Aathoram Thoppukkulla
From Panchalankuruchi · 1996
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Swarnalatha
- Music director
- Deva
- Details
- Panchalankuruchi1996
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Aathoram thoppukullae | Inside the grove by the riverbank |
| Aththaanai sandhikkathan | Just to meet my beloved cousin |
| Aasai vechen | I desired |
| Aalaana saedhi solli | To break the news of coming of age |
| Adaiyaalam kattathaane | And show him the physical signs |
| Aasai vechen | I desired |
| Female | |
| Kanagambaram eduthu | Taking crossandra flowers |
| Kaiyaala nee thoduthu | Stringing them with your own hands |
| Pinnaala vechivida | To place them in my hair from behind |
| Aasai vechen | I desired |
| Mariyaadhai ellama | Without any formal hesitation |
| Machaane unnai pesi | Speaking familiarly to you, my dear cousin |
| Maaroda mallukatta | And playfully wrestling against your chest |
| Aasai vechen | I desired |
| Athanaiyum poiyaachu raasa | All of that turned out to be a lie, my king |
| Othaiyila nikkuthindha rosaa | This rose stands all alone now |
| Female | |
| Maaralavula thanniyila | In chest-deep water |
| Manja theichu naan kulikka | Rubbing turmeric as I bathe |
| Marainjirunthu neeyum pakka | For you to hide and watch |
| Aasai vechen | I desired |
| Female | |
| Pasuva pola mella vandhu | Approaching gently like a cow |
| Kosuvathaiyum nee iluthu | Pulling the pleats of my saree |
| Kusumbhu panna venuminnu | To indulge in mischievous romance |
| Aasai vechen | I desired |
| Female | |
| Kuthaatha mullu kuthi | Pretending an unpricking thorn pricked me |
| Kudhikaalu valikkudhunnu | Saying my heel hurts |
| Madi melae kaalai poda | To place my foot on your lap |
| Aasai vechen | I desired |
| Female | |
| Athanaiyum poiyaachu raasa | All of that turned out to be a lie, my king |
| Othaiyila nikkuthindha rosaa | This rose stands all alone now |
| Female | |
| Aathoram thoppukullae | Inside the grove by the riverbank |
| Aththaanai sandhikkathan | Just to meet my beloved cousin |
| Aasai vechen | I desired |
| Aalaana saedhi solli | To break the news of coming of age |
| Adaiyaalam kattathaane | And show him the physical signs |
| Aasai vechen | I desired |
| Female | |
| Maekattu moolaiyila | In the western direction |
| Megam karukkaiyile | As the clouds darken with rain |
| Sukku thanni vechithara | To brew dry-ginger herbal tea for you |
| Aasai vechen | I desired |
| Female | |
| Macham kulirugira | Chilling to the very bone |
| Maargzhi maasathula | In the cold month of Margazhi |
| Machaanai thottu thoongha | To sleep snuggled next to my cousin |
| Aasai vechen | I desired |
| Female | |
| Maaman kattum vaettiyilae | On the veshti worn by my man |
| Manja karai ennadhunnu | That the turmeric stain belongs to me |
| Mandhaiyila ninnu solla | To stand in the village square and proudly declare |
| Aasai vechen | I desired |
| Female | |
| Rettikulam aasarikku | To the carpenter in Rettikulam |
| Pottiyila panam koduthu | Paying money out of the chest |
| Rettai thottil seiya solla | To ask him to craft a twin cradle |
| Aasai vechen | I desired |
| Female | |
| Athanaiyum poiyaachu raasa | All of that turned out to be a lie, my king |
| Othaiyila nikkuthindha rosaa | This rose stands all alone now |
| Female | |
| Athaanin iduppukku | Around my cousin's waist |
| Annakayiru katta | To tie the sacred waist-thread |
| Aasaivechen | I desired |
| Narukkaana dhegathukku | For your well-toned body |
| Nallennai theichuvidu | To massage sesame oil |
| Aasai vechen | I desired |
| Female | |
| Venneerai kodhikka vechu | Boiling hot water for a bath |
| Machaanai kulikka vechu | Giving my cousin a warm wash |
| Maarappu nanaiyathaanae | Getting my saree pallu drenched in the process |
| Aasai vechen | I desired |
| Female | |
| Maanthoppil kattilittu | Placing a cot in the mango orchard |
| Manam pola thottuthottu | Touching as our hearts desire |
| Maaman kooda pesida than | To talk intimately with my man |
| Aasai vechen | I desired |
| Female | |
| Athanaiyum poiyaachu raasa | All of that turned out to be a lie, my king |
| Othaiyila nikkuthindha rosaa | This rose stands all alone now |
| Female | |
| Aathoram thoppukullae | Inside the grove by the riverbank |
| Aththaanai sandhikkathan | Just to meet my beloved cousin |
| Aasai vechen | I desired |
| Aalaana saedhi solli | To break the news of coming of age |
| Adaiyaalam kattathaane | And show him the physical signs |
| Aasai vechen | I desired |
ஆத்தோரம் தோப்புக்குள்ள
அத்தானை சந்திக்கத்தான்
ஆசை வச்சேன்......
