Abhinayam Kaattu
From Vidiyum Varai Kaathiru · 1981
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Aaa….aaa…..aaa….aaa….aaa…. | Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... |
| Haa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa……thnaraa thanaraa | Ha... ah... ah... ah... ah... thanaraa thanaraa |
| Haa….aaa….aa….aaa…aa… | Ha... ah... ah... ah... ah... |
| Female | |
| Abinayam kaattu nadai pottu… | Show your expressive dance gestures, taking graceful steps... |
| Female | |
| Abinayam kaattu nadai pottu | Show your expressive dance gestures, taking graceful steps |
| Ilaiyaval isaikka enai nee jeyikka | As this young woman creates music, can you defeat me? |
| Ilaiyaval isaikka enai nee jeyikka | As this young woman creates music, can you defeat me? |
| Abinayam kaattu nadai pottu | Show your expressive dance gestures, taking graceful steps |
| Female | |
| Maamallan sivagaami maru pirappo | Are you the reincarnation of Maamallan and Sivagami? |
| Aaaa…aa….aa….aa….aa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aa… | Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... |
| Maamallan sivagaami maru pirappo | Are you the reincarnation of Maamallan and Sivagami? |
| Maanaaga meenaaga maiyal vizha vizhigal malara | Like a deer, like a fish, making eyes fall in love as eyes bloom |
| Female | |
| Abinayam kaattu nadai pottu | Show your expressive dance gestures, taking graceful steps |
| Ilaiyaval isaikka enai nee jeyikka | As this young woman creates music, can you defeat me? |
| Abinayam kaattu nadai pottu | Show your expressive dance gestures, taking graceful steps |
| Female | |
| Kuyil inam naan endru | Thinking that I belong to the cuckoo species, |
| Kural valam thaan kandu | And recognizing the power of my vocal resonance, |
| Ulagamae ariyaadhadho | Does the world not know this already? |
| Kuyil inam naan endru | Thinking that I belong to the cuckoo species, |
| Kural valam thaan kandu | And recognizing the power of my vocal resonance, |
| Ulagamae ariyaadhadho | Does the world not know this already? |
| Female | |
| Inimai en saareeram | Sweetness is in my vocal tone, |
| Pudhumai en sangeetham | Novelty is in my music, |
| Unakkidhu puriyaadhadho | Do you not understand this? |
| Paattindri yaedhamma | Where is the art of Bharatanatyam... |
| Baradha kalai …aaa….aa….aaa….aa…aa… | Where is the art of Bharatanatyam without song... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... |
| Paattindri yaedhamma baradha kalai | Where is the art of Bharatanatyam without song? |
| Naan paada nee aada noolidai adhu neliya neliya | As I sing and you dance, as your thread-like waist sways and bends |
| Female | |
| Abinayam kaattu nadai pottu | Show your expressive dance gestures, taking graceful steps |
| Female | |
| Pen aada iru kan thaan aada | As the woman dances, her two eyes dance along, |
| Paadhangal jathigalum payila | As her feet practice rhythmic dance steps, |
| Female | |
| Sollaadha pudhu sandham solla | To express unspoken new rhythms, |
| Thullaadha ilam thendral thulla | To make the gentle breeze bounce in excitement, |
| Female | |
| Pudhumaiyaana nadana thogai aada | As a novel peacock-like dancer dances, |
| Arumaiyaana geetham paavai paada | As a maiden sings an exquisite song, |
| Oruvar thiramai oruvar ariya udhavattumae | May this help each person recognize the other's talent! |
