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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aththaikku Piranthaval

From Anbulla Appa · 1987

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Anbulla Appa1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Athaikku pirandhavalThe one born to the paternal aunt,
Methaikku valarndhavalThe one who grew up in comfort,
Nee thaanaeIs it you?
Palli kolla vaa maanaeCome to rest, my gentle deer.
Unarchi thavippilIn emotional yearning,
Udhattu neruppilIn the fire of lips,
Urugi ponenaeI melted away.
Female
Athaikku pirandhavalThe one born to the paternal aunt,
Methaikku valarndhavalThe one who grew up in comfort,
Naan thaanaeIt is indeed me.
Palli arai vandhenaeI have entered the bedchamber.
Unarchi thavippilIn emotional yearning,
Udhattu neruppilIn the fire of lips,
Urugi ponenaeI melted away.
Male
Athaikku pirandhavalThe one born to the paternal aunt,
Methaikku valarndhavalThe one who grew up in comfort,
Nee thaanaeIs it you?
Palli kolla vaa maanaeCome to rest, my gentle deer.
Female
Unakku thaan endruSaying that it was only for you,
Valarndha rojaaThe rose that grew,
Unnai kettaa poothadhuDid it bloom after asking permission from you?
Marangalellaam kadidham pottaaIf all the trees send a letter,
Paravai varughiradhuThe bird comes flying.
Male
Paravai parandhuWhen the bird flies over,
Pazhaga vandhaalAnd comes to get familiar,
Ilaigal kaniyai moodudhuThe leaves cover up the fruit.
Virundhukkazhaithu vilangu pottaalIf you invite someone to a feast and put handcuffs on them,
Enna arundhuvadhuWhat is there to feast upon?
Female
Naan solgiren pagalil mattumI am telling you, only in the daytime,
Nee kaathiruYou must wait.
Male
Naan ketkiren pagal iravuI am asking, day or night,
Yaar paarthadhuWho has ever noticed?
Female
Athaikku pirandhavalThe one born to the paternal aunt,
Methaikku valarndhavalThe one who grew up in comfort,
Naan thaanaeIt is indeed me.
Palli arai vandhenaeI have entered the bedchamber.
Male
Unarchi thavippilIn emotional yearning,
Udhattu neruppilIn the fire of lips,
Urugi ponenaeI melted away.
Athaikku pirandhavalThe one born to the paternal aunt,
Methaikku valarndhavalThe one who grew up in comfort,
Nee thaanaeIs it you?
Palli kolla vaa maanaeCome to rest, my gentle deer.
Female
Palli arai vandhuComing to the bedchamber,
Paadam padikkaTo study the lesson,
Manaivi thaan oru maanaviThe wife is indeed a student.
Iruttil padikkum thiruttu paadamThe secret lesson learned in the dark,
Enakku theriyaadhuI do not know it.
Male
Vilakku velicham thevai illaiLight from a lamp is not needed,
Vizhiyin velicham podhumaeThe light in your eyes is enough.
Enakku neeyum unakku naanumYou for me and I for you,
Paadam aavomaeShall become the lesson.
Female
Naan thaanginenI endured it,
Adharkku ennai paaraatta vaaSo come to appreciate me for that.
Male
PaaraattuvenI will appreciate you,
Parisu thandhu thaalaatta vaaCome to give a gift and cradle me.
Male
Athaikku pirandhavalThe one born to the paternal aunt,
Methaikku valarndhavalThe one who grew up in comfort,
Nee thaanaeIs it you?
Palli kolla vaa maanaeCome to rest, my gentle deer.
Female
Unarchi thavippilIn emotional yearning,
Udhattu neruppilIn the fire of lips,
Urugi ponenaeI melted away.
Male
Athaikku pirandhavalThe one born to the paternal aunt,
Methaikku valarndhavalThe one who grew up in comfort,
Nee thaanaeIs it you?
Both :Lalalala laalaalaa lalalala laalaalaaBoth: Lalalala laalaalaa lalalala laalaalaa
Lalalala laalaalaa…Lalalala laalaalaa…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic duet depicts a tender, intimate conversation between newlyweds in their bedchamber. Rooted in traditional South Indian marriage customs where cross-cousins (the daughter of a paternal aunt) are prized matches, the husband affectionately calls out to his bride who was raised in luxury. The song weaves playful banter, coy reluctance, and passionate surrender through poetic metaphors of nature, learning, and warmth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Etukai (Second Letter Rhyming)

Athaikku pirandhaval / Methaikku valarndhaval

The second consonant sound 'tha' is repeated across successive lines ('Athaikku' / 'Methaikku'), creating traditional Tamil musical harmony.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Udhattu neruppil

Comparing the warmth and intimacy of a kiss to fire ('Udhattu neruppil'), describing the burning intensity of romantic passion.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Vizhiyin velicham podhumae

Describing the radiance in the lover's eyes as a source of light ('Vizhiyin velicham') that replaces the need for lamps.

Did you know?

Trivia

The phrase 'Athaikku pirandhaval' highlights the traditional Tamil cultural practice of consanguineous marriage (marrying one's 'Athai magal' or father's sister's daughter), which is a recurring romantic trope in Tamil cinema.

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