Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kummiyadi

From Chellamae · 2004

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Sandhya, Chorus
Music director
Harris Jayaraj
Details
Chellamae2004

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Thanthana thana thanthana…Rhythmic folk beats: Thanthana thana thanthana...
Thana thanthana thana thanthana…Rhythmic folk beats: Thana thanthana thana thanthana...
Thanthana thana thanthana…Rhythmic folk beats: Thanthana thana thanthana...
Thana thanthana thana thanthana…Rhythmic folk beats: Thana thanthana thana thanthana...
Chorus
{Thanthana thanthana…{Rhythmic folk refrain...
Thanthana thanthana…Rhythmic folk refrain...
Thanthana thanthana…Rhythmic folk refrain...
Thanthana thanthana…} (2)Rhythmic folk refrain...} (2)
Chorus
Kummiyadi pennae kummiyadiDance the Kummi, oh girls, dance the Kummi!
Koodi kolavaiyum pottu kummi adiGather together, ululate, and dance the Kummi!
Kummiyadi pennae kummiyadiDance the Kummi, oh girls, dance the Kummi!
Koodi kolavaiyum pottu kummi adiGather together, ululate, and dance the Kummi!
Kumari ponnukku maalai vanthathuThe garland has arrived for the young maiden,
Kolainju kolainju kummiyadiBend endearingly and dance the Kummi!
Vayasu ponnukku vaazhvu vanthathuA new life has arrived for the young girl,
Valanji valanji kummiyadiSway and bend while dancing the Kummi!
Enga veetu thanga vilakkuThe golden lamp of our house,
Yengi nikkuthu kummiyadiStands yearning, dance the Kummi!
Ennai oothi thiriya thoondaTo pour oil and trim the wick,
Aalu vanthathu kummiyadiSomeone special has arrived, dance the Kummi!
Chorus
Kummiyadi pennae kummiyadiDance the Kummi, oh girls, dance the Kummi!
Koodi kolavaiyum pottu kummi adiGather together, ululate, and dance the Kummi!
Kummiyadi pennae kummiyadiDance the Kummi, oh girls, dance the Kummi!
Koodi kolavaiyum pottu kummi adiGather together, ululate, and dance the Kummi!
Female
Adi chekka sevantha azhagaOh, such bright rosy red beauty,
Konjam sezhichu kidakkum thimiraAnd a flourishing pride,
Pathu varusham pakkam irunthumEven after being nearby for ten years,
Paarthathilladi naanumEven I have never seen it like this, girl!
Female
Antha raaja kadhava thiranthaIf that royal door is opened,
Pala ragasiyamum therinjaAnd many secrets are revealed,
Pathiyam kedantha maapilla paiyanumEven the groom who was on a strict diet,
Paithiyamaaga venumIs bound to go crazy in love!
Female
Adi thooki irukkum azhaguHer captivating, elevated beauty,
Avan thookam keduthu pogumWill steal away his sleep!
Adi bhaaki irukkum azhaguAnd the rest of her beauty,
Usir paadhi vaangi pogumWill snatch half his life away!
Female
Thaana thandhaana thanthaanae…Folk rhythm chants...
Thaana thandhaana thanthaanae…Folk rhythm chants...
Thaana thandhaana thanthaanae…Folk rhythm chants...
Thaana thandhaana thanthaanae…Folk rhythm chants...
Female
Adi panju methayilaeOh, on the soft cotton mattress,
Chorus :Oru panthaiyam nadakkumaeChorus: A competition will take place!
Female :Andha panthaiya mudivilaeFemale: At the end of that competition,
Chorus :Ada rendumae jeyikkumaeChorus: Ah, both sides will win!
Female
Kummiyadi ponnae kummiyadiDance the Kummi, oh girls, dance the Kummi!
Koodi kolavaiyum pottu kummi adiGather together, ululate, and dance the Kummi!
Kummiyadi ponnae kummiyadiDance the Kummi, oh girls, dance the Kummi!
Koodi kolavaiyum pottu kummi adiGather together, ululate, and dance the Kummi!
Female
Oru ponnukullathu serukkuInside a woman lies pride,
Adi aanukullathu murukkuOh, inside a man lies manly vigor!
Vidiya vidiya nadantha kadhaiyaThe story that happens all night long,
Velakka poguthu vilakkuThe morning lamp will dim and reveal!
