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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aathadi Otha Kannu

From Pani Malar · 1981

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Pani Malar1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aathadi oththa kannuOh my, single winking eye!
Adichalaam engaththa ponnuOur uncle's daughter has scored a hit!
Aathadi oththa kannuOh my, single winking eye!
Adichalaam engaththa ponnuOur uncle's daughter has scored a hit!
Magaraasi kannala thoondil pottukkittaThe blessed girl cast a fishing hook with her eyes,
Madi mela raathiri neram saachikittaaAnd made me lean on her lap during the night time.
Male
Maarappu saelaikku kondattamaIs it a time of celebration for the draped saree pallu?
Maapillai en melae kannottamaaIs the groom casting his gaze upon me?
Eh maarappu saelaikku kondattamaHey, is it a celebration for the draped saree pallu?
Maapillai en melae kannottamaaIs the groom casting his gaze upon me?
Male
Aathadi haa haa haa haaOh my, haa haa haa haa!
Aathadi oththa kannuOh my, single winking eye!
Adichalaam engaththa ponnuOur uncle's daughter has scored a hit!
Magaraasi kannala thoondil pottukkittaThe blessed girl cast a fishing hook with her eyes,
Madi mela raathiri neram saachikittaa haaAnd made me lean on her lap during the night time, haa!
Male
Aasa vecha sellakiliMy beloved darling parrot,
Aadi paappom pallanguliLet us play the game of Pallanguzhi!
Aasa vecha sellakiliMy beloved darling parrot,
Aadi paappom pallanguliLet us play the game of Pallanguzhi!
Male
Vayasu ponnukku manasu eppadiHow is the heart of a young girl?
Valaichu pidikka udambu appadi poovattamaHer body is soft like a flower to embrace and hold!
Valaiyal kulunga valaikka solludhuAs her bangles jingle, she asks to bend and embrace,
Varavu selavu thodanga solludhu aanandhamaShe asks to begin the accounting of pure joy!
Maama naan adi yemmaanenOh uncle, I was completely captivated!
Konjunna innum konjamnenWhen you caressed me, I asked for a little more!
Male
Aathadi oththa kannuOh my, single winking eye!
Adichalaam engaththa ponnuOur uncle's daughter has scored a hit!
Magaraasi kannala thoondil pottukkittaThe blessed girl cast a fishing hook with her eyes,
Madi mela raathiri neram saachikittaaAnd made me lean on her lap during the night time.
Male
Paada paada raagam varumAs you sing repeatedly, melody emerges,
Paakka paakka bogam varumAs you look repeatedly, pleasure arises!
Paada paada raagam varumAs you sing repeatedly, melody emerges,
Paakka paakka bogam varumAs you look repeatedly, pleasure arises!
Male
Silukku saelai ravikkai koduppenI will gift you a silk saree and a blouse,
Sirikka sirikka mayakkam koduppen paai podadiAs you smile, I will enchant you; lay down the mat, my girl!
Saattai eduthu naanum adippenI will even pick up a whip and strike,
Potta thiraiyai naanum kizhippen paarendiyooI will tear down the curtain that was drawn, look girl!
Male
Paarenda ungappan naan thaanadaLook here man, I am your father/master!
Thulladhae ingae selladhaeDo not bounce around, that won't work here!
Male
Aathadi oththa kannuOh my, single winking eye!
Adichalaam engaththa ponnuOur uncle's daughter has scored a hit!
Magaraasi kannala thoondil pottukkittaThe blessed girl cast a fishing hook with her eyes,
Madi mela raathiri neram saachikittaaAnd made me lean on her lap during the night time.
Male
Maarappu saelaikku kondattamaIs it a time of celebration for the draped saree pallu?
Maapillai en melae kannottamaaIs the groom casting his gaze upon me?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Aathadi Oththa Kannu from Pani Malar (1981) is a playful, romantic Tamil duet written by lyricist Muthulingam. The song features cheeky banter between two lovers celebrating their romance and mutual attraction in a rural folk style. Using vivid local imagery—such as winking eyes, playing the traditional board game Pallanguzhi, and silk sarees—the track highlights playful courtship and intimacy. The lover expresses being hooked by her enticing gaze, while she responds with affectionate teasing, creating a joyful dialogue full of rhythm and charm.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Magaraasi kannala thoondil pottukkitta

Compares her alluring eyes to a fishing hook ('thoondil') that catches the lover's heart.

Initial Rhyme (Monai)

Paada paada raagam varum / Paakka paakka bogam varum

Repetition of the initial letter 'P' ('Paada' and 'Paakka') creates rhythmic phonetic harmony.

Repetition for Emphasis (Adukku Thodar)

Sirikka sirikka mayakkam koduppen paai podadi

Duplicated continuous action words ('Paada paada', 'Sirikka sirikka') enhance the rhythmic, musical flow.

Cultural Imagery / Analogy

Aadi paappom pallanguli

Uses the traditional Tamil board game 'Pallanguzhi' as an analogy for intimate playful courtship.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by Muthulingam, a distinguished Tamil poet who served as the official Poet Laureate (Aasthana Kavingnar) of Tamil Nadu. The song exemplifies classic 1980s Tamil folk cinema compositions, relying heavily on colloquial dialect and native metaphors.

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