Adi Mathalam Podum
From Ilaya Raagam · 1995
- Lyricist
- Piraisoodan
- Singer
- Arun Mozhi
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Ilaya Raagam1995
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Hahahahahahah | Hahahahahahah |
| Male | |
| Adi mathaalam podum mangammaa | Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum |
| Kodi kattaama aadum chinnammaa | Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag |
| Adi mathaalam podum mangammaa | Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum |
| Kodi kattaama aadum chinnammaa | Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag |
| Kallooriyin nilavae kallooridum malarae | Oh moon of the college, flower blooming with joy |
| Senthaamarai mugamae sirithaal adhu sugamae | Red lotus face, if you smile, it is sheer joy |
| Un sidu moonji raajjiyathai seeraakka vandhom | We came to restore order to your moody, grumpy kingdom |
| Male | |
| Adi mathaalam podum mangammaa | Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum |
| Kodi kattaama aadum chinnammaa | Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag |
| Chorus | |
| Adi mathaalam podum mangammaa | Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum |
| Kodi kattaama aadum chinnammaa | Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag |
| Male | |
| Poovukku mul enna thaevaiyaa | Does a flower need thorns? |
| Chorus | |
| Adhu thappammaa thappu | That is wrong, dear lady, so wrong |
| Adha vettammaa vettu | Cut that away, dear lady, cut it away |
| Male | |
| Paerukku attendance podurae | You mark attendance just for the sake of it |
| Chorus | |
| Un ishtamaa pochu adhu kashtamaa aachu | It went as you wished, but turned into trouble |
| Male | |
| Kottunaa kuninju ponadhundu | When struck, one used to bend down |
| Vattiyum mudhalum saendhirikku | Interest and principal have accumulated together |
| Ilam vattamaa naanga valachirukkom | As a youth group, we have surrounded you |
| Adha kotturom valanju vaangikka nee | We pour it out, bend down and accept it |
| Chorus | |
| Panakkaara thimiraalae nee | Out of rich arrogance, you... |
| Parakkaadhae ammaa | Do not fly too high, lady |
| Pandhaattam aada porom | We are going to play a game with you |
| Moraikkaadhae summaa | Do not glare at us needlessly |
| Male | |
| Oru malaiyodu modha vandha | Coming to collide against a mountain... |
| Marangothi kuruvi | ...like a woodpecker bird |
| Male | |
| Adi mathaalam podum mangammaa | Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum |
| Kodi kattaama aadum chinnammaa | Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag |
| Chorus | |
| Adi mathaalam podum mangammaa | Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum |
| Kodi kattaama aadum chinnammaa | Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag |
| Male | |
| Kallooriyin nilavae kallooridum malarae | Oh moon of the college, flower blooming with joy |
| Senthaamarai mugamae sirithaal adhu sugamae | Red lotus face, if you smile, it is sheer joy |
| Un sidu moonji raajjiyathai seeraakka vandhom | We came to restore order to your moody, grumpy kingdom |
| Male | |
| Adi mathaalam podum mangammaa | Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum |
| Kodi kattaama aadum chinnammaa | Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag |
| Male | |
| Ponnukku porumai thaan seedhanam | Patience is the real dowry for a woman |
| Chorus | |
| Idhai katthu kol thaayae | Learn this, my dear lady |
| Adhai othu kol neeyae | Acknowledge this yourself |
| Male | |
| Paadathil nee romba thaeranum | You need to excel a lot in life's lessons |
| Chorus | |
| Ila nenjatha killu nee nalladha chollu | Pinch the young heart and speak good words |
| Male | |
| Ulladhai chollum ullamadi | It is a mind that speaks the truth |
| Unnidam sollum naeramadi | It is time to tell you |
| Kattilam kaalai puratchiyadi | It is a revolution of young vigorous bulls |
| Kettadhai thaduthu virattiyadi | Blocking and driving away evil |
| Chorus | |
| Nagaraatchi kuppa vandi | The municipal garbage truck... |
| Vandhirukku ingae | ...has arrived here |
| Magaraasi um manasa alli podu angae | Great lady, scoop up your heart and dump it there |
| Male | |
| Oru kaattaaru thirandu vandhaa | If a wild river swells and comes forth... |
| Thaangaadhu karaiyae | ...the riverbank cannot hold it back |
| Male | |
| Adi mathaalam podum mangammaa | Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum |
