Aathi Adi Aathi
From Elan Kandru · 1985
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, S. P. Shailaja
- Music director
- Gangai Amaran
- Details
- Elan Kandru1985
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara | Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara) |
| Female :Aa….. | Female: Aa... |
| Male :Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara | Male: Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara) |
| Female :Ayyayayo | Female: Oh my goodness! |
| Male | |
| Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara | Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara) |
| Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara | Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara) |
| Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara | Rhythmic beat syllables (Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara) |
| Female :Aiyyo | Female: Oh dear! |
| Male :Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara | Male: Rhythmic beat syllables (Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara) |
| Ennadiyammaa muzhikkira onum puriyalaiyaa | Why are you blinking so blankly, girl? Don't you understand anything? |
| Female | |
| Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara | Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara) |
| Male :Hae hae hae | Male: Hae hae hae |
| Female :Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara | Female: Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara) |
| Male | |
| Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara | Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara) |
| Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara | Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara) |
| Female :Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara | Female: Rhythmic beat syllables (Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara) |
| Male :Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara haei haei | Male: Rhythmic beat syllables (Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara haei haei) |
| Male | |
| Aaththi adi aaththi muzhiya paaradi | Oh my, look at those wide, startled eyes, girl! |
| Naan potta vidukathaikku padhila kooradi | Give me the answer to the riddle I posed! |
| Pattanaththula kuttingalukku vaayi neelamthaan | City girls sure talk too much and act bold! |
| Female | |
| Aaththi adi aaththi muzhiya paaradi | Oh my, look at those wide, startled eyes, girl! |
| Male :Naan potta vidukathaikku padhila kooradi…. | Male: Give me the answer to the riddle I posed... |
| Hae hae hehhae | Hae hae hehhae |
| Chorus | |
| …………….. | ... |
| Male :Hae hae | Male: Hae hae |
| Chorus :…………….. | Chorus: ... |
| Male :Aha haan | Male: Aha haan |
| Chorus :…………….. | Chorus: ... |
| Male :Haei | Male: Haei |
| Chorus :…………….. | Chorus: ... |
| Male :Kurr | Male: Kurr |
| Chorus :…………….. | Chorus: ... |
| Female | |
| Maadu kannu maeikaiyilae | While grazing cattle and calves, |
| Maappillaikku thimir edharkku | Why does the young man carry so much pride and arrogance? |
| Chorus :Maadu kannu maeikaiyilae | Chorus: While grazing cattle and calves, |
| Maappillaikku thimir edharkku | Why does the young man carry so much pride and arrogance? |
| Female | |
| Mangaiyara paarththaa aaththaa | When seeing young maidens, oh mother, |
| Mayangurathu vaeraedhukku | Why else does he faint in attraction? |
| Jaadaiyilae yaedho solli | Hinting something subtly with gestures, |
| Vaera vazhi porathukku | Only to walk away in a different direction! |
| Male | |
| Paruva kodiyae….ae….ae….ae….ae…ae..ae | Oh delicate creeper of youth... |
| Orasikittu ninnaak kooda | Even if you stand brushing against me, |
| Sabalapada naanillai | I am not one to fall for temptation! |
| Female :Sarasa kalaiya arinjavanadi | Female: He is one who understands the refined art of love, |
| Thappaana paarvai paarkka velanillai | This hero has no intention of casting inappropriate glances! |
| Male | |
| Aaththi adi aaththi muzhiya paaradi | Oh my, look at those wide, startled eyes, girl! |
| Female :Haei | Female: Haei |
| Male :Naan potta vidukathaikku padhila kooradi | Male: Give me the answer to the riddle I posed! |
| Yaei yaei emmaa emmaa…. | Hey hey girl, oh girl... |
| Male | |
| Velanja kani vaeli vittu | If a ripe fruit hangs outside the fence boundary, |
| Velipuraththil irunthuthunnaa | Exposed right in the open, |
| Velanja kani vaeli vittu | If a ripe fruit hangs outside the fence boundary, |
| Velipuraththil irunthuthunna | Exposed right in the open, |
| Female | |
| Parichchu thinna yaengum ulagam | The whole world will yearn to pluck and eat it, |
| Adhula varum dhinam kalagam | Leading to daily disputes over it! |
| Male :Paruva manam thaviyaa thavikkum | Male: A youthful heart will throb with yearning, |
| Paramanukku aasai varum | Even the Supreme God would feel desire! |
| Female | |
| Arivu kalanjiyamae….ae…ae….aehae ae | Oh storehouse of wisdom... |
| Avasaraththil porantha pulla | A child born in a hurry, |
| alaiyuthadi oorukullaae | Is wandering aimlessly around the village! |
| Avala nenachchu orala idikka | Thinking of her, why pound the mortar unnecessarily? |
| Ammaadi veeram vegam ennaththukku | Oh my, why show off such empty courage and speed? |
| Male | |
| Aaththi adi aaththi muzhiya paaradi | Oh my, look at those wide, startled eyes, girl! |
| Naan potta vidukathaikku padhila kooradi | Give me the answer to the riddle I posed! |
| Hae haei…. | Hae haei... |
| Chorus | |
| Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara | Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara) |
| Male :Aha ahhaan | Male: Aha ahhaan |
| Chorus :Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara | Chorus: Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara) |
| Male :Haei haei haei | Male: Haei haei haei |
| Chorus | |
| Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara | Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara) |
| Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara | Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara) |
| Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara | Rhythmic beat syllables (Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara) |
| Male and Chorus :Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara | Male and Chorus: Rhythmic beat syllables (Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara) |
ஆத்திப்பத்திர கோத்தரமல் லாத்தற கல்லேத்தர
ஆ....
