Aathora Aalamaram
From Tamizh Ponnu · 1992
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- K. J. Jesudass
- Music director
- Deva
- Details
- Tamizh Ponnu1992
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aaththora aalamaram kaaththoda saayuthamma | The banyan tree by the riverbank sways with the wind, oh dear |
| Aaththora aalamaram kaaththoda saayuthamma | The banyan tree by the riverbank sways with the wind, oh dear |
| Koodu kattum kiligal rendu | Two parrots building a nest together |
| Vedhanaiyil vaaduthammaa…. | Are suffering in deep pain, oh dear... |
| Male | |
| Aaththora aalamaram….. | The banyan tree by the riverbank... |
| Male | |
| Uravaadum kiliyae kiliyae | Oh beloved parrot, my dear parrot |
| Unakkaaga paadal ondru | A song written especially for you |
| Uyirodu uyiraai kalanthu karaigindrathae | Blends life with life and dissolves into eternity |
| Thoongaatha kangal rendu thaalaattu kettathu | Two sleepless eyes listened to a soothing lullaby |
| Bhoopaalam padum kiliyo siraiyaanathae | The parrot that sings morning ragas has become imprisoned |
| Male | |
| Manam veru seyal veru idhuthanae thagaraaru | The mind wants one thing, action is another; this indeed is the conflict |
| Manam veru seyal veru idhuthaanae thagaraaru | The mind wants one thing, action is another; this indeed is the conflict |
| Kanneer kadhaiyaa penn konda varalaaru | Is a woman's history merely a story written in tears? |
| Male | |
| Aaththora aalamaram kaaththoda saayuthamma | The banyan tree by the riverbank sways with the wind, oh dear |
| Aaththora aalamaram kaaththoda saayuthamma | The banyan tree by the riverbank sways with the wind, oh dear |
| Koodu kattum kiligal rendu | Two parrots building a nest together |
| Vedhanaiyil vaaduthammaa…. | Are suffering in deep pain, oh dear... |
| Male | |
| Aaththora aalamaram….. | The banyan tree by the riverbank... |
| Male | |
| Katti kaaththa sudalai kattavizhththu pogaiyilae | When the well-guarded pyre unties its knot and burns away |
| Kandum kaanaa irunthaa pendu pillaigal | The women and children stood pretending not to see |
| Marugi marugi nirkaiyilae | While standing there in deep sorrow and turmoil |
| Enjaami sudalaiyaandi malaiyaera paakkuraandi | My lord, the deity of the cremation grounds, is preparing to ascend the mountain |
| Saathi sanam aththanaiyum kann kalangi nikkuthadi | All the kith and kin stand with tear-filled eyes |
| Male | |
| Ival konda thaaliyai thangai saripaathi ketpathaa | Does a younger sister ask for half of the sacred thread this woman wears? |
| Ival veettu paayil vanthu idam ketpathaa | Does she come and demand space on the mat in this woman's house? |
| Maaraatha unmaigal kooda mounangal aavathaa | Do even unalterable truths turn into silent echoes? |
| Aaraatha kaayaththil vanthu anal veezhvathaa | Does fire fall upon an unhealing wound? |
| Male | |
| Vilakellam anainthaalum vidiyaamal pogaathu | Even if all the lamps go out, dawn will still arrive |
| Vilakellam anainthaalum vidiyaamal pogaathu | Even if all the lamps go out, dawn will still arise |
| Vidiyal vanthaal keezh vaanam thoongaathu | When dawn arrives, the eastern sky shall sleep no more |
| Male | |
| Aaththora aalamaram kaaththoda saayuthamma | The banyan tree by the riverbank sways with the wind, oh dear |
| Aaththora aalamaram kaaththoda saayuthamma | The banyan tree by the riverbank sways with the wind, oh dear |
| Koodu kattum kiligal rendu | Two parrots building a nest together |
| Vedhanaiyil vaaduthammaa…. | Are suffering in deep pain, oh dear... |
| Male | |
| Aaththora aalamaram….. | The banyan tree by the riverbank... |
ஆத்தோர ஆலமரம் காத்தோட சாயுதம்மா
ஆத்தோர ஆலமரம் காத்தோட சாயுதம்மா
கூடு கட்டும் கிளிகள் ரெண்டு
வேதனையில் வாடுதம்மா.....
The banyan tree by the riverbank sways with the wind, oh dear
The banyan tree by the riverbank sways with the wind, oh dear
Two parrots building a nest together
Are suffering in deep pain, oh dear...
ஆத்தோர ஆலமரம்......
