Athan Niram Sivappu
From Niraikudam · 1969
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- V. Kumar
- Details
- Niraikudam1969
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Athaan niram sivappu | My cousin's complexion is fair, |
| Andha aangilaeyar pol uduppu | His attire is like that of an Englishman, |
| Koondhal konjam veluppu | His hair is slightly blonde, |
| Avar cooling glassthaan karuppu | His sunglasses are pitch black! |
| Athaan niram sivappu | My cousin's complexion is fair, |
| Andha aangilaeyar pol uduppu | His attire is like that of an Englishman, |
| Koondhal konjam veluppu | His hair is slightly blonde, |
| Avar cooling glassthaan karuppu | His sunglasses are pitch black! |
| Munnae ninnu paatha moochu varuma | If you stand in front and look, can you even catch a breath? |
| Pinnae ninnu paathaa pechu varuma | If you stand behind and look, can speech even come out? |
| Munnae ninnu paatha moochu varuma | If you stand in front and look, can you even catch a breath? |
| Pinnae ninnu paathaa pechu varuma | If you stand behind and look, can speech even come out? |
| Athaan… | Oh cousin... |
| Female | |
| Kalyaana pennai paarthu | Looking at his bride, |
| Naanam kolvaaro | Will he feel shy? |
| Kaithari selai vangi | Buying a handloom saree, |
| Katti kolluvaaro | Will he drape it on? |
| Female | |
| Adiyamma un athaan | Oh girl, your cousin, |
| Avan yaaro vekka poro | Who knows whom he will make his own? |
| Adiyamma un athaan | Oh girl, your cousin, |
| Avan yaaro vekka poro | Who knows whom he will make his own? |
| Munnae ninnu paatha moochu varuma | If you stand in front and look, can you even catch a breath? |
| Pinnae ninnu paathaa pechu varuma | If you stand behind and look, can speech even come out? |
| Athaan… | Oh cousin... |
| Female | |
| Ponnalae kattil pottaal | If a golden bed is laid out, |
| Aiyoo enbaaro | Will he cry out in alarm? |
| Poo polae mutham thandhaal | If given a kiss like a flower, |
| Sathamiduvaaro | Will he make a commotion? |
| Female | |
| Kaipattal nee thottaal | If your hand accidentally touches his, |
| Avar kaalai pidippaaro | Will he fall at your feet? |
| Kaipattal nee thottaal | If your hand accidentally touches his, |
| Avar kaalai pidippaaro | Will he fall at your feet? |
| Munnae ninnu paatha moochu varuma | If you stand in front and look, can you even catch a breath? |
| Pinnae ninnu paathaa pechu varuma | If you stand behind and look, can speech even come out? |
| Athaan… | Oh cousin... |
| Female | |
| Appaavi athaan unnai | Will this innocent cousin of yours... |
| Akka enbaaro | Call you 'older sister'? |
| Avasara kolathodu | In his flustered state, |
| Amma enbaaro | Will he call you 'mother'? |
| Female | |
| Azhugindra pillai pola | Like a crying child, |
| Thookka solvaaro | Will he ask to be picked up? |
| Adiyamma unai summa | Oh girl, will he just ask you... |
| Thaalatta solluvaaro | To sing him a lullaby? |
| Female | |
| Adiyamma unai summa | Oh girl, will he just ask you... |
| Paalootta solluvaaro | To feed him milk? |
| Munnae ninnu paatha moochu varuma | If you stand in front and look, can you even catch a breath? |
| Pinnae ninnu paathaa pechu varuma | If you stand behind and look, can speech even come out? |
| Female | |
| Athaan niram sivappu | My cousin's complexion is fair, |
| Andha aangilaeyar pol uduppu | His attire is like that of an Englishman, |
| Koondhal konjam veluppu | His hair is slightly blonde, |
| Avar cooling glassthaan karuppu | His sunglasses are pitch black! |
| Munnae ninnu paatha moochu varuma | If you stand in front and look, can you even catch a breath? |
| Pinnae ninnu paathaa pechu varuma | If you stand behind and look, can speech even come out? |
| Munnae ninnu paatha moochu varuma | If you stand in front and look, can you even catch a breath? |
| Pinnae ninnu paathaa pechu varuma | If you stand behind and look, can speech even come out? |
| Athaan… | Oh cousin... |
அத்தான் நிறம் சிவப்பு
அந்த ஆங்கிலேயர் போல் உடுப்பு
கூந்தல் கொஞ்சம் வெளுப்பு
அவர் கூலிங் கிளாஸ்தான் கருப்பு
அத்தான் நிறம் சிவப்பு
அந்த ஆங்கிலேயர் போல் உடுப்பு
ஆங்கிலேயர் போல் உடுப்பு
கூந்தல் கொஞ்சம் வெளுப்பு
அவர் கூலிங் கிளாஸ்தான் கருப்பு
முன்னே நின்னு பாத்தா மூச்சு வருமா
பின்னே நின்னு பாத்தா பேச்சு வருமா
முன்னே நின்னு பாத்தா மூச்சு வருமா
பின்னே நின்னு பாத்தா பேச்சு வருமா
அத்தான் ...