நூத்திபத்திர கோத்தர வலபோத்தர மசால் ஏத்தர
அய்யயோ
Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara)
Female: Aa...
Male: Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara)
Female: Oh my goodness!
ஆத்திப்பத்திர கோத்தரமல் லாத்தற கல்லேத்தர
நூத்திபத்திர கோத்தர வலபோத்தர மசால் ஏத்தர
தத்தக்கா புத்தக்கா போத்தர
பெண் : அய்யோ
தத்தக்கா புத்தக்கா போத்தர
என்னடியம்மா முழிக்கிற ஒண்ணும் புரியலையா
Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara)
Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara)
Rhythmic beat syllables (Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara)
Female: Oh dear!
Male: Rhythmic beat syllables (Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara)
Why are you blinking so blankly, girl? Don't you understand anything?
ஆத்திப்பத்திர கோத்தரமல் லாத்தற கல்லேத்தர
ஹே ஹேஹே
நூத்திபத்திர கோத்தர வலபோத்தர மசால் ஏத்தர
Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara)
Male: Hae hae hae
Female: Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara)
ஆத்திப்பத்திர கோத்தரமல் லாத்தற கல்லேத்தர
நூத்திபத்திர கோத்தர வலபோத்தர மசால் ஏத்தர
தத்தக்கா புத்தக்கா போத்தர
தத்தக்கா புத்தக்கா போத்தர ஹேய் ஹேய்
Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara)
Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara)
Female: Rhythmic beat syllables (Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara)
Male: Rhythmic beat syllables (Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara haei haei)
ஆத்தி அடி ஆத்தி முழியப் பாரடி
நான் போட்ட விடுகதைக்கு பதில கூறடி
பட்டணத்துல குட்டிங்களுக்கு வாயி நீளம்தான்
Oh my, look at those wide, startled eyes, girl!
Give me the answer to the riddle I posed!
City girls sure talk too much and act bold!
ஆத்தி அடி ஆத்தி முழியப் பாரடி
நான் போட்ட விடுகதைக்கு பதில கூறடி.....
ஹே ஹே ஹெஹ்ஹே
Oh my, look at those wide, startled eyes, girl!
Male: Give me the answer to the riddle I posed...
Hae hae hehhae
....................
ஹே ஹே
குழு :
....................
அஹ ஹான்
குழு :
....................
ஹேய்
குழு :
....................
குர்ர்
குழு :
....................
...
Male: Hae hae
Chorus: ...
Male: Aha haan
Chorus: ...
Male: Haei
Chorus: ...
Male: Kurr
Chorus: ...
மாடு கன்னு மேய்க்கையிலே
மாப்பிள்ளைக்கு திமிர் எதற்கு
குழு :
மாடு கன்னு மேய்க்கையிலே
மாப்பிள்ளைக்கு திமிர் எதற்கு
While grazing cattle and calves,
Why does the young man carry so much pride and arrogance?
Chorus: While grazing cattle and calves,
Why does the young man carry so much pride and arrogance?
மங்கையர பார்த்தா ஆத்தா
மயங்குறது வேறெதுக்கு
ஜாடையிலே ஏதோ சொல்லி
வேற வழி போறதுக்கு.....
When seeing young maidens, oh mother,
Why else does he faint in attraction?
Hinting something subtly with gestures,
Only to walk away in a different direction!
பருவக் கொடியே.....ஏ.....ஏ.....ஏ.... ஏ ஏ
ஒரசிக்கிட்டு நின்னாக் கூட
சபலபட நானில்லை
சரஸக் கலைய அறிஞ்சவனடி
தப்பான பார்வை பார்க்க வேலனில்லை
Oh delicate creeper of youth...
Even if you stand brushing against me,
I am not one to fall for temptation!
