Aayiram Thamarai
From Alaigal Oivathillai · 1981
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Alaigal Oivathillai1981
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Aaaa aaaa aaaa aaa | Vocalizing melodic sounds |
| Thandhanana thandhanananana | Rhythmic folk vocalizations (Thandhanana...) |
| Thandhanananana thandhanananana | Rhythmic folk vocalizations (Thandhanananana...) |
| Female | |
| Ha ha ha ha ahahaa ha ha ha ha | Laughter and melodic vocalizations |
| Ha ha ha ha dhara ra ra ra ra | Rhythmic melodic vocalizations |
| Chorus | |
| Thandhanana thandhanana thandhanana …. | Rhythmic folk vocalizations |
| Female | |
| Aayiram thaamarai mottukalae | Oh thousand lotus buds, |
| Vandhu aanandha kummigal kottungalae | Come and clap hands in joyous folk dance (kummi)! |
| Chorus | |
| Aayiram thaamarai mottukalae | Oh thousand lotus buds, |
| Vandhu aanandha kummigal kottungalae | Come and clap hands in joyous folk dance! |
| Female | |
| Ingu rendu jaadhi malligai | Here are jasmine flowers of two distinct kinds, |
| Thotu kollum kaaman pandigai | Celebrating the festival of the God of Love by touching each other, |
| Kovilil kaadhal thozhugai | Love is offered as sacred worship in this temple. |
| Chorus | |
| Aayiram thaamarai mottukalae | Oh thousand lotus buds, |
| Vandhu aanandha kummigal kottungalae | Come and clap hands in joyous folk dance! |
| Male | |
| Oh ooo oooo kothu malarae amudham kottum malarae | Oh cluster of flowers, oh flower pouring forth divine nectar! |
| Ingu thenai ootru idhu theeyin ootru | Pour honey here, for this is a fountain of fire. |
| Female | |
| Aaaa aaa aaa kothu malarae amudham kottum malarae | Ah, oh cluster of flowers, oh flower pouring forth divine nectar! |
| Ingu thenai ootru idhu theeyin ootru | Pour honey here, for this is a fountain of fire. |
| Male | |
| Ullirukum vervai vandhu neer vaarkum | The internal sweat comes out and pours like water, |
| Female | |
| Pullarikum meni engum poo pookum | The goosebumps-covered body blooms like flowers everywhere, |
| Male | |
| Adikadi thaagam vandhu aalai kudikum | Time and again, a deep thirst arises and consumes a person whole. |
| Chorus | |
| { Aayiram thaamarai mottukalae | Oh thousand lotus buds, |
| Vandhu aanandha kummigal kottungalae } (2) | Come and clap hands in joyous folk dance! (Repeated) |
| Chorus | |
| Mmmm mmm mm mmm mmm …… | Gentle humming vocalizations |
| Aaaa aaaa aaaa aaaa aaaaa aaa aaa aaaa | Sustained melodic vocalizing |
| Male | |
| Hey …… veetu kiliyae koondai vitu thaandi vandhiyae | Hey parrot of the home, you have leapt beyond your cage! |
| Oru kaadhal baaram iru tholil yerum | The beautiful burden of love rests upon two pairs of shoulders. |
| Female | |
| Pulveliyin meedhu rendu poo maalai | Upon the meadow of green grass, two flower garlands |
| Ondrai ondru soodum idhu pon medai | Adorn one another; this place is a golden stage. |
| Male | |
| Kal vadiyum pookal thangal kaambai marakum | Flowers dripping with sweet honey forget their very stems. |
| Chorus | |
| Aayiram thaamaraiFemale :Nana nana | Thousand lotus... (Female vocalizing) |
| Chorus | |
| Aayiram thaamarai | Thousand lotus... |
| Female | |
| Nananana nananana nananana | Rhythmic vocalizations |
| Chorus | |
| Aayiram thaamarai mottukalae | Oh thousand lotus buds, |
| Vandhu aanandha kummigal kottungalae | Come and clap hands in joyous folk dance! |
| Female | |
| Ingu rendu jaadhi malligai | Here are jasmine flowers of two distinct kinds, |
| Thotu kollum kaaman pandigai | Celebrating the festival of the God of Love by touching each other, |
| Kovilil kaadhal thozhugai | Love is offered as sacred worship in this temple. |
| Chorus | |
| Aayiram thaamarai mottukalae | Oh thousand lotus buds, |
| Vandhu aanandha kummigal kottungalae | Come and clap hands in joyous folk dance! |
...........................
Vocalizing melodic sounds
Rhythmic folk vocalizations (Thandhanana...)
Rhythmic folk vocalizations (Thandhanananana...)
...............................
