Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Adi Vannathi Poo

From Chinna Jameen · 1993

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Mano, Swarnalatha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Chinna Jameen1993

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Adi vannaathi poo paaraiyilaeHey, on the rock of butterfly-pea flowers,
Vandhu nikkum maamayilaeOh majestic peacock standing there,
Chinna jameen kaathirukkaan vaaThe young landlord (Chinna Jameen) is waiting, come!
Chorus
Adi vannaathi poo paaraiyilaeHey, on the rock of butterfly-pea flowers,
Vandhu nikkum maamayilaeOh majestic peacock standing there,
Chinna jameen kaathirukkaan vaaThe young landlord (Chinna Jameen) is waiting, come!
Chorus
Adi mandhaara poo cholaiyilaeHey, in the garden of hibiscus flowers,
Mettedukkum poonguyilaeOh sweet cuckoo bird composing tunes,
Un varavai paathirukkaan vaa vaaHe is waiting for your arrival, come, come!
Chorus
Adi mandhaara poo cholaiyilaeHey, in the garden of hibiscus flowers,
Mettedukkum poonguyilaeOh sweet cuckoo bird composing tunes,
Un varavai paathirukkaan vaa vaaHe is waiting for your arrival, come, come!
Chorus
Nammaalu thaan maarinaaOur man has changed,
Simmaasanam yerinaaHe ascended the royal throne,
Pokkiriyin naakkaruthuHe cut off the rogue's tongue,
Mookkudaichaan diAnd humbled his pride!
Chorus
Adi vannaathi poo paaraiyilaeHey, on the rock of butterfly-pea flowers,
Vandhu nikkum maamayilaeOh majestic peacock standing there,
Chinna jameen kaathirukkaan vaaThe young landlord (Chinna Jameen) is waiting, come!
Chorus
Adi mandhaara poo cholaiyilaeHey, in the garden of hibiscus flowers,
Mettedukkum poonguyilaeOh sweet cuckoo bird composing tunes,
Un varavai paathirukkaan vaa vaa Charanam – 1He is waiting for your arrival, come, come! (Stanza 1)
Male
Appo savaalu vittu pesinavanThe one who spoke challenging words back then,
Savukkeduthu veesinavanThe one who cracked the whip,
Female
Ippo salaamu vechuHas now bowed down in respect,
Kaal pudichaanAnd caught his feet,
Maanam kettu vaal pudichaanShamefully holding on like a tail!
Male
Machaana mechiyaePraising our friend,
Male
Malli poo maalaiyaGarlands of jasmine flowers,
Male
Javvaadhu sandhanamCivet perfume and sandalwood,
Male
Ellaarum saamaramEveryone fanning him with royal whisks,
Male
Dhesaadhi dhesamAcross nations and lands,
Pesugira raasanHe is the king being spoken about,
Nenjodu nenujaa vaazhugira naesanA beloved friend living close to our heart,
Chorus
Avan per padichuChanting his name,
Per padichu paatteduppom vaaLet us sing his praises, come!
Chorus
Adi vannaathi poo paaraiyilaeHey, on the rock of butterfly-pea flowers,
Vandhu nikkum maamayilaeOh majestic peacock standing there,
Chinna jameen kaathirukkaan vaaThe young landlord (Chinna Jameen) is waiting, come!
Chorus
Adi mandhaara poo cholaiyilaeHey, in the garden of hibiscus flowers,
Mettedukkum poonguyilaeOh sweet cuckoo bird composing tunes,
Un varavai paathirukkaan vaa vaaHe is waiting for your arrival, come, come!
Chorus
Nammaalu thaan maarinaaOur man has changed,
Simmaasanam yerinaaHe ascended the royal throne,
Pokkiriyin naakkaruthuHe cut off the rogue's tongue,
Mookkudaichaan diAnd humbled his pride!
Chorus
Adi vannaathi poo paaraiyilaeHey, on the rock of butterfly-pea flowers,
Vandhu nikkum maamayilaeOh majestic peacock standing there,
Chinna jameen kaathirukkaan vaaThe young landlord (Chinna Jameen) is waiting, come!
Chorus
Adi mandhaara poo cholaiyilaeHey, in the garden of hibiscus flowers,
Mettedukkum poonguyilaeOh sweet cuckoo bird composing tunes,
Un varavai paathirukkaan vaa vaaHe is waiting for your arrival, come, come!
Female
Pattathu raasaavukku poosanikkaaFor the crowned king, wave ash gourds,
