Adi Aathi
From Pasumpon · 1995
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- K. S. Chithra, Sujatha Mohan, Jayachandran
- Music director
- Vidyasagar
- Details
- Pasumpon1995
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Haaa…aaa…aaa…aaa… | Haaa…aaa…aaa…aaa… |
| Aaa…aaaaa…aaa…. | Aaa…aaaaa…aaa…. |
| Haaa…aaa…aaa…aaa… | Haaa…aaa…aaa…aaa… |
| Aaa…aaaaa…aaa…. | Aaa…aaaaa…aaa…. |
| Female | |
| Adi aathi | Oh my goodness! |
| Nenju pattam katti parakkudho | Is my heart flying like a kite? |
| Adi aathi | Oh my goodness! |
| Kannil pattaam poochi parakkudho | Are butterflies fluttering in my eyes? |
| Female | |
| Maaman sonna otha sollu | That single word spoken by uncle, |
| Maarbukkullae inikkudho | Does it taste so sweet inside my chest? |
| Mallu vaetti katti kolla | To wrap around the fine cotton dhoti, |
| Malliya poo nenaikkudho | Is the jasmine flower yearning? |
| Ullukkullae aasa vandhu | Desire emerging from deep within, |
| Uchu kotti nikkudho | Does it stand there clicking its tongue in longing? |
| Female | |
| Adi aathi | Oh my goodness! |
| Nenju pattam katti parakkudho | Is my heart flying like a kite? |
| Adi aathi | Oh my goodness! |
| Kannil pattaam poochi parakkudho | Are butterflies fluttering in my eyes? |
| Chorus | |
| Hmm mm mm mm hmmm….(8) | Hmm mm mm mm hmmm…. |
| Female :Aaaaa…aaa…thana naa naa | Female: Aaaaa…aaa…thana naa naa |
| Nana nana naa aaa…aaaa..aaaa…aaa… | Nana nana naa aaa…aaaa..aaaa…aaa… |
| Female | |
| Manja thanni oothum podhae | Even while pouring turmeric water during ritual, |
| Maaman pera chonnava thaanae | I was the one who uttered my uncle's name. |
| Onakku samanjava naan thaanae | Am I not the one destined for you? |
| Male | |
| Vandi thadathu pallam paathu | Seeing the groove made by cart wheels, |
| Vandhu odum vellam pola | Just like the gushing water flows into it, |
| Onakku amanjavan naan thaanae | Am I not the man made suitable for you? |
| Female | |
| Yekkam poovukkae | For a flower filled with yearning, |
| Vandu vaaraadhaa | Won't a beetle come visiting? |
| Male | |
| Nee thaazham poovaachae | Since you are like a screw-pine flower, |
| Thaenee thaedaadhaa | Won't the honeybee search for you? |
| Female | |
| Un tholil thundaaga | Like the towel draped over your shoulder, |
| Naan aadanum sendaagaa | I wish to sway like a fragrant flower. |
| Male | |
| Adi solladi medhuvaaga | Hey girl, speak softly, |
| Suthi yaarum kekka poraaga | Otherwise people around us will overhear! |
| Female | |
| Adi aathi | Oh my goodness! |
| Nenju pattam katti parakkudho | Is my heart flying like a kite? |
| Adi aathi | Oh my goodness! |
| Kannil pattaam poochi parakkudho | Are butterflies fluttering in my eyes? |
| Chorus | |
| Raerae raeraerae raeraerae raeraerae | Raerae raeraerae raeraerae raeraerae |
| Chorus | |
| Raerae raeraerae raeraerae raeraerae | Raerae raeraerae raeraerae raeraerae |
| Male | |
| Oothu maettil paattu kekka | To hear the song from the elevated hillock, |
| Odi vandhu oorae paakka | The entire village comes running to watch. |
| Unakku yenadi pollaappu | Why invite trouble for yourself? |
| Female | |
| Varappa maracha nellum undu | There is paddy that conceals the field ridge, |
| Vayala maraicha pullum undu | There is grass that covers the entire field. |
| Manasukkaedhaiyaa maaraappu | Why would a heart need a veil to cover itself? |
| Male | |
| Vela vandhaachu | The auspicious time has arrived, |
| Maala naan poda | For me to place the garland on you. |
| Female | |
| Thaali kattaamal | Even without tying the sacred thread, |
| Vaazhandhen un kooda | I have lived my life with you. |
| Male | |
| Thaali naan poda | When I tie the sacred thali, |
| Adi thaappaa nee poda | You close the latch on the door! |
| Female | |
| Vidinju paathaakka | When morning comes and we wake up, |
| Un vaettiyum sattaiyum ennoda | Your dhoti and shirt will belong to me! |
| Female | |
| Adi aathi | Oh my goodness! |
| Nenju pattam katti parakkudho | Is my heart flying like a kite? |
| Adi aathi | Oh my goodness! |
| Kannil pattaam poochi parakkudho | Are butterflies fluttering in my eyes? |
| Female | |
| Maaman sonna otha sollu | That single word spoken by uncle, |
| Maarbukkullae inikkudho | Does it taste so sweet inside my chest? |
| Mallu vaetti katti kolla | To wrap around the fine cotton dhoti, |
| Malliya poo nenaikkudho | Is the jasmine flower yearning? |
| Ullukkullae aasa vandhu | Desire emerging from deep within, |
| Uchu kotti nikkudho | Does it stand there clicking its tongue in longing? |
ஹா.....ஆஅ....ஆஅ....ஆஅ....
