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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Yaar Kandathu Athai

From Machakkaran (1986) · 1986

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, P. Susheela
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Machakkaran (1986)1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Yaar kandathu athai yaar kandathuWho has seen it? Who has seen it?
Yaar kandathu athai yaar kandathuWho has seen it? Who has seen it?
En kannil maraikkaathaeDon't hide it from my eyes.
Naan vanthaal muraikkaathaeDon't glare at me when I approach.
Machchaanae engae un machcham engaeMy cousin, where is your birthmark?
Male
Adadadda….Ah, my goodness!
Yaar kandathu athai yaar kandathuWho has seen it? Who has seen it?
Yaar kandathu athai yaar kandathuWho has seen it? Who has seen it?
En kannil maraikkaathaeDon't hide it from my eyes.
Naan vanthaal muraikkaathaeDon't glare at me when I approach.
Manthaara poovae un machcham engaeOh Mandhara flower, where is your birthmark?
Male
Kondai mel poo vaikkiraai ammaadiOh dear girl, you place flowers in your hair bun,
Nenjil yaen thee vaikkiraaiWhy do you set a fire in my heart?
Oru kannil mazhai aagiaai pinnaadiYou became rain in one eye, and later,
Maru kannil veyyil kaaigiraaiSunshine shines in your other eye.
Female
Kaman veettu muththu saram hae haeA garland of pearls from Cupid's house, hey hey!
Maman kettaal muththam tharum ohoIf uncle asks, it will grant a kiss, oho!
Kaman veettu muththu saram hae haeA garland of pearls from Cupid's house, hey hey!
Maman kettaal muththam tharum ohoIf uncle asks, it will grant a kiss, oho!
Kani rendu parimaarum ila maamaramA young mango tree serving two fruits.
Male
Yaar kandathu athai yaar kandathuWho has seen it? Who has seen it?
Yaar kandathu athai yaar kandathuWho has seen it? Who has seen it?
Female :En kannil maraikkaathaeFemale: Don't hide it from my eyes,
Naan vanthaal muraikkaathaeDon't glare at me when I approach.
Machchaanae engae un machcham engaeMy cousin, where is your birthmark?
Female
Nee enthan virunthaalithaan kandaenaeI realized you are indeed my guest,
Nee rompa palasaalithaanYou are truly a clever veteran!
Munthaanai panthalilae kannaalaaUnder the canopy of the saree pallu, my beloved,
Muppothum ullaasamthaanThere is pleasure at all times.
Male
Aasai vanthuDesire arose,
Female :AahaahFemale: Ah ah!
Male :Mutti thallaMale: Pushing and shoving,
Female :Hae haeFemale: Hey hey!
Male :Odi vanthaenMale: I came running,
Female :AahaahFemale: Ah ah!
Male :OttikkollaMale: To stick close to you,
Female :AaahFemale: Ah!
Male
Aasai vanthuDesire arose,
Female :AahaahFemale: Ah ah!
Male :Mutti thallaMale: Pushing and shoving,
Female :Hae haeFemale: Hey hey!
Male :Odi vanthaenMale: I came running,
Female :AahaahFemale: Ah ah!
Male :OttikkollaMale: To stick close to you,
Female :AaahFemale: Ah!
Male :Pasiyodu thuyigindra paruvam allaMale: This is not an age to sleep while hungry.
Female
Aaha yaar kandathu adhai yaar kandathuAh, who has seen it? Who has seen it?
Yaar kandathu adhai yaar kandathuWho has seen it? Who has seen it?
Male :En kannilMale: In my eyes,
Female :AahaahFemale: Ah ah!
Male :MarakkaathaeMale: Do not hide,
Female :Aahaah haaFemale: Ah ah ha!
Male :Naan vanthaalMale: When I come,
Female :Aahaah haaFemale: Ah ah ha!
Male :MuraikkaathaeMale: Do not glare,
Female :Aahaah haaFemale: Ah ah ha!
Male :Mathaarappoovae un machcham engaeMale: Oh Mandhara flower, where is your birthmark?
Female
Yaar kandathu athai yaar kandathuWho has seen it? Who has seen it?
Male :Yaar kandathu athai yaar kandathuMale: Who has seen it? Who has seen it?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Yaar Kandathu Athai from the 1986 film Machakkaran is a playful and romantic duet featuring flirtatious exchanges between the lead characters. The song centers around teasing banter about a hidden birthmark ('macham'), symbolizing attraction and romance. The couple exchanges playful taunts, highlighting how the lovers stir both passion and comfort in each other.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyming)

En kannil maraikkaathae / Naan vanthaal muraikkaathae

The second consonant 'rai' matches in both 'maraikkaathae' and 'muraikkaathae', creating rhythmic harmony.

Muran (Antithesis)

Oru kannil mazhai aagiaai pinnaadi / Maru kannil veyyil kaaigiraai

Contrasting 'mazhai' (rain) and 'veyyil' (sunshine) in opposite eyes to illustrate shifting playful emotions.

Metaphor

Kaman veettu muththu saram hae hae

Compares the beloved's beauty and charms directly to a string of pearls from Kamadeva's (the god of love) abode.

Iyaipu (End Rhyming)

Kondai mel poo vaikkiraai ammaadi / Maru kannil veyyil kaaigiraai

The end syllables 'vaikkiraai' and 'kaaigiraai' rhyme smoothly.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song playfully references 'macham' (birthmark/lucky mark), directly playing into the movie's title Machakkaran (meaning 'the lucky one' or 'man with the birthmark'). Composed by Shankar-Ganesh and written by Vaali, the song showcases the vibrant vocal dynamic of Malaysia Vasudevan and P. Susheela.

Keep listening

More from Machakkaran (1986)