Aathoram Koovudhu
From Inimai Idho Idho · 1983
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, Gangai Amaran
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Inimai Idho Idho1983
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aaa…..aa…..aaa…..aa…. | Aaa.....aa.....aaa.....aa…. |
| Aaa…..aa…..aa….aa….aa…aa… | Aaa.....aa.....aa….aa….aa…aa… |
| Aaththoram koovuthu…. | Cooing near the riverbank... |
| Male | |
| Aaththoram koovuthu…. | Cooing near the riverbank... |
| Oru poonguruvi oru thaenaruvi | A flower-bird and a stream of honey, |
| Maraththil irunthu pazhaththai kadiththu | Biting into a fruit from the tree, |
| Kookookookoo | Kookookookoo... |
| Male | |
| Aaththoram koovuthu…. | Cooing near the riverbank... |
| Kuk kuk koo koo koo kooh…. | Kuk kuk koo koo koo kooh…. |
| Male | |
| Thappi thappi thuniya thuvaichchaa | When you beat and wash clothes repeatedly, |
| Adhula undu kadhakali thaalam | There is a rhythm of Kathakali in it. |
| Vaaikkaal thanni vayalla paainchu | As canal water gushes into the field, |
| Istam pola paattum paadum | It sings a song as it pleases. |
| Male | |
| Yaeththathilum erakkaththilum | In every rise and in every fall, |
| Raagamundu nee kelu | There is a melody; listen to it! |
| Enna vittaa aththanaiyum | If you leave me out, who else is there |
| Eduththu solla aalaethu | To capture and express all of this? |
| Male | |
| Nadhiyum intha vayalum dhinam | The river and these fields, every single day, |
| Pudhiya nadanamidum aamaam | Perform a brand new dance, oh yes! |
| Aahaa intha azhag thenam | Aha, this beauty every day, |
| Rasikka maranthu vidalaamaa | Can we ever forget to enjoy it? |
| Male | |
| Engum undu raagam | Everywhere there is melody, |
| Engum undu thaalam | Everywhere there is rhythm, |
| Pongi pala paavam | Abundant with various emotions, |
| Nenjukulla mothu | Striking right inside the heart! |
| Male | |
| Aaththoram koovuthu…. | Cooing near the riverbank... |
| Oru poonguruvi oru thaenaruvi | A flower-bird and a stream of honey, |
| Maraththil irunthu pazhaththai kadiththu | Biting into a fruit from the tree, |
| Kookookookoo | Kookookookoo... |
| Male | |
| ……………….. | ……………… |
| Male | |
| Kaama kaama paadhaa nisaa | Ga-Ma Ga-Ma Pa-Dha Ni-Sa... |
| Male :Kadaisila neesaa neesaa | Male: In the end, Ni-Sa Ni-Sa... |
| Male | |
| Kaama kaama paadhaa nisaa | Ga-Ma Ga-Ma Pa-Dha Ni-Sa... |
| Kadaisila neesaa neesaa | In the end, Ni-Sa Ni-Sa... |
| Porakkirathu satjamamthaan | At birth, it is the fundamental note 'Shadjam', |
| Porathula panjamamthaan | And during life, it becomes 'Panchamam'. |
| Male | |
| Maamanukku surangal irukkaa | Are there swaras (notes) for maternal uncle ('Maama')? |
| Male | |
| Maamaamaamaamaamaa | Maa-maa-maa-maa-maa-maa! |
| Saappaattukku surangal irukaa | Are there swaras for food ('Saappaadu')? |
| Male | |
| Kamakamakamakamakamakamga | Kama-kama-kama-kama-kama-kama-mga! |
| Male | |
| Kaamadikku oru raagam irukkaa | Is there a raga for comedy? |
| Male :Ae….ae….ma….ae….a…. | Male: Ae....ae....ma....ae....a.... |
| Male | |
| Kaamadikku oru raagam irukkaa | Is there a raga for comedy? |
| Male :Thanthaana thanthaana thaanaa | Male: Thanthaana thanthaana thaanaa... |
| Male | |
| Rigagari rigagari rigagarigarisaa | Ri-Ga-Ga-Ri Ri-Ga-Ga-Ri Ri-Ga-Ga-Ri-Ga-Ri-Saa... |
| Male :Pasikkidhudaa vearkadalaiya thaa | Male: I am hungry, give me some peanuts! |
| Male :Kamakamakamakama rigariga sagarinisaa | Male: Kama-kama-kama-kama Ri-Ga-Ri-Ga Sa-Ga-Ri-Ni-Saa... |
| Male :Kamakamakamakama manakkura kadalaiya thaa | Male: Kama-kama-kama-kama, give me those fragrant peanuts! |
| Male :Kamakamaka nipanipa kamakarisaa | Male: Kama-kama-ka Ni-Pa-Ni-Pa Ka-Ma-Ka-Ri-Saa... |
| Male :Kadaiyiala irukku kaasaiyum nee thaa | Male: It's available at the shop, give me the money! |
| Male :Somaari paamari pamanisaa | Male: You lazy bumpkin! Pa-Ma-Ni-Saa... |
| Male :Thathinginathom thathinginathom | Male: Thathinginathom thathinginathom, |
| Thathinginathom thathinginathom | Thathinginathom thathinginathom! |
| Male | |
| Paadaathae paiththiyam | Stop singing, you crazy person! |
| Unna naan adippaen vasamaa kadippaen | I will beat you up and bite you badly! |
| Male | |
| Madaiyaa thadiyaa ennaiyaa odhaippae | You fool, you brute, will you kick me? |
| Nee enna brusleeyaa | What, do you think you are Bruce Lee? |
| Male | |
| Paadaathae paiththiyam | Stop singing, you crazy person! |
| Male :Paiththiyam | Male: Crazy person! |
ஆஆஆ......ஆஆஅ.......
