Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aavaram Kaatukul

From Archanai Pookal · 1982

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Uma Ramanan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Archanai Pookal1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aavaaram kaattukkul thaevaaramaaIs it sacred devotional music inside the Aavaram forest?
Siru poovaaramaaOr a small garland of flowers?
Female
Aavaaram kaattukkul thaevaaramaaIs it sacred devotional music inside the Aavaram forest?
Siru poovaaramaaOr a small garland of flowers?
Mani aathodu naanum oru saedhi kettenAlong with the crystal-clear river, I heard a piece of news
KaadhoramaaRight beside my ear.
Ilam kaathodu raagam kalyaana melamA melody with the gentle breeze, and the wedding drums
AadhaaramaaIs the core foundation.
Female
Aavaaram kaattukkul thaevaaramaaIs it sacred devotional music inside the Aavaram forest?
Siru poovaaramaaOr a small garland of flowers?
Male
Pulli mayil mugathil velli radham izhuthuPulling a silver chariot with a spotted peacock face,
Ullam ennum idathil urchavathai nadathaTo conduct a grand festival in the shrine of the heart,
Pulli mayil mugathil mugathilWith the spotted peacock face, face,
Velli radham izhuthu izhuthuPulling the silver chariot, chariot,
Ullam ennum idathil idathilIn the place called the heart, heart,
Urchavathai nadathaTo conduct the festival,
Male
Aaloda arasaatchi aalinganamRuling side-by-side with my partner in a warm embrace,
Aanandham illaatti naanengaenoWithout this joy, where would I wander?
Ammaa nee maravaadhae saayandharamOh my love, do not forget this evening,
Aalinganam nooraaganumMay the embraces grow a hundredfold.
Male
Aavaaram kaattukkul thaevaaramaaIs it sacred devotional music inside the Aavaram forest?
Siru poovaaramaaOr a small garland of flowers?
Female
Vedham solli koduthu vendum mattum padithuTeaching the sacred Vedas and learning as much as desired,
Ammanaiyum azhaichaa enna undhan karuthu ( Music )If I call upon the deity, what is your thought?
Female
Vedham solli koduthu koduthuTeaching the sacred Vedas, Vedas,
Vendum mattum padithu padithuLearning as much as desired, desired,
Ammanaiyum azhaichaa azhaichaaCalling upon the deity, calling upon,
Enna undhan karuthuWhat is your thought?
Female
Ennatha sonnaalum enakkillaiyaaWhatever is said, doesn't it belong to me?
En pola ul aasa unakkillaiyaaDon't you have the same inner longing as I do?
Onnodu onnaanaa kanakkillaiyaaWhen two become one, isn't it beyond count?
Kanakkillaiyaa koottungaiyaaIsn't it boundless? Come, sum it up!
Female
Aavaaram kaattukkul thaevaaramaaIs it sacred devotional music inside the Aavaram forest?
Siru poovaaramaaOr a small garland of flowers?
Male :Mani aathodu naanum oru saedhi kettenMale: Along with the crystal-clear river, I heard a piece of news
KaadhoramaaRight beside my ear.
Female
Ilam kaathodu raagam kalyaana melamA melody with the gentle breeze, and the wedding drums
AadhaaramaaIs the core foundation.
Both :Aavaaram kaattukkul thaevaaramaaBoth: Is it sacred devotional music inside the Aavaram forest?
Siru poovaaramaaOr a small garland of flowers?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic track from 'Archanai Pookal' blends nature imagery with poetic expressions of love and marital bliss. The lovers metaphorically compare the serenity of their romance to sacred chants ('Thevaaram') resonant in a forest of yellow Aavaram flowers, or to a delicate flower garland ('Poovaaram'). They express their deep longing, referencing temple festivities, grand chariots, and sacred vows to describe the spiritual and emotional sanctification of their union.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emonai (Second-letter Rhyme / Assonance)

Aavaaram kaattukkul thaevaaramaa / Siru poovaaramaa

The second consonant 'vaa' in 'Aavaaram' rhymes with 'thaevaaramaa' and 'poovaaramaa', creating a melodious rhythmic flow.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Ullam ennum idathil urchavathai nadatha

Comparing the human heart ('ullam') to a sacred temple ground where a festival ('urchavam') takes place.

Adukku Thodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Pulli mayil mugathil mugathil / Velli radham izhuthu izhuthu

Words like 'mugathil', 'izhuthu', and 'idathil' are repeated sequentially to emphasize rhythm and playful musical cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although the music for 'Archanai Pookal' (1982) is composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, the track highlights lyricist Kannadasan's signature style of interweaving devotional Tamil literature terminology (such as 'Thevaaram' and 'Vedham') into soulful romantic duets.

Keep listening

More from Archanai Pookal