Vethalai Madichu
From Mannukketha Ponnu · 1985
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Gangai Amaran, S. P. Sailaja
- Music director
- Gangai Amaran
- Details
- Mannukketha Ponnu1985
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Veththalai madichchu kodu maama | Fold and give me a betel leaf, uncle. |
| Maththatha veliyil sollalaamaa | Can we talk about the rest outside? |
| Veththalai madichchu kodu maama | Fold and give me a betel leaf, uncle. |
| Maththatha veliyil sollalaamaa | Can we talk about the rest outside? |
| Female | |
| Kottap paakka killi podu | Pinch and put in the betel nut. |
| Maelum keezhum udhadu sivakkattum | Let the upper and lower lips turn red. |
| Female | |
| Veththalai madichchu kodu maama | Fold and give me a betel leaf, uncle. |
| Maththatha veliyil sollalaamaa | Can we talk about the rest outside? |
| Male | |
| Vaanam paarththa | The land that looked up at the sky, |
| Punjai ippo nanjai aachche | The dry land has now become fertile wetland. |
| Paadupatta saadhi mattum panjai aachchea | Yet the hard-working class alone has become impoverished! |
| Female | |
| Soru illa thanni illai enna pechchu | No food, no water, what kind of talk is this? |
| Anji aandu piththam ellam enga pochchu | Where did all the political madness of the five years go? |
| Male :Hae kamatchi namakku edhukku aaraaichchi | Male: Hey Kamatchi, why do we need all this research? |
| Adiyae kamatchi namakku edhukku aaraaichchi | Hey Kamatchi, why do we need all this research? |
| Male | |
| Saamaththula paarththukko | Check it out at midnight, |
| Sangathiya kaettukko | Listen to the news / matter. |
| Male | |
| Saamaththula | At midnight... |
| Female :Aha haan | Female: Aha haan! |
| Male :Sangathiya | Male: The matter... |
| Female :Aahaa haan | Female: Aahaa haan! |
| Female | |
| Sarithaan vaaiyyaa | Alright then, come on sir! |
| Ooru vambu ennaththukku | Why do we need the village gossip and troubles? |
| Male | |
| Veththalai madichchu ippa thaaraen | I will fold and give you the betel leaf now. |
| Maththatha veliyil solla maatten | I won't talk about the rest outside. |
| Female | |
| Kottap paakka killi podu | Pinch and put in the betel nut. |
| Male :Maelum keezhum udhadu sivakkattum | Male: Let the upper and lower lips turn red. |
| Female | |
| Veththalai madichchu kodu maama | Fold and give me a betel leaf, uncle. |
| Male :Aahaan | Male: Aahaan! |
| Female :Maththatha veliyil sollalaamaa | Female: Can we talk about the rest outside? |
| Male :Aahaan | Male: Aahaan! |
| Female | |
| Katchi vittu katchi ippo thaavuraanga | People are jumping from party to party now. |
| Kandathellaam koottaththil pesuraanga | They talk whatever they want in public gatherings. |
| Male :Notta thanthu vote-tu vaangi poguraanga | Male: They give cash notes, buy votes, and leave. |
| Vote-tu potta makkal inga veguraanga | The voters who cast votes are suffering here in heat. |
| Female | |
| Hae raasaavae ippa arasiya thedaathae | Hey my king, don't search for politics right now. |
| Ada en raasaavae ippa arasiya thedaathae | Oh my king, don't search for politics right now. |
| Female | |
| Vaadai enna | What about the chilly wind? |
| Male :Hhhhhoom | Male: Hhhhhoom! |
| Female :Porvai onnu | Female: A blanket, |
| Male :Hhhhhoom | Male: Hhhhhoom! |
| Male | |
| Paarththu porththu | Cover up carefully, |
| Pattunnu pudichchukka | And embrace me quickly! |
| Female | |
| Veththalai madichchu kodu maama | Fold and give me a betel leaf, uncle. |
| Maththatha veliyil sollalaamaa | Can we talk about the rest outside? |
| Male | |
| Veththalai madichchu ippa thaaraen | I will fold and give you the betel leaf now. |
| Maththatha veliyil solla maatten | I won't talk about the rest outside. |
| Female | |
| Kottap paakka killi podu | Pinch and put in the betel nut. |
| Male :Maelum keezhum udhadu sivakkattum | Male: Let the upper and lower lips turn red. |
| Female | |
| Veththalai madichchu kodu maama | Fold and give me a betel leaf, uncle. |
| Maththatha veliyil sollalaamaa | Can we talk about the rest outside? |
| Male | |
| Veththalai madichchu ippa thaaraen | I will fold and give you the betel leaf now. |
| Maththatha veliyil solla maatten | I won't talk about the rest outside. |
வெத்தலை மடிச்சு கொடு மாமா
மத்தத வெளியில் சொல்லலாமா
வெத்தலை மடிச்சு கொடு மாமா
மத்தத வெளியில் சொல்லலாமா
Fold and give me a betel leaf, uncle.
Can we talk about the rest outside?