| Kodi kattaama aadum chinnammaa | Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag |
| Chorus | |
| Adi mathaalam podum mangammaa | Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum |
| Male :Hey hey | Male: Hey hey |
| Chorus :Kodi kattaama aadum chinnammaa | Chorus: Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag |
| Male | |
| Kallooriyin nilavae kallooridum malarae | Oh moon of the college, flower blooming with joy |
| Senthaamarai mugamae sirithaal adhu sugamae | Red lotus face, if you smile, it is sheer joy |
| Un sidu moonji raajjiyathai seeraakka vandhom | We came to restore order to your moody, grumpy kingdom |
| Male | |
| {Adi mathaalam podum mangammaa | {Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum |
| Chorus :Adi mathaalam podum mangammaa | Chorus: Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum |
| Male :Kodi kattaama aadum chinnammaa | Male: Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag |
| Chorus :Kodi kattaama aadum chinnammaa} (2) | Chorus: Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag} (2) |
ஹஹஹஹஹஹா
Hahahahahahah
அடி மத்தாளம் போடும் மங்கம்மா
கொடி கட்டாம ஆடும் சின்னம்மா
அடி மத்தாளம் போடும் மங்கம்மா
கொடி கட்டாம ஆடும் சின்னம்மா
கல்லூரியின் நிலவே கள்ளூறிடும் மலரே
செந்தாமரை முகமே சிரித்தால் அது சுகமே
உன் சிடுமூஞ்சி ராஜ்ஜியத்தை சீராக்க வந்தோம்
Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum
Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag
Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum
Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag
Oh moon of the college, flower blooming with joy
Red lotus face, if you smile, it is sheer joy
We came to restore order to your moody, grumpy kingdom
அடி மத்தாளம் போடும் மங்கம்மா
கொடி கட்டாம ஆடும் சின்னம்மா
Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum
Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag
அடி மத்தாளம் போடும் மங்கம்மா
கொடி கட்டாம ஆடும் சின்னம்மா
Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum
Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag
ஹஹஹஹ
Does a flower need thorns?
பூவுக்கு முள் என்ன தேவையா
That is wrong, dear lady, so wrong
Cut that away, dear lady, cut it away
அது தப்பம்மா தப்பு
அத வெட்டம்மா வெட்டு
You mark attendance just for the sake of it
பேருக்கு அட்டென்டன்ஸ் போடுறே
It went as you wished, but turned into trouble
உன் இஷ்டமா போச்சு அது கஷ்டமா ஆச்சு
When struck, one used to bend down
Interest and principal have accumulated together
As a youth group, we have surrounded you
We pour it out, bend down and accept it
கொட்டுனா குனிஞ்சு போனதுண்டு
வட்டியும் முதலும் சேந்திருக்கு
இளம் வட்டமா நாங்க வளச்சிருக்கோம்
அத கொட்டுறோம் வளஞ்சு வாங்கிக்க நீ
Out of rich arrogance, you...
Do not fly too high, lady
We are going to play a game with you
Do not glare at us needlessly
பணக்கார திமிராலே நீ
பறக்காதே அம்மா
பந்தாட்டம் ஆடப் போறோம்
மொறைக்காதே சும்மா
Coming to collide against a mountain...
...like a woodpecker bird
ஒரு மலையோடு மோத வந்த
மரங்கொத்திக் குருவி
Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum
Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag
அடி மத்தாளம் போடும் மங்கம்மா
கொடி கட்டாம ஆடும் சின்னம்மா
Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum
Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag
அடி மத்தாளம் போடும் மங்கம்மா
கொடி கட்டாம ஆடும் சின்னம்மா
Oh moon of the college, flower blooming with joy
Red lotus face, if you smile, it is sheer joy
We came to restore order to your moody, grumpy kingdom
கல்லூரியின் நிலவே கள்ளூறிடும் மலரே
செந்தாமரை முகமே சிரித்தால் அது சுகமே
உன் சிடுமூஞ்சி ராஜ்ஜியத்தை சீராக்க வந்தோம்
Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum
Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag
அடி மத்தாளம் போடும் மங்கம்மா
கொடி கட்டாம ஆடும் சின்னம்மா
Patience is the real dowry for a woman
ஆண் மற்றும் குழு :
தானேனே தன்னே னானே
தானேனே தன்னே னானே
தானேனே தன்னே னானே
தானேனே தன்னே னானே
தானே னான்னெ னானே
தானே னான்னெ னானே
தானேனே தன்னே னானே
தரனா னான்னே தன்னே னானே
தானேனே தன்னே னானே
தரனா னான்னே தன்னே னானே
Learn this, my dear lady
Acknowledge this yourself
பொண்ணுக்கு பொறுமைதான் சீதனம்
You need to excel a lot in life's lessons
இதை கத்துக் கொள் தாயே
அதை ஒத்துக்கொள் நீயே
Pinch the young heart and speak good words
பாடத்தில் நீ ரொம்பத் தேறணும்
It is a mind that speaks the truth
It is time to tell you
It is a revolution of young vigorous bulls
Blocking and driving away evil
இள நெஞ்சத்த கிள்ளு நீ நல்லதச் சொல்லு
The municipal garbage truck...
