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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aadum Mayil Nee

From Kalaivanan · 1959

Lyricist
Kambadasan
Singer
Ghantasala
Music director
Pendyala Nageswara Rao
Details
Kalaivanan1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aadum mayil nee vaa nadam aadu mayil nee vaaDancing peacock, come; come, dancing peacock, dance.
Aadum mayil nee vaa nadam aadu mayil nee vaaDancing peacock, come; come, dancing peacock, dance.
Aadum mayil nee vaaDancing peacock, come.
Male
Aagaya theru nadi vandhadhu vennilaaThe moon has arrived like a celestial chariot in the sky.
Haa..aa.aaa…haa…aa..aa..Haa..aa.aaa…haa…aa..aa..
Aagaya theru nadi vandhadhu vennilaaThe moon has arrived like a celestial chariot in the sky.
Aasai punnagai lai alaiyadudheSurges of desirable smiles ripple across.
Aadum mayil nee vaa nadam aadu mayil nee vaaDancing peacock, come; come, dancing peacock, dance.
Aadum mayil nee vaaDancing peacock, come.
Male
Anaichamalar solaiyilIn the garden of delicate Anicham flowers,
Panpaadum poonguyilLike a cuckoo singing with rhythmic elegance,
Adikkadi azhaikkum mogini neeyeYou are the enchantress who calls out frequently.
Ninaivai kanavai niruvaana vilpollLike an unstrung bow of thoughts and dreams,
Punaidhanan unakke sathreegan naanaeI stand devoted to you as your true companion.
Sathreegan naanae visithiram nee dhaaneI am the devoted one, while you are a true wonder.
Aadum mayil nee vaa nadam aadu mayil nee vaaDancing peacock, come; come, dancing peacock, dance.
Aadum mayil nee vaaDancing peacock, come.
Male
PonmayamaaiAs golden brightness,
Ponmayamaai poothidumBlossoming like gold,
Maalai thendralin kaatrilaeIn the gentle breeze of the evening,
Siru malligai arumbheO little jasmine bud,
Tharum parimalam needhaanaeAre you not the very fragrance it bestows?
Male
Sirikkum singaaraamaanA smiling, beautiful deer,
Kanni thaaragai vinninmeedhae..yeA maiden star up in the sky...
Sirikkum singaaraamaanA smiling, beautiful deer,
Kanni thaaragai vinninmeedhaeA maiden star up in the sky.
Senthamizhinil panpodu sollidumSpeaking with virtue in pure Tamil,
Uyirkaviyae naaneI am a living poem,
Kavi unarchiyum needhaanaeAnd you are the poetic emotion itself!
Male
Vaaraai ..maamayilaeCome, O grand peacock,
Vandhadhu kaarmugilaeThe dark raincloud has arrived.
Vaaraai ..maamayilaeCome, O grand peacock,
Vandhadhu kaarmugilaeThe dark raincloud has arrived.
Male
Nizhal nokki neeyendrenniGazing at a shadow and mistaking it for you,
MAnadhu magizhvenMy heart leaps with joy.
Alavilladha piriyathinaalOut of boundless affection,
PidhattralaaginenI have begun to babble in love.
Unakkagavae ivvedhanaiThis sweet agony is purely for your sake,
Un roobamae aaradhanaiYour form alone is my worship.
Male
Enadhuyir thudippinileWithin the heartbeat of my soul,
Undhan thandai oosaiResonates the chime of your anklets.
Vin muthenavae sindhum paniThe dew shedding like sky pearls,
Endhanin kanneer poosaiIs like the sacred offering of my tears.
Vaaraai ..maamayilaeCome, O grand peacock,
Vandhadhu kaarmugilaeThe dark raincloud has arrived.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Aadum Mayil Nee Vaa from the film Kalaivanan (1959) is a deeply evocative, classical Tamil love song. The protagonist addresses his beloved through poetic metaphors of nature, comparing her to a dancing peacock, a blooming jasmine bud, an enchantress in a flower garden, and a brilliant star in the night sky. He envisions himself as a living epic poem and her as the emotional essence that brings life to his verse. The lyrics depict intense romantic longing, where even shadows evoke her presence and dew drops parallel tears of loving devotion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Uyirkaviyae naane / Kavi unarchiyum needhaanae

The singer envisions himself as a living poem ('Uyirkavi') and the beloved as the inner poetic feeling ('Kavi unarchi').

Initial Rhyme / Monai (Alliteration)

Aadum mayil nee vaa nadam aadu mayil nee vaa

Repetition of the initial 'Aa' vowel sound ('Aadum', 'aadu') creates rhythmic, melodic symmetry.

Imagery & Personification

Vin muthenavae sindhum pani / Endhanin kanneer poosai

Compares falling dew drops to pearls of the sky and tears to ritualistic worship offerings.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kalaivanan (1959) starred A. Nageswara Rao and Bhanumathi Ramakrishna, featuring classical music composed by Pendyala Nageswara Rao. Lyricist Kambadasan was famed for infusing classical Tamil literary sensibilities, nature motifs, and Carnatic ragas into film poetry.

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