The banyan tree by the riverbank...
உறவாடும் கிளியே கிளியே
உனக்காக பாடல் ஒன்று
உயிரோடு உயிராய் கலந்து கரைகின்றதே
தூங்காத கண்கள் ரெண்டு தாலாட்டு கேட்டது
பூபாளம் பாடும் கிளியோ சிறையானதே
Oh beloved parrot, my dear parrot
A song written especially for you
Blends life with life and dissolves into eternity
Two sleepless eyes listened to a soothing lullaby
The parrot that sings morning ragas has become imprisoned
மனம் வேறு செயல் வேறு இதுதானே தகராறு
மனம் வேறு செயல் வேறு இதுதானே தகராறு
கண்ணீர் கதையா பெண் கொண்ட வரலாறு
The mind wants one thing, action is another; this indeed is the conflict
The mind wants one thing, action is another; this indeed is the conflict
Is a woman's history merely a story written in tears?
ஆத்தோர ஆலமரம் காத்தோட சாயுதம்மா
ஆத்தோர ஆலமரம் காத்தோட சாயுதம்மா
கூடு கட்டும் கிளிகள் ரெண்டு
வேதனையில் வாடுதம்மா..
The banyan tree by the riverbank sways with the wind, oh dear
The banyan tree by the riverbank sways with the wind, oh dear
Two parrots building a nest together
Are suffering in deep pain, oh dear...
ஆத்தோர ஆலமரம்......
The banyan tree by the riverbank...
கட்டிக் காத்த சுடலை கட்டவிழ்த்து போகையிலே
கண்டும் காணா இருந்த பெண்டு பிள்ளைகள்
மருகி மருகி நிற்கையிலே...
எஞ்சாமி சுடலையாண்டி மலையேற பாக்குறான்டி
சாதி சனம் அத்தனையும் கண் கலங்கி நிக்குதடி
When the well-guarded pyre unties its knot and burns away
The women and children stood pretending not to see
While standing there in deep sorrow and turmoil
My lord, the deity of the cremation grounds, is preparing to ascend the mountain
All the kith and kin stand with tear-filled eyes
இவள் கொண்ட தாலியை தங்கை சரிபாதி கேட்பதா
இவள் வீட்டு பாயில் வந்து இடம் கேட்பதா
மாறாத உண்மைகள் கூட மௌனங்கள் ஆவதா
ஆறாத காயத்தில் வந்து அனல் வீழ்வதா
Does a younger sister ask for half of the sacred thread this woman wears?
Does she come and demand space on the mat in this woman's house?
Do even unalterable truths turn into silent echoes?
Does fire fall upon an unhealing wound?
விளக்கெல்லாம் அணைந்தாலும் விடியாமல் போகாது
விளக்கெல்லாம் அணைந்தாலும் விடியாமல் போகாது
விடியல் வந்தால் கீழ்வானம் தூங்காது
Even if all the lamps go out, dawn will still arrive
Even if all the lamps go out, dawn will still arise
When dawn arrives, the eastern sky shall sleep no more
ஆத்தோர ஆலமரம் காத்தோட சாயுதம்மா
ஆத்தோர ஆலமரம் காத்தோட சாயுதம்மா
கூடு கட்டும் கிளிகள் ரெண்டு
வேதனையில் வாடுதம்மா....
The banyan tree by the riverbank sways with the wind, oh dear
The banyan tree by the riverbank sways with the wind, oh dear
Two parrots building a nest together
Are suffering in deep pain, oh dear...
ஆத்தோர ஆலமரம்......
The banyan tree by the riverbank...
Aaththora aalamaram kaaththoda saayuthamma
The banyan tree by the riverbank sways with the wind, oh dear
Aaththora aalamaram kaaththoda saayuthamma
The banyan tree by the riverbank sways with the wind, oh dear
Koodu kattum kiligal rendu
Two parrots building a nest together
Vedhanaiyil vaaduthammaa….
Are suffering in deep pain, oh dear...
Aaththora aalamaram…..
The banyan tree by the riverbank...
Uravaadum kiliyae kiliyae
Oh beloved parrot, my dear parrot
Unakkaaga paadal ondru
A song written especially for you
Uyirodu uyiraai kalanthu karaigindrathae
Blends life with life and dissolves into eternity
Thoongaatha kangal rendu thaalaattu kettathu
Two sleepless eyes listened to a soothing lullaby
Bhoopaalam padum kiliyo siraiyaanathae
The parrot that sings morning ragas has become imprisoned
Manam veru seyal veru idhuthanae thagaraaru
The mind wants one thing, action is another; this indeed is the conflict
Manam veru seyal veru idhuthaanae thagaraaru
The mind wants one thing, action is another; this indeed is the conflict
Kanneer kadhaiyaa penn konda varalaaru
Is a woman's history merely a story written in tears?
