Athamaga Thangathukku
From Thangamadi Thangam · 1984
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- P. Susheela, Malaysia Vasudevan
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Thangamadi Thangam1984
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Aththai maga thangaththukku enna mayakkam | What is this dizziness that has overcome my aunt's golden daughter? |
| Niththam niththam pasikkuthu nenju varaikkum | Every single day, a deep hunger aches right up to the heart. |
| Sembaga pon arumbae katti vatcha karumbae | Oh golden champak bud, oh bundle of sweet sugarcane! |
| Thooli aada vaa…..tholil aada vaa….. | Come to swing in the cradle... come to sway on my shoulders... |
| Female | |
| Aththai maga thangaththukku enna mayakkam | What is this dizziness that has overcome my aunt's golden daughter? |
| Niththam niththam pasikkuthu nenju varaikkum | Every single day, a deep hunger aches right up to the heart. |
| Sembaga pon arumbae katti vatcha karumbae | Oh golden champak bud, oh bundle of sweet sugarcane! |
| Thooli aada vaa…..tholil aada vaa….. | Come to swing in the cradle... come to sway on my shoulders... |
| Female | |
| Sodi kili venuminnu | Saying she needs a companion bird, |
| Solluthadi maman ponnu | The uncle's daughter speaks out. |
| Sodi kili venuminnu | Saying she needs a companion bird, |
| Solluthadi maman ponnu | The uncle's daughter speaks out. |
| Kannukkullae sunakkam | With a sleepy gloom inside her eyes, |
| Kandathilla urakkam maeni vaaduthae…. | She hasn't seen sleep, and her body is wilting away... |
| Male | |
| Kaanji pochchu kambangkollai | The millet field has completely dried up, |
| Thanni paaichcha naeramillai | There has been no time to irrigate it with water. |
| Kaanji pochchu kambangkollai | The millet field has completely dried up, |
| Thanni paaichcha naeramillai | There has been no time to irrigate it with water. |
| Maegam paaththu elangodi vadhanguthu | Looking at the clouds, the tender creeper is drooping. |
| Female | |
| Aththai maga thangaththukku enna mayakkam | What is this dizziness that has overcome my aunt's golden daughter? |
| Niththam niththam pasikkuthu nenju varaikkum | Every single day, a deep hunger aches right up to the heart. |
| Male | |
| Hae….mazhai thanni illaama | Hey... without any rainwater, |
| Hae….manthoppu vaaduthannae | Hey... the mango orchard is wilting, my brother! |
| Thanni vanthu paanjiputtaa | If water flows in and irrigates it, |
| Thanga maangaa kaaikkum annae | It will yield golden mangoes, my brother! |
| Yaelae yaelaelaelo…. | Yaelae yaelaelaelo.... |
| Female | |
| Thondaikullae vikkuthadi | A hiccup catches deep inside the throat, |
| Vaarththaiyellaam sikkuthadi | All the spoken words get tangled up! |
| Thondaikullae vikkuthadi | A hiccup catches deep inside the throat, |
| Vaarththaiyellaam sikkuthadi | All the spoken words get tangled up! |
| Kolusu sollum enthan manasu | What my heart says through the sound of anklets, |
| Ketkkavillaiyaa | Can you not hear it? |
| Male | |
| Paala podum thennampullai | A coconut sapling yielding its first blossom |
| Thedhi neram paarppathillai | Does not look for an auspicious date or time! |
| Paala podum thennampullai | A coconut sapling yielding its first blossom |
| Thedhi neram paarppathillai | Does not look for an auspicious date or time! |
| Kaalam vanthaa mayilukku mazhai varum…. | When the right season arrives, rain shall come for the peacock... |
| Female | |
| Aththai maga thangaththukku enna mayakkam | What is this dizziness that has overcome my aunt's golden daughter? |
| Niththam niththam pasikkuthu nenju varaikkum | Every single day, a deep hunger aches right up to the heart. |
| Male : Sembaga pon arumbae katti vatcha karumbae | Male : Oh golden champak bud, oh bundle of sweet sugarcane! |
| Sembaga pon arumbae katti vatcha karumbae | Oh golden champak bud, oh bundle of sweet sugarcane! |
| Thooli aada vaa…..tholil aada vaa….. | Come to swing in the cradle... come to sway on my shoulders... |
| Thooli aada vaa…..tholil aada vaa….. | Come to swing in the cradle... come to sway on my shoulders... |
அத்தை மக தங்கத்துக்கு என்ன மயக்கம்
நித்தம் நித்தம் பசிக்குது நெஞ்சு வரைக்கும்
செம்பகப் பொன் அரும்பே கட்டி வச்ச கரும்பே
தூளி ஆட வா.....தோளில் ஆட வா.....
What is this dizziness that has overcome my aunt's golden daughter?
Every single day, a deep hunger aches right up to the heart.
Oh golden champak bud, oh bundle of sweet sugarcane!
