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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Adi Aathi Pudhu Poovoda

From Thaaya Thaarama · 1989

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Vani Jairam, Manorama
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Thaaya Thaarama
Movie release year
1989
Lyrics added on
4 May 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aa…..aaa….aa….aa….
Aa….aahaa….ha….aah….haa…..
Adi aaththi pudhu poovoda vaasam
Ponnu aalaana maasam
Manjal neeraadum thirunaalil
Malligai poovae nee kelu
Mana naal vanthaal naalaikku
Maamiyaar varuvaalae
Maamiyar sonnaa kettukka
Adhuthaan mariyaathai
Adi aaththi pudhu poovoda vaasam
Ponnu aalaana maasam
Manjal neeraadum thirunaalil
Malligai poovae nee kelu
Mana naal vanthaal naalaikku
Maamiyaar varuvaalae
Maamiyaar vanthaal pillaikku
Manthiram poduvalae
Thaaikku pinthaan thaaram endru
Sonnaal purinjukkanum
Thalaiyillamal vaalaadaathu
Thannaal therinjukkanum
Haehae…..hae…
Perumaal maadaai thalaiyai aatta
Pillaiyai peralaamaa
Thottil uravu kattil varaikkum
Thodarnthae varalaamaa
Pombalai vaaichchaa unnaattam
Urupaduma sol samsaaram
Female :Pillaiyai valarththaal unnaattam
Marumagal paadu thindaattam
Sarithanmaa moraikkaathae
Ada savadaalaa alakkaathae
Adi aaththi pudhu poovoda vaasam
Ponnu aalaana maasam
Female :Manjal neeraadum thirunaalil
Malligai poovae nee kelu
Mana naal vanthaal naalaikku
Maamiyaar varuvaalae
Female :Maamiyaar vanthaal pillaikku
Manthiram poduvalae
Adangaathirukkum marumagalaalae
Kudumbam nadakkaathae
Pudavai thalaippil purushanai mudikka
Nenaichchaa mudiyaathae
Eththanai kaalam aatti padaikkum
Aththaiyin adhikaaram
Marumal ellaam porkkodi thookka
Kuraiyum thalai baaram
Vambukku vanthaal ennaagum
Vaazhaavetti endraagum
Female :Rendula onnu paarppomaa
Vazhakkugal aadi theerppomaa
Unakkaachchu enakkaachchu
Female :Ada yaemmaa perumoochchu
Adi aaththi pudhu poovoda vaasam
Ponnu aalaana maasam
Female :Manjal neeraadum thirunaalil
Malligai poovae nee kelu
Mana naal vanthaal naalaikku
Maamiyaar varuvaalae
Female :Maamiyaar vanthaal pillaikku
Manthiram poduvalae
Mana naal vanthaal naalaikku
Maamiyaar varuvaalae
Female :Maamiyaar vanthaal pillaikku
Manthiram poduvalae…..ae….
Ah.....aaaa....aa....aa....
Ah....aahaa....haa....aah....haa.....
Oh my goodness, the fragrance of a fresh flower!
In the month this girl has come of age!
On this auspicious day of her turmeric bath ceremony,
Listen closely, dear jasmine flower!
When the wedding day comes tomorrow,
The mother-in-law will surely arrive!
Listen and obey when your mother-in-law speaks,
For that is proper respect!
Oh my goodness, the fragrance of a fresh flower!
In the month this girl has come of age!
On this auspicious day of her turmeric bath ceremony,
Listen closely, dear jasmine flower!
When the wedding day comes tomorrow,
The mother-in-law will surely arrive!
When the mother-in-law arrives, over her son
She will cast a magic spell!
Understand that a wife comes only after a mother,
You must realize this when you are told!
A tail cannot wag without the head,
You should know that by yourself!
Hehe.....hey...
Just to nod his head like a temple bull,
Should anyone give birth to a son?
Should the bond of the cradle
Continue all the way to the marriage bed?
If a man gets a wife like you,
Tell me, will his household ever prosper?
If you raise a son like that,
The daughter-in-law will suffer endlessly!
That's enough now, don't glare at me!
Hey, don't boast and brag so much!
Oh my goodness, the fragrance of a fresh flower!
In the month this girl has come of age!
On this auspicious day of her turmeric bath ceremony,
Listen closely, dear jasmine flower!
When the wedding day comes tomorrow,
The mother-in-law will surely arrive!
When the mother-in-law arrives, over her son
She will cast a magic spell!
With an unruly daughter-in-law,
A household can never run properly!
Tying a husband to the corner of your sari...
Thinking you can do that will never work!
How long will it keep dominating,
The mother-in-law's authority?
If all the daughters-in-law raise a flag of revolt,
The heavy burden on their heads will ease!
What will happen if you pick a fight?
You will end up an abandoned wife!
Shall we fight this out once and for all?
Shall we argue our cases and settle this?
It is a showdown between you and me!
Hey woman, why are you sighing now?
Oh my goodness, the fragrance of a fresh flower!
In the month this girl has come of age!
On this auspicious day of her turmeric bath ceremony,
Listen closely, dear jasmine flower!
When the wedding day comes tomorrow,
The mother-in-law will surely arrive!
When the mother-in-law arrives, over her son
She will cast a magic spell!
When the wedding day comes tomorrow,
The mother-in-law will surely arrive!
When the mother-in-law arrives, over her son
She will cast a magic spell.....!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song depicts a lively and comedic verbal duel during a young woman's coming-of-age ceremony (turmeric bathing ritual). It explores the age-old domestic friction and hierarchy between the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law in traditional Tamil households. One voice asserts that a mother holds primary authority over her son and demands obedience from the daughter-in-law, emphasizing traditional family respect. The opposing voice protests against excessive motherly influence in marital life, urging young wives to stand up for their independence and equality in marriage.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Proverb Integration (Pazhamozhi)

Thaaikku pinthaan thaaram endru

The lyrics weave the popular Tamil proverb 'Thaaikku pinthaan thaaram' directly into the argument to justify traditional hierarchy.

Simile / Metaphor

Perumaal maadaai thalaiyai aatta

Compares an overly obedient son who uncritically accepts commands to a temple ox ('Perumaal maadu') that constantly nods its head.

Metaphor

Thottil uravu kattil varaikkum

Refers to maternal control lingering into adult life as cradle ties extending to the marital bed.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Pudavai thalaippil purushanai mudikka

Uses matching initial sounds 'Pudavai' and 'Purushanai' to create rhythmic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Lyricist Vaali was well known for turning traditional Tamil proverbs and familial debate themes into engaging duet songs. The title phrase 'Thaaya Thaarama' ('Mother or Wife?') stems from a popular cultural debate regarding where a man's primary devotion should lie.

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