Fold and give me a betel leaf, uncle.
Can we talk about the rest outside?
கொட்டப் பாக்க கிள்ளி போடு
மேலும் கீழும் உதடு சிவக்கட்டும்
Pinch and put in the betel nut.
Let the upper and lower lips turn red.
வெத்தலை மடிச்சு கொடு மாமா
மத்தத வெளியில் சொல்லலாமா
Fold and give me a betel leaf, uncle.
Can we talk about the rest outside?
வானம் பார்த்த
புஞ்சை இப்போ நஞ்சை ஆச்சே
பாடுபட்ட சாதி மட்டும் பஞ்சை ஆச்சே
The land that looked up at the sky,
The dry land has now become fertile wetland.
Yet the hard-working class alone has become impoverished!
சோறு இல்ல தண்ணி இல்லை என்ன பேச்சு
அஞ்சி ஆண்டு பித்தம் எல்லாம் எங்க போச்சு
ஹே காமாட்சி நமக்கு எதுக்கு ஆராய்ச்சி
அடியே காமாட்சி நமக்கு எதுக்கு ஆராய்ச்சி
No food, no water, what kind of talk is this?
Where did all the political madness of the five years go?
Male: Hey Kamatchi, why do we need all this research?
Hey Kamatchi, why do we need all this research?
சாமத்துல பார்த்துக்கோ
சங்கதிய கேட்டுக்கோ
Check it out at midnight,
Listen to the news / matter.
சாமத்துல
அஹாஹான்
சங்கதிய
ஆஹா ஹான்
At midnight...
Female: Aha haan!
Male: The matter...
Female: Aahaa haan!
சரிதான் வாய்யா
ஊரு வம்பு என்னத்துக்கு
Alright then, come on sir!
Why do we need the village gossip and troubles?
வெத்தலை மடிச்சு இப்ப தாரேன்
மத்தத வெளியில் சொல்ல மாட்டேன்
I will fold and give you the betel leaf now.
I won't talk about the rest outside.
கொட்டப் பாக்க கிள்ளி போடு
மேலும் கீழும் உதடு சிவக்கட்டும்
Pinch and put in the betel nut.
Male: Let the upper and lower lips turn red.
வெத்தலை மடிச்சு கொடு மாமா
ஆஹான்
மத்தத வெளியில் சொல்லலாமா
ஆஹான்
Fold and give me a betel leaf, uncle.
Male: Aahaan!
Female: Can we talk about the rest outside?
Male: Aahaan!
கட்சி விட்டு கட்சி இப்போ தாவுறாங்க
கண்டதெல்லாம் கூட்டத்தில பேசுறாங்க
நோட்ட தந்து ஓட்டு வாங்கி போகுறாங்க
ஓட்டு போட்ட மக்கள் இங்க வேகுறாங்க
People are jumping from party to party now.
They talk whatever they want in public gatherings.
Male: They give cash notes, buy votes, and leave.
The voters who cast votes are suffering here in heat.
ஹே ராசாவே இப்ப அரசிய தேடாதே
அட என் ராசாவே இப்ப அரசிய தேடாதே
Hey my king, don't search for politics right now.
Oh my king, don't search for politics right now.
வாடை என்ன வாட்டுது
போர்வை ஒன்னு கேட்குது
What about the chilly wind?
Male: Hhhhhoom!
Female: A blanket,
Male: Hhhhhoom!
வாடை என்ன
ஹ்ஹ்ஹும்
போர்வை ஒன்னு
ஹ்ஹ்ஹும்
Cover up carefully,
And embrace me quickly!
பார்த்து போர்த்து
பட்டுன்னு புடிச்சுக்க
Fold and give me a betel leaf, uncle.
Can we talk about the rest outside?
வெத்தலை மடிச்சு கொடு மாமா
மத்தத வெளியில் சொல்லலாமா
I will fold and give you the betel leaf now.
I won't talk about the rest outside.
வெத்தலை மடிச்சு இப்ப தாரேன்
மத்தத வெளியில் சொல்ல மாட்டேன்
Pinch and put in the betel nut.
Male: Let the upper and lower lips turn red.
கொட்டப் பாக்க கிள்ளி போடு
ஹே மேலும் கீழும் உதடு சிவக்கட்டும்
Fold and give me a betel leaf, uncle.
Can we talk about the rest outside?
வெத்தலை மடிச்சு கொடு மாமா
மத்தத வெளியில் சொல்லலாமா
I will fold and give you the betel leaf now.
I won't talk about the rest outside.
வெத்தலை மடிச்சு இப்ப தாரேன்
மத்தத வெளியில் சொல்ல மாட்டேன்
Veththalai madichchu kodu maama
Fold and give me a betel leaf, uncle.
Maththatha veliyil sollalaamaa
Can we talk about the rest outside?
Veththalai madichchu kodu maama
Fold and give me a betel leaf, uncle.
Maththatha veliyil sollalaamaa
Can we talk about the rest outside?
Kottap paakka killi podu
Pinch and put in the betel nut.
Maelum keezhum udhadu sivakkattum
Let the upper and lower lips turn red.