| Aadal enbadhanai paadal vellumadi | Song will conquer dance, my dear girl! |
| Paadal velluvadhai kaalam sollumadi | Time will tell whether song wins! |
| Unadhu manadhu enadhu kalaiyai unarattumae | May your mind realize my artistic prowess! |
| Ilam kuyil isaikkaiyilae | When the young cuckoo makes music, |
| Mayangidum iyarkaigalae | Nature itself falls under a spell! |
| Kanmaniyae …pon maniyae…. | My precious one... my golden gem... |
| Female | |
| Thaam tharikida thattheemtha | Thaam tharikida thattheemtha (Rhythmic dance syllables) |
| Thatthit thakajunu thaa | Thatthit thakajunu thaa (Rhythmic dance syllables) |
| Thaangidaka dheemtha thaangidaka dheemtha | Thaangidaka dheemtha thaangidaka dheemtha (Rhythmic dance syllables) |
| Thakajunu thaa | Thakajunu thaa (Rhythmic dance syllables) |
| Female | |
| Thakadhimi tharikidathaa d | Thakadhimi tharikidathaa d (Rhythmic dance syllables) |
| Dheemtha dheemtha | Dheemtha dheemtha (Rhythmic dance syllables) |
| Thatthit thaam dheemthat thakajunu thaa | Thatthit thaam dheemthat thakajunu thaa (Rhythmic dance syllables) |
| Female | |
| Thadhimi thajunu thakida thajunu | Thadhimi thajunu thakida thajunu (Rhythmic dance syllables) |
| Tharikida dheem | Tharikida dheem (Rhythmic dance syllables) |
| Female | |
| Thatthajam thatthajam thakadhina thaa | Thatthajam thatthajam thakadhina thaa (Rhythmic dance syllables) |
| Female | |
| Thadhimi thajunu dheem | Thadhimi thajunu dheem (Rhythmic dance syllables) |
| Female | |
| Thaangidathaka dheemtha dheem | Thaangidathaka dheemtha dheem (Rhythmic dance syllables) |
| Female | |
| Thadhimi thaa thakajunu thaa | Thadhimi thaa thakajunu thaa (Rhythmic dance syllables) |
| Thakida thaa thanuku thaa | Thakida thaa thanuku thaa (Rhythmic dance syllables) |
| Female | |
| Sagagaga saririri nisasasa dhaninini | Sa-ga-ga-ga sa-ri-ri-ri ni-sa-sa-sa dha-ni-ni-ni (Swaras / Musical notes) |
| Paadhaa dhaanee sanidhapa | Pa-dha-a dha-a-ne-e sa-ni-dha-pa (Swaras / Musical notes) |
| Padhadhadha mapapapa gamamama rigasari | Pa-dha-dha-dha ma-pa-pa-pa ga-ma-ma-ma ri-ga-sa-ri (Swaras / Musical notes) |
| Gaamaa paamaa garisa | Ga-a-ma-a pa-a-ma-a ga-ri-sa (Swaras / Musical notes) |
| Sarisa neesa rigama gaama | Sa-ri-sa ne-e-sa ri-ga-ma ga-a-ma (Swaras / Musical notes) |
| Gamapadha mapaha maapa dhanisa neesa | Ga-ma-pa-dha ma-pa-ha ma-a-pa dha-ni-sa ne-e-sa (Swaras / Musical notes) |
| Garee sarisanisa ree sarisanisa sarisanisa | Ga-re-e sa-ri-sa-ni-sa re-e sa-ri-sa-ni-sa sa-ri-sa-ni-sa (Swaras / Musical notes) |
| Sari gamaga mapa dhapama padha nisarisa | Sa-ri ga-ma-ga ma-pa dha-pa-ma pa-dha ni-sa-ri-sa (Swaras / Musical notes) |
| Female | |
| Abinayam kaattu nadai pottu | Show your expressive dance gestures, taking graceful steps |
| Ilaiyaval isaikka enai nee jeyikka | As this young woman creates music, can you defeat me? |
| Abinayam kaattu nadai pottu… | Show your expressive dance gestures, taking graceful steps... |
ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ...
ஹா....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....ஆஅ....ஆஅ.....தனரா தனரா
ஹா....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....ஆ.....
Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Ha... ah... ah... ah... ah... thanaraa thanaraa
Ha... ah... ah... ah... ah...
அபினயம் காட்டு நடை போட்டு...
