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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ada Mama Nee

From Chinna Mapillai · 1993

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
Mano
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Details
Chinna Mapillai1993

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
…………………………………………Hey uncle, it is a blessing that you gave birth to Bhama
Male
Ada maamaa nee petheduthaIt is a stroke of good fortune to touch and claim Bhama
Baamaava thottedutha yogamTo put a garland made of flowers
Oru poo maala podaNow is the time to sing a garland of Tamil poems
Thamizh paamaala paada idhu neramBeat the drums rhythmically and strike the percussion
Kottaama kottu kottu melam thattuThis entire town has become joyous like Courtallam
Kuthaalam polaachu indha ooruHe is indeed a true man
Male
Aambala thaanFor that, here and there
Adhukku angae ingaeThere are fine traits and qualities
Lakshanam unduOnly when there is desire
Aasaiyil thaanTo savor here and everywhere
Rusikka ingum engumThere are delicious treats to enjoy
Bakshanam unduWhen a good time arrives for a poor man
Ezhaikkoru vela vandhaaEven a humble hut turns into a golden palace
Kudisa thanga kudisaA good time will arrive tomorrow
Naalaikkoru neram vandhuAnd offer a wonderful reward
Kodukkum nalla parisuTo compete and move ahead in life
Male
Potti pottu munneraI have laid out a brand new path
Naan potten pudhu roaduFemale Chorus: Haa aaa haa haa
Female Chorus :Haa aaa haa haaWatching over and nurturing our culture
Male
Paathu paathu panpaaduI will protect it with full responsibility
Naan kaappen poruppoduFemale Chorus: Haa aaa haa haa
Female Chorus :Haa aaa haa haaThe finest things bring true happiness
Male
Sarakku thaan sandhosham thaanThe fragrance of sandalwood will linger forever
Sandhanam manakkum ennaalum thaanHey uncle, it is a blessing that you gave birth to Bhama
Male
Ada maamaa nee petheduthaIt is a stroke of good fortune to touch and claim Bhama
Baamaava thottedutha yogamTo put a garland made of flowers
Oru poo maala podaNow is the time to sing a garland of Tamil poems
Thamizh paamaala paada idhu neramBeat the drums rhythmically and strike the percussion
Kottaama kottu kottu melam thattuThis entire town has become joyous like Courtallam
Kuthaalam polaachu indha ooruIf you set your heart on a desire
Male
Aasa vechaaYou must nurture it with affection regularly
Adhukku appo appo pooja seiyanumIf you feel deep love for someone
Paasam vechaaCome close to their side
Nerungi pakkam vandhuAnd embrace them tightly
Katti kollanumIf you stand far away at a distance
Yetti yetti thalli ninnaaWill anything ever come searching for you?
Yedhuvum thedi varumaaIf you like someone but leave them behind
Ishta pattu vittu puttaaWill the right time ever align for you?
Pozhudhu koodi varumaaTry asking them, for without asking
Male
Kettu paaru kelaamaOnce time slips away, it won't return
Ponaalae vaaraadhuFemale Chorus: Haa aaa haa haa
Female Chorus :Haa aaa haa haaTry searching, for without searching
Male
Thedi paaru thedaamaOnce it's gone, you will never know
Ponaalae theriyaadhuFemale Chorus: Haa aaa haa haa
Female Chorus :Haa aaa haa haaThe right time has finally arrived
Male
Neram thaan neraanadhuIt has blossomed into a sweet fragrance in the heart
Nenjil manakkum poovaanadhuHey uncle, it is a blessing that you gave birth to Bhama
Male
Ada maamaa nee petheduthaIt is a stroke of good fortune to touch and claim Bhama
Baamaava thottedutha yogamTo put a garland made of flowers
Oru poo maala podaNow is the time to sing a garland of Tamil poems
Thamizh paamaala paada idhu neramBeat the drums rhythmically and strike the percussion
Kottaama kottu kottu melam thattuThis entire town has become joyous like Courtallam
Kuthaalam polaachu indha ooruAaha haa haa haa haa haa
Male
Aaha haa haa haa haa haa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Ada Maamaa Nee Pethedutha is a vibrant, celebratory folk song from the 1993 Tamil film Chinna Mapillai. The song expresses romantic joy and cheerful optimism as the protagonist celebrates his fortune in marrying his uncle's daughter (referred to poetically as Bhama). He sings about hard work, overcoming humble beginnings, holding onto cultural values with responsibility, and looking forward to a prosperous future filled with love and happiness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Wordplay / Juxtaposition (Poo maala vs. Paamaala)

Oru poo maala poda / Thamizh paamaala paada idhu neram

Contrasts a physical flower garland ('poo maala') with a metaphorical garland of Tamil verse ('paamaala').

Simile (Uvamai)

Kuthaalam polaachu indha ooru

Compares the festive energy of the village to the refreshing, cascading waterfalls of Courtallam ('Kuthaalam').

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kottaama kottu kottu melam thattu

Repetition of the initial 'Ko' sound creates an energetic rhythmic rhythm suitable for a folk dance.

Rhyming Repetition (Anaphora)

Aasa vechaa ... Paasam vechaa

Repetition of conditional words like 'vechaa' at the end of short line units enhances musicality.

Did you know?

Trivia

Chinna Mapillai (1993) stars Prabhu and Sukanya, directed by Santhana Bharathi. The music for the film was composed by maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by his brother Gangai Amaran. The song is sung by Mano and Swarnalatha, and it remains a popular festive folk track in Tamil cinema history.

Keep listening

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