Athangaraiyil Poththa Malli
From Nadhi Ondru Karai Moondru · 1981
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- S. Janaki, Malaysia Vasudevan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Nadhi Ondru Karai Moondru1981
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| ……………… | ... |
| Male | |
| Aaththangaraiyil pooththa malli kanna parikkuthu | The jasmine blooming on the riverbank dazzles the eyes |
| Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkuthu | The swan-like girl walking with a sway pulls me towards her |
| Aaththangaraiyil pooththa malli kanna parikkuthu | The jasmine blooming on the riverbank dazzles the eyes |
| Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkuthu | The swan-like girl walking with a sway pulls me towards her |
| Female | |
| Kaaththu nozhanju paruththikkullae nadanamaaduthu | The wind enters inside the soft cotton and dances |
| Kaalamarinthu sela konjam paranthu kaattuthu | Knowing the right moment, her saree fluttered and revealed a bit |
| Kaaththu nozhanju paruththikkullae nadanamaaduthu | The wind enters inside the soft cotton and dances |
| Kaalamarinthu sela konjam paranthu kaattuthu | Knowing the right moment, her saree fluttered and revealed a bit |
| Male | |
| Aaththangaraiyil pooththa malli kanna parikkuthu | The jasmine blooming on the riverbank dazzles the eyes |
| Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkuthu | The swan-like girl walking with a sway pulls me towards her |
| Male | |
| Salsallunguthu salasalanguthu | Making a soft tinkling sound |
| Salangai kaalu rendu | The two feet wearing anklets |
| Female :Sarasamada azhaikkuthaiyyaa | Female: They invite me to indulge in romance, my lord |
| Kanniyullae vandu | The bee inside the young maiden |
| Male | |
| Salsallunguthu salasalanguthu | Making a soft tinkling sound |
| Salangai kaalu rendu | The two feet wearing anklets |
| Female :Sarasamada azhaikkuthaiyyaa | Female: They invite me to indulge in romance, my lord |
| Kanniyullae vandu | The bee inside the young maiden |
| Male | |
| Kalkallunguthu kalakalanguthu | Making a joyful chiming sound |
| Ponnu sirikkum sirippu | The bright laughter of the young woman |
| Female :Kanni ponnu siripputhaanae | Female: Isn't the laughter of a maiden |
| Kadhal pesum azhaippu | An invitation that speaks of love? |
| Male | |
| Aang…..aaththangaraiyil pooththa malli kanna parikkuthu | Aah... The jasmine blooming on the riverbank dazzles the eyes |
| Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkuthu | The swan-like girl walking with a sway pulls me towards her |
| Female | |
| Adakkamaana kaattukkullae | Inside the tranquil and quiet forest |
| Yaanai pogum paadhai | The path where the elephant walks |
| Male :Yaanai pogum paadhaiyilae | Male: On the path where the elephant walks |
| Maanai paarththa bodhai | The intoxication from spotting a deer |
| Female | |
| Maanai paarththa bodhaiyilae | In the intoxication of spotting a deer |
| Mayangi ninnaa kodhai | The beautiful maiden stood mesmerized |
| Male :Mayangi ninna kodhaiyidam | Male: Beside that mesmerized maiden |
| Vizhunthu vittaan medhai | The wise scholar fell head over heels |
| Male | |
| Aaththangaraiyil pooththa malli kanna parikkuthu | The jasmine blooming on the riverbank dazzles the eyes |
| Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkuthu | The swan-like girl walking with a sway pullsnamespace izhukkuthu |
| Female | |
| Elaya virichchu poova pottu | Spreading a plantain leaf and laying flowers |
| Manjam poda poraen | I am going to set up a bed |
| Male :Ela maraivaa kaai maraivaa | Male: Hidden among the leaves and fruits |
| Konji pesa vaaraen | I will come to whisper affectionate words |
| Female | |
| Elaya virichchu poova pottu | Spreading a plantain leaf and laying flowers |
| Manjam poda poraen | I am going to set up a bed |
| Male :Ela maraivaa kaai maraivaa | Male: Hidden among the leaves and fruits |
| Konji pesa vaaraen | I will come to whisper affectionate words |
| Female | |
| Angae ingae kaiya vachchaa | If you place your hands here and there |
| Anumathikka maattaen | I will not permit it |
| Male :Avasaramaa irunthapothum | Male: Even though I am overcome with eagerness |
| Thavaru seiyya maattaen | I will not commit any wrongdoing |
| Male | |
| Aaththangaraiyil pooththa malli kanna parikkuthu | The jasmine blooming on the riverbank dazzles the eyes |
| Female :Aahaah | Female: Aahaah |
| Male :Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkuthu | Male: The swan-like girl walking with a sway pulls me towards her |
| Female :Aahaah | Female: Aahaah |
| Male | |
| Aaththangaraiyil pooththa malli kanna parikkuthu | Aaththangaraiyil pooththa malli kanna parikkuthu |
| Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkuthu | Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkuthu |
........................