Laughter and melodic vocalizations
Rhythmic melodic vocalizations
ஆயிரம் தாமரை
மொட்டுகளே வந்து ஆனந்த
கும்மிகள் கொட்டுங்களே
Rhythmic folk vocalizations
ஆயிரம் தாமரை
மொட்டுகளே வந்து ஆனந்த
கும்மிகள் கொட்டுங்களே
Oh thousand lotus buds,
Come and clap hands in joyous folk dance (kummi)!
இங்கிரண்டு ஜாதி
மல்லிகை தொட்டுக்கொள்ளும்
காமன் பண்டிகை கோவிலில்
காதல் தொழுகை
Oh thousand lotus buds,
Come and clap hands in joyous folk dance!
ஆயிரம் தாமரை
மொட்டுகளே வந்து ஆனந்த
கும்மிகள் கொட்டுங்களே
Here are jasmine flowers of two distinct kinds,
Celebrating the festival of the God of Love by touching each other,
Love is offered as sacred worship in this temple.
ஓ ஓஓ ஓஓ கொத்து
மலரே அமுதம் கொட்டும்
மலரே இங்கு தேனை ஊற்று
இது தீயின் ஊற்று
Oh thousand lotus buds,
Come and clap hands in joyous folk dance!
ஆஆ ஆஆ ஆஆ
கொத்துமலரே அமுதம்
கொட்டும் மலரே இங்கு
தேனை ஊற்று இது தீயின்
ஊற்று
Oh cluster of flowers, oh flower pouring forth divine nectar!
Pour honey here, for this is a fountain of fire.
உள்ளிருக்கும் வேர்வை
வந்து நீர் வார்க்கும்
Ah, oh cluster of flowers, oh flower pouring forth divine nectar!
Pour honey here, for this is a fountain of fire.
புல்லரிக்கும் மேனி
எங்கும் பூ பூக்கும்
The internal sweat comes out and pours like water,
அடிக்கடி தாகம்
வந்து ஆளை குடிக்கும்
The goosebumps-covered body blooms like flowers everywhere,
{ ஆயிரம் தாமரை
மொட்டுகளே வந்து ஆனந்த
கும்மிகள் கொட்டுங்களே } (2)
Time and again, a deep thirst arises and consumes a person whole.
ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம் ஆஆ ஆஆ
ஆஆ ஆஆ ஆஆ ஆஆ
ஆஆ ஆஆ
Oh thousand lotus buds,
Come and clap hands in joyous folk dance! (Repeated)
ஹே வீட்டுக்கிளியே
கூண்டை விட்டுத் தாண்டி
வந்தியே ஒரு காதல் பாரம்
இரு தோளில் ஏறும்
Gentle humming vocalizations
Sustained melodic vocalizing
புல்வெளியின் மீது
ரெண்டு பூ மாலை ஒன்றை
ஒன்று சூடும் இது பொன்
மேடை
Hey parrot of the home, you have leapt beyond your cage!
The beautiful burden of love rests upon two pairs of shoulders.
கல் வடியும் பூக்கள்
தங்கள் காம்பை மறக்கும்
Upon the meadow of green grass, two flower garlands
Adorn one another; this place is a golden stage.
ஆயிரம் தாமரை
நன நன
குழு :
ஆயிரம் தாமரை
நனநனநன
நனநனநன நனநனநன
Flowers dripping with sweet honey forget their very stems.
ஆயிரம் தாமரை
மொட்டுகளே வந்து ஆனந்த
கும்மிகள் கொட்டுங்களே
Thousand lotus... (Female vocalizing)
இங்கிரண்டு ஜாதி
மல்லிகை தொட்டுக்கொள்ளும்
காமன் பண்டிகை கோவிலில்
காதல் தொழுகை
Thousand lotus...
ஆயிரம் தாமரை
மொட்டுகளே வந்து ஆனந்த
கும்மிகள் கொட்டுங்களே
Rhythmic vocalizations
Oh thousand lotus buds,
Come and clap hands in joyous folk dance!
Here are jasmine flowers of two distinct kinds,
Celebrating the festival of the God of Love by touching each other,
Love is offered as sacred worship in this temple.
Oh thousand lotus buds,
Come and clap hands in joyous folk dance!
Aaaa aaaa aaaa aaa
Vocalizing melodic sounds
Thandhanana thandhanananana
Rhythmic folk vocalizations (Thandhanana...)
Thandhanananana thandhanananana
Rhythmic folk vocalizations (Thandhanananana...)
Ha ha ha ha ahahaa ha ha ha ha
Laughter and melodic vocalizations
Ha ha ha ha dhara ra ra ra ra
Rhythmic melodic vocalizations
Thandhanana thandhanana thandhanana ….
