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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Akkakko Kai Kai

From Jeevanamsam · 1968

Lyricist
Malliyam Rajagopal
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Jeevanamsam1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Akkakko kai kai malar kaiAha, a hand, a hand, a flower-like hand!
Ammammooi kai mel kai vaiOh my, place your hand upon my hand!
Akkakko kai kai malar kaiAha, a hand, a hand, a flower-like hand!
Ammammooi kai mel kai vaiOh my, place your hand upon my hand!
Ingu oru kai thazhuvum maru kaiHere, one hand embraces the other hand.
Andha irukkai inaidhaal vaazhkaiIf those two hands join, life is complete.
Akkakko kai kai malar kaiAha, a hand, a hand, a flower-like hand!
Ammammooi kai mel kai vaiOh my, place your hand upon my hand!
Female
Salangai kulunga nadakkumWalking as her anklets jingle,
Silai azhagaithe statue-like beauty,
Sondham kondu anaikkumembracing her with affection,
Mannan manikkaiis the kingly precious hand.
Salangai kulunga nadakkumWalking as her anklets jingle,
Silai azhagaithe statue-like beauty,
Sondham kondu anaikkumembracing her with affection,
Mannan manikkaiis the kingly precious hand.
Oru ninaivil urugum mangaiA young woman melting in a single thought,
Uravil pongum inba gangaia Ganges of joy overflowing in intimacy.
Haa kai kai kai kaiAh, hands, hands, hands, hands!
Male
Akkakko kai kai malar kaiAha, a hand, a hand, a flower-like hand!
Ammammooi kai mel kai vaiOh my, place your hand upon my hand!
Male
Idhalil or punnagaiA smile on the lips,
Adhu pon nagaithat is a golden jewel.
Female :Mullai malligaiFemale: Jasmine and Arabian jasmine,
Male :Idhayam or maligaiMale: The heart is a mansion,
Adhan vadagaiits rent,
Female :Anbu kanikkaiFemale: is an offering of love.
Male :Iravil aayiram vaedikkaiMale: A thousand delights in the night,
Female :Ilam vayadhil idhu thaan vadikkaiFemale: this is customary in youth.
Female
Akkakko kai kai malar kaiAha, a hand, a hand, a flower-like hand!
Male :Ammammooi kai mel kai vaiMale: Oh my, place your hand upon my hand!
Male
Iyarkkai alli virikkumNature generously spreads,
Malar padukkaia bed of flowers.
Female :Ilamai solli mudikkumFemale: Youth will complete,
Inba kanakkaithe arithmetic of pleasure.
Male
Iyarkkai alli virikkumNature generously spreads,
Malar padukkaia bed of flowers.
Female :Ilamai solli mudikkumFemale: Youth will complete,
Inba kanakkaithe arithmetic of pleasure.
Male
Idhu thalaivan thalaivi saerkkaiThis is the union of hero and heroine,
Female :Idaiyil thaevai illai thanikkaiFemale: no inspection or audit is needed in between!
Female
Akkakko kai kai malar kaiAha, a hand, a hand, a flower-like hand!
Ammammooi kai mel kai vaiOh my, place your hand upon my hand!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful romantic duet expresses the intimacy and joy of lovers uniting. Built around clever wordplay centered on the word 'kai' (hand), the lyrics weave together sweet romantic banters about physical touch, youthful passion, and sweet emotional connection. The lovers metaphorically view their hearts as a mansion where love serves as the rent, and celebrate their romantic union as a natural experience of youth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Repetition / Repetitive Rhythm (Adukkuthodar)

Akkakko kai kai malar kai

The word 'kai' (hand) is repeated rhythmically throughout the chorus to create an infectious musical beat and emphasize touch.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Idhayam or maligai

Comparing a delicate hand to a soft flower ('malar kai') and heart to a palace ('Idhayam or maligai').

Internal Rhyme / Wordplay (Pun)

Idhalil or punnagai / Adhu pon nagai

Wordplay matching 'punnagai' (smile) with 'pon nagai' (golden ornament).

Second-letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

Iyarkkai alli virikkum / Ilamai solli mudikkum

The second consonant 'ya' matches across lines ('Iyarkkai' and 'Ilamai').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from the 1968 Tamil film 'Jeevanamsam', starring Jaishankar and Lakshmi. The film was directed by Malliyam Rajagopal, who also penned the lyrics for this song, set to music by the veteran composer K. V. Mahadevan.

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