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Isaimozhi
Chinnappadass album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Athu Ithu Ethu

From Chinnappadass · 1989

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Chinnappadass
Movie release year
1989
Lyrics added on
31 Aug 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Adhu ..idhu…
Edhu thaan vendum
Adhu ..idhu… edhu thaan vendum
Adhu ..idhu… edhu thaan vendum
Idhuvaa… veredhuvaa… idhuthaan vendumaa
Veredhuvoo vendumaa
Naan varavaa en thalaiva ninaithathai tharava
Adhu ..idhu…
Edhu thaan vendum
Adhu ..idhu… edhu thaan vendum
Maanada meenada
Maedai meedhu naanaada
Minnum maelaadai noolaadai
Maeni paadhithaan mooda
Thaevai ennavooo kettu vaangi pogaalaam
Thaedi vandhavan yaarum jodi aagalaam
Aasai theera thozhil yendhalaam
Kodai theera oodai neendhalaam
Dhinam pakkathil varattum
Manam sorgathil vizhattum
Ilam vattangal enai thattungal
Ninapathai koduppen
Adhu ..idhu…
Edhu thaan vendum
Adhu ..idhu… edhu thaan vendum
Neerodum verodum
Nerilaadum poonthottam
Endrum yaarodum seerodum
Aasai endrum thee moottum
Kaalai nenjamae thaedum kaadhal vaaganam
Kalasam thaangiya kaanum raaja gopuram
Paavai naanum paartha maathiram
Kaadhal ketkkum kaama saathiram
Mugam muthathai pathikkum
Sugam mothathil kidaikkum
Pasunthangathil ival angathil
Unakkedhu pidikkum
Adhu ..idhu…
Edhu thaan vendum
Adhu ..idhu… edhu thaan vendum
Idhuvaa… veredhuvaa… idhuthaan vendumaa
Veredhuvoo vendumaa
Naan varavaa en thalaiva ninaithathai tharava
Adhu ..idhu…
Edhu thaan vendum
Adhu ..idhu… edhu thaan vendum
That... or this...
What is it that you want?
That... or this... what is it that you want?
That... or this... what is it that you want?
Is it this... or something else? Is this what you want?
Or do you want something else?
Shall I come over, my man, and give you what you desire?
That... or this...
What is it that you want?
That... or this... what is it that you want?
As graceful deer dance and fish-like eyes sparkle,
As modesty sways across the stage,
A shimmering dress of fine silk
Covers only half of my body.
Whatever you need, you can ask and take it,
Anyone who comes looking can be my partner.
You can hold me close to satisfy your desires,
You can swim in the stream to beat the summer heat.
Let him draw near every single day,
Let the heart drift into heaven.
You youthful crowd, come reach out to me,
I will give you whatever you wish for.
That... or this...
What is it that you want?
That... or this... what is it that you want?
Fed by running water deep to the roots,
A garden of flowers sways right before your eyes.
With anyone, in timeless elegance,
Desire will always ignite a fire.
The chariot of love that a youthful heart seeks,
Standing like a royal temple tower crowned with golden crests.
The moment I cast a glance at you,
Love calls for the arts of passion.
Kisses will be pressed upon the face,
And complete pleasure will be yours.
In this body of pure gold,
Which part do you like the most?
That... or this...
What is it that you want?
That... or this... what is it that you want?
Is it this... or something else? Is this what you want?
Or do you want something else?
Shall I come over, my man, and give you what you desire?
That... or this...
What is it that you want?
That... or this... what is it that you want?
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a seductive dance number from the 1989 film Chinnappadass. The lead dancer playfully teases the protagonist, offering to fulfill his desires and asking him which aspect of her beauty or passion he wants ('Adhu .. idhu... edhu thaan vendum'). She uses vivid poetic imagery to describe her alluring dance and presence, inviting him to indulge in romance. Penned by lyricist Vaali, the song combines playful sensual questioning with poetic metaphors, comparing the female form to nature, streams, and temple architecture, symbolizing passion, allure, and physical affection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Maanada meenada / Minnum maelaadai noolaadai

Repetition of the starting sound 'Maa'/'Mee' and 'Mi'/'Mae' across consecutive words in a line.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Mugam muthathai pathikkum / Sugam mothathil kidaikkum

Rhyming of the second letter 'ga' in 'Mugam' and 'Sugam'.

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagom)

Kalasam thaangiya kaanum raaja gopuram

Comparing the female physical form to a grand temple tower (Raaja Gopuram) decorated with sacred finials (Kalasam).

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Adhu ..idhu… edhu thaan vendum

Rhyming line endings with 'vendum' across repeated chorus lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

Chinnappadass (1989) is an action drama film starring Sathyaraj and Radha, directed by C. V. Rajendran. The music for the film was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics written by the renowned poet Vaali.

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