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Lyrics & meaning

Aattangal Onna

From Kadhal Vaaganam · 1968

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kadhal Vaaganam1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Hoo o o hooHoo o o hoo
Aattangal onna rendaaAre the dances just one or two?
Kaadhal attam bodhai aattamThe dance of love, the dance of intoxication,
Soodhaattam aadum koottamAnd the crowd playing the game of gambling!
Podum podum podum …podum hooThat's enough, enough, enough... enough, hoo!
Aattangal onna rendaaAre the dances just one or two?
Kaadhal attam bodhai aattamThe dance of love, the dance of intoxication,
Soodhaattam aadum koottamAnd the crowd playing the game of gambling!
Podum podum podum …podum hooThat's enough, enough, enough... enough, hoo!
Aattangal onna rendaaAre the dances just one or two?
Female
Sivappa eduppaa pennumA woman who is fair and striking,
Thudippaa pidippaa konjamA bit lively and attractive,
Amaippaa irundha ammammooiIf she is shaped perfectly, Oh my my!
Sivappa eduppaa pennumA woman who is fair and striking,
Thudippaa pidippaa konjamA bit lively and attractive,
Amaippaa irundha ammammooiIf she is shaped perfectly, Oh my my!
Enna koottam ennenna maattramWhat a crowd, and what all changes!
Enna koottam ennenna maattramWhat a crowd, and what all changes!
Ivargalai nenachaa adadaa ammammooiWhen I think of these people, oh dear, my oh my!
Hoohoi hoohoi hoohoiHoohoi hoohoi hoohoi
Female
Hoo o o hooHoo o o hoo
Aattangal onna rendaaAre the dances just one or two?
Kaadhal attam bodhai aattamThe dance of love, the dance of intoxication,
Soodhaattam aadum koottamAnd the crowd playing the game of gambling!
Podum podum podum …podum hooThat's enough, enough, enough... enough, hoo!
Aattangal onna rendaaAre the dances just one or two?
Female
Ninna nadantha konjamIf she stands or walks a little,
Nimirndhaa sirichaa pennumIf the woman stands tall and smiles,
Nelinjaa amainjaa ammammooiIf she sways and settles, Oh my my!
Palla kattum thalaiyai aattumThey show their teeth and nod their heads,
Palla kattum thalaiyai aattumThey show their teeth and nod their heads,
Ivargalai nenachaa adadaa ammammooiWhen I think of these people, oh dear, my oh my!
Hoohoi hoohoi hoohoiHoohoi hoohoi hoohoi
Female
Hoo o o hooHoo o o hoo
Aattangal onna rendaaAre the dances just one or two?
Kaadhal attam bodhai aattamThe dance of love, the dance of intoxication,
Soodhaattam aadum koottamAnd the crowd playing the game of gambling!
Podum podum podum …podum hooThat's enough, enough, enough... enough, hoo!
Aattangal onna rendaaAre the dances just one or two?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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