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Akkarai Pachchai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Arasanai Partha Kannukku

From Akkarai Pachchai · 1974

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Akkarai Pachchai
Movie release year
1974
Lyrics added on
30 May 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Arasanai paartha kannukku
Purushanai paartha pudikaathu
Arasanai pathi therinjikitta
Purushanai nenju marakaathu
Arasanai paartha kannukku
Purushanai paartha pudikaathu
Arasanai pathi therinjikitta
Purushanai nenju marakaathu
Adhu sari adhu sari
Puriyudhu puriyudhu
Male :Aaahaa haa haa ahaa haa haa
Arasanai paartha kannukku
Purushanai paartha pudikaathu
Arasanai pathi therinjikitta
Purushanai nenju marakaathu
Kai kettum endha palamum
Sila kaalam pona kasakkum
Kai kettum endha palamum
Sila kaalam pona kasakkum
Un kannil thondri maraiyum
Verum kaanal neerum inikkum
Adhu sari adhu sari
Puriyudhu puriyudhu
Male :Aaahaa haa haa hoo oo hooo
Arasanai paartha kannukku
Purushanai paartha pudikaathu
Arasanai pathi therinjikitta
Purushanai nenju marakaathu
Ponnunga buthi pinn buthi
Un podavaiyai naanum pinpattri
Ponnunga buthi pinn buthi
Un podavaiyai naanum pinpattri
Haa…haa…haaa..hoo hoo hoo hmm hmm
Ponnunga buthi pinn buthi
Un podavaiyai naanum pinpattri
poovai parithathu en buthi
Kai punnaai ponathu mul kuthi
Adhu sari adhu sari
Puriyudhu puriyudhu
Male :Aaahaa haa haa hoo oo oo
Arasanai paartha kannukku
Purushanai paartha pudikaathu
Arasanai pathi therinjikitta
Purushanai nenju marakaathu
Thannikku poraa chellamma
Un thalaiyil thooki paaramma
Thannikku poraa chellamma
Un thalaiyil thooki paaramma
Paanaikku adhu thaan thalai amma
Namakku pattana vaasam sugam amma
Adhu sari adhu sari
Puriyudhu puriyudhu
Male :Aaahaa haa haa hoo ooo hoo ooo
Arasanai paartha kannukku
Purushanai paartha pudikaathu
Arasanai pathi therinjikitta
Purushanai nenju marakaathu
Adhu sari adhu sari
Puriyudhu puriyudhu
Both :Aaahaa haa haa hoo ooo hoo ooo
To eyes that have seen a king,
their own husband does not look appealing.
But once you truly know what a king is like,
the heart will never forget its husband.
To eyes that have seen a king,
their own husband does not look appealing.
But once you truly know what a king is like,
the heart will never forget its husband.
That is true, that is true!
I understand, I understand!
Male: Aha ha ha, aha ha ha!
To eyes that have seen a king,
their own husband does not look appealing.
But once you truly know what a king is like,
the heart will never forget its husband.
Any fruit that is within easy reach
tastes bitter after some time.
Any fruit that is within easy reach
tastes bitter after some time.
Yet appearing and fading before your eyes,
even the water of a mirage seems sweet.
That is true, that is true!
I understand, I understand!
Male: Aha ha ha, hoo oo hoo oo!
To eyes that have seen a king,
their own husband does not look appealing.
But once you truly know what a king is like,
the heart will never forget its husband.
They say a woman's wisdom comes only in hindsight,
and following closely behind your saree,
They say a woman's wisdom comes only in hindsight,
and following closely behind your saree,
Ha... ha... ha... hoo hoo hoo, mm mm...
They say a woman's wisdom comes only in hindsight,
and following closely behind your saree,
I foolishly tried to pluck a flower,
only for my hand to be wounded by thorns.
That is true, that is true!
I understand, I understand!
Male: Aha ha ha, hoo oo oo!
To eyes that have seen a king,
their own husband does not look appealing.
But once you truly know what a king is like,
the heart will never forget its husband.
Look at Sellamma going to fetch water,
try carrying that heavy load on your head!
Look at Sellamma going to fetch water,
try carrying that heavy load on your head!
Her head exists only to bear that water pot, my dear,
while living in the city is pure comfort for us!
That is true, that is true!
I understand, I understand!
Male: Aha ha ha, hoo oo oo, hoo oo oo!
To eyes that have seen a king,
their own husband does not look appealing.
But once you truly know what a king is like,
the heart will never forget its husband.
That is true, that is true!
I understand, I understand!
Both: Aha ha ha, hoo oo oo, hoo oo oo!
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Arasanai Paartha Kannukku' from the 1974 Tamil film 'Akkarai Pachchai' uses witty allegories and philosophical proverbs to reflect on human perception, desire, and illusion. Kannadasan crafts a clever dialogue between reality and fascination—noting that while grander, distant objects ('the king') might initially make everyday realities ('the husband') seem mundane, realizing the reality behind glamorous illusions ultimately brings one back to treasuring grounded truths. The proverb-driven lyricism emphasizes how easily available pleasures tend to lose their charm ('fruit within reach turns bitter'), whereas illusive desires ('mirage') hold a deceptive sweetness until wisdom prevails.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

“Arasanai paartha kannukku / Purushanai paartha pudikaathu”

The 'king' (Arasan) represents glamorous illusions or unattainable desires, while the 'husband' (Purushan) symbolizes everyday realistic contentment.

Paradox

“Kai kettum endha palamum / Sila kaalam pona kasakkum / Un kannil thondri maraiyum / Verum kaanal neerum inikkum”

The lyrics contrast how reachable pleasures lose value over time whereas unreal illusions (mirages) seem enticing.

Edukku (Initial Rhyme / Assonance)

“Ponnunga buthi pinn buthi / Un podavaiyai naanum pinpattri”

Repetition of phonetic patterns across lines such as 'Ponnunga' and 'Un podavaiyai' creating a rhythmic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Akkarai Pachchai' translates to 'The grass is greener on the other side', a theme directly captured in Kannadasan's lyrics. Composed by M. S. Viswanathan, the song features humorous social observations typical of Kannadasan's lighter philosophical tracks.

Keep listening

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Thondaikkulle Oru Vikkal1988
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Manakkum Malligai1992
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From the same album

More songs from Akkarai Pachchai

View album
Pothigaimalai Santhaname1974
Akkarai PachchaiDevotional
Oorkolam Pogindra Kili1974
Akkarai PachchaiRomantic
Ikkaraikku Akkarai Pachai1974
Akkarai PachchaiContemplative

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