M. Thangappan’s ‘Ada Maayandi’ appears on the album Vandhale Maharasi. Lyricist Shankar Ganesh and composer Vaali create a ritualistic exorcism chant. Thangappan’s vocal delivery channels a village exorcist confronting spirits.
Ada Maayandi
M. Thangappan • From “Vandhale Maharasi”
Ada Maayandi Lyrics Translation – Vandhale Maharasi Soundtrack
Vaali structures the lyrics as direct threats to a ghost. The exorcist demands the spirit’s origin: ‘Did you fall into the pond or well?’ Questions escalate to physical violence: ‘I will chop you up, tell me!’
Ada Maayaandi MalaiyaandiHey, ‘Maayaandi’, the Lord of the Mountains.
Madura Muniyaandi‘Muniyaandi’ of Madurai.
Peyaandi PichaandiThe Lord of spirits and the ‘beggar-god’.
Intha Pei Viratta Naan VendiI’m praying to drive this ghost away.
Venthaenae InnaalumI’ve been yearning for this day.
Nee Vanthidaiyyaa Em MelaeLord, come and possess me now.
Ada Pallikkodam Pogatha Paavi Paya MavanaeHey, you sinful son who never went to school.
Antha Kallukoodam Engaedaa Kanja Paya MavanaeWhere’s the ‘toddy shop’, you ‘g#nja’-smoking son?
Kulaththil Vizhuntha Setha Kuppanaa SuppanaaDid you fall into the pond and die, were you Kuppan or Suppan?
Illa Kenaththil Vizhunthu Sitha Kanthanaa NanthanaaOr did you fall into the well and die, were you Kanthan or Nanthan?
Kayaththilae Thongi Setha Kallanaa KullanaaDid you die hanging by a rope, were you a thief or a dwarf?
Vayaththu Valiyil Seththa Vaamanaa BeemanaaDid you die from a stomach ache, were you Vaaman or Beeman?
Paritchaiyil Thoththu Seththa Paalanaa LolanaaDid you die after failing your exam, were you Balan or Lolan?
Kaanal Parichaiyil Thoththu Pona Paalanaa LolanaaDid you die after failing a ‘mirage-like’ exam, were you Balan or Lolan?
Kadan Pattathaala Suttukitta Kaadaanaa MaadaanaaDid you shoot yourself because of debt, were you Kaadan or Maadan?
Dei Solludaa Dei Vettipuduvaen SolludaaHey, tell me! Hey, I’ll chop you up, tell me!
Ada Maayandi Music Video
This ritual chant resolves through forceful interrogation. Vaali’s Ada Maayandi lyrics translation documents the raw language of Tamil ghost-expulsion practices from the Vandhale Maharasi soundtrack.