Female: He is one who understands the refined art of love,
This hero has no intention of casting inappropriate glances!
ஆத்தி அடி ஆத்தி முழியப் பாரடி ஹே
ஹேய்
நான் போட்ட விடுகதைக்கு பதில கூறடி
ஏய் ஏய் எம்மா எம்மா....
Oh my, look at those wide, startled eyes, girl!
Female: Haei
Male: Give me the answer to the riddle I posed!
Hey hey girl, oh girl...
வெளஞ்ச கனி வேலி விட்டு
வெளிப்புறத்தில் இருந்துதுன்னா
வெளஞ்ச கனி வேலி விட்டு
வெளிப்புறத்தில் இருந்துதுன்னா
If a ripe fruit hangs outside the fence boundary,
Exposed right in the open,
If a ripe fruit hangs outside the fence boundary,
Exposed right in the open,
பறிச்சு தின்ன ஏங்கும் உலகம்
அதுல வரும் தினம் கலகம்
பருவ மனம் தவியா தவிக்கும்
பரமனுக்கு ஆசை வரும்...
The whole world will yearn to pluck and eat it,
Leading to daily disputes over it!
Male: A youthful heart will throb with yearning,
Even the Supreme God would feel desire!
அறிவு களஞ்சியமே..ஏ.....ஏ.... ஏஹே ஏ
அவசரத்தில் பொறந்த புள்ள
அலையுதடி ஊருக்குள்ளே
அவள நெனச்சு ஒரல இடிக்க
அம்மாடி வீரம் வேகம் என்னத்துக்கு
Oh storehouse of wisdom...
A child born in a hurry,
Is wandering aimlessly around the village!
Thinking of her, why pound the mortar unnecessarily?
Oh my, why show off such empty courage and speed?
ஆத்தி அடி ஆத்தி முழியப் பாரடி
நான் போட்ட விடுகதைக்கு பதில கூறடி
ஹே ஹேய்....
Oh my, look at those wide, startled eyes, girl!
Give me the answer to the riddle I posed!
Hae haei...
ஆத்திப்பத்திர கோத்தரமல் லாத்தற கல்லேத்தர
அஹ அஹஹான்
குழு :
நூத்திபத்திர கோத்தர வலபோத்தர மசால் ஏத்தர
ஹேய் ஹேய் ஹேய்
Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara)
Male: Aha ahhaan
Chorus: Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara)
Male: Haei haei haei
ஆத்திப்பத்திர கோத்தரமல் லாத்தற கல்லேத்தர
நூத்திபத்திர கோத்தர வலபோத்தர மசால் ஏத்தர
தத்தக்கா புத்தக்கா போத்தர
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
தத்தக்கா புத்தக்கா போத்தர
Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara)
Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara)
Rhythmic beat syllables (Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara)
Male and Chorus: Rhythmic beat syllables (Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara)
Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara
Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara)
Female :Aa…..
Female: Aa...
Male :Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara
Male: Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara)
Female :Ayyayayo
Female: Oh my goodness!
Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara
Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara)
Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara
Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara)
Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara
Rhythmic beat syllables (Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara)
Female :Aiyyo
Female: Oh dear!
Male :Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara
Male: Rhythmic beat syllables (Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara)
Ennadiyammaa muzhikkira onum puriyalaiyaa
Why are you blinking so blankly, girl? Don't you understand anything?
Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara
Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara)
Male :Hae hae hae
Male: Hae hae hae
Female :Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara
Female: Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara)
Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara
Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara)
Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara
Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara)
Female :Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara
Female: Rhythmic beat syllables (Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara)
Male :Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara haei haei
Male: Rhythmic beat syllables (Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara haei haei)
Aaththi adi aaththi muzhiya paaradi
Oh my, look at those wide, startled eyes, girl!
Naan potta vidukathaikku padhila kooradi
Give me the answer to the riddle I posed!
Pattanaththula kuttingalukku vaayi neelamthaan
City girls sure talk too much and act bold!
Aaththi adi aaththi muzhiya paaradi
Oh my, look at those wide, startled eyes, girl!
Male :Naan potta vidukathaikku padhila kooradi….
Male: Give me the answer to the riddle I posed...
Hae hae hehhae
Hae hae hehhae
……………..
...
Male :Hae hae
Male: Hae hae
Chorus :……………..
Chorus: ...
Male :Aha haan
Male: Aha haan
Chorus :……………..
Chorus: ...
Male :Haei
Male: Haei
Chorus :……………..
Chorus: ...
Male :Kurr
Male: Kurr
Chorus :……………..
Chorus: ...
Maadu kannu maeikaiyilae
While grazing cattle and calves,
Maappillaikku thimir edharkku
Why does the young man carry so much pride and arrogance?
