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Isaimozhi
Kadavul Mama album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Aattangal Pala Undu

From Kadavul Mama · 1974

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
T. G. Lingappa
Movie name
Kadavul Mama
Movie release year
1974
Lyrics added on
9 Jan 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Attangal pal undu
Avaigalil idhu ondru
Attangal pal undu
Avaigalil idhu ondru
Thottrathil therivadhu ondru
Mana thudippil iruppadhu ondru
Mana thudippil iruppadhu ondru
Haaa…
Attangal pal undu
Avaigalil idhu ondru
Thendral kaatril malarkoottam aadumoru
Aattam paarkka azhagoottum
Seerum puyalil mugam thottram maari
Idhazh vaattam adaindhu thuyar oottum
Kannukku virundhaagum kavalaikku marundhaagum
Menmai konda penmai thannai aanmai
Adhan unmai kandu pottruvadhu nanmai
Haaa..aa…aa…aahaaa…
Attangal pal undu
Avaigalil idhu ondru
Konjum thalaivan thirutholai thazhuvum
Malarmaalai tharaiyil vizhalaamaa
Koyil deiva silai thannai vaasarpadi
Munnae midhikka vidalaama
Vandhadhu oru paadhai povadhu oru paadhai
Indru kanda paadhai thunbha paadhai
Idhai enni enni yengugiraal paedhai
Haaa..aa…aa…aahaaa…
Attangal pal undu
Avaigalil idhu ondru
Attangal pal undu
Avaigalil idhu ondru
There are many kinds of dances,
and this is one of them.
There are many kinds of dances,
and this is one of them.
What is seen on the outside is one thing,
what beats inside the heart is another.
What beats inside the heart is another...
Ha... Aaa...
There are many kinds of dances,
and this is one of them.
The dance of flowers swaying in a gentle breeze
is a lovely sight to behold.
Yet in a raging storm, their appearance changes,
and their withered petals bring only sorrow.
A feast for the eyes and a cure for worry
is a gentle woman; for a man,
realizing her true worth and cherishing her is noble.
Aaaaah... Aaaaah...
There are many kinds of dances,
and this is one of them.
Should the flower garland embracing a loving man's shoulders
be left to fall to the ground?
Should the sacred idol from the temple
be left to be trampled at the doorway?
The path she came on was one, where she goes is another,
and the path seen today is a path of sorrow.
Thinking of this again and again, this innocent girl aches with grief.
Aaaaah... Aaaaah...
There are many kinds of dances,
and this is one of them.
There are many kinds of dances,
and this is one of them.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This expressive song utilizes dance and nature as metaphors to depict the inner turmoil and dualities of life and womanhood. The lyrics contrast outward appearances with internal emotional distress, comparing a woman's heart to flowers that blossom delightfully in a gentle breeze but wither sorrowfully when struck by a storm. The song emphasizes the sanctity and gentleness of womanhood, questioning why a noble soul should be reduced to suffering or disrespect.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Attangal pal undu

The word 'Attangal' (dances) is used metaphorically for the games of fate and emotional roles played in life.

Contrast / Antidote (Eredhir Nilai)

Thendral kaatril malarkoottam aadumoru / Seerum puyalil mugam thottram maari

Contrasts the gentle breeze ('Thendral kaatril') that brings joy with the raging storm ('Seerum puyalil') that causes sorrow.

End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Kannukku virundhaagum kavalaikku marundhaagum

The words 'virundhaagum' and 'marundhaagum' rhyme at the end of phrases to create musical symmetry.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kadavul Mama' (1974) features music composed by T. G. Lingappa, a legendary veteran composer who scored prominent Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada films. The song is rendered with deep expressive nuances by S. Janaki and written by classic lyricist A. Maruthakasi.

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