Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Athani Mandabathil

From Justice Viswanathan · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
S. Vedhachalam
Details
Justice Viswanathan1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Athaani mandabathil muthu muthu pappaIn the Athaani pavilion, there is a pearl-like baby girl.
Athaani mandabathil muthu muthu pappaIn the Athaani pavilion, there is a pearl-like baby girl.
Ammavai eppodhum en mugathil pappaLook at my face to always see mother.
Athaani mandabathil muthu muthu pappaIn the Athaani pavilion, there is a pearl-like baby girl.
Female
Mai potta kangalil natchathira koottamIn her kohl-lined eyes, there is a cluster of stars.
Mangaadha punnagaiyo thiratchai pazhathottamHer unfading smile is like an orchard of grapes.
Kai veesum baavanaiyil pulli maangal aattamIn the way her hands gesture, it is like the dance of spotted deer.
Kai veesum baavanaiyil pulli maangal aattamIn the way her hands gesture, it is like the dance of spotted deer.
Adi raajathiOh little princess!
Female
Maan kuttinaa enakkuIf it is a fawn, I really like it...
Rombha pudikkum ungakitta irukka...I really like it, do you have one with you?
Female
Athaani mandabathil muthu muthu pappaIn the Athaani pavilion, there is a pearl-like baby girl.
Ammavai eppodhum en mugathil pappaLook at my face to always see mother.
Athaani mandabathil muthu muthu pappaIn the Athaani pavilion, there is a pearl-like baby girl.
Female
Pournamiyil nilavu ponnuOn a full moon day, the moon maiden...
Paarkka vandhaal kanna...came to see, my dear child.
Paal kudikkum kandru kuttiThe milk-drinking little calf...
Thamizhai thandhaal amma...mother bestowed sweet Tamil upon her.
Female
Thenmadhurai meenatchiGoddess Meenakshi of southern Madurai...
Serthanaithaal amma...mother embraced her closely.
Thenmadhurai meenatchiGoddess Meenakshi of southern Madurai...
Serthanaithaal amma di raajathi...mother embraced her closely, oh little princess!
Female
Yaar andha meenatchi?Who is that Meenakshi?
Enakku theriyaadheI do not know!
Female
Athaani mandabathil muthu muthu pappaIn the Athaani pavilion, there is a pearl-like baby girl.
Ammavai eppodhum en mugathil pappaLook at my face to always see mother.
Athaani mandabathil muthu muthu pappaIn the Athaani pavilion, there is a pearl-like baby girl.
Female
Podhiyamalai sandhnathaiApplying the sandalwood of the Podhigai hills...
Poosuvadhum yaaro...who is doing that?
Poothu vandha malligaiyaiAdorning the blooming jasmine flowers...
Sooduvdhum yaaroo...who is doing that?
Female
Serthu vaikkum deivangalinThe intention of the gods who unite souls...
Sindhanaiyum yedho...is something mysterious and divine.
Serthu vaikkum deivangalinThe intention of the gods who unite souls...
Sindhanaiyum yedho...is something mysterious and divine.
Adi raajathiOh little princess!
Female
Saami enge irukkuWhere is God?
Female :Engaeyum irukkuGod is everywhere.
Female :Ingaeyum irukkaIs God here too?
Saami saami ennai kaappathuGod, oh God, protect me!
Female
Athaani mandabathil muthu muthu pappaIn the Athaani pavilion, there is a pearl-like baby girl.
Athaani mandabathil muthu muthu pappaIn the Athaani pavilion, there is a pearl-like baby girl.
Ammavai eppodhum en mugathil pappaLook at my face to always see mother.
Athaani mandabathil muthu muthu pappaIn the Athaani pavilion, there is a pearl-like baby girl.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This tender song from the 1971 film 'Justice Viswanathan' captures a playful and loving dialogue between a motherly figure and a child. The song uses vivid imagery to compare the child's innocence and beauty to stars, grape orchards, and dancing spotted deer. Throughout the conversation, maternal affection is intertwined with spiritual reflections on Goddess Meenakshi, nature, and the omnipresence of God.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Mai potta kangalil natchathira koottam

Compares the child's kohl-lined eyes to a cluster of shining stars.

Metaphor

Mangaadha punnagaiyo thiratchai pazhathottam

Compares an everlasting innocent smile to a lush grape orchard.

Visual Imagery (Vannana)

Kai veesum baavanaiyil pulli maangal aattam

Creates a visual picture of graceful hand movements compared to spotted deer dancing.

Initial Rhyme (Monai)

Pournamiyil nilavu ponnu Paarkka vandhaal kanna

Repetition of the 'P' consonant sound at the start of words across lines (Pournamiyil / Paarkka / Paal).

Did you know?

Trivia

The music for 'Justice Viswanathan' was composed by S. Vedha (S. Vedhachalam), who was known for blending catchy melodies with energetic rhythms in 1960s and 1970s Tamil cinema. The lyrics were penned by the legendary Kannadasan.

Keep listening

More from Justice Viswanathan