Show your expressive dance gestures, taking graceful steps...
அபினயம் காட்டு நடை போட்டு
இளையவள் இசைக்க எனை நீ ஜெயிக்க
இளையவள் இசைக்க எனை நீ ஜெயிக்க
அபினயம் காட்டு நடை போட்டு
Show your expressive dance gestures, taking graceful steps
As this young woman creates music, can you defeat me?
As this young woman creates music, can you defeat me?
Show your expressive dance gestures, taking graceful steps
மாமல்லன் சிவகாமி மறு பிறப்போ
ஆஅ.....ஆ....ஆ....ஆ....ஆ....ஆ....ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ...ஆ....
மாமல்லன் சிவகாமி மறு பிறப்போ
மானாக மீனாக மையல் விழ விழிகள் மலர
Are you the reincarnation of Maamallan and Sivagami?
Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Are you the reincarnation of Maamallan and Sivagami?
Like a deer, like a fish, making eyes fall in love as eyes bloom
அபினயம் காட்டு நடை போட்டு
இளையவள் இசைக்க எனை நீ ஜெயிக்க
அபினயம் காட்டு நடை போட்டு
Show your expressive dance gestures, taking graceful steps
As this young woman creates music, can you defeat me?
Show your expressive dance gestures, taking graceful steps
குயில் இனம் நான் என்று
குரல் வளம் தான் கண்டு
உலகமே அறியாததோ
குயில் இனம் நான் என்று
குரல் வளம் தான் கண்டு
உலகமே அறியாததோ
Thinking that I belong to the cuckoo species,
And recognizing the power of my vocal resonance,
Does the world not know this already?
Thinking that I belong to the cuckoo species,
And recognizing the power of my vocal resonance,
Does the world not know this already?
இனிமை என் சாரீரம்
புதுமை என் சங்கீதம்
உனக்கிது புரியாததோ
பாட்டின்றி ஏதம்மா
பரதக் கலை.....ஆஅ....ஆ.....ஆஅ.....ஆ....ஆ.....
பாட்டின்றி ஏதம்மா பரதக் கலை
நான் பாட நீ ஆட நூலிடை அது நெளிய நெளிய
Sweetness is in my vocal tone,
Novelty is in my music,
Do you not understand this?
Where is the art of Bharatanatyam...
Where is the art of Bharatanatyam without song... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Where is the art of Bharatanatyam without song?
As I sing and you dance, as your thread-like waist sways and bends
அபினயம் காட்டு நடை போட்டு
Show your expressive dance gestures, taking graceful steps
பெண் ஆட இரு கண்தான் ஆட
பாதங்கள் ஜதிகளும் பயில
As the woman dances, her two eyes dance along,
As her feet practice rhythmic dance steps,
சொல்லாத புதுச் சந்தம் சொல்ல
துள்ளாத இளம் தென்றல் துள்ள
To express unspoken new rhythms,
To make the gentle breeze bounce in excitement,
புதுமையான நடன தோகை ஆட
அருமையான கீதம் பாவை பாட
ஒருவர் திறமை ஒருவர் அறிய உதவட்டுமே
ஆடல் என்பதனை பாடல் வெல்லுமடி
பாடல் வெல்லுவதை காலம் சொல்லுமடி
உனது மனது எனது கலையை உணரட்டுமே
இளம் குயில் இசைக்கையிலே
மயங்கிடும் இயற்கைகளே
கண்மணியே..........பொன்மணியே.....
As a novel peacock-like dancer dances,
As a maiden sings an exquisite song,
May this help each person recognize the other's talent!
Song will conquer dance, my dear girl!
Time will tell whether song wins!
May your mind realize my artistic prowess!
When the young cuckoo makes music,
Nature itself falls under a spell!
My precious one... my golden gem...