ஆஆஆ......ஆஆ........ஆ...ஆ....ஆ....ஆ.....
ஆத்தோரம் கூவுது..........
Aaa.....aa.....aaa.....aa….
Aaa.....aa.....aa….aa….aa…aa…
Cooing near the riverbank...
ஆத்தோரம் கூவுது..........
ஒரு பூங்குருவி ஒரு தேனருவி
மரத்தில இருந்து பழத்தை கடித்து கூகூகூகூ
Cooing near the riverbank...
A flower-bird and a stream of honey,
Biting into a fruit from the tree,
Kookookookoo...
ஆத்தோரம் கூவுது..........
குக் குக் கூ...கூ......கூ......கூஹ்.....
Cooing near the riverbank...
Kuk kuk koo koo koo kooh….
தப்பி தப்பி துணிய துவைச்சா
அதுல உண்டு கதக்களி தாளம்
வாய்க்கால் தண்ணி வயல்ல பாய்ஞ்சு
இஷ்டம் போல பாட்டும் பாடும்
When you beat and wash clothes repeatedly,
There is a rhythm of Kathakali in it.
As canal water gushes into the field,
It sings a song as it pleases.
ஏத்தத்திலும் எறக்கத்திலும்
ராகமுண்டு நீ கேளு
என்ன விட்டா அத்தனையும்
எடுத்து சொல்ல ஆளேது
In every rise and in every fall,
There is a melody; listen to it!
If you leave me out, who else is there
To capture and express all of this?
நதியும் இந்த வயலும் தினம்
புதிய நடனமிடும் ஆமாம்
ஆஹா இந்த அழக தெனம்
ரசிக்க மறந்து விடலாமா....
The river and these fields, every single day,
Perform a brand new dance, oh yes!
Aha, this beauty every day,
Can we ever forget to enjoy it?
எங்கும் உண்டு ராகம்
எங்கும் உண்டு தாளம்
பொங்கி பல பாவம்
நெஞ்சுக்குள்ள மோதும்
Everywhere there is melody,
Everywhere there is rhythm,
Abundant with various emotions,
Striking right inside the heart!
ஆத்தோரம் கூவுது..........
ஒரு பூங்குருவி ஒரு தேனருவி.......
மரத்தில இருந்து பழத்தை கடித்து கூகூகூகூ
Cooing near the riverbank...
A flower-bird and a stream of honey,
Biting into a fruit from the tree,
Kookookookoo...
ஏய் ஏய் ஏய்.........ஏய் அய்யயயா....ஹோ
.............................. ஆ......ஆ.....ஊ.....ஊ.......ஏ......
………………
காம காம பாதாநிஸா
கடைசியில நீஸா நீஸா
Ga-Ma Ga-Ma Pa-Dha Ni-Sa...
Male: In the end, Ni-Sa Ni-Sa...
காம காம பாதாநிஸா
கடைசியில நீஸா நீஸா
பொறக்கிறது சட்ஜமம்தான்
போறதுல பஞ்சமம்தான்
Ga-Ma Ga-Ma Pa-Dha Ni-Sa...
In the end, Ni-Sa Ni-Sa...
At birth, it is the fundamental note 'Shadjam',
And during life, it becomes 'Panchamam'.
மாமனுக்கும் சுரங்கள் இருக்கா
Are there swaras (notes) for maternal uncle ('Maama')?
மாமாமாமாமாமா
சாப்பாட்டுக்கு சுரங்கள் இருக்கா
Maa-maa-maa-maa-maa-maa!
