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Lyrics & meaning

Adikkanum Adikkanum Mama

From Sathiyam Neeye · 1984

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Sathiyam Neeye1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Adikkanum adikkanum mama ketti melaththaUncle, beat the wedding drums loudly!
Naan paakkanum paakkanum mama antha neraththaUncle, I want to witness that special moment!
Nee seekkiram sollu maalaiyai podum thethiyaTell me soon the date for exchanging wedding garlands.
Naan jillunnu thullanum kettathum antha sethiyaI want to jump in joy with excitement upon hearing that news.
En paruvaththa paaru uruvaththai paaruLook at my youthfulness, look at my form!
Parisaththa podu dudududu dumdumPay the bride-price, dudududu dumdum!
Male
Adikkanum adikkanum machi ketti melaththaMate, beat the wedding drums loudly!
Naan paakkanum paakkanum machi antha neraththaMate, I want to witness that special moment!
Naan seekkiram sollven maalaiyai podum thethiyaI will tell you soon the date for exchanging wedding garlands.
Nee jillunnu thullidu kettathum antha sethiyaJump in joy with excitement upon hearing that news!
Un paruvaththa paakka uruvaththai paakkaTo see your youthfulness, to see your form!
Parisaththa podu ahahaahPay the bride-price, ahahaah!
Female
Adikkanum adikkanum mama ketti melaththaUncle, beat the wedding drums loudly!
Naan paakkanum paakkanum mama antha neraththaUncle, I want to witness that special moment!
Female
Paayai virichchi panneer thelichchiSpreading the mat and sprinkling rose water,
Manjal nilaavai maadappuraavaiThe yellow moon, the domestic pigeon,
Konji kulaava koodaathoCan't we fondle and embrace each other?
Female
Paayai virichchi panneer thelichchiSpreading the mat and sprinkling rose water,
Manjal nilaavai maadappuraavaiThe yellow moon, the domestic pigeon,
Konji kulaava koodaathoCan't we fondle and embrace each other?
Male
Ennadi aaththaa unna naan paaththaaOh girl, when I look at you,
Yaei ennadi aaththaa unna naan paaththaaHey, oh girl, when I look at you,
Kadhalthaan ponguthae kaveri oottraaLove overflows like the spring of Kaveri river!
Female :Kodhikkira bhoomi kulirattum saamiFemale: Let the boiling earth cool down, my lord,
Karunaiya kaami…aa….aaa….aa….Show your mercy... ah... aaa... aa...
Male
Adikkanum adikkanum machi ketti melaththaMate, beat the wedding drums loudly!
Haei naan paakkanum paakkanum machi antha neraththa aahaahHey, mate, I want to witness that special moment, aahaah!
Female
Nee seekkiram sollu maalaiyai podum thethiyaTell me soon the date for exchanging wedding garlands.
Naan jillunnu thullanum kettathum antha sethiyaI want to jump in joy with excitement upon hearing that news.
Male
Un paruvaththa paakka uruvaththai paakkaTo see your youthfulness, to see your form!
Parisaththa podu ahahaahPay the bride-price, ahahaah!
Male
Thennanguruththu unnai eduththuTaking you, who is like a tender coconut shoot,
Saththam varaamal muththam peraamalWithout making noise, without getting a kiss,
Siththam vidaathu ammammaThe mind won't let go, oh my!
Male
Thennanguruththu unnai eduththuTaking you, who is like a tender coconut shoot,
Saththam varaamal muththam peraamalWithout making noise, without getting a kiss,
Siththam vidaathu ammammaThe mind won't let go, oh my!
Female
Machaan nee vaaiyyaa achchaaram thaaiyyaaCome my man, give me the advance promise,
Machaan nee vaaiyyaa achchaaram thaaiyyaaCome my man, give me the advance promise,
Moganthaan thaaganthaan vaattuthu theeyaaLust and thirst are scorching me like fire!
Male :Mayakkuthu maalai manakkuthu solaiMale: The evening intoxicates, the grove spreads fragrance,
Verenna velai aa….aa….aa….aa….What other work is there? Aa... aa... aa... aa...
Female
Adikkanum adikkanum mama ketti melaththaUncle, beat the wedding drums loudly!
Naan paakkanum paakkanum mama antha neraththaUncle, I want to witness that special moment!
Male
Naan seekkiram sollven maalaiyai podum thethiyaI will tell you soon the date for exchanging wedding garlands.
Nee jillunnu thullidu kettathum antha sethiyaJump in joy with excitement upon hearing that news!
Female
En paruvaththa paaru uruvaththai paaruLook at my youthfulness, look at my form!
Parisaththa podu dudududu dumdum….Pay the bride-price, dudududu dumdum...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This upbeat and romantic duet from the movie 'Sathiyam Neeye' (1984) portrays the playful banter and eager anticipation of a couple getting ready for marriage. The female protagonist urges her beloved to quickly set the date for their wedding and pay the customary bride-price so that they can celebrate with joyous drumbeats ('ketti melam'). Both lovers express their intense passion, physical longing, and deep affection using rich romantic metaphors. Throughout the track, the interplay between Malaysia Vasudevan and Vani Jairam brings out the vibrant folk flavor of Tamil culture. The lyrics showcase the excitement of romantic union, comparing intense love to the overflowing Kaveri river and tender youth to fresh coconut shoots, capturing the playful intimacy and traditional rural courtship leading up to matrimony.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Repetition (Adukku Thodar)

Adikkanum adikkanum mama ketti melaththa

Repetition of words like 'Adikkanum adikkanum' and 'paakkanum paakkanum' at the beginning of consecutive phrases emphasizes urgency, enthusiasm, and rhythmic momentum.

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Kadhalthaan ponguthae kaveri oottraa

Comparing love overflowing to the perennial spring of the Kaveri river ('kaveri oottraa') highlights the boundless and natural flow of passion.

Simile / Metaphor

Thennanguruththu unnai eduththu

Describing the beloved as 'Thennanguruththu' (tender coconut shoot) symbolizes soft, delicate beauty and youth.

Onomatopoeia (Oli Kurippu)

Parisaththa podu dudududu dumdum

Use of rhythmic folk sound imitations like 'dudududu dumdum' and feeling descriptor 'jillunnu' enhances the musicality and emotional exuberance.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the dynamic duo Shankar-Ganesh, known for their energetic rhythm arrangements in 1980s Tamil cinema, 'Sathiyam Neeye' features lyrics written by Vaali, who seamlessly blended rural folk idioms like 'parisam' (bride-price) and 'ketti melam' (wedding percussion) with seductive romantic imagery.

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