ஆளான சேதி சொல்லி
அடையாளம் காட்டத்தானே
ஆசை வச்சேன்......
Inside the grove by the riverbank
Just to meet my beloved cousin
I desired
To break the news of coming of age
And show him the physical signs
I desired
கனகாம்பரம் எடுத்து
கையால நீ தொடுத்து
பின்னால வச்சிவிட
ஆசை வச்சேன்.....
மரியாதை இல்லாம
மச்சானே உன்னை பேசி
மாரோட மல்லுக்கட்ட
ஆசை வச்சேன்.....
அத்தனையும் பொய்யாச்சு ராசா
ஒத்தையில நிக்குதிந்த ரோசா
Taking crossandra flowers
Stringing them with your own hands
To place them in my hair from behind
I desired
Without any formal hesitation
Speaking familiarly to you, my dear cousin
And playfully wrestling against your chest
I desired
All of that turned out to be a lie, my king
This rose stands all alone now
மாரளவு தண்ணியில
மஞ்ச தேய்ச்சு நான் குளிக்க
மறைஞ்சிருந்து நீயும் பாக்க
ஆசை வச்சேன்...
In chest-deep water
Rubbing turmeric as I bathe
For you to hide and watch
I desired
பசுவப் போல மெல்ல வந்து
கொசுவத்தையும் நீ இழுத்து
குசும்பு பண்ண வேணுமின்னு
ஆசை வச்சேன்
Approaching gently like a cow
Pulling the pleats of my saree
To indulge in mischievous romance
I desired
உள்ளூரு சந்தையில
எல்லாரும் பாக்கையில
கண்டாங்கி வாங்கித்தர
ஆசை வச்சேன் .....
Pretending an unpricking thorn pricked me
Saying my heel hurts
To place my foot on your lap
I desired
குத்தாத முள்ளு குத்தி
குதிக்காலு வலிக்குதுன்னு
மடி மேல காலைப் போட
ஆசை வச்சேன்.....
All of that turned out to be a lie, my king
This rose stands all alone now
அத்தனையும் பொய்யாச்சு ராசா
ஒத்தையில நிக்குதிந்த ரோசா
Inside the grove by the riverbank
Just to meet my beloved cousin
I desired
To break the news of coming of age
And show him the physical signs
I desired
ஆத்தோரம் தோப்புக்குள்ள
அத்தானை சந்திக்கத்தான்
ஆசை வச்சேன்...
ஆளான சேதி சொல்லி
அடையாளம் காட்டத்தானே
ஆசை வச்சேன்....
In the western direction
As the clouds darken with rain
To brew dry-ginger herbal tea for you
I desired
முனங்கல் :
.............
Chilling to the very bone
In the cold month of Margazhi
To sleep snuggled next to my cousin
I desired
மேக்காட்டு மூலையில
மேகம் கருக்கையிலே
சுக்குத் தண்ணி வச்சித்தர
ஆசை வச்சேன்....
