Skip to content

IsaimozhiLyrics · Translation · Meaning

Lyrics & meaning

Aaru Oduthu Oduthu

From Pannaipurathu Pandavargal · 1982

Lyricist: Kannadasan
Singer: S. P. Sailaja
Music director: Gangai Amaran
Movie name: Pannaipurathu Pandavargal
Movie release year: 1982
Lyrics added on: 24 Jul 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics

↻ English translation

Aaru oduthu oduthu yaaraiyo theduthu

Mamano illaiyo machchinana thaano

Aaru oduthu oduthu yaaraiyo theduthu

Mamano illaiyo machchinana thaano…aaru….

Vaazhai thandu kaalilae thandaigal pottu

Vaasalil paadanum themmaangu paattu

Katti katti aaduthu poo anbu kaaththu

Kalyaanam pannaama idhu enna kooththu

Ullaththukku ullae antha aalu nalla aalu

Oorkolam poga ippa naalum nalla naalu

Nedhamum enakku nenachchaa inikkum

Aana mattum paarththaen enga rasa pola yaaru

Aaru oduthu oduthu yaaraiyo theduthu

Mamano illaiyo machchinana thaano

Koththamalli vaasaththa kondodum kaaththu

Kottumelam poduthu thennam ilangeeththu

Thaththi vilaiyaaduthu thangamani naaththu

Thaavi vanthu sonnathu konjamalla neththu

Muththu muththu rasa konda mogam enna mogam

Muththai vittu ponaa intha thaagam enga theerum

Mananthaal avaru maranthaa thavaru

Aana mattum paarththaen enga rasa pola yaaru

Aaru oduthu oduthu yaaraiyo theduthu

Mamano illaiyo machchinana thaano

Aaru oduthu oduthu yaaraiyo theduthu

Mamano illaiyo machchinana thaano…..

Thaanaenaa thaanaenaa thaana nanna naanaa

Thaanaenaa thaanaenaa thaana nanna naanaa

The river runs and runs, searching for someone.

Is it looking for my uncle, or is it for my cousin?

The river runs and runs, searching for someone.

Is it looking for my uncle, or is it for my cousin... this river?

Wearing anklets on legs as smooth as plantain stems,

I should sing a sweet folk song at the doorstep.

Embracing everything in its path, the loving breeze dances,

Without even getting married, what kind of mischief is this?

Deep inside his heart, that man is truly good.

For a wedding procession, today is the perfect day.

Every single day, just thinking of him feels so sweet.

I have looked as far as I could—who could match my king?

The river runs and runs, searching for someone.

Is it looking for my uncle, or is it for my cousin?

Carrying the scent of coriander, the breeze rushes by,

Beating like festive drums, the young coconut fronds rustle.

Playfully swaying, the golden young crops dance,

What he rushed over and told me yesterday was no small thing!

What deep passion my precious king holds in his heart!

If he leaves this pearl behind, how will this longing ever be satisfied?

If I marry, it is only him; to forget him would be wrong.

I have looked as far as I could—who could match my king?

The river runs and runs, searching for someone.

Is it looking for my uncle, or is it for my cousin?

The river runs and runs, searching for someone.

Is it looking for my uncle, or is it for my cousin?

Thaanena thaanena thaana nanna naana

Thaanena thaanena thaana nanna naana

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Aaru Oduthu is a charming, rural Tamil folk-style song composed by Gangai Amaran and penned by the legendary poet Kannadasan for the film Pannaipurathu Pandavargal (1982). Sung with playful exuberance by S. P. Sailaja, the track captures the romantic longings and playful anticipation of a village young woman yearning for marriage with her beloved. Through rich pastoral metaphors—a flowing river searching for its destination, coriander-scented winds, coconut fronds rustling like festive drums, and golden paddy saplings—the song paints a picture of nature celebrating her inner love. She praises her groom's nobility and declares that no one can compare to her prince.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukku Thodar (Repetition)

“Aaru oduthu oduthu yaaraiyo theduthu”

The word 'oduthu' is repeated successively to emphasize the continuous, rhythmic flow of the river.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

“Vaazhai thandu kaalilae thandaigal pottu”

Comparing fair, smooth legs to delicate plantain stems ('Vaazhai thandu kaalilae').

Personification (Uruvagathal)

“Kottumelam poduthu thennam ilangeeththu”

Nature is personified; rustling tender coconut fronds are depicted as musicians playing wedding drums.

Ethirai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Mananthaal avaru maranthaa thavaru”

The second consonant 'na' (ன) rhymes between 'Mananthaal' and 'maranthaa', adding rhythmic elegance.

Did you know?

Trivia

Pannaipurathu Pandavargal (1982) features a score by Gangai Amaran, named after Pannaipuram, the native village of the legendary music family (Ilaiyaraaja, Gangai Amaran, Pavalar Varadarajan, and Baskar). The lyrics were written by Kannadasan near the end of his illustrious career, demonstrating his masterclass in weaving traditional Tamil rural culture and nature imagery effortlessly into film songs.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

llamai Enum Poongaatru1979

Pagalil Oru IravuDesireNature

Vasantha Kaalangal1981

Rail PayanangalilNatureRomantic

Deiveega Raagam1980

Ullasa ParavaigalLongingDesire

Guruvayurappa Guruvayurappa1989

Pudhu Pudhu ArthangalLongingRomantic Union

Kannamma Kadhal Ennum1992

Vanna Vanna PookkalLongingRomantic

Yeno Yeno Panithuli2009

AadhavanLongingRomantic Union

From the same album

More songs from Pannaipurathu Pandavargal

Thoongatha Niyayangale1982

Pannaipurathu PandavargalMelancholic

Pathai Enge Payanam Enge1982

Pannaipurathu PandavargalContemplative

Pattula Sela Kazhuthula1982

Pannaipurathu PandavargalPlayful

Nallorgal Thunbutral1982

Pannaipurathu PandavargalDefiant

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.