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Megam Karuththirukku album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Adiyamma Rakkayi Azhaga

From Megam Karuththirukku · 1987

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, K. S. Chitra
Music director
Manoj – Gyan
Movie name
Megam Karuththirukku
Movie release year
1987
Lyrics added on
4 Jun 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
…………….
Adiyammaa raakkaayi azhaga paarunga
Ivarthaana mappilla muzhiya paarunga
Iruttukku thodhaana neramillaiyaa
Kaakkaikku ivar konjam sevappillaiyaa…aa…aa…
Adiyammaa raakkaayi azhaga paarunga
Ivarthaana mappilla muzhiya paarunga
Iruttukku thodhaana neramillaiyaa
Kaakkaikku ivar konjam sevappillaiyaa…aa…aa…
Adiyammaa raakkaayi azhaga paarunga
Ivarthaana mappilla muzhiya paarunga
……………
Nadappathu nadakkattum ini
Karadiyin kayiloru kani
Madhiyondru ninaiththathu vithiyondru ninaiththathu
Thaali vanthaachchu thozhi
Vairaththin tahram enna tharam
Nilakkari adhu enna niram
Jaadhagam sariyillai saathagam adhilillai
yaaro yaarodu yaaro
Azhgaana thanthamthaan
Yaanaikku sonthamthaan
Azhgaana thanthamthaan
Yaanaikku sonthamthaan
Ammaadi vidhiyenna maarumaa theerumaa
Adiyammaa raakkaayi naanthaan maappillai
Sodhichchu paaththukka naanthaan aampilla
Female :Ae…
Male :Maappillai karuppanthaan azhagillaiyaa
Manmathan karuppanthaan arivillaiyaa
Adiyammaa haei
Adiyammaa haei
Adiyammaa raakkaayi naanthaan maappillai
Sodhichchu paaththukka naanthaan aampilla adiyaei
Karuppukku ennadi kora
Un karumudi veluththathum narai
Vidhi ondru ninaikkattum madhiyathai jeyikkattum
Thaali ponnaana veli
Vairangal engirunthu varum
Adi nilakkarithaan adhai tharum
Jaathagam poiyyadi sariththiram meiyyadi
Jodi saernthaachchu podi
Azhagunnaa aabaththu anbuthaan nam soththu
Azhagunnaa aabaththu anbuthaan nam soththu
Kozhikku ennaalum sevalae kaavalae
Adiyammaa raakkaayi azhaga paarunga
Male :Yaei
Female :Ivarthaana mappilla muzhiya paarunga
Male :Aahaan
Female :Iruttukku thodhaana neramillaiyaa
Kaakkaikku ivar konjam sevappillaiyaa
Adiyammaa raakkaayi azhaga paarunga
Ivarthaana mappilla muzhiya paarunga
Iruttukku thodhaana neramillaiyaa
Kaakkaikku ivar konjam sevappillaiyaa
Adiyammaa raakkaayi naanthaan maappillai
Sodhichchu paaththukka naanthaan aampilla adiyaei…ae…
...
Oh Raakayi, look at her beauty!
Is this the groom? Look at his gaze!
Isn't this a convenient time for darkness?
Compared to a crow, isn't he a little fair?
Oh Raakayi, look at her beauty!
Is this the groom? Look at his gaze!
Isn't this a convenient time for darkness?
Compared to a crow, isn't he a little fair?
Oh Raakayi, look at her beauty!
Is this the groom? Look at his gaze!
...
Let happen what will happen now,
Like a fruit in the hands of a bear!
The mind thought one thing, fate decided another,
The wedding thread has arrived, my friend!
What is the true quality of a diamond?
And what is the color of coal?
The horoscope isn't right, there is no favor in it,
Who belongs with whom, who can say?
The beautiful tusk,
Belongs only to the elephant.
The beautiful tusk,
Belongs only to the elephant.
Oh my, can fate change or be undone?
Hey Raakayi, I am the groom!
Test me and see, I am a real man!
Female: Hey...
Male: The groom is dark, but isn't he handsome?
Male: Cupid himself is dark, don't you have sense?
Hey woman, hey!
Hey woman, hey!
Hey Raakayi, I am the groom!
Test me and see, I am a real man, hey girl!
What flaw is there in dark skin, girl?
Even your black hair will turn white with age!
Let fate think what it wants, let wisdom overcome it!
The wedding thread is a golden fence!
Where do diamonds come from?
Hey, coal alone produces them!
Horoscopes are false, girl, history is the truth!
We are paired up now, so run along!
Beauty brings danger, love alone is our wealth!
Beauty brings danger, love alone is our wealth!
For the hen, the rooster is always the guardian!
Oh Raakayi, look at her beauty!
Male: Hey!
Female: Is this the groom? Look at his gaze!
Male: Aha!
Female: Isn't this a convenient time for darkness?
Female: Compared to a crow, isn't he a little fair?
Oh Raakayi, look at her beauty!
Is this the groom? Look at his gaze!
Isn't this a convenient time for darkness?
Compared to a crow, isn't he a little fair?
Hey Raakayi, I am the groom!
Test me and see, I am a real man, hey girl!
Chorus
Female
Chorus
Female
Chorus
Female
Female
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Chorus
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Adiyammaa Raakkaayi is a lively folk-pop duet from the 1987 film Megam Karuththirukku, featuring playful banter between the female lead teasing a dark-complexioned groom and the groom confidently asserting his worth and dignity. Through clever folk idioms and philosophical subtext, the song tackles colorism and superstitious astrology. The groom argues that true value lies within rather than superficial skin tone, comparing dark skin to coal that produces diamonds. He asserts that intellect and true affection overcome astrological fate and physical appearances, celebrating love as the ultimate wealth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Folk Idiom / Metaphor (உவமை)

Karadiyin kayiloru kani

Compares an ill-matched or misunderstood pairing to a sweet fruit given to a bear.

Antithesis / Contrast (எதிரிணை)

Vairangal engirunthu varum / Adi nilakkarithaan adhai tharum

Contrasts humble dark coal with valuable diamonds to symbolize inner beauty hidden within dark complexions.

Wordplay / Rhyme (எதுகை - மோனை)

Vidhi ondru ninaikkattum madhiyathai jeyikkattum

Uses rhythmic wordplay contrasting intellect (madhi) and fate (vidhi).

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the composer duo Manoj-Gyan, the song stands out for its upbeat folk arrangement and anti-colorist theme written by Vairamuthu. Sung by Malaysia Vasudevan and K. S. Chithra, the song playfully challenges social notions regarding complexion and astrology.

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