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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aththane Aththane

From Sonthakkaran · 1989

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Sonthakkaran1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aththaanae aththaanae azhgu thavikkuthuOh my beloved, beauty is yearning with longing.
Ada illaatha maarappu edhukku vazhukkuthuWhy does this non-existent upper garment keep slipping off?
Aththaanae aththaanae azhgu thavikkuthuOh my beloved, beauty is yearning with longing.
Ada illaatha maarappu edhukku vazhukkuthuWhy does this non-existent upper garment keep slipping off?
Female
Irave irave urangaathaeOh night, oh night, please do not sleep.
Nilavey nilavae irangaathaeOh moon, oh moon, please do not set.
Female
Aththaanae aththaanae azhgu thavikkuthuOh my beloved, beauty is yearning with longing.
Ada illaatha maarappu edhukku vazhukkuthuWhy does this non-existent upper garment keep slipping off?
Female
Mullai poovin narumanam veruThe fragrance of the jasmine flower is unique.
Roja poovin vaasanai veruThe scent of the rose flower is different.
Thaazhppaal pottu kulippathu veruBathing behind locked doors is one thing.
Thaavum nadhiyil kulippathu veruBathing in a leaping river is quite another.
Female
Azhukku theera eppothum kuliththavan yaarWho has ever bathed enough to completely wash away all grime?
Aasai theera eppothum suvaiththavan yaarWho has ever savored enough to completely fulfill all desire?
Siva perumaanai nee keluGo ask Lord Shiva himself.
Ondrudan nindravan yaarWho has ever stopped with just one?
Female
Aththaanae aththaanae azhgu thavikkuthuOh my beloved, beauty is yearning with longing.
Ada illaatha maarappu edhukku vazhukkuthuWhy does this non-existent upper garment keep slipping off?
Female
Neruppai anaiththu paduththida aasaiI desire to embrace the fire and lie down.
Nilavai pizhinthu kuliththida aasaiI desire to squeeze the moon and bathe in its light.
Ilaiyil thoongum panitthuli polaeLike a dewdrop sleeping gently on a leaf,
Unathu maarbil urangida aasaiI desire to sleep upon your chest.
Female
Jannal thirai ellaamae pottuvittuDrawing all the window curtains closed,
Santhegam illamal saaththivittuLatching everything securely without any doubt,
Ini un paadu en paaduFrom now on, it is up to you and me,
Uththaravittu vittenI have given you full permission.
Female
Aththaanae aththaanae azhgu thavikkuthuOh my beloved, beauty is yearning with longing.
Ada illaatha maarappu edhukku vazhukkuthuWhy does this non-existent upper garment keep slipping off?
Alaiyil mithanthaen meen polaeI floated on the waves like a fish.
Ulaiyil vizhunthaen unnaalaeI fell into a boiling furnace because of you.
Female
Aththaanae aththaanae azhgu thavikkuthuOh my beloved, beauty is yearning with longing.
Ada illaatha maarappu edhukku vazhukkuthu..Why does this non-existent upper garment keep slipping off?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Aththaanae Aththaanae' from Sonthakkaran (1989) is a passionate and sensuous romantic track where the female protagonist expresses her deep longing, desire, and surrender to her lover. Through playful teasing and vivid imagery, she beckons him, asking the night and moon to stay still so their intimate moments are prolonged. Vairamuthu uses rich metaphors—comparing love to bathing in a running river, sleeping like a dewdrop on a leaf, and embracing fire—to depict the intensity of raw human passion and romantic surrender. The song balances playful flirtation with classical poetic themes of yearning and union.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Ilaiyil thoongum panitthuli polae Unathu maarbil urangida aasai

Compares resting on her lover's chest to a fragile dewdrop resting softly on a leaf ('Ilaiyil thoongum panitthuli polae').

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi Ani)

Neruppai anaiththu paduththida aasai Nilavai pizhinthu kuliththida aasai

Uses dramatic exaggeration of passion by expressing a desire to embrace fire and squeeze the moon for a bath.

Anaphora / Repetition (Edukkuthodai)

Irave irave urangaathae Nilavey nilavae irangaathae

Rhythmic repetition of words like 'Aththaanae', 'Irave', and 'Nilave' to emphasize pleading and affectionate address.

Contrast (Muran)

Thaazhppaal pottu kulippathu veru Thaavum nadhiyil kulippathu veru

Draws contrasts between private restricted love vs open free-flowing love using the image of a closed shower vs a flowing river.

Did you know?

Trivia

The soundtrack for Sonthakkaran (1989) was composed by Chandrabose, featuring lyricist Vairamuthu's signature sensual imagery, which was very popular in late 1980s Tamil cinema tracks.

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