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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aththai Magal Rathinathai Male

From Panakkara Kudumbam · 1964

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Panakkara Kudumbam1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Laalalaala laala laalaaLaalalaala laala laalaa
Laalalaala laala laalaaLaalalaala laala laalaa
Laalalaala laala laalaaLaalalaala laala laalaa
Laalalaala laala laalaaLaalalaala laala laalaa
Male
Athai magal rathinathaiThe cousin who is like a precious gem,
Athaan marakkavillaiHer beloved cousin has not forgotten her.
Anna nadai chinna idaiWith a swan-like walk and a slender waist,
Azhagai verukkavillaiHe has not come to despise her beauty.
Male
Sittu vizhi veesi muthu mozhi paesiCasting swift gaze like a sparrow and speaking pearl-like words,
Chinna mayil marandhu vittaal…The little peacock forgot...
Sittu vizhi veesi muthu mozhi paesiCasting swift gaze like a sparrow and speaking pearl-like words,
Chinna mayil marandhu vittaal…The little peacock forgot...
Sengarumbu chaarum thennai ilaneerumSweet sugarcane juice and tender coconut water,
Thandha mayil parandhu vittaalThe peacock that gave them has flown away.
Thandha mayil parandhu vittaalThe peacock that gave them has flown away.
Vanna radham kaana vandhirundha mannanThe king who came to see the colorful chariot,
Vaana radham thaedugiraarIs now searching for a heavenly chariot.
Ponnirundha madiyai poovirundha kodiyaiThinking of the golden lap and the flower-adorned vine,
Enni enni vaadugiraarHe languishes thinking of her again and again.
Male
Athai magal rathinathaiThe cousin who is like a precious gem,
Athaan marakkavillaiHer beloved cousin has not forgotten her.
Anna nadai chinna idaiWith a swan-like walk and a slender waist,
Azhagai verukkavillaiHe has not come to despise her beauty.
Male
Kanniyarai enni enna sugam kandenWhat happiness did I gain by yearning for maidens?
Kaalathai azhaithu vitten… ae…I have summoned Time itself...
Kanniyarai enni enna sugam kandenWhat happiness did I gain by yearning for maidens?
Kaalathai azhaithu vitten… ae…I have summoned Time itself...
Kaadhal mana maedai naadagathil aadumIn the play staged on the platform of love,
Kolathai kalaithu vittenI have dissolved the form and role.
Kolathai kalaithu vittenI have dissolved the form and role.
Annai meedhaanai thandhai meedhaanaiSwearing on mother, swearing on father,
Ennai nee theendaadhaeDo not touch me.
Aduthoru piravi eduthingu varuvomWe shall take another rebirth and come back here,
Adhu varai thadukkaadhaeUntil then, do not hold me back.
Male
Athai magal rathinathaiThe cousin who is like a precious gem,
Athaan marakkavillaiHer beloved cousin has not forgotten her.
Anna nadai chinna idaiWith a swan-like walk and a slender waist,
Azhagai verukkavillaiHe has not come to despise her beauty.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Athai Magal Rathinathai is a classic duet from the 1964 Tamil film Panakkara Kudumbam. The song captures a bitter-sweet dialogue between lovers where the male protagonist lovingly recalls his cross-cousin (athai magal), describing her grace, swan-like gait, and sweet demeanour, reassuring her that his affection remains unchanged despite time and distance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Athai magal rathinathai / Athaan marakkavillai

Matching of initial consonant sounds across lines like 'Athai' and 'Athaan'.

Etukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Anna nadai chinna idai

Rhyming of the second letter ('n' in 'Anna' and 'ch' sound context in 'chinna').

Metaphor (Uvaman)

Anna nadai chinna idai / Sittu vizhi veesi muthu mozhi paesi

Comparing speech to pearls ('muthu mozhi') and walk to a swan ('anna nadai').

Adukku Thodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Enni enni vaadugiraar

Repetition of 'enni' to highlight persistent longing and despair.

Did you know?

Trivia

Panakkara Kudumbam (1964) starred M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and B. Saroja Devi. The soundtrack was composed by the legendary Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy duo, with lyrics penned by the King Poet Kannadasan. The playback for this track was rendered by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela.

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