Arachcha Santhanam
From Chinna Thambi · 1991
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Chinna Thambi1991
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Arachcha sandhanam | Ground sandalwood paste |
| Manakkum kungumam | Fragrant vermilion |
| Azhaghu neththiyilae | On her beautiful forehead |
| Oru azhagu Pettagam | A treasure box of beauty |
| Pudhiya puththagam | A brand new book |
| Sirikkum pandhalilae | In the smiling decorated canopy |
| Male | |
| Muzhu chandhiran vandhadhupol | Like the full moon arriving |
| Oru sundari vandhadhenna | Why did a beautiful woman arrive? |
| Oru mandhiram senjadhapol | As if performing a spell |
| Pala maayangal thanthadhenna | Why did she bestow so many wonders? |
| Idhu poovoo poondhaenoo | Is this a flower or flower honey? |
| Male | |
| Arachcha sandhanam | Ground sandalwood paste |
| Manakkum kungumam | Fragrant vermilion |
| Azhaghu neththiyilae | On her beautiful forehead |
| Oru azhagu Pettagam | A treasure box of beauty |
| Pudhiya puththagam | A brand new book |
| Sirikkum pandhalilae | In the smiling decorated canopy |
| Male | |
| Poovadi ava ponnadi | Her feet are flower-like, her feet are golden |
| Adha thedi pogum thaeni | A honeybee goes searching for them |
| Thaenadi andha thiruvadi | Those sacred feet are pure honey |
| Ava devaloga Raani | She is the queen of the celestial realm |
| Male | |
| Thaazhampoovu vaasam | The fragrance of screwpine flowers |
| Veesum meniyoo | Is that wafting from her body? |
| Andha ezhu logam | A goddess unseen even |
| Paarththiraadha deviyoo | By the seven worlds? |
| Male | |
| Raththinam kattina poondheru | A flower chariot studded with gems |
| Onghala padachchadhaaru | Who created her to be so grand? |
| Ennikkum vayasu moovaaru | Her age is forever eighteen |
| En sollu palikkum paaru | Watch my words come true |
| Idhu poovoo poondhaenoo | Is this a flower or flower honey? |
| Male | |
| Arachcha sandhanam | Ground sandalwood paste |
| Manakkum kungumam | Fragrant vermilion |
| Azhaghu neththiyilae | On her beautiful forehead |
| Oru azhagu Pettagam | A treasure box of beauty |
| Pudhiya puththagam | A brand new book |
| Sirikkum pandhalilae | In the smiling decorated canopy |
| Male | |
| Muzhu chandhiran vandhadhupol | Like the full moon arriving |
| Oru sundari vandhadhenna | Why did a beautiful woman arrive? |
| Oru mandhiram senjadhapol | As if performing a spell |
| Pala maayangal thanthadhenna | Why did she bestow so many wonders? |
| Idhu poovoo poondhaenoo | Is this a flower or flower honey? |
| Male | |
| Arachcha sandhanam | Ground sandalwood paste |
| Manakkum kungumam | Fragrant vermilion |
| Azhaghu neththiyilae | On her beautiful forehead |
| Oru azhagu Pettagam | A treasure box of beauty |
| Pudhiya puththagam | A brand new book |
| Sirikkum pandhalilae | In the smiling decorated canopy |
| Male | |
| Maan vizhi oru thaenmozhi | Deer-like eyes, sweet honeyed speech |
| Nalla magizhamboovu adharam | Lips like beautiful Spanish cherry blossoms |
| Poo niram ava ponniram | Flower-complexioned, golden-complexioned |
| Ava sirikka nenappu sedharum | When she smiles, thoughts get scattered |
| Male | |
| Aelaa poovu kolampodum | Cardamom flower draws rangoli patterns |
| Naasi thaan | Her nose indeed |
| Pala jaalathodu aada poghum | With many playful tricks she will dance |
