Vaikom Vijayalakshmi performs ‘Annamma Pethavalae’ from the album Naatpadu Theral 2, with lyricist Vairamuthu and composer Ais Nawfal Raja shaping this folk melody about unexpected maturity. The song examines a girl’s biological changes through natural imagery like ripening fruit and blooming flowers.
Released: May 8, 2022
Annamma Pethavalae
Vaikom Vijayalakshmi | Vairamuthu • From “Naatpadu Theral 2”
What is the meaning of Annamma Pethavalae Lyrics from Naatpadu Theral 2?
Vairamuthu’s lyrics describe how the protagonist’s skirt gets wet during puberty rituals. She questions her parents’ poverty, comparing her father to an empty nest and her mother to dried fish. These concrete images frame her fears about new responsibilities.
Annama PethavaleYou whom Annamma gave birth to,
Aadu Meikka Ponavalethe girl who went to graze the goats,
Andhi Masangum Munnebefore the evening light fades,
Aada Vandha Mayam Ennawhat’s this magic that’s changed you?
Annama PethavaleYou whom Annamma gave birth to,
Aadu Meikka Ponavalethe girl who went to graze the goats,
Andhi Masangum Munnebefore the evening light fades,
Aada Vandha Mayam Ennawhat’s this magic that’s changed you?
Vaika KaraiyoramBy the side of the canal bank,
Vayathavali Vanthiruchahas the pain of womanhood arrived?
Bayanthu NadungayileAs you were trembling in fear,
Pavadai Nanainjiruchadid your skirt get wet?
Pinju PaluthirucheThe unripe fruit has ripened.
Perunthunbam VanthirucheA great sorrow has arrived.
Nelarukka PogaiyileWhile you were going to harvest paddy,
Vel Erukku Poothiruchethe ‘crown flower’ on the fence has bloomed.
Annama PethavaleYou whom Annamma gave birth to,
Aadu Meikka Ponavalethe girl who went to graze the goats,
Andhi Masangum Munnebefore the evening light fades,
Aada Vandha Mayam Ennawhat’s this magic that’s changed you?
Pavada SattaiyeThe long skirt and blouse,
Paramasivan Kodutha Varamare a blessing given by Lord Shiva.
Sakkalathi Magale NanI’m the daughter of the ‘co-wife’,
Thavanikku Enna Pannaso what can I do for a ‘thavani’ ‘half-sari’?
Pavada SattaiyeThe long skirt and blouse,
Paramasivan Kodutha Varamare a blessing given by Lord Shiva.
Sakkalathi Magale NanI’m the daughter of the ‘co-wife’,
Thavanikku Enna Pannaso what can I do for a ‘thavani’ ‘half-sari’?
Thavani Venum InnaIf you want a ‘thavani’ ‘half-sari’,
Thai Maman Varavenumyour maternal uncle must come.
Thaimaman VaranuminnaIf the maternal uncle is to come,
Jaminil Varavenumhe must come with ‘landed wealth’.
Appan VerunkooduFather’s just an empty shell.
Aatha KaruvaduMother’s like thin dried fish.
Indha Oru LatchanathilIn this miserable condition,
Yendiamma KuthavcechaMother, why’d you sit me down for this ‘puberty ritual’?
Indha Oru LatchanathilIn this miserable condition,
Yendiamma KuthavcechaMother, why’d you sit me down for this ‘puberty ritual’?
Annama PethavaleYou whom Annamma gave birth to,
Aadu Meikka Ponavalethe girl who went to graze the goats,
Andhi Masangum Munnebefore the evening light fades,
Aada Vandha Mayam Ennawhat’s this magic that’s changed you?
Aalagi NinnavalaNow that you’ve grown into a woman,
Aadumeikka Sonnakkaif you’re asked to graze the goats,
Appan ThaduppagaFather’ll stop you.
Aduthavaga MorappagaOthers’ll glare at you.
Aalagi NinnavalaNow that you’ve grown into a woman,
Aadumeikka Sonnakkaif you’re asked to graze the goats,
Appan ThaduppagaFather’ll stop you.
Aduthavaga MorappagaOthers’ll glare at you.
Rathirikku RathiriyeUnder the cover of the night,
Ragasiyama Thalamulugisecretly wash your hair ‘ritual bath’.
Nalaikke AdottuBy tomorrow, leave it behind.
Yarukkum TheriyadhuLet no one know about this.
Aadu Meikka PogaiyileWhen you go to graze the goats,
Angange Nillahdedon’t linger here and there.
Adiye SangathiyaHey girl, this secret,
Aatukkunjolladhedon’t even tell the little lambs.
Adiye SangathiyaHey girl, this secret,
Aatukkunjolladhedon’t even tell the little lambs.
Annama PethavaleYou whom Annamma gave birth to,
Aadu Meikka Ponavalethe girl who went to graze the goats,
Andhi Masangum Munnebefore the evening light fades,
Aada Vandha Mayam Ennawhat’s this magic that’s changed you?
Vaika KaraiyoramBy the side of the canal bank,
Vayathavali Vanthiruchahas the pain of womanhood arrived?
Bayanthu NadungayileAs you were trembling in fear,
Pavadai Nanainjiruchadid your skirt get wet?
Pinju PaluthirucheThe unripe fruit has ripened.
Perunthunbam VanthirucheA great sorrow has arrived.
Nelarukka PogaiyileWhile you were going to harvest paddy,
Vel Erukku Poothiruchethe ‘crown flower’ on the fence has bloomed.
Annama PethavaleYou whom Annamma gave birth to,
Aadu Meikka Ponavalethe girl who went to graze the goats,
Andhi Masangum Munnebefore the evening light fades,
Aada Vandha Mayam Ennawhat’s this magic that’s changed you?
Annamma Pethavalae Music Video
Poverty amplifies the anxiety around womanhood in this Tamil lyrics translation. Vaikom Vijayalakshmi’s performance underscores how societal pressures disrupt childhood innocence without material support.