தாம் தரிகிட தத்தீம்த
தத்தித் தகஜுணு தா
தாங்கிடக தீம்த தாங்கிடக தீம்த
தகஜுணு தா
Thaam tharikida thattheemtha (Rhythmic dance syllables)
Thatthit thakajunu thaa (Rhythmic dance syllables)
Thaangidaka dheemtha thaangidaka dheemtha (Rhythmic dance syllables)
Thakajunu thaa (Rhythmic dance syllables)
தகதிமி தரிகிடதா
தீம்த தீம்த
தத்தித் தாம் தீம்தத் தகஜுணு த
Thakadhimi tharikidathaa d (Rhythmic dance syllables)
Dheemtha dheemtha (Rhythmic dance syllables)
Thatthit thaam dheemthat thakajunu thaa (Rhythmic dance syllables)
ததிமி தஜுணு தகிட தஜுணு
தரிகிட தீம்
Thadhimi thajunu thakida thajunu (Rhythmic dance syllables)
Tharikida dheem (Rhythmic dance syllables)
தத்தஜம் தத்தஜம் தகதின த
Thatthajam thatthajam thakadhina thaa (Rhythmic dance syllables)
ததிமி தஜுணு தீம்
Thadhimi thajunu dheem (Rhythmic dance syllables)
தாங்கிடதக தீம்த தீம்
Thaangidathaka dheemtha dheem (Rhythmic dance syllables)
ததிமி தா தகஜுணு தா
தகிட தா தணுகு தா
Thadhimi thaa thakajunu thaa (Rhythmic dance syllables)
Thakida thaa thanuku thaa (Rhythmic dance syllables)
ஸககக ஸரிரிரி நிஸஸஸ தநிநிநி
பாதா தாநீ ஸநிதப
பததத மபபப கமமம ரிகஸரி
காமா பாமா கரிஸ
ஸரிஸ நீஸ ரிகம காம
கமபத மபத மாப தநிஸ நீஸ
கரீ ஸரிஸநிஸ ரீ ஸரிஸநிஸ ஸரிஸநிஸ
ஸரி கமக மப தபம பத நிஸரிஸ
Sa-ga-ga-ga sa-ri-ri-ri ni-sa-sa-sa dha-ni-ni-ni (Swaras / Musical notes)
Pa-dha-a dha-a-ne-e sa-ni-dha-pa (Swaras / Musical notes)
Pa-dha-dha-dha ma-pa-pa-pa ga-ma-ma-ma ri-ga-sa-ri (Swaras / Musical notes)
Ga-a-ma-a pa-a-ma-a ga-ri-sa (Swaras / Musical notes)
Sa-ri-sa ne-e-sa ri-ga-ma ga-a-ma (Swaras / Musical notes)
Ga-ma-pa-dha ma-pa-ha ma-a-pa dha-ni-sa ne-e-sa (Swaras / Musical notes)
Ga-re-e sa-ri-sa-ni-sa re-e sa-ri-sa-ni-sa sa-ri-sa-ni-sa (Swaras / Musical notes)
Sa-ri ga-ma-ga ma-pa dha-pa-ma pa-dha ni-sa-ri-sa (Swaras / Musical notes)
அபினயம் காட்டு நடை போட்டு
இளையவள் இசைக்க எனை நீ ஜெயிக்க
அபினயம் காட்டு நடை போட்டு...
Show your expressive dance gestures, taking graceful steps
As this young woman creates music, can you defeat me?
Show your expressive dance gestures, taking graceful steps...
Aaa….aaa…..aaa….aaa….aaa….
Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Haa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa……thnaraa thanaraa
Ha... ah... ah... ah... ah... thanaraa thanaraa
Haa….aaa….aa….aaa…aa…
Ha... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Abinayam kaattu nadai pottu…
Show your expressive dance gestures, taking graceful steps...
Abinayam kaattu nadai pottu
Show your expressive dance gestures, taking graceful steps
Ilaiyaval isaikka enai nee jeyikka
As this young woman creates music, can you defeat me?
Ilaiyaval isaikka enai nee jeyikka
As this young woman creates music, can you defeat me?
