Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Athanin Nenjukkulle Tik Tik Tik

From Revathi · 1986

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. Janaki, K. J. Jesudas
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Revathi1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Athaanin nenjukkullae tik tik tikInside the lover's heart, it goes tick-tick-tick
Ammalin nenjukkulae buk buk bukInside the girl's heart, it goes buk-buk-buk
Kaadhal solla vaai koosudhuThe mouth hesitates to speak of love
Kannae kanane kann pesudhuMy dear, the eyes speak instead
Dhegam adikkadi thudikkudhuThe body quivers frequently
Female
Athaanin nenjukkullae tik tik tikInside the lover's heart, it goes tick-tick-tick
Ammalin nenjukkulae buk buk bukInside the girl's heart, it goes buk-buk-buk
Kaadhal solla vaai koosudhuThe mouth hesitates to speak of love
Kanna kanna kann pesudhuOh darling, the eyes speak instead
Dhegam adikkadi thudikkudhuThe body quivers frequently
Female
Kan jaadai sonnadhu konjam allaWhat the eye signals conveyed is not a little
Kavi paada vaarthaikku panjam allaThere is no shortage of words to write poetry
Kan jaadai sonnadhu konjam allaWhat the eye signals conveyed is not a little
Kavi paada vaarthaikku panjam allaThere is no shortage of words to write poetry
Sollathaan ninaikkum nadukkum edukkumThinking to express it, there is trembling and hesitation
Idhayam thudikkum edhaiyo maraikkumThe heart beats fast, concealing something
Male
Vaadadha poovukku vaasam illaiA flower that never fades has no fragrance
Vaadadha poovukku vaasam illaiA flower that never fades has no fragrance
Kalandhen ivalai marandhen kavalaiI united with her and forgot my worries
Female
Athaanin nenjukkullae tik tik tikInside the lover's heart, it goes tick-tick-tick
Ammalin nenjukkulae buk buk bukInside the girl's heart, it goes buk-buk-buk
Male :Kaadhal solla vaai koosudhuMale: The mouth hesitates to speak of love
Kannae kananae kann pesudhuMy dear, the eyes speak instead
Dhegam adikkadi thudikkudhuThe body quivers frequently
Female
Athaanin nenjukkullae tik tik tikInside the lover's heart, it goes tick-tick-tick
Male :Ammalin nenjukkulae buk buk bukMale: Inside the girl's heart, it goes buk-buk-buk
Male
Nana kanda penmaikku acham illaiThe womanhood I saw has no fear
Female :AaaFemale: Aaa
Male :Naanangal yaenadi micham illaiMale: Why is there no shyness left?
Female :HaahaangFemale: Haahaang
Male :Nana kanda penmaikku acham illaiMale: The womanhood I saw has no fear
Naanangal yaenadi micham illaiWhy is there no shyness left?
Nilavaai ezhuvaai madi mel vizhuvaaiRise like the moon, fall onto my lap
Oru vaai amudham tharuvaai medhuvaaSlowly offer a mouth full of nectar
Female
Thaaladha penmaikku thaazhpaal illaiUnbearable womanhood has no latch
Thaaladha pen maikku thaazhpal illaiUnbearable womanhood has no latch
Medhuvaai nirkkum adhuvaai kodukkumIt will stand gently and surrender on its own
Male
Athaanin nenjukkullae tik tik tikInside the lover's heart, it goes tick-tick-tick
Female :Ammalin nenjukkulae buk buk bukFemale: Inside the girl's heart, it goes buk-buk-buk
Male :Kaadhal solla vaai koosudhuMale: The mouth hesitates to speak of love
Female :Kanna kanana kann pesudhuFemale: Oh darling, the eyes speak instead
Male :Dhegam adikkadi thudikkudhuMale: The body quivers frequently
Female
Athaanin nenjukkullae tik tik tikInside the lover's heart, it goes tick-tick-tick
Male :Ammalin nenjukkulae buk buk bukMale: Inside the girl's heart, it goes buk-buk-buk

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Athaanin nenjukkullae from the film Revathi (1986) is a romantic duet capturing the playful exchange and pounding hearts of two lovers. The lyrics describe the physical and emotional manifestations of romance—the anxious beating of the heart (tik tik tik, buk buk buk), the hesitation to express feelings vocally, and how eyes communicate what words cannot. The song explores themes of intimacy, passion, and mutual surrender, comparing the beloved to the moon and love to sweet nectar.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Onomatopoeia (Irattai Kilavi)

Athaanin nenjukkullae tik tik tik

Use of imitation sounds 'tik tik tik' and 'buk buk buk' to vividly represent the anxious pounding of a lover's heart.

Internal Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Kalandhen ivalai marandhen kavalai

Rhyming endings in 'kalandhen' and 'marandhen' create a smooth lyrical flow.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Nilavaai ezhuvaai madi mel vizhuvaai

Comparing the female lover to a rising moon descending onto the partner's lap.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the prolific lyricist Vaali for the 1986 Tamil film 'Revathi', this track features rhythmic echo words and conversational back-and-forth lyrics that were popular in 1980s Tamil cinema duets.

Keep listening

More from Revathi