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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vetkamaai Irukkudhu

From Paavai Vilakku · 1960

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
R. Rajalakshmi
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Paavai Vilakku1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vetkamaai irukkudhuI feel shy
Enakku vetkamaai irukkudhuI feel so shy
Vetkamaai irukkudhuI feel shy
Enakku vetkamaai irukkudhuI feel so shy
Pakkathilae aththaanaiEven if I do not look at
Naan paarkkavittaalumMy beloved nearby
Avar sarkkarai paechaiEven if I listen with my ears
Female
Kaadhinaale ketkavittaalumTo his sugar-sweet speech
Pakkathilae aththaanaiEven if I do not look at
Naan paarkkavittaalumMy beloved nearby
Avar sarkkarai paechaiEven if I listen with my ears
Kaadhinaale ketkavittaalumTo his sugar-sweet speech
Vetkamaai irukkudhuI feel shy
Enakku vetkamaai irukkudhuI feel so shy
Female
Aasai aththaan nattu vachaPlanted by my dear beloved
Mullai kodigaleO jasmine vines!
Unga azhagu poovu manappadhellaamAll the fragrance of your beautiful flowers
Enadhu sadaiyilaeIs now resting in my hair braid
Aasai aththaan nattu vachaPlanted by my dear beloved
Mullai kodigaleO jasmine vines!
Unga azhagu poovu manappadhellaamAll the fragrance of your beautiful flowers
Enadhu sadaiyilaeIs now resting in my hair braid
Paadupattavar palanaiyellaamThe one who labored hard
Adaiya mudiyalaCould not enjoy the fruit of his work
Female
Paadupattavar palanaiyellaamThe one who labored hard
Adaiya mudiyalaCould not enjoy the fruit of his work
Enni paarkkum podhu sirippai ennaalWhen I think about this, my laughter
Adakka mudiyalaeI am unable to control!
Enni paarkkum podhu sirippai ennaalWhen I think about this, my laughter
Adakka mudiyalaeI am unable to control!
Female
AdhaaleAnd because of that
Vetkamaai irukkudhuI feel shy
Enakku vetkamaai irukkudhuI feel so shy
Pakkathilae aththaanaiEven if I do not look at
Naan paarkkavittaalumMy beloved nearby
Avar sarkkarai paechaiEven if I listen with my ears
Kaadhinaale ketkavittaalumTo his sugar-sweet speech
Vetkamaai irukkudhuI feel shy
Enakku vetkamaai irukkudhuI feel so shy

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song playfully captures the coy romantic feelings of a young woman toward her beloved husband or suitor. She feels an overwhelming sense of bashfulness and joy just by hearing his sweet words and being in his presence, even if she tries not to look directly at him. She teasingly notes that the jasmine vines he lovingly planted have now bloomed, and their sweet-scented blossoms adorn her own hair braid. She finds humor in how he put in the hard work of planting, yet she is the one enjoying the fragrant reward, filling her with uncontrollable laughter and playful shyness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Avar sarkkarai paechai

The phrase 'sarkkarai paechu' compares flattering, loving words directly to sugar, emphasizing their overwhelming sweetness.

Personification / Direct Address

Mullai kodigale

The speaker directly addresses the jasmine vines ('Mullai kodigale') as if they are conscious companions who witness her love.

Etukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Vetkamaai irukkudhu / Pakkathilae aththaanai

The second consonant 't' ('tk') rhymes between 'Vetkamaai' and 'Pakkathilae', creating rhythm across stanzas.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed by K. V. Mahadevan for the 1960 Tamil film 'Paavai Vilakku', starring Sivaji Ganesan and Sowcar Janaki. It features a rare solo rendered by classic playback singer R. Rajalakshmi with lyrics written by A. Maruthakasi.

Keep listening

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