Aala Asathum
From Kanni Rasi · 1985
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Kanni Rasi1985
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Aaa….aaa….aaa….aa….. | Vocalizing melody. |
| Male :Aaa….aaa….aaa….aa….. | Male: Vocalizing melody. |
| Female | |
| Aa….aa….aa….aa….aaa… | Vocalizing melody. |
| Male :Aa….aa….aa….aa….aaa… | Male: Vocalizing melody. |
| Female :Aaa….aaa….aa…aaa…aa… | Female: Vocalizing melody. |
| Aaa….aaa….aa….aaa…. | Vocalizing melody. |
| Male | |
| Aala asathum malliyae malliyae | O Jasmine that charms a person! |
| Thookkam enakku valliyae valliyae | Sleep is not coming to me! |
| Naalu muzhudhum maala mayakkam | An evening trance lingering all day long, |
| Ennavo pannudhu ennaiyae | Doing something inexplicable to me. |
| Hmhum en manam suthudhu unnaiyae | Mm-hmm, my heart revolves around you. |
| Ennavo pannudhu ennaiyae | Doing something inexplicable to me. |
| Hmhum en manam suthudhu unnaiyae | Mm-hmm, my heart revolves around you. |
| Female | |
| Aala asathum malli thaan malli thaan | Indeed, it is the charming jasmine flower. |
| Thookkam enakkum valla thaan valla thaan | Indeed, sleep is not coming to me either. |
| Male | |
| Irandu vizhiyil oru kadidham | A letter written in your two eyes, |
| Nee ezhudhi pottadhu | Which you wrote and sent, |
| Padichu padichu manam urugi | Reading it over and over, my heart melts, |
| Ennai paadaa paduthudhu | Causing me endless longing and restlessness. |
| Female | |
| Purinjaa vidalaamaa | Having understood my plight, should you leave me? |
| Ennai nilavum sudalaamaa | Should even the cool moonlight scorch me like fire? |
| Thaniyaa thavichaen thaan | I suffered in loneliness, indeed; |
| Udal thanalaa kodhichen naan | My body burned like glowing embers. |
| Female | |
| Haa….aaa…..aaa…. | Vocalizing melody. |
| Male :Maeni kodhichaa | Male: If your body burns with love's fever, |
| Female :Haa aaa..aaa aaaa | Female: Vocalizing melody. |
| Male :Marundhu kodukka | Male: To give you the remedy for it, |
| Female :Laala lala laa laala lala laa | Female: Vocalizing melody. |
| Male :Haa…aaa….aa…aa… | Male: Vocalizing melody. |
| Maaman irukka innamum ennadi sangadam | Your beloved is right here, why still be distressed, my dear? |
| Aehae ippavae sollu nee sammadham | Hey, give me your sweet consent right now! |
| Female | |
| Aala asathum malli thaan malli thaan | Indeed, it is the charming jasmine flower. |
| Thookkam enakkum valla thaan valla thaan | Indeed, sleep does not come to me either. |
| Naalu muzhudhum maala mayakkam | An evening trance lingering all day long, |
| Ennavo pannudhu ennaiyae | Doing something inexplicable to me. |
| Hmmhum en manam suthudhu unnaiyae | Mm-hmm, my heart revolves around you. |
| Ennavo pannudhu ennaiyae | Doing something inexplicable to me. |
| Hmmhum en manam suthudhu unnaiyae | Mm-hmm, my heart revolves around you. |
| Female | |
| Kulathil midhakkum pani poovu | Like a dew-kissed flower floating in a pond, |
| Enna nee thaan parikkanum | You are the one who must pluck me. |
| Kudathil irukkum pasum paalu | Like fresh cow's milk stored in a pot, |
| Enna nee thaan kudikkanum | You are the one who must drink me. |
| Male | |
| Tharaiyil vizhum meenaa | Like a fish that has fallen onto dry land, |
| Unna thaniyae viduvenaa | Would I ever leave you all alone? |
| Kaniyum nee thaanae | You are the sweet ripe fruit, |
| Kothum kiliyum naan thaanae | And I am the parrot that pecks at it. |
| Male | |
| Haa….aaa…..aaa…. | Vocalizing melody. |
| Female :Kaadhal kili thaan | Female: When the love parrot |
| Male :Haa….aaa…..aaa…. | Male: Vocalizing melody. |
| Female :Kothum pozhudhu | Female: Pecks playfully, |
| Haa….aaa…..aaa…. | Vocalizing melody. |
| Male :Thaanna nanna naa | Male: Vocalizing rhythm. |
| Thaanna nanna naa } | Vocalizing rhythm. |
| Female :Haa….aaa…..aaa…. | Female: Vocalizing melody. |
| Kaayam varumo | Will a wound form? |
| Vanjiyin kannamae anjudhu | The young maiden's cheek trembles in fear, |
| Mhum kai viral pattadhum kenjudhu | Mm-hmm, at the touch of your finger, it pleads. |
| Male | |
| Aala asathum malliyae malliyae | O Jasmine that charms a person! |
| Thookkam enakku valliyae valliyae | Sleep is not coming to me! |
| Female :Naalu muzhudhum maala mayakkam | Female: An evening trance lingering all day long, |
| Ennavo pannudhu ennaiyae | Doing something inexplicable to me. |
| Hmhum en manam suthudhu unnaiyae | Mm-hmm, my heart revolves around you. |
| Male :En manam suthudhu unnaiyae | Male: My heart revolves around you. |
| Hmhum ennavo pannudhu ennaiyae | Mm-hmm, doing something inexplicable to me. |
| Female | |
| Aala asathum malli thaan malli thaan | Indeed, it is the charming jasmine flower. |
| Male :Thookkam enakkum valla thaan valla thaan | Male: Indeed, sleep does not come to me either. |
ஆஅ....ஆ.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....
