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Arangetram album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Aaramba Kalathil Athu

From Arangetram · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
V. Kumar
Movie name
Arangetram
Movie release year
1973
Lyrics added on
26 Jul 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aarambha kaalathil adhu irukkum
Aarambha kaalathil adhu irukkum
Ammamma adhilae yedhu irukkum
Male :Unakkum enakkum nerukkam thuvakkam
Aarambha kaalathil bayam irukkum
Ammamma adhilae sugam irukkum
Ammamma adhilae sugam irukkum
Chinna chinna macham ondru
Un udhattin mel irundhu ennaiyae paarpadhen
Chinna chinna macham ondru
Un udhattin mel irundhu ennaiyae paarpadhen
Female :Kanni thandha mutham ondru
Kaanavillai innum endru idhazhai ketpadhen
Kanni thandha mutham ondru
Kaanavillai innum endru idhazhai ketpadhen
Kettaal tharuven keladi kannae
Kettaal tharuven keladi kannae
Female :Kelaamal thandhaal enna
Aarambha kaalathil bayam irukkum
Ammamma adhilae sugam irukkum
Ammamma adhilae sugam irukkum
Thottil itta mottu irandu thulli thulli
Nenjai thottu ennaiyae velvadhen
Thottil itta mottu irandu thulli thulli
Nenjai thottu ennaiyae velvadhen
Kaadhalarukku bodhai vandhu kann irandum
Mella mella edhaiyoo solvadhen
Kaadhalarukku bodhai vandhu kann irandum
Mella mella edhaiyoo solvadhen
Maeniyai parthaal gyaaniyum saranam
Maeniyai parthaal gyaaniyum saranam
Female :Adhuthaane penn enbathu
Aarambha kaalathil adhu irukkum
Ammamma adhilae yedhu irukkum
Male :Unakkum enakkum nerukkam thuvakkam
Aarambha kaalathil bayam irukkum
Ammamma adhilae sugam irukkum
Ammamma adhilae sugam irukkum
In the beginning, that will be there
In the beginning, that will be there
Oh my, what will be there?
Male: Between you and me, closeness begins
In the beginning, there will be fear
Oh my, there will be pleasure in that!
Oh my, there will be pleasure in that!
A tiny little beauty mark
resting upon your lip, why is it looking at me?
A tiny little beauty mark
resting upon your lip, why is it looking at me?
Female: The kiss a girl once gave,
why does it ask the lips, saying it is missing?
The kiss a girl once gave,
why does it ask the lips, saying it is missing?
If you ask, I will give it—just ask, my love
If you ask, I will give it—just ask, my love
Female: What if you gave it without being asked?
In the beginning, there will be fear
Oh my, there will be pleasure in that!
Oh my, there will be pleasure in that!
Two cradled buds, bouncing playfully,
touching my chest, why do they conquer me?
Two cradled buds, bouncing playfully,
touching my chest, why do they conquer me?
Intoxicated with love, why do both eyes
slowly whisper something unspoken?
Intoxicated with love, why do both eyes
slowly whisper something unspoken?
Looking at this body, even a wise sage would surrender
Looking at this body, even a wise sage would surrender
Female: Isn't that what being a woman is all about?
In the beginning, that will be there
Oh my, what will be there?
Male: Between you and me, closeness begins
In the beginning, there will be fear
Oh my, there will be pleasure in that!
Oh my, there will be pleasure in that!
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Aarambha Kaalathil from the film Arangetram (1973) is a playful and sensual romantic duet between lovers reflecting on the beginnings of intimacy. The song captures the delicate mix of hesitation, fear, and thrill that accompanies early love, concluding that the initial nervousness only heightens romantic pleasure. Through vivid poetic imagery—such as a mole on the lips, subtle glances, and gentle touch—lyricist Kannadasan articulates the gradual deepening of physical and emotional connection. The track underscores how feminine charm and romantic enchantment are powerful enough to disarm anyone, creating a timeless musical conversation about passion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetitive Words)

Chinna chinna macham ondru

The repetition of words like 'Chinna chinna' (tiny tiny), 'Thulli thulli' (bouncing bouncing), and 'Mella mella' (softly softly) adds rhythmic melody and emphasizes sensory details.

Personification

Un udhattin mel irundhu ennaiyae paarpadhen

The facial mole on the lip is personified as an active observer watching the lover ('ennaiyae paarpadhen').

Hyperbole (Exaggeration)

Maeniyai parthaal gyaaniyum saranam

The lyrics exaggerate the power of feminine beauty by stating that even an enlightened sage (Gyaani) would surrender upon beholding it.

Metaphor

Thottil itta mottu irandu thulli thulli

Describing feminine beauty or grace as 'mottu irandu' (two buds) in a cradle serves as a delicate physical metaphor.

Did you know?

Trivia

Arangetram (1973), directed by the legendary K. Balachander, marked the prominent adult debut of Kamal Haasan as well as actress Jayachitra. The film dealt with bold social themes for its era, and its soundtrack composed by V. Kumar with lyrics by Kannadasan remains a celebrated classic in Tamil cinema.

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