Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Adi Raakayee

From Annakili · 1976

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Annakili1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Adi rakkayeeHey Rakkayee
Mookaaye kupaayeMookaaye, Kuppaaye
Sevappee kasthoori meenakshiSevappee, Kasthoori, Meenakshi
Thangappal karaiyaAs the golden milk dissolves
ThangamagalukkumFor the golden daughter
Vaadhyaar aiyaavukkumAnd for the school master sir
Thai maasam kalyaanamThe wedding is in the month of Thai
Nellu kutha vaangadiyo……Come along to husk the paddy, women!
Female
Sutha chamba pacha nelluPure Samba raw paddy
Kuthathaa venumMust be husked properly
Muthu mutha pacharisiPearl-like raw rice
Allathaa venumMust be gathered by hand
Mullai velli pola annamCooked rice like silver jasmine flowers
Pongathaa venumMust boil over delightfully
Namma veetu kalyaanamIt is a wedding in our home
Idhu namma veetu kalyaanam…This is a wedding in our home...
Chorus
Sutha chamba pacha nelluPure Samba raw paddy
Kuthathaa venumMust be husked properly
Muthu mutha pacharisiPearl-like raw rice
Allathaa venumMust be gathered by hand
Mullai velli pola annamCooked rice like silver jasmine flowers
Pongathaa venumMust boil over delightfully
Namma veetu kalyaanamIt is a wedding in our home
Idhu namma veetu kalyaanam…This is a wedding in our home...
Female
Pathodu onnuTen or eleven types
Palagaaram pannaTo prepare sweet treats
Saththaaga maavidingaPound the flour with full strength
Chorus :Oh oiyyaChorus: Oh oiyya
Female
Kallodu umiyumEnsuring stones and husk
Seraama paathuDo not get mixed in
Pakkuvama idingaPound it carefully and well
Female
Panju panjaagaSoft as cotton flakes
Varanum paniyaaramThe paniyaaram snacks should turn out
Velli noolaagaLike fine silver threads
Varanum idiyappamThe idiyappam noodles should turn out
Panju panjaagaSoft as cotton flakes
Varanum paniyaaramThe paniyaaram snacks should turn out
Velli noolaagaLike fine silver threads
Varanum idiyappamThe idiyappam noodles should turn out
Female
IdhuthaanaeThat this indeed
Kalyaana virundhendruIs a grand wedding feast
Oorae paaratta venumThe whole town must praise it
Chorus
Sutha chamba pacha nelluPure Samba raw paddy
Kuthathaa venumMust be husked properly
Muthu mutha pacharisiPearl-like raw rice
Allathaa venumMust be gathered by hand
Mullai velli pola annamCooked rice like silver jasmine flowers
Pongathaa venumMust boil over delightfully
Namma veetu kalyaanamIt is a wedding in our home
Idhu namma veetu kalyaanam…This is a wedding in our home...
Chorus
Laali lalli laali lali……..Laali lalli laali lali...
Laali laali lali laliLaali laali lali lali
Laali laliLaali lali
Lali laali laali lali laliLali laali laali lali lali
Female
Maapillai ponnuThe groom and the bride
Manavarai kaanaTo grace the wedding dais
Ponaalae kolamidungaWhen they arrive, draw decorative rangoli designs
Chorus :Oh oiyyaChorus: Oh oiyya
Female
Maavilai thennaiMango leaves and coconut
IlanguruthaagaTender palm shoots
Veedengum aadavidungaLet them sway all around the home
Female
Valli maanagaLike the gentle deer Valli
Varanum manaponnuThe bride should arrive
Thanga velaagaLike a golden spear
Varanum maapillaiThe groom should arrive
Chorus :Valli maanagaChorus: Like the gentle deer Valli
Varanum manaponnuThe bride should arrive
Thanga velaagaLike a golden spear
Varanum maapillaiThe groom should arrive
Female
IdhuthaanaeThat this indeed
Kalyaana virundhendruIs a grand wedding feast
Oorae paaratta venumThe whole town must praise it
Female
Sutha manjalPure turmeric yellow
Pattusela kattathaan venumSilk saree must be worn
Muthu mutha malligai pooPearl-like jasmine flowers
Soodathaan venumMust be worn in her hair
Chorus
Sutha manjalPure turmeric yellow
Pattusela kattathaan venumSilk saree must be worn
Muthu mutha malligai pooPearl-like jasmine flowers
Soodathaan venumMust be worn in her hair
Female
Mullai velli pola ponnuLike silver jasmine blossoms, the bride
Minnathaan venumMust shine radiantly
Namma veetu kalyaanamIt is a wedding in our home
Idhu namma veetu kalyaanamThis is a wedding in our home
Chorus
Namma veetu kalyaanamIt is a wedding in our home
Idhu namma veetu kalyaanamThis is a wedding in our home
Namma veetu kalyaanamIt is a wedding in our home
Idhu namma veetu kalyaanamThis is a wedding in our home

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This festive song from the iconic film 'Annakili' (1976) captures the joyful, communal celebrations of a traditional Tamil village wedding. The women of the village gather to perform folk rituals such as husking paddy, pounding flour, preparing lavish traditional dishes, decorating the house with mango leaves, and dressing the bride and groom. The lyrics convey deep warmth, unity, and festive pride, describing the upcoming union between the schoolteacher and the beloved local girl as a celebration belonging to the entire village.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upama (Simile)

Mullai velli pola annam

Compares cooked rice and the bride to bright silver jasmine ('Mullai velli pola annam/ponnu') and snacks to soft cotton ('Panju panjaaga').

Metaphor / Mythological Allusion

Valli maanaga varanum manaponnu

Compares the bride to Goddess Valli ('Valli maanaga') and the groom to Lord Murugan's golden spear ('Thanga velaaga').

Repetition / Alliteration (Anaphora & Monai)

Muthu mutha pacharisi

Rhythmic repetition of 'Muthu mutha' and 'Panju panjaaga' creates an authentic folk cadence and visual emphasis.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song from 'Annakili' (1976) marked the landmark debut of maestro Ilaiyaraaja as a film composer, revolutionizing Tamil film music by integrating authentic Tamil folk melodies and traditional wedding song structures into mainstream cinema. Written by Panchu Arunachalam and sung by S. Janaki along with chorus, it remains a quintessential Tamil marriage folk classic.

Keep listening

More from Annakili