On the veshti worn by my man
That the turmeric stain belongs to me
To stand in the village square and proudly declare
I desired
மச்சும் குளிருகிற
மார்கழி மாசத்துல
மச்சானை தொட்டுத் தூங்க
ஆசை வச்சேன்
To the carpenter in Rettikulam
Paying money out of the chest
To ask him to craft a twin cradle
I desired
மாமன் கட்டும் வேட்டியில
மஞ்சக் கறை என்னதுன்னு
மந்தையில நின்னு சொல்ல
ஆசை வச்சேன்...
All of that turned out to be a lie, my king
This rose stands all alone now
ரெட்டிகுளம் ஆசாரிக்கு
பொட்டியில பணம் கொடுத்து
ரெட்டைத் தொட்டில்
செய்யச் சொல்ல ஆசை வச்சேன்
Around my cousin's waist
To tie the sacred waist-thread
I desired
For your well-toned body
To massage sesame oil
I desired
அத்தனையும் பொய்யாச்சு ராசா
ஒத்தையில நிக்குதிந்த ரோசா
Boiling hot water for a bath
Giving my cousin a warm wash
Getting my saree pallu drenched in the process
I desired
அத்தானின் இடுப்புக்கு
அண்ணாக்கயிறு கட்ட
ஆசை வச்சேன்
நறுக்கான தேகத்துக்கு
நல்லெண்ணெய் தேய்சுவிட
ஆசை வச்சேன்
Placing a cot in the mango orchard
Touching as our hearts desire
To talk intimately with my man
I desired
வெந்நீரை கொதிக்க வச்சு
மச்சானை குளிக்க வச்சு
மாராப்பு நனையத்தானே
ஆசை வச்சேன்....
All of that turned out to be a lie, my king
This rose stands all alone now
மாந்தோப்பில் கட்டிலிட்டு
மனம் போல தொட்டுத்தொட்டு
மாமன் கூட பேசிடத்தான்
ஆசை வச்சேன்
அத்தனையும் பொய்யாச்சு ராசா
ஒத்தையில நிக்குதிந்த ரோசா
Inside the grove by the riverbank
Just to meet my beloved cousin
I desired
To break the news of coming of age
And show him the physical signs
I desired
ஆத்தோரம் தோப்புக்குள்ள
அத்தானை சந்திக்கத்தான்
ஆசை வச்சேன்
ஆளான சேதி சொல்லி
அடையாளம் காட்டத்தானே
ஆசை வச்சேன்.......
Aathoram thoppukullae
Inside the grove by the riverbank
Aththaanai sandhikkathan
Just to meet my beloved cousin
Aasai vechen
I desired
Aalaana saedhi solli
To break the news of coming of age
Adaiyaalam kattathaane
And show him the physical signs
Aasai vechen
I desired
Kanagambaram eduthu
Taking crossandra flowers
Kaiyaala nee thoduthu
Stringing them with your own hands
Pinnaala vechivida
To place them in my hair from behind
Aasai vechen
I desired
Mariyaadhai ellama
Without any formal hesitation
Machaane unnai pesi
Speaking familiarly to you, my dear cousin
Maaroda mallukatta
And playfully wrestling against your chest
Aasai vechen
I desired
Athanaiyum poiyaachu raasa
All of that turned out to be a lie, my king
Othaiyila nikkuthindha rosaa
This rose stands all alone now
Maaralavula thanniyila
In chest-deep water
Manja theichu naan kulikka
Rubbing turmeric as I bathe
Marainjirunthu neeyum pakka
For you to hide and watch
Aasai vechen
I desired
Pasuva pola mella vandhu
Approaching gently like a cow
Kosuvathaiyum nee iluthu
Pulling the pleats of my saree
Kusumbhu panna venuminnu
To indulge in mischievous romance
Aasai vechen
I desired
Kuthaatha mullu kuthi
Pretending an unpricking thorn pricked me
Kudhikaalu valikkudhunnu
Saying my heel hurts
Madi melae kaalai poda
To place my foot on your lap
Aasai vechen
I desired
Athanaiyum poiyaachu raasa
All of that turned out to be a lie, my king
Othaiyila nikkuthindha rosaa
This rose stands all alone now
Aathoram thoppukullae
Inside the grove by the riverbank
Aththaanai sandhikkathan
Just to meet my beloved cousin
Aasai vechen
I desired
Aalaana saedhi solli
To break the news of coming of age
Adaiyaalam kattathaane
And show him the physical signs
Aasai vechen
I desired
Maekattu moolaiyila
In the western direction
Megam karukkaiyile
As the clouds darken with rain
Sukku thanni vechithara
To brew dry-ginger herbal tea for you
Aasai vechen