ஆஅ....ஆ.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....
இருவர் :
ஆஅ....ஆஆ.....ஆஆ.....ஆஅ....
ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....ஆ.....ஆ.....
ஆஅ....ஆ.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....
ஆஅ....ஆ.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....
Vocalizing melody.
Male: Vocalizing melody.
ஆள அசத்தும்
மல்லியே மல்லியே
தூக்கம் எனக்கு
வல்லையே வல்லையே
Vocalizing melody.
Male: Vocalizing melody.
Female: Vocalizing melody.
Vocalizing melody.
நாளு முழுதும்
மாலை மயக்கம்
என்னவோ பண்ணுது என்னையே
ஊஹும் என் மனம்
சுத்துது உன்னையே
என்னவோ பண்ணுது என்னையே
ஊஹும் என் மனம்
சுத்துது உன்னையே
O Jasmine that charms a person!
Sleep is not coming to me!
An evening trance lingering all day long,
Doing something inexplicable to me.
Mm-hmm, my heart revolves around you.
Doing something inexplicable to me.
Mm-hmm, my heart revolves around you.
ஆள அசத்தும்
மல்லிதான் மல்லிதான்
தூக்கம் எனக்கும்
வல்லதான் வல்லதான்
Indeed, it is the charming jasmine flower.
Indeed, sleep is not coming to me either.
இரண்டு விழியில் ஒரு கடிதம்
நீ எழுதிப் போட்டது
படிச்சுப் படிச்சு மனம் உருகி
என்னைப் பாடா படுத்துது
A letter written in your two eyes,
Which you wrote and sent,
Reading it over and over, my heart melts,
Causing me endless longing and restlessness.
புரிஞ்சா விடலாமா
என்னை நிலவும் சுடலாமா
தனியா தவிச்சேன் நான்
உடல் தணலா கொதிச்சேன் நான்
Having understood my plight, should you leave me?
Should even the cool moonlight scorch me like fire?
I suffered in loneliness, indeed;
My body burned like glowing embers.
ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....ஆ...ஆ...
ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....ஆ...ஆ...
மேனி கொதிச்சா மருந்து கொடுக்க....
லால லலலா லால லலலா
Vocalizing melody.
Male: If your body burns with love's fever,
Female: Vocalizing melody.
Male: To give you the remedy for it,
Female: Vocalizing melody.
Male: Vocalizing melody.
Your beloved is right here, why still be distressed, my dear?
Hey, give me your sweet consent right now!
மாமன் இருக்க
இன்னமும் என்னடி சங்கடம்
ஏஹே இப்பவே சொல்லு நீ சம்மதம்
Indeed, it is the charming jasmine flower.
Indeed, sleep does not come to me either.
An evening trance lingering all day long,
Doing something inexplicable to me.
Mm-hmm, my heart revolves around you.
Doing something inexplicable to me.
Mm-hmm, my heart revolves around you.
ஆள அசத்தும்
மல்லிதான் மல்லிதான்
தூக்கம் எனக்கும்
வல்லதான் வல்லதான்
Like a dew-kissed flower floating in a pond,
You are the one who must pluck me.
Like fresh cow's milk stored in a pot,
You are the one who must drink me.
