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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aatti Vechaa

From Nalla Thambi · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Vani Jairam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Nalla Thambi1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Maalai itta paavathukkuFor the sin of placing the wedding garland around your neck
Velai seiya naan irukken pathiniyae…I am here to serve you, O virtuous wife...
Kaaladiyil kaappiyudan kaathirukkenI am waiting at your feet holding a cup of coffee
Kan thiravaai uthamiyae…Open your eyes, O pious lady...
Female
Haa haanHaa haan
Haa haanHaa haan
Haa haa haa haa haahaanHaa haa haa haa haahaan
Haan ha haan haa haanHaan ha haan haa haan
Female
Aatti vechaaIf I make you dance
Aada venum naadhaaYou must dance, my lord
Male :Naan maattikkittuMale: I am trapped
Muzhikkirenae seethaaAnd blinking in helplessness, Sita!
Female
Aatti vechaaIf I make you dance
Aada venum naadhaaYou must dance, my lord
Male :Naan maattikkittuMale: I am trapped
Muzhikkirenae seethaaAnd blinking in helplessness, Sita!
Female
Kettaa kettadhaWhatever you ask
Male :Vaangi kudukkurenMale: I will buy and give you
Female :Sonnaa chonnadhaFemale: Whatever I command
Male :Senju mudikkirenMale: I will accomplish it
Female
Raavaa pagalaaBe it day or night
Raajaatthi enna padiAs per my queen's wish
Female
Aatti vechaaIf I make you dance
Aada venum naadhaaYou must dance, my lord
Male :Naan maattikkittuMale: I am trapped
Muzhikkirenae seethaaAnd blinking in helplessness, Sita!
Female
{Naal thorum paai virikka{To lay out the mat every day
Paduthaa kaal amukkaTo massage my legs when I lie down
Aal venum adhukkaagaI needed someone for that
Onna pudichen} (2)So I caught hold of you} (2)
Male
Thanjaavoor bommaiyadiLike a Tanjore doll
Thalaya aattumadiYou will nod your head
Pondaatti dhaasannuAs a devoted husband
Perai eduppenI will earn a reputation
Female
Thappu nee panni vittaaIf you commit a mistake
Male :Mannikkanum mannikkanumMale: Forgive me, forgive me
Female :Ukki nee poda venumFemale: You must do sit-ups
Male :Ennikkanum ennikkanumMale: I must count them, count them
Female
Ammiyil nithamumDaily on the grinding stone
Manjal araikkanumYou must grind turmeric
Kaalaiyum maalaiyumMorning and evening
Selai thuvaikkanumYou must wash my sarees
Raamaa raamaaO Rama, O Rama
Seethaavin enna padiAs per Sita's wish
Female
Aatti vechaaIf I make you dance
Aada venum naadhaaYou must dance, my lord
Male :Naan maattikkittuMale: I am trapped
Muzhikkirenae seethaaAnd blinking in helplessness, Sita!
Female
Kettaa kettadhaWhatever you ask
Male :Vaangi kudukkurenMale: I will buy and give you
Female :Sonnaa chonnadhaFemale: Whatever I command
Male :Senju mudikkirenMale: I will accomplish it
Female
Raavaa pagalaaBe it day or night
Raajaatthi enna padiAs per my queen's wish
Female
Aatti vechaaIf I make you dance
Aada venum naadhaaYou must dance, my lord
Male :Naan maattikkittuMale: I am trapped
Muzhikkirenae seethaaAnd blinking in helplessness, Sita!
Female
{Athaanae onna petha{My dear husband, the one who birthed you
Asattu appanum thaanThat foolish father of yours
Chittaaga pottenaeSwiftly like a bird, I cast
Sokku podi thaan} (2)A spell of love powder on him} (2)
Male
Aanaana pattavanaeWhen even high and mighty men
Aadi nikkirappoAre dancing to my tune
Naan kooda maanaeWho am I, my dear deer
Nee sonna padi thaanExcept to do as you say
Female
Maavaatti vekka chonnaaIf I tell you to grind batter
Male :Aattiduven aattiduvenMale: I will grind it, I will grind it
Female :Chappaathi thatta chonnaaFemale: If I tell you to flatten chapatis
Male :Thattiduven thattiduvenMale: I will flatten them, I will flatten them
Female
Ippavum eppavumNow and always
Etti irukkanumYou must stand at a distance
Kattalai ittadhumOnly when I give the command
Katti anaikkanumYou must embrace me
Kelvi yedhum kekkaamaWithout asking any questions
Ishta padiDo as per my desire
Female
Aatti vechaaIf I make you dance
Aada venum naadhaaYou must dance, my lord
Male :Naan maattikkittuMale: I am trapped
Muzhikkirenae seethaaAnd blinking in helplessness, Sita!
Female
Kettaa kettadhaWhatever you ask
Male :Vaangi kudukkurenMale: I will buy and give you
Female :Sonnaa chonnadhaFemale: Whatever I command
Male :Senju mudikkirenMale: I will accomplish it
Female
Raavaa pagalaaBe it day or night
Raajaatthi enna padiAs per my queen's wish
Female
Aatti vechaaIf I make you dance
Aada venum naadhaaYou must dance, my lord
Male :Naan maattikkittuMale: I am trapped
Muzhikkirenae seethaaAnd blinking in helplessness, Sita!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful track from Nalla Thambi (1985) is a comical marital argument in which traditional domestic roles and epic archetypes are lightheartedly reversed. The wife assertively sets down strict household rules, demanding complete compliance, leg massages, laundry service, and immediate obedience from her husband.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Thanjaavoor bommaiyadi Thalaya aattumadi

Compares the obedient husband to a Tanjore doll ('Thanjaavoor bommai') that endlessly nods its head in agreement.

Mythological Irony / Role Reversal

Raamaa raamaa Seethaavin enna padi

Inverts the traditional reverence of Rama and Sita by depicting Rama submitting entirely to Sita's whimsical demands.

Rhyme / Rhythm (Iyaibu)

Maavaatti vekka chonnaa Male: Aattiduven aattiduven

Uses parallel rhythmic verb structures (aattiduven / thattiduven) to create humor and musical tempo.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed as a theatrical comedy duet penned by lyricist Vaali, showcasing his trademark wit in capturing comedic domestic banter through playful Tamil rhymes.

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