Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Achcham Naanam

From Thedi Vantha Lakshmi · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Sanjay
Movie name
Thedi Vantha Lakshmi
Movie release year
1973
Lyrics added on
24 May 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Haa acham naanam
Nee pen endru sollamal sollum
Micham meedham
Un kannodu thullamal thullum
Jillendra kaatrodu
Sellkindra poovaasam naan
Adhai nillendru solgindra
Polladha kann undhan kannallavoo
Haa acham naanam
Nee pen endru sollamal sollum
Micham meedham
Un kannodu thullamal thullum
Kannanin avadharam
En kadhalan vadivagum
Male :Kannukku alangaram
En kanmani uruvaagum
Pennukku yedhu vendum
Unmai pesum thunai vendum
Male :Nenjukku yedhu vendum
Suga ninaivae vara vendum
Acham naanam
Naan pen endru sollamal sollum
Micham meedham
En kannodu thullamal thullum
Aadudhu en dhegam
Aanaal adhil oru sandhegam
Male :Kanniyin sandhegam
Nalla kaadhalin sangeetham
Mandhiram pottaayoo
Naan mayangugiren kanna
Male :Sonnadhu podhadhu
Innum sollugiren kannae
Acham naanam
Nee pen endru sollamal sollum
Micham meedham
Un kannodu thullamal thullum
Jillendra kaatrodu
Sellkindra poovaasam naan
Adhai nillendru solgindra
Polladha kann undhan kannallavoo
Haa acham naanam
Nee pen endru sollamal sollum
Micham meedham
Un kannodu thullamal thullum
Ah, fear and shyness
silently tell that you are a woman.
Whatever remains
dances playfully in your eyes.
Along with the cool breeze,
I am the scent of flowers drifting by;
and telling it to stop,
isn't that mischievous eye yours?
Ah, fear and shyness
silently tell that you are a woman.
Whatever remains
dances playfully in your eyes.
An incarnation of Lord Krishna
has taken the form of my lover.
An adornment to the eyes
is the beauty of my darling.
What does a woman need?
She needs a partner who speaks the truth.
What does the heart need?
Only sweet memories should fill it.
Fear and shyness
silently tell that I am a woman.
Whatever remains
dances playfully in my eyes.
My body sways,
yet a hesitation lingers within.
A young girl's hesitation
is the sweet music of true love.
Did you cast a magic spell?
I am losing myself in love, my dear!
What I have said is not enough,
I will tell you even more, my darling.
Fear and shyness
silently tell that you are a woman.
Whatever remains
dances playfully in your eyes.
Along with the cool breeze,
I am the scent of flowers drifting by;
and telling it to stop,
isn't that mischievous eye yours?
Ah, fear and shyness
silently tell that you are a woman.
Whatever remains
dances playfully in your eyes.
Male
Female
Male
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic romantic duet revolves around the traditional qualities of a Tamil woman—fear (acham) and modesty (naanam)—which silently reveal her womanhood and affection. The lovers engage in a playful, poetic dialogue where the heroine compares her lover to an incarnation of Krishna, while the hero praises her enchanting gaze that can freeze time and motion like a spell.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emoni (Second letter rhyme)

“Haa acham naanam / Micham meedham”

The second letters of 'acham' and 'micham' rhyme ('ch'), creating a rhythmic flow standard in Tamil poetry.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Sellkindra poovaasam naan”

The heroine compares herself to flower fragrance carried by cool breeze ('poovaasam naan').

Oxymoron / Play of Words

“Un kannodu thullamal thullum”

'Thullamal thullum' translates to 'leaping without actually leaping', poetically describing subtle eye movements.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Acham Naanam' from the 1973 film 'Thedi Vantha Lakshmi' features legendary actors Jaishankar and Lakshmi. The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan (credited here alongside Sanjay/MSV arrangement tradition) with memorable renditions by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela, written by Kannadasan.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Maalai Mayanginal1979
Inikkum IlamaiCourtshipPlayful Romance
Odai Thanneeril Meenada1984
NinaivugalPlayful RomanceRomantic
Thendral Vandhu1967
PanthayamRomanticBeauty
Konjam Nilladi1967
Kathalithal PothumaCourtshipPlayful Romance
Neela Niram1970
En AnnanRomanticDevotion
Solli Tharava Solli Tharava1987
Uzhavan MaganCourtshipPlayful Romance

From the same album

More songs from Thedi Vantha Lakshmi

View album
Selaiyil Moodiya1973
Thedi Vantha LakshmiPlayful
Jimkaana Jimkaana1973
Thedi Vantha LakshmiPlayful

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.