Aarum Athu Aalam Illai
From Muthal Vasantham · 1986
- Lyricist
- Muthulingam
- Singer
- Ilayaraja
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Muthal Vasantham1986
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Mmm…mmm…mm | Mmm…mmm…mm |
| Mmm..mmm…mm…mmm…mmm… | Mmm..mmm…mm…mmm…mmm… |
| Male | |
| Aarum adhu aazham illa | Even a river is not so deep |
| Adhu serum kadalum aazham illa | Even the ocean it joins is not so deep |
| Aarum adhu aazham illa | Even a river is not so deep |
| Adhu serum kadalum aazham illa | Even the ocean it joins is not so deep |
| Male | |
| Aazham edhu aiyaa | What then is truly deep, sir? |
| Andha pombala manasu dhaanya | It is indeed the heart of a woman |
| Aazham edhu aiyaa | What then is truly deep, sir? |
| Andha pombala manasu dhaanya | It is indeed the heart of a woman |
| Male | |
| Adi ammaadi… | Oh dear mother… |
| Adhan aazham paarthadhaaru | Who has ever measured its true depth? |
| Adi aathaadi… | Oh my goodness… |
| Adha paartha pera kooru nee | Name anyone who has ever seen its depth |
| Male | |
| Aarum adhu aazham illa | Even a river is not so deep |
| Adhu serum kadalum aazham illa | Even the ocean it joins is not so deep |
| Aazham edhu aiyaa | What then is truly deep, sir? |
| Andha pombala manasu dhaanya | It is indeed the heart of a woman |
| Aazham edhu aiyaa | What then is truly deep, sir? |
| Andha pombala manasu dhaanya | It is indeed the heart of a woman |
| Male | |
| Maadi veetu kanni ponnu | The maiden from the wealthy upper-story house |
| Manasukkulla rendu kannu | Has dual intentions inside her heart |
| Ezha kanna yenga vittu | Leaving the poor man's eyes yearning in distress |
| Innum onna thedudhammaa | She continues searching for yet another, dear |
| Male | |
| Kannukkulla minnum maiyi | Kohl sparkles deceptively in her eyes |
| Ullukkulla ellaam poiyi | While inside her heart, everything is a falsehood |
| Sonna sollu enna aachu | What happened to the promises she once made? |
| Sondhamellaam engae pohu | Where did all that bond and relationship vanish? |
| Male | |
| Nesam andha paasam | Affection and that deep love |
| Adhu ellaam veli vesham | All of that is merely an outward disguise |
| Thera pottu senja mosamae | It is a deception planned behind a veil |
| Male | |
| Aarum adhu aazham illa | Even a river is not so deep |
| Adhu serum kadalum aazham illa | Even the ocean it joins is not so deep |
| Aazham edhu aiyaa | What then is truly deep, sir? |
| Andha pombala manasu dhaanya | It is indeed the heart of a woman |
| Aazham edhu aiyaa | What then is truly deep, sir? |
| Andha pombala manasu dhaanya | It is indeed the heart of a woman |
| Chorus | |
| Mmm…mmm…mm | Mmm…mmm…mm |
| Mmm..mmm…mm… | Mmm..mmm…mm… |
| Mmm…mmm…mm | Mmm…mmm…mm |
| Mmm…mmm…mmm… | Mmm…mmm…mmm… |
| Mmm…mmm….mmm… | Mmm…mmm….mmm… |
| Male | |
| Thanniyila kolam podu | Drawing a rangoli pattern on water |
| Aadi kaathil dheebam yethu | Lighting a lamp amidst howling winds |
| Aagaayathil kotta kattu | Building a grand castle up in the sky |
| Andharathil thottam podu | Planting a garden floating in mid-air |
| Male | |
| Aandavana kootti vandhu | Bringing God Almighty Himself down |
| Avana angae kaaval podu | And stationing Him there as a security guard |
