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Lyrics & meaning

Vazhkayilae Kashtapattu

From Vaathiyaar Veettu Pillai · 1989

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Vaathiyaar Veettu Pillai
Movie release year
1989
Lyrics added on
24 Dec 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Neththu penja mazhaiyilae
Innaikki mulaicha kaalaan
Ennai paathu oru kelvi kettaalae
Naan valartha sediyilae
Moonu ilai thulirkkala
Ennai paathu oru paattu sonnaalae
Vaazhkkaiyilae kashtam vandhu
Nondhavanukkellaam
Thanjam adhu indha idandaa
Bodhaiyila yeri ninnu
Paarppavanukkellaam
Nyaanam ingu odi varumdaa
Paadaadhavanaiyum paadavaikkum
Aadaadhavanaiyum aada vaikkum
Paadaadhavanaiyum paadavaikkum
Aadaadhavanaiyum aada vaikkum
Aadi aadi adiyum vizhundhaa
Adhu dhaan valikkaadhu
Valichchaalum theriyaadhu
Vaazhkkaiyilae kashtam vandhu
Nondhavanukkellaam
Thanjam adhu indha idandaa
Thaavani potta en thanghachikku
Saelaiyai uduthi vitten
Laavani paadi en thanghathukku
Thangha kaappaiyum pottu vitten
Andha kaiyaalae ennai adichaalum
Yedhum oraikkaadhu adhu valikkaadhu
Oru sollaalae ennai adichaalae
Vadu maaraadhu adhu maraiyaadhu
Paasam nesam vesham vesham
Paadam kidaichaachu
Bandhangal poyaachu
Vaazhkkaiyilae kashtam vandhu
Nondhavanukkellaam
Thanjam adhu indha idandaa
Bodhaiyila yeri ninnu
Paarppavanukkellaam
Nyaanam ingu odi varumdaa
Paadaadhavanaiyum paadavaikkum
Aadaadhavanaiyum aada vaikkum
Paadaadhavanaiyum paadavaikkum
Aadaadhavanaiyum aada vaikkum
Aadi aadi adiyum vizhundhaa
Adhu dhaan valikkaadhu
Valichchaalum theriyaadhu
Vaazhkkaiyilae kashtam vandhu
Nondhavanukkellaam
Thanjam adhu indha idandaa doi
Aah aaa….aaa…aaa…aa….
Aah aaa….aaa…aaa…aa….
Ponaal pogattum podaa endru
Paada naan oru kavignan illai
Ragupathi raagava raajaaraam
Paada naan oru gandhiyum illai
En katchi dhaan andru aatchiyilae
Ippa edhirkatchi naan enga veettinilae
En katchiyil indru yaarumillae
Andha thanghachiyin pakkam
Nyaayamillae
Kudumbham ingae katchiyaachi
Nadakkum raajaangam
Nalamaagha vaazhattum
Vaazhkkaiyilae kashtam vandhu
Nondhavanukkellaam
Thanjam adhu indha idandaa
Bodhaiyila yeri ninnu
Paarppavanukkellaam
Nyaanam ingu odi varumdaa
Paadaadhavanaiyum paadavaikkum
Aadaadhavanaiyum aada vaikkum
Thathunginathom
Paadaadhavanaiyum paadavaikkum
Aadaadhavanaiyum aada vaikkum
Aadi aadi adiyum vizhundhaa
Adhu dhaan valikkaadhu
Valichchaalum theriyaadhu
Vaazhkkaiyilae kashtam vandhu
Nondhavanukkellaam
Thanjam adhu indha idandaa
Bodhaiyila yeri ninnu
Paarppavanukkellaam
Nyaanam ingu odi varumdaa
In the rain that fell yesterday,
a mushroom that sprouted only today
looked at me and questioned me!
On the plant that I nurtured,
not even three leaves have sprouted,
yet she looked at me and sang a taunting tune!
When troubles come in life,
for everyone who is hurting,
this place is the refuge, man!
Standing on a drunken high,
for anyone who looks at the world,
wisdom comes running right here, man!
It makes even those who don't sing, sing.
It makes even those who don't dance, dance.
It makes even those who don't sing, sing.
It makes even those who don't dance, dance.
When you stumble and take a hit,
it just doesn't hurt at all,
and even if it hurts, you won't feel it!
When troubles come in life,
for everyone who is hurting,
this place is the refuge, man!
For my little sister who wore a half-sari,
I draped a grown-up sari.
Singing folk songs for my golden sister,
I even put a gold bangle on her wrist.
Even if she struck me with that hand,
it wouldn't bother me, it wouldn't hurt.
But she struck me with a single word,
and that scar will not heal or fade away!
Affection and love are just an act, a disguise!
I have learned my lesson,
all my bonds are broken.
When troubles come in life,
for everyone who is hurting,
this place is the refuge, man!
Standing on a drunken high,
for anyone who looks at the world,
wisdom comes running right here, man!
It makes even those who don't sing, sing.
It makes even those who don't dance, dance.
It makes even those who don't sing, sing.
It makes even those who don't dance, dance.
When you stumble and take a hit,
it just doesn't hurt at all,
and even if it hurts, you won't feel it!
When troubles come in life,
for everyone who is hurting,
this place is the refuge, man! Hey!
Aa aah... aah... aah... aa...
Aa aah... aah... aah... aa...
To sing, "Let it go if it goes, man,"
I am not a poet.
To sing "Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram,"
I am not a Gandhi either.
It was my party that was in power back then,
but now I'm the opposition in my own house!
No one is on my side today,
and on my sister's side,
there is no justice.
The family here has split into rival factions;
let their rule continue,
may they live well!
When troubles come in life,
for everyone who is hurting,
this place is the refuge, man!
Standing on a drunken high,
for anyone who looks at the world,
wisdom comes running right here, man!
It makes even those who don't sing, sing.
It makes even those who don't dance, dance.
Thathunginathom
It makes even those who don't sing, sing.
It makes even those who don't dance, dance.
When you stumble and take a hit,
it just doesn't hurt at all,
and even if it hurts, you won't feel it!
When troubles come in life,
for everyone who is hurting,
this place is the refuge, man!
Standing on a drunken high,
for anyone who looks at the world,
wisdom comes running right here, man!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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