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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aachchi Aachchi

From Manathil Urudhi Vendum · 1987

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Mano, K. S. Chitra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Manathil Urudhi Vendum1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aachi aachi nalla kannaalam kaatchiGrandmother, grandmother, what a beautiful wedding sight!
Ingu saatchi saatchi antha aagaayam saatchiHere, as witness, witness, that sky itself is the witness!
Female :Naattarasan kottaiyilae ponneduththuFemale: Taking gold in Nattarasankottai,
Maman ooru sanam paakkayilae poo mudichchaanHe adorned me with flowers as the maternal uncle's village folk watched.
Male
Adi aachi aachi nalla kannaalam kaatchiHey grandmother, grandmother, what a beautiful wedding sight!
Ingu saatchi saatchi antha aagaayam saatchiHere, as witness, witness, that sky itself is the witness!
Male
Vella paniyaaram polaLike a soft white sweet dumpling,
Vellarukkam poova polaLike a pure white milkweed flower,
Vella manam ulla pulla needhaan vaammaYou are the girl with a pure white heart, come my dear girl!
Male
Vella paniyaaram polaLike a soft white sweet dumpling,
Vellarukkam poova polaLike a pure white milkweed flower,
Vella manam ulla pulla needhaan vaammaYou are the girl with a pure white heart, come my dear girl!
Female
Ooruniyin neera polaLike the life-sustaining water of the village pond,
Oor izhukkum thera polaLike the grand temple chariot pulled by the whole town,
Odi vanthu enna konju mama mamaRun to me and embrace me playfully, uncle, uncle!
Female
Ooruniyin neera polaLike the life-sustaining water of the village pond,
Oor izhukkum thera polaLike the grand temple chariot pulled by the whole town,
Odi vanthu enna konju mama mamaRun to me and embrace me playfully, uncle, uncle!
Male
Parisham kannaala pottaachhcuThe betrothal seal was set with just a glance,
Badhilum ennaannu kettaachchuAnd the consent was also asked and received,
Female :Purushan neethaannu aayaachchuFemale: It is now settled that you are my husband,
Poovum pinjaagi kaayaachchuThe flower became a tender fruit and now a mature crop!
Male :Iravaa pagalaa elachchen podhuvaaMale: Day or night, I have grown thin overall,
Onnaala raaththookkam pochuBecause of you, my night's sleep is completely gone!
Male
Adi aachi aachi nalla kannaalam kaatchiHey grandmother, grandmother, what a beautiful wedding sight!
Ingu saatchi saatchi antha aagaayam saatchiHere, as witness, witness, that sky itself is the witness!
Female :Naattarasan kottaiyilae ponneduththuFemale: Taking gold in Nattarasankottai,
Maman ooru sanam paakkayilae poo mudichchaanHe adorned me with flowers as the maternal uncle's village folk watched.
Male
Aachi aachi nalla kannaalam kaatchiGrandmother, grandmother, what a beautiful wedding sight!
Ingu saatchi saatchi antha aagaayam saatchiHere, as witness, witness, that sky itself is the witness!
Aachi aachi nalla kannaalam kaatchiGrandmother, grandmother, what a beautiful wedding sight!
Ingu saatchi saatchi antha aagaayam saatchiHere, as witness, witness, that sky itself is the witness!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Aachi Aachi Nalla Kannaalam Kaatchi is a joyful, festive Tamil folk duet from K. Balachander's 1987 film Manathil Urudhi Vendum, composed by Ilaiyaraaja and penned by lyricist Vaali. The song celebrates a lively rural wedding ceremony, capturing the playful romance and deep affection between a bride and her groom in traditional Chettinad and rural Tamil culture. The lyrics utilize rich rural imagery—comparing purity of heart to sweet white delicacies, milkweed blossoms, communal village pond waters, and grand temple chariots. Through affectionate banter, the couple rejoices as their love matures into a formal matrimonial bond blessed by family and nature.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ezhuthu/Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Aachi aachi nalla kannaalam kaatchi / Ingu saatchi saatchi antha aagaayam saatchi

The second consonant sound 'ch' matches across 'Aachi' and 'Saatchi', creating a rhythmic bounce characteristic of Tamil folk poetry.

Uwamai (Simile)

Vella paniyaaram pola / Vellarukkam poova pola

The lyricist uses imagery comparing the maiden's pure heart to white sweet dumplings ('Vella paniyaaram') and milkweed flowers ('Vellarukkam poo').

Moonaal (Initial Alliteration)

Vella paniyaaram pola / Vellarukkam poova pola / Vella manam ulla pulla needhaan vaamma

Repetition of the initial sound 'Ve' across consecutive lines creates harmonious vocal repetition.

Uruvagam / Metaphorical Progression

Poovum pinjaagi kaayaachchu

The transition from 'poovum' (flower) to 'pinju' (tender fruit) and 'kaai' (unripe/mature fruit) metaphorically depicts the organic growth and culmination of love into marriage.

Did you know?

Trivia

Manathil Urudhi Vendum (1987) was directed by legendary filmmaker K. Balachander. The title of the film comes from Mahakavi Bharathiyar's famous poem. Ilaiyaraaja's composition for this track showcases his mastery in adapting authentic Chettinad folk idiom ('Naattarasan kottai') into popular cinema music, rendered dynamic by singers Mano and K. S. Chithra.

Keep listening

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