Soodam vaithu suthungadiAnd burn camphor to ward off evil eyes, girls!
Pollaadha kannu padum kaavalukkuTo protect him from the harmful evil eye,
Saami kitta naendhukkadiPray to the deity!
Male
Pallaakku mela thaanRiding atop the palanquin,
Male
Ellorum pallaakkaEveryone in celebratory grandeur,
Male
Pallaandu raasaiyanMay our king live for many long years,
Male
Ennaalum namma thaanHe is ours for all times!
Female
Vandhaaru paaruLook, he has arrived,
Chinna jameendhaaruThe young landlord!
Munnerum joraa naam irukkum ooruOur town progresses gloriously where we live,
Chorus
Avan per padichuChanting his name,
Per padichu paatteduppom vaaLet us sing his praises, come!
Chorus
Adi vannaathi poo paaraiyilaeHey, on the rock of butterfly-pea flowers,
Vandhu nikkum maamayilaeOh majestic peacock standing there,
Chinna jameen kaathirukkaan vaaThe young landlord (Chinna Jameen) is waiting, come!
Chorus
Adi mandhaara poo cholaiyilaeHey, in the garden of hibiscus flowers,
Mettedukkum poonguyilaeOh sweet cuckoo bird composing tunes,
Un varavai paathirukkaan vaa vaaHe is waiting for your arrival, come, come!
Chorus
Nammaalu thaan maarinaaOur man has changed,
Simmaasanam yerinaaHe ascended the royal throne,
Pokkiriyin naakkaruthuHe cut off the rogue's tongue,
Mookkudaichaan diAnd humbled his pride!
Chorus
Adi vannaathi poo paaraiyilaeHey, on the rock of butterfly-pea flowers,
Vandhu nikkum maamayilaeOh majestic peacock standing there,
Chinna jameen kaathirukkaan vaaThe young landlord (Chinna Jameen) is waiting, come!
Chorus
Adi mandhaara poo cholaiyilaeHey, in the garden of hibiscus flowers,
Mettedukkum poonguyilaeOh sweet cuckoo bird composing tunes,
Un varavai paathirukkaan vaa vaaHe is waiting for your arrival, come, come!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This celebratory folk song from the movie 'Chinna Jameen' celebrates the rise of the protagonist to power and status as the respected 'Chinna Jameen' (young landlord) of the village. The lyrics call upon the heroine—metaphorically addressed as a peacock and a cuckoo—to join the grand festivities and meet the hero who awaits her. The song highlights how the hero overcame arrogant adversaries, teaching them a lesson and earning the admiration and loyalty of the entire village. It describes traditional grand celebrations, complete with sandalwood, jasmine garlands, camphor rituals to ward off evil eyes, and palanquin processions, glorifying his righteousness and leadership.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor (உவமை/உருவகம்)

Vandhu nikkum maamayilae / Mettedukkum poonguyilae

Addressing the heroine as a 'maamayil' (majestic peacock) and 'poonguyil' (sweet cuckoo) compares her beauty and voice to graceful elements of nature.

Edhugai (Ethugai / Second-letter Rhyme)

Adi vannaathi poo paaraiyilae / Adi mandhaara poo cholaiyilae

The second consonant 'n' matches in 'vannaathi' and 'mandhaara', creating a traditional Tamil rhythmic flow.

Monaai (Alliteration)

Pattathu raasaavukku poosanikkaa... Pollaadha kannu padum kaavalukku

Initial sound matching with 'P' in 'Pattathu', 'poosanikkaa', and 'Pollaadha'.

Idiom / Figure of Speech

Pokkiriyin naakkaruthu Mookkudaichaan di

'Mookkudaichaan' (breaking the nose) is a Tamil idiom meaning to humble someone's arrogance or ruin their pride.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Chinna Jameen' (1993) stars Karthik and Sukanya in lead roles. The film's musical score was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, featuring high-energy folk orchestration that blends rustic rural percussion with traditional wind instruments.

Keep listening

More from Chinna Jameen