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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ada Kaathalicha Pothathu

From Oru Thayin Sabhatham · 1987

Lyricist
T. Rajendar
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
T. Rajendar
Details
Oru Thayin Sabhatham1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thirumananthaan nadakkuthunga oorusanam magizhuthungaA wedding is taking place, and the townspeople are rejoicing.
Yaedho sila manangal thokkuthungaYet some hearts are suffering defeat.
Adhu mattum andru azhuvuthungaOnly that heart is weeping today.
Azhuvuthunga azhuvuthungaIt cries and cries.
Male
Ada kadhalichchaa pothaathuOh, it is not enough to just fall in love,
Adhai moodi vaikka koodaathuYou must not keep it hidden away!
Ada kadhalichchaa pothaathuOh, it is not enough to just fall in love,
Adhai moodi vaikka koodaathuYou must not keep it hidden away!
Male
Kalyaananthaan sorkkaththula nichchayikkapaduthaamThey say marriages are decided in heaven,
Paththirikkai mattim ingae achchadikkapaduthaamAnd only the invitation cards are printed down here.
Sammatham ketkkaamalae silar sampantham pesuraangaWithout asking for consent, some people talk alliance,
Manangalai paarkkaamalae thirumanangalai seiyyuraangaWithout looking at hearts, they arrange marriages.
Male
Kalyaananthaan sorkkaththula nichchayikkapaduthaamThey say marriages are decided in heaven,
Paththirikkai mattim ingae achchadikkapaduthaamAnd only the invitation cards are printed down here.
Sammatham kekkaamalae silar sambantham pesuraangaWithout asking for consent, some people talk alliance,
Manangalai paarkkaamalae thirumanangalai seiyyuraangaWithout looking at hearts, they arrange marriages.
Male
Kalyaananthaan sorkkaththula nichchayikkapaduthaamThey say marriages are decided in heaven,
Paththirikkai mattim ingae achchadikkapaduthaamAnd only the invitation cards are printed down here.
Chorus
………………....
Male
Pollaatha vithiyae seiyyaathae sathiyaeOh wicked fate, do not commit such betrayal!
Male
…………….....
Male
Ooraiyunthaan kootturaangaThey gather the entire town together,
Oorvalamthaan nadaththuraangaThey conduct a grand procession.
Kaadhaliththum thavikkiraangaDespite having loved, they suffer silently,
Kaayaththaithaan maraikkiraangaThey hide the wounds inside their hearts.
Male
Vaanavedikkai vettu vedikkuthuFireworks burst in the sky celebrating,
Kadhal maaligai kettu norunguthuWhile the palace of love collapses to dust.
Melangal muzhanguthunga raththa naalangal thudikkuthungaDrums beat loudly as blood veins throb in pain.
Melangal muzhanguthunga raththa naalangal thudikkuthungaDrums beat loudly as blood veins throb in pain.
Panneerai thelichchu varaverppu nadakkuthungaA grand welcome takes place with rosewater sprinkled.
Kalyananthaan sorkkaththula nichchiyikkapaduthaamThey say marriages are decided in heaven,
Male
Kalyaananthaan sorkkaththula nichchayikkapaduthaamThey say marriages are decided in heaven,
Paththirikkai mattim ingae achchadikkapaduthaamAnd only the invitation cards are printed down here.
Chorus
………………....
Male
Nadhasuwaram oothuraanga manthirangal odhuraangaThey play the Nadaswaram and chant sacred mantras,
Maalaiyaththaan maaththuraanga thaaliyaththaan katturaangaThey exchange garlands and tie the sacred thread.
Ammi midhichchuththaan sandangu nadakkuthuThe ritual takes place by stepping on the grinding stone,
Bambai midhichchuththaan vidhiyum sirikkuthuWhile destiny laughs as it treads upon the soul.
Male
Akkiniyum eriyuthunga kadhal aththanaiyum karuthungaThe holy fire burns, and all love turns to ash.
Akkiniyum eriyuthunga kadhal aththanaiyum karuthungaThe holy fire burns, and all love turns to ash.
Porunthaatha uravu oorunthaan vaazhththuthungaThe whole town blesses a mismatched relationship,
Ponnoda manasu oomaiyaagi vaaduthungaWhile the bride's heart becomes mute and wilts away.
Ada kadhalichchaa pothaathu adhai moodi vaikka koodaathuOh, it is not enough to just fall in love, you must not keep it hidden away!
Ada kadhalichchaa pothaathu adhai moodi vaikka koodaathuOh, it is not enough to just fall in love, you must not keep it hidden away!
Male
Kalyaananthaan sorkkaththula nichchayikkapaduthaamThey say marriages are decided in heaven,
Paththirikkai mattim ingae achchadikkapaduthaamAnd only the invitation cards are printed down here.
Sammatham kekkaamalae silar sambantham pesuraangaWithout asking for consent, some people talk alliance,
Manangalai paarkkaamalae thirumanangalai seiyyuraangaWithout looking at hearts, they arrange marriages.
Chorus
………………....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This iconic track composed and written by T. Rajendar portrays the agonizing contrast between a grand societal wedding celebration and the heartbreak of forced, unexpressed love. The song serves as a critique of social traditions where elders arrange marriages without seeking the consent of the bride or considering true emotional compatibility. Through vivid imagery of wedding rituals juxtaposed against internal suffering, it urges lovers to express their true feelings before societal expectations destroy their lives.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Sammatham ketkkaamalae / Manangalai paarkkaamalae (Lines 11-12 & 15-16 & 47-48)

Contrast / Antithesis

Melangal muzhanguthunga raththa naalangal thudikkuthunga (Line 28)

Metaphor

Kadhal maaligai kettu norunguthu (Line 27)

Personification

vidhiyum sirikkuthu (Line 38)

Did you know?

Trivia

T. Rajendar wrote, composed, and directed 'Oru Thayin Sabhatham' (1987). The song became a legendary heartbreak anthem in Tamil cinema, widely known for its philosophical proverb 'Kalyaananthaan sorkkaththula nichchayikkapaduthaam' (Marriages are made in heaven).

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