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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Adikkuthu Adikkuthu

From Manimekalai · 1959

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
T. V. Rathinam, V. T. Rajagopalan
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Manimekalai1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Adikuthu adikuthuRaging, raging
Unnai kanda naal mudhalEver since the day I saw you
Kaadhal jorame adikuthuThe fever of love rages on
Unnai kanda naal mudhalEver since the day I saw you
Kaadhal jorame adikuthu..adikuthuThe fever of love rages on... rages on
Female
Thudikuthu thudikuthuFluttering, fluttering
Unnai paratha naal mudhalEver since the day I looked at you
Paazhum maname thudikuthuMy wretched heart flutters
Unnai paratha naal mudhalEver since the day I looked at you
Paazhum manameMy wretched heart
Male : Adikuthu… adikuthuMale: Raging... raging
Male
Josiyanai naan kaettu paarthenI consulted an astrologer
Dhosam engiraanHe says it is an astrological flaw
Josiyanai naan kaettu paarthenI consulted an astrologer
Dhosam engiraanHe says it is an astrological flaw
Sukkiran maettai sooriyan paarthathuThe Sun looking at the mount of Venus
Mosam engiraanHe says it is bad
Sukkiran maettai sooriyan paarthathuThe Sun looking at the mount of Venus
Mosam engiraanHe says it is bad
Male
Vaithiyanai naan kaettu paarthenI consulted a physician
Vaadham engiraanHe says it is rheumatism
Manmadhan valiba kolaru endreSaying it is the youthful affliction of Cupid
Baanam poduraanHe shoots an arrow
Manmadhan valiba kolaru endre (Adikuthu)Saying it is the youthful affliction of Cupid (Raging)
Adikuthu… adikuthuRaging... raging
Female
Mandhirakaaranai kaettu paarthenI consulted a magician
Masiyam engiraanHe says it is a spell of attraction
Magudi vechu oodhi paarthaaIf blown through a snake charmer's pipe
Masiyum engiraanHe says it will succumb
Female
Mandhirakaaranai kaettu paarthenI consulted a magician
Masiyam engiraanHe says it is a spell of attraction
Magudi vechu oodhi paarthaaIf blown through a snake charmer's pipe
Masiyum engiraanHe says it will succumb
Female
Mundhina piravi bandhathaaleBecause of a bond from a previous birth
Mudiyum engiraanHe says it can be settled
Mundhina piravi bandhathaaleBecause of a bond from a previous birth
Mudiyum engiraanHe says it can be settled
Indha muzhiyum perutha kaalaiyinaaleBy this big-eyed bull
Padiyum engiraanHe says she will yield
Indha muzhiyum perutha kaalaiyinaaleBy this big-eyed bull
Padiyum engiraanHe says she will yield
Male
AppadiyaIs that so?
Female :Pinna eppadiyamFemale: How else would it be?
Male
Appo kannu naalum saerndhuputtaWhen four eyes meet
Kaadhal enbaangaThey call it love
Appo kannu naalum saerndhuputtaWhen four eyes meet
Kaadhal enbaangaThey call it love
Female :Kanavil kooda adikkadi alai modhudhu enbaangaFemale: They say waves crash frequently even in dreams
Kanavil kooda adikkadi alai modhudhu enbaangaThey say waves crash frequently even in dreams
Male
Unnaiyum ennaiyumLooking at you and me
Paarthavanga enna solvaangaWhat will people say?
Unnaiyum ennaiyumLooking at you and me
Paarthavanga enna solvaangaWhat will people say?
Female
Urupadigal rendumThese two individuals
Nalla jodi enbaangaThey will say are a fine pair
Urupadigal rendumThese two individuals
Nalla jodi enbaangaThey will say are a fine pair

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful duet from Manimekalai (1959) describes a lover suffering from the 'fever of love' after seeing his beloved. He humorously details how he consulted an astrologer, a physician, and a magician to diagnose his strange condition. Each expert provides a different explanation—from astrological alignment and rheumatism to past-life bonds and black magic spells. The female partner playfully responds that when two pairs of eyes meet, it is simply love, assuring him that anyone seeing them together would consider them a match made in heaven.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emonai / Alliteration & Etukai / Second-letter Rhyme

Adikuthu adikuthu / Thudikuthu thudikuthu

The opening lines 'Adikuthu adikuthu' and 'Thudikuthu thudikuthu' employ rhythmic second-letter rhyming (Etukai) and sound repetition to mimic the pounding sensation of love fever and heartbeat.

Metaphor (Uvagam)

Kaadhal jorame adikuthu

'Kaadhal jorame' metaphorically compares the sudden, intense feeling of love to a burning fever.

Idiomatic Imagery

Appo kannu naalum saerndhuputta

'Kannu naalum saerndhuputta' is a traditional Tamil poetic trope referring to four eyes meeting (two lovers locking eyes), symbolizing mutual love.

Personification & Hyperbole

Manmadhan valiba kolaru endre Baanam poduraan

Describing the doctor acting as Manmadhan (Cupid) shooting an arrow to cure a youthful affliction hyperbolically blends medicine with mythical romantic folklore.

Did you know?

Trivia

The 1959 film Manimekalai featured music composed by G. Ramanathan with lyrics by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass. Known for his witty and folk-infused songwriting, Ramaiah Dass composed this comic duet using popular regional expressions and humorous references to astrology, medicine, and magic.

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