Come to swing in the cradle... come to sway on my shoulders...
அத்தை மக தங்கத்துக்கு என்ன மயக்கம்
நித்தம் நித்தம் பசிக்குது நெஞ்சு வரைக்கும்
செம்பகப் பொன் அரும்பே கட்டி வச்ச கரும்பே
தூளி ஆட வா.....தோளில் ஆட வா.....
What is this dizziness that has overcome my aunt's golden daughter?
Every single day, a deep hunger aches right up to the heart.
Oh golden champak bud, oh bundle of sweet sugarcane!
Come to swing in the cradle... come to sway on my shoulders...
சோடி கிளி வேணுமின்னு
சொல்லுதடி மாமன் பொண்ணு
சோடி கிளி வேணுமின்னு
சொல்லுதடி மாமன் பொண்ணு
கண்ணுக்குள்ளே சுணக்கம்
கண்டதில்ல உறக்கம் மேனி வாடுதே....
Saying she needs a companion bird,
The uncle's daughter speaks out.
Saying she needs a companion bird,
The uncle's daughter speaks out.
With a sleepy gloom inside her eyes,
She hasn't seen sleep, and her body is wilting away...
காஞ்சிப் போச்சு கம்பங்கொல்லை
தண்ணி பாய்ச்ச நேரமில்லை
காஞ்சிப் போச்சு கம்பங்கொல்லை
தண்ணி பாய்ச்ச நேரமில்லை
மேகம் பாத்து எளங்கொடி வதங்குது
The millet field has completely dried up,
There has been no time to irrigate it with water.
The millet field has completely dried up,
There has been no time to irrigate it with water.
Looking at the clouds, the tender creeper is drooping.
அத்தை மக தங்கத்துக்கு என்ன மயக்கம்
நித்தம் நித்தம் பசிக்குது நெஞ்சு வரைக்கும்
What is this dizziness that has overcome my aunt's golden daughter?
Every single day, a deep hunger aches right up to the heart.
ஹே...மழைத் தண்ணி இல்லாம
ஹே...மாந்தோப்பு வாடுதண்ணே
தண்ணி வந்து பாஞ்சிபுட்டா
தங்க மாங்கா காய்க்கும் அண்ணே
ஏலே ஏலேலேலோ....
Hey... without any rainwater,
Hey... the mango orchard is wilting, my brother!
If water flows in and irrigates it,
It will yield golden mangoes, my brother!
Yaelae yaelaelaelo....
தொண்டைக்குள்ளே விக்குதுதடி
வார்த்தையெல்லாம் சிக்குதடி
தொண்டைக்குள்ளே விக்குதுதடி
வார்த்தையெல்லாம் சிக்குதடி
கொலுசு சொல்லும் எந்தன் மனசு
கேட்கவில்லையா.....
A hiccup catches deep inside the throat,
All the spoken words get tangled up!
A hiccup catches deep inside the throat,
All the spoken words get tangled up!
What my heart says through the sound of anklets,
Can you not hear it?
பாள போடும் தென்னம்புள்ள
தேதி நேரம் பார்ப்பதில்லை
பாள போடும் தென்னம்புள்ள
தேதி நேரம் பார்ப்பதில்லை
காலம் வந்தா மயிலுக்கு மழை வரும்...
A coconut sapling yielding its first blossom
Does not look for an auspicious date or time!
A coconut sapling yielding its first blossom
Does not look for an auspicious date or time!
When the right season arrives, rain shall come for the peacock...
அத்தை மக தங்கத்துக்கு என்ன மயக்கம்
நித்தம் நித்தம் பசிக்குது நெஞ்சு வரைக்கும்
செம்பகப் பொன் அரும்பே கட்டி வச்ச கரும்பே
செம்பகப் பொன் அரும்பே கட்டி வச்ச கரும்பே
தூளி ஆட வா.....தோளில் ஆட வா.....
தூளி ஆட வா.....தோளில் ஆட வா.....
What is this dizziness that has overcome my aunt's golden daughter?
Every single day, a deep hunger aches right up to the heart.
Male : Oh golden champak bud, oh bundle of sweet sugarcane!
Oh golden champak bud, oh bundle of sweet sugarcane!
Come to swing in the cradle... come to sway on my shoulders...
Come to swing in the cradle... come to sway on my shoulders...
Aththai maga thangaththukku enna mayakkam
What is this dizziness that has overcome my aunt's golden daughter?
Niththam niththam pasikkuthu nenju varaikkum
Every single day, a deep hunger aches right up to the heart.
Sembaga pon arumbae katti vatcha karumbae
Oh golden champak bud, oh bundle of sweet sugarcane!
Thooli aada vaa…..tholil aada vaa…..
Come to swing in the cradle... come to sway on my shoulders...
Aththai maga thangaththukku enna mayakkam
What is this dizziness that has overcome my aunt's golden daughter?
