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Mannukketha Ponnu album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Vethalai Madichu

From Mannukketha Ponnu · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Gangai Amaran, S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Movie name
Mannukketha Ponnu
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
5 Dec 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Veththalai madichchu kodu maama
Maththatha veliyil sollalaamaa
Veththalai madichchu kodu maama
Maththatha veliyil sollalaamaa
Kottap paakka killi podu
Maelum keezhum udhadu sivakkattum
Veththalai madichchu kodu maama
Maththatha veliyil sollalaamaa
Vaanam paarththa
Punjai ippo nanjai aachche
Paadupatta saadhi mattum panjai aachchea
Soru illa thanni illai enna pechchu
Anji aandu piththam ellam enga pochchu
Male :Hae kamatchi namakku edhukku aaraaichchi
Adiyae kamatchi namakku edhukku aaraaichchi
Saamaththula paarththukko
Sangathiya kaettukko
Saamaththula
Female :Aha haan
Male :Sangathiya
Female :Aahaa haan
Sarithaan vaaiyyaa
Ooru vambu ennaththukku
Veththalai madichchu ippa thaaraen
Maththatha veliyil solla maatten
Kottap paakka killi podu
Male :Maelum keezhum udhadu sivakkattum
Veththalai madichchu kodu maama
Male :Aahaan
Female :Maththatha veliyil sollalaamaa
Male :Aahaan
Katchi vittu katchi ippo thaavuraanga
Kandathellaam koottaththil pesuraanga
Male :Notta thanthu vote-tu vaangi poguraanga
Vote-tu potta makkal inga veguraanga
Hae raasaavae ippa arasiya thedaathae
Ada en raasaavae ippa arasiya thedaathae
Vaadai enna
Male :Hhhhhoom
Female :Porvai onnu
Male :Hhhhhoom
Paarththu porththu
Pattunnu pudichchukka
Veththalai madichchu kodu maama
Maththatha veliyil sollalaamaa
Veththalai madichchu ippa thaaraen
Maththatha veliyil solla maatten
Kottap paakka killi podu
Male :Maelum keezhum udhadu sivakkattum
Veththalai madichchu kodu maama
Maththatha veliyil sollalaamaa
Veththalai madichchu ippa thaaraen
Maththatha veliyil solla maatten
Fold a betel leaf and give it to me, darling,
Can we talk about the rest out loud?
Fold a betel leaf and give it to me, darling,
Can we talk about the rest out loud?
Pinch a piece of betel nut and toss it in,
Let both the upper and lower lips turn red!
Fold a betel leaf and give it to me, darling,
Can we talk about the rest out loud?
The dry land that waited for rain
Has now become fertile wetland,
But the hardworking folks have only become destitute!
No food, no water—what is this state of affairs?
Where did all that five-year election craze go?
Male: Hey Kamatchi, why do we need all this debate?
Girl Kamatchi, why do we need all this debate?
Just wait until midnight,
And hear all about the sweet things!
In the dead of night...
Female: Aha haan...
Male: ...all the sweet things!
Female: Aha haan...
All right then, come on,
Why do we need the village gossip?
I'll fold a betel leaf and give it to you now,
I won't say the rest out loud.
Pinch a piece of betel nut and toss it in,
Male: Let both the upper and lower lips turn red!
Fold a betel leaf and give it to me, darling,
Male: Ahaan...
Female: Can we talk about the rest out loud?
Male: Ahaan...
People keep jumping from party to party now,
Spouting whatever they like at the rallies!
Male: They hand out currency notes, buy up votes, and leave,
While the people who voted suffer in misery!
Hey my king, don't go looking into politics now,
Ah, my king, don't go looking into politics now!
The cold wind is blowing,
Male: Hhh-hhm...
Female: Take a blanket,
Male: Hhh-hhm...
Wrap it around nicely,
And hold me tight!
Fold a betel leaf and give it to me, darling,
Can we talk about the rest out loud?
I'll fold a betel leaf and give it to you now,
I won't say the rest out loud.
Pinch a piece of betel nut and toss it in,
Male: Let both the upper and lower lips turn red!
Fold a betel leaf and give it to me, darling,
Can we talk about the rest out loud?
I'll fold a betel leaf and give it to you now,
I won't say the rest out loud.
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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