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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Adiyamma Rakkayi Azhaga

From Megam Karuththirukku · 1987

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, K. S. Chitra
Music director
Manoj – Gyan
Details
Megam Karuththirukku1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
…………….Oh Raakkaayi, look at this beauty!
Female
Adiyammaa raakkaayi azhaga paarungaIs he the groom? Look at his stare!
Ivarthaana mappilla muzhiya paarungaIsn't this time suitable for darkness?
Iruttukku thodhaana neramillaiyaaCompared to a crow, isn't he a bit fair?
Kaakkaikku ivar konjam sevappillaiyaa…aa…aa…Oh Raakkaayi, look at this beauty!
Chorus
Adiyammaa raakkaayi azhaga paarungaIs he the groom? Look at his stare!
Ivarthaana mappilla muzhiya paarungaIsn't this time suitable for darkness?
Iruttukku thodhaana neramillaiyaaCompared to a crow, isn't he a bit fair?
Kaakkaikku ivar konjam sevappillaiyaa…aa…aa…Oh Raakkaayi, look at this beauty!
Female
Adiyammaa raakkaayi azhaga paarungaIs he the groom? Look at his stare!
Ivarthaana mappilla muzhiya paarungaLet whatever happens happen now,
Chorus
……………A sweet fruit in the hands of a bear.
Female
Nadappathu nadakkattum iniThe mind intended one thing, fate intended another,
Karadiyin kayiloru kaniThe wedding knot has arrived, my friend.
Madhiyondru ninaiththathu vithiyondru ninaiththathuWhat is the quality of a diamond?
Thaali vanthaachchu thozhiWhat color is coal?
Female
Vairaththin tahram enna tharamHoroscope isn't favorable, there's no alignment in it,
Nilakkari adhu enna niramWho knows who belongs with whom?
Jaadhagam sariyillai saathagam adhilillaiThe beautiful tusk,
yaaro yaarodu yaaroBelongs only to the elephant.
Chorus
Azhgaana thanthamthaanThe beautiful tusk,
Yaanaikku sonthamthaanBelongs only to the elephant.
Azhgaana thanthamthaanOh dear, will fate change or be resolved?
Yaanaikku sonthamthaanOh Raakkaayi, I am the groom!
Ammaadi vidhiyenna maarumaa theerumaaTest and see, I am a real man!
Male
Adiyammaa raakkaayi naanthaan maappillaiFemale: Hey...
Sodhichchu paaththukka naanthaan aampillaMale: The groom is dark, but isn't he handsome?
Female :Ae…Lord Manmathan is dark, isn't he wise?
Male :Maappillai karuppanthaan azhagillaiyaaOh Raakkaayi, hey!
Manmathan karuppanthaan arivillaiyaaOh Raakkaayi, hey!
Male
Adiyammaa haeiOh Raakkaayi, I am the groom!
Adiyammaa haeiTest and see, I am a real man, hey girl!
Adiyammaa raakkaayi naanthaan maappillaiWhat defect is there in being dark?
Sodhichchu paaththukka naanthaan aampilla adiyaeiEven your black hair will turn grey with age.
Male
Karuppukku ennadi koraLet fate think whatever, let intellect triumph over it,
Un karumudi veluththathum naraiThe sacred knot is a golden protective fence.
Vidhi ondru ninaikkattum madhiyathai jeyikkattumWhere do diamonds originate from?
Thaali ponnaana veliGirl, only dark coal produces them!
Male
Vairangal engirunthu varumAstrology is false, history is the truth!
Adi nilakkarithaan adhai tharumThe pair is united, off you go!
Jaathagam poiyyadi sariththiram meiyyadiBeauty is dangerous, love is our true wealth.
Jodi saernthaachchu podiBeauty is dangerous, love is our true wealth.
Male
Azhagunnaa aabaththu anbuthaan nam soththuFor the hen, the rooster is always the guardian!
Azhagunnaa aabaththu anbuthaan nam soththuOh Raakkaayi, look at this beauty!
Kozhikku ennaalum sevalae kaavalaeMale: Hey!
Female
Adiyammaa raakkaayi azhaga paarungaFemale: Is he the groom? Look at his stare!
Male :YaeiMale: Aha!
Female :Ivarthaana mappilla muzhiya paarungaFemale: Isn't this time suitable for darkness?
Male :AahaanFemale: Compared to a crow, isn't he a bit fair?
Female :Iruttukku thodhaana neramillaiyaaOh Raakkaayi, look at this beauty!
Kaakkaikku ivar konjam sevappillaiyaaIs he the groom? Look at his stare!
Chorus
Adiyammaa raakkaayi azhaga paarungaIsn't this time suitable for darkness?
Ivarthaana mappilla muzhiya paarungaCompared to a crow, isn't he a bit fair?
Iruttukku thodhaana neramillaiyaaOh Raakkaayi, I am the groom!
Kaakkaikku ivar konjam sevappillaiyaaTest and see, I am a real man, hey girl!
Male
Adiyammaa raakkaayi naanthaan maappillai
Sodhichchu paaththukka naanthaan aampilla adiyaei…ae…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

Keep listening

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