Yetramadi Yetram
From Jadhikkoru Needhi · 1981
- Lyricist
- Pulamaipithan
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Jadhikkoru Needhi1981
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| ………………… | |
| Male | |
| Yaettramadi yaettram idhu inba vaazhvin thottram | Oh, the water-lift song! This is the beginning of a joyful life. |
| Yaettramadi yaettram idhu inba vaazhvin thottram | Oh, the water-lift song! This is the beginning of a joyful life. |
| Female :Yaettraththukkum kadhalukkum edhuvumillai maattaram | Female: There is no difference between drawing water with a lift and love. |
| Yaettraththukkum kadhalukkum edhuvumillai maattaram | There is no difference between drawing water with a lift and love. |
| Male | |
| Thanthaanae thaanae thanthaanae | Thanthanae thanae thanthanae (folk refrain) |
| Female :Thanthaanae thaanae thanthaanae | Female: Thanthanae thanae thanthanae |
| Male | |
| Yaettraththukku maadu rendu inainju poganum | To draw water with a lift, two oxen must walk together in unison. |
| Female :Antha ilakkanaththai naamum kooda therinju vaazhanum | Female: We too should learn that essential rule and live our lives accordingly. |
| Male :Yaettraththukku maadu rendu inainju poganum | Male: To draw water with a lift, two oxen must walk together in unison. |
| Female :Antha ilakkanaththai naamum kooda therinju vaazhanum | Female: We too should learn that essential rule and live our lives accordingly. |
| Male | |
| Azhagu vellam vayalil paayum yaettraththinaalae | Because of the water-lift, a flood of beauty rushes into the field. |
| Azhagu vellam vayalil paayum yaettraththinaalae | Because of the water-lift, a flood of beauty rushes into the field. |
| Female :Antha vellam vaazhvil paayum kadhalinaalae | Female: That flood rushes into our lives through love. |
| Male | |
| Yaettramadi yaettram idhu inba vaazhvin thottram | Oh, the water-lift song! This is the beginning of a joyful life. |
| Female :Yaettraththukkum kadhalukkum edhuvumillai maattaram | Female: There is no difference between drawing water with a lift and love. |
| Female | |
| Thanthaanae thaanae thaanae thanthaanae | Thanthanae thanae thanae thanthanae |
| Thanthaanae thaanae thaanae thanthaanae | Thanthanae thanae thanae thanthanae |
| Male | |
| Vitterincha ponnarivaal vaanaththilae | Like a golden sickle thrown into the sky, |
| Siru venn piraiyaai oornthu varum neraththilae | At the hour when the small white crescent moon slowly creeps up, |
| Vitterincha ponnarivaal vaanaththilae | Like a golden sickle thrown into the sky, |
| Siru venn piraiyaai oornthu varum neraththilae | At the hour when the small white crescent moon slowly creeps up, |
| Female | |
| Nee kitta vanthu paada venum tamil paattu | You should come near me and sing a Tamil song, |
| Nee kitta vanthu paada venum tamil paattu | You should come near me and sing a Tamil song, |
| Naan thaenum paalum kudikka venum adhai kettu | Listening to that, I wish to drink honey and milk. |
| Male | |
| Yaettramadi yaettram idhu inba vaazhvin thottram | Oh, the water-lift song! This is the beginning of a joyful life. |
| Female :Yaettraththukkum kadhalukkum edhuvumillai maattaram | Female: There is no difference between drawing water with a lift and love. |
| Male | |
| Mullai poovu thendralilae idhazh virikkum | The jasmine flower opens its petals in the gentle breeze, |
| Mega minnalilae thaazhmpoovu madal virikkum | In the cloud's lightning, the screwpine flower spreads its leaves. |
| Mullai poovu thendralilae idhazh virikkum | The jasmine flower opens its petals in the gentle breeze, |
| Mega minnalilae thaazhmpoovu madal virikkum | In the cloud's lightning, the screwpine flower spreads its leaves. |
| Female | |
| En dhuraiyae unnai kandaal manam sirikkum | Oh my lord, when I see you, my heart smiles, |
| En dhuraiyae unnai kandaal manam sirikkum | Oh my lord, when I see you, my heart smiles, |
| Ullae yaededuththu ezhuthaatha kavi pirakkum | Deep within me, an unwritten poem is born without needing paper. |
| Male | |
| Yaettramadi yaettram idhu inba vaazhvin thottram | Oh, the water-lift song! This is the beginning of a joyful life. |
| Female :Yaettraththukkum kadhalukkum edhuvumillai maattaram | Female: There is no difference between drawing water with a lift and love. |
| Male | |
| Thanthaanae thaanae thaanae thanthaanae | Thanthanae thanae thanae thanthanae |
| Female :Thanthaanae thaanae thaanae thanthaanae | Female: Thanthanae thanae thanae thanthanae |
| Thaanae thaanae thanthaanae | Thanae thanae thanthanae |
| Thaanae thaanae thanthaanae | Thanae thanae thanthanae |
.......................