ஆஅ.....ஆஆ.....ஆஅ.....
ஹா.....ஆஅ....ஆஅ....ஆஅ....
ஆஅ.....ஆஆ.....ஆஅ.....
Haaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Aaa…aaaaa…aaa….
Haaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Aaa…aaaaa…aaa….
அடி ஆத்தி
நெஞ்சு பட்டம் கட்டிப் பறக்குதோ
அடி ஆத்தி
கண்ணில் பட்டாம்பூச்சி பறக்குதோ
Oh my goodness!
Is my heart flying like a kite?
Oh my goodness!
Are butterflies fluttering in my eyes?
மாமன் சொன்ன ஒத்த சொல்லு
மார்புக்குள்ளே இனிக்குதோ
மல்லு வேட்டி கட்டிக் கொள்ள
மல்லியப் பூ நெனைக்குதோ
உள்ளுக்குள்ளே ஆசை வந்து
உச்சு கொட்டி நிக்குதோ
That single word spoken by uncle,
Does it taste so sweet inside my chest?
To wrap around the fine cotton dhoti,
Is the jasmine flower yearning?
Desire emerging from deep within,
Does it stand there clicking its tongue in longing?
அடி ஆத்தி
நெஞ்சு பட்டம் கட்டிப் பறக்குதோ
அடி ஆத்தி
கண்ணில் பட்டாம்பூச்சி பறக்குதோ
Oh my goodness!
Is my heart flying like a kite?
Oh my goodness!
Are butterflies fluttering in my eyes?
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம் ஹ்ம்ம்.......(8)
ஆஆ.....ஆஅ....தன னா னா
நன நன னா ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....ஆஅ.....
Hmm mm mm mm hmmm….
Female: Aaaaa…aaa…thana naa naa
Nana nana naa aaa…aaaa..aaaa…aaa…
மஞ்சத் தண்ணி ஊத்தும் போதே
மாமன் பேரச் சொன்னவ தானே
ஒனக்கு சமஞ்சவ நான்தானே
Even while pouring turmeric water during ritual,
I was the one who uttered my uncle's name.
Am I not the one destined for you?
வண்டி தடத்து பள்ளம் பாத்து
வந்து ஓடும் வெள்ளம் போல
ஒனக்கு அமஞ்சவன் நான்தானே
Seeing the groove made by cart wheels,
Just like the gushing water flows into it,
Am I not the man made suitable for you?
ஏக்கம் பூவுக்கே
வண்டு வாராதா
For a flower filled with yearning,
Won't a beetle come visiting?
நீ தாழம் பூவாச்சே
தேனீ தேடாதா
Since you are like a screw-pine flower,
Won't the honeybee search for you?
உன் தோளில் துண்டாக
நான் ஆடணும் செண்டாக
Like the towel draped over your shoulder,
I wish to sway like a fragrant flower.
அடி சொல்லடி மெதுவாக
சுத்தி யாரும் கேக்கப் போறாக
Hey girl, speak softly,
Otherwise people around us will overhear!