Are there swaras for food ('Saappaadu')?
கமகமகமகமகமகம்ஹ
Kama-kama-kama-kama-kama-kama-mga!
காமடிக்கு ஒரு ராகம் இருக்கா
ஏ....ஏ....ம........ஏ.....அ....
Is there a raga for comedy?
Male: Ae....ae....ma....ae....a....
காமடிக்கு ஒரு ராகம் இருக்கா
தந்தானதந்தானதானா
Is there a raga for comedy?
Male: Thanthaana thanthaana thaanaa...
ரிககரி ரிககரி ரிககரிகரிசா
பசிக்கிதுடா வேர்க்கடலைய தா.......
கமகமகமகம ரிகரிக சகரிநிசா
கமகமகமகம மனக்குற கடலைய தா......
கமகமக நிபநிப கமகரிகசா
கடையில இருக்கு காசையும் நீ தா.......
சோமாறி பாமரிபமநிசா
ததிங்கினதோம் ததிங்கினதோம்
ததிங்கினதோம் ததிங்கினதோம்
Ri-Ga-Ga-Ri Ri-Ga-Ga-Ri Ri-Ga-Ga-Ri-Ga-Ri-Saa...
Male: I am hungry, give me some peanuts!
Male: Kama-kama-kama-kama Ri-Ga-Ri-Ga Sa-Ga-Ri-Ni-Saa...
Male: Kama-kama-kama-kama, give me those fragrant peanuts!
Male: Kama-kama-ka Ni-Pa-Ni-Pa Ka-Ma-Ka-Ri-Saa...
Male: It's available at the shop, give me the money!
Male: You lazy bumpkin! Pa-Ma-Ni-Saa...
Male: Thathinginathom thathinginathom,
Thathinginathom thathinginathom!
பாடாதே பைத்தியம்
உன்ன நான் அடிப்பேன் வசமா கடிப்பேன்
Stop singing, you crazy person!
I will beat you up and bite you badly!
மடையா தடியா என்னய்யா ஒதைப்பே
நீ என்ன ப்ருஸ்ஸிலியா....
You fool, you brute, will you kick me?
What, do you think you are Bruce Lee?
பாடாதே பைத்தியம்
பைத்தியம்
Stop singing, you crazy person!
Male: Crazy person!
Aaa…..aa…..aaa…..aa….
Aaa.....aa.....aaa.....aa….
Aaa…..aa…..aa….aa….aa…aa…
Aaa.....aa.....aa….aa….aa…aa…
Aaththoram koovuthu….
Cooing near the riverbank...
Aaththoram koovuthu….
Cooing near the riverbank...
Oru poonguruvi oru thaenaruvi
A flower-bird and a stream of honey,
Maraththil irunthu pazhaththai kadiththu
Biting into a fruit from the tree,
Kookookookoo
Kookookookoo...
Aaththoram koovuthu….
Cooing near the riverbank...
Kuk kuk koo koo koo kooh….
Kuk kuk koo koo koo kooh….
Thappi thappi thuniya thuvaichchaa
When you beat and wash clothes repeatedly,
Adhula undu kadhakali thaalam
There is a rhythm of Kathakali in it.
Vaaikkaal thanni vayalla paainchu
As canal water gushes into the field,
Istam pola paattum paadum
It sings a song as it pleases.
Yaeththathilum erakkaththilum
In every rise and in every fall,
Raagamundu nee kelu
There is a melody; listen to it!
Enna vittaa aththanaiyum
If you leave me out, who else is there
Eduththu solla aalaethu
To capture and express all of this?
Nadhiyum intha vayalum dhinam
The river and these fields, every single day,
Pudhiya nadanamidum aamaam
Perform a brand new dance, oh yes!
Aahaa intha azhag thenam
Aha, this beauty every day,
Rasikka maranthu vidalaamaa
Can we ever forget to enjoy it?
Engum undu raagam
Everywhere there is melody,
Engum undu thaalam
Everywhere there is rhythm,
Pongi pala paavam
Abundant with various emotions,
Nenjukulla mothu
Striking right inside the heart!
Aaththoram koovuthu….
Cooing near the riverbank...
Oru poonguruvi oru thaenaruvi
A flower-bird and a stream of honey,
Maraththil irunthu pazhaththai kadiththu
Biting into a fruit from the tree,
Kookookookoo
Kookookookoo...
………………..
………………
Kaama kaama paadhaa nisaa
Ga-Ma Ga-Ma Pa-Dha Ni-Sa...
Male :Kadaisila neesaa neesaa
Male: In the end, Ni-Sa Ni-Sa...