ஏற்றமடி ஏற்றம் இது இன்ப வாழ்வின் தோற்றம்
ஏற்றமடி ஏற்றம் இது இன்ப வாழ்வின் தோற்றம்
ஏற்றத்துக்கும் காதலுக்கும் எதுவுமில்லை மாற்றம்
ஏற்றத்துக்கும் காதலுக்கும் எதுவுமில்லை மாற்றம்
Oh, the water-lift song! This is the beginning of a joyful life.
Oh, the water-lift song! This is the beginning of a joyful life.
Female: There is no difference between drawing water with a lift and love.
There is no difference between drawing water with a lift and love.
தந்தானே தானே தந்தானே....
தந்தானே தானே தந்தானே....
Thanthanae thanae thanthanae (folk refrain)
Female: Thanthanae thanae thanthanae
ஏற்றத்துக்கு மாடு ரெண்டு இணைஞ்சு போகணும்
அந்த இலக்கணத்தை நாமும் கூட தெரிஞ்சு வாழணும்..
ஏற்றத்துக்கு மாடு ரெண்டு இணைஞ்சு போகணும்
அந்த இலக்கணத்தை நாமும் கூட தெரிஞ்சு வாழணும்..
To draw water with a lift, two oxen must walk together in unison.
Female: We too should learn that essential rule and live our lives accordingly.
Male: To draw water with a lift, two oxen must walk together in unison.
Female: We too should learn that essential rule and live our lives accordingly.
அழகு வெள்ளம் வயலில் பாயும் ஏற்றத்தினாலே
அழகு வெள்ளம் வயலில் பாயும் ஏற்றத்தினாலே
அந்த வெள்ளம் வாழ்வில் பாயும் காதலினாலே
Because of the water-lift, a flood of beauty rushes into the field.
Because of the water-lift, a flood of beauty rushes into the field.
Female: That flood rushes into our lives through love.
ஏற்றமடி ஏற்றம் இது இன்ப வாழ்வின் தோற்றம்
ஏற்றத்துக்கும் காதலுக்கும் எதுவுமில்லை மாற்றம்
Oh, the water-lift song! This is the beginning of a joyful life.
Female: There is no difference between drawing water with a lift and love.
தந்தானே தானே தானே தந்தானே....
தந்தானே தானே தானே தந்தானே....
Thanthanae thanae thanae thanthanae
Thanthanae thanae thanae thanthanae
விட்டெறிஞ்ச பொன்னரிவாள் வானத்திலே
சிறு வெண் பிறையாய் ஊர்ந்து வரும் நேரத்திலே
விட்டெறிஞ்ச பொன்னரிவாள் வானத்திலே
சிறு வெண் பிறையாய் ஊர்ந்து வரும் நேரத்திலே
Like a golden sickle thrown into the sky,
At the hour when the small white crescent moon slowly creeps up,
Like a golden sickle thrown into the sky,
At the hour when the small white crescent moon slowly creeps up,
நீ கிட்ட வந்து பாட வேணும் தமிழ்ப்பாட்டு
நீ கிட்ட வந்து பாட வேணும் தமிழ்ப்பாட்டு
நான் தேனும் பாலும் குடிக்க வேணும் அதைக் கேட்டு
You should come near me and sing a Tamil song,
You should come near me and sing a Tamil song,
Listening to that, I wish to drink honey and milk.
