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Lyrics & meaning

Atho Paaradi Avare

From Kalyani (1952) · 1952

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Leela
Music directors
S. Dakshinamurthi, G. Ramanathan
Details
Kalyani (1952)1952

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Atho paaradi avarae en kanavarLook there my friend, he is my husband.
Avarae en kanavar atho paaradiHe is my husband, look over there my friend.
Pudhu maattu vandi ottiDriving a new bullock cart,
Pogindraar enai vaattiHe goes away, leaving me yearning.
Pudhu maattu vandi ottiDriving a new bullock cart,
Pogindraar enai vaattiHe goes away, leaving me yearning.
Female
Atho paaradi avarae en kanavarLook there my friend, he is my husband.
Female
Iruppavar ullae mudhalaali chettySitting inside is the wealthy merchant master,
Yaerukaal maelthaan en sarkkarai kattiBut atop the driver shaft sits my sugar lump!
Theriyavillaiyodi thalaiyil thuppattiCan't you see the towel wrapped around his head?
Theriyavillaiyodi thalaiyil thuppattiCan't you see the towel wrapped around his head?
Saeranae avarendraal athilenna attiIf he looks like a Chera king, what is the objection to that?
Female
Atho paaradiLook over there, my friend.
Female
Ainthu panaththinai ennidam thanthaarHe gave me five coins,
Anthi saayu munnae varavum isainthaarAnd agreed to return before dusk falls.
Ainthu panaththinai ennidam thanthaarHe gave me five coins,
Anthi saayu munnae varavum isainthaarAnd agreed to return before dusk falls.
Female
Anthi varaavittaal pennae inthaa'If I do not return by dusk, girl, take this,'
Anthi varaavittaal pennae inthaa'If I do not return by dusk, girl, take this,'
Aasai muththam'A kiss of love!'
Aasai muththam endru solli nadanthaarSaying 'a kiss of love', he walked away.
Aasai muththam endru solli nadanthaarSaying 'a kiss of love', he walked away.
Female
Atho paaradi avarae en kanavarLook there my friend, he is my husband.
Avarae en kanavar atho paaradiHe is my husband, look over there my friend.
Atho paaradi….Look over there, my friend...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Atho Paaradi Avarae En Kanavar is a playful Tamil film song from Kalyani (1952) where a young bride excitedly points out her husband to her friend. Even though he is a humble bullock cart driver sitting at the front shaft while his rich merchant employer sits inside the cart, she adores him immensely, affectionately calling him her sweet lump of sugar and proudly comparing his regal appearance to a Chera king. She fondly recalls his affectionate words before leaving for work, including how he gave her money for expenses and playfully promised a loving kiss if he failed to return home by twilight. Through lighthearted rhythm and expressive lyrics, the song celebrates humble romantic affection and deep marital pride.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Pudhu maattu vandi otti / Pogindraar enai vaatti

The second letter 'tti' rhymes in 'otti' and 'vaatti', creating a pleasing rhythmic cadence.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Yaerukaal maelthaan en sarkkarai katti

The protagonist metaphorically calls her husband 'sarkkarai katti' (lump of sugar) to express sweetness and deep romantic affection.

Hyperbole / Comparison (Uyarvu Navirtchi)

Saeranae avarendraal athilenna atti

She proudly compares her humble cart-driver husband to a grand Chera king ('Saeran'), elevating his image out of deep love.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song features early lyrics written by Kaviarasu Kannadasan during the formative years of his legendary career, beautifully rendered by singer P. Leela with composition by G. Ramanathan and S. Dakshinamoorthi.

Keep listening

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