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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aatthu Mettuley

From Gramathu Athiyayam · 1980

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
Jency, Sulochana
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Gramathu Athiyayam1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Mmm… mm… mmmMmm… mm… mmm
Mmm… mm… mmmMmm… mm… mmm
Female
Laala laalalaaLaala laalalaa
Laa laala laalalaaLaa laala laalalaa
Laalaa laalalaa laalalaa laala laalaLaalaa laalalaa laalalaa laala laala
Laala laalalaaLaala laalalaa
Male
Aathu maettula oru paattu kaekkudhuA song is heard near the riverbank mound
Aathu maettula oru paattu kaekkudhuA song is heard near the riverbank mound
Aadum kaathula keethula thaalam pottuSetting rhythm to the swaying wind and coconut leaves
Male
Aathu maettula oru paattu kaekkudhuA song is heard near the riverbank mound
Female
Aathu maettula oru paattu kaekkudhuA song is heard near the riverbank mound
Aathu maettula oru paattu kaekkudhuA song is heard near the riverbank mound
Aadum kaathula keethula thaalam pottuSetting rhythm to the swaying wind and coconut leaves
Female
Aathu maettula oru paattu kaekkudhuA song is heard near the riverbank mound
Male
Kaattula kattil onnu podavaaShall I lay down a bed in the forest?
Kaila katti kondu aadavaaShall I hold you in my arms and dance?
Female
Aehae enna aasa yaekkam vandhu paesaOoh, what desire! Longing speaks out,
Male
Kannukkulla mogam thonudhuInfatuation shines inside the eyes
Kanni ponna kaanum podhuWhenever I look at this young maiden
Aathu maettulaNear the riverbank mound
Female
Oru paattu kaekkudhuA song is heard
Male
Aadum kaathula keethula thaalam pottuSetting rhythm to the swaying wind and coconut leaves
Female
Aathu maettula oru paattu kaekkudhuA song is heard near the riverbank mound
Male
Kaekkavaa onnae onnu kaekkavaaShall I ask, shall I ask just one thing?
Saekkavaa kaiyil unna saekkavaaShall I gather you into my hands?
Female
Oohum maattaen maattaenOh no, I will not, I will not
Yaedhum kaekka maattaenI will not ask for anything
Male
Solla cholla vaegam yaerudhuAs you keep speaking, my passion rises faster
Thookkikkittu poga poraenI am going to carry you away!
Male
Aathu maettulaNear the riverbank mound
Female :HaaFemale: Haa
Male :Oru paattu kaekkudhuMale: A song is heard
Female :AahaanFemale: Aahaan
Female
Aadum kaathula keethula thaalam pottuSetting rhythm to the swaying wind and coconut leaves
Aathu maettula oru paattu kaekkudhuA song is heard near the riverbank mound

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Aathu Maettula from Gramathu Athiyayam (1980) is a quintessential rural Tamil romantic duet. Set against the serene backdrop of a riverbank and lush fields, the song describes two lovers expressing their affection and romantic teasing. Nature itself plays a musical role, as the rustling wind and swaying coconut fronds create a natural rhythm that echoes the song of their love. The lyrics, written by Gangai Amaran, capture the playful banter between the couple, filled with desire, gentle resistance, and lighthearted promises of carrying each other away.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Aadum kaathula keethula thaalam pottu

The wind and rustling leaves are personified as musicians setting a rhythmic beat ('thaalam') for the song.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kaekkavaa onnae onnu kaekkavaa / Saekkavaa kaiyil unna saekkavaa

The second consonant 'k' matches between 'Kaekkavaa' and 'Saekkavaa', creating a pleasing phonetic rhyme.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Aathu maettula oru paattu kaekkudhu / Aadum kaathula keethula thaalam pottu

The initial vowel sound 'Aa' aligns between 'Aathu' and 'Aadum'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Gramathu Athiyayam (1980) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics authored by his brother Gangai Amaran. The song 'Aathu Maettula' is famously sung by Malaysia Vasudevan and S. Janaki, standing out as a popular folk-pop track showcasing pastoral rural romance.

Keep listening

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