...
ஆத்தங்கரையில் பூத்த மல்லி கண்ண பறிக்குது
அசைஞ்சு நடக்கும் அன்னக்கிளி என்ன இழுக்குது
ஆத்தங்கரையில் பூத்த மல்லி கண்ண பறிக்குது
அசைஞ்சு நடக்கும் அன்னக்கிளி என்ன இழுக்குது
The jasmine blooming on the riverbank dazzles the eyes
The swan-like girl walking with a sway pulls me towards her
The jasmine blooming on the riverbank dazzles the eyes
The swan-like girl walking with a sway pulls me towards her
காத்து நொழைஞ்சு பருத்திக்குள்ளே நடனமாடுது
காலமறிந்து சேல கொஞ்சம் பறந்து காட்டுது
காத்து நொழைஞ்சு பருத்திக்குள்ளே நடனமாடுது
காலமறிந்து சேல கொஞ்சம் பறந்து காட்டுது
The wind enters inside the soft cotton and dances
Knowing the right moment, her saree fluttered and revealed a bit
The wind enters inside the soft cotton and dances
Knowing the right moment, her saree fluttered and revealed a bit
ஆத்தங்கரையில் பூத்த மல்லி கண்ண பறிக்குது
அசைஞ்சு நடக்கும் அன்னக்கிளி என்ன இழுக்குது
The jasmine blooming on the riverbank dazzles the eyes
The swan-like girl walking with a sway pulls me towards her
சல்சல்லுங்குது சலசலங்குது
சலங்கை காலு ரெண்டு
சரசமாட அழைக்குதையா
கன்னியுள்ளே வண்டு
Making a soft tinkling sound
The two feet wearing anklets
Female: They invite me to indulge in romance, my lord
The bee inside the young maiden
சல்சல்லுங்குது சலசலங்குது
சலங்கை காலு ரெண்டு
சரசமாட அழைக்குதையா
கன்னியுள்ளே வண்டு
Making a soft tinkling sound
The two feet wearing anklets
Female: They invite me to indulge in romance, my lord
The bee inside the young maiden
கல்கல்லுங்குது கலகலங்குது
பொண்ணு சிரிக்கும் சிரிப்பு
கன்னி பொண்ணு சிரிப்புதானே
காதல் பேசும் அழைப்பு
Making a joyful chiming sound
The bright laughter of the young woman
Female: Isn't the laughter of a maiden
An invitation that speaks of love?
ஆங்.....ஆத்தங்கரையில் பூத்த மல்லி கண்ண பறிக்குது
அசைஞ்சு நடக்கும் அன்னக்கிளி என்ன இழுக்குது
Aah... The jasmine blooming on the riverbank dazzles the eyes
The swan-like girl walking with a sway pulls me towards her
அடக்கமான காட்டுக்குள்ளே
யானை போகும் பாதை
யானை போகும் பாதையிலே
மானை பார்த்த போதை
Inside the tranquil and quiet forest
The path where the elephant walks
Male: On the path where the elephant walks
The intoxication from spotting a deer
மானைப் பார்த்த போதையிலே
மயங்கி நின்னா கோதை
மயங்கி நின்ன கோதையிடம்
விழுந்து விட்டான் மேதை...