Veththalai madichchu kodu maama
Fold and give me a betel leaf, uncle.
Maththatha veliyil sollalaamaa
Can we talk about the rest outside?
Vaanam paarththa
The land that looked up at the sky,
Punjai ippo nanjai aachche
The dry land has now become fertile wetland.
Paadupatta saadhi mattum panjai aachchea
Yet the hard-working class alone has become impoverished!
Soru illa thanni illai enna pechchu
No food, no water, what kind of talk is this?
Anji aandu piththam ellam enga pochchu
Where did all the political madness of the five years go?
Male :Hae kamatchi namakku edhukku aaraaichchi
Male: Hey Kamatchi, why do we need all this research?
Adiyae kamatchi namakku edhukku aaraaichchi
Hey Kamatchi, why do we need all this research?
Saamaththula paarththukko
Check it out at midnight,
Sangathiya kaettukko
Listen to the news / matter.
Saamaththula
At midnight...
Female :Aha haan
Female: Aha haan!
Male :Sangathiya
Male: The matter...
Female :Aahaa haan
Female: Aahaa haan!
Sarithaan vaaiyyaa
Alright then, come on sir!
Ooru vambu ennaththukku
Why do we need the village gossip and troubles?
Veththalai madichchu ippa thaaraen
I will fold and give you the betel leaf now.
Maththatha veliyil solla maatten
I won't talk about the rest outside.
Kottap paakka killi podu
Pinch and put in the betel nut.
Male :Maelum keezhum udhadu sivakkattum
Male: Let the upper and lower lips turn red.
Veththalai madichchu kodu maama
Fold and give me a betel leaf, uncle.
Male :Aahaan
Male: Aahaan!
Female :Maththatha veliyil sollalaamaa
Female: Can we talk about the rest outside?
Male :Aahaan
Male: Aahaan!
Katchi vittu katchi ippo thaavuraanga
People are jumping from party to party now.
Kandathellaam koottaththil pesuraanga
They talk whatever they want in public gatherings.
Male :Notta thanthu vote-tu vaangi poguraanga
Male: They give cash notes, buy votes, and leave.
Vote-tu potta makkal inga veguraanga
The voters who cast votes are suffering here in heat.
Hae raasaavae ippa arasiya thedaathae
Hey my king, don't search for politics right now.
Ada en raasaavae ippa arasiya thedaathae
Oh my king, don't search for politics right now.
Vaadai enna
What about the chilly wind?
Male :Hhhhhoom
Male: Hhhhhoom!
Female :Porvai onnu
Female: A blanket,
Male :Hhhhhoom
Male: Hhhhhoom!
Paarththu porththu
Cover up carefully,
Pattunnu pudichchukka
And embrace me quickly!
Veththalai madichchu kodu maama
Fold and give me a betel leaf, uncle.
Maththatha veliyil sollalaamaa
Can we talk about the rest outside?
Veththalai madichchu ippa thaaraen
I will fold and give you the betel leaf now.
Maththatha veliyil solla maatten
I won't talk about the rest outside.
Kottap paakka killi podu
Pinch and put in the betel nut.
Male :Maelum keezhum udhadu sivakkattum
Male: Let the upper and lower lips turn red.
Veththalai madichchu kodu maama
Fold and give me a betel leaf, uncle.
Maththatha veliyil sollalaamaa
Can we talk about the rest outside?
Veththalai madichchu ippa thaaraen
I will fold and give you the betel leaf now.
Maththatha veliyil solla maatten
I won't talk about the rest outside.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from 'Mannukketha Ponnu' is a classic rural Tamil folk duet that deftly balances intimate romantic banter with sharp political commentary. The couple uses the traditional act of folding and sharing betel leaf (veththalai paakku) as an endearing metaphor for romance, warmth, and physical closeness. Interspersed within their courtship are observations on local social issues—such as politicians switching parties, buying votes with cash, and leaving the hard-working rural poor in distress. The female lead playfully gently steers her husband away from heavy political debate, encouraging him to leave public troubles outside and focus on their personal affection and comfort during the cold night.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaibu (Rhyme Structure)
“Punjai ippo nanjai aachche / Paadupatta saadhi mattum panjai aachchea”
End-rhyme common in Tamil folk lyrics seen in 'nanjai aachche', 'panjai aachchea', and 'enga pochchu'.
Metaphor / Sensory Imagery
“Kottap paakka killi podu / Maelum keezhum udhadu sivakkattum”
The reddening of lips from betel nut ('udhadu sivakkattum') serves as a metaphor for romantic intimacy and passion.
Satire and Irony
“Notta thanthu vote-tu vaangi poguraanga / Vote-tu potta makkal inga veguraanga”
A sharp commentary contrasting political promises/bribes with the actual suffering of the working class voters.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Mannukketha Ponnu' (1985) marked the directorial debut of actor-director Ramarajan. Lyricist Vairamuthu cleverly integrated socio-political commentary about election corruption and floor-crossing into what was ostensibly a lighthearted, romantic rural duet.
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