| Athanaiyum nadakkum aiyaa | All of those impossible feats might come to pass, sir |
| Aasa vachaa kedaikkum aiyaa | If desired, they could even be accomplished, sir |
| Male | |
| Aana kedaikkaadhu | But the one thing you can never win over |
| Nee aasa vaikkum maadhu | Is the woman whom you set your heart upon |
| Aval nenjam yaavum vanjamae | Her entire heart is filled with deceit |
| Male | |
| Aarum adhu aazham illa | Even a river is not so deep |
| Adhu serum kadalum aazham illa | Even the ocean it joins is not so deep |
| Aazham edhu aiyaa | What then is truly deep, sir? |
| Andha pombala manasu dhaanya | It is indeed the heart of a woman |
| Aazham edhu aiyaa | What then is truly deep, sir? |
| Andha pombala manasu dhaanya | It is indeed the heart of a woman |
| Male | |
| Adi ammaadi… | Oh dear mother… |
| Adhan aazham paarthadhaaru | Who has ever measured its true depth? |
| Adi aathaadi… | Oh my goodness… |
| Adha paartha pera kooru nee | Name anyone who has ever seen its depth |
| Male | |
| Aarum adhu aazham illa | Even a river is not so deep |
| Adhu serum kadalum aazham illa | Even the ocean it joins is not so deep |
| Aazham edhu aiyaa | What then is truly deep, sir? |
| Andha pombala manasu dhaanya | It is indeed the heart of a woman |
| Aazham edhu aiyaa | What then is truly deep, sir? |
| Andha pombala manasu dhaanya | It is indeed the heart of a woman |
ம்ம்ம் ...ம்ம்..ம்ம்..ம்ம்ம்...
ம்ம்...ம்ம்ம்...ம்ம்ம்...ம்ம்ம்...ம்ம்ம்...
Mmm…mmm…mm
Mmm..mmm…mm…mmm…mmm…
ஆறு அது ஆழம் இல்ல
அது சேரும் கடலும் ஆழம் இல்ல
ஆறு அது ஆழம் இல்ல
அது சேரும் கடலும் ஆழம் இல்ல
Even a river is not so deep
Even the ocean it joins is not so deep
Even a river is not so deep
Even the ocean it joins is not so deep
ஆழம் எது அய்யா
அந்த பொம்பள மனசுதான்யா
ஆழம் எது அய்யா
அந்த பொம்பள மனசுதான்யா
What then is truly deep, sir?
It is indeed the heart of a woman
What then is truly deep, sir?
It is indeed the heart of a woman
அடி அம்மாடி
அதன் ஆழம் பார்த்ததாரு
அடி ஆத்தாடி
அத பார்த்த பேர கூறு நீ
Oh dear mother…
Who has ever measured its true depth?
Oh my goodness…
Name anyone who has ever seen its depth
ஆறு அது ஆழம் இல்ல
அது சேரும் கடலும் ஆழம் இல்ல
ஆழம் எது அய்யா
அந்த பொம்பள மனசுதான்யா
ஆழம் எது அய்யா
அந்த பொம்பள மனசுதான்யா
Even a river is not so deep
Even the ocean it joins is not so deep
What then is truly deep, sir?
It is indeed the heart of a woman
What then is truly deep, sir?
It is indeed the heart of a woman
மாடி வீடு கன்னி பொண்ணு
மனசுகுள்ள ரெண்டு கண்ணு
ஏழை கண்ண ஏங்க விட்டு
இன்னும் ஒண்ணு தேடுதம்மா
The maiden from the wealthy upper-story house
Has dual intentions inside her heart
Leaving the poor man's eyes yearning in distress
She continues searching for yet another, dear
கண்ணுக்குள்ள மின்னும் மைய்யி
உள்ளுக்குள்ள எல்லாம் பொய்
சொன்ன சொல்லு என்ன ஆச்சு
சொந்தமெல்லாம் எங்கே போச்சு
Kohl sparkles deceptively in her eyes
While inside her heart, everything is a falsehood
What happened to the promises she once made?
Where did all that bond and relationship vanish?
நேசம் அந்த பாசம்
அது எல்லாம் வெளிவேஷம்
திரை போட்டு செஞ்ச மோசமே
Affection and that deep love
All of that is merely an outward disguise
It is a deception planned behind a veil
ம்ம்ம்..ம்ம்..ம்ம்ம் ..(5)
Even a river is not so deep
Even the ocean it joins is not so deep
What then is truly deep, sir?
It is indeed the heart of a woman
What then is truly deep, sir?
