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Lyrics & meaning

Athangaraiyil Poththa

From Nadhi Ondru Karai Moondru · 1981

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Nadhi Ondru Karai Moondru
Movie release year
1981
Lyrics added on
1 Nov 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Athangaraiyil pootha malli kanna parikkudhu
Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkudhu
Athangaraiyil pootha malli kanna parikkudhu
Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkudhu
Female :Kaathu nozhainju paruthikkullae nadanam aadudhu
Kaalam arindhu saela konjam parandhu kattudhu
Kaathu nozhainju paruthikkullae nadanam aadudhu
Kaalam arindhu saela konjam parandhu kattudhu
Athangaraiyil pootha malli kanna parikkudhu
Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkudhu
Salsalangudhu salasalangudhu
Salangai kaalu rendu
Female :Sarasamaada azhaikkudhaiyaa
Kanniyullae vandu
Haan salsalangudhu salasalangudhu
Salangai kaalu rendu
Female :Sarasamaada azhaikkudhaiyaa
Kanniyullae vandu
Kal kalangudhu kalakalangudhu
Ponnu sirikkum sirippu
Female :Kanni ponnu sirippu thaanae
Kaadhal pesum azhaippu
Kal kalangudhu kalakalangudhu
Ponnu sirikkum sirippu
Female :Kanni ponnu sirippu thaanae
Kaadhal pesum azhaippu
Aang
Athangaraiyil pootha malli kanna parikkudhu
Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkudhu
Adakkamaana kaattukullae
Yaanai pogum paadhai
Male :Yaanai pogum paadhaiyilae
Maanai paartha bodhai
Maanai paartha bodhaiyilae
Mayangi ninnaa kodhai
Male :Mayangi ninna kodhaiyidam
Vizhundhu vittan maedhai
Elaya virichu pooav pottu
Manjam poda poren
Male :Ela maraivaa kaai maraivaa
Konji pesa vaaren
Elaya virichu pooav pottu
Manjam poda poren
Male :Ela maraivaa kaai maraivaa
Konji pesa vaaren
Angae ingae kaiya vechaa
Anumadhikka matten
Male :Haa avasarama irundha bodhum
Thavaru seiay matten
Haan angae ingae kaiya vechaa
Anumadhikka matten
Male :Avasarama irundha bodhum
Thavaru seiay matten
Female :Haan
Athangaraiyil pootha malli kanna parikkudhu
Female :Haahaan
Male :Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkudhu
Female :Haahaan
Male :Athangaraiyil pootha malli kanna parikkudhu
Female :Haahaan
Male :Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkudhu
The jasmine blooming by the riverbank catches my eye.
The lovely girl swaying as she walks draws me in.
The jasmine blooming by the riverbank catches my eye.
The lovely girl swaying as she walks draws me in.
Female: The wind slips into the cotton fields and dances around.
Knowing the right moment, my saree flutters in the breeze.
The wind slips into the cotton fields and dances around.
Knowing the right moment, my saree flutters in the breeze.
The jasmine blooming by the riverbank catches my eye.
The lovely girl swaying as she walks draws me in.
Jingling and chiming so sweetly,
The anklets on her two feet!
Female: It invites you to share romance,
The bee inside this young girl's heart.
Ahan, jingling and chiming so sweetly,
The anklets on her two feet!
Female: It invites you to share romance,
The bee inside this young girl's heart.
Even a hard stone is stirred
By the cheerful laughter of this girl.
Female: Isn't a young girl's laughter
An invitation to speak of love?
Even a hard stone is stirred
By the cheerful laughter of this girl.
Female: Isn't a young girl's laughter
An invitation to speak of love?
Ahan!
The jasmine blooming by the riverbank catches my eye.
The lovely girl swaying as she walks draws me in.
Deep inside the quiet forest,
Lies the path where elephants walk.
Male: On that very elephant's path,
The sight of a deer made me dizzy with joy.
Drunk on the sight of that deer,
The sweet girl stood there enchanted.
Male: Before that enchanted girl,
Even the cleverest man has fallen.
Spreading leaves and scattering flowers,
I am going to make a bed of love.
Male: Hiding behind leaves and fruit,
I am coming to whisper sweet nothings.
Spreading leaves and scattering flowers,
I am going to make a bed of love.
Male: Hiding behind leaves and fruit,
I am coming to whisper sweet nothings.
If your hands wander here and there,
I will not allow it!
Male: Ah, even if I am in a hurry,
I will not cross the line.
Ahan, if your hands wander here and there,
I will not allow it!
Male: Even if I am in a hurry,
I will not cross the line.
Female: Ahan...
The jasmine blooming by the riverbank catches my eye.
Female: Hahaan...
Male: The lovely girl swaying as she walks draws me in.
Female: Hahaan...
Male: The jasmine blooming by the riverbank catches my eye.
Female: Hahaan...
Male: The lovely girl swaying as she walks draws me in.
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Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song from the movie Nadhi Ondru Karai Moondru (1981) portrays a playful, romantic dialogue between two lovers in a lush, natural environment. The imagery connects nature—riverbanks, cotton fields, blooming jasmine, and forest wildlife—with the physical and emotional attraction between the couple. The maiden teases the man with her beauty, anklet sounds, and bright smile, while setting playful boundaries. The male lover responds with affection, comparing her to a deer and assuring her of his honorable intentions even amidst intense romance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Onomatopoeia (இசைக்குறிப்பு)

Salsalangudhu salasalangudhu

Words like 'salasalangudhu' and 'kalakalangudhu' mimic the rhythmic sounds of anklets and ringing laughter.

Metaphor (உவமை / உருவகம்)

Asainju nadakkum annakkili enna izhukkudhu

Comparing the female protagonist to an 'annakkili' (swan/parrot) and 'maan' (deer) to accentuate her beauty and grace.

Second Letter Rhyme (எதுகை - Ethugai)

Adakkamaana kaattukullae

Matching second consonants across lines ('Adakkamaana' / 'Yaanai') creating classical Tamil poetic rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. S. Vishwanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan, this duet features Malaysia Vasudevan and S. Janaki. The song is well-known for its vibrant folk-classical blend and rustic imagery typical of late 70s and early 80s Tamil cinema compositions.

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