Chorus :Maadu kannu maeikaiyilae
Chorus: While grazing cattle and calves,
Maappillaikku thimir edharkku
Why does the young man carry so much pride and arrogance?
Mangaiyara paarththaa aaththaa
When seeing young maidens, oh mother,
Mayangurathu vaeraedhukku
Why else does he faint in attraction?
Jaadaiyilae yaedho solli
Hinting something subtly with gestures,
Vaera vazhi porathukku
Only to walk away in a different direction!
Paruva kodiyae….ae….ae….ae….ae…ae..ae
Oh delicate creeper of youth...
Orasikittu ninnaak kooda
Even if you stand brushing against me,
Sabalapada naanillai
I am not one to fall for temptation!
Female :Sarasa kalaiya arinjavanadi
Female: He is one who understands the refined art of love,
Thappaana paarvai paarkka velanillai
This hero has no intention of casting inappropriate glances!
Aaththi adi aaththi muzhiya paaradi
Oh my, look at those wide, startled eyes, girl!
Female :Haei
Female: Haei
Male :Naan potta vidukathaikku padhila kooradi
Male: Give me the answer to the riddle I posed!
Yaei yaei emmaa emmaa….
Hey hey girl, oh girl...
Velanja kani vaeli vittu
If a ripe fruit hangs outside the fence boundary,
Velipuraththil irunthuthunnaa
Exposed right in the open,
Velanja kani vaeli vittu
If a ripe fruit hangs outside the fence boundary,
Velipuraththil irunthuthunna
Exposed right in the open,
Parichchu thinna yaengum ulagam
The whole world will yearn to pluck and eat it,
Adhula varum dhinam kalagam
Leading to daily disputes over it!
Male :Paruva manam thaviyaa thavikkum
Male: A youthful heart will throb with yearning,
Paramanukku aasai varum
Even the Supreme God would feel desire!
Arivu kalanjiyamae….ae…ae….aehae ae
Oh storehouse of wisdom...
Avasaraththil porantha pulla
A child born in a hurry,
alaiyuthadi oorukullaae
Is wandering aimlessly around the village!
Avala nenachchu orala idikka
Thinking of her, why pound the mortar unnecessarily?
Ammaadi veeram vegam ennaththukku
Oh my, why show off such empty courage and speed?
Aaththi adi aaththi muzhiya paaradi
Oh my, look at those wide, startled eyes, girl!
Naan potta vidukathaikku padhila kooradi
Give me the answer to the riddle I posed!
Hae haei….
Hae haei...
Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara
Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara)
Male :Aha ahhaan
Male: Aha ahhaan
Chorus :Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara
Chorus: Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara)
Male :Haei haei haei
Male: Haei haei haei
Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara
Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Aaththipaththira koththaramal laaththara kallaeththara)
Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara
Folk rhythmic gibberish chant (Nooththipaththira koththara valapoththara masaal yaethara)
Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara
Rhythmic beat syllables (Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara)
Male and Chorus :Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara
Male and Chorus: Rhythmic beat syllables (Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This playful folk song from the 1985 film 'Elan Kandru' features a lively exchange of riddles, banter, and teasing between a village hero and a young woman. The lyricist Gangai Amaran uses energetic folk rhythms, rhythmic scatting ('Thaththakkaa puththakkaa'), and fast-paced riming phrases to set up a cheerful competitive duet. The male lead teases the city-educated girl about her empty pride and challenges her with playful riddles, while the female lead responds by defending the hero's romantic discipline. Through metaphors of ripe fruit hanging beyond fences and youthfulness, the song humorously explores youthful attraction, village culture, and lighthearted flirtation.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Aaththipaththira koththaramal... / Nooththipaththira koththara...”
The second consonant 'th' (த்) matches across alternating beat phrases like 'Aaththipaththira' and 'Nooththipaththira'.
Monaai (Alliteration / First-letter Rhyme)
“Velanja kani vaeli vittu / Velipuraththil irunthuthunnaa”
Repetition of the initial letter 'Va' across 'Velanja', 'Vaeli', and 'Velipuraththil'.
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Velanja kani vaeli vittu / Velipuraththil irunthuthunnaa”
Comparing a young woman's exposed beauty to a ripe fruit hanging past a fence ('Velanja kani vaeli vittu').
Onomatopoeia (Sandham / Rhythm Words)
“Thaththakkaa puththakkaa poththara”
Use of folk rhythmic beat syllables like 'Thaththakkaa puththakkaa' to mimic percussive rhythms.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Elan Kandru' (1985) is an obscure Tamil rural film featuring music and lyrics by Gangai Amaran, who frequently incorporated traditional Tamil village folk riddles and rhythmic tongue-twisters into his compositions.
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