ஏற்றமடி ஏற்றம் இது இன்ப வாழ்வின் தோற்றம்
ஏற்றத்துக்கும் காதலுக்கும் எதுவுமில்லை மாற்றம்
Oh, the water-lift song! This is the beginning of a joyful life.
Female: There is no difference between drawing water with a lift and love.
முல்லைப் பூவு தென்றலிலே இதழ் விரிக்கும்
மேக மின்னலிலே தாழம்பூவு மடல் விரிக்கும்
முல்லைப் பூவு தென்றலிலே இதழ் விரிக்கும்
மேக மின்னலிலே தாழம்பூவு மடல் விரிக்கும்
The jasmine flower opens its petals in the gentle breeze,
In the cloud's lightning, the screwpine flower spreads its leaves.
The jasmine flower opens its petals in the gentle breeze,
In the cloud's lightning, the screwpine flower spreads its leaves.
என் துரையே உன்னைக் கண்டால் மனம் சிரிக்கும்
என் துரையே உன்னைக் கண்டால் மனம் சிரிக்கும்
உள்ளே ஏடெடுத்து எழுதாத கவிப் பிறக்கும்......
Oh my lord, when I see you, my heart smiles,
Oh my lord, when I see you, my heart smiles,
Deep within me, an unwritten poem is born without needing paper.
ஏற்றமடி ஏற்றம் இது இன்ப வாழ்வின் தோற்றம்
ஏற்றத்துக்கும் காதலுக்கும் எதுவுமில்லை மாற்றம்
Oh, the water-lift song! This is the beginning of a joyful life.
Female: There is no difference between drawing water with a lift and love.
தந்தானே தானே தானே தந்தானே....
தந்தானே தானே தானே தந்தானே....
தானே தானே தந்தானே....
தானே தானே தந்தானே....
Thanthanae thanae thanae thanthanae
Female: Thanthanae thanae thanae thanthanae
Thanae thanae thanthanae
Thanae thanae thanthanae
…………………
Yaettramadi yaettram idhu inba vaazhvin thottram
Oh, the water-lift song! This is the beginning of a joyful life.
Yaettramadi yaettram idhu inba vaazhvin thottram
Oh, the water-lift song! This is the beginning of a joyful life.
Female :Yaettraththukkum kadhalukkum edhuvumillai maattaram
Female: There is no difference between drawing water with a lift and love.
Yaettraththukkum kadhalukkum edhuvumillai maattaram
There is no difference between drawing water with a lift and love.
Thanthaanae thaanae thanthaanae
Thanthanae thanae thanthanae (folk refrain)
Female :Thanthaanae thaanae thanthaanae
Female: Thanthanae thanae thanthanae
Yaettraththukku maadu rendu inainju poganum
To draw water with a lift, two oxen must walk together in unison.
Female :Antha ilakkanaththai naamum kooda therinju vaazhanum
Female: We too should learn that essential rule and live our lives accordingly.
Male :Yaettraththukku maadu rendu inainju poganum
Male: To draw water with a lift, two oxen must walk together in unison.
Female :Antha ilakkanaththai naamum kooda therinju vaazhanum
Female: We too should learn that essential rule and live our lives accordingly.
Azhagu vellam vayalil paayum yaettraththinaalae
Because of the water-lift, a flood of beauty rushes into the field.
Azhagu vellam vayalil paayum yaettraththinaalae
Because of the water-lift, a flood of beauty rushes into the field.
Female :Antha vellam vaazhvil paayum kadhalinaalae
Female: That flood rushes into our lives through love.
Yaettramadi yaettram idhu inba vaazhvin thottram
Oh, the water-lift song! This is the beginning of a joyful life.
Female :Yaettraththukkum kadhalukkum edhuvumillai maattaram
Female: There is no difference between drawing water with a lift and love.