Rhythmic folk vocalizations
Aayiram thaamarai mottukalae
Oh thousand lotus buds,
Vandhu aanandha kummigal kottungalae
Come and clap hands in joyous folk dance (kummi)!
Aayiram thaamarai mottukalae
Oh thousand lotus buds,
Vandhu aanandha kummigal kottungalae
Come and clap hands in joyous folk dance!
Ingu rendu jaadhi malligai
Here are jasmine flowers of two distinct kinds,
Thotu kollum kaaman pandigai
Celebrating the festival of the God of Love by touching each other,
Kovilil kaadhal thozhugai
Love is offered as sacred worship in this temple.
Aayiram thaamarai mottukalae
Oh thousand lotus buds,
Vandhu aanandha kummigal kottungalae
Come and clap hands in joyous folk dance!
Oh ooo oooo kothu malarae amudham kottum malarae
Oh cluster of flowers, oh flower pouring forth divine nectar!
Ingu thenai ootru idhu theeyin ootru
Pour honey here, for this is a fountain of fire.
Aaaa aaa aaa kothu malarae amudham kottum malarae
Ah, oh cluster of flowers, oh flower pouring forth divine nectar!
Ingu thenai ootru idhu theeyin ootru
Pour honey here, for this is a fountain of fire.
Ullirukum vervai vandhu neer vaarkum
The internal sweat comes out and pours like water,
Pullarikum meni engum poo pookum
The goosebumps-covered body blooms like flowers everywhere,
Adikadi thaagam vandhu aalai kudikum
Time and again, a deep thirst arises and consumes a person whole.
{ Aayiram thaamarai mottukalae
Oh thousand lotus buds,
Vandhu aanandha kummigal kottungalae } (2)
Come and clap hands in joyous folk dance! (Repeated)
Mmmm mmm mm mmm mmm ……
Gentle humming vocalizations
Aaaa aaaa aaaa aaaa aaaaa aaa aaa aaaa
Sustained melodic vocalizing
Hey …… veetu kiliyae koondai vitu thaandi vandhiyae
Hey parrot of the home, you have leapt beyond your cage!
Oru kaadhal baaram iru tholil yerum
The beautiful burden of love rests upon two pairs of shoulders.
Pulveliyin meedhu rendu poo maalai
Upon the meadow of green grass, two flower garlands
Ondrai ondru soodum idhu pon medai
Adorn one another; this place is a golden stage.
Kal vadiyum pookal thangal kaambai marakum
Flowers dripping with sweet honey forget their very stems.
Aayiram thaamaraiFemale :Nana nana
Thousand lotus... (Female vocalizing)
Aayiram thaamarai
Thousand lotus...
Nananana nananana nananana
Rhythmic vocalizations
Aayiram thaamarai mottukalae
Oh thousand lotus buds,
Vandhu aanandha kummigal kottungalae
Come and clap hands in joyous folk dance!
Ingu rendu jaadhi malligai
Here are jasmine flowers of two distinct kinds,
Thotu kollum kaaman pandigai
Celebrating the festival of the God of Love by touching each other,
Kovilil kaadhal thozhugai
Love is offered as sacred worship in this temple.
Aayiram thaamarai mottukalae
Oh thousand lotus buds,
Vandhu aanandha kummigal kottungalae
Come and clap hands in joyous folk dance!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Aayiram Thaamarai Mottukalae is a classic romantic song from the 1981 film Alaigal Oivathillai, composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vairamuthu. The song vividly describes the intense physical and emotional union of two young lovers who break free from social constraints. Rich with nature metaphors—such as lotus buds blooming, jasmine flowers touching, and honey extinguishing fire—the lyrics frame their romantic awakening as a divine ritual of love.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)
“Kovilil kaadhal thozhugai”
Love is directly equated to a sacred prayer/worship in a temple ('Kovilil kaadhal thozhugai').
Contrast / Oxymoron
“Ingu thenai ootru idhu theeyin ootru”
Contrasts cool honey with burning fire to portray intense desire ('Ingu thenai ootru idhu theeyin ootru').
Sensory Imagery (Ovuvaani)
“Pullarikum meni engum poo pookum”
Uses physical sensations like sweat and goosebumps equated to blooming flowers to evoke intense passion.
Rhyme and Assonance (Edhukai & Moonaai)
“Aayiram thaamarai mottukalae / Vandhu aanandha kummigal kottungalae”
Matching initial and second letter sounds across lines ('Aayiram' / 'Vandhu', 'Ingu' / 'Thotu' / 'Kovilil') to create a rhythmic folk beat.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by Vairamuthu for the iconic debut film of Karthik and Radha, this song won Vairamuthu the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Lyricist in 1981. Set to music by Ilaiyaraaja, it remains one of the most celebrated romantic duets in Tamil cinema history.
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