Ada Mama Thattu
From Sattathukku Oru Saval · 1983
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- S. P. Sailaja, L. R. Anjali
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Sattathukku Oru Saval1983
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Ada mama thattu maththalaththa | Hey uncle, beat the maddalam drum |
| Ada mama thattu maththalaththa | Hey uncle, beat the maddalam drum |
| Naan mayakki izhukkiraen vattaaraththa | I will charm and draw the whole neighborhood |
| Adi neeyaa nanaa paaththukalaam | Hey, let us see whether it is you or me |
| Nerukku neraa pottukkalaam | Let us face off directly |
| Female | |
| Pondatti pakkaththula | With your wife right beside you |
| Pulla rendu kakkaththula | And two children under your arms |
| Ennaaththukku ennai kann adichcheenga | Why did you wink at me? |
| Female | |
| Pondatti pakkaththula | With your wife right beside you |
| Pulla rendu kakkaththula | And two children under your arms |
| Ennaaththukku ennai kann adichcheenga | Why did you wink at me? |
| Aasa theera thinnathum azhukku theera kulichchathum | Eating to one's heart's content and bathing to wash off dirt |
| Aambalainga pombalaiyanga yaarumae illa | Are not exclusive privileges of men or women |
| Female | |
| Ellaarum ponnuthaan | Everyone is precious like gold |
| Ellaarumae onnuthaan | Everyone is united as one |
| Ellaamae irukkura edaththa poruththuthaan | Everything depends on the place one is in |
| Female | |
| Ada mama thattu maththalaththa | Hey uncle, beat the maddalam drum |
| Ada mama thattu maththalaththa | Hey uncle, beat the maddalam drum |
| Naan mayakki izhukkiiraen vattaaraththa | I will charm and draw the whole neighborhood |
| Female | |
| Elachchava korachchaa thuniya | If a poor woman wears reduced clothing, it is called danger |
| Elachchava korachchaa aabaththunga aanaa | If a poor woman wears reduced clothing, it is danger, but |
| Kozhuththava korachchaa naagareeganga | If a wealthy woman reduces her clothing, it is called civilization |
| Female | |
| Poruppil iruppavanga | Those who hold positions of responsibility |
| Podhuvil irukkanuminnu | Must remain impartial and public-minded |
| Poomaalai podurom vaanga saami | We offer flower garlands, welcome sire |
| Female | |
| Neram nerunguthu niyaayam jeyikkuthu | The time is nearing, justice will prevail |
| Naalai pozhuthu oru nanmai irukkuthu | Tomorrow brings goodness with it |
| Female | |
| Ada mama thattu maththalaththa | Hey uncle, beat the maddalam drum |
| Ada mama thattu maththalaththa | Hey uncle, beat the maddalam drum |
| Naan mayakki izhukkiraen vattaaraththa | I will charm and draw the whole neighborhood |
| Adi neeyaa nanaa paaththukalaam | Hey, let us see whether it is you or me |
| Haan nerukku neraa pottukkalaam | Aha, let us face off directly |
| Female | |
| Vella manasoda ingae | With a pure heart right here |
| Virunthukku vanthirukkum | The one who has come as a guest |
| Vallavaru nallavaru saamiyo | Is a capable and good-hearted lord |
| Female | |
| Vella manasoda ingae | With a pure heart right here |
| Virunthukku vanthirukkum | The one who has come as a guest |
| Vallavaru nallavaru saamiyo | Is a capable and good-hearted lord |
| Female | |
| Nallathaiyum kettathaiyum naalai nadappathaiyum | The good, the bad, and what happens tomorrow |
| Naan solven kaiyaiththaan konjam kaamiyo | I will tell it all, show me your hand a little |
| Nallathaiyum kettathaiyum naalai nadappathaiyum | The good, the bad, and what happens tomorrow |
| Naan solven kaiyaiththaan konjam kaamiyo | I will tell it all, show me your hand a little |
| Female | |
| Kollimala devi kitta nalla varam vaanginaen | I received a great boon from the deity of Kollimalai |
| Kollimala devi kitta nalla varam vaanginaen | I received a great boon from the deity of Kollimalai |
| Kuri parththaa sariyaagum sagunam thappaathu | If fortune is read, it will be accurate and the omen will not fail |
| Female | |
| Ada mama thattu maththalaththa | Hey uncle, beat the maddalam drum |
| Ada mama thattu maththalaththa | Hey uncle, beat the maddalam drum |
| Naan mayakki izhukkiraen vattaaraththa | I will charm and draw the whole neighborhood |
| Adi neeyaa nanaa paaththukalaam | Hey, let us see whether it is you or me |
| Nerukku neraa pottukkalaam | Let us face off directly |
அட மாமா தட்டு மத்தாளத்த
அட மாமா தட்டு மத்தாளத்த
நான் மயக்கி இழுக்கிறேன் வட்டாரத்த
அடி நீயா நானா பாத்துக்கலாம்
நேருக்கு நேரா போட்டுக்கலாம்...