...has arrived here
Great lady, scoop up your heart and dump it there
உள்ளதைச் சொல்லும் உள்ளமடி
உன்னிடம் சொல்லும் நேரமடி
கட்டிளம் காளை புரட்சியடி
கெட்டதை தடுத்து விரட்டியடி
If a wild river swells and comes forth...
...the riverbank cannot hold it back
நகராட்சி குப்ப வண்டி
வந்திருக்கு இங்கே
மகராசி உம் மனச அள்ளிப் போடு அங்கே
Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum
Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag
ஒரு காட்டாறு திரண்டு வந்தா
தாங்காது கரையே
Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum
Male: Hey hey
Chorus: Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag
அடி மத்தாளம் போடும் மங்கம்மா
கொடி கட்டாம ஆடும் சின்னம்மா
Oh moon of the college, flower blooming with joy
Red lotus face, if you smile, it is sheer joy
We came to restore order to your moody, grumpy kingdom
அடி மத்தாளம் போடும் மங்கம்மா
ஹே ஹே
குழு :
கொடி கட்டாம ஆடும் சின்னம்மா
{Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum
Chorus: Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum
Male: Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag
Chorus: Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag} (2)
கல்லூரியின் நிலவே கள்ளூறிடும் மலரே
செந்தாமரை முகமே சிரித்தால் அது சுகமே
உன் சிடுமூஞ்சி ராஜ்ஜியத்தை சீராக்க வந்தோம்
{அடி மத்தாளம் போடும் மங்கம்மா
குழு :
அடி மத்தாளம் போடும் மங்கம்மா
கொடி கட்டாம ஆடும் சின்னம்மா
குழு :
கொடி கட்டாம ஆடும் சின்னம்மா} (2)
Hahahahahahah
Hahahahahahah
Adi mathaalam podum mangammaa
Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum
Kodi kattaama aadum chinnammaa
Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag
Adi mathaalam podum mangammaa
Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum
Kodi kattaama aadum chinnammaa
Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag
Kallooriyin nilavae kallooridum malarae
Oh moon of the college, flower blooming with joy
Senthaamarai mugamae sirithaal adhu sugamae
Red lotus face, if you smile, it is sheer joy
Un sidu moonji raajjiyathai seeraakka vandhom
We came to restore order to your moody, grumpy kingdom
Adi mathaalam podum mangammaa
Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum
Kodi kattaama aadum chinnammaa
Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag
Adi mathaalam podum mangammaa
Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum
Kodi kattaama aadum chinnammaa
Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag
Poovukku mul enna thaevaiyaa
Does a flower need thorns?
Adhu thappammaa thappu
That is wrong, dear lady, so wrong
Adha vettammaa vettu
Cut that away, dear lady, cut it away
Paerukku attendance podurae
You mark attendance just for the sake of it
Un ishtamaa pochu adhu kashtamaa aachu
It went as you wished, but turned into trouble
Kottunaa kuninju ponadhundu
When struck, one used to bend down
Vattiyum mudhalum saendhirikku
Interest and principal have accumulated together
Ilam vattamaa naanga valachirukkom
As a youth group, we have surrounded you
Adha kotturom valanju vaangikka nee
We pour it out, bend down and accept it
Panakkaara thimiraalae nee
Out of rich arrogance, you...
