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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Adi Aathadi Aatha

From Mariamman Thiruvizha · 1978

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singers
P. Susheela, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Mariamman Thiruvizha1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aathaadi aathaa indha azhagaanaOh mother! Look at this beautiful
Thanga kattiLump of gold!
Paathaakka katta petti paanjaakka singa kuttiTo look at, she is like a wooden box, but if she pounces, she is a lion cub!
Yaendi kannu ennadi achachoWhy, my dear eye, what happened, oh my?
Female
Aathaadi aathaa indha azhagaanaOh mother! Look at this beautiful
Thanga kattiLump of gold!
Paathaakka katta petti paanjaakka singa kuttiTo look at, she is like a wooden box, but if she pounces, she is a lion cub!
Yaendi kannu ennadi achachoWhy, my dear eye, what happened, oh my?
Female
Maappillai paathukkangaGroom, please take care,
Ponnu romba saadhungaThe bride is very innocent and simple.
Manjathil kobam vaendaa chinnanchirusu paarungaDon't show anger on the nuptial bed, look how young they are!
Female
Maappillai paathukkangaGroom, please take care,
Ponnu romba saadhungaThe bride is very innocent and simple.
Manjathil kobam vaendaa chinnanchirusu paarungaDon't show anger on the nuptial bed, look how young they are!
ThottaalumEven if touched,
Female
AahaahaaAha ha!
Female
PattaalumEven if grazed,
Female
Hae hae haeHae hae hae!
Female
Thottaalum pattaalum thulluvaangaEven if touched or grazed, she will jump up!
Padhamaaga konjam paathukkongaHandle her gently and with care.
Poga poga sariyaa pogungaAs time goes on, everything will be just fine.
Female
Aathaadi aathaa indha azhagaanaOh mother! Look at this beautiful
Thanga kattiLump of gold!
Paathaakka katta petti paanjaakka singa kuttiTo look at, she is like a wooden box, but if she pounces, she is a lion cub!
Yaendi kannu ennadi achachoWhy, my dear eye, what happened, oh my?
Female
Ponnukku panjamminnaaIf you say there is a shortage of women,
Endha ponna paathingaWhich girl did you look at?
Podavaiya katta kooda aalu onnu vaenungaShe even needs someone just to help her drape her saree!
Female
Ponnukku panjamminnaaIf you say there is a shortage of women,
Endha ponna paathingaWhich girl did you look at?
Podavaiya katta kooda aalu onnu vaenungaShe even needs someone just to help her drape her saree!
AmmammaaOh my goodness,
Female
Hae hae haeHae hae hae!
Female
PombalaWoman,
Female
AahaahaaAha ha!
Female
Ammammaa pombala alangaariOh my goodness, she is a stylish woman,
Sirippaalae oora valachaalaeShe charmed the whole town with her smile!
Poga poga puriyum paarungaAs time goes on, you will understand, just watch and see!
Female
Aathaadi aathaa indha azhagaanaOh mother! Look at this beautiful
Thanga kattiLump of gold!
Paathaakka katta petti paanjaakka singa kuttiTo look at, she is like a wooden box, but if she pounces, she is a lion cub!
Yaendi kannu ennadi achachoWhy, my dear eye, what happened, oh my?
Female
Minnala ponnaa thalliPushing aside even lightning, a girl
Kondu vandhaa paarungaHas been brought here, see!
Meesaiya mattum vechaa aambala thaan kaelungaAsk him, is a man defined just by having a mustache?
Female
Minnala ponnaa thalliPushing aside even lightning, a girl
Kondu vandhaa paarungaHas been brought here, see!
Meesaiya mattum vechaa aambala thaan kaelungaAsk him, is a man defined just by having a mustache?
Female
JaanakiJanaki,
Female
AahaahaaAha ha!
Female
Raaman polLike Rama,
Female
Ho ho hoHo ho ho!
Female
Jaanaki raaman pol bandha paasamBond and affection like Janaki and Rama,
Female
Sari thaandi ini vana vaasamAlright then, now begins the forest exile!
Female
Adi aathaadi aathaa indha azhagaana thanga kattiOh mother! Look at this beautiful lump of gold!
Female
Paathaakka katta petti paanjaakka singa kuttiTo look at, she is like a wooden box, but if she pounces, she is a lion cub!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful folk song from Mariamman Thiruvizha (1978) captures lighthearted wedding banter and festive teasing between the bride and groom's sides during a village festival. The lyrics affectionately depict the bride as a precious 'lump of gold' who seems quiet and simple on the outside, yet possesses a lively, spirited nature likened to a young lion cub. The singers offer humorous advice to the groom to handle his young, sensitive bride tenderly as they embark on married life. Throughout the track, playful jabs are thrown regarding gender dynamics, beauty, and male pride, contrasting the girl's charm with the groom's demeanor. It ultimately celebrates marital togetherness with references to iconic bonds like Janaki and Rama, wrapped in energetic folk rhythms characteristic of rural Tamil temple festival celebrations.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Thanga katti

Compares the preciousness and innocence of the bride directly to a 'thanga katti' (lump of gold).

Contrast / Imagery

Paathaakka katta petti paanjaakka singa kutti

Contrasts the bride's quiet appearance ('katta petti') with her dynamic, fierce spirit when provoked ('singa kutti').

Allusion / Simile

Jaanaki raaman pol bandha paasam

Refers to the classic mythological union of Sita (Janaki) and Rama to represent pure love and deep affection.

Rhyme / Assonance

Paathaakka katta petti paanjaakka singa kutti

Internal and end rhymes created through matching phonetic endings ('katta petti' / 'singa kutti').

Did you know?

Trivia

Mariamman Thiruvizha (1978) is a Tamil devotional drama film directed by V. T. Arasu, highlighting rural cultural traditions, village rituals, and folk festival songs celebrated in reverence of the deity Mariamman.

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