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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aathoram Poothamalli

From Yemanukku Yeman · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
K. Chakravarthy
Details
Yemanukku Yeman1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aathoram poothamalliJasmine blossoms by the riverbank,
Aalolam paadum valliValli sings her tender lullaby,
Aathoram poothamalliJasmine blossoms by the riverbank,
Aalolam paadum valliValli sings her tender lullaby,
Aadi varum mundhanai eduthuGathering the swaying saree end,
Aadi varum mundhanai eduthuGathering the swaying saree end,
Vettura vettum thattura thattumStriking a rhythm and tapping along,
Kottudhu melam konjudhyu thaalamDrums are beating, rhythm is tenderly cooing,
Raani en raaniMy queen, oh my queen,
Female :Ammadi kuttiFemale: Oh my sweet girl,
Male
Aathoram poothamalliJasmine blossoms by the riverbank,
Aalolam paadum valliValli sings her tender lullaby,
Male
Koondhal thottu naan methai poduvenI shall spread a bed with my long locks,
Koodal kooduven sindhu paaduvenI shall embrace you and sing a folk song,
Indha mappilla sondha mappillaThis groom is my very own groom,
Enna vittu unna ponnu paarkkavaWould he ever seek another bride leaving me?
Male
UngappanukkennaWhat about your father?
Ada kaiyila kaasu..hae haeiHey, holding money in hand.. hae haei,
Ungappanukkenna kaiyila kaasuWhat does your father care with money in hand?
Oorula poyi maapilla paarthaanHe went to town searching for a groom,
Ada je ada je jeAh yes, ah yes yes,
Female :Ammadi kuttiFemale: Oh my sweet girl,
Female
Endhan vaanil orae chandiranThere is only one moon in my sky,
Indrum endrum orae indhiranToday and forever, there is only one King Indra,
Endhan vaanil orae chandiranThere is only one moon in my sky,
Indrum endrum orae indhiranToday and forever, there is only one King Indra,
Ethanai naatkal suthiya podhumNo matter how many days we roamed around,
Athaan needhaan sathiyam idhu thaanYou alone are my beloved, this is absolute truth,
Raaja en raajaMy king, oh my king,
Male :KannukuttiMale: My little darling calf,
Male
Aathoram poothamalliJasmine blossoms by the riverbank,
Aalolam paadum valliValli sings her tender lullaby,
Male
Aathu vellamo kaathil aadudhuThe river flood dances in the wind,
Aasai vellamoo kaattil theduthuThe flood of desire searches in the forest,
Masam muppadhum pesa ennudhuIt longs to speak all thirty days of the month,
Madiyil vaithu isai paada solludhuIt tells me to place you on my lap and sing melodies,
Male
Suthura kannu ha ha ahWith darting eyes, ha ha ah,
Nikkal ponnu hae haeA steadfast girl, hae hae,
Suthura kannuWith darting eyes,
Nikkal ponnuA steadfast girl,
Aasaiyil indru podadi onnuOut of affection, give me a kiss today, my girl,
Raani en raaniMy queen, oh my queen,
Female :Thanga kattiFemale: My golden block,
Female
Kanni kaattil orae sambavamThere is only one event in this maiden's forest,
Kannil nenjil orae mandhiarmOnly one sacred chant in the eyes and heart,
Kanni kaattil orae sambavamThere is only one event in this maiden's forest,
Kannil nenjil orae mandhiarmOnly one sacred chant in the eyes and heart,
Ithanai kaalam eppadi irundhomHow did we manage to live all this time apart?
Eppadi ennai eppadi izhuthaaiHow did you pull me close to you like this?
Raaja en raajaMy king, oh my king,
Male :RasukuttiMale: My darling prince,
Male
Aathoram poothamalliJasmine blossoms by the riverbank,
Aalolam paadum valliValli sings her tender lullaby,
Aathoram poothamalliJasmine blossoms by the riverbank,
Aalolam paadum valliValli sings her tender lullaby,
Aadi varum mundhanai eduthuGathering the swaying saree end,
Aadi varum mundhanai eduthuGathering the swaying saree end,
Vettura vettum thattura thattumStriking a rhythm and tapping along,
Kottudhu melam konjudhyu thaalamDrums are beating, rhythm is tenderly cooing,
Raani en raaniMy queen, oh my queen,
Female :Ammadi kuttiFemale: Oh my sweet girl

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Aathoram Poothamalli is a vibrant, playful duet between two lovers who express their romantic devotion and teasing affection for one another. Set against rural imagery of blossoming jasmine along riverbanks, fluttering garments, and rhythmic village music, the couple trades endearing terms like Raani, Raaja, and Thanga Katti while reaffirming their exclusive bond. The song conveys how their love transcends all external interferences, such as parental marriage arrangements, solidifying that they are destined only for each other.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaai (Alliteration)

Aathoram poothamalli / Aalolam paadum valli

Repetition of initial consonant/vowel sounds across lines, such as 'Aathoram' and 'Aalolam'.

Edhugai (Rhyming Second Letters)

Vettura vettum thattura thattum

Matching second letters in consecutive lines ('Aathoram' / 'Aalolam' or 'Vettura' / 'Thattura').

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Aathoram poothamalli / Aalolam paadum valli

Rhyming end words/syllables across couplets, like 'poothamalli' and 'valli'.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Aasai vellamoo kaattil theduthu

Comparing desire to an overflowing river flood ('Aasai vellam').

Did you know?

Trivia

Yemanukku Yeman (1980) starring Sivakumar and Sripriya is a Tamil fantasy comedy film. The music was composed by K. Chakravarthy, featuring classic late-70s/early-80s folk-pop instrumentation, with lyrics penned by the legendary poet Kannadasan.

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