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Lyrics & meaning

Aathoram Aalamaram

From Muthalali Amma · 1990

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
S. P. Sailaja, T. L. Maharajan
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Muthalali Amma1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aaththoram aalamaram naamaada oonjal tharumThe banyan tree by the riverbank gives us a swing to play on
Naalellaam aaduvomaa themmaangu paaduvomaa aahoiShall we swing all day long and sing folk tunes, aahoi?
Female :Aaththoram aalamaram naamaada oonjal tharumFemale: The banyan tree by the riverbank gives us a swing to play on
Naalellaam aaduvomaa themmaangu paaduvomaa aahoiShall we swing all day long and sing folk tunes, aahoi?
Male
Aaththoram aalamaramThe banyan tree by the riverbank
Female :Naamaada oonjal tharumFemale: Gives us a swing to play on
Female
Pacha nellu kaaththadichchaakkaWhen the wind blows through the green paddy crops
Angum ingum thalai asaikkumIt nods its head this way and that
Chinna paiyan nee sirichchaakkaWhen a young boy like you smiles
Nenjam engum alai adikkumWaves crash all over my heart
Male
Thannikkul vaala meenirukkumThere is a scabbard fish inside the water
Nenjukkul aasai thaen kudikkumDesire drinks honey inside the heart
Female :Kannukkul kadhal ver pidikkumFemale: Love takes root deep within the eyes
Kattila pottaa thendral varumIf you set up a cot, the gentle breeze will blow
Male
Vaanaththilae varum megangalaeO clouds floating in the sky
Bhoomiyilae mazhai thoovungalaen hae hoiShower rain upon the earth, hae hoi!
Female
Aaththoram aalamaram naamaada oonjal tharumThe banyan tree by the riverbank gives us a swing to play on
Male :Naalellaam aaduvomaa themmaangu paaduvomaa aahoiMale: Shall we swing all day long and sing folk tunes, aahoi?
Female
Aaththoram aalamaramThe banyan tree by the riverbank
Male :Naamaada oonjal tharumMale: Gives us a swing to play on
Male
Thottaachinungi sedigala paarththaenI have seen sensitive touch-me-not plants
Neeyum antha jaathiyadiYou belong to that same species, my girl
Summaa unnai oru murai thottaenI just touched you once lightly
Kanni pochchu meaniyadiAnd your youthful body shrank in shyness, my girl
Female
Ennavo neeyum theduriyaeYou seem to be searching for something
Engengo ennai parkkuriyaeYou look at me everywhere
Male :Kannula theeyai mootturiyaeMale: You light a fire in my eyes
Ammammaa ennai vaatturiyaeOh dear, you torment me so
Female :Thaeneduththu entha thee anaippaenFemale: How can I put out this fire using honey?
Theeyanaikkum ennai nee anaippae yae haeYou, who put out the fire, will embrace me, yae hae!
Male
Aaththoram aalamaram naamaada oonjal tharumThe banyan tree by the riverbank gives us a swing to play on
Naalellaam aaduvomaa themmaangu paaduvomaa aahoiShall we swing all day long and sing folk tunes, aahoi?
Female :Aaththoram aalamaram naamaada oonjal tharumFemale: The banyan tree by the riverbank gives us a swing to play on
Naalellaam aaduvomaa themmaangu paaduvomaa aahoiShall we swing all day long and sing folk tunes, aahoi?
Male
Aaththoram aalamaramThe banyan tree by the riverbank
Female :Naamaada oonjal tharumFemale: Gives us a swing to play on

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic song from 'Muthalali Amma' (1990) captures a joyful and teasing duet between two lovers in a lush rural setting. Using vivid nature imagery—such as banyan trees, riverbanks, green paddy crops, and touch-me-not plants—the lovers express their growing affection and playful desire for each other. They sing about swinging together by the river, comparing their inner romantic sensations to natural phenomena like rain, breeze, and rustling crops. The lyrics highlight playful teasing, deep romantic longing, and the charming rustic atmosphere of traditional Tamil folk duets.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile / Analogy (Upamanam)

Thottaachinungi sedigala paarththaen / Neeyum antha jaathiyadi

Comparing the girl's shy, sensitive reaction to a touch-me-not (Thottaachinungi) plant.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Kannula theeyai mootturiyae

Metaphorically linking the gaze of passion to a fire kindled in the eyes.

Ethukai (Second-letter rhyme)

Thannikkul vaala meenirukkum / Nenjukkul aasai thaen kudikkum

Rhyming of the second letter 'n' in 'Thannikkul' and 'Nenjukkul'.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Aaththoram aalamaram naamaada oonjal tharum

Repetition of the initial letter 'Aa' in 'Aaththoram' and 'aalamaram'.

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Trivia

'Muthalali Amma' (1990) features lyrics penned by the prominent Tamil poet Pulamaipithan, known for blending authentic folk idioms ('Themmaangu') with classical poetical nuances in Tamil cinema.

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