நாளு முழுதும்
மாலை மயக்கம்
என்னவோ பண்ணுது என்னையே
ஊஹும் என் மனம்
சுத்துது உன்னையே
என்னவோ பண்ணுது என்னையே
ஊஹும் என் மனம்
சுத்துது உன்னையே
Like a fish that has fallen onto dry land,
Would I ever leave you all alone?
You are the sweet ripe fruit,
And I am the parrot that pecks at it.
குளத்தில் மிதக்கும் பனிப்பூவு
என்ன நீதான் பறிக்கணும்
குடத்தில் இருக்கும் பசும் பாலு
என்ன நீதான் குடிக்கணும்
Vocalizing melody.
Female: When the love parrot
Male: Vocalizing melody.
Female: Pecks playfully,
Vocalizing melody.
Male: Vocalizing rhythm.
Vocalizing rhythm.
Female: Vocalizing melody.
Will a wound form?
The young maiden's cheek trembles in fear,
Mm-hmm, at the touch of your finger, it pleads.
தரையில் விழும் மீனா
உன்னை தனியா விடுவேனா
கனியும் நீதானே
கொத்தும் கிளியும் நான்தானே
O Jasmine that charms a person!
Sleep is not coming to me!
Female: An evening trance lingering all day long,
Doing something inexplicable to me.
Mm-hmm, my heart revolves around you.
Male: My heart revolves around you.
Mm-hmm, doing something inexplicable to me.
ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....ஆ...ஆ...
ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....ஆ...ஆ...
காதல் கிளிதான்
கொத்தும் பொழுது...
Indeed, it is the charming jasmine flower.
Male: Indeed, sleep does not come to me either.
ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....ஆ...ஆ...
தான நனனா தான நனனா
காயம் வருமோ
வஞ்சியின் கன்னமே அஞ்சுது
ம்ஹும் கை விரல் பட்டதும் கெஞ்சுது
ஆள அசத்தும்
மல்லியே மல்லியே
தூக்கம் எனக்கு
வல்லையே வல்லையே
நாளு முழுதும்
மாலை மயக்கம்
என்னவோ பண்ணுது என்னையே
ஊஹும் என் மனம்
சுத்துது உன்னையே
என் மனம்
சுத்துது உன்னையே ஊஹும்
என்னவோ பண்ணுது என்னையே
ஆள அசத்தும்
மல்லிதான் மல்லிதான்
தூக்கம் எனக்கும் ஹ்ம்ம்
வல்லதான் வல்லதான்
Aaa….aaa….aaa….aa…..
Vocalizing melody.
Male :Aaa….aaa….aaa….aa…..
Male: Vocalizing melody.
Aa….aa….aa….aa….aaa…
Vocalizing melody.
Male :Aa….aa….aa….aa….aaa…
Male: Vocalizing melody.
Female :Aaa….aaa….aa…aaa…aa…
Female: Vocalizing melody.
Aaa….aaa….aa….aaa….
Vocalizing melody.
Aala asathum malliyae malliyae
O Jasmine that charms a person!
Thookkam enakku valliyae valliyae
Sleep is not coming to me!
Naalu muzhudhum maala mayakkam
An evening trance lingering all day long,
Ennavo pannudhu ennaiyae
Doing something inexplicable to me.
Hmhum en manam suthudhu unnaiyae
Mm-hmm, my heart revolves around you.
Ennavo pannudhu ennaiyae
Doing something inexplicable to me.
Hmhum en manam suthudhu unnaiyae
Mm-hmm, my heart revolves around you.
Aala asathum malli thaan malli thaan
Indeed, it is the charming jasmine flower.
Thookkam enakkum valla thaan valla thaan
Indeed, sleep is not coming to me either.
Irandu vizhiyil oru kadidham
A letter written in your two eyes,
Nee ezhudhi pottadhu
Which you wrote and sent,
Padichu padichu manam urugi
Reading it over and over, my heart melts,
Ennai paadaa paduthudhu
Causing me endless longing and restlessness.
Purinjaa vidalaamaa
Having understood my plight, should you leave me?
Ennai nilavum sudalaamaa
Should even the cool moonlight scorch me like fire?
Thaniyaa thavichaen thaan
I suffered in loneliness, indeed;
Udal thanalaa kodhichen naan
My body burned like glowing embers.
Haa….aaa…..aaa….
Vocalizing melody.
Male :Maeni kodhichaa
Male: If your body burns with love's fever,
Female :Haa aaa..aaa aaaa
Female: Vocalizing melody.
