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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aathankarai Kaathukku

From Kuzhanthai Ullam · 1969

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
S. P. Kothandapani
Details
Kuzhanthai Ullam1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Hoo oo oo oooHoo oo oo ooo
Female
Aathangarai kaathukku vayasuThe breeze on the riverbank has grown mature
Adi poduthu ilavattam manasuMy youthful heart beats to a new rhythm
Pazhamattam amarudhu vanduThe bee settles upon the fruit-laden branch
Pallakku poochenduA palanquin of flower bouquet
Pazhamattam amarudhu vanduThe bee settles upon the fruit-laden branch
Pallakku poochenduA palanquin of flower bouquet
Female
Aathangarai kaathukku vayasuThe breeze on the riverbank has grown mature
Adi poduthu ilavattam manasuMy youthful heart beats to a new rhythm
Pazhamattam amarudhu vanduThe bee settles upon the fruit-laden branch
Pallakku poochenduA palanquin of flower bouquet
Pazhamattam amarudhu vanduThe bee settles upon the fruit-laden branch
Pallakku poochenduA palanquin of flower bouquet
Female
Kodu potta paavadaiA striped skirt
Kolam podum melaadaiA decorative upper garment fluttering like a pattern
Jodi pottu pennai mellaPairing up, gently touching the girl
Thottu sellum poovaadai..The fragrant flower-laden breeze passes by..
Lalalaaa…hooooLalalaaa…hoooo
Kodu potta paavadaiA striped skirt
Kolam podum melaadaiA decorative upper garment fluttering like a pattern
Jodi pottu pennai mellaPairing up, gently touching the girl
Thottu sellum poovaadai..The fragrant flower-laden breeze passes by..
Female
Adi amma ullam sirisuOh dear, the heart is small
Aanaalum ennam perisuYet the thoughts and desires are big
Ariyaadha paruvathinaalaeBecause of this innocent stage of youth
Athanaiyum putham pudhusuEverything feels brand new
Female
Aathangarai kaathukku vayasuThe breeze on the riverbank has grown mature
Adi poduthu ilavattam manasuMy youthful heart beats to a new rhythm
Pazhamattam amarudhu vanduThe bee settles upon the fruit-laden branch
Pallakku poochendu ooo oooA palanquin of flower bouquet ooo ooo
Pazhamattam amarudhu vanduThe bee settles upon the fruit-laden branch
Pallakku poochendu ooo oooA palanquin of flower bouquet ooo ooo
Female
Humming…(Humming)
Female
Thaenattam malligai mottuLike sweet honey is the jasmine bud
Meenattam kunguma pottuLike a fish is the vermilion dot on the forehead
Neerottam kaalgalil pattuFlowing like water, touching her feet
Thaerattam aadudhu sittuThe little sparrow prances like a temple chariot
Female
Munnu pinnum valaiyudhu naanalThe reed bends forward and backward
Muthamittu paadudhu paadalKissing and singing a song
Kanni pennai thazhuvudhu naanamShyness embraces the young maiden
Kaalam thaan badhil solla venumTime alone must give the answer
Female
Aathangarai kaathukku vayasuThe breeze on the riverbank has grown mature
Adi poduthu ilavattam manasuMy youthful heart beats to a new rhythm
Pazhamattam amarudhu vanduThe bee settles upon the fruit-laden branch
Pallakku poochenduA palanquin of flower bouquet
Pazhamattam amarudhu vanduThe bee settles upon the fruit-laden branch
Pallakku poochenduA palanquin of flower bouquet
Female
Moongilodu kaatradaThe wind plays with the bamboo
Munnum pinnum ilaiyaadaLeaves sway back and forth
Thaengi nirkkum pani thuliyoduWith the resting dewdrop
Chinna ponnu vizhiyaadaThe young girl's eyes sparkle and dance
Female
Sidharattam aadudhu kaaduThe forest plays its playful games
Thaalam pottu odudhu aaruThe river runs beating a rhythmic time
Sidharattam aadudhu kaaduThe forest plays its playful games
Thaalam pottu odudhu aaruThe river runs beating a rhythmic time
Saayangaala neram sollumThe evening time narrates
Sangadhigal nooruA hundred stories and tidings
Female
Aathangarai kaathukku vayasuThe breeze on the riverbank has grown mature
Adi poduthu ilavattam manasuMy youthful heart beats to a new rhythm
Pazhamattam amarudhu vanduThe bee settles upon the fruit-laden branch
Pallakku poochenduA palanquin of flower bouquet
Pazhamattam amarudhu vanduThe bee settles upon the fruit-laden branch
Pallakku poochenduA palanquin of flower bouquet
Pazhamatta amarudhu vanduThe bee settles upon the fruit-laden branch
Pallakku poochenduA palanquin of flower bouquet

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Aathangarai Kaathukku Vayasu is a classic Tamil song celebrating youthfulness, nature, and the subtle awakening of maidenly feelings. Through poetic metaphors involving river breezes, blooming flowers, buzzing bees, and dancing bamboos, lyricist Kannadasan captures the innocent excitement of youth transition. The song vividly intertwines human emotion with the living rhythms of nature.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Thaenattam malligai mottu / Meenattam kunguma pottu

The suffix '-attam' is used repeatedly to construct vivid similes comparing nature to beauty and grace.

Personification (Tharkurippetta Ani)

Sidharattam aadudhu kaadu / Thaalam pottu odudhu aaru

Natural elements like the river beating rhythm and the forest playing games are given human actions.

Alliteration (Monai)

Aathangarai kaathukku vayasu / Adi poduthu ilavattam manasu

Repetition of initial letters creating melodic rhythm in Tamil poetry.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the 1969 film Kuzhanthai Ullam directed by Savitri, this song remains an iconic classic composed by S. P. Kothandapani and rendered by P. Susheela.

Keep listening

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