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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Arasanai Partha Kannukku

From Akkarai Pachchai · 1974

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Akkarai Pachchai1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Arasanai paartha kannukkuEyes that have seen the king
Purushanai paartha pudikaathuWon't like looking at the husband
Arasanai pathi therinjikittaOnce the truth about the king is known
Purushanai nenju marakaathuThe heart will not forget the husband
Male
Arasanai paartha kannukkuEyes that have seen the king
Purushanai paartha pudikaathuWon't like looking at the husband
Arasanai pathi therinjikittaOnce the truth about the king is known
Purushanai nenju marakaathuThe heart will not forget the husband
Female
Adhu sari adhu sariThat is right, that is right
Puriyudhu puriyudhuIt is understood, it is understood
Male :Aaahaa haa haa ahaa haa haaMale : Aaahaa haa haa ahaa haa haa
Male
Arasanai paartha kannukkuEyes that have seen the king
Purushanai paartha pudikaathuWon't like looking at the husband
Arasanai pathi therinjikittaOnce the truth about the king is known
Purushanai nenju marakaathuThe heart will not forget the husband
Male
Kai kettum endha palamumAny fruit that is within reach
Sila kaalam pona kasakkumWill turn bitter after some time
Kai kettum endha palamumAny fruit that is within reach
Sila kaalam pona kasakkumWill turn bitter after some time
Un kannil thondri maraiyumAppearing and disappearing in your eyes
Verum kaanal neerum inikkumEven a mere mirage feels sweet
Female
Adhu sari adhu sariThat is right, that is right
Puriyudhu puriyudhuIt is understood, it is understood
Male :Aaahaa haa haa hoo oo hoooMale : Aaahaa haa haa hoo oo hooo
Male
Arasanai paartha kannukkuEyes that have seen the king
Purushanai paartha pudikaathuWon't like looking at the husband
Arasanai pathi therinjikittaOnce the truth about the king is known
Purushanai nenju marakaathuThe heart will not forget the husband
Male
Ponnunga buthi pinn buthiWomen's intellect is afterthought
Un podavaiyai naanum pinpattriBy following your saree
Ponnunga buthi pinn buthiWomen's intellect is afterthought
Un podavaiyai naanum pinpattriBy following your saree
Female
Haa…haa…haaa..hoo hoo hoo hmm hmmHaa…haa…haaa..hoo hoo hoo hmm hmm
Male
Ponnunga buthi pinn buthiWomen's intellect is afterthought
Un podavaiyai naanum pinpattriBy following your saree
poovai parithathu en buthiPlucking the flower was my intellect's doing
Kai punnaai ponathu mul kuthiMy hand got wounded by the thorn's prick
Female
Adhu sari adhu sariThat is right, that is right
Puriyudhu puriyudhuIt is understood, it is understood
Male :Aaahaa haa haa hoo oo ooMale : Aaahaa haa haa hoo oo oo
Male
Arasanai paartha kannukkuEyes that have seen the king
Purushanai paartha pudikaathuWon't like looking at the husband
Arasanai pathi therinjikittaOnce the truth about the king is known
Purushanai nenju marakaathuThe heart will not forget the husband
Male
Thannikku poraa chellammaChellamma going for water
Un thalaiyil thooki paarammaLift it up onto your head and see, dear
Thannikku poraa chellammaChellamma going for water
Un thalaiyil thooki paarammaLift it up onto your head and see, dear
Paanaikku adhu thaan thalai ammaThat is indeed the head rest for the pot, mother
Namakku pattana vaasam sugam ammaFor us, city living is pleasant, mother
Female
Adhu sari adhu sariThat is right, that is right
Puriyudhu puriyudhuIt is understood, it is understood
Male :Aaahaa haa haa hoo ooo hoo oooMale : Aaahaa haa haa hoo ooo hoo ooo
Male
Arasanai paartha kannukkuEyes that have seen the king
Purushanai paartha pudikaathuWon't like looking at the husband
Arasanai pathi therinjikittaOnce the truth about the king is known
Purushanai nenju marakaathuThe heart will not forget the husband
Female
Adhu sari adhu sariThat is right, that is right
Puriyudhu puriyudhuIt is understood, it is understood
Both :Aaahaa haa haa hoo ooo hoo oooBoth : Aaahaa haa haa hoo ooo hoo ooo

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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