L.R. Eswari and Dharapuram Sundarajan debate tradition versus independence in ‘Aduthavan Potta Thaalathu’ from the album ‘Thenum Paalum’. Lyricist Vaali and composer M.S. Viswanathan frame this cultural clash through contrasting vocal deliveries.
Aduthavan Potta Thaalathu
Dharapuram Sundarajan | L. R. Eswari • From “Thenum Paalum”
Thenum Paalum’s Aduthavan Potta Thaalathu Tamil Lyrics English Meaning
Eswari counters Sundarajan’s warnings by asserting rights to dance on ancestral land, referencing family heritage. Sundarajan cites the Kovalan-Mathavi epic to link dance with moral downfall, creating tension through historical analogy.
Aduthavan Potta ThaalathukellaamFor every beat that someone else strikes,
Aadaathae Aadaathae Aadaathaedon’t dance, don’t dance, don’t dance.
Aduthavan Potta ThaalathukellaamFor every rhythm that an outsider sets,
Aadaathae Aadaathae Aadaathaedon’t dance, don’t dance, don’t dance.
Antha Aattamum Paattamum Kudumba PonnukkuThat singing and dancing for a family girl,
Aagaathae Aagaathae Aagaathaewon’t suit her, won’t suit her, won’t suit her.
Eduthathukellaam Kurukkae VizhunthuBy interrupting every single thing that’s started,
Kedukkaathae Kedukkaathae Kedukkaathaedon’t ruin it, don’t ruin it, don’t ruin it.
Eduthathukellaam Kurukkae VizhunthuBy getting in the way of everything begun,
Kedukkaathae Kedukkaathae Kedukkaathaedon’t ruin it, don’t ruin it, don’t ruin it.
Enga Paattan Soththila Aattam PottaalIf I dance on my grandfather’s property,
Thadukkaathae Thadukkaathae Thadukkaathaedon’t stop me, don’t stop me, don’t stop me.
Aduthavan Potta ThaalathukellaamFor every beat that someone else strikes,
Aadaathae Aadaathae Aadaathae Aadaathaedon’t dance, don’t dance, don’t dance, don’t dance.
Vethilai Pottu Sivakka VenumIt should turn red from chewing betel leaves,
Pathini Ponnu Udhaduthe lips of a ‘virtuous woman’.
Kanda Saayathai Poosi VaayaBy smearing random dyes and opening your mouth,
Thoranthaa Panathuku Keduit’s just a waste of money.
Kothu Manjalai Kozhaichu PottaIf you apply ‘crushed turmeric paste’,
Mugathiyum Paarujust look at that face.
Adhil Maavai Araichu PoosiyirunthaaBut if you grind flour and smear it on instead,
Sagikkala Paaru Aahaa Sagikkala Paarulook, it’s unbearable, aha, it’s unbearable.
Koondhalukeththa Poovai SoodiBy wearing flowers that complement your hair,
Azhagu Paarkkanumyou should admire the beauty.
Nalla Kudumba Pennum Aadal KalaiyaiA good family woman should also try to learn,
Pazhagi Paarkkanumthe art of dance.
Iduppa Valaichu AadumpothuWhen she dances by swaying her hips,
Rasichu Paarkkanumyou should enjoy the sight.
Unakku Ishtamillaatti KashtapadaamaIf you don’t like it, without causing a fuss,
Odhungi Irukkanumyou should just stay away.
Aduthavan Potta ThaalathukellaamFor every beat that someone else strikes,
Aadaathae Aadaathae Aadaathae Aadaathaedon’t dance, don’t dance, don’t dance, don’t dance.
Mathavi Potta AattathinaalaeBecause of the dance that ‘Mathavi’, the dancer, performed,
Kovalan Kettaanaethe wealthy ‘Kovalan’ was ruined.
Avan Mangala Mangai Kannagi PennaiHe forgot his auspicious and ‘virtuous wife, Kannagi’,
Maranthu Ponaanaehe completely forgot her.
Sutta Piragu Puththi PoranthuAfter getting burnt and gaining wisdom,
Sattiyai Vittaanaehe finally let go of his ‘worldly attachments’.
Avan Pattathukkellaam KaaranamThe reason for all the suffering he endured,
Intha Naatiyamthaanaewas this very dance.
Vanna Mayilgalil ChinnaAmong colorful peacocks and tiny,
Kuyilgalil Pennum Oru Jaathi‘cuckoos’, woman is a unique species.
Aval Aadi Thirivathum Paadi ParappathumHer wandering in dance and flying in song,
Iyarkaiyin Needhiis the law of nature.
Kannukazhagaana Ponnu MugamthaanA woman’s face, so beautiful to the eyes,
Vennilavin Paathiis like half of the white moon.
Adhai Kattuppadutha Sattam VithippathuImposing laws to keep it under control,
Anthakkaala Saedhi Aahaahaa Anthakaala Saedhiis news from a ‘bygone era’, aha, news from a ‘bygone era’.
Aduthavan Potta ThaalathukellaamFor every beat that someone else strikes,
Aadaathae Aadaathae Aadaathaedon’t dance, don’t dance, don’t dance.
Eduthathukellaam Kurukkae VizhunthuBy interrupting every single thing that’s started,
Kedukkaathae Kedukkaathae Kedukkaathaedon’t ruin it, don’t ruin it, don’t ruin it.
Aduthavan Potta Thaalathu Music Video
‘Thenum Paalum’ captures a pivotal societal shift through its Aduthavan Potta Thaalathu lyrics meaning. The exchange remains relevant for discussions on autonomy versus tradition in Tamil music.