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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vethala Madichi Kodukka

From Paatti Sollai Thattathe · 1988

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Paatti Sollai Thattathe1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Veththala madichchi kodukka aasaiyaa….Is it a desire to fold and offer betel leaf?
Vekkaththil vidiya vidiya poosaiyaa…..Is it a night-long worship in bashfulness?
Veththala madichchi kodukka aasaiyaa….Is it a desire to fold and offer betel leaf?
Vekkaththil vidiya vidiya poosaiyaa…..Is it a night-long worship in bashfulness?
Female
Veththala madichchi kodukka aasaiyaa….aa….Is it a desire to fold and offer betel leaf? Ah...
Vekkaththil vidiya vidiya poosaiyaa…..aa….Is it a night-long worship in bashfulness? Ah...
Male
Kattikittu kodukkal vaangal nadaththalaamaaShall we embrace and conduct our transactions of give and take?
Female :Kaalaiyilae kanakku vazhakku mudikkalaamaaFemale: Shall we settle all our accounts by morning?
Male
Veththala madichchi kodukka aasaiyaa….Is it a desire to fold and offer betel leaf?
Female :Vekkaththil vidiya vidiya poosaiyaa…..Female: Is it a night-long worship in bashfulness?
Male
Ennadaa thalai vithinnuWhy lament about fate...
Nenjukulla sogamaaWith sadness inside your heart?
Female :Meenukku vaakkappattaaFemale: If a fish is married to water,
Thanni enna thosamaaIs water considered a sin or fault?
Male
Ennadaa thalai vithinnuWhy lament about fate...
Nenjukulla sogamaaWith sadness inside your heart?
Female :Meenukku vaakkappattaaFemale: If a fish is married to water,
Thanni enna thosamaaIs water considered a sin or fault?
Male
Virunthae illaiyae veththala pothumaaThere is no feast, is betel leaf enough?
Female :Naamae Namakku virunthaai aavomaaFemale: Shall we become the feast for each other?
Male
Kanji illai enbathaalJust because there is no porridge,
Kadhal enna maarumaaWill love ever change?
Female :Meththai illai enbathaalFemale: Just because there is no mattress,
Muththam enna kasakkumaWill a kiss taste bitter?
Male
Veththala madichchi kodukka aasaiyaa….Is it a desire to fold and offer betel leaf?
Female :Vekkaththil vidiya vidiya poosaiyaa…..Female: Is it a night-long worship in bashfulness?
Female
Olichchaa marachchi vachchaenI hid and concealed things carefully,
Uththu uththu paakkuraeBut you stare intently at me!
Male :Seththu vachcha azhagai ellaamMale: All the beauty you have accumulated,
Selavukku kekkuraenI am asking permission to spend it!
Female
Olichchaa marachchi vachchaenI hid and concealed things carefully,
Uththu uththu paakkuraeBut you stare intently at me!
Male :Seththu vachcha azhagai ellaamMale: All the beauty you have accumulated,
Selavukku kekkuraenI am asking permission to spend it!
Female
Podava poova poththi vaikka paakkuraenI try to keep the saree and flowers tucked safely,
Male :Moththamaa parikka uththaravu kekkuraenMale: I am asking permission to pluck it all at once!
Female :Kaaththiruntha vaalibam kaalai varai thaangumaaFemale: Will this waiting youth hold back until morning?
Male :Paalai kanda poonaiyoMale: Will a cat that sees milk...
Mmhaa paai virichchu thoongumaaMmhmm, spread a mat and sleep?
Female
Veththala madichchi kodukka aasaiyaa….Is it a desire to fold and offer betel leaf?
Male :Vekkaththil vidiya vidiya poosaiyaa…..Male: Is it a night-long worship in bashfulness?
Female :Kattikittu kodukkal vaangal nadaththalaamaaFemale: Shall we embrace and conduct our transactions of give and take?
Male :Kaalaiyilae kanakku vazhakku mudikkalaamaaMale: Shall we settle all our accounts by morning?
Female
Veththala madichchi kodukka aasaiyaa….Is it a desire to fold and offer betel leaf?
Male :Vekkaththil vidiya vidiya poosaiyaa…..Male: Is it a night-long worship in bashfulness?
Female :AahaannnFemale: Ah-ha-nnn
Male :Mmhaooommm huumm huumm….Male: Mmhmm-hum-hum...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Veththala Madichchi Kodukka is a playful romantic duet from the 1988 Tamil film Paatti Sollai Thattathe, composed by Chandrabose with lyrics by Vairamuthu. The song depicts the humorous and romantic exchange between newlyweds on their wedding night. They express that modest financial means or the absence of luxury (such as lacking a grand feast or a plush bed) cannot diminish the richness of true love and mutual affection. Through witty folk metaphors—such as a fish belonging in water or a cat's instinct upon seeing milk—the song highlights physical intimacy and emotional devotion with charm and cultural humor.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagamm)

Meenukku vaakkappattaa thanni enna thosamaa

Compares the romantic bond to a fish living in water ('Meenukku vaakkappattaa thanni enna thosamaa'), emphasizing how natural and essential their intimacy is.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Meththai illai enbathaal / Muththam enna kasakkuma

Matching second consonants across lines ('th' in 'Meththai' and 'Muththam'), creating a pleasant rhythmic flow typical of Tamil folk poetry.

Financial Metaphor / Double Entendre

Seththu vachcha azhagai ellaam selavukku kekkuraen

Uses accounting and monetary terminology ('accumulated beauty' and 'spending') as a witty metaphor for physical affection.

Did you know?

Trivia

Paatti Sollai Thattathe (1988) features music composed by Chandrabose and stars Pandiarajan, Urvashi, and Manorama in a famous comedic role as the super-powered grandmother.

Keep listening

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