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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Athachi Mani Pathachu

From Mayil · 1981

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, L. R. Anjali
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Mayil1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aththaachchi mani paththaachchuSister-in-law, it is ten o'clock
Enna aaraaichchi paiyan vanthaachchuWhat research is this, the boy has arrived
Chorus :…………(Chorus)
Male :Muththaattam mulla koththaattamLike a pearl, like a cluster of jasmine
Iva munnottam chinna therottamHer graceful step is like a little chariot procession
Chorus :………..(Chorus)
Female
Aththaachchi mani paththaachchuSister-in-law, it is ten o'clock
Enna aaraaichchi paiyan vanthaachchuWhat research is this, the boy has arrived
Chorus :…………(Chorus)
Male :Muththaattam mulla koththaattamLike a pearl, like a cluster of jasmine
Iva munnottam chinna therottamHer graceful step is like a little chariot procession
Chorus :………….(Chorus)
Male
Aththaachchi mani paththaachchuSister-in-law, it is ten o'clock
Enna aaraaichchi paiyan vanthaachchuWhat research is this, the boy has arrived
Male
Kottadi sela kattiDraped in a checkered saree
Iva konji sirippaalaamShe smiles coaxingly
Female :Thottu thazhuvaiyilaeFemale: When touched and embraced
Manam sokki thavippaalaaWill her heart swoon in yearning?
Male
Aa…kottadi sela kattiAh... draped in a checkered saree
Iva konji sirippaalaamShe smiles coaxingly
Female :Thottu thazhuvaiyilaeFemale: When touched and embraced
Manam sokki thavippaalaaWill her heart swoon in yearning?
Male
Thalukki kulukki sirichchi mayakkiPrancing, swaying, laughing, and captivating
Nerungi vanthaalaamShe approached closely
Thaanaa maattikkittaanHe trapped himself on his own
Paiyan thaappaa pottukittaanThe boy latched the door himself
Hae thaanaa maattikkittaanHey, he trapped himself on his own
Paiyan thaappaa pottukittaanThe boy latched the door himself
Female
Aththaachchi mani paththaachchuSister-in-law, it is ten o'clock
Enna aaraaichchiWhat research is this
Male :Paiyan vanthaachchuMale: The boy has arrived
Female
Neththikki pottu vachchiPutting a bindi on her forehead
Machchaan nenjai izhuththaalaamShe drew her lover's heart in
Male :Meththa virikkaamaMale: Without even spreading a mattress
Paiyan oththigai paarththaanaamThe boy held a rehearsal
Female
Neththikki pottu vachchiPutting a bindi on her forehead
Machchaan nenjai izhuththaalaamShe drew her lover's heart in
Male :Meththa virikkaamaMale: Without even spreading a mattress
Paiyan oththigai paarththaanaamThe boy held a rehearsal
Male
Bayanthu bayanthu odhunga odhungaAs she shrank away fearfully
Anaichchi kittaanaamHe pulled her into an embrace
KoodaathunnaalaamShe said it shouldn't be done
Avan kuluruthunnaanaamHe said he was feeling cold
Hae KoodaathunnaalaamHey, she said it shouldn't be done
Avan kuluruthunnaanaamHe said he was feeling cold
Female
Aththaachchi mani paththaachchuSister-in-law, it is ten o'clock
Enna aaraaichchi paiyan vanthaachchuWhat research is this, the boy has arrived
Chorus :…………(Chorus)
Male :Muththaattam mulla koththaattamLike a pearl, like a cluster of jasmine
Iva munnottam chinna therottamHer graceful step is like a little chariot procession
Chorus :………….(Chorus)
Female
AththaachchiSister-in-law
Male :Mani paththaachchuMale: It is ten o'clock
Female :Enna aaraaichchiFemale: What research is this
Male :Paiyan vanthaachchuMale: The boy has arrived

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Aththaachchi mani paththaachchu' from the movie Mayil (1981) is a playful and lighthearted Tamil folk duet that depicts the romantic teasing and intimacy between a young couple. Set against a traditional rural backdrop, the lyrics playfully capture the woman's alluring charm, her elegant attire, and her coaxing smile, as well as the young man's eager yet comical attempts to woo her under playful pretenses.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Muththaattam mulla koththaattam

Comparing the girl's charm and actions to pearls ('Muththaattam') and clusters of jasmine flowers ('mulla koththaattam').

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Iva munnottam chinna therottam

Comparing her movement and walk ('munnottam') directly to a grand chariot procession ('therottam').

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Muththaattam mulla koththaattam

Rhyming of the second consonant in 'Muththaattam' and 'koththaattam' creating a rhythmic beat.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the dynamic duo Shankar-Ganesh, 'Mayil' (1981) featured energetic folk numbers typical of early 1980s Tamil cinema, brought to life through the distinct vocal styling of Malaysia Vasudevan.

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