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Isaimozhi
Saadhanai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Athi Mara Poovidhu

From Saadhanai · 1986

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Saadhanai
Movie release year
1986
Lyrics added on
4 Feb 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aa haa… aa… aa… haa…
Aa haa… aa… aa… haa…
Aa… ahhahaa ahhahaa aa… aa…
Aa… aa… aa…aa…aahahaa…
Athimara poovidhu
Arugil suthi vandhu thaavudhu
Athimara poovidhu
Arugil suthi vandhu thaavudhu
Nandhavanam thaan en nalla manam thaan
Endha puramum en andhappuram thaan
Sindhanaigal oda karpanaigal kooda
Ilamai kodiyil idhazhgal viriyum
Athimara poovidhu
Arugil suthi vandhu thaavudhu
Athimara poovidhu
Arugil suthi vandhu thaavudhu
Punnagaiyil pudhu kavidhaigal ezhudhida
Paarvaigal malara malara
Mellisaiyin nayam salangaiyil vilangida
Paadhangal asaiya asaiya
Vandha magal oru poongodi
Vandu thulaithidum maangani
Sandha mozhigalin kaaviyam
Sindhai mayakkidum oviyam
Kodai varum naal veesum vaadai naan
Vaadai varum naal soodum porvai naan
Malligaiyai choodi mandhirangal paadi
Paruvam nadanam payilum nalinam
Athimara poovidhu
Arugil suthi vandhu thaavudhu
Nandhavanam thaan en nalla manam thaan
Endha puramum en andhappuram thaan
Sindhanaigal oda karpanaigal kooda
Ilamai kodiyil idhazhgal viriyum
Athimara poovidhu
Arugil suthi vandhu thaavudhu
Pulli mayil nadam purindhida purindhida
Bhaavangal vilaiya vilaiya
Kaiyalavu idai nelindhida nelindhida
Poovudal valaiya valaiya
Kannin imaigalil aadidum
Enna kanavugal aayiram
Indha kula magal noodhanam
Andha kalai magal seedhanam
Paadal irundhaal raagam seraadho
Aadal irundhaal thaalam koodaadho
Thingal oru paadhi thendral oru paadhi
Vizhiyil kalandhu vazhiyum vadivam
Athimara poovidhu
Arugil suthi vandhu thaavudhu
Nandhavanam thaan en nalla manam thaan
Endha puramum en andhappuram thaan
Sindhanaigal oda karpanaigal kooda
Ilamai kodiyil idhazhgal viriyum
Athimara poovidhu
Arugil suthi vandhu thaavudhu
Athimara poovidhu
Arugil suthi vandhu thaavudhu
Aa haa... aa... aa... haa...
Aa haa... aa... aa... haa...
Aa... ahhaha ahhaha aa... aa...
Aa... aa... aa... aa... aahaha...
This is a rare fig flower,
Circling close and leaping all around!
This is a rare fig flower,
Circling close and leaping all around!
My good heart is like a flower garden,
And every corner is my private chamber.
As thoughts race and dreams gather,
Petals bloom on the vine of youth.
This is a rare fig flower,
Circling close and leaping all around!
This is a rare fig flower,
Circling close and leaping all around!
Writing new poems with a smile,
As glances blossom again and again,
With sweet melody ringing in the ankle bells,
As her feet sway to the rhythm,
The girl who arrived is a flowering vine,
A sweet mango tempting the bee!
An epic poem of rhythmic words,
A painting that enchants the mind.
On hot summer days, I am the cool breeze,
On chilly days, I am the warm blanket you wrap.
Adorned with jasmine and chanting sweet spells,
Youth gracefully learns its dance.
This is a rare fig flower,
Circling close and leaping all around!
My good heart is like a flower garden,
And every corner is my private chamber.
As thoughts race and dreams gather,
Petals bloom on the vine of youth.
This is a rare fig flower,
Circling close and leaping all around!
As the spotted peacock dances on and on,
As expressions of dance come to life,
As her tiny waist curves and sways,
As her flower-like body bends with grace,
Dancing upon her eyelids,
Are a thousand cherished dreams.
This noble girl is a rare wonder,
A gift from the goddess of the arts!
Where there is a song, won't a melody join in?
Where there is a dance, won't the rhythm keep time?
One half the moon, the other half a gentle breeze,
A beauty that overflows in the eyes.
This is a rare fig flower,
Circling close and leaping all around!
My good heart is like a flower garden,
And every corner is my private chamber.
As thoughts race and dreams gather,
Petals bloom on the vine of youth.
This is a rare fig flower,
Circling close and leaping all around!
This is a rare fig flower,
Circling close and leaping all around!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Athimara Poovidhu' is a poetic celebration of youthful beauty, romance, and artistic expression. Comparing a beloved woman to an elusive, rare fig flower (Athimara Poo), the lyrics portray her grace through metaphors of classical dance, nature, and fine arts. Her heart is described as a flourishing garden, her presence as refreshing as a summer breeze and as comforting as a winter blanket. Throughout the track, Vaali employs classical Tamil imagery—referencing musical ragas, dance rhythms, peacocks, and divine blessings. The song paints a vivid portrait of love where music, beauty, and emotion harmonize, creating a dreamy aesthetic of romance and artistic elegance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani (Metaphor / Simile)

Athimara poovidhu

Comparing a pure, rare, and delicate person to an 'Athimara Poo' (fig flower, which is famously hidden/rare in Tamil literature).

Uvamaani (Metaphor)

Nandhavanam thaan en nalla manam thaan

Comparing a good heart to a lush garden ('Nandhavanam').

Ethirsol / Contrast

Kodai varum naal veesum vaadai naan / Vaadai varum naal soodum porvai naan

Juxtaposing summer breeze ('Kodai... vaadai') with winter warmth ('Vaadai... porvai').

Edhukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Nandhavanam thaan en nalla manam thaan / Endha puramum en andhappuram thaan

Repetition of the second consonant 'ndha' across consecutive lines ('Nandhavanam' / 'Endha').

Did you know?

Trivia

The phrase 'Athimara Poo' (fig flower) is a famous idiom in Tamil literature and classical poetry used to denote something extremely rare or virtually impossible to see, as fig flowers bloom internally within the fruit structure.

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