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Lyrics & meaning

Vethalai Vethalai

From Anbu Kattalai · 1989

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Anbu Kattalai
Movie release year
1989
Lyrics added on
7 May 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vethala vethala
Kozhundhu vethala
Pathala pathala
Enakku pathala sathiyamaa
Kuthaga eduthu suthura suthura
Vithaiya marandhu
Vettiya nikkira pathiyamaa
Killi eduthu iduchu
Onakkidhu kathu kodukkiren
Ulla inikkum sevakkum
Manakkum maamaa
Vethala vethala
Kozhundhu vethala
Pathala pathala
Enakku pathala sathiyamaa
Kuthaga eduthu suthura suthura
Vithaiya marandhu
Vettiya nikkira pathiyamaa
Konjam porunga azhagu yuvaraasaa
Manjam virippen onakku pudhu dhinusaa
Konjam porunga azhagu yuvaraasaa
Manjam virippen onakku pudhu dhinusaa
Allavum killavum nee thaanae vaaraayo
Kannatha thottu kailaasam paakkaliyo
Allavum killavum nee thaanae vaaraayo
Kannatha thottu kailaasam paakkaliyo
Vandhanam undu
Unakkoru sangadhi undu
Mandhiram undu
Adhukkoru thandhiram undu
Ada eduthu koduthu padichu mudichu
Pudicha kadhaiya padichu padichu
Paappom nee vaa vaa raasaa
Vethala vethala
Kozhundhu vethala
Pathala pathala
Enakku pathala sathiyamaa
Kuthaga eduthu suthura suthura
Vithaiya marandhu
Vettiya nikkira pathiyamaa
Vethala potti irukku madi melae
Mathadhu ellaam unga manam polae
Vethala potti irukku madi melae
Mathadhu ellaam unga manam polae
Katti mudikkanum joraaga nee thaanae
Atha maganukku mothamum ingae naan thaanae
Katti mudikkanum joraaga nee thaanae
Atha maganukku mothamum ingae naan thaanae
Othiga vechu manasula onnaiyum vechu
Nithira kettu pakkatthula nikkiren sittu
Ada velakku edhukku velicham irukku
Onakkum enakkum vazhakku irukku
Paapaa thee poo paa rasaaa
Vethala vethala
Kozhundhu vethala
Pathala pathala
Enakku pathala sathiyamaa
Kuthaga eduthu suthura suthura
Vithaiya marandhu
Vettiya nikkira pathiyamaa
Betel leaf, betel leaf,
tender betel leaf!
It's not enough, not enough,
I swear, it's just not enough for me!
You claimed your right over me and wander around,
yet forgetting all your charms,
you just stand there doing nothing, do you see?
I will pluck it, crush it,
and teach you how it's done!
Inside, it will taste sweet, turn red,
and smell so fragrant, my dear!
Betel leaf, betel leaf,
tender betel leaf!
It's not enough, not enough,
I swear, it's just not enough for me!
You claimed your right over me and wander around,
yet forgetting all your charms,
you just stand there doing nothing, do you see?
Wait a moment, my handsome prince,
I will make a bed for you in a brand new way!
Wait a moment, my handsome prince,
I will make a bed for you in a brand new way!
Won't you come yourself to hold and tease me?
Won't you touch my cheeks and taste pure heaven?
Won't you come yourself to hold and tease me?
Won't you touch my cheeks and taste pure heaven?
A warm welcome awaits you,
and there's a special secret just for you!
There are magic spells,
and clever tricks to go with them!
Sharing and learning every step,
reading the love story we both enjoy,
let us see it through—come along, my prince!
Betel leaf, betel leaf,
tender betel leaf!
It's not enough, not enough,
I swear, it's just not enough for me!
You claimed your right over me and wander around,
yet forgetting all your charms,
you just stand there doing nothing, do you see?
The betel box rests upon my lap,
and everything else is just as you desire!
The betel box rests upon my lap,
and everything else is just as you desire!
You are the one who must hold me close in style,
for my cousin, aren't I entirely yours?
You are the one who must hold me close in style,
for my cousin, aren't I entirely yours?
Rehearsing in my heart with you on my mind,
losing my sleep, I stand beside you like a little bird!
Why do we need a lamp when there is already light?
There is a playful dispute between you and me to settle!
Pa-pa-thee-poo-pa, come on, my prince!
Betel leaf, betel leaf,
tender betel leaf!
It's not enough, not enough,
I swear, it's just not enough for me!
You claimed your right over me and wander around,
yet forgetting all your charms,
you just stand there doing nothing, do you see?
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Vethala Vethala from Anbu Kattalai (1989) is a playful, romantic Tamil folk song written by Gangai Amaran. Using the cultural metaphor of preparing and offering betel leaf (vethala), the heroine teasingly invites her hero to embrace romance and stop wasting time in idle hesitation. She lightheartedly mocks his shyness, reminding him that he has forgotten his charms and needs her guidance in the art of love. Throughout the track, she expresses her total devotion to him as her cousin (atha magan) and promises a life full of sweetness, warmth, and grand celebration. The song combines traditional rural humor, romantic teasing, and rhythmic folk poetry to portray a lively interaction between young lovers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Vethala vethala / Kozhundhu vethala

Repetition of the initial 'Ve' sound creates a rhythmic beat characteristic of Tamil folk music.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Vandhanam undu / Mandhiram undu

The second letter 'ndh' in 'Vandhanam' matches 'Mandhiram', giving structural harmony to the couplet.

Metaphor and Double Entendre

Vethala potti irukku madi melae / Mathadhu ellaam unga manam polae

Preparing and chewing betel leaf ('vethala potti') is used as a sensual metaphor for intimacy and romantic readiness.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by lyricist Gangai Amaran, this track employs traditional Tamil folk motifs centered around 'vethala' (betel leaf), which is culturally associated with hospitality, auspicious beginnings, and romantic courtship in South Indian cinema.

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