| Raasidhaan | Her royal charm indeed |
| Male | |
| Mottukkal innikku poovaachu | Buds have blossomed into flowers today |
| Chiththiram pennena aachu | A painting has transformed into a maiden |
| Katturen katturen naan paattu | I am composing and singing a song |
| Kaigala thattunga kettu | Clap your hands as you listen |
| Idhu poovoo poondhaenoo | Is this a flower or flower honey? |
| Male | |
| Arachcha sandhanam | Ground sandalwood paste |
| Manakkum kungumam | Fragrant vermilion |
| Azhaghu neththiyilae | On her beautiful forehead |
| Oru azhagu Pettagam | A treasure box of beauty |
| Pudhiya puththagam | A brand new book |
| Sirikkum pandhalilae | In the smiling decorated canopy |
| Male | |
| Muzhu chandhiran vandhadhupol | Like the full moon arriving |
| Oru sundari vandhadhenna | Why did a beautiful woman arrive? |
| Oru mandhiram senjadhapol | As if performing a spell |
| Pala maayangal thanthadhenna | Why did she bestow so many wonders? |
| Idhu poovoo poondhaenoo..ooo… | Is this a flower or flower honey... |
| Male | |
| Arachcha sandhanam | Ground sandalwood paste |
| Manakkum kungumam | Fragrant vermilion |
| Azhaghu neththiyilae | On her beautiful forehead |
| Oru azhagu Pettagam | A treasure box of beauty |
| Pudhiya puththagam | A brand new book |
| Sirikkum pandhalilae | In the smiling decorated canopy |
அரைச்ச சந்தனம்
மணக்கும் குங்குமம் அழகு
நெத்தியிலே ஒரு அழகு
பெட்டகம் புதிய புத்தகம்
சிரிக்கும் பந்தலிலே
Ground sandalwood paste
Fragrant vermilion
On her beautiful forehead
A treasure box of beauty
A brand new book
In the smiling decorated canopy
முழு சந்திரன்
வந்தது போல் ஒரு சுந்தரி
வந்ததென்ன ஒரு மந்திரம்
செஞ்சதுப் போல் பல
மாயங்கள் தந்ததென்ன
இது பூவோ பூந்தேனோ
Like the full moon arriving
Why did a beautiful woman arrive?
As if performing a spell
Why did she bestow so many wonders?
Is this a flower or flower honey?
அரைச்ச சந்தனம்
மணக்கும் குங்குமம் அழகு
நெத்தியிலே ஒரு அழகு
பெட்டகம் புதிய புத்தகம்
சிரிக்கும் பந்தலிலே
Ground sandalwood paste
Fragrant vermilion
On her beautiful forehead
A treasure box of beauty
A brand new book
In the smiling decorated canopy
பூவடி அவ
பொன்னடி அதை
தேடிப் போகும் தேனீ
தேனடி அந்த திருவடி
அவ தேவலோக ராணி
Her feet are flower-like, her feet are golden
A honeybee goes searching for them
Those sacred feet are pure honey
She is the queen of the celestial realm
தாழம்பூவு வாசம்
வீசும் மேனியோ அந்த ஏழு
லோகம் பார்த்திராத தேவியோ
The fragrance of screwpine flowers
Is that wafting from her body?
A goddess unseen even
By the seven worlds?
ரத்தினம் கட்டின
பூந்தேரு உங்களைப்
படைச்சதாரு என்னைக்கும்
வயசு மூவாறு என் சொல்லு
பலிக்கும் பாரு இது பூவோ
பூந்தேனோ
A flower chariot studded with gems
Who created her to be so grand?
Her age is forever eighteen
Watch my words come true
Is this a flower or flower honey?
அரைச்ச சந்தனம்
மணக்கும் குங்குமம் அழகு
நெத்தியிலே ஒரு அழகு
பெட்டகம் புதிய புத்தகம்
சிரிக்கும் பந்தலிலே
Ground sandalwood paste
Fragrant vermilion
On her beautiful forehead
A treasure box of beauty
A brand new book
In the smiling decorated canopy
முழு சந்திரன்
வந்தது போல் ஒரு
சுந்தரி வந்ததென்ன
ஒரு மந்திரம் செஞ்சதப்
போல் பல மாயங்கள்
தந்ததென்ன இது பூவோ
பூந்தேனோ
Like the full moon arriving
Why did a beautiful woman arrive?
As if performing a spell
Why did she bestow so many wonders?
Is this a flower or flower honey?