Aaththora aalamaram kaaththoda saayuthamma
The banyan tree by the riverbank sways with the wind, oh dear
Aaththora aalamaram kaaththoda saayuthamma
The banyan tree by the riverbank sways with the wind, oh dear
Koodu kattum kiligal rendu
Two parrots building a nest together
Vedhanaiyil vaaduthammaa….
Are suffering in deep pain, oh dear...
Aaththora aalamaram…..
The banyan tree by the riverbank...
Katti kaaththa sudalai kattavizhththu pogaiyilae
When the well-guarded pyre unties its knot and burns away
Kandum kaanaa irunthaa pendu pillaigal
The women and children stood pretending not to see
Marugi marugi nirkaiyilae
While standing there in deep sorrow and turmoil
Enjaami sudalaiyaandi malaiyaera paakkuraandi
My lord, the deity of the cremation grounds, is preparing to ascend the mountain
Saathi sanam aththanaiyum kann kalangi nikkuthadi
All the kith and kin stand with tear-filled eyes
Ival konda thaaliyai thangai saripaathi ketpathaa
Does a younger sister ask for half of the sacred thread this woman wears?
Ival veettu paayil vanthu idam ketpathaa
Does she come and demand space on the mat in this woman's house?
Maaraatha unmaigal kooda mounangal aavathaa
Do even unalterable truths turn into silent echoes?
Aaraatha kaayaththil vanthu anal veezhvathaa
Does fire fall upon an unhealing wound?
Vilakellam anainthaalum vidiyaamal pogaathu
Even if all the lamps go out, dawn will still arrive
Vilakellam anainthaalum vidiyaamal pogaathu
Even if all the lamps go out, dawn will still arise
Vidiyal vanthaal keezh vaanam thoongaathu
When dawn arrives, the eastern sky shall sleep no more
Aaththora aalamaram kaaththoda saayuthamma
The banyan tree by the riverbank sways with the wind, oh dear
Aaththora aalamaram kaaththoda saayuthamma
The banyan tree by the riverbank sways with the wind, oh dear
Koodu kattum kiligal rendu
Two parrots building a nest together
Vedhanaiyil vaaduthammaa….
Are suffering in deep pain, oh dear...
Aaththora aalamaram…..
The banyan tree by the riverbank...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This poignant folk-style song uses traditional Tamil metaphors to depict deep emotional suffering, societal injustice, and family conflicts. The banyan tree and the two nest-building parrots represent a couple whose life together is shattered by harsh societal and familial realities. The lyricist Vairamuthu questions the tragic destiny of women, highlighting how societal pressures, conflicts over rights within families, and tragic circumstances force women to endure unbearable pain silently. Despite the overwhelming grief and darkness expressed throughout the verses—symbolized by lit pyres, unhealing wounds, and imprisoned songbirds—the song concludes with a resilient message of hope. The lyricist asserts that no matter how many lamps are extinguished, dawn is inevitable, suggesting that truth and relief will eventually break through the darkest night.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamaani / Metaphor
“Koodu kattum kiligal rendu Vedhanaiyil vaaduthammaa….”
The 'two parrots building a nest' (Koodu kattum kiligal) serves as a metaphor for a couple building a life together, which is now suffering in agony.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Uravaadum kiliyae kiliyae / Karaigindrathae”
The second letter 'ra' is repeated across consecutive lines (Uravaadum / Karaigindrathae), creating rhythmic harmony in Tamil prosody.
Rhetorical Question
“Kanneer kadhaiyaa penn konda varalaaru”
The lyricist uses poignant rhetorical questions ('Is a woman's history merely a story written in tears?') to critique societal norms and empathy deficits.
Symbolism
“Vidiyal vanthaal keezh vaanam thoongaathu”
The dawn ('Vidiyal') and eastern sky ('Keezh vaanam') symbolize hope, renewal, and eventual justice breaking through despair.
Did you know?
Trivia
Tamizh Ponnu (1992) features evocative lyrics by Vairamuthu that blend classical Tamil folk sensibilities with poignant emotional storytelling. The imagery of 'sudalai' (cremation ground/god) and 'thaali' (sacred wedding thread) reflects rural Tamil cultural motifs used to express deep-seated familial and societal grievances.
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