I desired
Macham kulirugira
Chilling to the very bone
Maargzhi maasathula
In the cold month of Margazhi
Machaanai thottu thoongha
To sleep snuggled next to my cousin
Aasai vechen
I desired
Maaman kattum vaettiyilae
On the veshti worn by my man
Manja karai ennadhunnu
That the turmeric stain belongs to me
Mandhaiyila ninnu solla
To stand in the village square and proudly declare
Aasai vechen
I desired
Rettikulam aasarikku
To the carpenter in Rettikulam
Pottiyila panam koduthu
Paying money out of the chest
Rettai thottil seiya solla
To ask him to craft a twin cradle
Aasai vechen
I desired
Athanaiyum poiyaachu raasa
All of that turned out to be a lie, my king
Othaiyila nikkuthindha rosaa
This rose stands all alone now
Athaanin iduppukku
Around my cousin's waist
Annakayiru katta
To tie the sacred waist-thread
Aasaivechen
I desired
Narukkaana dhegathukku
For your well-toned body
Nallennai theichuvidu
To massage sesame oil
Aasai vechen
I desired
Venneerai kodhikka vechu
Boiling hot water for a bath
Machaanai kulikka vechu
Giving my cousin a warm wash
Maarappu nanaiyathaanae
Getting my saree pallu drenched in the process
Aasai vechen
I desired
Maanthoppil kattilittu
Placing a cot in the mango orchard
Manam pola thottuthottu
Touching as our hearts desire
Maaman kooda pesida than
To talk intimately with my man
Aasai vechen
I desired
Athanaiyum poiyaachu raasa
All of that turned out to be a lie, my king
Othaiyila nikkuthindha rosaa
This rose stands all alone now
Aathoram thoppukullae
Inside the grove by the riverbank
Aththaanai sandhikkathan
Just to meet my beloved cousin
Aasai vechen
I desired
Aalaana saedhi solli
To break the news of coming of age
Adaiyaalam kattathaane
And show him the physical signs
Aasai vechen
I desired
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song expresses the deep longing, unfulfilled romantic desires, and poignant grief of a rural young woman. She reminisces about all the intimate marital and pre-marital moments she had dreamed of sharing with her beloved cousin (athaan)—from breaking the news of her womanhood and sharing innocent playful moments to caring for him, raising a family with twin babies, and growing old together. Every verse builds up a vivid picture of traditional village romance and domestic warmth, ending with the recurring, sorrowful refrain that all her dreams proved false and she is left abandoned like a solitary rose.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora / Refrain
“Aasai vechen”
The repetition of 'Aasai vechen' (I desired/longed for) at the end of every short strophe creates a rhythmic beat of relentless longing and heartbreak.
Metaphor
“Othaiyila nikkuthindha rosaa”
The heroine metaphorically compares herself to a solitary rose standing abandoned ('Othaiyila nikkuthindha rosaa').
Simile
“Pasuva pola mella vandhu”
The singer compares her gentle approach to that of a docile cow ('Pasuva pola mella vandhu').
Edhukai (Second-letter rhyme)
“Aathoram thoppukullae / Aththaanai sandhikkathan”
Rhyming of the second consonant sound in Tamil poetry across adjacent lines, such as 'Aathoram' and 'Aththaanai'.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Aasai Vechen' from Panchalankuruchi (1996) is one of composer Deva's most acclaimed emotional folk melodies, sung with deep pathos by Swarnalatha. Lyricist Vairamuthu captured authentic southern Tamil Nadu rural marital customs and imagery, making it an iconic folk-ballad track of the 1990s.
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