Athai Magalum Illai
From Jaathi Pookkal · 1987
- Lyricist
- Aadhikottai Ramu
- Singer
- K. J. Jesudass
- Music director
- Shyam
- Details
- Jaathi Pookkal1987
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Ooo….ooo…oo… | Ooo... ooo... oo... |
| Ooo….ooo…oo… | Ooo... ooo... oo... |
| Ooo….ooo…oo…oo…oo… | Ooo... ooo... oo... oo... oo... |
| Male | |
| Aththai magalum illai | You are not my paternal aunt's daughter |
| Ammaan magalum illai | You are not my maternal uncle's daughter |
| Aththai magalum illai | You are not my paternal aunt's daughter |
| Ammaan magalum illai | You are not my maternal uncle's daughter |
| Aanaalum un meedhu | Even so, upon you |
| Aasai kondu yaengugiraen…. | I long with intense desire... |
| Aa…..aaa…..aa….aa….. | Aa... aaa... aa... aa... |
| Aanaalum un meedhu | Even so, upon you |
| Aasai kondu yaengugiraen…. | I long with intense desire... |
| Male | |
| Aththai magalum illai | You are not my paternal aunt's daughter |
| Ammaan magalum illai…. | You are not my maternal uncle's daughter... |
| Male | |
| Sonthamillai nee enakku | You are no relative of mine |
| Panthamillai naan unakku | I share no official bond with you |
| Sonthamillai nee enakku | You are no relative of mine |
| Panthamillai naan unakku | I share no official bond with you |
| Irunthaalum ennuyirae | Even so, oh my soul |
| Un varavai thedugiraen | I await your arrival |
| Male | |
| Maedai podum naal varumo | Will the day of the wedding stage ever come |
| Kadavul thantha vaazhvinilae | In this life bestowed by God? |
| Maedai podum naal varumo | Will the day of the wedding stage ever come |
| Kadavul thantha vaazhvinilae | In this life bestowed by God? |
| Male | |
| Kunguma udhattazhagum | The beauty of vermilion lips |
| Kodi pondra udalasaivum | The movement of a vine-like body |
| Sangu kazhuththazhagum | The beauty of a conch-shaped neck |
| Kandu manam vaadugiraen | Seeing these, my heart wilts in longing |
| Male | |
| Aththai magalum illai | You are not my paternal aunt's daughter |
| Ammaan magalum illai…. | You are not my maternal uncle's daughter... |
| Male | |
| Maaninamum meeninamum | The species of deer and the species of fish |
| Mai podum penninamum | And the species of women wearing kohl |
| Maaninamum meeninamum | The species of deer and the species of fish |
| Mai podum penninamum | And the species of women wearing kohl |
| Vaazhai thoppukkullae | Inside the banana grove |
| Vanthirukka kaanugiraen | I see them coming together |
| Male | |
| Karaiyaeri meen varumo | Will a fish come ashore on its own? |
| Kai thedi paal varumo | Will milk come seeking the hand? |
| Intha jenmam illaiyendraal…aa….aa…. | If not in this birth... aa... aa... |
| Intha jenmam illaiyendraal | If not in this birth |
| Maru jenmam unnarugae | To be by your side in the next birth |
| Irunthida aandavanai | I pray constantly to the Almighty |
| Eppothum vendugiraen.. | I am always praying.. |
| Male | |
| Aththai magalum illai | You are not my paternal aunt's daughter |
| Ammaan magalum illai | You are not my maternal uncle's daughter |
| Aththai magalum illai | You are not my paternal aunt's daughter |
| Ammaan magalum illai | You are not my maternal uncle's daughter |
| Aanaalum un meedhu | Even so, upon you |
| Aasai kondu yaengugiraen…. | I long with intense desire... |
| Aa…..aaa…..aa….aa….. | Aa... aaa... aa... aa... |
| Aanaalum un meedhu | Even so, upon you |
| Aasai kondu yaengugiraen…. | I long with intense desire... |
| Male | |
| Aththai magalum illai | You are not my paternal aunt's daughter |
| Ammaan magalum illai…. | You are not my maternal uncle's daughter... |
| Aththai magalum illai | You are not my paternal aunt's daughter |
| Ammaan magalum illai…. | You are not my maternal uncle's daughter... |
| Aththai magalum illai | You are not my paternal aunt's daughter |
| Ammaan magalum illai…. | You are not my maternal uncle's daughter... |
ஓஒ.....ஓஒ.....ஓ.......
ஓஒ.....ஓஒ.....ஓ.......
ஓஒ.....ஓ......ஓஒ......ஓ......ஓ....
Ooo... ooo... oo...
Ooo... ooo... oo...
Ooo... ooo... oo... oo... oo...
