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Aathi Parasakthi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Aathadi Mariyamma

From Aathi Parasakthi · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Sirkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Aathi Parasakthi
Movie release year
1971
Lyrics added on
20 Oct 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Poovaadai kaari
Ponnazhagi unakku
Pongalida kedachathu
Bhagiyam enakku..uu…
Meenkaran veedengum
Meen vaasam irukkum
Adi meenatchi nee vandhaa…aaa
Nei vaasam adikkum
{Aathadi maariamma
Soru aaki vechen vaadi amma
Aalakku arisiyai paalakka vendam
Thinnuputtu podi amma} (2)
Aaah….
…………………………….
{Paateduthu thaalamitten
Odi varallae
Aadi paathuputten pillai mugam
Thedi varallae} (2)
{Pechupadi pongal unna
Inghu varallae
Naan moochadakki unnidathil
Anghu varuven} (2)
Aathadi maariamma
Soru aaki vechen vaadi amma
Aalakku arisiyai paalakka vendam
Thinnuputtu podi amma
……………………………………
{Seekirathil kaatchi thandha
Selvanayagi
Pudhu selakaari pookaari
Deivanayagi} (2)
{Bhadra kaali rudra kaali
Paaradi amma
Indha paavi magam veetil
Kai vaiadiamma} (2)
Aathadi maariamma
Soru aaki vechen vaadi amma
Aalakku arisiyai paalakka vendam
Thinnuputtu podi amma…aah
O woman wearing floral clothes,
O golden beauty, for you
To offer cooked pongal,
Is my great fortune..uu…
Everywhere in the fisherman's house
There is the smell of fish,
Oh Meenakshi, if you enter…aaa
The fragrance of ghee will waft through.
{Oh Mother Mariamma,
I have cooked rice for you, come on, Mother!
Do not let this measure of rice go to waste,
Eat it and then go, Mother!} (2)
Aaah….
…………………………....
{I sang a song and kept the beat,
Yet you didn't come running.
I danced and searched, but your child's face
Has not come seeking me.} (2)
{As promised, to eat the pongal,
You haven't come here.
Holding my breath, to your presence,
I shall come there.} (2)
Oh Mother Mariamma,
I have cooked rice for you, come on, Mother!
Do not let this measure of rice go to waste,
Eat it and then go, Mother.
……………………………………
{Who quickly granted a vision,
Selvanayagi,
The flower-seller in a new saree,
Deivanayagi!} (2)
{Bhadrakali, Rudrakali,
Look at me, Mother!
In this sinful son's home,
Lay your blessing hand, Mother!} (2)
Oh Mother Mariamma,
I have cooked rice for you, come on, Mother!
Do not let this measure of rice go to waste,
Eat it and then go, Mother…aah
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Chorus
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Chorus
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Poovaadai Kaari' (also popular as 'Aathadi Maariamma') from the film Aathi Parasakthi (1971) is a vibrant devotional Tamil song written by Kannadasan. The devotee, portrayed as a woman from a humble fishing village, warmly invites Goddess Mariamman into her home to partake in a simple offering of cooked rice (Pongal). She marvels at how the presence of the Goddess instantly transforms the everyday odor of fish in her house into the holy, fragrant aroma of ghee.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Contrast / Juxtaposition

“Meenkaran veedengum Meen vaasam irukkum / Adi meenatchi nee vandhaa Nei vaasam adikkum”

Contrasts the mundane smell of fish in a fisherman's home with the holy scent of ghee brought by the presence of the Goddess.

Initial Rhyme / Monai

“Poovaadai kaari / Ponnazhagi unakku / Pongalida kedachathu”

Alliteration of the initial 'P' sound ('Poovaadai', 'Ponnazhagi', 'Pongalida') creates a melodic rhythm typical of traditional Tamil folk devotionals.

Refrain / Chorus

“Aathadi maariamma / Soru aaki vechen vaadi amma”

Repetition of the central refrain emphasizing maternal affection ('Aathadi maariamma...') and intimate devotion.

Keep listening

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