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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
Movie name
Album Songs 2023
Movie release year
2023
Lyrics added on
6 Mar 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Athamaga unnai nenachu
Azhagu kavidhai onnu vaduchen
Athamaga unnai nenachu
Azhagu kavidhai onnu vaduchen
Athanaiyum marandhuputten
Adiyae..unnai paarthathumae
Athanaiyum marandhuputten
Adiyae..unnai paarthathumae
Adi anjugamae
Unnai konjanumae
Naan mella saedhi sol
Oru vaarthai onnum varavillai
Athamaga unnai nenachu
Azhagu kavidhai onnu vaduchen
Athanaiyum marandhuputten
Adiyae..unnai paarthathumae
Kuyilu kathum thoppukulla
Kuru kuru nnu pakkayila
Manasukulla kudisai onnu
Madamadannu sariyuthaiyaa
Veyilu varum nerathila
Mottamaadi vadagam pola
Neeyum illa nerathila
Nenappu mattum kaayudhaiyaa
Kannaala vala virichu
Thannaala polambha vechu
Onnoda manasukkulla
Polladha kaadhala vechu
Maamangam aana kooda
Maama naan kaathiruppen
Thanana paadi thavaniya pottiruppen
Poothiruppen
Maman mayan unnai nenaichu
Malligai mottu thalaiyil vechen
Athaan unnai paartha nimisham
Athanaiyum malarnthiruchae
Thayiru paanai uriyattam
Thalaikeezha thongurendi
Thaali onnu vaangi vechu
Thai maasam thedurendi
Kayithu kattil kaathirukku
Kaavalukkum naai irukku
Neeyum naanum sernthirukka
Endha raavu thavamirukku
Annadam kaatchiya pol
Un ninappa selavazhichen
Mazhaiyila naan nenanju
Boomikku kodai puduchen
Vellaavi thuniyattam
Vella thaan en manasu
Adiyae purinju ennaiyae nee uduthu
Naal kurichu
Maman mayan unnai nenaichu
Malligai mottu thalaiyil vechen
Maman mayan unnai nenaichu
Malligai mottu thalaiyil vechen
Athaan unnai paartha nimisham
Athanaiyum malarnthiruchae
Athaan unnai paartha nimisham
Athanaiyum malarnthiruchae
Machanae
Aasai vechaanae
Naan mella seidhi solla
Oru vaarthai onnu varavillai
Athamaga unnai nenachu
Azhagu kavidhai onnu vaduchen
Athanaiyum marandhuputten
Adiyae..unnai paarthathumae
Thinking of you, my cousin girl,
I composed a beautiful poem.
Thinking of you, my cousin girl,
I composed a beautiful poem.
But I forgot all of it,
girl, the moment I saw you!
I forgot all of it,
girl, the moment I saw you!
Oh, my sweet little parrot,
I want to hold you close and sweet-talk you,
Yet when I try to whisper words of love,
not a single word comes out.
Thinking of you, my cousin girl,
I composed a beautiful poem.
I forgot all of it,
girl, the moment I saw you!
Inside the grove where the cuckoos call,
when you glance at me with those teasing eyes,
a little hut inside my heart
comes crashing down, my love!
Under the blazing heat of the sun,
like sun-dried crisps on an open terrace,
in the moments when you are not around,
my thoughts alone dry out and ache!
Casting a net with your eyes,
making me babble all to myself,
deep inside your heart,
you hold such a wild and stubborn love!
Even if twelve long years pass by,
my dear cousin, I will wait for you.
Singing a tune, wearing my half-sari,
I will bloom only for you!
Thinking of you, my charming cousin,
I tucked jasmine buds into my hair.
The moment I looked at you, my darling,
every single bud burst into flower!
Like a pot of curd hung high in a rope swing,
I am dangling upside down for you, girl!
Having already bought the wedding thread,
I am waiting for the auspicious month of Thai!
The woven rope cot is ready and waiting,
and a faithful dog is standing guard.
For the two of us to finally be together,
which night has done its sacred penance?
Like a daily-wage laborer spending every penny,
I spent away all my thoughts on you.
Getting completely soaked in the pouring rain,
I held an umbrella over the earth!
Like clothes freshly cleaned in the steaming wash,
my heart is pure, spotless, and true.
Understand this, girl, and wear me as your own,
once you pick our wedding date!
Thinking of you, my charming cousin,
I tucked jasmine buds into my hair.
Thinking of you, my charming cousin,
I tucked jasmine buds into my hair.
The moment I looked at you, my darling,
every single bud burst into flower!
The moment I looked at you, my darling,
every single bud burst into flower!
Oh, my beloved cousin,
he has set his heart on me!
Yet when I try to whisper words of love,
not a single word comes out.
Thinking of you, my cousin girl,
I composed a beautiful poem.
I forgot all of it,
girl, the moment I saw you!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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