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Lyrics & meaning

Aathangarai Thoppukulla

From Rayilukku Neramachu · 1988

Lyricist
S. A. Rajkumar
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. P. Shailaja
Music director
S. A. Rajkumar
Details
Rayilukku Neramachu1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
…………………
Male
Aaththangarai thoppukkullaInside the grove on the riverbank,
Andhi saayum neraththulaDuring the time when dusk falls,
Paakku veththala maaththikkalaam vaammaaCome girl, let us exchange betel leaves and nuts,
Adi aaththangarai thoppukkullaHey girl, inside the grove on the riverbank,
Andhi saayum neraththulaDuring the time when dusk falls,
Paakku veththala maaththikkalaam vaammaaCome girl, let us exchange betel leaves and nuts,
Female
Naan mudhiraatha naaththu moraikkaatha paaththuI am an immature sapling, an unsprouted crop bed,
Kodi melae korangaadalaamaaCan a monkey swing on a delicate vine?
Male :AeiMale: Hey!
Female :Naan kaniyaatha sevvaazhai mamaFemale: I am an unripened red banana plant, beloved uncle,
Male
Adi aaththangarai thoppukkullaHey girl, inside the grove on the riverbank,
Andhi saayum neraththulaDuring the time when dusk falls,
Paakku veththala maaththikkalaam vaammaaCome girl, let us exchange betel leaves and nuts,
Male
Nellu velainjaa poradikkonumWhen paddy matures, it must be harvested and threshed,
Ponnu samanjaa poo mudikkonumWhen a girl comes of age, her hair must be adorned with flowers,
Female :Thanni alavuthaan thaamara pookkumFemale: The lotus blooms relative to the depth of the water,
Unna nenaichchuthaan en mogam sivakkumThinking of you alone, my face blushes red,
Male
Vaikkappore meththai irukku adi ammaadiThere is a haystack bed, oh my girl,
Vekkaththa vittu odhungu haangShed your shyness and come close, haang,
Female :Adhukku unkitta machchamirukku en machchaanaeFemale: You have the charm and luck for that, my cousin,
Achchamthaan michchamYet fear is all that remains inside me,
Male
Adi aaththangarai thoppukkullaHey girl, inside the grove on the riverbank,
Andhi saayum neraththulaDuring the time when dusk falls,
Paakku veththala maaththikkalaam vaammaaCome girl, let us exchange betel leaves and nuts,
Female :Haang….Naan mudhiraatha naaththu MoraikkaathaFemale: Haang... I am an immature sapling, an unsprouted
paaththucrop bed,
Kodi melae korangaadalaamaaCan a monkey swing on a delicate vine?
Male :HaahMale: Haah,
Female :Naan kaniyaatha sevvaazhai mamaFemale: I am an unripened red banana plant, beloved uncle,
Female
………………..
Female
Kolaththu neerulaIn the pond water,
Naan kulikum pothilaeWhile I am taking a bath,
Ayira meena pol nee kadikka paakkuraYou try to nibble at me like an Ayira fish,
Male :Adi Eera selaiya kaaya poduraeMale: Hey girl, you spread your wet saree to dry,
En aasa manasa yaen aara poduraWhy are you putting my longing heart on hold to cool down?
Male
Adi saayaatha malamela koonthalaHey girl, over the unyielding mountain-like chest,
Maaraappaa pottu vechchaYou have draped your saree pallu,
Female :En selaikku noolaaganumFemale: You must become the thread tied to my saree,
Adhukku nee maalaikku naal paakkanumFor that, you must set an auspicious date for our wedding garland,
Male :AahaMale: Aaha!
Female :En selaikku noolaaganumFemale: You must become the thread tied to my saree,
Adhukku nee maalaikku naal paakkanumFor that, you must set an auspicious date for our wedding garland,
Male
Adi aaththangarai thoppukkullaHey girl, inside the grove on the riverbank,
Andhi saayum neraththulaDuring the time when dusk falls,
Paakku veththala maaththikkalaam vaammaaCome girl, let us exchange betel leaves and nuts,
Female :Aaha naan mudhiraatha naaththuFemale: Aaha, I am an immature sapling,
Moraikkaatha paaththuAn unsprouted crop bed,
Kodi melae korangaadalaamaaCan a monkey swing on a delicate vine?
Naan kaniyaatha sevvaazha mamaI am an unripened red banana plant, beloved uncle.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a playful rural folk duet from the film 'Rayilukku Neramachu' (1988). The male protagonist invites his lover to meet him in a secluded riverside grove at sunset, expressing his desire to exchange betel leaves—a traditional symbol of betrothal and marital commitment—and romance her. He uses rustic analogies such as harvesting mature crops and setting up a bed on a haystack to convey his eagerness for intimacy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Naan kaniyaatha sevvaazhai mama

The female singer compares herself to an unripened red banana plant ('kaniyaatha sevvaazhai') and an unsprouted sapling to poetically express her youth, innocence, and unpreparedness for physical intimacy.

Simile (Uvamaani)

Ayira meena pol nee kadikka paakkura

The male's teasing glances and playful nibbling gestures while she bathes are compared to an Ayira fish biting in pond water ('Ayira meena pol').

Edhukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Nellu velainjaa poradikkonum / Ponnu samanjaa poo mudikkonum

A classic Tamil rhyming scheme where the second letter of consecutive lines matches ('Nellu' / 'Ponnu'), creating a rhythmic folk proverb cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Rayilukku Neramachu' (1988) starred Ramarajan and featured music composed by S. A. Rajkumar, who also penned lyrics for the album, showcasing his early signature rural folk melody style.

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