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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Adadada Mamarakiliye

From Chittu Kuruvi · 1978

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Chittu Kuruvi1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Adadada maamara kiliyaeOh, parrot of the mango tree!
Unnai innum naan marakalayaeI haven't forgotten you yet!
Adadada maamara kiliyaeOh, parrot of the mango tree!
Unnai innum naan marakalayaeI haven't forgotten you yet!
Female
Rendu naala unnai enniThinking of you for two days,
Pachcha thanni kudikkalayaeI haven't even drunk plain water!
Adadada maamara kiliyaeOh, parrot of the mango tree!
Hey hey hey heyHey hey hey hey
Female
{Unnai nenachen manjal araichen{Thinking of you, I ground turmeric,
Maasakkanakaa poosi kulichenI applied it and bathed for months on end.
Ada ennaattam raasaathiOh, like me, my princess,
Eva irukkaa sollu } (2)Tell me, who else is there?} (2)
Female
Adadada maadhulam kaniyaeOh, pomegranate fruit!
Idha innum nee nenaikkaliyaeHaven't you thought of this yet?
Kitta vaayen koththi poyenCome close, peck and go,
Onna naan thadukkalayae marukkalayaeI won't stop you nor refuse you!
Female
Adadada maamara kiliyaeOh, parrot of the mango tree!
Unnai innum naan marakalayaeI haven't forgotten you yet!
Rendu naala unnai yenniThinking of you for two days,
Pachcha thanni kudikkalayaeI haven't even drunk plain water!
Adadada maamara kiliyaeOh, parrot of the mango tree!
Female
{Uppu kalandhaa kanji inikkum{If salt is mixed, even porridge tastes sweet,
Onna kalandha nenju inikkumWhen united with you, my heart feels sweet.
Ada parisamdhaan pottaachuAh, the betrothal is already fixed,
Paakku maathiaachu} (2)Betel nuts have been exchanged!} (2)
Female
Adadada thaamara kodiyaeOh, lotus vine!
Idhu un thol thodavillayaeThis hasn't touched your shoulders yet.
Sollu kannu chinna ponnuTell me, my sweet little girl,
Idha nee anaikkalayae anaikkalayaeWhy haven't you embraced this?
Female
Adadada maamara kiliyaeOh, parrot of the mango tree!
Unnai innum naan marakalayaeI haven't forgotten you yet!
Rendu naala unnai yenniThinking of you for two days,
Pachcha thanni kudikkalayaeI haven't even drunk plain water!
Adadada maamara kiliyaeOh, parrot of the mango tree!
Female
………………………….………………………….
Female
Meena pudikka thoondil irukkuThere is a hook to catch fish,
Neera pudikka thondi irukkuThere is a vessel to fetch water,
Ada unnathaan naan pudikkaAh, to catch you,
Kan valaiya pottenI cast a net with my eyes!
Female
Adadada mammudha kanayaeOh, arrow of Cupid!
Vandhu vandhu mayakkudhu ennaiyaeIt keeps coming and intoxicating me!
Indha yekkam yedhu thookkamWith this longing, where is sleep?
Paaya pottu padukkalayae padukkalayaeI haven't even spread the mat to sleep!
Female
Adadada maamara kiliyaeOh, parrot of the mango tree!
Unnai innum naan marakalayaeI haven't forgotten you yet!
Rendu naala unnai yenniThinking of you for two days,
Pachcha thanni kudikkalayaeI haven't even drunk plain water!
Adadada maamara kiliyaeOh, parrot of the mango tree!
Hey hey hey hey…………..Hey hey hey hey..............

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Adadada Maamara Kiliyae from the 1978 film Chittu Kuruvi is a romantic duet expressing the deep affection and eager anticipation between two lovers. Using vibrant rural imagery and everyday metaphors—such as comparing each other to parrots in mango trees, sweet pomegranates, and delicate lotus vines—the lovers convey how consumed they are by thoughts of one another. The song highlights traditional wedding preparations, such as applying turmeric, exchanging betel leaves, and fixing betrothal gifts, encapsulating the joy and longing of young love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (உருவகம் - Uruvagam)

Adadada maamara kiliyae

The speaker addresses the beloved using terms of endearment like 'Maamara kili' (parrot on a mango tree), 'Maadhulam kani' (pomegranate fruit), and 'Thaamara kodi' (lotus vine).

Hyperbole (உயர்வு நவிற்சி - Uyarvu Navirchi)

Rendu naala unnai enni / Pachcha thanni kudikkalayae

Exaggerating the depth of romantic longing by claiming to go without drinking water for two days due to thoughts of the beloved.

Visual Imagery (காட்சிப் படிமம்)

Kan valaiya potten

Poetic imagery of casting a net using eyes ('Kan valai') to catch the loved one, contrasting with physical tools like fishing hooks and water pots.

Aetukai / Rhyme (எதுகை)

Meena pudikka thoondil irukku / Neera pudikka thondi irukku

Matching second consonants across lines ('Meena' / 'Neera') creating rhythmic harmony.

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Trivia

This iconic song from 'Chittu Kuruvi' (1978) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, rendered by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and P. Susheela, with lyrics written by Vaali. The movie stars Sivakumar and Sumithra in the lead roles.

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