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Lyrics & meaning

Aaduvathu Vetrimayil

From Akka Thangai · 1969

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Akka Thangai1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aaduvadhu vettri mayilWhat dances is a victorious peacock
Minnuvadhu vel vizhigalWhat shines are spear-like eyes
Paaduvadhu kovil maniyosaiWhat sings is the sound of temple bells
Theduvathu rojaa poomaalaiWhat seeks is a garland of red roses
Female
Aaduvadhu vettri mayilWhat dances is a victorious peacock
Minnuvadhu vel vizhigalWhat shines are spear-like eyes
Paaduvadhu kovil maniyosaiWhat sings is the sound of temple bells
Theduvathu rojaa poomaalaiWhat seeks is a garland of red roses
Male
Aatrangaraiyoo thottakalaiyooIs it a riverbank or a garden?
Aadai pinnum pinnal enna moodum thiraiyooIs the woven hair or garment a veil that covers?
Female :Athipazhamoo muthusaramooFemale: Is it a fig fruit or a string of pearls?
Annam polae minnum kanni athai magaloIs the maiden shining like a swan the cousin?
Male
Idhil sandhegamaIs there any doubt in this?
Female :Vilai en dhegamaFemale: Is my body the price?
Male :Idhil sandhegamaMale: Is there any doubt in this?
Female :Vilai en dhegamaFemale: Is my body the price?
Male
Ada oodal seidhaalOh, if one feigns a lover's quarrel,
Pennukenna sandhosamWhat happiness does a woman get?
Female :Siru oodal endraalFemale: If it is just a minor quarrel,
Nanam thaanae sanyasamaDoes shyness itself go into renunciation?
Male
Aaduvadhu vettri mayilWhat dances is a victorious peacock
Minnuvadhu vel vizhigalWhat shines are spear-like eyes
Female :Paaduvadhu kovil maniyosaiFemale: What sings is the sound of temple bells
Theduvathu rojaa poomaalaiWhat seeks is a garland of red roses
Female
Velli vattamoo konjam thittamooIs it a silver circle or a small plan?
Katti katti konjamEmbracing tightly and holding close,
Inbam indru mattumoIs bliss only for today?
Male :Indru maattumo endrum varumoMale: Is it only for today or will it come forever?
Kaalam sella sella ullamAs time passes by, does the heart
Vegam kollumooGather intense momentum?
Female
Sugam polladhadhuPleasure is dangerous/unruly,
Male :MudivilladhadhuMale: It is endless,
Female :Sugam polladhadhuFemale: Pleasure is dangerous/unruly,
Male :MudivilladhadhuMale: It is endless,
Female
Andha sorgam koodaEven heaven itself,
Pakkam vandhaal nilladhadhuCannot compare once it comes near.
Male :Anage acham naanam vetkamMale: O beautiful one, fear, shyness, and modesty,
Ellaam selladhadhuNone of those hold value here anymore.
Male
Aaduvadhu vettri mayilWhat dances is a victorious peacock
Minnuvadhu vel vizhigalWhat shines are spear-like eyes
Female :Paaduvadhu kovil maniyosaiFemale: What sings is the sound of temple bells
Theduvathu rojaa poomaalaiWhat seeks is a garland of red roses

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic duet from the movie 'Akka Thangai' (1969), composed by Shankar-Ganesh and written by Kannadasan, captures playful romantic banter and growing intimacy between two lovers. The lyrics paint vivid imagery comparing the heroine's grace and beauty to peacocks, swans, temple bells, and pearls, while exploring the playful friction of lover's quarrels (oodal) and romantic surrender.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Initial Rhyme (Monai)

Aaduvadhu vettri mayil / Minnuvadhu vel vizhigal

Repetition of similar verb structures at the beginning of consecutive lines (Aaduvadhu, Minnuvadhu, Paaduvadhu, Theduvathu).

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Minnuvadhu vel vizhigal

'Vel vizhigal' compares sharp, expressive eyes to spears.

Simile (Uvamaani)

Annam polae minnum kanni athai magalo

'Annam polae' directly compares the maiden's grace to a swan.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Aaduvadhu Vettri Mayil' features the legendary playback duo T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela. Composed by Shankar-Ganesh with lyrics by Kannadasan, 'Akka Thangai' was a successful Tamil drama film starring Jaishankar and K. R. Vijaya.

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