அத்தை மகளும் இல்லை
அம்மான் மகளும் இல்லை
அத்தை மகளும் இல்லை
அம்மான் மகளும் இல்லை
ஆனாலும் உன் மீது
ஆசைக் கொண்டு ஏங்குகிறேன்.....
ஆ.....ஆஅ....ஆ....ஆஅ....
ஆனாலும் உன் மீது
ஆசைக் கொண்டு ஏங்குகிறேன்
You are not my paternal aunt's daughter
You are not my maternal uncle's daughter
You are not my paternal aunt's daughter
You are not my maternal uncle's daughter
Even so, upon you
I long with intense desire...
Aa... aaa... aa... aa...
Even so, upon you
I long with intense desire...
அத்தை மகளும் இல்லை
அம்மான் மகளும் இல்லை....
You are not my paternal aunt's daughter
You are not my maternal uncle's daughter...
சொந்தமில்லை நீ எனக்கு
பந்தமில்லை நான் உனக்கு
சொந்தமில்லை நீ எனக்கு
பந்தமில்லை நான் உனக்கு
இருந்தாலும் என்னுயிரே
உன் வரவை தேடுகிறேன்
You are no relative of mine
I share no official bond with you
You are no relative of mine
I share no official bond with you
Even so, oh my soul
I await your arrival
மேடை போடும் நாள் வருமோ
கடவுள் தந்த வாழ்வினிலே
மேடை போடும் நாள் வருமோ
கடவுள் தந்த வாழ்வினிலே
Will the day of the wedding stage ever come
In this life bestowed by God?
Will the day of the wedding stage ever come
In this life bestowed by God?
குங்கும உதட்டழகும்
கொடி போன்ற உடலசைவும்
சங்கு கழுத்தழகும் கண்டு மனம் வாடுகிறேன்
The beauty of vermilion lips
The movement of a vine-like body
The beauty of a conch-shaped neck
Seeing these, my heart wilts in longing
அத்தை மகளும் இல்லை
அம்மான் மகளும் இல்லை....
You are not my paternal aunt's daughter
You are not my maternal uncle's daughter...
மானினமும் மீனினமும்
மை போடும் பெண்ணினமும்
மானினமும் மீனினமும்
மை போடும் பெண்ணினமும்
வாழைத் தோப்புக்குள்ளே
வந்திருக்க காணுகிறேன்
The species of deer and the species of fish
And the species of women wearing kohl
The species of deer and the species of fish
And the species of women wearing kohl
Inside the banana grove
I see them coming together
கரையேறி மீன் வருமோ
கை தேடித பால் வருமோ
இந்த ஜென்மம் இல்லையென்றால்....ஆஅ....ஆ....
இந்த ஜென்மம் இல்லையென்றால்
மறு ஜென்மம் உன்னருகே
இருந்திட ஆண்டவனை
எப்போதும் வேண்டுகிறேன்....
Will a fish come ashore on its own?
Will milk come seeking the hand?
If not in this birth... aa... aa...
If not in this birth
To be by your side in the next birth
I pray constantly to the Almighty
I am always praying..
அத்தை மகளும் இல்லை
அம்மான் மகளும் இல்லை
அத்தை மகளும் இல்லை
அம்மான் மகளும் இல்லை
ஆனாலும் உன் மீது
ஆசைக் கொண்டு ஏங்குகிறேன்.....
ஆ.....ஆஅ....ஆ....ஆஅ....
ஆனாலும் உன் மீது
ஆசைக் கொண்டு ஏங்குகிறேன்
You are not my paternal aunt's daughter
You are not my maternal uncle's daughter
You are not my paternal aunt's daughter
You are not my maternal uncle's daughter
Even so, upon you
I long with intense desire...
Aa... aaa... aa... aa...
Even so, upon you
I long with intense desire...
அத்தை மகளும் இல்லை
அம்மான் மகளும் இல்லை....
அத்தை மகளும் இல்லை
அம்மான் மகளும் இல்லை....
அத்தை மகளும் இல்லை
அம்மான் மகளும் இல்லை....
You are not my paternal aunt's daughter
You are not my maternal uncle's daughter...
You are not my paternal aunt's daughter
You are not my maternal uncle's daughter...
You are not my paternal aunt's daughter
You are not my maternal uncle's daughter...
Ooo….ooo…oo…
Ooo... ooo... oo...
Ooo….ooo…oo…
Ooo... ooo... oo...
Ooo….ooo…oo…oo…oo…
Ooo... ooo... oo... oo... oo...
Aththai magalum illai
You are not my paternal aunt's daughter
Ammaan magalum illai
You are not my maternal uncle's daughter
Aththai magalum illai
You are not my paternal aunt's daughter
Ammaan magalum illai
You are not my maternal uncle's daughter
Aanaalum un meedhu
Even so, upon you
Aasai kondu yaengugiraen….
I long with intense desire...
Aa…..aaa…..aa….aa…..
Aa... aaa... aa... aa...
