Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vetkamaai Irukkudhu

From Paavai Vilakku · 1960

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
R. Rajalakshmi
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Paavai Vilakku
Movie release year
1960
Lyrics added on
1 Sept 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vetkamaai irukkudhu
Enakku vetkamaai irukkudhu
Vetkamaai irukkudhu
Enakku vetkamaai irukkudhu
Pakkathilae aththaanai
Naan paarkkavittaalum
Avar sarkkarai paechai
Kaadhinaale ketkavittaalum
Pakkathilae aththaanai
Naan paarkkavittaalum
Avar sarkkarai paechai
Kaadhinaale ketkavittaalum
Vetkamaai irukkudhu
Enakku vetkamaai irukkudhu
Aasai aththaan nattu vacha
Mullai kodigale
Unga azhagu poovu manappadhellaam
Enadhu sadaiyilae
Aasai aththaan nattu vacha
Mullai kodigale
Unga azhagu poovu manappadhellaam
Enadhu sadaiyilae
Paadupattavar palanaiyellaam
Adaiya mudiyala
Paadupattavar palanaiyellaam
Adaiya mudiyala
Enni paarkkum podhu sirippai ennaal
Adakka mudiyalae
Enni paarkkum podhu sirippai ennaal
Adakka mudiyalae
Adhaale
Vetkamaai irukkudhu
Enakku vetkamaai irukkudhu
Pakkathilae aththaanai
Naan paarkkavittaalum
Avar sarkkarai paechai
Kaadhinaale ketkavittaalum
Vetkamaai irukkudhu
Enakku vetkamaai irukkudhu
I feel shy,
I feel so shy!
I feel shy,
I feel so shy!
Even if my beloved
is not beside me to see,
and his sweet words
I cannot hear with my ears,
Even if my beloved
is not beside me to see,
and his sweet words
I cannot hear with my ears,
I feel shy,
I feel so shy!
Planted by my dearest beloved,
O jasmine vines,
all your lovely flowers bloom fragrant
in my braided hair!
Planted by my dearest beloved,
O jasmine vines,
all your lovely flowers bloom fragrant
in my braided hair!
The one who toiled hard
could not enjoy the fruits,
The one who toiled hard
could not enjoy the fruits,
and when I think of that,
I cannot hold back my laughter!
and when I think of that,
I cannot hold back my laughter!
Because of that,
I feel shy,
I feel so shy!
Even if my beloved
is not beside me to see,
and his sweet words
I cannot hear with my ears,
I feel shy,
I feel so shy!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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

Songs with a similar feeling

From the same album

More songs from Paavai Vilakku

View album

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.