It is indeed the heart of a woman
ஆறு அது ஆழம் இல்ல
அது சேரும் கடலும் ஆழம் இல்ல
ஆழம் எது அய்யா
அந்த பொம்பள மனசுதான்யா
ஆழம் எது அய்யா
அந்த பொம்பள மனசுதான்யா
Mmm…mmm…mm
Mmm..mmm…mm…
Mmm…mmm…mm
Mmm…mmm…mmm…
Mmm…mmm….mmm…
தண்ணியில கோலம் போடு
ஆடி காத்தில் தீபம் ஏத்து
ஆகாயத்தில் கோட்ட கட்டு
அந்தரத்தில் தோட்டம் போடு
Drawing a rangoli pattern on water
Lighting a lamp amidst howling winds
Building a grand castle up in the sky
Planting a garden floating in mid-air
ஆண்டவன கூட்டி வந்து
அவனை அங்கே காவல் போடு
அத்தனையும் நடக்கும் அய்யா
ஆச வச்ச கிடைக்கும் அய்யா
Bringing God Almighty Himself down
And stationing Him there as a security guard
All of those impossible feats might come to pass, sir
If desired, they could even be accomplished, sir
ஆனா கிடைக்காது
நீ ஆச வைக்கும் மாது
அவள் நெஞ்சம் யாவும் வஞ்சமே
But the one thing you can never win over
Is the woman whom you set your heart upon
Her entire heart is filled with deceit
ஆறு அது ஆழம் இல்ல
அது சேரும் கடலும் ஆழம் இல்ல
ஆழம் எது அய்யா
அந்த பொம்பள மனசுதான்யா
ஆழம் எது அய்யா
அந்த பொம்பள மனசுதான்யா
Even a river is not so deep
Even the ocean it joins is not so deep
What then is truly deep, sir?
It is indeed the heart of a woman
What then is truly deep, sir?
It is indeed the heart of a woman
Oh dear mother…
Who has ever measured its true depth?
Oh my goodness…
Name anyone who has ever seen its depth
Even a river is not so deep
Even the ocean it joins is not so deep
What then is truly deep, sir?
It is indeed the heart of a woman
What then is truly deep, sir?
It is indeed the heart of a woman
Mmm…mmm…mm
Mmm…mmm…mm
Mmm..mmm…mm…mmm…mmm…
Mmm..mmm…mm…mmm…mmm…
Aarum adhu aazham illa
Even a river is not so deep
Adhu serum kadalum aazham illa
Even the ocean it joins is not so deep
Aarum adhu aazham illa
Even a river is not so deep
Adhu serum kadalum aazham illa
Even the ocean it joins is not so deep
Aazham edhu aiyaa
What then is truly deep, sir?
Andha pombala manasu dhaanya
It is indeed the heart of a woman
Aazham edhu aiyaa
What then is truly deep, sir?
Andha pombala manasu dhaanya
It is indeed the heart of a woman
Adi ammaadi…
Oh dear mother…
Adhan aazham paarthadhaaru
Who has ever measured its true depth?
Adi aathaadi…
Oh my goodness…
Adha paartha pera kooru nee
Name anyone who has ever seen its depth
Aarum adhu aazham illa
Even a river is not so deep
Adhu serum kadalum aazham illa
Even the ocean it joins is not so deep
Aazham edhu aiyaa
What then is truly deep, sir?
Andha pombala manasu dhaanya
It is indeed the heart of a woman
Aazham edhu aiyaa
What then is truly deep, sir?
Andha pombala manasu dhaanya
It is indeed the heart of a woman
Maadi veetu kanni ponnu
The maiden from the wealthy upper-story house
Manasukkulla rendu kannu
Has dual intentions inside her heart
Ezha kanna yenga vittu
Leaving the poor man's eyes yearning in distress
Innum onna thedudhammaa
She continues searching for yet another, dear
Kannukkulla minnum maiyi
Kohl sparkles deceptively in her eyes
Ullukkulla ellaam poiyi
While inside her heart, everything is a falsehood
Sonna sollu enna aachu
What happened to the promises she once made?
Sondhamellaam engae pohu
Where did all that bond and relationship vanish?
