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Nadhi Ondru Karai Moondru album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Athangaraiyil Poththa Malli

From Nadhi Ondru Karai Moondru · 1981

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. Janaki, Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Nadhi Ondru Karai Moondru
Movie release year
1981
Lyrics added on
15 Jun 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
………………
Aaththangaraiyil pooththa malli kanna parikkuthu
Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkuthu
Aaththangaraiyil pooththa malli kanna parikkuthu
Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkuthu
Kaaththu nozhanju paruththikkullae nadanamaaduthu
Kaalamarinthu sela konjam paranthu kaattuthu
Kaaththu nozhanju paruththikkullae nadanamaaduthu
Kaalamarinthu sela konjam paranthu kaattuthu
Aaththangaraiyil pooththa malli kanna parikkuthu
Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkuthu
Salsallunguthu salasalanguthu
Salangai kaalu rendu
Female :Sarasamada azhaikkuthaiyyaa
Kanniyullae vandu
Salsallunguthu salasalanguthu
Salangai kaalu rendu
Female :Sarasamada azhaikkuthaiyyaa
Kanniyullae vandu
Kalkallunguthu kalakalanguthu
Ponnu sirikkum sirippu
Female :Kanni ponnu siripputhaanae
Kadhal pesum azhaippu
Aang…..aaththangaraiyil pooththa malli kanna parikkuthu
Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkuthu
Adakkamaana kaattukkullae
Yaanai pogum paadhai
Male :Yaanai pogum paadhaiyilae
Maanai paarththa bodhai
Maanai paarththa bodhaiyilae
Mayangi ninnaa kodhai
Male :Mayangi ninna kodhaiyidam
Vizhunthu vittaan medhai
Aaththangaraiyil pooththa malli kanna parikkuthu
Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkuthu
Elaya virichchu poova pottu
Manjam poda poraen
Male :Ela maraivaa kaai maraivaa
Konji pesa vaaraen
Elaya virichchu poova pottu
Manjam poda poraen
Male :Ela maraivaa kaai maraivaa
Konji pesa vaaraen
Angae ingae kaiya vachchaa
Anumathikka maattaen
Male :Avasaramaa irunthapothum
Thavaru seiyya maattaen
Aaththangaraiyil pooththa malli kanna parikkuthu
Female :Aahaah
Male :Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkuthu
Female :Aahaah
Aaththangaraiyil pooththa malli kanna parikkuthu
Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkuthu
...
The jasmine blooming on the riverbank dazzles my eyes,
The swaying swan-like beauty pulls me toward her.
The jasmine blooming on the riverbank dazzles my eyes,
The swaying swan-like beauty pulls me toward her.
The breeze slips into the cotton fields and dances,
Catching the right moment, her saree flutters to show a glimpse.
The breeze slips into the cotton fields and dances,
Catching the right moment, her saree flutters to show a glimpse.
The jasmine blooming on the riverbank dazzles my eyes,
The swaying swan-like beauty pulls me toward her.
Jingling and chiming with rhythm,
are her two anklet-wearing feet.
Female: It invites you to flirt and play,
the restless beetle stirring inside this young girl.
Jingling and chiming with rhythm,
are her two anklet-wearing feet.
Female: It invites you to flirt and play,
the restless beetle stirring inside this young girl.
Ringing out brightly and cheerfully,
is the laughter of this girl.
Female: Isn't a young girl's laughter
an invitation to talk of love?
Ah... The jasmine blooming on the riverbank dazzles my eyes,
The swaying swan-like beauty pulls me toward her.
Inside the quiet, dense forest,
lies a path where elephants roam.
Male: On that elephant path,
what a thrill it is to spot a deer!
Dazed by the sight of that deer,
the young woman stood entranced.
Male: Before that entranced beauty,
even the clever man fell completely.
The jasmine blooming on the riverbank dazzles my eyes,
The swaying swan-like beauty pulls me toward her.
Spreading a leaf and scattering flowers,
I am going to make our bed.
Male: Hiding behind playful hints and secret teasing,
I am coming to whisper sweet words to you.
Spreading a leaf and scattering flowers,
I am going to make our bed.
Male: Hiding behind playful hints and secret teasing,
I am coming to whisper sweet words to you.
If your hands wander here and there,
I will not allow it!
Male: Even though I am in a rush of desire,
I will not cross the line.
The jasmine blooming on the riverbank dazzles my eyes,
Female: Ah-ha!
Male: The swaying swan-like beauty pulls me toward her.
Female: Ah-ha!
The jasmine blooming on the riverbank dazzles my eyes,
The swaying swan-like beauty pulls me toward her.
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female
Male
Female
Female
Female
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'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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