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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aadiyile Perukkeduthu

From Radha · 1973

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
P. Susheela, Chorus
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Radha1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Aadiyilae perukkeduthu aadi varum kaaveriO Kaveri, flowing and dancing in abundance in the month of Aadi
Aadiyilae perukkeduthu aadi varum kaaveriO Kaveri, flowing and dancing in abundance in the month of Aadi
Vaadiyamma engalukku vazhi thunaiyaagaCome, mother, to be our guide and companion on the way
Emmai vaazha veikka vendum ammaa sumangaliyaagaYou must grant us life, O mother, as auspicious married women
Vaazha veikka vendum amma sumangaliyaagaYou must grant us life, O mother, as auspicious married women
Female
Aadiyilae perukkeduthu aadi varum kaaveriO Kaveri, flowing and dancing in abundance in the month of Aadi
Aadiyilae perukkeduthu aadi varum kaaveriO Kaveri, flowing and dancing in abundance in the month of Aadi
Vaadiyamma engalukku vazhi thunaiyaagaCome, mother, to be our guide and companion on the way
Emmai vaazha veikka vendum ammaa sumangaliyaagaYou must grant us life, O mother, as auspicious married women
Female
Moi kuzhalil malar sootiAdorning thick tresses with flowers
Maan vizhiyil mai theettiApplying kohl to deer-like eyes
Female
Moi kuzhalil malar sootiAdorning thick tresses with flowers
Maan vizhiyil mai theettiApplying kohl to deer-like eyes
Female
Pon mugathil pottu veithuPlacing a tilak on golden faces
Poovaiyargal nalam kaakaTo protect the well-being of women
Female
Pon mugathil pottu veithuPlacing a tilak on golden faces
Poovaiyargal nalam kaakaTo protect the well-being of women
Female
Nei vazhiyum kai vilakakiA hand lamp overflowing with ghee
Neerodu midhakkavittomWe have set afloat on the water
Female
Nei vazhiyum kai vilakakiA hand lamp overflowing with ghee
Neerodu midhakkavittomWe have set afloat on the water
Female
Nayaganin uyir kaakkaTo protect the life of the husband
Thaaiyidathil thoodhu vittomWe have sent a message to the divine mother Kaveri
Female
Nayaganin uyir kaakkaTo protect the life of the husband
Thaaiyidathil thoodhu vittomWe have sent a message to the divine mother Kaveri
Aa..aaa..aaa..aa..a…aa..Aa..aaa..aaa..aa..a…aa..
Chorus
Aadiyilae perukkeduthu aadi varum kaaveriO Kaveri, flowing and dancing in abundance in the month of Aadi
Aadiyilae perukkeduthu aadi varum kaaveriO Kaveri, flowing and dancing in abundance in the month of Aadi
Vaadiyamma engalukku vazhi thunaiyaagaCome, mother, to be our guide and companion on the way
Female
Valluvanin vaasuki polLike Vasuki was to Valluvar
Vishishtanuku arunthathi polLike Arundhati was to Vashistha
Female
Valluvanin vaasuki polLike Vasuki was to Valluvar
Vishishtanuku arunthathi polLike Arundhati was to Vashistha
Female
Thol ulagil pugal vilangaSo that fame shines across this ancient world
Thogaiyaarku thuni purigaGrant your help and protection to these women
Female
Thol ulagil pugal vilangaSo that fame shines across this ancient world
Thogaiyaarku thuni purigaGrant your help and protection to these women
Female
Pinn urangi munn vizhithuSleeping last and waking up first
Pillai nalam thanai kaathuProtecting the health and well-being of children
Female
Pinn urangi munn vizhithuSleeping last and waking up first
Pillai nalam thanai kaathuProtecting the health and well-being of children
Female
Kondavanin manam arindhuUnderstanding the mind of the husband
Thondu seiyyum manam tharugaGrant us a heart that serves him with devotion
Female
Kondavanin manam arindhuUnderstanding the mind of the husband
Thondu seiyyum manam tharugaGrant us a heart that serves him with devotion
Chorus
Aadiyilae perukkeduthu aadi varum kaaveriO Kaveri, flowing and dancing in abundance in the month of Aadi
Aadiyilae perukkeduthu aadi varum kaaveriO Kaveri, flowing and dancing in abundance in the month of Aadi
Vaadiyamma engalukku vazhi thunaiyaagaCome, mother, to be our guide and companion on the way
Female :Emmai vaazha veikka vendum ammaa sumangaliyaagaFemale : You must grant us life, O mother, as auspicious married women
Chorus :Vaazha veikka vendum ammaa sumangaliyaagaChorus : You must grant us life, O mother, as auspicious married women

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic devotional folk-style song is sung during the Aadi Perukku festival, which celebrates the rising water levels of the sacred Kaveri river during the Tamil month of Aadi. The women pray to Mother Kaveri as a deity who bestows prosperity, marital longevity, and domestic bliss. By floating ghee lamps in the river and offering prayers, they seek blessings for the long life of their husbands and the welfare of their families.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai / Simile)

Valluvanin vaasuki pol / Vishishtanuku arunthathi pol

Comparing virtuous ideal wives in Tamil tradition to Vasuki (wife of Thiruvalluvar) and Arundhati (wife of Sage Vashistha).

Anaphora / Alliteration (Emonai)

Moi kuzhalil malar sooti / Maan vizhiyil mai theetti

Repetition of initial letters/sounds like 'Moi' and 'Maan', or 'Pinn' and 'Pillai' across lines creating rhythmic flow.

Personification

Vaadiyamma engalukku vazhi thunaiyaaga

Addressing the river Kaveri as a divine mother ('Amma') and a personal guide/companion.

Did you know?

Trivia

Aadi Perukku is a traditional South Indian Tamil festival celebrated on the 18th day of the Tamil month of Aadi to express gratitude to the river Kaveri. This song vividly depicts the rituals associated with the festival, including floating clay lamps (Agal Vilakku) in the river current.

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