My cousin's complexion is fair,
His attire is like that of an Englishman,
His hair is slightly blonde,
His sunglasses are pitch black!
My cousin's complexion is fair,
His attire is like that of an Englishman,
His hair is slightly blonde,
His sunglasses are pitch black!
If you stand in front and look, can you even catch a breath?
If you stand behind and look, can speech even come out?
If you stand in front and look, can you even catch a breath?
If you stand behind and look, can speech even come out?
Oh cousin...
கல்யாணப் பெண்ணைப் பார்த்து
நாணம் கொள்வாரோ
கைத்தறி சேலை வங்கிக்
கட்டிக் கொள்ளுவரோ
Looking at his bride,
Will he feel shy?
Buying a handloom saree,
Will he drape it on?
அடியம்மா உன் அத்தான்
அவன் யாரோ வைக்கப் போரோ
அடியம்மா உன் அத்தான்
அவன் யாரோ வைக்கப் போரோ
முன்னே நின்னு பாத்தா மூச்சு வருமா
பின்னே நின்னு பாத்தா பேச்சு வருமா
அத்தான் ....
Oh girl, your cousin,
Who knows whom he will make his own?
Oh girl, your cousin,
Who knows whom he will make his own?
If you stand in front and look, can you even catch a breath?
If you stand behind and look, can speech even come out?
Oh cousin...
பொன்னாலே கட்டில் போட்டால்
அய்யோ என்பாரோ
பூப் போலே முத்தம் தந்தால்
சத்தமிடுவாரோ
If a golden bed is laid out,
Will he cry out in alarm?
If given a kiss like a flower,
Will he make a commotion?
கைப்பட்டால் நீ தொட்டால்
அவர் காலைப் பிடிப்பாரோ
கைப்பட்டால் நீ தொட்டால்
அவர் காலைப் பிடிப்பாரோ
முன்னே நின்னு பாத்தா மூச்சு வருமா
பின்னே நின்னு பாத்தா பேச்சு வருமா
அத்தான் ....
If your hand accidentally touches his,
Will he fall at your feet?
If your hand accidentally touches his,
Will he fall at your feet?
If you stand in front and look, can you even catch a breath?
If you stand behind and look, can speech even come out?
Oh cousin...
அப்பாவி அத்தான் உன்னை
அக்கா என்பாரோ
அவசரக் கோலத்தோடு
அம்மா என்பாரோ
Will this innocent cousin of yours...
Call you 'older sister'?
In his flustered state,
Will he call you 'mother'?
அழுகின்ற பிள்ளைப் போல
தூக்கச் சொல்வாரோ
அடியம்மா உனை சும்மா
தாலாட்ட சொல்லுவாரோ
Like a crying child,
Will he ask to be picked up?
Oh girl, will he just ask you...
To sing him a lullaby?
அடியம்மா உனை சும்மா
பாலூட்ட சொல்லுவாரோ
முன்னே நின்னு பாத்தா மூச்சு வருமா
பின்னே நின்னு பாத்தா பேச்சு வருமா
Oh girl, will he just ask you...
To feed him milk?
If you stand in front and look, can you even catch a breath?
If you stand behind and look, can speech even come out?
அத்தான் நிறம் சிவப்பு
அந்த ஆங்கிலேயர் போல் உடுப்பு
ஆங்கிலேயர் போல் உடுப்பு
கூந்தல் கொஞ்சம் வெளுப்பு
அவர் கூலிங் கிளாஸ்தான் கருப்பு
முன்னே நின்னு பாத்தா மூச்சு வருமா
பின்னே நின்னு பாத்தா பேச்சு வருமா
முன்னே நின்னு பாத்தா மூச்சு வருமா
பின்னே நின்னு பாத்தா பேச்சு வருமா
அத்தான் ...
My cousin's complexion is fair,
His attire is like that of an Englishman,
His hair is slightly blonde,
His sunglasses are pitch black!
If you stand in front and look, can you even catch a breath?
If you stand behind and look, can speech even come out?
If you stand in front and look, can you even catch a breath?
If you stand behind and look, can speech even come out?
Oh cousin...
Athaan niram sivappu
My cousin's complexion is fair,
Andha aangilaeyar pol uduppu
His attire is like that of an Englishman,
Koondhal konjam veluppu
His hair is slightly blonde,
Avar cooling glassthaan karuppu
His sunglasses are pitch black!
Athaan niram sivappu
My cousin's complexion is fair,
Andha aangilaeyar pol uduppu
His attire is like that of an Englishman,
Koondhal konjam veluppu
His hair is slightly blonde,
Avar cooling glassthaan karuppu
His sunglasses are pitch black!