Niththam niththam pasikkuthu nenju varaikkum
Every single day, a deep hunger aches right up to the heart.
Sembaga pon arumbae katti vatcha karumbae
Oh golden champak bud, oh bundle of sweet sugarcane!
Thooli aada vaa…..tholil aada vaa…..
Come to swing in the cradle... come to sway on my shoulders...
Sodi kili venuminnu
Saying she needs a companion bird,
Solluthadi maman ponnu
The uncle's daughter speaks out.
Sodi kili venuminnu
Saying she needs a companion bird,
Solluthadi maman ponnu
The uncle's daughter speaks out.
Kannukkullae sunakkam
With a sleepy gloom inside her eyes,
Kandathilla urakkam maeni vaaduthae….
She hasn't seen sleep, and her body is wilting away...
Kaanji pochchu kambangkollai
The millet field has completely dried up,
Thanni paaichcha naeramillai
There has been no time to irrigate it with water.
Kaanji pochchu kambangkollai
The millet field has completely dried up,
Thanni paaichcha naeramillai
There has been no time to irrigate it with water.
Maegam paaththu elangodi vadhanguthu
Looking at the clouds, the tender creeper is drooping.
Aththai maga thangaththukku enna mayakkam
What is this dizziness that has overcome my aunt's golden daughter?
Niththam niththam pasikkuthu nenju varaikkum
Every single day, a deep hunger aches right up to the heart.
Hae….mazhai thanni illaama
Hey... without any rainwater,
Hae….manthoppu vaaduthannae
Hey... the mango orchard is wilting, my brother!
Thanni vanthu paanjiputtaa
If water flows in and irrigates it,
Thanga maangaa kaaikkum annae
It will yield golden mangoes, my brother!
Yaelae yaelaelaelo….
Yaelae yaelaelaelo....
Thondaikullae vikkuthadi
A hiccup catches deep inside the throat,
Vaarththaiyellaam sikkuthadi
All the spoken words get tangled up!
Thondaikullae vikkuthadi
A hiccup catches deep inside the throat,
Vaarththaiyellaam sikkuthadi
All the spoken words get tangled up!
Kolusu sollum enthan manasu
What my heart says through the sound of anklets,
Ketkkavillaiyaa
Can you not hear it?
Paala podum thennampullai
A coconut sapling yielding its first blossom
Thedhi neram paarppathillai
Does not look for an auspicious date or time!
Paala podum thennampullai
A coconut sapling yielding its first blossom
Thedhi neram paarppathillai
Does not look for an auspicious date or time!
Kaalam vanthaa mayilukku mazhai varum….
When the right season arrives, rain shall come for the peacock...
Aththai maga thangaththukku enna mayakkam
What is this dizziness that has overcome my aunt's golden daughter?
Niththam niththam pasikkuthu nenju varaikkum
Every single day, a deep hunger aches right up to the heart.
Male : Sembaga pon arumbae katti vatcha karumbae
Male : Oh golden champak bud, oh bundle of sweet sugarcane!
Sembaga pon arumbae katti vatcha karumbae
Oh golden champak bud, oh bundle of sweet sugarcane!
Thooli aada vaa…..tholil aada vaa…..
Come to swing in the cradle... come to sway on my shoulders...
Thooli aada vaa…..tholil aada vaa…..
Come to swing in the cradle... come to sway on my shoulders...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Aththai Maga Thangaththukku' is a charming romantic Tamil duet laced with rural folk metaphors. The song captures the playful banter and deep yearning between cross-cousins (maman ponnu and aththai magan) in a traditional village setup. The lyrics express how love and longing cause emotional restlessness, sleeplessness, and hesitation to articulate feelings directly. Through agricultural imagery—such as dried millet fields waiting for rain, mango groves blossoming with water, and coconut trees blooming naturally—the lyricist highlights how love blossoms naturally when the right time arrives. The lovers express their affection using affectionate terms like 'sembaga pon arumbu' (golden champak bud) and 'katti vatcha karumbu' (bundled sugarcane), creating a warm, nostalgic atmosphere of innocent rural romance.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Sembaga pon arumbae katti vatcha karumbae”
The beloved is metaphorically addressed as a golden champak bud ('sembaga pon arumbu') and bundled sugarcane ('katti vatcha karumbu') to convey sweet affection.
Anaphora / Repetition (Adukku Thodar)
“Niththam niththam pasikkuthu nenju varaikkum”
'Niththam niththam' uses word repetition to emphasize the relentless, daily nature of romantic hunger and yearning.
Agricultural Allegory (Ullurai)
“Kaanji pochchu kambangkollai / Thanni paaichcha naeramillai”
The drying up of fields and waiting for rain serves as an allegory for youthful romantic longing and the natural arrival of love.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song features classic lyrics by Vairamuthu from the 1984 movie 'Thangamadi Thangam', relying heavily on rustic, agricultural imagery typical of 1980s Tamil cinema romance tracks.
Keep listening
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