In the intoxication of spotting a deer
The beautiful maiden stood mesmerized
Male: Beside that mesmerized maiden
The wise scholar fell head over heels
ஆத்தங்கரையில் பூத்த மல்லி கண்ண பறிக்குது
அசைஞ்சு நடக்கும் அன்னக்கிளி என்ன இழுக்குது
The jasmine blooming on the riverbank dazzles the eyes
The swan-like girl walking with a sway pullsnamespace izhukkuthu
எலய விரிச்சு பூவப் போட்டு
மஞ்சம் போடப் போறேன்
எல மறைவா காய் மறைவா
கொஞ்சிப் பேச வாரேன்
Spreading a plantain leaf and laying flowers
I am going to set up a bed
Male: Hidden among the leaves and fruits
I will come to whisper affectionate words
எலய விரிச்சு பூவப் போட்டு
மஞ்சம் போடப் போறேன்
எல மறைவா காய் மறைவா
கொஞ்சிப் பேச வாரேன்
Spreading a plantain leaf and laying flowers
I am going to set up a bed
Male: Hidden among the leaves and fruits
I will come to whisper affectionate words
அங்கே இங்கே கைய வச்சா
அனுமதிக்க மாட்டேன்
அவசரமா இருந்தபோதும்
தவறு செய்ய மாட்டேன்......
If you place your hands here and there
I will not permit it
Male: Even though I am overcome with eagerness
I will not commit any wrongdoing
அங்கே இங்கே கைய வச்சா
அனுமதிக்க மாட்டேன்
அவசரமா இருந்தபோதும்
தவறு செய்ய மாட்டேன்......
The jasmine blooming on the riverbank dazzles the eyes
Female: Aahaah
Male: The swan-like girl walking with a sway pulls me towards her
Female: Aahaah
ஆத்தங்கரையில் பூத்த மல்லி கண்ண பறிக்குது
ஆஹாஹ்
அசைஞ்சு நடக்கும் அன்னக்கிளி என்ன இழுக்குது
ஆஹாஹ்
Aaththangaraiyil pooththa malli kanna parikkuthu
Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkuthu
ஆத்தங்கரையில் பூத்த மல்லி கண்ண பறிக்குது
அசைஞ்சு நடக்கும் அன்னக்கிளி என்ன இழுக்குது
………………
...
Aaththangaraiyil pooththa malli kanna parikkuthu
The jasmine blooming on the riverbank dazzles the eyes
Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkuthu
The swan-like girl walking with a sway pulls me towards her
Aaththangaraiyil pooththa malli kanna parikkuthu
The jasmine blooming on the riverbank dazzles the eyes
Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkuthu
The swan-like girl walking with a sway pulls me towards her
Kaaththu nozhanju paruththikkullae nadanamaaduthu
The wind enters inside the soft cotton and dances
Kaalamarinthu sela konjam paranthu kaattuthu
Knowing the right moment, her saree fluttered and revealed a bit
Kaaththu nozhanju paruththikkullae nadanamaaduthu
The wind enters inside the soft cotton and dances
Kaalamarinthu sela konjam paranthu kaattuthu
Knowing the right moment, her saree fluttered and revealed a bit
Aaththangaraiyil pooththa malli kanna parikkuthu
The jasmine blooming on the riverbank dazzles the eyes
Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkuthu
The swan-like girl walking with a sway pulls me towards her
Salsallunguthu salasalanguthu
Making a soft tinkling sound
Salangai kaalu rendu
The two feet wearing anklets
Female :Sarasamada azhaikkuthaiyyaa
Female: They invite me to indulge in romance, my lord
Kanniyullae vandu
The bee inside the young maiden
Salsallunguthu salasalanguthu
Making a soft tinkling sound
Salangai kaalu rendu
The two feet wearing anklets
Female :Sarasamada azhaikkuthaiyyaa
Female: They invite me to indulge in romance, my lord
Kanniyullae vandu
The bee inside the young maiden
Kalkallunguthu kalakalanguthu
Making a joyful chiming sound
Ponnu sirikkum sirippu
The bright laughter of the young woman
Female :Kanni ponnu siripputhaanae
Female: Isn't the laughter of a maiden
Kadhal pesum azhaippu
An invitation that speaks of love?
