellaamAnd observes the world,
Nyaanam ingu odi varumdaaWisdom will come running to them here, my friend.
Male
Paadaadhavanaiyum paadavaikkumIt makes even those who don't sing, sing,
Aadaadhavanaiyum aada vaikkumIt makes even those who don't dance, dance.
Paadaadhavanaiyum paadavaikkumIt makes even those who don't sing, sing,
Aadaadhavanaiyum aada vaikkumIt makes even those who don't dance, dance.
Aadi aadi adiyum vizhundhaaEven if beatings fall while dancing around,
Adhu dhaan valikkaadhuThat alone will not cause pain,
Valichchaalum theriyaadhuEven if it hurts, it won't be felt.
Male
Vaazhkkaiyilae kashtam vandhuFor all those who suffer hardships in life
NondhavanukkellaamAnd are deeply broken,
Thanjam adhu indha idandaa doiThis place is the ultimate refuge, my friend, oh!
Male
Aah aaa….aaa…aaa…aa….Aah aaa….aaa…aaa…aa….
Aah aaa….aaa…aaa…aa….Aah aaa….aaa…aaa…aa….
Male
Ponaal pogattum podaa endruSaying 'let it go if it goes',
Paada naan oru kavignan illaiI am no poet to sing that.
Ragupathi raagava raajaaraamSinging 'Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram',
Paada naan oru gandhiyum illaiI am no Gandhi either.
Male
En katchi dhaan andru aatchiyilaeMy party was in power back then,
Ippa edhirkatchi naan enga veettinilaeNow I am the opposition party in my own home.
En katchiyil indru yaarumillaeThere is no one in my party today,
Andha thanghachiyin pakkamThere is no justice
NyaayamillaeOn that younger sister's side.
Kudumbham ingae katchiyaachiFamily here has turned into political parties,
Nadakkum raajaangamLet the ruling kingdom that takes place
Nalamaagha vaazhattumLive prosperously.
Male
Vaazhkkaiyilae kashtam vandhuFor all those who suffer hardships in life
NondhavanukkellaamAnd are deeply broken,
Thanjam adhu indha idandaaThis place is the ultimate refuge, my friend.
Bodhaiyila yeri ninnuFor anyone who stands high in intoxication
PaarppavanukkellaamAnd observes the world,
Nyaanam ingu odi varumdaaWisdom will come running to them here, my friend.
Male
Paadaadhavanaiyum paadavaikkumIt makes even those who don't sing, sing,
Aadaadhavanaiyum aada vaikkumIt makes even those who don't dance, dance.
ThathunginathomThathunginathom
Paadaadhavanaiyum paadavaikkumIt makes even those who don't sing, sing,
Aadaadhavanaiyum aada vaikkumIt makes even those who don't dance, dance.
Aadi aadi adiyum vizhundhaaEven if beatings fall while dancing around,
Adhu dhaan valikkaadhuThat alone will not cause pain,
Valichchaalum theriyaadhuEven if it hurts, it won't be felt.
Male
Vaazhkkaiyilae kashtam vandhuFor all those who suffer hardships in life
NondhavanukkellaamAnd are deeply broken,
Thanjam adhu indha idandaaThis place is the ultimate refuge, my friend.
Bodhaiyila yeri ninnuFor anyone who stands high in intoxication
PaarppavanukkellaamAnd observes the world,
Nyaanam ingu odi varumdaaWisdom will come running to them here, my friend.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song expresses the philosophical lamentation and heartbreak of a protagonist who feels deeply betrayed by family, specifically his sister whom he raised with immense love and care. He turns to alcohol as a temporary refuge from the painful realities of life, observing that physical pain is far easier to endure than the emotional wounds inflicted by harsh words from loved ones. The lyrics mix philosophical cynicism with humor and political metaphors, depicting family dynamics as political rivalries where he has lost power.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Monothongal Second-letter Rhyme)

Neththu penja mazhaiyilae / Innaikki mulaicha kaalaan

Rhyming of the second character across lines, such as 'Neththu' and 'Innaikki' or 'Paadaadhavanaiyum' and 'Aadaadhavanaiyum'.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Paadaadhavanaiyum paadavaikkum / Aadaadhavanaiyum aada vaikkum

Matching sound endings at the end of consecutive lines, such as 'paadavaikkum' and 'aadavaikkum'.

Metaphor & Political Allegory

En katchi dhaan andru aatchiyilae / Ippa edhirkatchi naan enga veettinilae

Comparing family conflicts and power dynamics inside the household to ruling and opposition political parties.

Contrast / Antithesis

Andha kaiyaalae ennai adichaalum... Oru sollaalae ennai adichaalae

Contrasting physical wounds caused by hands with emotional wounds caused by words.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Vaathiyaar Veettu Pillai' (1989) stars Sathyaraj in the lead role, directed by P. Vasu with music composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The track portrays Sathyaraj's signature style of blending tragic emotional beats with lighthearted drunken philosophy.

Keep listening

More from Vaathiyaar Veettu Pillai