Kaama kaama paadhaa nisaa
Ga-Ma Ga-Ma Pa-Dha Ni-Sa...
Kadaisila neesaa neesaa
In the end, Ni-Sa Ni-Sa...
Porakkirathu satjamamthaan
At birth, it is the fundamental note 'Shadjam',
Porathula panjamamthaan
And during life, it becomes 'Panchamam'.
Maamanukku surangal irukkaa
Are there swaras (notes) for maternal uncle ('Maama')?
Maamaamaamaamaamaa
Maa-maa-maa-maa-maa-maa!
Saappaattukku surangal irukaa
Are there swaras for food ('Saappaadu')?
Kamakamakamakamakamakamga
Kama-kama-kama-kama-kama-kama-mga!
Kaamadikku oru raagam irukkaa
Is there a raga for comedy?
Male :Ae….ae….ma….ae….a….
Male: Ae....ae....ma....ae....a....
Kaamadikku oru raagam irukkaa
Is there a raga for comedy?
Male :Thanthaana thanthaana thaanaa
Male: Thanthaana thanthaana thaanaa...
Rigagari rigagari rigagarigarisaa
Ri-Ga-Ga-Ri Ri-Ga-Ga-Ri Ri-Ga-Ga-Ri-Ga-Ri-Saa...
Male :Pasikkidhudaa vearkadalaiya thaa
Male: I am hungry, give me some peanuts!
Male :Kamakamakamakama rigariga sagarinisaa
Male: Kama-kama-kama-kama Ri-Ga-Ri-Ga Sa-Ga-Ri-Ni-Saa...
Male :Kamakamakamakama manakkura kadalaiya thaa
Male: Kama-kama-kama-kama, give me those fragrant peanuts!
Male :Kamakamaka nipanipa kamakarisaa
Male: Kama-kama-ka Ni-Pa-Ni-Pa Ka-Ma-Ka-Ri-Saa...
Male :Kadaiyiala irukku kaasaiyum nee thaa
Male: It's available at the shop, give me the money!
Male :Somaari paamari pamanisaa
Male: You lazy bumpkin! Pa-Ma-Ni-Saa...
Male :Thathinginathom thathinginathom
Male: Thathinginathom thathinginathom,
Thathinginathom thathinginathom
Thathinginathom thathinginathom!
Paadaathae paiththiyam
Stop singing, you crazy person!
Unna naan adippaen vasamaa kadippaen
I will beat you up and bite you badly!
Madaiyaa thadiyaa ennaiyaa odhaippae
You fool, you brute, will you kick me?
Nee enna brusleeyaa
What, do you think you are Bruce Lee?
Paadaathae paiththiyam
Stop singing, you crazy person!
Male :Paiththiyam
Male: Crazy person!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a lighthearted, comedic, and musical exchange centered around finding music in everyday sounds and nature. The initial section poetically describes how everyday sounds—such as birds calling by the riverbank, water flowing into fields, or even the rhythmic slapping of clothes being washed—contain inherent raga, rhythm, and artistic expression. Nature itself performs a daily dance of joy and beauty that demands appreciation. The song then shifts into a humorous dialogue interweaving Carnatic swaras (solfege notes) with playful puns on words like 'Maama' (uncle) and 'Kama-kama' (aroma of food/peanuts). One singer tries to maintain formal musical structure, while the other interrupts with demands for snacks, money, and comedic antics, culminating in comical threats and banter about 'Bruce Lee' and call-outs of madness.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Onomatopoeia (Oliyakkuppu)
“Kookookookoo”
Use of bird sound imitations 'Kookookookoo' and rhythm syllables 'Thathinginathom' to replicate natural auditory experiences.
Metaphor (Uruvagham)
“Adhula undu kadhakali thaalam”
Comparing the stream of honey to a natural spring and washing clothes to the rhythmic beats of 'Kathakali'.
Wordplay / Pun (Sledai)
“Saappaattukku surangal irukaa”
Playing on Carnatic notes (Maa, Sa) to sound like familial terms ('Maama') and food aromas ('Kama kama').
Anaphora / Rhyme (Monai and Ethirai)
“Engum undu raagam”
Rhyming words across lines such as 'Engum undu raagam' and 'Engum undu thaalam'.
Did you know?
Trivia
This track demonstrates how classic Tamil cinematic songwriting fuses traditional Carnatic musical elements (swara patterns) with slapstick comedic dialogue and nature imagery, a signature touch often featured in film compositions where lyricists like Gangai Amaran weave humor directly into formal rhythmic structures.
Keep listening
More from Inimai Idho Idho
Inimai Idho Idho
Inimai Idho Idho
Inimai Idho Idho