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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aathi Aathi

From Vetri · 1984

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
S. N. Surendar
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Vetri1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aaththi aaththi raasaththiyaeOh my queen, oh goodness!
Engae porae yaemaththiyaeWhere are you going, fooling me?
Madurai veeran kanni idhuThis is the virgin girl of Madurai Veeran
Vaigai aaththu thanni idhuThis is the pure water of the Vaigai river
Male
Paruppu ingae vegaathadiYour tricks will not work here
Pasappu velai aagaathadiFlattery and deceit will not work here
Udhattai yaen adikkadi kadikkiraeWhy do you keep biting your lips so often?
Mogaththilae mullaiyaen vedhaikkiraeWhy do you sow thorns on your face of desire?
Male
Aaththi aaththi……Oh my goodness, oh my goodness...
Aaththi aaththi raasaththiyaeOh my queen, oh goodness!
Engae porae yaemaththiyaeWhere are you going, fooling me?
Madurai veeran kanni idhuThis is the virgin girl of Madurai Veeran
Vaigai aaththu thanni idhuThis is the pure water of the Vaigai river
Male
Nammooru then marutha en chellakuttiMy sweet darling from our southern Madurai city
Neethaandi naattiya kuruthaYou are indeed a tender dancing sprout
Haei thullatha vaa arugae nee sammathichaaHey, do not jump around, come close if you agree
Tholodu maalaiyai tharuvaenI will place a garland across your shoulders
Male
Yaei chinna sambaa naaththuHey small Samba rice seedling
Un saettaiyellaam maaththuChange all your mischievous antics
Kaamadevan kooththuThe playful dance of Lord Kama
Naan kaatta poraen paaththuI am going to show you, just watch
Adi sundhari kodi munthiriOh beautiful girl, sweet trailing vine
Idhu ennadi vetkkam….What is this shy hesitation?
Male
Aaththi aaththi……Oh my goodness, oh my goodness...
Aaththi aaththi raasaththiyaeOh my queen, oh goodness!
Engae porae yaemaththiyaeWhere are you going, fooling me?
Madurai veeran kanni idhuThis is the virgin girl of Madurai Veeran
Vaigai aaththu thanni idhuThis is the pure water of the Vaigai river
Male
Hae haa ahaaHey ha ha
Kannaatti kai pudichche poopanthidaHolding hands affectionately to play flower ball
Kannaala naalu ippa kurippenWith my eyes I shall mark four auspicious points now
Paavaada poopparippaen en nenjinikkaI will pick flowers from your skirt to sweeten my heart
Panneerai naan alli thelippaenI will splash handfuls of rosewater
Male
Maerkku maasi veedhi veedhiyengum jothiLight radiating everywhere along West Masi Street
Thaali kattum thedhiThe date for tying the sacred thread of marriage
Solla poraen saethiI am going to deliver the good news
Navaaraththiri pala raaththiri sivaraaththiri yammoiNavaratri, many nights, Sivaratri, oh my!
Male
Aaththi aaththi……Oh my goodness, oh my goodness...
Aaththi aaththi raasaththiyaeOh my queen, oh goodness!
Engae porae yaemaththiyaeWhere are you going, fooling me?
Madurai veeran kanni idhuThis is the virgin girl of Madurai Veeran
Vaigai aaththu thanni idhuThis is the pure water of the Vaigai river
Male
Aalaana penmayilae en kitta vanthuIn your fully blossomed womanhood, come near me
Aadendi nee konjam oyilaeDance a little with grace and elegance
Thanjavur nel vayalaeOh fertile paddy field of Thanjavur
Un nenjilittu thaalaattu paadeandi kuyilaePlace me on your chest and sing a lullaby, my cuckoo
Male
Orakkannil paaththaaWhen you looked with side-glances
Naan oththukittaen aaththaaI agreed and accepted it, my dear
Nenjil ennai saerththaaIf you embrace me close to your heart
En thaagamellaam theerththaaAll my thirst will be quenched
Soodearuthu suruthu yaeruthu thadumaaruthu vaadiThe warmth is rising, intoxication is mounting, stumbles occur, come on girl
Male
Aaththi aaththi……Oh my goodness, oh my goodness...
Aaththi aaththi raasaththiyaeOh my queen, oh goodness!
Engae porae yaemaththiyaeWhere are you going, fooling me?
Madurai veeran kanni idhuThis is the virgin girl of Madurai Veeran
Vaigai aaththu thanni idhuThis is the pure water of the Vaigai river
Male
Paruppu ingae vegaathadiYour tricks will not work here
Pasappu velai aagaathadiFlattery and deceit will not work here
Udhattai yaen adikkadi kadikkiraeWhy do you keep biting your lips so often?
Mogaththilae mullaiyaen vedhaikkiraeWhy do you sow thorns on your face of desire?
Male
………………….....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Aaththi Aaththi Raasaththiyae from the movie Vetri (1984) is a lively, folk-infused romantic duet where the protagonist playfully teases and woos his beloved. Using vibrant imagery rooted in Tamil culture—referencing the Vaigai river, Madurai's West Masi Street, and fertile Thanjavur fields—he expresses his fascination with her beauty and charm while looking forward to their grand wedding.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

Paruppu ingae vegaathadi / Pasappu velai aagaathadi

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'Pa' in consecutive lines 'Paruppu ingae' and 'Pasappu velai'.

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Yaei chinna sambaa naaththu

The lover compares the heroine to 'chinna sambaa naaththu' (a delicate Samba rice seedling) and 'Thanjavur nel vayalae' (fertile Thanjavur paddy fields).

Idiom (Marabuthodar)

Paruppu ingae vegaathadi

'Paruppu ingae vegaathadi' is a popular Tamil idiom literally translating to 'lentils will not cook here', used metaphorically to state 'your tricks will not work on me'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Vetri (1984) is an action drama directed by R. Krishnamoorthy starring Vijayakanth and Vitha. The song features traditional Madurai and agricultural folk metaphors composed by Shankar-Ganesh with lyrics written by Pulamaipithan.

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