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Isaimozhi
Achchani album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Adhu Maathram

From Achchani · 1978

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Manorama, Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Achchani
Movie release year
1978
Lyrics added on
23 Oct 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Pattamma…yeh hey
Ahaaa
Yeh hey hey hey hey eeeyyyy
Saami saamii
Yehhh…haeiiii
Adhu maathram
Ippo kudaadhu
Ada summanaacham
Pesikitta thappu vaarathu
Indhaa…
Adhu maathram
Ippo kudaadhu
Ada summanaacham
Pesikitta thappu vaarathu
Naal kilama paakanunga
Nadhaswaram ketkkanunga
Adhu maathram
Ippo kudaadhu
Thottaapla kettu viduma
Ada summanaachum
Pesikitta kickku varuma
Chittu
Thottaapla kettu viduma
Ada summanaachum
Pesikitta kickku varuma
Moonu mudichi
Podum varaikkum
Aasa pudichi
Aatti padaikkum
Naan thottaapla
Kettu viduma
En veetu pasumaadu
Kannu kutty poda
Naan paarthu pala naala
Nenjukulla vaada
Ahaa ..ahaaa
En veetu pasumaadu
Kannu kutty poda
Naan paarthu pala naala
Nenjukulla vaada
Neram thaan vandhaachu
Aaraaroo paada
Vetkkathilae un pakkathilae
Naan kalyaana pennaaga
Utkaarum varaikkum
Adhu maathram …aaa
Adhu maathram
Ippo kudaadhu
Ada summanaacham
Pesikitta thappu vaarathu
Engappan hotelilae
Eththanaiyo sweetu
Irunthaalum unpola
Varumodi taste-u
Engappan hotelilae
Eththanaiyo sweetu
Irunthaalum unpola
Varumodi taste-u
Innum naan thingaama
Vechirunthaa waste-u
Paalattam nee
Naan pacha thanni
Naama innaalum ennaalum
Onaaga irukka
Thottaapla
Thottaapla kettu viduma…..
Pattamma… ye hey!
Ahaha!
Ye hey hey hey hey eeeeyyayy!
Saami, saami!
Yehhh… heyiyyy!
Just that one thing...
shouldn't happen right now!
Hey, if we just casually...
talk to each other, there's no harm in it!
Look here…
Just that one thing...
shouldn't happen right now!
Hey, if we just casually...
talk to each other, there's no harm in it!
We must check for an auspicious day,
and we must hear the nadaswaram (wedding pipe) play!
Just that one thing...
shouldn't happen right now!
Will you get spoiled if I just touch you?
Hey, if we just casually...
talk, will there be any thrill?
My pretty little bird!
Will you get spoiled if I just touch you?
Hey, if we just casually...
talk, will there be any thrill?
Until the three wedding knots...
are tied,
desire will take hold of us...
and drive us crazy!
If I just touch you,
will it ruin you?
Waiting for the cow in my house...
to give birth to a calf,
I have watched for many days,
with a deep longing in my heart!
Aha... ahaha!
Waiting for the cow in my house...
to give birth to a calf,
I have watched for many days,
with a deep longing in my heart!
Now the time has finally come...
to sing a lullaby!
Shyly, right by your side,
as your wedded bride,
until I sit with you...
Just that one thing... ah!
Just that one thing...
shouldn't happen right now!
Hey, if we just casually...
talk to each other, there's no harm in it!
In my father's eatery,
there are so many sweet treats!
But even with all of them,
could any taste as delicious as you?
In my father's eatery,
there are so many sweet treats!
But even with all of them,
could any taste as delicious as you?
If I keep holding back without tasting you,
it will all just go to waste!
You are like pure milk,
and I am like plain water!
For us, today and for all days,
to blend together as one...
If I just touch you,
will you get spoiled if I just touch you?
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This playful duet features a lover coaxing his sweetheart for physical affection while she insists on waiting until their formal marriage ceremony. The hero argues with humorous domestic analogies—comparing her beauty to delicious sweets from his father's hotel and comparing them to milk and water that blend together naturally. The heroine firmly sets boundaries, reminding him that proper traditional customs, auspicious dates, and the sacred tying of three knots must take place before intimacy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Paalattam nee / Naan pacha thanni

Comparing the female lead to milk ('Paalattam nee') and the male lead to water ('pacha thanni') to illustrate how naturally they complement and blend into each other.

Rhetorical Question

Thottaapla kettu viduma

The male lead playfully questions if physical contact would ruin anything ('Thottaapla kettu viduma') to tease her strict boundaries.

Metaphor & Local Imagery

Engappan hotelilae / Eththanaiyo sweetu

Vaali uses everyday, down-to-earth imagery of a father's hotel sweets and cows giving birth to create relatable folk-flavored romantic banter.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Achchani' (1978) stars Vaishali and Tamil cinema actor Muthuraman, directed by Karaikudi Narayanan with iconic music composed by Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics penned by Vaali.

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