Thanthaanae thaanae thaanae thanthaanae
Thanthanae thanae thanae thanthanae
Thanthaanae thaanae thaanae thanthaanae
Thanthanae thanae thanae thanthanae
Vitterincha ponnarivaal vaanaththilae
Like a golden sickle thrown into the sky,
Siru venn piraiyaai oornthu varum neraththilae
At the hour when the small white crescent moon slowly creeps up,
Vitterincha ponnarivaal vaanaththilae
Like a golden sickle thrown into the sky,
Siru venn piraiyaai oornthu varum neraththilae
At the hour when the small white crescent moon slowly creeps up,
Nee kitta vanthu paada venum tamil paattu
You should come near me and sing a Tamil song,
Nee kitta vanthu paada venum tamil paattu
You should come near me and sing a Tamil song,
Naan thaenum paalum kudikka venum adhai kettu
Listening to that, I wish to drink honey and milk.
Yaettramadi yaettram idhu inba vaazhvin thottram
Oh, the water-lift song! This is the beginning of a joyful life.
Female :Yaettraththukkum kadhalukkum edhuvumillai maattaram
Female: There is no difference between drawing water with a lift and love.
Mullai poovu thendralilae idhazh virikkum
The jasmine flower opens its petals in the gentle breeze,
Mega minnalilae thaazhmpoovu madal virikkum
In the cloud's lightning, the screwpine flower spreads its leaves.
Mullai poovu thendralilae idhazh virikkum
The jasmine flower opens its petals in the gentle breeze,
Mega minnalilae thaazhmpoovu madal virikkum
In the cloud's lightning, the screwpine flower spreads its leaves.
En dhuraiyae unnai kandaal manam sirikkum
Oh my lord, when I see you, my heart smiles,
En dhuraiyae unnai kandaal manam sirikkum
Oh my lord, when I see you, my heart smiles,
Ullae yaededuththu ezhuthaatha kavi pirakkum
Deep within me, an unwritten poem is born without needing paper.
Yaettramadi yaettram idhu inba vaazhvin thottram
Oh, the water-lift song! This is the beginning of a joyful life.
Female :Yaettraththukkum kadhalukkum edhuvumillai maattaram
Female: There is no difference between drawing water with a lift and love.
Thanthaanae thaanae thaanae thanthaanae
Thanthanae thanae thanae thanthanae
Female :Thanthaanae thaanae thaanae thanthaanae
Female: Thanthanae thanae thanae thanthanae
Thaanae thaanae thanthaanae
Thanae thanae thanthanae
Thaanae thaanae thanthaanae
Thanae thanae thanthanae
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is structured in the traditional Tamil folk style of 'Ettrapattu'—songs sung by farmers while operating a water-lift (picottah) to irrigate fields. Through this rustic setting, the lovers draw a poetic comparison between agricultural labor and married life. Just as two oxen must move together in perfect synchronization for the water-lift to work and make the fields flourish, a couple must live in mutual understanding for love to bring joy and prosperity into their lives. As the night falls, symbolized by the crescent moon appearing like a golden sickle in the sky, the couple exchanges romantic expressions. The imagery shifts to blooming jasmine and screwpine flowers reacting to nature, reflecting how the sight of the beloved causes spontaneous poetry and sweetness to erupt within the heart without ever being written down.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Analogy / Metaphor
“Yaettraththukku maadu rendu inainju poganum / Antha ilakkanaththai naamum kooda therinju vaazhanum”
Compares the necessity of two oxen pulling together in a water-lift to the harmonious togetherness required in marital life.
Imagery / Visual Metaphor
“Vitterincha ponnarivaal vaanaththilae / Siru venn piraiyaai oornthu varum neraththilae”
Creates vivid visual imagery by comparing the rising crescent moon to a golden sickle tossed up into the night sky.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“idhazh virikkum / madal virikkum / manam sirikkum / kavi pirakkum”
Uses matching verbal endings across consecutive lines to create a rhythmic, melodic flow typical of folk ballads.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by the renowned poet and lyricist Pulamaipithan for the 1981 Tamil film 'Jadhikkoru Needhi', this track captures authentic Tamil rural life by drawing on the ancient tradition of 'Ettrapattu' (picottah water-drawing folk songs), seamlessly blending agricultural culture with romantic poetry.
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