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Thulasi Maadam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Aadum Mayile Aattam

From Thulasi Maadam · 1963

Lyricist
Ka. Mu. Sheriff
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Thulasi Maadam
Movie release year
1963
Lyrics added on
7 Jul 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aadum mayilae aattam engae
Paadum kuyilae paattu engae
Pesum kiliyae pechu engae
Pennae unadhu sirippu engae
Aadum mayilae aattam engae
Paadum kuyilae paattu engae
Pesum kiliyae pechu engae
Pennae unadhu sirippu engae
Aadum mayilae aattam engae
Paadum kuyilae paattu engae
Pesum kiliyae pechu engae
Pennae unadhu sirippu engae
Enna pizhai naan seidhenadi
Edharkku en mel kobam adi
Enna pizhai naan seidhenadi
Edharkku en mel kobam adi
Ponnae unadhu polivu engae
Ponnae unadhu polivu engae
Poovae unadhu azhagu engae
Aadum mayilae aattam engae
Paadum kuyilae paattu engae
Pesum kiliyae pechu engae
Pennae unadhu sirippu engae
Vegu naal pirindha vedhanaiyoo
Vegumathi thandhadhil kuraigal undo
Vegu naal pirindha vedhanaiyoo
Vegumathi thandhadhil kuraigal undo
Sagajamaai pazhagum gunavathiyaeee
Sagajamaai pazhagum gunavathiyaeee
Thagumoo vilagi nee selvadhu
Aadum mayilae aattam engae
Paadum kuyilae paattu engae
Pesum kiliyae pechu engae
Pennae unadhu sirippu engae
Thaneerai thaneer pagaithidumoo
Thaamarai sooriyan sandai yidumo
Thaneerai thaneer pagaithidumoo
Thaamarai sooriyan sandai yidumo
Ennaiya neeyum verukkindraai
Ennaiya neeyum verukkindraai
Unnai naalai maattrugiren
Aadum mayilae aattam engae
Paadum kuyilae paattu engae
Pesum kiliyae pechu engae
Pennae unadhu sirippu engae
Dancing peacock, where is your dance?
Singing cuckoo, where is your song?
Talking parrot, where are your words?
My girl, where is your smile?
Dancing peacock, where is your dance?
Singing cuckoo, where is your song?
Talking parrot, where are your words?
My girl, where is your smile?
Dancing peacock, where is your dance?
Singing cuckoo, where is your song?
Talking parrot, where are your words?
My girl, where is your smile?
What mistake did I make, my girl?
Why are you angry with me?
What mistake did I make, my girl?
Why are you angry with me?
My golden girl, where is your glow?
My golden girl, where is your glow?
My flower, where is your beauty?
Dancing peacock, where is your dance?
Singing cuckoo, where is your song?
Talking parrot, where are your words?
My girl, where is your smile?
Is it the pain of our long separation?
Or was there something lacking in the gift I gave?
Is it the pain of our long separation?
Or was there something lacking in the gift I gave?
You sweet girl who is always so warm and friendly,
You sweet girl who is always so warm and friendly,
Is it fair for you to turn away and leave?
Dancing peacock, where is your dance?
Singing cuckoo, where is your song?
Talking parrot, where are your words?
My girl, where is your smile?
Does water ever become an enemy to water?
Does the lotus ever fight with the sun?
Does water ever become an enemy to water?
Does the lotus ever fight with the sun?
Is it really me you are turning away from?
Is it really me you are turning away from?
I will surely change your mind tomorrow...
Dancing peacock, where is your dance?
Singing cuckoo, where is your song?
Talking parrot, where are your words?
My girl, where is your smile?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song from 'Thulasi Maadam' (1963) features a protagonist affectionately coaxing his beloved who is upset and silent with him. He endearingly compares her to a dancing peacock, a singing cuckoo, a talking parrot, and a gentle flower, lamenting the absence of her usual joyful demeanor and sweet smile. Throughout the verses, he questions what fault he committed to earn her anger, asking whether her distance stems from past separation or dissatisfaction. He uses poetic analogies—asking if water can fight water or if a lotus can hate the sun—to emphasize that their bond is natural and unbreakable. Ultimately, he affectionately resolves to win back her smile and affection by tomorrow.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Aadum mayilae aattam engae / Paadum kuyilae paattu engae

The lyricist metaphorically addresses the woman as a peacock (Aadum mayil), cuckoo (Paadum kuyil), parrot (Pesum kili), gold (Ponn), and flower (Poov).

Rhetorical Question

Thaneerai thaneer pagaithidumoo / Thaamarai sooriyan sandai yidumo

Poetic questions are used to highlight the impossibility of innate elements opposing each other, symbolizing their relationship.

Monaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Aadum mayilae... / Paadum kuyilae...

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across lines (e.g., Aadum / Paadum / Pesum).

Anaphora / Refrain

Aadum mayilae aattam engae

Repetition of the chorus lines at the end of every verse to reinforce the central theme of searching for her lost joy.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Thulasi Maadam' (1963) featured music composed by the legendary K. V. Mahadevan. This track, rendered masterfully by T. M. Soundararajan, is celebrated for its poetic lyrics written by Ka. Mu. Sheriff, highlighting tender romantic reconciliation.

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