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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aadi Varum Aadaga Porpavai

From Thaai Magalukku Kattiya Thaali · 1959

Lyricist
K. D. Santhanam
Singers
Seerkazhi Govindarajan, S. Janaki
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Details
Thaai Magalukku Kattiya Thaali1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aadi varum aadaga porpavaiyadi neeYou are a golden doll swaying gracefully as you dance
Aadi varum aadaga porpavaiyadi neeYou are a golden doll swaying gracefully as you dance
Andrum indrum endrumae en aaviyadi neeYesterday, today, and forever, you are my soul
Andrum indrum endrumae en aaviyadi neeYesterday, today, and forever, you are my soul
Aadi varum aadaga porpavaiyadi neeYou are a golden doll swaying gracefully as you dance
Aadi varum aadaga porpavaiyadi neeYou are a golden doll swaying gracefully as you dance
Female
Thedi varum inbamellam nichaiyamaeAll the happiness coming our way is truly guaranteed
Thedi varum inbamellam nichaiyamaeAll the happiness coming our way is truly guaranteed
Seer migundha thiravidathin latchiyamaeYou are the pride and goal of glorious Dravidian heritage
Seer migundha thiravidathin latchiyamaeYou are the pride and goal of glorious Dravidian heritage
Aaa…aaa…Aaa…aaa…
Male :Aadi varum aadaga porpavaiyadi neeMale: You are a golden doll swaying gracefully as you dance
Aadi varum aadaga porpavaiyadi neeYou are a golden doll swaying gracefully as you dance
Male
Senthamizhukkae sondham yedhu…What belongs uniquely to pure Tamil?
Female :Sindhupattu …sindhupattuFemale: The Sindhu folk music… the Sindhu folk music!
Male :Thenpodhigai thandhadhedhuMale: What was bestowed by the Southern Podhigai hills?
Female :Thendral kaatru…thendral kaatruFemale: The gentle southern breeze… the gentle southern breeze!
Male :Endhanukkae sondham yedhu…um …solluMale: What belongs uniquely to me? Tell me…
Endhanukkae sondham …indha inba oottruWhat belongs to me… is this fountain of happiness!
Female :Endrum sathamaFemale: Is this true forever?
Endrum sathama idhellaam vilayattuIs this true forever, or is all this playful chatter?
Endrum sathama idhellaam vilayattuIs this true forever, or is all this playful chatter?
Female
Aaa…aaa…Aaa…aaa…
Male :Aadi varum aadaga porpavaiyadi neeMale: You are a golden doll swaying gracefully as you dance
Aadi varum aadaga porpavaiyadi neeYou are a golden doll swaying gracefully as you dance
Female
Sangu thamizh panbumThough possessing classic Tamil character
Nirai anbum irundhumAnd abundant, overflowing love
Sangu thamizh panbumThough possessing classic Tamil character
Nirai anbum irundhumAnd abundant, overflowing love
Engalidam yedhu panam ezhaiyandro naanWhere do we have money? Am I not a poor man?
Sangu thamizh panbumThough possessing classic Tamil character
Nirai anbum irundhumAnd abundant, overflowing love
Engalidam yedhu panam ezhaiyandro naanWhere do we have money? Am I not a poor man?
Male
Pongi varum azhaginilae ezhaiyillaiYou are not poor when it comes to overflowing beauty
Aaa….aaa….Aaa….aaa….
Pongi varum azhaginilae ezhaiyillaiYou are not poor when it comes to overflowing beauty
Nee ezhai illaiYou are not poor!
Poothamalar sirippinilae ezhaiyillaiYou are not poor in your blossoming flower-like smile
Nee ezhai illaiYou are not poor!
Male
Sengarumbhu pechinilae ezhaiyillaiYou are not poor in your sweet sugarcane-like speech
Nee ezhai illaiYou are not poor!
Indha sindhanai ellaam unakku thevaiyae illaiYou do not need to worry about any of these thoughts at all
Male
Aadi varum aadaga porpavaiyadi neeYou are a golden doll swaying gracefully as you dance
Aadi varum aadaga porpavaiyadi neeYou are a golden doll swaying gracefully as you dance
Andrum indrum endrum en aaviyadi neeYesterday, today, and forever, you are my soul

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic duet celebrates love, cultural pride, and emotional richness over material wealth. The male protagonist compares his beloved to a golden statue and praises her as the essence of his soul and Dravidian culture. Through poetic riddles, they celebrate Tamil music and the gentle breeze of the Podhigai hills as sweet symbols of their affection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Aadi varum aadaga porpavaiyadi nee

Compares the beloved to a golden doll ('aadaga porpavai') and sweet sugarcane ('sengarumbhu pechu').

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Aadi varum aadaga porpavaiyadi nee

Repetition of initial vowel sounds 'Aa' across words ('Aadi', 'aadaga').

Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)

Andrum indrum endrumae en aaviyadi nee

Repeated emphasis on temporal constancy ('Andrum indrum endrumae') and reassurance ('Nee ezhai illai').

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Poothamalar sirippinilae ezhaiyillai

Matching ending sounds with '-illai' across consecutive lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Aadi Varum Aadaga Porpavaiyadi' is a memorable track from the 1959 Tamil movie 'Thaai Magalukku Kattiya Thaali', composed by T. R. Pappa with lyrics by K. D. Santhanam. The song beautifully blends classical Tamil poetic imagery with folk 'Sindhu' rhythms, rendered by Seerkazhi Govindarajan and S. Janaki.

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