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Anegan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Aathadi Aathadi

From Anegan · 2015

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Bhavatharani, Tippu, Dhanush, Abhay Jodhpurkar
Music director
Harris Jayaraj
Movie name
Anegan
Movie release year
2015
Lyrics added on
4 Jan 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aathadi athadi
Semmbaruthi pookaari
Aasapattu poothirukkaa vaa
Idhu mudhal mudhalaai
Silusiluppu
Mudhugu thandil kurukuruppu
Muluvevaram enakku solvaayaa
Aathadi..eeee
Aathadi athadi
Semmbaruthi pookaari
Aasapattu poothirukkaa vaa
Nee magudathil vairakallu
Naano mazha penja uppu kallu
Unna thodavum
Viral padavum
Oru porutham enakkedhu
Naan tharamaana thangakatti
Nee thagarathil getti petti
Ennai adaikka kaathu kedakku
Unna pola aalu edhu
Aasaigal irundhaa kooda
Manam masiyaadhu
Aathula vilundhaa kooda
Nizhal nenayaadhu
Ullukkul ulla kirukku
Unna summa vidaadhu
Aathadi athadi
Semmbaruthi pookaari
Aasapattu poothirukaalaa
Kedikara mulla pola
Enna ganamdhorum suthi vaayaa
Enna thorathu
Dhool parathu
Indha allipoo killi poyaa
Puli mootta thookki paarthen.
Ippa poomootta thookka poren
Ilanjirikki unna murukki
Enn aruna kayir aakka poren
Idupula kayiraa kedakka
Manam thayangudhaiiyaa.
Kazhuthula kayira vandhaa
Nithamum sondham aiiyaa
Vizhiyal thotta azhagae
Indha aasa maaradhae
Aathadi athadi
Semmbaruthi pookaari
Aasapattu poothirukkaa vaa
Idhu mudhal mudhalaai
Silusiluppu
Mudhugu thandil kurukuruppu
Muluvevaram enakku solvaayaa
Oh my, oh my!
The hibiscus girl
has bloomed with longing, come!
For the very first time,
a cool shiver,
a tingle down my spine—
will you tell me what it all means?
Oh my goodness...!
Oh my, oh my!
The hibiscus girl
has bloomed with longing, come!
You are a diamond on a crown,
while I am just a lump of salt in the rain.
To touch you,
or even lay a finger on you,
how am I any match for you?
I am a bar of pure gold,
and you are a sturdy tin box.
To hold me safe inside,
is there anyone quite like you?
Even if desire is there,
the heart won't easily give in.
Even if it falls into a river,
a shadow never gets wet.
Yet this sweet madness inside
won't leave you alone!
Oh my, oh my!
The hibiscus girl,
has she bloomed with longing?
Like the hands of a clock,
circle around me every second!
Chase after me,
stir up the dust,
pluck this water lily and take me away!
I have lifted heavy sacks of tamarind before;
now I am going to lift a bundle of flowers!
Twirling you around, my young girl,
I'll make you the aruna kayiru (waist-cord) around my waist!
To stay as a cord around your waist,
my heart hesitates, my dear.
If you come as the wedding thread around my neck,
I am yours forever and always, my love!
You beauty who touched me with your eyes,
this longing will never fade!
Oh my, oh my!
The hibiscus girl
has bloomed with longing, come!
For the very first time,
a cool shiver,
a tingle down my spine—
will you tell me what it all means?
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Aathadi Athadi' is a playful and romantic duet depicting the passionate banter between two lovers. The female protagonist is portrayed as a vibrant hibiscus flower seller experiencing the mysterious thrills of first love, described through physical sensations like a tingling feeling along her spine. Her lover playfully compares their socio-emotional standing using vivid village metaphors—comparing himself to salt in the rain and her to a diamond crown, while she counters that she is pure gold ready to be enclosed in his heart. The dialogue evolves into a sweet promise of lifelong companionship as they trade metaphors of clocks, flowers, and sacred threads of marriage. Written with rich folk imagery by Vairamuthu, the song encapsulates rural romance, playful resistance, and ultimate devotion between two soulmates across time.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Aathadi athadi / Aasapattu poothirukkaa vaa

Repetition of the initial sound 'Aa' across lines 'Aathadi athadi' and 'Aasapattu poothirukkaa', creating a melodic opening cadence.

Uvamai (Simile)

Kedikara mulla pola / Enna ganamdhorum suthi vaayaa

'Kedikara mulla pola' uses the comparison of clock hands constantly moving in circles to express devotion and continuous presence around the beloved.

Antithesis / Contrast

Nee magudathil vairakallu / Naano mazha penja uppu kallu

Contrasts 'magudathil vairakallu' (diamond in a crown) with 'mazha penja uppu kallu' (salt dissolved in rain) to highlight perceived self-deprecation and modesty in love.

Metaphor

Aathula vilundhaa kooda / Nizhal nenayaadhu

'Nizhal nenayaadhu' metaphors the detached nature of the mind—just as a shadow cannot get wet in a river, true spirit remains untouched by superficial desires.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Aathadi Athadi' is featured in the 2015 romantic fantasy thriller 'Anegan', composed by Harris Jayaraj with lyrics by Vairamuthu. The song vividly highlights the past-life period settings in the film and features Dhanush alongside Amyra Dastur in a traditional folk setting.

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