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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Raja Ponnu Adi Vadi

From Ore Mutham · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Jayachandran
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ore Mutham1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aaa..aa…aa…aa…aa…aa…Aaa..aa…aa…aa…aa…aa…
Aa…aa…aa…aa…aa…aa…Aa…aa…aa…aa…aa…aa…
Male
Raajaa ponnu adi vaadiyammaaOh royal princess, come here my girl!
Konja aanandha naattiyam aadadiDance a little dance of pure joy, girl!
Nadhiyinil aadadiDance in the river, girl!
Kulunga kulunga aadadiyoDance with rhythmic sway and joy!
Male
Raajaa ponnu adi vaadiyammaaOh royal princess, come here my girl!
Konja aanandha naattiyam aadadiDance a little dance of pure joy, girl!
Nadhiyinil aadadiDance in the river, girl!
Kulunga kulunga aadadiyoDance with rhythmic sway and joy!
Male
Maamava paarthu poochoodadiAdorn flowers looking at your uncle!
Mainava piola mozhi pesadiSpeak sweet words like a Myna bird!
Maappillai aanen unnaladiI became the bridegroom because of you, girl!
Maharaasi konjam kannaaladiOh queen, look at me gently with your eyes!
Male
Ammadiyoo vetkam ennaOh my, why this sudden shyness?
Ammadiyoo vetkam ennaOh my, why this sudden shyness?
Nee enna raajavin pendaatiyooAre you the wife of a king?
Aadadi nadhiyinil aadadiDance, dance in the river, girl!
Kulunga kulunga aadadiyoDance with rhythmic sway and joy!
Raajaa ponnu adi vaadiyammaaOh royal princess, come here my girl!
Male
Unakkaaga thaanae ponnodamaeIsn't this golden boat meant for you?
Unnodu thaanae kalyaanamaeIsn't this marriage meant with you?
Male
Namakkaaga thaanae nadhiyottamaeIsn't this river flow meant for us?
Naam aada vendum kaliyattamaeWe should dance in grand celebration!
Male
Pudhu maappilai naan thanadiI am indeed the new bridegroom, girl!
Pudhu maappilai naan thanadiI am indeed the new bridegroom, girl!
Adi endhan madi meedhu vilaiyaadadiHey, come and play upon my lap!
Aadadi nadhiyinil aadadiDance, dance in the river, girl!
Kulunga kulunga aadadiyoDance with rhythmic sway and joy!
Male
Raajaa ponnu adi vaadiyammaaOh royal princess, come here my girl!
Konja aanandha naattiyam aadadiDance a little dance of pure joy, girl!
Nadhiyinil aadadiDance in the river, girl!
Kulunga kulunga aadadiyoDance with rhythmic sway and joy!
Kulunga kulunga aadadiyoDance with rhythmic sway and joy!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This lighthearted and romantic song expresses the joyful exuberance of a newly married man calling out to his bride, lovingly addressing her as a royal princess ('Raajaa ponnu'). He playfully coaxes her to shed her shyness and join him in dancing cheerfully in the river, comparing her sweet voice to the singing of a Myna bird. Written by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan, the song captures the tender intimacy and festive mood between a young couple embracing nature, celebrating their union with romantic teasing and carefree dance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Mainava piola mozhi pesadi

Compares her voice and speech to the sweet chirping of a Myna bird ('Mainava pola mozhi').

Adukku Thodar (Reduplication / Repetition)

Kulunga kulunga aadadiyo

The word 'Kulunga' is repeated back-to-back to emphasize rhythmic, swaying motion in dance.

Iyaibu (Rhyming Couplets/End Rhyme)

Unakkaaga thaanae ponnodamae

Lines end with similar rhythmic patterns like 'thaanae' ('Unakkaaga thaanae', 'Unnodu thaanae', 'Namakkaaga thaanae') creating a melodic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

From the 1980 Tamil film 'Ore Mutham', this song showcases Kannadasan's signature simplicity and folk-infused rhythm in capturing rural romance.

Keep listening

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