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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Athan Niram Sivappu

From Niraikudam · 1969

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
V. Kumar
Movie name
Niraikudam
Movie release year
1969
Lyrics added on
20 Jul 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Athaan niram sivappu
Andha aangilaeyar pol uduppu
Koondhal konjam veluppu
Avar cooling glassthaan karuppu
Athaan niram sivappu
Andha aangilaeyar pol uduppu
Koondhal konjam veluppu
Avar cooling glassthaan karuppu
Munnae ninnu paatha moochu varuma
Pinnae ninnu paathaa pechu varuma
Munnae ninnu paatha moochu varuma
Pinnae ninnu paathaa pechu varuma
Athaan…
Kalyaana pennai paarthu
Naanam kolvaaro
Kaithari selai vangi
Katti kolluvaaro
Adiyamma un athaan
Avan yaaro vekka poro
Adiyamma un athaan
Avan yaaro vekka poro
Munnae ninnu paatha moochu varuma
Pinnae ninnu paathaa pechu varuma
Athaan…
Ponnalae kattil pottaal
Aiyoo enbaaro
Poo polae mutham thandhaal
Sathamiduvaaro
Kaipattal nee thottaal
Avar kaalai pidippaaro
Kaipattal nee thottaal
Avar kaalai pidippaaro
Munnae ninnu paatha moochu varuma
Pinnae ninnu paathaa pechu varuma
Athaan…
Appaavi athaan unnai
Akka enbaaro
Avasara kolathodu
Amma enbaaro
Azhugindra pillai pola
Thookka solvaaro
Adiyamma unai summa
Thaalatta solluvaaro
Adiyamma unai summa
Paalootta solluvaaro
Munnae ninnu paatha moochu varuma
Pinnae ninnu paathaa pechu varuma
Athaan niram sivappu
Andha aangilaeyar pol uduppu
Koondhal konjam veluppu
Avar cooling glassthaan karuppu
Munnae ninnu paatha moochu varuma
Pinnae ninnu paathaa pechu varuma
Munnae ninnu paatha moochu varuma
Pinnae ninnu paathaa pechu varuma
Athaan…
My Aththan (cousin and groom) is fair-skinned,
he dresses just like an Englishman.
His hair has a touch of grey,
only his sunglasses are black!
My Aththan is fair-skinned,
he dresses just like an Englishman.
His hair has a touch of grey,
only his sunglasses are black!
If you stand in front of him, can you even breathe?
If you stand behind him, can you even speak?
If you stand in front of him, can you even breathe?
If you stand behind him, can you even speak?
Aththan...
Looking at his bride,
will he feel all shy?
Buying a handloom saree,
will he drape it on himself?
Oh girl, this Aththan of yours,
who is he, just a bundle of shyness?
Oh girl, this Aththan of yours,
who is he, just a bundle of shyness?
If you stand in front of him, can you even breathe?
If you stand behind him, can you even speak?
Aththan...
If a golden bed is made,
will he cry out, "Oh no!"?
If you give him a kiss soft as a flower,
will he scream in alarm?
If your hand brushes him or you touch him,
will he clutch your feet in panic?
If your hand brushes him or you touch him,
will he clutch your feet in panic?
If you stand in front of him, can you even breathe?
If you stand behind him, can you even speak?
Aththan...
Will your innocent Aththan
call you "sister"?
In all his flustered panic,
will he call you "mother"?
Like a crying child,
will he ask you to pick him up?
Oh girl, will he simply ask you
to sing a lullaby?
Oh girl, will he simply ask you
to feed him milk?
If you stand in front of him, can you even breathe?
If you stand behind him, can you even speak?
My Aththan is fair-skinned,
he dresses just like an Englishman.
His hair has a touch of grey,
only his sunglasses are black!
If you stand in front of him, can you even breathe?
If you stand behind him, can you even speak?
If you stand in front of him, can you even breathe?
If you stand behind him, can you even speak?
Aththan...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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