அடி ஆத்தி
நெஞ்சு பட்டம் கட்டிப் பறக்குதோ
அடி ஆத்தி
கண்ணில் பட்டாம்பூச்சி பறக்குதோ
Oh my goodness!
Is my heart flying like a kite?
Oh my goodness!
Are butterflies fluttering in my eyes?
ரேரே ரேரேரே ரேரேரே ரேரேரே
ரேரே ரேரேரே ரேரேரே ரேரேரே
Raerae raeraerae raeraerae raeraerae
ஊத்து மேட்டில் பாட்டுக் கேக்க
ஓடி வந்து ஊரே பாக்க
உனக்கு ஏனடி பொல்லாப்பு
Raerae raeraerae raeraerae raeraerae
வரப்ப மறச்ச நெல்லும் உண்டு
வயல மறைக்க புல்லும் உண்டு
மனசுக்கேதையா மாராப்பு
To hear the song from the elevated hillock,
The entire village comes running to watch.
Why invite trouble for yourself?
வேளை வந்தாச்சு
மாலை நான் போட
There is paddy that conceals the field ridge,
There is grass that covers the entire field.
Why would a heart need a veil to cover itself?
தாலி கட்டாமல்
வாழ்ந்தேன் உன் கூட
The auspicious time has arrived,
For me to place the garland on you.
தாலி நான் போட
அடி தாப்பா நீ போட
Even without tying the sacred thread,
I have lived my life with you.
விடிஞ்சு பாத்தாக்க
உன் வேட்டியும் சட்டையும் என்னோட
When I tie the sacred thali,
You close the latch on the door!
அடி ஆத்தி
நெஞ்சு பட்டம் கட்டிப் பறக்குதோ
அடி ஆத்தி
கண்ணில் பட்டாம்பூச்சி பறக்குதோ
When morning comes and we wake up,
Your dhoti and shirt will belong to me!
மாமன் சொன்ன ஒத்த சொல்லு
மார்புக்குள்ளே இனிக்குதோ
மல்லு வேட்டி கட்டிக் கொள்ள
மல்லியப் பூ நெனைக்குதோ
உள்ளுக்குள்ளே ஆசை வந்து
உச்சு கொட்டி நிக்குதோ
Oh my goodness!
Is my heart flying like a kite?
Oh my goodness!
Are butterflies fluttering in my eyes?
That single word spoken by uncle,
Does it taste so sweet inside my chest?
To wrap around the fine cotton dhoti,
Is the jasmine flower yearning?
Desire emerging from deep within,
Does it stand there clicking its tongue in longing?
Haaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Haaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Aaa…aaaaa…aaa….
Aaa…aaaaa…aaa….
Haaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Haaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Aaa…aaaaa…aaa….
Aaa…aaaaa…aaa….
Adi aathi
Oh my goodness!
Nenju pattam katti parakkudho
Is my heart flying like a kite?
Adi aathi
Oh my goodness!
Kannil pattaam poochi parakkudho
Are butterflies fluttering in my eyes?
Maaman sonna otha sollu
That single word spoken by uncle,
Maarbukkullae inikkudho
Does it taste so sweet inside my chest?
Mallu vaetti katti kolla
To wrap around the fine cotton dhoti,
Malliya poo nenaikkudho
Is the jasmine flower yearning?
Ullukkullae aasa vandhu
Desire emerging from deep within,
Uchu kotti nikkudho
Does it stand there clicking its tongue in longing?
Adi aathi
Oh my goodness!
Nenju pattam katti parakkudho
Is my heart flying like a kite?
Adi aathi
Oh my goodness!
Kannil pattaam poochi parakkudho
Are butterflies fluttering in my eyes?
Hmm mm mm mm hmmm….(8)
Hmm mm mm mm hmmm….
Female :Aaaaa…aaa…thana naa naa
Female: Aaaaa…aaa…thana naa naa
Nana nana naa aaa…aaaa..aaaa…aaa…
Nana nana naa aaa…aaaa..aaaa…aaa…
Manja thanni oothum podhae
Even while pouring turmeric water during ritual,
Maaman pera chonnava thaanae
I was the one who uttered my uncle's name.
Onakku samanjava naan thaanae
Am I not the one destined for you?