Munnae ninnu paatha moochu varuma
If you stand in front and look, can you even catch a breath?
Pinnae ninnu paathaa pechu varuma
If you stand behind and look, can speech even come out?
Munnae ninnu paatha moochu varuma
If you stand in front and look, can you even catch a breath?
Pinnae ninnu paathaa pechu varuma
If you stand behind and look, can speech even come out?
Athaan…
Oh cousin...
Kalyaana pennai paarthu
Looking at his bride,
Naanam kolvaaro
Will he feel shy?
Kaithari selai vangi
Buying a handloom saree,
Katti kolluvaaro
Will he drape it on?
Adiyamma un athaan
Oh girl, your cousin,
Avan yaaro vekka poro
Who knows whom he will make his own?
Adiyamma un athaan
Oh girl, your cousin,
Avan yaaro vekka poro
Who knows whom he will make his own?
Munnae ninnu paatha moochu varuma
If you stand in front and look, can you even catch a breath?
Pinnae ninnu paathaa pechu varuma
If you stand behind and look, can speech even come out?
Athaan…
Oh cousin...
Ponnalae kattil pottaal
If a golden bed is laid out,
Aiyoo enbaaro
Will he cry out in alarm?
Poo polae mutham thandhaal
If given a kiss like a flower,
Sathamiduvaaro
Will he make a commotion?
Kaipattal nee thottaal
If your hand accidentally touches his,
Avar kaalai pidippaaro
Will he fall at your feet?
Kaipattal nee thottaal
If your hand accidentally touches his,
Avar kaalai pidippaaro
Will he fall at your feet?
Munnae ninnu paatha moochu varuma
If you stand in front and look, can you even catch a breath?
Pinnae ninnu paathaa pechu varuma
If you stand behind and look, can speech even come out?
Athaan…
Oh cousin...
Appaavi athaan unnai
Will this innocent cousin of yours...
Akka enbaaro
Call you 'older sister'?
Avasara kolathodu
In his flustered state,
Amma enbaaro
Will he call you 'mother'?
Azhugindra pillai pola
Like a crying child,
Thookka solvaaro
Will he ask to be picked up?
Adiyamma unai summa
Oh girl, will he just ask you...
Thaalatta solluvaaro
To sing him a lullaby?
Adiyamma unai summa
Oh girl, will he just ask you...
Paalootta solluvaaro
To feed him milk?
Munnae ninnu paatha moochu varuma
If you stand in front and look, can you even catch a breath?
Pinnae ninnu paathaa pechu varuma
If you stand behind and look, can speech even come out?
Athaan niram sivappu
My cousin's complexion is fair,
Andha aangilaeyar pol uduppu
His attire is like that of an Englishman,
Koondhal konjam veluppu
His hair is slightly blonde,
Avar cooling glassthaan karuppu
His sunglasses are pitch black!
Munnae ninnu paatha moochu varuma
If you stand in front and look, can you even catch a breath?
Pinnae ninnu paathaa pechu varuma
If you stand behind and look, can speech even come out?
Munnae ninnu paatha moochu varuma
If you stand in front and look, can you even catch a breath?
Pinnae ninnu paathaa pechu varuma
If you stand behind and look, can speech even come out?
Athaan…
Oh cousin...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This playful track from Niraikudam (1969) features friends teasing a young woman about her suave, modern cousin (Athaan) who dresses like a Westerner. They contrast his sophisticated English appearance with humorous speculations about his romantic innocence, wondering if he will blush, panic, or act like a helpless child when faced with marriage and intimacy. Kannadasan's lyrics blend light humor with traditional wedding banter, brought to life through P. Susheela's lively vocal delivery.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monaai (Initial Letter Alliteration/Rhyme)
“Munnae ninnu paatha moochu varuma / Pinnae ninnu paathaa pechu varuma”
Contrasting directional terms 'Munnae' and 'Pinnae' create a rhythmic parallel line structure.
Upama (Simile)
“Andha aangilaeyar pol uduppu”
Compares the cousin's western fashion sense directly to an Englishman.
Upama (Simile)
“Poo polae mutham thandhaal”
Compares the gentle nature of a kiss to a soft flower.
Ezhuthu Iyaippu (Rhyme)
“Athaan niram sivappu / Andha aangilaeyar pol uduppu”
Rhyming line endings ('sivappu', 'uduppu', 'veluppu', 'karuppu') set up a lighthearted visual description.
Did you know?
Trivia
Niraikudam (1969) stars Sivaji Ganesan and Vanisri, featuring music composed by V. Kumar. The song is a popular example of 'Nandhana/Parihasa' (teasing) songs common in Tamil cinema of that era, where a bride-to-be is teased by her female companions.
Keep listening
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