Abinayam kaattu nadai pottu
Show your expressive dance gestures, taking graceful steps
Maamallan sivagaami maru pirappo
Are you the reincarnation of Maamallan and Sivagami?
Aaaa…aa….aa….aa….aa….aa….aa…aa…aa…aa…
Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Maamallan sivagaami maru pirappo
Are you the reincarnation of Maamallan and Sivagami?
Maanaaga meenaaga maiyal vizha vizhigal malara
Like a deer, like a fish, making eyes fall in love as eyes bloom
Abinayam kaattu nadai pottu
Show your expressive dance gestures, taking graceful steps
Ilaiyaval isaikka enai nee jeyikka
As this young woman creates music, can you defeat me?
Abinayam kaattu nadai pottu
Show your expressive dance gestures, taking graceful steps
Kuyil inam naan endru
Thinking that I belong to the cuckoo species,
Kural valam thaan kandu
And recognizing the power of my vocal resonance,
Ulagamae ariyaadhadho
Does the world not know this already?
Kuyil inam naan endru
Thinking that I belong to the cuckoo species,
Kural valam thaan kandu
And recognizing the power of my vocal resonance,
Ulagamae ariyaadhadho
Does the world not know this already?
Inimai en saareeram
Sweetness is in my vocal tone,
Pudhumai en sangeetham
Novelty is in my music,
Unakkidhu puriyaadhadho
Do you not understand this?
Paattindri yaedhamma
Where is the art of Bharatanatyam...
Baradha kalai …aaa….aa….aaa….aa…aa…
Where is the art of Bharatanatyam without song... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Paattindri yaedhamma baradha kalai
Where is the art of Bharatanatyam without song?
Naan paada nee aada noolidai adhu neliya neliya
As I sing and you dance, as your thread-like waist sways and bends
Abinayam kaattu nadai pottu
Show your expressive dance gestures, taking graceful steps
Pen aada iru kan thaan aada
As the woman dances, her two eyes dance along,
Paadhangal jathigalum payila
As her feet practice rhythmic dance steps,
Sollaadha pudhu sandham solla
To express unspoken new rhythms,
Thullaadha ilam thendral thulla
To make the gentle breeze bounce in excitement,
Pudhumaiyaana nadana thogai aada
As a novel peacock-like dancer dances,
Arumaiyaana geetham paavai paada
As a maiden sings an exquisite song,
Oruvar thiramai oruvar ariya udhavattumae
May this help each person recognize the other's talent!
Aadal enbadhanai paadal vellumadi
Song will conquer dance, my dear girl!
Paadal velluvadhai kaalam sollumadi
Time will tell whether song wins!
Unadhu manadhu enadhu kalaiyai unarattumae
May your mind realize my artistic prowess!
Ilam kuyil isaikkaiyilae
When the young cuckoo makes music,
Mayangidum iyarkaigalae
Nature itself falls under a spell!
Kanmaniyae …pon maniyae….
My precious one... my golden gem...
