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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aththamaga Unna Nenachchi

From Album Songs 2023 · 2023

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singers
Andhakudi C. Ilayaraja, Lakshmi
Music director
Manivasakan
Details
Album Songs 20232023

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Athamaga unnai nenachuThinking of you as my uncle's daughter,
Azhagu kavidhai onnu vaduchenI composed a beautiful poem.
Athamaga unnai nenachuThinking of you as my uncle's daughter,
Azhagu kavidhai onnu vaduchenI composed a beautiful poem.
Male
Athanaiyum marandhuputtenBut I forgot all of it,
Adiyae..unnai paarthathumaeOh girl, the moment I saw you!
Athanaiyum marandhuputtenBut I forgot all of it,
Adiyae..unnai paarthathumaeOh girl, the moment I saw you!
Male
Adi anjugamaeOh sweet parrot-like girl,
Unnai konjanumaeI want to pamper you.
Naan mella saedhi solTo softly tell you the news,
Oru vaarthai onnum varavillaiNot a single word comes out.
Male
Athamaga unnai nenachuThinking of you as my uncle's daughter,
Azhagu kavidhai onnu vaduchenI composed a beautiful poem.
Athanaiyum marandhuputtenBut I forgot all of it,
Adiyae..unnai paarthathumaeOh girl, the moment I saw you!
Female
Kuyilu kathum thoppukullaIn the grove where cuckoos sing,
Kuru kuru nnu pakkayilaWhen you look at me intently,
Manasukulla kudisai onnuA hut inside my heart
Madamadannu sariyuthaiyaaCollapses rapidly, my dear.
Female
Veyilu varum nerathilaIn the scorching sunlight,
Mottamaadi vadagam polaLike dried food on the terrace,
Neeyum illa nerathilaWhen you are not around,
Nenappu mattum kaayudhaiyaaMy thoughts alone dry up.
Female
Kannaala vala virichuCasting a net with your eyes,
Thannaala polambha vechuMaking me babble to myself,
Onnoda manasukkullaInside your heart,
Polladha kaadhala vechuYou placed a mischievous love.
Female
Maamangam aana koodaEven if twelve years pass,
Maama naan kaathiruppenUncle, I will wait for you.
Thanana paadi thavaniya pottiruppenSinging a song and wearing my half-saree,
PoothiruppenI will stay waiting in full bloom.
Female
Maman mayan unnai nenaichuThinking of my enchanting uncle,
Malligai mottu thalaiyil vechenI placed jasmine buds on my head.
Athaan unnai paartha nimishamDear, the moment I saw you,
Athanaiyum malarnthiruchaeAll of them blossomed completely!
Male
Thayiru paanai uriyattamLike a pot of curd hanging on a sling,
Thalaikeezha thongurendiI am hanging upside down, my girl.
Thaali onnu vaangi vechuHaving bought a mangalsutra,
Thai maasam thedurendiI am waiting for the auspicious month of Thai.
Male
Kayithu kattil kaathirukkuThe rope bed is waiting,
Kaavalukkum naai irukkuA dog is there to guard,
Neeyum naanum sernthirukkaFor you and me to unite,
Endha raavu thavamirukkuWhich night is performing penance?
Male
Annadam kaatchiya polLike daily sustenance,
Un ninappa selavazhichenI spent all my thoughts on you.
Mazhaiyila naan nenanjuDrenched in the rain,
Boomikku kodai puduchenI held an umbrella for the earth.
Male
Vellaavi thuniyattamLike freshly steam-washed cloth,
Vella thaan en manasuMy heart is pure and white.
Adiyae purinju ennaiyae nee uduthuOh girl, understand and wear me as your garment,
Naal kurichuFixing the wedding date!
Female
Maman mayan unnai nenaichuThinking of my enchanting uncle,
Malligai mottu thalaiyil vechenI placed jasmine buds on my head.
Maman mayan unnai nenaichuThinking of my enchanting uncle,
Malligai mottu thalaiyil vechenI placed jasmine buds on my head.
Female
Athaan unnai paartha nimishamDear, the moment I saw you,
Athanaiyum malarnthiruchaeAll of them blossomed completely!
Athaan unnai paartha nimishamDear, the moment I saw you,
Athanaiyum malarnthiruchaeAll of them blossomed completely!
Female
MachanaeOh cousin,
Aasai vechaanaeYou placed your desire!
Naan mella seidhi sollaTo softly tell you the news,
Oru vaarthai onnu varavillaiNot a single word comes out.
Male
Athamaga unnai nenachuThinking of you as my uncle's daughter,
Azhagu kavidhai onnu vaduchenI composed a beautiful poem.
Athanaiyum marandhuputtenBut I forgot all of it,
Adiyae..unnai paarthathumaeOh girl, the moment I saw you!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This folk romantic duet captures the playful and deep affection between cross-cousins in traditional Tamil culture. The male lead sings about how he meticulously composed a poem to express his love, only to forget every line the instant he sets eyes on his beloved. He paints vivid pictures of his longing using rural imagery, comparing his mind to dried savories on a roof terrace and a pot suspended upside down. The female lead responds with equal fervor, sharing how jasmine buds in her hair bloomed instantly upon seeing him and promising to wait patiently until their auspicious wedding day arrives.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyming)

Athamaga unnai nenachu / Athanaiyum marandhuputten

The second consonant 'th' matches between 'Athamaga' and 'Athanaiyum', creating a rhythmic flow in Tamil folk poetry.

Simile (Upamai)

Mottamaadi vadagam pola / Neeyum illa nerathila

The lyricist compares the longing thoughts in the absence of the beloved to 'vadagam' (sun-dried snacks) drying on a terrace.

Hyperbole (Uruvagatham)

Athaan unnai paartha nimisham / Athanaiyum malarnthiruchae

Poetic exaggeration where unblown jasmine buds instantaneously bloom into flowers the exact second the lover appears.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track represents modern Tamil independent folk-pop music, featuring authentic village idioms and traditional metaphors performed by prominent rural folk artists Andhakudi C. Ilayaraja and Lakshmi.

Keep listening

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