Male :Marundhu kodukka
Male: To give you the remedy for it,
Female :Laala lala laa laala lala laa
Female: Vocalizing melody.
Male :Haa…aaa….aa…aa…
Male: Vocalizing melody.
Maaman irukka innamum ennadi sangadam
Your beloved is right here, why still be distressed, my dear?
Aehae ippavae sollu nee sammadham
Hey, give me your sweet consent right now!
Aala asathum malli thaan malli thaan
Indeed, it is the charming jasmine flower.
Thookkam enakkum valla thaan valla thaan
Indeed, sleep does not come to me either.
Naalu muzhudhum maala mayakkam
An evening trance lingering all day long,
Ennavo pannudhu ennaiyae
Doing something inexplicable to me.
Hmmhum en manam suthudhu unnaiyae
Mm-hmm, my heart revolves around you.
Ennavo pannudhu ennaiyae
Doing something inexplicable to me.
Hmmhum en manam suthudhu unnaiyae
Mm-hmm, my heart revolves around you.
Kulathil midhakkum pani poovu
Like a dew-kissed flower floating in a pond,
Enna nee thaan parikkanum
You are the one who must pluck me.
Kudathil irukkum pasum paalu
Like fresh cow's milk stored in a pot,
Enna nee thaan kudikkanum
You are the one who must drink me.
Tharaiyil vizhum meenaa
Like a fish that has fallen onto dry land,
Unna thaniyae viduvenaa
Would I ever leave you all alone?
Kaniyum nee thaanae
You are the sweet ripe fruit,
Kothum kiliyum naan thaanae
And I am the parrot that pecks at it.
Haa….aaa…..aaa….
Vocalizing melody.
Female :Kaadhal kili thaan
Female: When the love parrot
Male :Haa….aaa…..aaa….
Male: Vocalizing melody.
Female :Kothum pozhudhu
Female: Pecks playfully,
Haa….aaa…..aaa….
Vocalizing melody.
Male :Thaanna nanna naa
Male: Vocalizing rhythm.
Thaanna nanna naa }
Vocalizing rhythm.
Female :Haa….aaa…..aaa….
Female: Vocalizing melody.
Kaayam varumo
Will a wound form?
Vanjiyin kannamae anjudhu
The young maiden's cheek trembles in fear,
Mhum kai viral pattadhum kenjudhu
Mm-hmm, at the touch of your finger, it pleads.
Aala asathum malliyae malliyae
O Jasmine that charms a person!
Thookkam enakku valliyae valliyae
Sleep is not coming to me!
Female :Naalu muzhudhum maala mayakkam
Female: An evening trance lingering all day long,
Ennavo pannudhu ennaiyae
Doing something inexplicable to me.
Hmhum en manam suthudhu unnaiyae
Mm-hmm, my heart revolves around you.
Male :En manam suthudhu unnaiyae
Male: My heart revolves around you.
Hmhum ennavo pannudhu ennaiyae
Mm-hmm, doing something inexplicable to me.
Aala asathum malli thaan malli thaan
Indeed, it is the charming jasmine flower.
Male :Thookkam enakkum valla thaan valla thaan
Male: Indeed, sleep does not come to me either.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Aala Asathum Malliyae' from the 1985 film Kanni Rasi is a playful and seductive romantic duet between two lovers expressing their deep longing and sleepless passion for each other. The female protagonist compares herself to a flower floating in a pond or fresh milk waiting to be enjoyed, while the male protagonist reassures her of his presence and love, describing their romance through metaphors of parrots, fruit, and healing medicine for love's heat. The lyricist Vaali expertly captures the intense sensation of twilight-induced romance and nocturnal longing through folk-infused Tamil poetry, creating an enduring classic set to Ilaiyaraaja's evocative musical composition.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edukai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Aala asathum malliyae malliyae / Thookkam enakku valliyae valliyae”
Repetition of the second consonant 'la' in consecutive line openings ('Aala' and 'Thookkam' / 'Melliyae' rhyming structure).
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Kulathil midhakkum pani poovu / Enna nee thaan parikkanum”
The lead characters compare their yearning selves to a floating lotus, pot milk, and a parrot pecking a fruit.
Hyperbole (Uyirvunavchi Ani)
“Ennai nilavum sudalaamaa / Udal thanalaa kodhichen naan”
Exaggerating love sickness to a burning ember and moonlight scorching the body.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Kanni Rasi' (1985), starring Prabhu and Revathi, features timeless compositions by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali. Sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Vani Jairam, this duet is widely remembered for its melodic hummingbird vocalizations and rhythmic folk beats.
Keep listening