Thaam tharikida thattheemtha
Thaam tharikida thattheemtha (Rhythmic dance syllables)
Thatthit thakajunu thaa
Thatthit thakajunu thaa (Rhythmic dance syllables)
Thaangidaka dheemtha thaangidaka dheemtha
Thaangidaka dheemtha thaangidaka dheemtha (Rhythmic dance syllables)
Thakajunu thaa
Thakajunu thaa (Rhythmic dance syllables)
Thakadhimi tharikidathaa d
Thakadhimi tharikidathaa d (Rhythmic dance syllables)
Dheemtha dheemtha
Dheemtha dheemtha (Rhythmic dance syllables)
Thatthit thaam dheemthat thakajunu thaa
Thatthit thaam dheemthat thakajunu thaa (Rhythmic dance syllables)
Thadhimi thajunu thakida thajunu
Thadhimi thajunu thakida thajunu (Rhythmic dance syllables)
Tharikida dheem
Tharikida dheem (Rhythmic dance syllables)
Thatthajam thatthajam thakadhina thaa
Thatthajam thatthajam thakadhina thaa (Rhythmic dance syllables)
Thadhimi thajunu dheem
Thadhimi thajunu dheem (Rhythmic dance syllables)
Thaangidathaka dheemtha dheem
Thaangidathaka dheemtha dheem (Rhythmic dance syllables)
Thadhimi thaa thakajunu thaa
Thadhimi thaa thakajunu thaa (Rhythmic dance syllables)
Thakida thaa thanuku thaa
Thakida thaa thanuku thaa (Rhythmic dance syllables)
Sagagaga saririri nisasasa dhaninini
Sa-ga-ga-ga sa-ri-ri-ri ni-sa-sa-sa dha-ni-ni-ni (Swaras / Musical notes)
Paadhaa dhaanee sanidhapa
Pa-dha-a dha-a-ne-e sa-ni-dha-pa (Swaras / Musical notes)
Padhadhadha mapapapa gamamama rigasari
Pa-dha-dha-dha ma-pa-pa-pa ga-ma-ma-ma ri-ga-sa-ri (Swaras / Musical notes)
Gaamaa paamaa garisa
Ga-a-ma-a pa-a-ma-a ga-ri-sa (Swaras / Musical notes)
Sarisa neesa rigama gaama
Sa-ri-sa ne-e-sa ri-ga-ma ga-a-ma (Swaras / Musical notes)
Gamapadha mapaha maapa dhanisa neesa
Ga-ma-pa-dha ma-pa-ha ma-a-pa dha-ni-sa ne-e-sa (Swaras / Musical notes)
Garee sarisanisa ree sarisanisa sarisanisa
Ga-re-e sa-ri-sa-ni-sa re-e sa-ri-sa-ni-sa sa-ri-sa-ni-sa (Swaras / Musical notes)
Sari gamaga mapa dhapama padha nisarisa
Sa-ri ga-ma-ga ma-pa dha-pa-ma pa-dha ni-sa-ri-sa (Swaras / Musical notes)
Abinayam kaattu nadai pottu
Show your expressive dance gestures, taking graceful steps
Ilaiyaval isaikka enai nee jeyikka
As this young woman creates music, can you defeat me?
Abinayam kaattu nadai pottu…
Show your expressive dance gestures, taking graceful steps...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song represents a classic artistic jugalbandi (a competitive lyrical duel) between vocal music and Bharatanatyam dance. The singer challenges the dancer to match vocal nuances and fast-paced swaras with expressive facial gestures (abhinaya), graceful steps, and intricate rhythmic footwork (jathis). Lyricist Vaali weaves classical imagery and literary references into the lyrics, highlighting how vocal melody and dance form an inseparable bond in Indian classical fine arts.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Allusion (Ilakkiya Kurippu)
“Maamallan sivagaami maru pirappo”
Refers to Maamallan (King Narasimhavarman I) and Sivagami, the iconic protagonist dancer from Kalki's celebrated historic Tamil novel 'Sivagamiyin Sabatham'.
Simile / Metaphor (Uwamai / Uruvagathani)
“Maanaaga meenaaga maiyal vizha vizhigal malara”
Compares the expressive eyes of the dancer to a deer (maanaaga) and a fish (meenaaga) darting with emotion.
Monaai (Initial Alliteration)
“Kuyil inam naan endru / Kural valam thaan kandu”
Repetition of the initial 'K' sound across the lines ('Kuyil' and 'Kural').
Rhetorical Question
“Inimai en saareeram / Pudhumai en sangeetham / Unakkidhu puriyaadhadho”
The singer uses rhetorical questions to assert supremacy in song and rhythm.
Did you know?
Trivia
Although listed in song metadata as unknown composer in some compilations, the music for 'Vidiyum Varai Kaathiru' (1981), directed by K. Bhagyaraj, was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. The track showcases intricate Carnatic swara passages and classical solkattu (dance mnemonics) blended into a cinematic jugalbandi.
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