Nesam andha paasam
Affection and that deep love
Adhu ellaam veli vesham
All of that is merely an outward disguise
Thera pottu senja mosamae
It is a deception planned behind a veil
Aarum adhu aazham illa
Even a river is not so deep
Adhu serum kadalum aazham illa
Even the ocean it joins is not so deep
Aazham edhu aiyaa
What then is truly deep, sir?
Andha pombala manasu dhaanya
It is indeed the heart of a woman
Aazham edhu aiyaa
What then is truly deep, sir?
Andha pombala manasu dhaanya
It is indeed the heart of a woman
Mmm…mmm…mm
Mmm…mmm…mm
Mmm..mmm…mm…
Mmm..mmm…mm…
Mmm…mmm…mm
Mmm…mmm…mm
Mmm…mmm…mmm…
Mmm…mmm…mmm…
Mmm…mmm….mmm…
Mmm…mmm….mmm…
Thanniyila kolam podu
Drawing a rangoli pattern on water
Aadi kaathil dheebam yethu
Lighting a lamp amidst howling winds
Aagaayathil kotta kattu
Building a grand castle up in the sky
Andharathil thottam podu
Planting a garden floating in mid-air
Aandavana kootti vandhu
Bringing God Almighty Himself down
Avana angae kaaval podu
And stationing Him there as a security guard
Athanaiyum nadakkum aiyaa
All of those impossible feats might come to pass, sir
Aasa vachaa kedaikkum aiyaa
If desired, they could even be accomplished, sir
Aana kedaikkaadhu
But the one thing you can never win over
Nee aasa vaikkum maadhu
Is the woman whom you set your heart upon
Aval nenjam yaavum vanjamae
Her entire heart is filled with deceit
Aarum adhu aazham illa
Even a river is not so deep
Adhu serum kadalum aazham illa
Even the ocean it joins is not so deep
Aazham edhu aiyaa
What then is truly deep, sir?
Andha pombala manasu dhaanya
It is indeed the heart of a woman
Aazham edhu aiyaa
What then is truly deep, sir?
Andha pombala manasu dhaanya
It is indeed the heart of a woman
Adi ammaadi…
Oh dear mother…
Adhan aazham paarthadhaaru
Who has ever measured its true depth?
Adi aathaadi…
Oh my goodness…
Adha paartha pera kooru nee
Name anyone who has ever seen its depth
Aarum adhu aazham illa
Even a river is not so deep
Adhu serum kadalum aazham illa
Even the ocean it joins is not so deep
Aazham edhu aiyaa
What then is truly deep, sir?
Andha pombala manasu dhaanya
It is indeed the heart of a woman
Aazham edhu aiyaa
What then is truly deep, sir?
Andha pombala manasu dhaanya
It is indeed the heart of a woman
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Aarum Adhu Aazham Illa' from the movie Muthal Vasantham (1986) is a philosophical and cynical reflection on the unpredictable and deceptive nature of human affection, specifically focusing on the heart of a woman who prioritizes wealth over true love. The singer compares physical depths like rivers and oceans to human emotions, concluding that natural bodies of water have measurable limits, whereas the deceit within a woman's mind is unfathomably deep.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Atisayokthi (Hyperbole)
“Thanniyila kolam podu / Aadi kaathil dheebam yethu / Aagaayathil kotta kattu”
Extravagant impossibilities such as drawing patterns on water or building castles in the sky are listed to emphasize how winning a deceptive person's heart is even more impossible.
Metaphor & Imagery (Uruvagamm)
“Aarum adhu aazham illa / Adhu serum kadalum aazham illa”
Comparing natural physical depths of rivers and seas with the emotional fathomlessness of human deceit.
Moonaal / Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Thanniyila / Aadi / Aagaayathil / Andharathil / Aandavana”
Repetition of initial vowel sounds creating rhythmic resonance across consecutive lines.
Did you know?
Trivia
Although listed with unknown credits in some records, this iconic song was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by veteran lyricist Muthulingam and sung by the legendary playback singer Malaysia Vasudevan.
Keep listening
More from Muthal Vasantham
Muthal Vasantham
Muthal Vasantham
Muthal Vasantham
Muthal Vasantham
Muthal Vasantham
Muthal Vasantham