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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vettaiyadu Vilaiyaadu

From Arasa Kattalai · 1967

Lyricist
Alangudi Somu
Singers
P. Susheela, T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Arasa Kattalai1967

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vaettaiyaadu vilaiyaaduHunt and play,
Viruppam pola uravaaduMingle according to your wish,
Veeramaaga nadaiyai poduWalk courageously,
Nee vetri ennum kadalilaaduAnd bathe in the ocean called victory.
Female
Vaettaiyaadu vilaiyaaduHunt and play,
Viruppam pola uravaaduMingle according to your wish,
Veeramaaga nadaiyai poduWalk courageously,
Nee vetri ennum kadalilaaduAnd bathe in the ocean called victory.
Female
{Kurumbukkaara vellaadu{Mischievous white goat,
Kodiyai valaichu thallaadhaeDo not bend and push down the vine;
Porumaiyillaa manidharai polLike impatient men,
Buthiyai keduthu kollaadhae} (2)Do not spoil your intellect.} (2)
Aruginilae thazhi irukkaWhen a tender sprout is right near you,
Aagaayathil thaavaadhaeDo not leap into the sky;
Aruginilae thazhi irukkaWhen a tender sprout is right near you,
Aagaayathil thaavaadhaeDo not leap into the sky;
Dharumathaiyae marandhu undhanForgetting righteousness,
Thunivai kaatta ennaadhaeDo not try to show off your daringness;
Dharumathaiyae marandhu undhanForgetting righteousness,
Thunivai kaatta ennaadhaeDo not try to show off your daringness.
Female
Vaettaiyaadu vilaiyaaduHunt and play,
Viruppam pola uravaaduMingle according to your wish,
Veeramaaga nadaiyai poduWalk courageously,
Nee vetri ennum kadalilaaduAnd bathe in the ocean called victory.
Male
{Naermai ullathilae{In an honest heart,
Neendhum ennathilaeIn thoughts that swim with righteousness,
Theemai vandhadhillaiEvil never enters;
Therindhaal thunbamillai} (2)Once you understand this, there is no sorrow.} (2)
Thaevai angirukku theeni ingirukkuThe need is over there, but the food is over here,
Thaevai angirukku theeni ingirukkuThe need is over there, but the food is over here,
Semmariyaadae nee siramappadaadhaeOh sheep, do not suffer,
Semmariyaadae nee siramappadaadhaeOh sheep, do not suffer.
Male
Vaettaiyaadu vilaiyaaduHunt and play,
Viruppam pola uravaaduMingle according to your wish,
Veeramaaga nadaiyai poduWalk courageously,
Nee vetri ennum kadalilaaduAnd bathe in the ocean called victory.
Female
{Kurumbai aadae mundhaadhae{Mischievous goat, do not rush ahead,
Kulla nariyai nambaadhaeDo not trust the sly fox;
Male
Koodi vaazha therinjukkoLearn to live together,
Gunathai pottri nadandhukko} (2)Praise good character and act accordingly.} (2)
Female
Virindhu kidakkum boomiyilaeIn this vast expanding earth,
Inathai thaedi saerndhukkoSeek out your kind and unite;
Virindhu kidakkum boomiyilaeIn this vast expanding earth,
Inathai thaedi saerndhukkoSeek out your kind and unite;
Male
Vilakku vaikkira naeram vandhaaWhen the time to light the lamp arrives,
Veedirukku purinjukkoUnderstand that there is a home;
Vilakku vaikkira naeram vandhaaWhen the time to light the lamp arrives,
Veedirukku purinjukkoUnderstand that there is a home.
Female
Vaettaiyaadu vilaiyaaduHunt and play,
Viruppam pola uravaaduMingle according to your wish,
Male
Veeramaaga nadaiyai poduWalk courageously,
Nee vetri ennum kadalilaaduAnd bathe in the ocean called victory.
Female
Penmai sirikkudhu adhuWomanhood smiles,
Paesa thudikkudhuIt yearns to speak;
Penmai sirikkudhu adhuWomanhood smiles,
Paesa thudikkudhuIt yearns to speak;
Male
Nanmai seivadhae en kadamaiyaagumDoing good is my duty,
Nanmai seivadhae en kadamaiyaagumDoing good is my duty;
Nandri solvadhae en ganniyamaagumExpressing gratitude is my dignity,
Nandri solvadhae en ganniyamaagumExpressing gratitude is my dignity;
Natpai valarppadhae en latchiymaagumFostering friendship is my ambition,
Natpai valarppadhae en latchiymaagumFostering friendship is my ambition.
Female
Vaettaiyaadu vilaiyaaduHunt and play,
Male :Viruppam pola uravaaduMale : Mingle according to your wish,
Female :Veeramaaga nadaiyai poduFemale : Walk courageously,
Male :Nee vetri ennum kadalilaaduMale : And bathe in the ocean called victory.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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'.

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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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