Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aatha Kadakka Venum

From Sugamana Raagangal · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Sugamana Raagangal1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Hae thaiyara thaiyira thaiyara hohoHey thaiyara thaiyira thaiyara hoho
Hae hae thaiyira thaiyara hohoHey hey thaiyira thaiyara hoho
Female
Aaththa kadakka venumWe need to cross the river
Akkaraikku poga venumWe need to reach the other shore
Oodakkara ramasami maamoiOh uncle Ramasami, the boatman by the stream
Nee oodakkaala munthi podalaamaaCan you move your leg forward to row?
Male
Aaththa kadantha pinnaeAfter crossing the river
Akkaraikku pona pinnaAfter reaching the other shore
Aaththa kadantha pinnaeAfter crossing the river
Akkaraikku pona pinnaAfter reaching the other shore
Ponjaathiyaa aagappora pullaeOh girl who is going to become my wife
Idhu oorariya sonnaa kuththam illaIt is no fault if we declare this for the whole village to know
Female
Manja kulichchu vantahenI bathed in turmeric and came
Maruthaani poosi vanthaenI applied henna and came
Manja kulichchu vantahenI bathed in turmeric and came
Maruthaani poosi vanthaenI applied henna and came
Mamanukku paakkurappo yaekkamWhen I look at you, uncle, a deep longing arises
Adu mammuthanin paanaththaipol thaakkumIt strikes like the love arrows of Kamadeva
Male
Paaya virichchu vachchu pasumpaala kaaichchi vachchuSpreading out the mat and boiling fresh cow milk
Aah paaya virichchu vachchu pasumpaala kaaichchi vachchuAh, spreading out the mat and boiling fresh cow milk
Ooththi thara venumadi neethaanIt must be you who pours and gives it to me, my girl
Aada oodhi oodhi kudichchiruppaen naanthaanOh, I would blow on it and drink it continuously myself
Male
Paaya virichchu vachchu pasumpaala kaaichchi vachchuSpreading out the mat and boiling fresh cow milk
Ooththi thara venumadi neethaanIt must be you who pours and gives it to me, my girl
Aada oodhi oodhi kudichchiruppaen naanthaanOh, I would blow on it and drink it continuously myself
Male
: Vaazha kuruththa dhisaiya vadakkaala kaaththadikum: The northern breeze blows in the direction of the tender banana shoot
Vaazha kuruththa dhisaiya vadakkaala kaaththadikumThe northern breeze blows in the direction of the tender banana shoot
Ooraarum velakkanaikkum neramAt the time when all the villagers put out their lamps
En ullaththula un ninaippu oorumYour memory wells up inside my heart
Male
Naalu kizhamai enna nadhasaram melam ennaWhat does the day of the week matter, what does the Nadaswaram drum matter
Naalu kizhamai enna nadhasaram melam ennaWhat does the day of the week matter, what does the Nadaswaram drum matter
Aan manasu josiyamaa paakkum athuDoes a man's heart consult astrology?
Aal kedachchaa sammathaththaiyaa kekkumIf he finds the right person, will he wait for formal consent?
Female
Aaththa kadakka venumWe need to cross the river
Akkaraikku poga venumWe need to reach the other shore
Oodakkara ramasami maamoiOh uncle Ramasami, the boatman by the stream
Nee oodakkaala munthi podalaamaaCan you move your leg forward to row?
Female
Aaththa kadakka venumWe need to cross the river
Akkaraikku poga venumWe need to reach the other shore
Oodakkara ramasami maamoiOh uncle Ramasami, the boatman by the stream
Nee oodakkaala munthi podalaamaaCan you move your leg forward to row?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from Sugamana Raagangal (1985) is a playful and romantic folk duet between two lovers who express their desire to unite in marriage. The female singer uses the metaphor of crossing a river to symbolize overcoming life's obstacles to reach her lover, calling on Ramasami the boatman. The male lead responds affectionately, looking forward to declaring her as his wife once they cross that threshold. Throughout the track, the lyrics utilize traditional imagery such as turmeric baths, henna, fresh milk, and evening breezes to evoke rural intimacy. The lovers express their impatience with formal rituals like horoscopes and wedding drums, emphasizing that true love requires no formal permission once two hearts are aligned.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Allegory / Metaphor

Aaththa kadakka venum / Akkaraikku poga venum

Crossing the river ('Aaththa kadakka venum') symbolizes overcoming life's obstacles to reach marital union on the other shore.

Simile (Uvamai)

Adu mammuthanin paanaththaipol thaakkum

The feeling of romantic longing is directly compared to being struck by Kamadeva's (Manmathan) arrows of love.

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Manja kulichchu vantahen / Maruthaani poosi vanthaen

Repetition of the 'M' sound across consecutive lines ('Manja', 'Maruthaani', 'Mamanukku').

Imagery

Paaya virichchu vachchu pasumpaala kaaichchi vachchu

Evokes traditional South Indian domestic romance through sensory details like turmeric, henna, mats, and warm milk.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Vaali, 'Sugamana Raagangal' highlights the celebrated vocal chemistry of S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and P. Susheela in a authentic rural folk style.

Keep listening

More from Sugamana Raagangal