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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aathukkulla Ayyarathu Ponnu

From Kizhakku Mugam · 1996

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
P. Unnikrishnan, Sangeetha
Music director
Adhithyan
Details
Kizhakku Mugam1996

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
………………...
Chorus
Ivanukku ival endruThe divine match written as 'she is meant for him'
Ezhuthiya kanakku endrum maaraathuThat calculated destiny will never change
Veredhilum seraathuIt will not merge into anything else
Idhu maalai soodidum manjal magalamThis is the auspicious yellow celebration of wearing garlands
Vaazhiya vaazhiyavae vaazhiyaae vaazhiyavaeMay you live long, may you live long, long live!
Male
Aaththukkulla aiyaraaththu ponnuThe Brahmin girl is taking a dip in the river
Ada ambikkuththaan ponnu maelae kannuHey, Ambi (young man) has his eyes set firmly on the girl
Un pattu sela patta idaththilIn the place touched by your silk saree
Shockadichchu ponathenna maami adi maamiWhy did you get a shock, my lady, oh my lady?
Madisaar kattum maami yaemi sivakaamiLady wearing the traditional madisar saree, why Sivakami?
Thalaikeezhaa suththuthu bhoomi….The earth is spinning upside down...
Male
Aaththukkulla aiyaraaththu ponnuThe Brahmin girl is taking a dip in the river
Ada ambikkuththaan ponnu maelae kannuHey, Ambi has his eyes set firmly on the girl
Chorus
……………...
Female
Jenmangal marum theriyaatho nokkuLifetimes change, don't you know this?
Unnoda sontham maarathu nekkuMy bond with you will never change
Male :Ennoda kadhal theriyaathu nokkuMale: Don't you know my love?
Saanthi mukoorththaam thara poraen shock-kuNuptial night, I am going to give you a shock!
Female
Michcham meedhi illaatha vannamWithout leaving any remainder behind
Alli tharugiraenI will shower my love completely
Male :Uchcha kalaigal ennenna undoMale: Whatever supreme arts of love exist
Sollith tharugiraenI shall teach them all to you
Female
Pattu saelai iduppilAt the waist, the silk saree
Nazhuvi vizhuvathu enna ambiWhy is it slipping down, Ambi?
Ambi ada Dharmanukku thambiAmbi, oh brother of Lord Dharma!
Ambi ambi nee suththa thanga kambiAmbi, Ambi, you are a pure wire of gold!
Male
Aaththukkulla aiyaraaththu ponnuThe Brahmin girl is taking a dip in the river
Ada ambikkuththaan ponnu maelae kannu….Hey, Ambi has his eyes set firmly on the girl...
Male
………………....
Male
Nei patta neruppu kuppunnu paththikkumFire touched by clarified butter flares up instantly
Kaipatta odambu kappunnu paththikkumA body touched by hands ignites with passion
Female :Muththathin vegaththilmotchamum siththikkumFemale: In the intensity of a kiss, ultimate salvation is attained
Kalyaana mogaththila vervaiyum thiththikkumIn the infatuation of marriage, even sweat tastes sweet
Male
Uchchanthalaiyil sooderum vannamSo that heat rises to the crown of your head
Muththam tharugiraenI give you a kiss
Female :Ullangaalil neer paaithal polaeFemale: Like water flowing under the soles of the feet
Unnai thodugiraenI touch you softly
Male
Inimaelae pudhiya uyaramadaiya venumFrom now on, we must reach new heights of ecstasy
Maami maami madisaar kattum maamiLady, lady, the lady wearing the madisar saree
Yaemi sivakaami thalaikeezhaa suththuthu bhoomiWhy, Sivakami, the earth is spinning upside down!
Male
Aaththukkulla aiyaraaththu ponnuThe Brahmin girl is taking a dip in the river
Ada ambikkuththaan ponnu maelae kannu….Hey, Ambi has his eyes set firmly on the girl...
Female :En pattu sela patta idaththilFemale: In the place touched by my silk saree
Shockadichchu ponathenna ambi ada ambiWhy were you shock-stricken, Ambi, oh Ambi?
Nee dharamanukku thambiYou are the righteous brother of Dharma
Male :Maami maami madisaar kattum maamiMale: Lady, lady, the lady wearing the madisar saree
Aaththukkulla aiyaraaththu ponnuThe Brahmin girl is taking a dip in the river
Ada ambikkuththaan ponnu maelae kannu….Hey, Ambi has his eyes set firmly on the girl...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and romantic song revolves around a lighthearted flirtation between a young couple set in a traditional Brahmin cultural backdrop. The male protagonist ('Ambi') admires the female protagonist ('Sivakami') as she bathes in the river wearing a traditional saree. The lyrics play on traditional themes, mixing teasing banter about societal decorum, marriage, and playful romantic intimacy. Throughout the track, both singers exchange witty quips about the electrifying effect of touch, the sacred yet sensual expectations of married life, and deep romantic affection disguised as jovial teasing. Lyricist Vairamuthu weaves together traditional dialect terms (like 'Nokku', 'Nekku', 'Madisaar', 'Iyer-aathu') with modern colloquial expressions to create an energetic duet.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhyme (Edhukai & Monai)

Aaththukkulla aiyaraaththu ponnu / Ada ambikkuththaan ponnu maelae kannu

Second letter rhyming across consecutive lines (Edhukai) such as 'Aaththukkulla' / 'Ada ambikkuththaan' and 'Pattu' / 'Shockadichchu'.

Onomatopoeia (Erattai Kuraivil/Oli Kurippu)

Nei patta neruppu kuppunnu paththikkum / Kaipatta odambu kappunnu paththikkum

Use of words like 'Kuppunnu' and 'Kappunnu' to evoke sudden, instant action (flaring of fire / ignition of body heat).

Simile (Uvamai)

Ullangaalil neer paaithal polae / Unnai thodugiraen

Comparing a gentle, soothing touch to water flowing softly beneath the soles of one's feet.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navirchi)

Thalaikeezhaa suththuthu bhoomi….

Exaggerating the feeling of romance to make the earth feel like it is spinning upside down.

Did you know?

Trivia

The movie 'Kizhakku Mugam' (1996) starred Reshma and Karthik in lead roles, with music composed by Deva. The song features distinct Brahmin Tamil dialect slang ('Nokku', 'Nekku', 'Aiyaraaththu') which Vairamuthu used creatively to suit the specific characterization in the narrative.

Keep listening

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