Aang…..aaththangaraiyil pooththa malli kanna parikkuthu
Aah... The jasmine blooming on the riverbank dazzles the eyes
Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkuthu
The swan-like girl walking with a sway pulls me towards her
Adakkamaana kaattukkullae
Inside the tranquil and quiet forest
Yaanai pogum paadhai
The path where the elephant walks
Male :Yaanai pogum paadhaiyilae
Male: On the path where the elephant walks
Maanai paarththa bodhai
The intoxication from spotting a deer
Maanai paarththa bodhaiyilae
In the intoxication of spotting a deer
Mayangi ninnaa kodhai
The beautiful maiden stood mesmerized
Male :Mayangi ninna kodhaiyidam
Male: Beside that mesmerized maiden
Vizhunthu vittaan medhai
The wise scholar fell head over heels
Aaththangaraiyil pooththa malli kanna parikkuthu
The jasmine blooming on the riverbank dazzles the eyes
Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkuthu
The swan-like girl walking with a sway pullsnamespace izhukkuthu
Elaya virichchu poova pottu
Spreading a plantain leaf and laying flowers
Manjam poda poraen
I am going to set up a bed
Male :Ela maraivaa kaai maraivaa
Male: Hidden among the leaves and fruits
Konji pesa vaaraen
I will come to whisper affectionate words
Elaya virichchu poova pottu
Spreading a plantain leaf and laying flowers
Manjam poda poraen
I am going to set up a bed
Male :Ela maraivaa kaai maraivaa
Male: Hidden among the leaves and fruits
Konji pesa vaaraen
I will come to whisper affectionate words
Angae ingae kaiya vachchaa
If you place your hands here and there
Anumathikka maattaen
I will not permit it
Male :Avasaramaa irunthapothum
Male: Even though I am overcome with eagerness
Thavaru seiyya maattaen
I will not commit any wrongdoing
Aaththangaraiyil pooththa malli kanna parikkuthu
The jasmine blooming on the riverbank dazzles the eyes
Female :Aahaah
Female: Aahaah
Male :Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkuthu
Male: The swan-like girl walking with a sway pulls me towards her
Female :Aahaah
Female: Aahaah
Aaththangaraiyil pooththa malli kanna parikkuthu
Aaththangaraiyil pooththa malli kanna parikkuthu
Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkuthu
Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkuthu
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Nadhi Ondru Karai Moondru' (1981) features this picturesque, playful romantic duet rendered by S. Janaki and Malaysia Vasudevan with music composed by M. S. Viswanathan and lyrics by Kannadasan. The hero and heroine express their intimate feelings through playful banter set against a lush natural backdrop of riverbanks and forests. The song relies heavily on natural metaphors—comparing the maiden to riverbank jasmine, a deer, and a swan-bird, while describing the playful dynamics of courtly romantic boundaries.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Onomatopoeia (Oli-kkurippu)
“Salsallunguthu salasalanguthu”
Use of rhythmic sound words mimicking anklet bells ('Salsallunguthu', 'Salasalanguthu') and cheerful laughter ('Kalakalanguthu').
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Yaanai pogum paadhaiyilae / Maanai paarththa bodhai”
Matching second consonants across lines such as 'Yaanai' (elephant) and 'Maanai' (deer), enhancing the lyric's musicality.
Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagarm)
“Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkuthu”
Comparing the graceful woman to an 'annakkili' (swan-parrot hybrid image) and jasmine ('malli').
Monaai (Initial Alliteration)
“Kaaththu nozhanju paruththikkullae nadanamaaduthu”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('Kaaththu', 'Kaalamarinthu') creating a smooth phonetic cadence.
Did you know?
Trivia
This track from 'Nadhi Ondru Karai Moondru' showcases M. S. Viswanathan's skill in blending rustic folk sensibilities with subtle orchestral arrangements, wonderfully complemented by lyricist Kannadasan's playful romantic verse.
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