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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Adi Alligale

From Kalyana Agathigal · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Kausalya
Music director
V. S. Narasimhan
Details
Kalyana Agathigal1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Adi alligalae ivan arjunannaeO water lilies, this guy is Arjuna!
Adi paththu raga viththaigalumHey, all the ten ragas of arts,
Kaththu vachchu irukkenI have learned them all well.
Enna item venumWhat item/variety do you want?
Male
Adi alligalae ivan arjunannaeO water lilies, this guy is Arjuna!
Adi paththu raga viththaigalumHey, all the ten ragas of arts,
Kaththu vachchu irukkenI have learned them all well.
Enna item venumWhat item/variety do you want?
Male
En sangathiya therunjukittaaIf your sister learns about my character,
Unga thangachiyum kadhalippaaEven your sister will fall in love with me!
Adi kaiyilulla sarakkuHey, the talent/stuff I hold in my hand,
Thanthathintha murukkuHas a twisted rhythm and style!
Male
Alligalae adi alligalaeWater lilies, oh water lilies,
Ivan arjunannaeThis guy is Arjuna!
Adi paththu raga viththaigalumHey, all the ten ragas of arts,
Kaththu vachchu irukkenI have learned them all well.
Enna item venumWhat item/variety do you want?
Female
Ambaththaaaru….Fifty-six...
Bharatham….(Dialogue)Bharathanatyam... (Dialogue)
Female
ThaththiththomThaththiththom (rhythmic syllable)
Thagathimi jonutha thatha thaththathThagathimi jonutha thatha thaththath (rhythmic syllables)
Tharigida thomTharigida thom (rhythmic syllable)
Male
Thaththithaa palavitha jadhigalilThaththithaa, through various rhythmic patterns,
Niththam bharatham varumBharathanatyam dance flows every day.
Female
Thaagidajam thatheem thagidaThaagidajam thatheem thagida (rhythmic syllables)
TharigidajamTharigidajam (rhythmic syllable)
Male
Paththu viral pathithth vidumTen fingers imprint precise,
MuththiraigalHand gestures (mudras).
Female
Thaagidajam tharigidajamThaagidajam tharigidajam (rhythmic syllables)
Pa tha ni pa tha pa maPa tha ni pa tha pa ma (solfege notes)
Ma ga ri ri ga mari saMa ga ri ri ga mari sa (solfege notes)
Male
Paavangalum jadhigalumExpressions and rhythmic patterns,
Palaiya nadanam ivan palagiyavamHe has practiced this ancient traditional dance.
Kalaigalai arinthavanHe is a master of the arts,
Vilambaram kurainthavanYet stays low-key without self-advertisement.
Male
Azhagiya puthu alligalaeO beautiful new water lilies,
Ivan arjunannaeThis guy is Arjuna!
Adi paththu raga viththaigalumHey, all the ten ragas of arts,
Kaththu vachchu irukkenI have learned them all well.
Enna item venumWhat item/variety do you want?
Male
En sangathiya therunjukittaaIf your sister learns about my character,
Unga thangachiyum kadhalippaaEven your sister will fall in love with me!
Adi kaiyilulla sarakkuHey, the talent/stuff I hold in my hand,
Thanthathintha murukkuHas a twisted rhythm and style!
Male
Alligalae adi alligalaeWater lilies, oh water lilies,
Ivan arjunannaeThis guy is Arjuna!
Adi paththu raga viththaigalumHey, all the ten ragas of arts,
Kaththu vachchu irukkenI have learned them all well.
Enna item venumWhat item/variety do you want?
Female
Ippo disco (Dialogue)Now, disco! (Dialogue)
Male
Disco aadidum kannan naanadiI am the Krishna who dances disco, oh girl!
Selai leelaiyil mannan naanadiI am the king of romantic playfulness with sarees!
Male
Disco aadidum kannan naanadiI am the Krishna who dances disco, oh girl!
Selai leelaiyil mannan naanadiI am the king of romantic playfulness with sarees!
Naanadum pothu thaalam poduClap to the beat when I dance,
Thaangaathu pennae ungal veeduO girl, your house won't withstand the vibration!
Naanadum pothu thaalam poduClap to the beat when I dance,
Thaangaathu pennae ungal veeduO girl, your house won't withstand the vibration!
Velven vetri maalai sooduI shall win and wear the garland of victory!
Yaarendru therinthathaDid you figure out who I am?
Male
Adi alligalae ivan arjunannaeO water lilies, this guy is Arjuna!
Adi paththu raga viththaigalumHey, all the ten ragas of arts,
Kaththu vachchu irukkenI have learned them all well.
Enna item venumWhat item/variety do you want?
Innum enna item venum….What more items do you want...
Innum enna item venum….What more items do you want...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic promotional/boastful song from Kalyana Agathigal features the protagonist showcasing his versatility in performing arts. Addressing women metaphorically as 'alligalae' (water lilies), he compares himself to Arjuna—the master of arts—and Krishna, who excels in playfulness and dance. He displays his mastery over classical Bharathanatyam complete with rhythmic jathis and mudras, as well as modern disco dance, challenging the listeners to pick their preferred style.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Adi alligalae ivan arjunannae

Addressing women as 'alligalae' (water lilies) and self-referencing as 'Arjuna' and 'Kannan' (Krishna) to symbolize artistry and charm.

Rhyme / Monai (Initial Rhyme)

Kalaigalai arinthavan / Vilambaram kurainthavan

Matching starting consonants/vowels in adjacent phrases such as 'Kalaigalai' and 'Vilambaram'.

Solkattu / Rhythm Syllables

Thaththiththom / Thagathimi jonutha thatha thaththath

Use of traditional dance rhythm syllables (Jathis) integrated directly into the verse structure.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kalyana Agathigal' (1985) is a drama film directed by K. Balachander. The music was composed by K. Balachander's regular collaborator, V. S. Narasimhan, featuring lyrics by Vairamuthu.

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