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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Adi Adi Adi Vaangadi

From Pancha Kalyani · 1979

Lyricist
B. A. Chidambaranathan
Singers
S. Janaki, Chandrabose
Music director
Shyam
Details
Pancha Kalyani1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
………….
Female
{Adi adi adi vaangadiHey women, come, come, come
Chorus :Chellammaa kannammaaChorus: Dear Chellamma, sweet Kannamma
Chinnammaa ponnammaa] (2)Young Chinnamma, precious Ponnamma
Female
Adi adi adi vaangadiHey women, come, come, come
Chellammaa kannammaaDear Chellamma, sweet Kannamma
Vasalile thoranathai kattungadiTie decorative torans at the entrance, girls
Vaasamulla santhanatha poosungadi…Apply fragrant sandalwood paste, girls...
Vaasamulla santhanatha poosungadi…Apply fragrant sandalwood paste, girls...
Female
{Adi adi adi vaangadiHey women, come, come, come
Chorus :Chellammaa kannammaaChorus: Dear Chellamma, sweet Kannamma
Chinnammaa ponnammaa} (2)Young Chinnamma, precious Ponnamma
Chorus
Adi adi adi vaangadiHey women, come, come, come
Chellammaa kannammaaDear Chellamma, sweet Kannamma
Vasalile thoranathai kattungadiTie decorative torans at the entrance, girls
Vaasamulla santhanatha poosungadi…Apply fragrant sandalwood paste, girls...
Vaasamulla santhanatha poosungadi…Apply fragrant sandalwood paste, girls...
Female
Namma kazhutha senja nalla seyalaThe good deed performed by our donkey
Naalooru ketkumpadi sollungadiProclaim it so the whole town hears, girls
Chorus :…………………Chorus: ...
Female :Namma kazhutha senja nalla seyalaFemale: The good deed performed by our donkey
Naalooru ketkumpadi sollungadiProclaim it so the whole town hears, girls
Raasaanga oorvalama sellungadiGo in a grand royal procession, girls
Aaraathi eduthidalam vaarungadi..Come, let us perform the traditional Aarti ritual..
Chorus
Raasaanga oorvalama sellungadiGo in a grand royal procession, girls
Aaraathi eduthidalam vaarungadi..Come, let us perform the traditional Aarti ritual..
Female
Haa…aaraathi eduthidalam vaarungadi..Ah... Come, let us perform the traditional Aarti ritual..
Chorus
………………………
Female
{Adi adi adi vaangadiHey women, come, come, come
Chorus :Chellammaa kannammaaChorus: Dear Chellamma, sweet Kannamma
Chinnammaa ponnammaa] (2)Young Chinnamma, precious Ponnamma
Chorus
Adi adi adi vaangadiHey women, come, come, come
Chellammaa kannammaaDear Chellamma, sweet Kannamma
Vasalile thoranathai kattungadiTie decorative torans at the entrance, girls
Vaasamulla santhanatha poosungadi…Apply fragrant sandalwood paste, girls...
Vaasamulla santhanatha poosungadi…Apply fragrant sandalwood paste, girls...
Female
Rapagalaa..aaaa…Day and night... ah...
Rapagalaa.. ozhachi vaazhum koottathilae ondruOne among those who labor day and night
Namakkellaam pugazha serthu uyarnthu nikkuthu indruStands tall today, bringing fame to us all
Chorus :…………………Chorus: ...
Female
Rapagalaa.. ozhachi vaazhum koottathilae ondruOne among those who labor day and night
Namakkellaam pugazha serthu uyarnthu nikkuthu indruStands tall today, bringing fame to us all
Nandri thedi alaiyavilla manusanai pole kazhuthaiUnlike ungrateful humans, the donkey does not seek gratitude
Nanmai seiya marakkavilla thennaiya polaLike a coconut tree, it never forgets to do good
Chorus
Nandri thedi alaiyavilla manusanai pole kazhuthaiUnlike ungrateful humans, the donkey does not seek gratitude
Nanmai seiya marakkavilla thennaiya polaLike a coconut tree, it never forgets to do good
Female
Haa…aaa.. nanmai seiya marakkavilla thennaiya polaAh... like a coconut tree, it never forgets to do good
Chorus
