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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Medai Meethu

From Aval Mella Sirithal · 1988

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Details
Aval Mella Sirithal1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
1234……..1, 2, 3, 4...
Female :Aa..aa…aa…Female: Aa..aa..aa.. (Vocalizing)
Aa…aa…aa…aa…aa…Aa..aa..aa..aa..aa.. (Vocalizing)
Aa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…Aa..aaa..aaa..aaa..aaa..aaa.. (Vocalizing)
Chorus
…………………(Music / Interlude)
Female
Medai meedhu aadi padum raaniThe queen who dances and sings on stage
Paarkum kangal poovai thedum thaeniThe watching eyes are honeybees searching for a flower
Medai meedhu aadi padum raaniThe queen who dances and sings on stage
Paarkum kangal poovai thedum thaeniThe watching eyes are honeybees searching for a flower
Female
Vizhi podum thaalamaeThe rhythm struck by the eyes
Adhil nooru raagamaeContains a hundred melodies within
Vizhi podum thaalamaeThe rhythm struck by the eyes
Adhil nooru raagamaeContains a hundred melodies within
Female
Medai meedhu aadi padum raani haeiThe queen who dances and sings on stage, hey!
Paarkum kangal poovai thedum thaeni..haeiThe watching eyes are honeybees searching for a flower, hey!
Medai meedhu aadi padum raaniThe queen who dances and sings on stage
Male
Heyyyyyy………………….Heyyyyyy...
……………………………(Music / Interlude)
Male
Pottipottu paadi paaru raaniTry competing and singing, oh queen!
Hae aadi aadi vaadi pogum maeniDancing continuously will only wither your body!
Indha vegam aaguma vittu oodu vegamaWill this speed be enough? Run away quickly!
Indha vegam aaguma vittu oodu vegamaWill this speed be enough? Run away quickly!
Male
Pottipottu paadi paaru raaniTry competing and singing, oh queen!
Aadi aadi vaadi pogum maeni huuuDancing continuously will only wither your body!
Pottipottu paadi paaru raaniTry competing and singing, oh queen!
Female
Gaana mayilaada kandaSeeing a majestic peacock dance
Vaan kozhi adalaagumooCan a turkey imitate its dance?
Oru gaana kuyil paada kettaHearing a singing nightingale sing
Kottaanum paadalaaguma…Can an owl ever sing like that?
Male
YeiHey!
Female
Gaana mayilaada kandaSeeing a majestic peacock dance
Vaan kozhi adalaagumooCan a turkey imitate its dance?
Male :HahahahaMale: Hahahaha
Female :Oru gaana kuyil paada kettaFemale: Hearing a singing nightingale sing
Kottaanum paadalaaguma…Can an owl ever sing like that?
Female
Jadhi pidithu aadu sruthi pidithu paaduDance to the beat, sing in key
Jadhi pidithu aadu sruthi pidithu paaduDance to the beat, sing in key
Ennai jeyikka kanna unakku endrum aagathaiyaaTo defeat me, my dear, you never can!
Female
Potti pottu padi paaru raajaTry competing and singing, oh king!
Thotha pinbu thooka pora kujaaOnce you lose, you will carry a water jug!
Chorus
…………………….(Music / Interlude)
Male
Hoi thaalam marandha paattumA song that forgets its rhythm
Eppodhum pattillaiyaeIs never truly a song
Oru naanam marandha pennumA woman who forgets her modesty
Eppodhum pennillaiyaeIs never truly a woman
Male
Thaalam marandha paattumA song that forgets its rhythm
Eppodhum pattillaiyaeIs never truly a song
Oru naanam marandha pennumA woman who forgets her modesty
Eppodhum pennillaiyaeIs never truly a woman
Male
Theliyattum un nenjamLet your mind become clear
Pidikattuma konjam hoiShall I capture you a little, hoi!
Theliyattum un nenjamLet your mind become clear
Pidikattuma konjamShall I capture you a little
Meesai valartha aanai pidikkaTo catch a man who grows a mustache
Unnaal aagathammaa ha ha haaaIs impossible for you, my dear! Ha ha ha!
Male
Pottipottu paadi paaru raaniTry competing and singing, oh queen!
Chorus :HaeChorus: Hey!
Male :Aadi aadi vaadi pogum maeniMale: Dancing continuously will only wither your body!
Chorus :Hoo oooChorus: Hoo ooo
Male :Indha vegam aaguma vittu oodu vegamaMale: Will this speed be enough? Run away quickly!
Indha vegam aaguma vittu oodu vegamaWill this speed be enough? Run away quickly!
Chorus :Lalalalalalalala lalalalalalalalaChorus: Lalalalalalalala lalalalalalalala
Male :…………………………………Male: (Music / Interlude)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Medai Meedhu Aadi Padum Raani' is a playful duet formatted as a 'Sawal-Gadi' (a musical jugalbandi or competitive duel) between a male and a female singer/performer. The female lead asserts her dominance on stage, comparing herself to a peacock and a nightingale, while mocking the male performer's abilities. The male singer counters with witty taunts about traditional values, modesty, and male pride, urging her to step down before exhausting herself.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor & Comparison

Gaana mayilaada kanda vaan kozhi adalaagumoo

Compares the spectators' eyes to bees looking for flowers ('Paarkum kangal poovai thedum thaeni') and contrasts talented artists with peacock vs turkey and nightingale vs owl ('Gaana mayilaada kanda vaan kozhi adalaagumoo').

Emona / Rhyme (Monai and Ethirai)

Pottipottu paadi paaru raani / Aadi aadi vaadi pogum maeni

The usage of matching initial and secondary letter sounds in successive lines such as 'Pottipottu' and 'Aadi aadi', creating a rhythmic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track is featured in the 1988 Tamil film 'Aval Mella Sirithal'. Written by veteran lyricist Gangai Amaran, it captures the classic Tamil cinematic trope of stage dance battles popularized across 1970s and 1980s South Indian cinema.

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