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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mani Adikkudhu

From Michael Raj · 1987

Lyricist
Mu. Metha
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Michael Raj1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
………………...
Male
Mani adikkuthu mani adikkuthuThe bell is ringing, the bell is ringing
Madhura kottaiyilaeIn Madurai fort
Mangammaa kadhaiya solliTelling the story of Mangamma
SaerththudikkaiyilaeBeating the drum together
Male
Mani adikkuthu mani adikkuthuThe bell is ringing, the bell is ringing
Madhura kottaiyilaeIn Madurai fort
Mangammaa kadhaiya solliTelling the story of Mangamma
SaerththudikkaiyilaeBeating the drum together
Male
Chinna kutti naaththanaaThe little young sister-in-law
Ada sela thaana kattunaaHey, she wore the saree herself
Chinna kutti naaththanaaThe little young sister-in-law
Ada sela thaana kattunaaHey, she wore the saree herself
Edhirigala thaakkunaaShe attacked the enemies
Ellaaththaiyum maaththinaaShe changed everything
Male
Mani adikkuthu mani adikkuthuThe bell is ringing, the bell is ringing
Madhura kottaiyilaeIn Madurai fort
Mangammaa kadhaiya solliTelling the story of Mangamma
SaerththudikkaiyilaeBeating the drum together
Male
Mani adikkuthu mani adikkuthuThe bell is ringing, the bell is ringing
Madhura kottaiyilaeIn Madurai fort
Mangammaa kadhaiya solliTelling the story of Mangamma
SaerththudikkaiyilaeBeating the drum together
Male
Vellarikka thottaththukku veli irukkuThere is a fence for the cucumber garden
Thottavala thoraththi vittaa thaali edhukkuIf you chase away the woman you married, what is the point of the sacred thread?
Paththu maasamaa iruntha veettukkuFor the womb house where she stayed for ten months
Vaadagai ketkavae varamaattaaShe won't come asking for rent
Male
Nenaichchaa pombalaIf a woman decides
Chorus :Aa hooChorus: Aa hoo
Male :Azhippaa ungalaMale: She will destroy you
Chorus :Aa hooChorus: Aa hoo
Male :Eduththaa yaaraiyum vidamaattaaMale: If she takes form, she won't spare anyone
Sattaththula niyaayamillaThere is no justice in the law
Tharmaththukku vaayumilla naaga ketkuromMorality has no voice, so we are asking
Male
Mani adikkuthu mani adikkuthuThe bell is ringing, the bell is ringing
Madhura kottaiyilaeIn Madurai fort
Mangammaa kadhaiya solliTelling the story of Mangamma
SaerththudikkaiyilaeBeating the drum together
Chorus
………………...
Male
Aadu vetti naangaBy sacrificing a goat, we
Oru pongal vaikkiromAre preparing a Pongal offering
Aasaiyoda athukkuththaanaeWith eager desire, for that exact reason
Ingae nikkiromWe are standing here
Aaththaa kattalai adha naan thattalaIt is Mother's command, I haven't disobeyed it
Adidaa veppila ava melaeStrike neem leaves over her
Male
Karuppu kanakkilaeIn the black ledger
Chorus :Ho hooChorus: Ho hoo
Male :Neruppu pudikkuthMale: Fire catches
Chorus :Ho hooChorus: Ho hoo
Male :Manasu kuluruthu poopolaMale: The heart cools down like a flower
Thaayoruththi thunai irukkaaWhen a mother stands as support
Thaduppatharkku yaar irukkaa vaanga pogalaamWho is there to stop us? Come, let's go
Male
Mani adikkuthu mani adikkuthuThe bell is ringing, the bell is ringing
Madhura kottaiyilaeIn Madurai fort
Mangammaa kadhaiya solliTelling the story of Mangamma
SaerththudikkaiyilaeBeating the drum together
Male
Chinna kutti naaththanaaThe little young sister-in-law
Ada sela thaana kattunaaHey, she wore the saree herself
Chinna kutti naaththanaaThe little young sister-in-law
Ada sela thaana kattunaaHey, she wore the saree herself
Edhirigala thaakkunaaShe attacked the enemies
Ellaaththaiyum maaththinaaShe changed everything
Male
Mani adikkuthu mani adikkuthuThe bell is ringing, the bell is ringing
Madhura kottaiyilaeIn Madurai fort
Mangammaa kadhaiya solliTelling the story of Mangamma
Saerththudikkaiyilae…Beating the drum together...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the film 'Michael Raj' (1987) evokes rural folk energy and celebrates female strength through historical and cultural allegories like Queen Mangamma of Madurai. It highlights theme of justice, traditional rituals, and righteous rage against oppressors when law and morality fail.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for emphasis)

Mani adikkuthu mani adikkuthu

The phrase 'Mani adikkuthu' is repeated consecutively to create rhythmic drum-beat cadence typical of folk songs.

Emonai / Rhyme scheme (Iyaibu)

Edhirigala thaakkunaa / Ellaaththaiyum maaththinaa

Rhyming end sounds 'thattala', 'melae' and action words ending in '-aa' (kattunaa, thaakkunaa, maaththinaa) enrich the oral tradition folk style.

Simile (Uvamaani)

Manasu kuluruthu poopola

Comparing the heart soothing or calming down to a soft flower ('poopola').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed in a fast-paced folk 'Dappankuthu' style by composer Chandrabose for the movie Michael Raj, starring Raghuvaran and Sarath Babu, featuring lyrics by acclaimed Tamil poet Mu. Metha.

Keep listening

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