Manorama performs “Patta Kashtam,” a song from Veettuku Veedu Vasapadi with lyrics by Kannadasan. It unfolds as a wife’s public testimony, starting with her declaration of immense suffering. Her grievances against an alcoholic husband are announced openly for the community to witness.
Released: December 31, 1979
Patta Kashtam
Manorama | Suruli Rajan • From “Veettuku Veedu Vasapadi”
Veettuku Veedu Vasapadi’s Patta Kashtam Lyrics Translation
The protagonist calls her husband a “komali” (clown) who stands by and watches her suffer without question. She directly identifies alcohol as the source of his actions. His transformation into a public disgrace is detailed with direct, unpoetic language from lyricist Kannadasan.
Hmm Patta Kashtam Meththa UndaiyaThe suffering I’ve endured is immense.
Patta Kashtam Meththa UndaiyaThe suffering I’ve endured is immense.
Nanga Patta Kashtam Meththa UndaiyaThe suffering we’ve endured is so immense.
Kotta MuzhakathoduWith the sound of celebratory drums,
Thali Kattiya Kanavanoduand with the husband who tied the sacred thread,
Patta Kashtam Meththa Undaiyathe suffering I’ve endured is immense.
Nanga Patta Kashtam Meththa UndaiyaThe suffering we’ve endured is so immense.
Kallu Thanni PottukittuHe’s been drinking alcohol,
Kasai Kariyakkikittuand turning his money to ash.
Kallu Thanni PottukittuHe’s been drinking alcohol,
Kasai Kariyakkikittuand turning his money to ash.
Ullukkulle PesikittuHe’s been muttering to himself,
Ooru Vambai Vangikittuand inviting the town’s gossip.
Vandhu VandhuHe keeps coming,
Ada Vandhu Vandhu NirkiranaiyaOh, he keeps coming and standing right here, sir.
Komali Vayai Katta Mudiyalaye AiyaI can’t shut this clown’s mouth, sir.
Vandhu Vandhu NirkiranaiyaHe keeps coming and standing right here, sir.
Komali Vayai Katta Mudiyalaye AiyaI can’t shut this clown’s mouth, sir.
Anbe Va Anbe VaCome, my love, oh, come, my love,
Unnodu Nan Vazhaso I can live my life with you.
Thedi Thedi Nal EllamI’ve spent all my days searching and searching,
Kann Theindhal Poo Madhuuntil my eyes wore out, my flower-like love.
Thendral Veesa NalanalIf a gentle breeze doesn’t blow,
Poondhegam Vazhadhuthis delicate body cannot survive.
Anbe Va Anbe VaCome, my love, oh, come, my love,
Unnodu Nan Vazhaso I can live my life with you.
Kattiya Pondatti ThannaiHis own wedded wife,
Mutta Paya Thiyil Urinjawas being consumed by the fire of this fool.
Kattiya Pondatti ThannaiHis own wedded wife,
Mutta Paya Thiyil Urinjawas being consumed by the fire of this fool.
Etti Ninnu ParkiraneHe just stands at a distance watching,
Yenunnu Ketkkaliyeand he never even asks why.
Thanni Pottu Kettan AiyaHe ruined himself with drink, sir.
Komali Sakkadai Pol Anane AiyaThis clown has become like a sewer, sir.
Aiyoo Thanni Pottu Kettan AiyaOh, he ruined himself with drink, sir.
Komali Sakkadai Pol Anane AiyaThis clown has become like a sewer, sir.
Kanjipuram PattumillaiI don’t have a Kanjipuram silk saree,
Kandangi Sarigai Illainor a Kandangi with a golden border.
Kanjipuram PattumillaiI don’t have a Kanjipuram silk saree,
Kandangi Sarigai Illainor a Kandangi with a golden border.
Ettu Rooba Selai KattiWearing a simple eight-rupee saree,
Indha Pakkam Vandha Ennaias I came over to this side,
Kaiyai Thottu Izhukkuran Aiyahe grabs my hand and pulls me, sir.
Ellam Kallu Senja Velaidhan AiyaThis is all the alcohol’s doing, sir.
Aha Kaiyai Thottu Izhukkuran AiyaYes, he grabs my hand and pulls me, sir.
Ada Ellam Kallu Senja Velaidhan AiyaIt’s all the alcohol’s doing, sir.
Nal Ketta PombalaiyumA woman with a bad fate,
Moonu Ketta Ambalaiyumand a man with bad habits,
Nai Padura Padu Padumwill suffer like a dog suffers.
Nallavanga SonnadhudhanThat’s what the good people have said.
Nallavanga SonnadhudhanThat’s what the good people have said.
Nanga Patta Padu KonjamaIs the suffering we’ve endured a small thing?
Enga Pillainga Yengi Vitta Kalam KonjamaIs the time our children have spent longing for things a small thing?
Nanga Patta Padu KonjamaIs the suffering we’ve endured a small thing?
Enga Pillainga Yengi Vitta Kalam KonjamaIs the time our children have spent longing for things a small thing?
Adada Andha Kala Panjali AvalOh, like that ‘Paanjali’ of ancient times,
Avizhthu Vitta Koondhalai Polwho let her hair down as a vow of justice,
Indha Kala Panjali NanI am the ‘Paanjali’ of these modern times,
Izhuthu Vitten Koondhal Thanaiand I too have let my hair down.
Kallukudiyai NiruthungalaiyaYou men must stop this drinking, sir.
Enga Koondhalai Kattikirom Nangal AiyaAnd then we women will tie our hair back up, sir.
Hei Kallukudiyai NiruthungalaiyaHey, you men must stop this drinking, sir.
Enga Koondhalai Kattikirom Nangal AiyaAnd then we women will tie our hair back up, sir.
Patta Kashtam Music Video
The verses move from private suffering to a powerful public vow referencing the figure Paanjali. The wife promises she will not tie her hair back up until the men stop drinking. ‘Patta Kashtam’ lyrics meaning stems from this transformation of personal anguish into a mythological ultimatum.