Kaasukkaranthaane jaathi vaguthaandiIt was only the wealthy man who divided people by caste
Jaathi pera solli oora keduthaandiHe ruined the town using the name of caste
Kaasukkaranthaane jaathi vaguthaandiIt was only the wealthy man who divided people by caste
Jaathi pera solli oora keduthaandiHe ruined the town using the name of caste
Chorus
………………………
Female
{Adi adi adi vaangadiHey women, come, come, come
Chorus :Chellammaa kannammaaChorus: Dear Chellamma, sweet Kannamma
Chinnammaa ponnammaa] (2)Young Chinnamma, precious Ponnamma
Chorus
Adi adi adi vaangadiHey women, come, come, come
Chellammaa kannammaaDear Chellamma, sweet Kannamma
Vasalile thoranathai kattungadiTie decorative torans at the entrance, girls
Vaasamulla santhanatha poosungadi…Apply fragrant sandalwood paste, girls...
Vaasamulla santhanatha poosungadi…Apply fragrant sandalwood paste, girls...
Chorus
………………………..Male: You stood as a paved pathway for future generations
Male :Naalai varum santhathiku paathaiyaaga nindraiYou did only good even to this ungrateful human
Indha nandri ketta manithanukkum nanmaiyaiye seithaai
Chorus
………………………..
Male
Naalai varum santhathiku paathaiyaaga nindraiYou stood as a paved pathway for future generations
Indha nandri ketta manithanukkum nanmaiyaiye seithaaiYou did only good even to this ungrateful human
Unna paarthu manusanellaam ullam thiruntha vendumSeeing you, human beings ought to reform their hearts
Unnai pola naalu manushan ooril irukka venumThere should be at least a few decent people like you in town
Chorus
Unna paarthu manusanellaam ullam thiruntha vendumSeeing you, human beings ought to reform their hearts
Unnai pola naalu manushan ooril irukka venumThere should be at least a few decent people like you in town
Male :Haaa…unnai pola naalu manushan ooril irukka venumMale: Ah... there should be at least a few decent people like you in town
Chorus
Kaasukkaranthaane jaathi vaguthaandiIt was only the wealthy man who divided people by caste
Jaathi pera solli oora keduthaandiHe ruined the town using the name of caste
Kaasukkaranthaane jaathi vaguthaandiIt was only the wealthy man who divided people by caste
Jaathi pera solli oora keduthaandiHe ruined the town using the name of caste
Chorus
…………………..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This celebratory folk track from 'Pancha Kalyani' (1979) uses satire and allegory to praise a humble donkey that performed a noble deed, contrasting the animal's selfless work ethic with human selfishness and caste-based discrimination. The singers call upon village women to decorate their homes, perform aarti, and lead a royal procession to honor the hard-working creature.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Nanmai seiya marakkavilla thennaiya pola

Compares the uncomplaining, benevolent nature of the working animal to a coconut tree (thennaiya pola) that gives back benefits unconditionally.

Rhyme / Monorhythm (Iyaibu)

Vasalile thoranathai kattungadi / Vaasamulla santhanatha poosungadi

The repetitive feminine vocative suffix '-adi' at the end of consecutive lines creates a rhythmic folk chant effect.

Contrast / Social Satire (Muran)

Kaasukkaranthaane jaathi vaguthaandi / Jaathi pera solli oora keduthaandi

Sharply juxtaposes human greed and social artificialities (caste divisions created by wealthy men) against the selfless labor of hardworking simple creatures.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Shyam with lyrics by B. A. Chidambaranathan, 'Pancha Kalyani' featured rustic folk compositions that satirized societal hypocrisy and praised hard work through metaphorical storytelling.

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