அரைச்ச சந்தனம்
மணக்கும் குங்குமம் அழகு
நெத்தியிலே ஒரு அழகு
பெட்டகம் புதிய புத்தகம்
சிரிக்கும் பந்தலிலே
Ground sandalwood paste
Fragrant vermilion
On her beautiful forehead
A treasure box of beauty
A brand new book
In the smiling decorated canopy
மான்விழி ஒரு
தேன்மொழி நல்ல
மகிழம்பூவு அதரம்
பூநிறம் அவ பொன்னிறம்
அவ சிரிக்க நினைப்பு சிதறும்
Deer-like eyes, sweet honeyed speech
Lips like beautiful Spanish cherry blossoms
Flower-complexioned, golden-complexioned
When she smiles, thoughts get scattered
ஏலப்பூவு கோலம்
போடும் நாசிதான் பல
ஜாலத்தோடு ஆடப்
போகும் ராசிதான்
Cardamom flower draws rangoli patterns
Her nose indeed
With many playful tricks she will dance
Her royal charm indeed
மொட்டுக்கள்
இன்னைக்குப் பூவாச்சு
சித்திரம் பெண்ணென
ஆச்சு கட்டுறேன் கட்டுறேன்
நான் பாட்டு கைகளைத்
தட்டுங்க கேட்டு இது பூவோ
பூந்தேனோ
Buds have blossomed into flowers today
A painting has transformed into a maiden
I am composing and singing a song
Clap your hands as you listen
Is this a flower or flower honey?
அரைச்ச சந்தனம்
மணக்கும் குங்குமம் அழகு
நெத்தியிலே ஒரு அழகு
பெட்டகம் புதிய புத்தகம்
சிரிக்கும் பந்தலிலே
Ground sandalwood paste
Fragrant vermilion
On her beautiful forehead
A treasure box of beauty
A brand new book
In the smiling decorated canopy
முழு சந்திரன்
வந்தது போல் ஒரு சுந்தரி
வந்ததென்ன ஒரு மந்திரம்
செஞ்சதுப் போல் பல
மாயங்கள் தந்ததென்ன
இது பூவோ பூந்தேனோ
Like the full moon arriving
Why did a beautiful woman arrive?
As if performing a spell
Why did she bestow so many wonders?
Is this a flower or flower honey...
அரைச்ச சந்தனம்
மணக்கும் குங்குமம் அழகு
நெத்தியிலே ஒரு அழகு
பெட்டகம் புதிய புத்தகம்
சிரிக்கும் பந்தலிலே
Ground sandalwood paste
Fragrant vermilion
On her beautiful forehead
A treasure box of beauty
A brand new book
In the smiling decorated canopy
Arachcha sandhanam
Ground sandalwood paste
Manakkum kungumam
Fragrant vermilion
Azhaghu neththiyilae
On her beautiful forehead
Oru azhagu Pettagam
A treasure box of beauty
Pudhiya puththagam
A brand new book
Sirikkum pandhalilae
In the smiling decorated canopy
Muzhu chandhiran vandhadhupol
Like the full moon arriving
Oru sundari vandhadhenna
Why did a beautiful woman arrive?
Oru mandhiram senjadhapol
As if performing a spell
Pala maayangal thanthadhenna
Why did she bestow so many wonders?
Idhu poovoo poondhaenoo
Is this a flower or flower honey?
Arachcha sandhanam
Ground sandalwood paste
Manakkum kungumam
Fragrant vermilion
Azhaghu neththiyilae
On her beautiful forehead
Oru azhagu Pettagam
A treasure box of beauty
Pudhiya puththagam
A brand new book
Sirikkum pandhalilae
In the smiling decorated canopy
Poovadi ava ponnadi
Her feet are flower-like, her feet are golden
Adha thedi pogum thaeni
A honeybee goes searching for them
Thaenadi andha thiruvadi
Those sacred feet are pure honey
Ava devaloga Raani
She is the queen of the celestial realm
Thaazhampoovu vaasam
The fragrance of screwpine flowers
Veesum meniyoo
Is that wafting from her body?
Andha ezhu logam
A goddess unseen even
Paarththiraadha deviyoo
By the seven worlds?
Raththinam kattina poondheru
A flower chariot studded with gems
Onghala padachchadhaaru
Who created her to be so grand?
