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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aathadi Mariyamma

From Aathi Parasakthi · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Sirkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Aathi Parasakthi1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Poovaadai kaariO flower-scented lady,
Ponnazhagi unakkuO golden beauty, for you
Pongalida kedachathuTo offer sweet Pongal
Bhagiyam enakku..uu…Is my great good fortune...
Male
Meenkaran veedengumAll over a fisherman's home
Meen vaasam irukkumThere is usually the smell of fish,
Adi meenatchi nee vandhaa…aaaBut O Meenakshi, if you arrive...
Nei vaasam adikkumThe sweet fragrance of ghee wafts around!
Male
{Aathadi maariamma{Oh Mother Mariamma,
Soru aaki vechen vaadi ammaI have cooked rice for you, please come, Mother!
Aalakku arisiyai paalakka vendamDon't waste even a measure of rice,
Thinnuputtu podi amma} (2)Eat it and then go, Mother!} (2)
Aaah….Aaah....
Chorus
…………………………….[Interlude]
Male
{Paateduthu thaalamitten{I sang a song and kept the beat,
Odi varallaeYet you didn't run to me,
Aadi paathuputten pillai mugamI danced and looked, but my child's face
Thedi varallae} (2)You didn't come seeking!} (2)
Male
{Pechupadi pongal unna{As promised, to eat the Pongal
Inghu varallaeYou didn't come here,
Naan moochadakki unnidathilSo holding my breath, to your presence
Anghu varuven} (2)I will come there!} (2)
Male
Aathadi maariammaOh Mother Mariamma,
Soru aaki vechen vaadi ammaI have cooked rice for you, please come, Mother!
Aalakku arisiyai paalakka vendamDon't waste even a measure of rice,
Thinnuputtu podi ammaEat it and then go, Mother!
Chorus
……………………………………[Interlude]
Male
{Seekirathil kaatchi thandha{Who quickly granted her divine vision,
SelvanayagiO precious leader Selvanayagi,
Pudhu selakaari pookaariThe flower seller draped in a new saree,
Deivanayagi} (2)O divine goddess Deivanayagi!} (2)
Male
{Bhadra kaali rudra kaali{O Bhadrakali, O Rudrakali,
Paaradi ammaLook upon me, Mother!
Indha paavi magam veetilIn this sinner daughter's house,
Kai vaiadiamma} (2)Place your holy hands, Mother!} (2)
Male
Aathadi maariammaOh Mother Mariamma,
Soru aaki vechen vaadi ammaI have cooked rice for you, please come, Mother!
Aalakku arisiyai paalakka vendamDon't waste even a measure of rice,
Thinnuputtu podi amma…aahEat it and then go, Mother... ah

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'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.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed as 'Unknown' in the prompt, the music for Aathi Parasakthi (1971) was composed by KV Mahadevan, and this iconic folk-devotional track was sung by L. R. Eswari. The movie starred Jayalalithaa as Goddess Sakthi and Gemini Ganesan.

Keep listening

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