Adada Mamara Kiliye

This song is from the 1978 film Chittu Kuruvi. Composed by Ilayaraja, written by Vaali, and sung by S. Janaki, it remains one of the album’s memorable tracks. Chittu Kuruvi was a celebrated music album. Many listeners may know the film for En Kanmani En Kadhali from this movie.

Adada Mamara Kiliye is cheerful and sung from the perspective of a lovestruck young village girl. It has a conversational feel, with the girl teasing her lover through her challenge­­­, “Is there anyone better-looking than me” ­— Ada ennattam rasathi eva irukka sollu. Ilayaraja seems to have tailored the composition specifically for S. Janaki’s voice, allowing her playful inflections to move effortlessly from teasing to romance. The quick, bouncy tempo gives Janaki space to deliver Vaali’s lyrics with precision. Her playful chuckles, subtle gasps, and pauses add emotional depth. Ilayaraja beautifully fuses folk sensibilities with Western orchestral textures.

Even without watching the video, the composition, lyrics, and vocal performance vividly evoke the rural setting. I keep returning to this song for its calm and soothing effect ❤️