Ennikkum vayasu moovaaru
Her age is forever eighteen
En sollu palikkum paaru
Watch my words come true
Idhu poovoo poondhaenoo
Is this a flower or flower honey?
Arachcha sandhanam
Ground sandalwood paste
Manakkum kungumam
Fragrant vermilion
Azhaghu neththiyilae
On her beautiful forehead
Oru azhagu Pettagam
A treasure box of beauty
Pudhiya puththagam
A brand new book
Sirikkum pandhalilae
In the smiling decorated canopy
Muzhu chandhiran vandhadhupol
Like the full moon arriving
Oru sundari vandhadhenna
Why did a beautiful woman arrive?
Oru mandhiram senjadhapol
As if performing a spell
Pala maayangal thanthadhenna
Why did she bestow so many wonders?
Idhu poovoo poondhaenoo
Is this a flower or flower honey?
Arachcha sandhanam
Ground sandalwood paste
Manakkum kungumam
Fragrant vermilion
Azhaghu neththiyilae
On her beautiful forehead
Oru azhagu Pettagam
A treasure box of beauty
Pudhiya puththagam
A brand new book
Sirikkum pandhalilae
In the smiling decorated canopy
Maan vizhi oru thaenmozhi
Deer-like eyes, sweet honeyed speech
Nalla magizhamboovu adharam
Lips like beautiful Spanish cherry blossoms
Poo niram ava ponniram
Flower-complexioned, golden-complexioned
Ava sirikka nenappu sedharum
When she smiles, thoughts get scattered
Aelaa poovu kolampodum
Cardamom flower draws rangoli patterns
Naasi thaan
Her nose indeed
Pala jaalathodu aada poghum
With many playful tricks she will dance
Raasidhaan
Her royal charm indeed
Mottukkal innikku poovaachu
Buds have blossomed into flowers today
Chiththiram pennena aachu
A painting has transformed into a maiden
Katturen katturen naan paattu
I am composing and singing a song
Kaigala thattunga kettu
Clap your hands as you listen
Idhu poovoo poondhaenoo
Is this a flower or flower honey?
Arachcha sandhanam
Ground sandalwood paste
Manakkum kungumam
Fragrant vermilion
Azhaghu neththiyilae
On her beautiful forehead
Oru azhagu Pettagam
A treasure box of beauty
Pudhiya puththagam
A brand new book
Sirikkum pandhalilae
In the smiling decorated canopy
Muzhu chandhiran vandhadhupol
Like the full moon arriving
Oru sundari vandhadhenna
Why did a beautiful woman arrive?
Oru mandhiram senjadhapol
As if performing a spell
Pala maayangal thanthadhenna
Why did she bestow so many wonders?
Idhu poovoo poondhaenoo..ooo…
Is this a flower or flower honey...
Arachcha sandhanam
Ground sandalwood paste
Manakkum kungumam
Fragrant vermilion
Azhaghu neththiyilae
On her beautiful forehead
Oru azhagu Pettagam
A treasure box of beauty
Pudhiya puththagam
A brand new book
Sirikkum pandhalilae
In the smiling decorated canopy
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Arachcha Sandhanam is a celebratory song from the iconic 1991 film Chinna Thambi, composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and written by Gangai Amaran. The song vividly describes the radiant beauty, grace, and innocence of a young woman as she enters a decorated festive canopy, comparing her attributes to aromatic sandalwood, vermilion, blooming flowers, and the glowing full moon. Through poetic imagery, the narrator marvels at her heavenly presence, comparing her arrival to magic or a painting coming to life. The song captures the joyous mood of rural celebrations in Tamil Nadu, filled with rhythm, vibrant visual metaphors, and lyrical charm.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Muzhu chandhiran vandhadhupol”
Compares the arrival of the beautiful maiden to the radiant emergence of the full moon.
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Chiththiram pennena aachu”
Metaphorically compares a painting turning into a living woman.
Second-letter Rhyme (Etukai)
“Arachcha sandhanam / Sirikkum pandhalilae”
The second consonant 'ra' matches across adjacent lines, creating a rhythmic harmony.
Did you know?
Trivia
Chinna Thambi (1991) starring Prabhu and Kushboo was an all-time blockbuster in Tamil cinema. Composed by Ilaiyaraaja, the film's soundtrack became enormously popular across South India, winning the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director.
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