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Moondru Mudichu album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Aadi Velli

From Moondru Mudichu · 1976

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
Jayachandran, Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Moondru Mudichu
Movie release year
1976
Lyrics added on
30 Jul 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aadi velli thedi unnai
Naan adaintha neram
Kodi inbam naadi vanthen
Kaaviriyin ooram
Kaaviriyin ooram
Aadi velli thedi unnai
Naan adaintha neram
Kodi inbam naadi vanthen
Kaaviriyin ooram
Ora kannil oora vaitha
Thaen kavithai saaram
Ora kannil oora vaitha
Thaen kavithai saaram
Oosaiyindri ketkumathu
Aasaiyennum vedham
Aasaiyennum vedham
……………….
Aasaiyennum vedham
Vedham solli melamittu
Medai kandu aadum
Meththai kondu thaththai ondru
Viththai pala naadum
Vedham solli melamittu
Medai kandu aadum
Meththai kondu thaththai ondru
Viththai pala naadum
Naadum ullam koodum ennam
Pesum mozhi mounam
Thaagam thannai moodi vaitha
Veenai aval chinnam
Veenai aval chinnam
………………
Veenai aval chinnam
Chinnam mikka annakili
Vanna silai kolam
Ennai aval pinnikkolla
Endru varum kaalam
Kaalam ithu kaalam endru
Kaathal theivam paadum
Gangai nathi pongum kadal
Sangamathil koodum
Sangamathil koodum
Aaaa….aaa….aaa….
Aaaa….aaa….aaa…..
Aadi velli thedi unnai
Naan adaintha neram
Kodi inbam naadi vanthen
Kaaviriyin ooram
Kaaviriyin ooram
………………..
On a Friday in the month of Aadi, searching for you,
the moment I found you,
I came seeking endless joy
by the banks of the Kaveri.
By the banks of the Kaveri.
On a Friday in the month of Aadi, searching for you,
the moment I found you,
I came seeking endless joy
by the banks of the Kaveri.
Flowing softly from the corner of her eye,
the sweet essence of poetry,
Flowing softly from the corner of her eye,
the sweet essence of poetry,
it is heard without a sound,
the sacred scripture of desire.
The sacred scripture of desire.
...
The sacred scripture of desire.
Reciting scriptures to the beat of drums,
dancing upon the stage,
resting on a bed, like a lovely parrot,
she seeks many playful arts.
Reciting scriptures to the beat of drums,
dancing upon the stage,
resting on a bed, like a lovely parrot,
she seeks many playful arts.
The longing heart and merging thoughts,
the language they speak is silence.
Hiding her deep thirst within,
the veena (stringed instrument) is her symbol.
The veena is her symbol.
...
The veena is her symbol.
Full of grace, like a swan and a parrot,
shaped like a beautiful statue,
for her to wrap her arms around me,
when will that time arrive?
Saying, "This is the time, this is the hour,"
the god of love will sing.
The flowing river Ganga and the surging sea
will meet at the confluence.
Will meet at the confluence.
Aah... aah... aah...
Aah... aah... aah...
On a Friday in the month of Aadi, searching for you,
the moment I found you,
I came seeking endless joy
by the banks of the Kaveri.
By the banks of the Kaveri.
...
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Female
Chorus
Male
Female
Female
Male
Chorus

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Aadi Velli Thedi Unnai' from the film Moondru Mudichu (1976) is a romantic song steeped in classical imagery and romantic devotion, penned by Kannadasan and composed by M. S. Viswanathan. Set along the tranquil banks of the River Kaveri, the song captures the emotional intimacy and silent romance between lovers. The lyrics beautifully frame romantic passion as a sacred scripture, silent look as honeyed poetry, and the ultimate union of hearts as the grand confluence of a river meeting the sea.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emoni / Second Letter Rhyme

“Aadi velli thedi unnai / Naan adaintha neram / Kodi inbam naadi vanthen”

The second letter 'd' (டி/ட) rhymes in 'Aadi' (ஆடி) and 'Naan adaintha' (அடைந்த) / 'Kodi' (கோடி), providing rhythmic harmony.

Antathi (Chain Rhyme)

“Aasaiyennum vedham / Vedham solli melamittu”

The last word of the stanza 'Aasaiyennum vedham' is used to start the next line 'Vedham solli', creating a seamless poetic flow.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Aasaiyennum vedham / Pesum mozhi mounam”

Desire is directly metaphorized as sacred scripture ('Aasaiyennum vedham') and silence as spoken language ('Pesum mozhi mounam').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Moondru Mudichu' was a landmark 1976 Tamil romantic drama film directed by K. Balachander, starring Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, and Rajinikanth. This track, sung by Vani Jairam, highlights M. S. Viswanathan's mastery in integrating classical Carnatic nuances into contemporary film melodies.

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