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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aththan Thotta

From Karotti Kannan · 1975

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Karotti Kannan1975

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aththaan thottaa kettaa pogumWill it get ruined if your cousin touches you?
Azhagammaa summaa pazhagammaaOh Azhagamma, just mingle with me casually.
Yaedho appo sonnaa ippa ennaSo what if I said something back then, what about now?
Kamalammaa kelu kavanamaaOh Kamalamma, listen carefully!
Male
Aththaan thottaa kettaa pogumWill it get ruined if your cousin touches you?
Azhagammaa summaa pazhagammaaOh Azhagamma, just mingle with me casually.
Yaedho appo sonnaa ippa ennaSo what if I said something back then, what about now?
Kamalammaa kelu kavanamaaOh Kamalamma, listen carefully!
Male
Moodaama moodi vachcha munthaana thalappuThe pallu end of your saree that is loosely draped,
Munnaalum pinnaalum paaduthadi padippuYour beauty and posture sing lessons from front and back!
Moodaama moodi vachcha munthaana thalappuThe pallu end of your saree that is loosely draped,
Munnaalum pinnaalum paaduthadi padippuYour beauty and posture sing lessons from front and back!
Male
Aadatha angamellaam aaduthadi indru ho hoAll the unmoving limbs are dancing today, ho ho!
Adi aadatha angamellaam aaduthadi indruHey, all the unmoving limbs are dancing today!
Adakki vachchaa ennaagumWhat happens if you suppress your feelings?
Adhu illaatha pennaagumShe becomes a woman without love and warmth!
Adakki vachchaa ennaagumWhat happens if you suppress your feelings?
Adhu illaatha pennaagumShe becomes a woman without love and warmth!
Ammaadi yammaadi nam raaththirigal veenaagumOh dear, oh dear, our precious nights will go to waste!
Male
Aththaan thottaaIf your cousin touches...
Aththaan thottaa kettaa pogumWill it get ruined if your cousin touches you?
Azhagammaa summaa pazhagammaaOh Azhagamma, just mingle with me casually.
Yaedho appo sonnaa ippa ennaSo what if I said something back then, what about now?
Kamalammaa kelu kavanamaaOh Kamalamma, listen carefully!
Male
Kattodu thulluthadi kandaangi ravikkaiThe tight Kandaangi blouse is bounding tightly,
Kaiyodu seraama ponapadi irukkaYet remaining unjoined with my hands as time passes.
Kattodu thulluthadi kandaangi ravikkaiThe tight Kandaangi blouse is bounding tightly,
Kaiyodu seraama ponapadi irukkaYet remaining unjoined with my hands as time passes.
Male
Vaazhaiyilai selaiyilae moodi kondu kidakkaLying wrapped up inside a plantain-leaf-like saree,
Vaazhaiyilai selaiyilae moodi kondu kidakkaLying wrapped up inside a plantain-leaf-like saree,
Varavu vachchaa ennaadi maarappa konjam kondaadiWhat if you welcome me? Celebrate your saree pallu a bit!
Varavu vachchaa ennaadi maarappa konjam kondaadiWhat if you welcome me? Celebrate your saree pallu a bit!
Vaayaadi killaadi un vayasu oru kannaadiYou talkative, clever girl, your youth is like a mirror!
Male
Aththaan thottaaIf your cousin touches...
Aththaan thottaa kettaa pogumWill it get ruined if your cousin touches you?
Azhagammaa summaa pazhagammaaOh Azhagamma, just mingle with me casually.
Yaedho appo sonnaa ippa ennaSo what if I said something back then, what about now?
Kamalammaa kelu kavanamaaOh Kamalamma, listen carefully!
Male
Maamadurai santhaiyilae vaangi vanthaen muththuI bought pearls from the market of great Madurai,
Maarbodu saerththhthu vachchu ennai nee suthuHold me close to your chest and embrace me!
Maamadurai santhaiyilae vaangi vanthaen muththuI bought pearls from the market of great Madurai,
Maarbodu saerththhthu vachchu ennai nee suthuHold me close to your chest and embrace me!
Male
Muththangal sinthadiyo anjaaru paththuShower me with kisses, five, six, or ten!
Muththangal sinthadiyo anjaaru paththuShower me with kisses, five, six, or ten!
Izhukkuthadi pinnaalae azhaikkuthadi munnaalaeIt pulls me from behind, it beckons me from the front!
Izhukkuthadi pinnaalae azhaikkuthadi munnaalaeIt pulls me from behind, it beckons me from the front!
Ammaadi ennaadi naan thavikkiraenae unnnaaleOh my goodness, girl, I am yearning so much because of you!
Male
Aththaan thottaaIf your cousin touches...
Aththaan thottaa kettaa pogumWill it get ruined if your cousin touches you?
Azhagammaa summaa pazhagammaaOh Azhagamma, just mingle with me casually.
Yaedho appo sonnaa ippa ennaSo what if I said something back then, what about now?
Kamalammaa kelu kavanamaaOh Kamalamma, listen carefully!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In 'Aththaan thottaa kettaa pogum' from the film Karotti Kannan (1975), the protagonist playfully teases and woos his beloved with romantic banters and charming compliments. He lightheartedly questions her coyness, urging her not to resist his affection or let their youth and nights pass by in vain. Through vivid folk imagery—referencing traditional Kandaangi cotton sarees, Madurai market pearls, and plantain leaves—the song captures joyful romantic longing, intimacy, and rural charm with energetic rhythm.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaaphora / Repetition

Aththaan thottaa kettaa pogum

The repeating refrain 'Aththaan thottaa kettaa pogum' anchors the song's rhythmic and playful theme.

Metaphor

Vaayaadi killaadi un vayasu oru kannaadi

The lyricist compares her blooming youth to a clear, delicate mirror ('un vayasu oru kannaadi').

Monai (Tamil Alliteration)

Moodaama moodi vachcha munthaana thalappu

Matching initial consonants 'Moodaama' and 'moodi' establish traditional Tamil poetic cadence.

Etukai (Tamil Second-letter Rhyme)

Maamadurai santhaiyilae vaangi vanthaen muththu

Rhyming second consonants ('Maamadurai' / 'Maarbodu') create internal harmony across adjacent lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by V. Kumar with lyrics by Kannadasan, 'Karotti Kannan' featured iconic vocals by T. M. Soundararajan (TMS). TMS's energetic delivery brought out the playful, folk-infused romantic teasing typical of 1970s Tamil cinema hero solos.

Keep listening

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