13 lines · Avvaiyar · Simple English meaning
Aathichoodi with meaning — ஆத்திசூடி
Aathichoodi (ஆத்திசூடி) is a set of one-line Tamil sayings traditionally attributed to the poet Avvaiyar. Each line begins with the next letter of the Tamil alphabet, so a child learns the 12 vowels and ஃ while learning to be kind, honest and hard-working. Below are the first 13 lines with a simple English meaning.
Love to do good.
Anger must cool down.
Do not hide what you can give.
Do not stop others from giving.
Do not boast about what you have.
Never give up trying.
Never look down on numbers and letters.
Begging is shameful.
Share food with the needy, then eat.
Live in harmony with everyone.
Never stop learning.
Do not speak with jealousy.
Do not cheat when measuring grain.
Say one line a day at breakfast and ask your child which letter it starts with. In the learning app (Stories → Rhymes) every word lights up as the line is read aloud, and a new Aathichoodi line of the day is on the home screen.
Print the free Aathichoodi poster (PDF) for your child’s wall.
Questions about Aathichoodi
What is Aathichoodi?
Aathichoodi (ஆத்திசூடி) is a collection of short one-line sayings in Tamil, traditionally attributed to the poet Avvaiyar (ஔவையார்). The lines are arranged in Tamil alphabetical order, so children learn the letters and good values at the same time.
Who wrote Aathichoodi?
Aathichoodi is traditionally attributed to the Tamil poet Avvaiyar (ஔவையார்).
Why is it called Aathichoodi?
The name comes from its opening prayer, which praises the god who wears a garland of ஆத்தி (aathi) flowers — ஆத்தி + சூடி, “one who wears aathi”.
What is the first line of Aathichoodi?
The first line is “அறம் செய விரும்பு” — Love to do good. It starts with அ, the first Tamil letter.
How many lines does Aathichoodi have?
The full Aathichoodi has 109 short lines. The first 12 begin with the 12 Tamil vowels and the 13th with ஃ; these 13 are the ones children learn first and are shown on this page.