Aanaalum un meedhu
Even so, upon you
Aasai kondu yaengugiraen….
I long with intense desire...
Aththai magalum illai
You are not my paternal aunt's daughter
Ammaan magalum illai….
You are not my maternal uncle's daughter...
Sonthamillai nee enakku
You are no relative of mine
Panthamillai naan unakku
I share no official bond with you
Sonthamillai nee enakku
You are no relative of mine
Panthamillai naan unakku
I share no official bond with you
Irunthaalum ennuyirae
Even so, oh my soul
Un varavai thedugiraen
I await your arrival
Maedai podum naal varumo
Will the day of the wedding stage ever come
Kadavul thantha vaazhvinilae
In this life bestowed by God?
Maedai podum naal varumo
Will the day of the wedding stage ever come
Kadavul thantha vaazhvinilae
In this life bestowed by God?
Kunguma udhattazhagum
The beauty of vermilion lips
Kodi pondra udalasaivum
The movement of a vine-like body
Sangu kazhuththazhagum
The beauty of a conch-shaped neck
Kandu manam vaadugiraen
Seeing these, my heart wilts in longing
Aththai magalum illai
You are not my paternal aunt's daughter
Ammaan magalum illai….
You are not my maternal uncle's daughter...
Maaninamum meeninamum
The species of deer and the species of fish
Mai podum penninamum
And the species of women wearing kohl
Maaninamum meeninamum
The species of deer and the species of fish
Mai podum penninamum
And the species of women wearing kohl
Vaazhai thoppukkullae
Inside the banana grove
Vanthirukka kaanugiraen
I see them coming together
Karaiyaeri meen varumo
Will a fish come ashore on its own?
Kai thedi paal varumo
Will milk come seeking the hand?
Intha jenmam illaiyendraal…aa….aa….
If not in this birth... aa... aa...
Intha jenmam illaiyendraal
If not in this birth
Maru jenmam unnarugae
To be by your side in the next birth
Irunthida aandavanai
I pray constantly to the Almighty
Eppothum vendugiraen..
I am always praying..
Aththai magalum illai
You are not my paternal aunt's daughter
Ammaan magalum illai
You are not my maternal uncle's daughter
Aththai magalum illai
You are not my paternal aunt's daughter
Ammaan magalum illai
You are not my maternal uncle's daughter
Aanaalum un meedhu
Even so, upon you
Aasai kondu yaengugiraen….
I long with intense desire...
Aa…..aaa…..aa….aa…..
Aa... aaa... aa... aa...
Aanaalum un meedhu
Even so, upon you
Aasai kondu yaengugiraen….
I long with intense desire...
Aththai magalum illai
You are not my paternal aunt's daughter
Ammaan magalum illai….
You are not my maternal uncle's daughter...
Aththai magalum illai
You are not my paternal aunt's daughter
Ammaan magalum illai….
You are not my maternal uncle's daughter...
Aththai magalum illai
You are not my paternal aunt's daughter
Ammaan magalum illai….
You are not my maternal uncle's daughter...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Aththai Magalum Illai' explores the protagonist's profound love and longing for a beloved who does not belong to his immediate traditional kinship circle (such as a cross-cousin, who was traditionally seen as a natural marriage match in Tamil culture). Despite having no formal familial connection or rights over her, his affection for her remains immense and undeniable. He expresses deep admiration for her grace and beauty while anxiously wondering whether they will ever be united on the wedding stage in this lifetime given by God. Admitting the uncertainty of their union in the present life, the lover resolves to pray continuously to the Almighty for the grace to be united with her in his next birth, emphasizing a love that transcends immediate social ties and physical lifetimes.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora (Repetition)
“Aththai magalum illai / Ammaan magalum illai”
The line 'Aththai magalum illai / Ammaan magalum illai' is repeated continuously as a refrain to emphasize the absence of traditional kinship rights while underscoring unconditional love.
Simile (Upamai)
“Kodi pondra udalasaivum”
Comparing the body's grace and flexibility to a slender vine ('kodi pondra udalasaivum').
Metaphor (Uruvam)
“Sangu kazhuththazhagum”
Comparing a beautiful, smooth neck to a conch shell ('Sangu kazhuththazhagum'), a classical poetic imagery in Sangam and post-Sangam Tamil literature.
Rhyme / Rhyming Couplet (Etukai)
“Sonthamillai nee enakku / Panthamillai naan unakku”
The second letter harmony between 'Sonthamillai' and 'Panthamillai' creates a rhythmic Tamil poetic structure (Etukai).
Did you know?
Trivia
The song comes from the 1987 Tamil film 'Jaathi Pookkal', featuring lyrics written by Aadhikottai Ramu. The lyrics tap into traditional Tamil cultural motifs where cross-cousins ('aththai magal' / 'ammaan magal') were considered natural or expected romantic partners.
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