Jalakku Jalakku
From Avan (1953) · 1953
- Lyricist
- Kambadasan
- Music director
- Shankar Jaikishan
- Details
- Avan (1953)1953
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku | Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku (rhythmic jingling sound) |
| Thandayathan naatham | The sound of the anklets |
| Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku | Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku |
| Thandayathan naatham | The sound of the anklets |
| Vaaral manappennae | Here comes the bride |
| Valaiyum idai pinnae | Her waist swaying gently behind her |
| Vaan velli malar kannae… | Oh girl with eyes like celestial stars and flowers... |
| Chorus | |
| Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku | Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku |
| Thandayathan naatham | The sound of the anklets |
| Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku | Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku |
| Thandayathan naatham | The sound of the anklets |
| Female | |
| Ooo….venn santham | Ooh... pure white sandalwood |
| Than kannaadi kandaadai soodi kandaadai soodi | Wearing fine silk attire adorned with sparkling mirrors |
| Vinn thaarai oonjal mael | Upon a swing of heavenly stars |
| Menmelum aadi menmalum aadi | Swinging higher and higher gently |
| Female | |
| Naadum kalyaana | Desiring marriage |
| Penn paadum ullaasa penn | The joyful bride sings happily |
| Kaivalai kulunga kadhani kilunga | As her bangles jingle and ear ornaments sway |
| Kadhal vilanga | Making love shine brightly |
| Chorus | |
| Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku | Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku |
| Thandayathan naatham | The sound of the anklets |
| Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku | Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku |
| Thandayathan naatham | The sound of the anklets |
| Female | |
| Oo….ullam inai saernthaal | Oo... when hearts unite together |
| Kalyaanamaagum kalyaanamaagum | It becomes a holy marriage, a holy marriage |
| Endrum inai neengaa | Never separating forever |
| Anbe vaazhvaagum anbe vaazhvaagum | Love itself becomes life, love itself becomes life |
| Female | |
| Maa nilmodu vaan inai theernthathaethaan | Just as the vast earth and sky meet seamlessly |
| Ponnai polae minnum | Shining brightly like pure gold |
| Nettri melae kunguma thoolae | The vermillion powder on her forehead |
| Chorus | |
| Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku | Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku |
| Thandayathan naatham | The sound of the anklets |
| Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku | Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku |
| Thandayathan naatham | The sound of the anklets |
| Female | |
| Oh anbirkkae aniyaagum | Oh, becoming an adornment to love itself |
| Vithiyin vinotham vithiyin vinotham | The wonder of destiny, the wonder of destiny |
| Oh then kaattru nathiyosai | Oh, the southern breeze and the sound of the river |
| Naatha suram geetham naatha sura geetham | The sweet music of the nadaswaram |
| Female | |
| Paareer oorvalaththai saer kaiyodu kai | Behold the wedding procession moving hand in hand |
| Azhagae kaattum aanantha moottum | It displays beauty, kindles immense bliss |
| Anbai ondraai koottum…. | And unites love as one.... |
| Chorus | |
| Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku | Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku |
| Thandayathan naatham | The sound of the anklets |
| Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku | Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku |
| Thandayathan naatham | The sound of the anklets |
| Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku | Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku |
| Thandayathan naatham | The sound of the anklets |
ஜலக்கு..ஜலக்கு.....ஜலக்கு...ஜலக்கு...
தண்டயதன் நாதம்
ஜலக்கு..ஜலக்கு.....ஜலக்கு...ஜலக்கு...
தண்டயதன் நாதம்
வாராள் மணப்பெண்ணே
வளையும் இடைப் பின்னே
வான் வெள்ளி மலர் கண்ணே....
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku (rhythmic jingling sound)
The sound of the anklets
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
The sound of the anklets
Here comes the bride
Her waist swaying gently behind her
Oh girl with eyes like celestial stars and flowers...
ஜலக்கு..ஜலக்கு.....ஜலக்கு...ஜலக்கு...
தண்டயதன் நாதம்
ஜலக்கு..ஜலக்கு.....ஜலக்கு...ஜலக்கு...
தண்டயதன் நாதம்
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
The sound of the anklets
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
The sound of the anklets
ஓஒ....வெண் சந்தம்
தன் கண்ணாடி கண்டாடை சூடிகண்டாடை சூடி
விண் தாரை ஊஞ்சல் மேல்
மென்மேலும் ஆடி மென்மேலும் ஆடி
Ooh... pure white sandalwood
Wearing fine silk attire adorned with sparkling mirrors
Upon a swing of heavenly stars
Swinging higher and higher gently
நாடும் கல்யாணப்
பெண் பாடும் உல்லாசப் பெண்
கைவளை குலுங்க காதணி கிலுங்க
காதல் விளங்க
Desiring marriage
The joyful bride sings happily
As her bangles jingle and ear ornaments sway
Making love shine brightly
ஜலக்கு..ஜலக்கு.....ஜலக்கு...ஜலக்கு...
தண்டயதன் நாதம்
ஜலக்கு..ஜலக்கு.....ஜலக்கு...ஜலக்கு...
தண்டயதன் நாதம்
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
The sound of the anklets
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
The sound of the anklets
ஓ....உள்ளம் இணை சேர்ந்தால்
கல்யாணமாகும் கல்யாணமாகும்
என்றும் இணை நீங்கா
அன்பே வாழ்வாகும் அன்பே வாழ்வாகும்
Oo... when hearts unite together
It becomes a holy marriage, a holy marriage
Never separating forever
Love itself becomes life, love itself becomes life
மா நிலமோடு வான் இணை தீர்ந்ததே தான்
பொன்னைப் போலே மின்னும்
நெற்றி மேலே குங்குமத் தூளே.....
