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Lyrics & meaning

Vettaiyadu Vilaiyaadu

From Arasa Kattalai · 1967

Lyricist
Alangudi Somu
Singers
P. Susheela, T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Arasa Kattalai
Movie release year
1967
Lyrics added on
5 May 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vaettaiyaadu vilaiyaadu
Viruppam pola uravaadu
Veeramaaga nadaiyai podu
Nee vetri ennum kadalilaadu
Vaettaiyaadu vilaiyaadu
Viruppam pola uravaadu
Veeramaaga nadaiyai podu
Nee vetri ennum kadalilaadu
{Kurumbukkaara vellaadu
Kodiyai valaichu thallaadhae
Porumaiyillaa manidharai pol
Buthiyai keduthu kollaadhae} (2)
Aruginilae thazhi irukka
Aagaayathil thaavaadhae
Aruginilae thazhi irukka
Aagaayathil thaavaadhae
Dharumathaiyae marandhu undhan
Thunivai kaatta ennaadhae
Dharumathaiyae marandhu undhan
Thunivai kaatta ennaadhae
Vaettaiyaadu vilaiyaadu
Viruppam pola uravaadu
Veeramaaga nadaiyai podu
Nee vetri ennum kadalilaadu
{Naermai ullathilae
Neendhum ennathilae
Theemai vandhadhillai
Therindhaal thunbamillai} (2)
Thaevai angirukku theeni ingirukku
Thaevai angirukku theeni ingirukku
Semmariyaadae nee siramappadaadhae
Semmariyaadae nee siramappadaadhae
Vaettaiyaadu vilaiyaadu
Viruppam pola uravaadu
Veeramaaga nadaiyai podu
Nee vetri ennum kadalilaadu
{Kurumbai aadae mundhaadhae
Kulla nariyai nambaadhae
Koodi vaazha therinjukko
Gunathai pottri nadandhukko} (2)
Virindhu kidakkum boomiyilae
Inathai thaedi saerndhukko
Virindhu kidakkum boomiyilae
Inathai thaedi saerndhukko
Vilakku vaikkira naeram vandhaa
Veedirukku purinjukko
Vilakku vaikkira naeram vandhaa
Veedirukku purinjukko
Vaettaiyaadu vilaiyaadu
Viruppam pola uravaadu
Veeramaaga nadaiyai podu
Nee vetri ennum kadalilaadu
Penmai sirikkudhu adhu
Paesa thudikkudhu
Penmai sirikkudhu adhu
Paesa thudikkudhu
Nanmai seivadhae en kadamaiyaagum
Nanmai seivadhae en kadamaiyaagum
Nandri solvadhae en ganniyamaagum
Nandri solvadhae en ganniyamaagum
Natpai valarppadhae en latchiymaagum
Natpai valarppadhae en latchiymaagum
Vaettaiyaadu vilaiyaadu
Male :Viruppam pola uravaadu
Female :Veeramaaga nadaiyai podu
Male :Nee vetri ennum kadalilaadu
Hunt and play,
Mingle as your heart desires,
Stride forward bravely,
And swim in the ocean of victory!
Hunt and play,
Mingle as your heart desires,
Stride forward bravely,
And swim in the ocean of victory!
O mischievous white goat,
Do not pull down and ruin the vine!
Like people who lack patience,
Do not lose your good sense!
When fresh green leaves are right beside you,
Do not leap towards the sky!
When fresh green leaves are right beside you,
Do not leap towards the sky!
Forgetting what is right and just,
Do not try to show off your daring!
Forgetting what is right and just,
Do not try to show off your daring!
Hunt and play,
Mingle as your heart desires,
Stride forward bravely,
And swim in the ocean of victory!
In a heart full of honesty,
In thoughts that flow with purity,
Evil has never entered;
If you realize this, there is no sorrow!
The need is over there, but the food is right here;
The need is over there, but the food is right here!
O sheep, do not trouble yourself!
O sheep, do not trouble yourself!
Hunt and play,
Mingle as your heart desires,
Stride forward bravely,
And swim in the ocean of victory!
O mischievous goat, do not rush ahead,
Do not trust the cunning jackal!
Learn to live together in harmony,
And carry yourself with good character!
In this vast, wide world,
Find your own kind and unite with them!
In this vast, wide world,
Find your own kind and unite with them!
When the time comes to light the evening lamp,
Remember that you have a home!
When the time comes to light the evening lamp,
Remember that you have a home!
Hunt and play,
Mingle as your heart desires,
Stride forward bravely,
And swim in the ocean of victory!
Womanhood smiles,
And yearns to speak;
Womanhood smiles,
And yearns to speak.
Doing good is my duty,
Doing good is my duty!
Showing gratitude is my dignity,
Showing gratitude is my dignity!
Nurturing friendship is my goal,
Nurturing friendship is my goal!
Hunt and play,
Male: Mingle as your heart desires,
Female: Stride forward bravely,
Male: And swim in the ocean of victory!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Vaettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu is a philosophical duet from the 1967 Tamil period movie Arasa Kattalai, starring M. G. Ramachandran and B. Saroja Devi. Using rich pastoral allegories involving goats, foxes, and tender sprouts, the lyricist Alangudi Somu delivers practical wisdom on patience, virtue, and moral uprightness. The song advises against hasty actions and treacherous company while urging one to lead an honest, courageous, and grateful life. Overall, the song weaves together themes of valor, morality, friendship, and dignity through vibrant, optimistic verses.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

“Nee vetri ennum kadalilaadu”

Comparing victory to an ocean to express immense triumph.

Allegory (Uvamaani)

“Kurumbai aadae mundhaadhae Kulla nariyai nambaadhae”

Using animal behavior ('kulla nari' - cunning fox, 'vellaadu' - mischievous goat) to allegorize human greed, impatience, and deception.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Aruginilae thazhi irukka / Dharumathaiyae marandhu undhan”

The second consonant sound 'r' aligns in consecutive lines ('Aruginilae' / 'Dharumathaiyae').

Monai (First-letter Alliteration)

“Virindhu kidakkum boomiyilae / Vilakku vaikkira naeram vandhaa”

The initial letter sound 'V' repeats in 'Virindhu' and 'Veedirukku'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Arasa Kattalai (1967) was a historical drama starring M. G. Ramachandran, B. Saroja Devi, and J. Jayalalithaa. The musical score was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, and this specific duet was performed by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela. Lyricist Alangudi Somu was renowned for embedding deep philosophical, moral, and social messages into simple, relatable song lyrics.

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