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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aandavanin Thottathile Azhagu

From Arangetram · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Arangetram1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aandavanin thottathilae azhagu sirikkuthuIn God's garden, beauty smiles
Aagayam boomiyengum ilamai sirikkuthuAcross the sky and earth, youth smiles
Aandavanin thottathilae azhagu sirikkuthuIn God's garden, beauty smiles
Aagayam boomiyengum ilamai sirikkuthuAcross the sky and earth, youth smiles
Vendum mattum kulungi kulungiShaking with laughter as much as I want
Naanum sirippen..hahahaha…I too will laugh.. hahahaha...
Vendum mattum kulungi kulungiShaking with laughter as much as I want
Naanum sirippen..I too will laugh..
Andha vidhiyai sirippinaalae viratti adippenI will chase away that fate with my laughter
Female
Aandavanin thottathilae azhagu sirikkuthuIn God's garden, beauty smiles
Aagayam boomiyengum ilamai sirikkuthuAcross the sky and earth, youth smiles
Female
Kuzhandhaiyilae sirithathu thaan indha sirippuThis laughter is the same one laughed in childhood
Adhai kumari ponnu sirikkum bodhu enna veruppuWhy is there hatred when a young woman laughs?
Kuzhandhaiyilae sirithathu thaan indha sirippuThis laughter is the same one laughed in childhood
Adhai kumari ponnu sirikkum bodhu enna veruppuWhy is there hatred when a young woman laughs?
Porandhadhukku parisu indha….hahahahahaThis is the prize for being born... hahahaha
Female
LalallaalalalaalalalaaaLalallaalalalaalalalaaa
Padhama idhama sirichaa sugamaIs it pleasant if one laughs softly and pleasantly?
Female
Aandavanin thottathilae azhagu sirikkuthuIn God's garden, beauty smiles
Aagayam boomiyengum ilamai sirikkuthuAcross the sky and earth, youth smiles
Female
Kulam kulama thavam irundhu kokku sirikkudhuPond after pond, performing penance, the crane smiles
Adhu kotha povadhai marandhu meenum sirikkudhuForgetting that it is about to be pecked, the fish smiles
Kulam kulama thavam irundhu kokku sirikkudhuPond after pond, performing penance, the crane smiles
Adhu kotha povadhai marandhu meenum sirikkudhuForgetting that it is about to be pecked, the fish smiles
Kulathai vittu karaiyil yeri nandu sirikkuthuLeaving the pond and climbing onto the bank, the crab smiles
Kulathai vittu karaiyil yeri nandu sirikkuthuLeaving the pond and climbing onto the bank, the crab smiles
Adhai kondu poyi undu paartha nariyum sirikkuthuHaving carried it away and eaten it, the fox also smiles
Female
LalallaalalalaalalalaaaLalallaalalalaalalalaaa
Padhama idhama sirichaa sugamaIs it pleasant if one laughs softly and pleasantly?
Female
Aandavanin thottathilae azhagu sirikkuthuIn God's garden, beauty smiles
Aagayam boomiyengum ilamai sirikkuthuAcross the sky and earth, youth smiles
Vendum mattum kulungi kulungiShaking with laughter as much as I want
Naanum sirippen..I too will laugh..
Andha vidhiyai sirippinaalae viratti adippenI will chase away that fate with my laughter
Female
Aandavanin thottathilae azhagu sirikkuthuIn God's garden, beauty smiles
Aagayam boomiyengum ilamai sirikkuthuAcross the sky and earth, youth smiles

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Aandavanin Thottathilae' from K. Balachander's 'Arangetram' (1973) is a poignant yet philosophical commentary on society's hypocrisy, female laughter, and human destiny. Sung by P. Susheela with music by V. Kumar and lyrics by Kannadasan, the protagonist reflects on how nature inherently smiles and laughs, yet societal norms restrict and judge a young woman's laughter and freedom.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Aandavanin thottathilae azhagu sirikkuthu

Attributing the human action of smiling/laughing ('sirikkuthu') to abstract and natural concepts like beauty ('azhagu'), youth ('ilamai'), cranes ('kokku'), fish ('meen'), and crabs ('nandu').

Monorhyme / Second-letter Rhyme (Ethukai)

Vendum mattum kulungi kulungi

The Tamil poetic practice of matching second letters across lines, seen in 'Vendum' and 'Andha' / 'Kulathai' and 'Adhai'.

Metaphor / Allegory

Kulam kulama thavam irundhu kokku sirikkudhu

Using animal behavior (crane watching fish, fox preying on crab) as a metaphor for predatory human relationships and deceitful societal hierarchies.

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Trivia

'Arangetram' was a path-breaking drama film directed by K. Balachander that launched Kamal Haasan in an adult prominent role. The soundtrack composed by V. Kumar produced several hits, with 'Aandavanin Thottathilae' standing out for P. Susheela's dramatic laughter cues embedded within her vocal performance.

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