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Lyrics & meaning

Atha Maga Rathiname

From Chinna Vathiyar · 1995

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Uma Ramanan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Chinna Vathiyar1995

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
…………………Aunt's daughter, precious gem
Male
Aththa maga rathinamaeLittle tomato, sweet honey-fruit
Siru thakkaali thaen pazhamaePearl-like artistic portrait
Muththu mani chiththiramaeFlower garland kissed by dew
Pani muththaadum poo charamaeGiving a kick to your cousin
Machaanukku kickkeriyaeGiving a kick to your cousin
Machaanukku kickkeriyaeWhat a grand musical concert you have set up
Vachcha enna kacheriyeAunt's daughter, precious gem
Male
Aththa maga rathinamaeLittle tomato, sweet honey-fruit
Siru thakkaali thaen pazhamaeLike the sacred sandalwood of Guruvayur
Chorus
…………………I want to crush and apply you onto myself
Female
Antha guruvayur santhanamaeLike the sweet Nadaswaram of Thiruvarur
Naanum kuzhaiththunnai poosanumaeI want to listen to you every single day
Thiruvaarur naayanamaeWhen the teacher instructs
Onna dhinam thorum kekkanumaeYou must listen to the lesson carefully
Male
Vaaththiyaaru solli thanthaaIf you blink blankly without understanding
Paadam oru kaalum kettukkanumYou will get beaten with a cane
Puriyaama nee muzhichchaaCousin, this yellow parrot
Adi perampaala vaangikkanumWill coo as per your wish
Female
Machchaan intha manjakkiliCome close and hold my hand
Konjum unga ennappadiIt is showing the green signal
Kittae vanthu kaiya pudiEvery day I am longing
Kaattum idhu pachcha kodiI am singing only your name
Male
Annaadam naan vaaduraenAunt's daughter, precious gem
Um peraththaan paaduraenCousin is like the majestic Courtallam falls
Male
Aththa maga rathinamaeWhen is the wedding procession with drums?
Female
Aththaan oru kuththaalamaePearl-like artistic portrait
Eppo maththaala oorvalamaeFlower garland kissed by dew
Muththu mani chiththiramaeYou say so many mysterious things
Pani muththaadum poo charamaeYou say so many mysterious things
Female
Ennennamo solluriyaeYou pinch my heart softly
Ennennamo solluriyaeCousin is like the majestic Courtallam falls
Em manasa killuriyaeWhen is the wedding procession with drums?
Aththaan oru kuththaalamaeLike the famous fireworks of Sivakasi
Eppo maththaala oorvalamaeYou display them with your sly smile
Chorus
………………O blessed lady, when you smile, my heart
Male
Antha sivakasi vaanangalaShakes like a swinging bell
Kalla sirippaala kaatturiyaeDoes a dimple form when you smile? In honey
Magaraasi nee sirichchu nenjaI will bathe if you embrace me
Mani pola aatturiyaeWould I let you go if I get you? Come
Female
Kuzhiyaatho nee sirichchaa thaenilPlay with me, as I invite you
Kulippaenae nee anaichchaaA sky full of flower rockets inside the heart
Viduveno nee kedachchaa vanthuYou are the matchstick
Vilaiyaadu naan azhaichchaaKeeping you locked in my heart
Male
Nenjukkulla poo vaanamaeIt has caught fire inside now
Neethaan oru vaththi kuchchiEvery day I am longing
Onna nenjil vachchu vachchuI am singing only your name
Ulla ippo paththikkichchuCousin is like the majestic Courtallam falls
Male
Annaadam naan vaaduraenAunt's daughter, precious gem
Um peraththaan paaduraenLittle tomato, sweet honey-fruit
Aththaan oru kuththaalamae…….Female: Cousin is like the majestic Courtallam falls
Male
Aththa maga rathinamaeWhen is the wedding procession with drums?
Siru thakkaali thaen pazhamaeGiving a kick to your cousin
Female :Aththaan oru kuththaalamaeYou say so many mysterious things
Eppo maththaala oorvalamaeYou pinch my heart softly
Male
Machaanukku kickkeriyaeAunt's daughter, precious gem
Ennennamo solluriyaeLittle tomato, sweet honey-fruit, haehaei haei
Em manasa killuriyae
Male
Aththa maga rathinamae
Siru thakkaali thaen pazhamae haehaei haei

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful track from 'Chinna Vathiyar' is a romantic duet between two cross-cousins expressing their affection and eagerness for marriage. The hero praises his beloved using vivid sensory metaphors like sandalwood, nadaswaram music, and ripe fruit, humorously interjecting teacher-student allegories given his role in the film. The heroine responds in kind, comparing him to refreshing waterfalls and asking when their wedding procession will take place. Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, the song captures romantic banter filled with teasing, metaphors of Sivakasi fireworks, and heartfelt longing, highlighting cultural marriage traditions and playful intimacy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Metaphor / Simile)

Antha guruvayur santhanamae / Aththaan oru kuththaalamae

Compares the beloved to Guruvayur Sandalwood, Thiruvarur Nadaswaram, and Courtallam Waterfalls.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Aththa maga rathinamae / Muththu mani chiththiramae

Rhyming of the second letter across consecutive lines ('th' in Aththa/Muththu).

Uruvagaim (Hyperbole)

Nenjukkulla poo vaanamae / Neethaan oru vaththi kuchchi

Exaggerating the warmth of love to Sivakasi fireworks ignited by a single matchstick inside the heart.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Chinna Vathiyar' (1995) stars Prabhu and Kushboo and was directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao. The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, featuring dynamic vocal chemistry between Malaysia Vasudevan and Uma Ramanan, written by veteran lyricist Vaali.

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