Vandi thadathu pallam paathu
Seeing the groove made by cart wheels,
Vandhu odum vellam pola
Just like the gushing water flows into it,
Onakku amanjavan naan thaanae
Am I not the man made suitable for you?
Yekkam poovukkae
For a flower filled with yearning,
Vandu vaaraadhaa
Won't a beetle come visiting?
Nee thaazham poovaachae
Since you are like a screw-pine flower,
Thaenee thaedaadhaa
Won't the honeybee search for you?
Un tholil thundaaga
Like the towel draped over your shoulder,
Naan aadanum sendaagaa
I wish to sway like a fragrant flower.
Adi solladi medhuvaaga
Hey girl, speak softly,
Suthi yaarum kekka poraaga
Otherwise people around us will overhear!
Adi aathi
Oh my goodness!
Nenju pattam katti parakkudho
Is my heart flying like a kite?
Adi aathi
Oh my goodness!
Kannil pattaam poochi parakkudho
Are butterflies fluttering in my eyes?
Raerae raeraerae raeraerae raeraerae
Raerae raeraerae raeraerae raeraerae
Raerae raeraerae raeraerae raeraerae
Raerae raeraerae raeraerae raeraerae
Oothu maettil paattu kekka
To hear the song from the elevated hillock,
Odi vandhu oorae paakka
The entire village comes running to watch.
Unakku yenadi pollaappu
Why invite trouble for yourself?
Varappa maracha nellum undu
There is paddy that conceals the field ridge,
Vayala maraicha pullum undu
There is grass that covers the entire field.
Manasukkaedhaiyaa maaraappu
Why would a heart need a veil to cover itself?
Vela vandhaachu
The auspicious time has arrived,
Maala naan poda
For me to place the garland on you.
Thaali kattaamal
Even without tying the sacred thread,
Vaazhandhen un kooda
I have lived my life with you.
Thaali naan poda
When I tie the sacred thali,
Adi thaappaa nee poda
You close the latch on the door!
Vidinju paathaakka
When morning comes and we wake up,
Un vaettiyum sattaiyum ennoda
Your dhoti and shirt will belong to me!
Adi aathi
Oh my goodness!
Nenju pattam katti parakkudho
Is my heart flying like a kite?
Adi aathi
Oh my goodness!
Kannil pattaam poochi parakkudho
Are butterflies fluttering in my eyes?
Maaman sonna otha sollu
That single word spoken by uncle,
Maarbukkullae inikkudho
Does it taste so sweet inside my chest?
Mallu vaetti katti kolla
To wrap around the fine cotton dhoti,
Malliya poo nenaikkudho
Is the jasmine flower yearning?
Ullukkullae aasa vandhu
Desire emerging from deep within,
Uchu kotti nikkudho
Does it stand there clicking its tongue in longing?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Adi Aathi is a vibrant folk duet from the Tamil film Pasumpon (1995), composed by Vidyasagar with lyrics by Vairamuthu. The song vividly portrays rural courtship and romantic anticipation between maternal cousins. Through rustic metaphors—such as flying kites, butterflies fluttering in eyes, water carving its path into cart ruts, and bees seeking flowers—the couple expresses their deep-seated affection and playful intimacy as they look forward to their upcoming marriage.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Nenju pattam katti parakkudho”
Comparing the exuberant heart to a kite flying high in the sky to depict joy and excitement.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Vandi thadathu pallam paathu Vandhu odum vellam pola”
Comparing the natural compatibility between the lovers to water naturally flowing into the groove carved by cart wheels.
Alliteration (Moonaai)
“Mallu vaetti katti kolla Malliya poo nenaikkudho”
Repetition of the initial letter 'Ma' sound in 'Mallu' and 'Malliya' creating melodic harmony.
Assonance (Edugai)
“Varappa maracha nellum undu Vayala maraicha pullum undu”
Rhyming second letter sound 'ra' in 'Varappa' and 'Vayala'.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is set against the cultural backdrop of Southern Tamil Nadu, referencing traditional practices like 'Manja Thanni' (turmeric water ceremony), which symbolically highlights the cross-cousin marriage custom (Thaai Maaman relationship) common in Tamil culture. Music director Vidyasagar's rich folk orchestration gave the song enduring popularity across rural regions.
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