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Kadhal Vaaganam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Aattangal Onna

From Kadhal Vaaganam · 1968

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Kadhal Vaaganam
Movie release year
1968
Lyrics added on
9 Jun 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Hoo o o hoo
Aattangal onna rendaa
Kaadhal attam bodhai aattam
Soodhaattam aadum koottam
Podum podum podum …podum hoo
Aattangal onna rendaa
Kaadhal attam bodhai aattam
Soodhaattam aadum koottam
Podum podum podum …podum hoo
Aattangal onna rendaa
Sivappa eduppaa pennum
Thudippaa pidippaa konjam
Amaippaa irundha ammammooi
Sivappa eduppaa pennum
Thudippaa pidippaa konjam
Amaippaa irundha ammammooi
Enna koottam ennenna maattram
Enna koottam ennenna maattram
Ivargalai nenachaa adadaa ammammooi
Hoohoi hoohoi hoohoi
Hoo o o hoo
Aattangal onna rendaa
Kaadhal attam bodhai aattam
Soodhaattam aadum koottam
Podum podum podum …podum hoo
Aattangal onna rendaa
Ninna nadantha konjam
Nimirndhaa sirichaa pennum
Nelinjaa amainjaa ammammooi
Palla kattum thalaiyai aattum
Palla kattum thalaiyai aattum
Ivargalai nenachaa adadaa ammammooi
Hoohoi hoohoi hoohoi
Hoo o o hoo
Aattangal onna rendaa
Kaadhal attam bodhai aattam
Soodhaattam aadum koottam
Podum podum podum …podum hoo
Aattangal onna rendaa
Oh oh oh ho
Are the games just one or two?
The game of love, the game of intoxication,
The crowd that plays the game of gambling
Plays game after game after game, oh!
Are the games just one or two?
The game of love, the game of intoxication,
The crowd that plays the game of gambling
Plays game after game after game, oh!
Are the games just one or two?
If a girl is fair and striking,
Full of life, charming,
And shapely, oh my goodness!
If a girl is fair and striking,
Full of life, charming,
And shapely, oh my goodness!
What a crowd! What all changes!
What a crowd! What all changes!
Just thinking of these people, oh my, oh dear!
Ho-hoy, ho-hoy, ho-hoy!
Oh oh oh ho
Are the games just one or two?
The game of love, the game of intoxication,
The crowd that plays the game of gambling
Plays game after game after game, oh!
Are the games just one or two?
If she just stands or walks a little,
Stands tall, smiles,
And sways and curves her body, oh my!
They grin, showing their teeth, and nod their heads,
They grin, showing their teeth, and nod their heads,
Just thinking of these people, oh my, oh dear!
Ho-hoy, ho-hoy, ho-hoy!
Oh oh oh ho
Are the games just one or two?
The game of love, the game of intoxication,
The crowd that plays the game of gambling
Plays game after game after game, oh!
Are the games just one or two...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This energetic club dance song from the 1968 film 'Kadhal Vaaganam' observes the hedonistic nightlife and vices inside a modern establishment. The singer satirically questions whether the 'dances' or antics of human beings are limited to just one or two, highlighting the games of romantic pretense, intoxication, and gambling that consume the crowd around her. She mockingly describes how men behave around attractive, striking women—grinning foolishly and nodding along to win favor. Through lively beats and witty lyrical observations, the song offers a commentary on societal frivolousness and the superficial nature of nightclub culture.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question

Aattangal onna rendaa

The recurring question 'Aattangal onna rendaa' (Are the dances just one or two?) implies that the vices and games people play are innumerable.

Iyai (Rhyming Endings)

Kaadhal attam bodhai aattam

Repetition of the suffix '-aattam' (dances/games) creates a rhythmic cadence and stresses the metaphorical games of life.

Assonance & Internal Rhyme (Adukkuthodar)

Thudippaa pidippaa konjam

Words ending with '-paa' and '-jaa' (eduppaa, thudippaa, pidippaa, amaippaa; nelinjaa, amainjaa) establish a fast-paced, syncopated rhythm suited for a dance number.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kadhal Vaaganam' (1968) starred M. G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa. Singer L. R. Eswari was celebrated as the defining voice for Westernized, glam dance numbers and cabaret songs in South Indian cinema during the late 1960s and 1970s.

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