Female
Iva ulagam maranthu kedappaShe will lie there forgetting the world,
Adi uravu mattumae nenappaThinking only of her union,
Uduthi pona selai maranthuForgetting her worn saree,
Vaeti uduthi nadappaShe will walk around wearing his dhoti!
Female
Ada mogamulla purushanThe passionate husband,
Pala mutham solli koduppaanWill teach her many kisses,
Innum poga poga paaruAs time goes on, just watch,
Iva oththi sollikuduppaShe will rehearse and teach him back!
Female
Thaana thandhaana thanthaanae…Folk rhythm chants...
Thaana thandhaana thanthaanae…Folk rhythm chants...
Thaana thandhaana thanthaanae…Folk rhythm chants...
Thaana thandhaana thanthaanae…Folk rhythm chants...
Female
Aaaaa…aaa….aaa…..aaa…..Vocalizing melody... Aaaaa...aaa....
Chorus :Kummiyadi pennae kummiyadiChorus: Dance the Kummi, oh girls, dance the Kummi!
Koodi kolavaiyum pottu kummi adiGather together, ululate, and dance the Kummi!
Female :Aaaaa…aaa….aaa…..aaa…..Female: Vocalizing melody... Aaaaa...aaa....
Haaa aaa haa aaaaHaaa aaa haa aaaa
Chorus :Kummiyadi pennae kummiyadiChorus: Dance the Kummi, oh girls, dance the Kummi!
Koodi kolavaiyum pottu kummi adiGather together, ululate, and dance the Kummi!
Chorus
Kumari ponnukku maalai vanthathuThe garland has arrived for the young maiden,
Kolainju kolainju kummiyadiBend endearingly and dance the Kummi!
Vayasu ponnukku vaazhvu vanthathuA new life has arrived for the young girl,
Valanji valanji kummiyadiSway and bend while dancing the Kummi!
Female
Enga veetu thanga vilakkuThe golden lamp of our house,
Yengi nikkuthu kummiyadiStands yearning, dance the Kummi!
Ennai oothi thiriya thoondaTo pour oil and trim the wick,
Aalu vanthathu kummiyadiSomeone special has arrived, dance the Kummi!
Chorus
Thanthana thana thanthana…Rhythmic folk beats: Thanthana thana thanthana...
Thana thanthana thana thanthana…Rhythmic folk beats: Thana thanthana thana thanthana...
Thanthana thana thanthana…Rhythmic folk beats: Thanthana thana thanthana...
Thana thanthana thana thanthana…Rhythmic folk beats: Thana thanthana thana thanthana...
Chorus
Thanthana thana thanthana…Rhythmic folk beats: Thanthana thana thanthana...
Thana thanthana thana thanthana…Rhythmic folk beats: Thana thanthana thana thanthana...
Thanthana thana thanthana…Rhythmic folk beats: Thanthana thana thanthana...
Thana thanthana thana thanthana…Rhythmic folk beats: Thana thanthana thana thanthana...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kummiyadi is a vibrant celebration song from the film Chellamae (2004), composed by Harris Jayaraj with lyrics by Vairamuthu and sung by Mahathi alongside a chorus. Set to the traditional rhythm of Kummi—a folk dance performed by Tamil women clapping and dancing in a circle—the song celebrates the upcoming wedding and first night of a young bride.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaal / Alliteration

Kummiyadi pennae kummiyadi / Koodi kolavaiyum pottu kummi adi

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'K' creating rhythmic beat suited for Kummi dance.

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Enga veetu thanga vilakku / Yengi nikkuthu kummiyadi

Comparing the young unmarried bride to a golden lamp ('thanga vilakku') waiting to be lit.

Paradox

Andha panthaiya mudivilae / Ada rendumae jeyikkumae

A competition where both competing parties win, poetically symbolizing conjugal harmony and union.

Did you know?

Trivia

Chellamae (2004) marked the acting debut of Vishal. The song 'Kummiyadi' became an instant hit across Tamil Nadu and remains a popular choice for traditional wedding dance celebrations.

Keep listening

More from Chellamae