Parakkaadhae ammaa
Do not fly too high, lady
Pandhaattam aada porom
We are going to play a game with you
Moraikkaadhae summaa
Do not glare at us needlessly
Oru malaiyodu modha vandha
Coming to collide against a mountain...
Marangothi kuruvi
...like a woodpecker bird
Adi mathaalam podum mangammaa
Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum
Kodi kattaama aadum chinnammaa
Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag
Adi mathaalam podum mangammaa
Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum
Kodi kattaama aadum chinnammaa
Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag
Kallooriyin nilavae kallooridum malarae
Oh moon of the college, flower blooming with joy
Senthaamarai mugamae sirithaal adhu sugamae
Red lotus face, if you smile, it is sheer joy
Un sidu moonji raajjiyathai seeraakka vandhom
We came to restore order to your moody, grumpy kingdom
Adi mathaalam podum mangammaa
Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum
Kodi kattaama aadum chinnammaa
Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag
Ponnukku porumai thaan seedhanam
Patience is the real dowry for a woman
Idhai katthu kol thaayae
Learn this, my dear lady
Adhai othu kol neeyae
Acknowledge this yourself
Paadathil nee romba thaeranum
You need to excel a lot in life's lessons
Ila nenjatha killu nee nalladha chollu
Pinch the young heart and speak good words
Ulladhai chollum ullamadi
It is a mind that speaks the truth
Unnidam sollum naeramadi
It is time to tell you
Kattilam kaalai puratchiyadi
It is a revolution of young vigorous bulls
Kettadhai thaduthu virattiyadi
Blocking and driving away evil
Nagaraatchi kuppa vandi
The municipal garbage truck...
Vandhirukku ingae
...has arrived here
Magaraasi um manasa alli podu angae
Great lady, scoop up your heart and dump it there
Oru kaattaaru thirandu vandhaa
If a wild river swells and comes forth...
Thaangaadhu karaiyae
...the riverbank cannot hold it back
Adi mathaalam podum mangammaa
Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum
Kodi kattaama aadum chinnammaa
Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag
Adi mathaalam podum mangammaa
Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum
Male :Hey hey
Male: Hey hey
Chorus :Kodi kattaama aadum chinnammaa
Chorus: Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag
Kallooriyin nilavae kallooridum malarae
Oh moon of the college, flower blooming with joy
Senthaamarai mugamae sirithaal adhu sugamae
Red lotus face, if you smile, it is sheer joy
Un sidu moonji raajjiyathai seeraakka vandhom
We came to restore order to your moody, grumpy kingdom
{Adi mathaalam podum mangammaa
{Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum
Chorus :Adi mathaalam podum mangammaa
Chorus: Oh Mangamma, who beats the drum
Male :Kodi kattaama aadum chinnammaa
Male: Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag
Chorus :Kodi kattaama aadum chinnammaa} (2)
Chorus: Young lady who dances without hoisting a flag} (2)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Adi Mathaalam Podum Mangammaa from the film Ilaya Raagam (1995) is a high-energy college teasing song. The male protagonist and his friends playfully challenge an arrogant, wealthy college girl who acts superior and moody toward others. Through rhythmic folk-style couplets, they advise her to shed her pride, cultivate patience, and smile more, comparing her belligerent attitude to a tiny woodpecker trying to smash into a mountain. The song mixes youth banter with moral advice about humility, friendship, and collective unity. Using vivid imagery like garbage trucks sweeping away ill feelings and wild rivers bursting through riverbanks, the track celebrates the spirit of campus camaraderie overcoming individual ego.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Kallooriyin nilavae kallooridum malarae”
Compares the college girl to the campus moon and a lotus flower to highlight her potential grace if she gives up her moodiness.
Monai and Edugai (Tamil Rhyme Schemes)
“Adi mathaalam podum mangammaa / Kodi kattaama aadum chinnammaa”
Employs first-letter alliteration and second-letter rhyming across lines to create a rhythmic, folk-infused chant.
Hyperbole & Analogy
“Oru malaiyodu modha vandha / Marangothi kuruvi”
Compares the heroine's arrogance facing the student group to a tiny woodpecker attempting to strike down a giant mountain.
Did you know?
Trivia
Ilaya Raagam (1995) features lyrics penned by lyricist Piraisoodan. The song captures the quintessential 1990s Tamil cinema campus genre, blending traditional folk percussion (mathaalam) beat patterns with youth chorus arrangements.
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