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Lyrics & meaning

Aathangaraiyil Oru Rosa

From Ore Mutham · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Jayachandran, P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ore Mutham1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aatthangaraiyil oru rosa chinna rosaA rose, a little rose on the riverbank
Ennai alli anaikka sollichuAsked me to scoop it up and embrace it
Male
Konjam pakkathil vara sollichuAsked me to come a little closer
Ennai paarthu rasikka sollichuAsked me to look and admire it
Chorus
Aatthangaraiyil oru rosa chinna rosaA rose, a little rose on the riverbank
Ennai alli anaikka sollichuAsked me to scoop it up and embrace it
Male
Poovai parichaen ponnaaga ninaichaenI plucked the flower thinking of it as gold
Poo pola naan anaichaenI embraced it like a flower
Vaasamo ennai vaattudhuThe fragrance torments me
Oru vandaattam naan thavichaenI squirmed like a bee in yearning
Male
Nalla sandhanathu kaaleduthuWith feet anointed with fine sandalwood
Ennarugil nadakkaiyilWhen walking near me
Enni enni naan thudichaenI quivered thinking of it again and again
Naan dhenam dhenam thookkatthai marandhaachuEvery day I forgot my sleep
Manam un nenappil kalandhaachuMy mind blended into thoughts of you
Chorus
Aatthangaraiyil oru rosa chinna rosaA rose, a little rose on the riverbank
Ennai alli anaikka sollichuAsked me to scoop it up and embrace it
Female
Aadi perukku aiyaa un nenappuOh sir, thoughts of you swell like the Aadi floods
Aaraadha kadhakadhappuAn unquenchable warmth
Aarumo manam thaerumoWill my heart cool down? Will it be comforted?
Idhu aaraatti un poruppuLulling and soothing it is your responsibility
Female
Chinna kanni manam pinju manamThe little maiden's heart is tender and innocent
Konji vandhu sirikkidhu enna idhu un rasippuIt fondles and laughs; what kind of delight is this of yours?
Naan kanavil kanda sugam palichaachuThe joy I saw in my dreams has come true
Adhu nejamunnu therinjaachuIt was realized to be the truth
Female
Aatthangaraiyil oru rasa chinna rasaA prince, a little prince on the riverbank
Vandhu kanna chimitti ninnuchuCame and stood winking his eyes
Konjam kaiya pudikka sollichuAsked me to hold his hand a little
Ennai katti anaikka sollichuAsked me to hug him tight
Male
Aasa manasu ammaadi pudhusuOh my, the longing heart is so new
Aalaana ilam vayasuThe blossoming youthful age
Female
Aadhu dhinam paadudhu niramIt dances and sings every day with vibrant colors
Vaadaadha pudhu sogusuAn unfading fresh elegance
Male
Muthu pallirukku muthazhagu sollirukkuThere are pearl-like teeth and sweet words of beauty
Mayakkudhu kattazhagu chiru vayasuThe sculpted charm of youth hypnotizes
Female
Nee mella mella punnagaiyilWhen you smile slowly and gently
Kanni manam porukkaadhaeThe maiden's heart cannot endure it
Chorus
Thandhaanat thaana thandhannaa naaRhythmic vocal musical folk refrain
Thandhannaa naaRhythmic vocal musical folk refrain
Thaanaa thaanaanat thandhannaa naaRhythmic vocal musical folk refrain
Thaanaa thaanaanat thandhannaa naaRhythmic vocal musical folk refrain

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic folk duet from the film 'Ore Mutham' explores the sweet, budding romance between two lovers by the riverbank. The song begins from the hero's perspective, metaphorically comparing his lover to a gentle rose on the riverbank who beckons him close and fills his mind with romantic restlessness. He expresses how her graceful steps and fragrant presence cause him to lose sleep and drown in her thoughts.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Aatthangaraiyil oru rosa chinna rosa

Compares the beloved lady to a delicate rose on a riverbank ('Aatthangaraiyil oru rosa').

Simile (Uvamai)

Oru vandaattam naan thavichaen

Compares the lover's yearning and restless state to that of a bee hovering around a flower ('Oru vandaattam').

Monaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Aadi perukku aiyaa un nenappu

Repetition of the initial 'Aa' sound across words in the line ('Aadi', 'Aaraadha').

Edupudhal / Emonai

Muthu pallirukku muthazhagu sollirukku

Use of 'Muthu' in compound imagery ('Muthu pallirukku muthazhagu sollirukku') creating internal rhyming.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan, 'Ore Mutham' (1980) features classic rural Tamil romantic imagery centered around the 'Aatthangarai' (riverbank), a staple setting in Sangam-inspired modern Tamil romantic literature.

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