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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aathangarai Mettinile

From Neeya Naana – 1962 Film · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Neeya Naana – 1962 Film
Movie release year
1962
Lyrics added on
28 Jul 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aathangarai mettinilae
Andhipadum nerathilae
Aathangarai mettinilae
Andhipadum nerathilae
Kaathiruppen endru sonnaar kannale
Avarai kaana vendum po manamae munnaalae
Kaathiruppen endru sonnaar kannale
Avarai kaana vendum po manamae munnaalae
Aathangarai mettinilae…aee
Hoo ooo oo hoo oo
Kaattu vellam salasalakka
Kaadhal manam kirukirukka
Kaattu vellam salasalakka
Kaadhal manam kirukirukka
Paattu paada thudithiruppaar thannalae
Avarai paarthu pesa po manamae munnalae
Paattu paada thudithiruppaar thannalae
Avarai paarthu pesa po manamae munnalae
Aathangarai mettinilae…aee
Kannirandum minna minna
Kaal irandum pinna pinna
Kannirandum minna minna
Kaal irandum pinna pinna
Kanni mattum vandhiruppen pinnalae
Kanni mattum vandhiruppen pinnalae
Avar kavalai theerkka po manamae munnalae
Kavalai theerkka po manamae munnalae
Aathangarai mettinilae…aee
Hoo ooo oo hoo oo
Aasaiyodu pesum podhu
Achamendrum naanam endrum
Aasaiyodu pesum podhu
Achamendrum naanam endrum
Thalai kunindhu kaalai paarthu nilladhae
Ennai thanimaiyilae thavikka vittu selladhae
Manamae thanimaiyilae thavikka vittu selladhae
Aathangarai mettinilae
Andhipadum nerathilae
Kaathiruppen endru sonnaar kannale
Avarai kaana vendum po manamae munnaalae
Aathangarai mettinilae…aee
On the high bank of the river,
At the hour when dusk falls,
On the high bank of the river,
At the hour when dusk falls,
He told me with his eyes that he would wait;
I must see him—go on ahead, my heart!
He told me with his eyes that he would wait;
I must see him—go on ahead, my heart!
On the high bank of the river...
Ho o o o o ho o o
As the wild stream ripples softly,
And the loving heart spins with excitement,
As the wild stream ripples softly,
And the loving heart spins with excitement,
He will be eager to sing a song all by himself;
To look at him and speak, go on ahead, my heart!
He will be eager to sing a song all by himself;
To look at him and speak, go on ahead, my heart!
On the high bank of the river...
With my eyes shining bright,
And my feet stumbling in shyness,
With my eyes shining bright,
And my feet stumbling in shyness,
I, a young girl, have followed behind;
I, a young girl, have followed behind;
To ease his worries, go on ahead, my heart!
To ease his worries, go on ahead, my heart!
On the high bank of the river...
Hoo o o ho o o
When speaking with deep affection,
Giving in to fear and shyness,
When speaking with deep affection,
Giving in to fear and shyness,
Do not bow your head and stand looking at your feet;
Do not leave me to suffer in loneliness;
Oh heart, do not leave me to suffer in loneliness!
On the high bank of the river,
At the hour when dusk falls,
He told me with his eyes that he would wait;
I must see him—go on ahead, my heart!
On the high bank of the river...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This iconic classic song depicts a young woman in a state of romantic anticipation as she prepares to meet her lover by the riverbank during dusk. Speaking directly to her own hesitant heart, she urges herself to move forward, overcome maiden shyness, and relieve her lover's yearning wait. The lyrics capture the beautiful imagery of Tamil classical romance, blending natural elements like flowing river streams with emotional vulnerability.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Onomatopoeia (Anukaranam)

“Kaattu vellam salasalakka”

The word 'salasalakka' mimics the rhythmic gurgling sound of a flowing river stream.

Personification / Apostrophe

“Avarai kaana vendum po manamae munnaalae”

The heroine addresses her own heart ('manamae') as a distinct companion, encouraging it to lead her forward to her beloved.

Iyaibu (Rhyme)

“Kannirandum minna minna / Kaal irandum pinna pinna”

The internal end-rhyme 'minna minna' and 'pinna pinna' mimics the quickened rhythm of excitement and hesitating steps.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics by Kannadasan and sung by P. Susheela, the song draws heavily from traditional Sangam poetry themes (Athinai), where secret lovers rendezvous by nature spots at dusk.

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