Just as the vast earth and sky meet seamlessly
Shining brightly like pure gold
The vermillion powder on her forehead
ஜலக்கு..ஜலக்கு.....ஜலக்கு...ஜலக்கு...
தண்டயதன் நாதம்
ஜலக்கு..ஜலக்கு.....ஜலக்கு...ஜலக்கு...
தண்டயதன் நாதம்
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
The sound of the anklets
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
The sound of the anklets
ஓ.....அன்பிற்கே அணியாகும்
விதியின் வினோதம் விதியின் வினோதம்
ஓ.....தென்காற்று நதியோசை
நாத சுர கீதம் நாத சுர கீதம்
Oh, becoming an adornment to love itself
The wonder of destiny, the wonder of destiny
Oh, the southern breeze and the sound of the river
The sweet music of the nadaswaram
பாரீர் ஊர்வலத்தை சேர் கையோடு கை
அழகே காட்டும் ஆனந்த மூட்டும்
அன்பை ஒன்றாய் கூட்டும்......
Behold the wedding procession moving hand in hand
It displays beauty, kindles immense bliss
And unites love as one....
ஜலக்கு..ஜலக்கு.....ஜலக்கு...ஜலக்கு...
தண்டயதன் நாதம்
ஜலக்கு..ஜலக்கு.....ஜலக்கு...ஜலக்கு...
தண்டயதன் நாதம்
ஜலக்கு..ஜலக்கு.....ஜலக்கு...ஜலக்கு...
தண்டயதன் நாதம்
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
The sound of the anklets
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
The sound of the anklets
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
The sound of the anklets
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku (rhythmic jingling sound)
Thandayathan naatham
The sound of the anklets
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
Thandayathan naatham
The sound of the anklets
Vaaral manappennae
Here comes the bride
Valaiyum idai pinnae
Her waist swaying gently behind her
Vaan velli malar kannae…
Oh girl with eyes like celestial stars and flowers...
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
Thandayathan naatham
The sound of the anklets
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
Thandayathan naatham
The sound of the anklets
Ooo….venn santham
Ooh... pure white sandalwood
Than kannaadi kandaadai soodi kandaadai soodi
Wearing fine silk attire adorned with sparkling mirrors
Vinn thaarai oonjal mael
Upon a swing of heavenly stars
Menmelum aadi menmalum aadi
Swinging higher and higher gently
Naadum kalyaana
Desiring marriage
Penn paadum ullaasa penn
The joyful bride sings happily
Kaivalai kulunga kadhani kilunga
As her bangles jingle and ear ornaments sway
Kadhal vilanga
Making love shine brightly
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
Thandayathan naatham
The sound of the anklets
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
Thandayathan naatham
The sound of the anklets
Oo….ullam inai saernthaal
Oo... when hearts unite together
Kalyaanamaagum kalyaanamaagum
It becomes a holy marriage, a holy marriage
Endrum inai neengaa
Never separating forever
Anbe vaazhvaagum anbe vaazhvaagum
Love itself becomes life, love itself becomes life
Maa nilmodu vaan inai theernthathaethaan
Just as the vast earth and sky meet seamlessly
Ponnai polae minnum
Shining brightly like pure gold
Nettri melae kunguma thoolae
The vermillion powder on her forehead
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
Thandayathan naatham
The sound of the anklets
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
Thandayathan naatham
The sound of the anklets
Oh anbirkkae aniyaagum
Oh, becoming an adornment to love itself
Vithiyin vinotham vithiyin vinotham
The wonder of destiny, the wonder of destiny
Oh then kaattru nathiyosai
Oh, the southern breeze and the sound of the river
Naatha suram geetham naatha sura geetham
The sweet music of the nadaswaram
Paareer oorvalaththai saer kaiyodu kai
Behold the wedding procession moving hand in hand
Azhagae kaattum aanantha moottum
It displays beauty, kindles immense bliss
Anbai ondraai koottum….
And unites love as one....
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
Thandayathan naatham
The sound of the anklets
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
Thandayathan naatham
The sound of the anklets
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku
Thandayathan naatham
The sound of the anklets
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Jalakku Jalakku Thandayathan Naatham from the 1953 movie Avan is a festive wedding song celebrating the joy of matrimony and the union of two loving hearts. Through vibrant auditory imagery—such as the rhythmic jingling of anklets, bangles, and the festive melody of the nadaswaram—the lyrics portray a beautiful bride stepping gracefully toward a new chapter in her life. The song emphasizes that true marriage occurs when two souls unite with inseparable love, drawing a comparison to the seamless meeting of the vast earth and sky.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Onomatopoeia (Osei Alangaram)
“Jalakku jalakku jalakku jalakku”
The repeated phonetic word 'Jalakku' mimics the rhythmic jingling sound made by anklets (thandai) as the bride walks.
Assonance & Rhyme (Iyaibu / Ethirai)
“Kaivalai kulunga kadhani kilunga”
The words 'kulunga' and 'kilunga' rhyme within the line, enhancing the musical rhythm and echoing the physical movement of ornaments.
Simile (Uwamai)
“Ponnai polae minnum / Nettri melae kunguma thoolae”
The red kumkum powder on the forehead is compared to gleaming gold using 'polae' (like).
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Avan' (1953) is the Tamil dubbed version of the iconic 1951 Raj Kapoor classic Hindi film 'Awaara'. The musical duo Shankar-Jaikishan composed the score, which was adapted into Tamil with lyrics written by Kambadasan and sung by Jikki.
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