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Aandavan Kattalai (1964) album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Amaithiyaana Nathiyinile (Sad)

From Aandavan Kattalai (1964) · 1964

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Movie name
Aandavan Kattalai (1964)
Movie release year
1964
Lyrics added on
16 Feb 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thennai ilam keettrinilae…
Ae… ae… ae…
Thennai ilam keettrinilae
Thaalaattum thendraladhu
Thennai ilam keettrinilae
Thaalaattum thendraladhu
Thennai thanai saaithu vidum
Puyalaaga varum pozhudhu
Thennai thanai saaithu vidum
Puyalaaga varum pozhudhu
Amaidhiyaana nadhiyinilae
Odum odam
Alavillaadha vellam vandhaal
Aadum
Kaattrinilum mazhaiyinilum
Kalanga vaikkum idiyinilum
Kaattrinilum mazhaiyinilum
Kalanga vaikkum idiyinilum
Karayinilae odhunghi nindraal vaazhum
Hoi hoi
Female :Kaattrinilum mazhaiyinilum
Kalanga vaikkum idiyinilum
Karayinilae odhunghi nindraal vaazhum(Overlap)
Amaidhiyaana nadhiyinilae
Odum odam
Alavillaadha vellam vandhaal
Aadum
Female :Oo….ooo….oo…..oo….oo….ooo…..(Overlap)
O… amaidhiyaana nadhiyinilae
Nadhiyinilae nadhiyinilae odum
Naanalilae kaaleduthu
Nadandhu vandha penmai idhu
Naanam ennum thendralilae
Thottil kattum menmai idhu
Andhiyil mayangi vizhum
Kaalaiyil thelindhu vidum
Anbu mozhi kettu vittaal
Thunba nilai maari vidum
Amaidhiyaana nadhiyinilae
Odum odam
Alavillaadha vellam vandhaal
Aadum
Kaattrinilum mazhaiyinilum
Kalanga vaikkum idiyinilum
Karayinilae odhungi nindraal vaazhum
Hoi hoi
Amaidhiyaana nadhiyinilae odum
In the young fronds of the coconut palm...
Ae... ae... ae...
In the young fronds of the coconut palm,
the breeze that sings a lullaby...
In the young fronds of the coconut palm,
the breeze that sings a lullaby...
will bring down the tree itself,
when it turns into a storm.
Will bring down the tree itself,
when it turns into a storm.
On a calm river,
the boat glides smoothly;
if a boundless flood arrives,
it is tossed about.
Through the wind and the rain,
and through the terrifying thunder,
Through the wind and the rain,
and through the terrifying thunder,
if it takes shelter by the riverbank, it will survive.
Hoy hoy!
Female: Through the wind and the rain,
and through the terrifying thunder,
if it takes shelter by the riverbank, it will survive. (overlap)
On a calm river,
the boat glides smoothly;
if a boundless flood arrives,
it is tossed about.
Female: Ooh... ooh... ooh... (overlap)
Oh... on a calm river,
on the river, on the river, it glides...
Stepping gracefully like a slender reed,
this woman came walking;
in the gentle breeze of modesty,
this noble heart swings like a cradle.
It swoons in sorrow at dusk,
and clears up with the morning light;
if it hears gentle words of love,
all its grief will fade away.
On a calm river,
the boat glides smoothly;
if a boundless flood arrives,
it is tossed about.
Through the wind and the rain,
and through the terrifying thunder,
if it takes shelter by the riverbank, it will survive.
Hoy hoy!
It glides along on a calm river...
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Amaidhiyaana Nadhiyinilae from Aandavan Kattalai (1964) is a philosophical song written by Kannadasan that reflects on human life, resilience, and emotional grace using rich nature imagery. The song uses the metaphor of a boat gliding on a calm river that sways when hit by unexpected floods. Similarly, a gentle breeze that lulls coconut fronds can turn into a destructive storm, illustrating how life's circumstances can swiftly shift from peace to adversity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Allegory / Metaphor

Amaidhiyaana nadhiyinilae odum odam alavillaadha vellam vandhaal aadum stage context line 11-14: In a peaceful, calm river, a boat glides along; if an overwhelming flood comes, it sways and rocks.

Juxtaposition / Contrast

Thennai ilam keettrinilae thaalaattum thendraladhu... puyalaaga varum pozhudhu

Personification

Naanam ennum thendralilae thottil kattum menmai idhu

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy for Aandavan Kattalai (1964), this iconic song features lyrics by Kannadasan that blend nature metaphors with life philosophy, performed by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela.

Keep listening

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