Hey uncle, beat the maddalam drum
Hey uncle, beat the maddalam drum
I will charm and draw the whole neighborhood
Hey, let us see whether it is you or me
Let us face off directly
பொண்டாட்டி பக்கத்துல
புள்ள ரெண்டு கக்கத்துல
என்னாத்துக்கு என்னை கண் அடிச்சீங்க
With your wife right beside you
And two children under your arms
Why did you wink at me?
பொண்டாட்டி பக்கத்துல
புள்ள ரெண்டு கக்கத்துல
என்னாத்துக்கு என்னை கண் அடிச்சீங்க
ஆசத் தீர தின்னதும் அழுக்குத் தீர குளிச்சதும்
ஆம்பளைங்க பொம்பளைங்க யாருமே இல்ல
With your wife right beside you
And two children under your arms
Why did you wink at me?
Eating to one's heart's content and bathing to wash off dirt
Are not exclusive privileges of men or women
எல்லாரும் பொண்ணுதான்
எல்லாருமே ஒண்ணுதான்
எல்லாமே இருக்குற எடத்த பொறுத்துதான்
Everyone is precious like gold
Everyone is united as one
Everything depends on the place one is in
அட மாமா மாமா தட்டு மத்தாளத்த
அட மாமா தட்டு மத்தாளத்த
நான் மயக்கி இழுக்கிறேன் வட்டாரத்த....
Hey uncle, beat the maddalam drum
Hey uncle, beat the maddalam drum
I will charm and draw the whole neighborhood
எளச்சவ கொறச்சா துணிய
எளச்சவ கொறச்சா ஆபத்துங்க ஆனா
கொழுத்தவ கொறச்சா நாகரீகங்க
If a poor woman wears reduced clothing, it is called danger
If a poor woman wears reduced clothing, it is danger, but
If a wealthy woman reduces her clothing, it is called civilization
பொறுப்பில் இருப்பவங்க
பொதுவில் இருக்கனுமின்னு
பூமாலை போடுறோம் வாங்க சாமி
Those who hold positions of responsibility
Must remain impartial and public-minded
We offer flower garlands, welcome sire
நேரம் நெருங்குது ஞாயம் ஜெயிக்குது
நாளை பொழுது ஒரு நன்மை இருக்குது
The time is nearing, justice will prevail
Tomorrow brings goodness with it
அட மாமா மாமா தட்டு மத்தாளத்த
அட மாமா தட்டு மத்தாளத்த
நான் மயக்கி இழுக்கிறேன் வட்டாரத்த....
அடி நீயா நானா பாத்துக்கலாம்
ஹான் நேருக்கு நேரா போட்டுக்கலாம்...
Hey uncle, beat the maddalam drum
Hey uncle, beat the maddalam drum
I will charm and draw the whole neighborhood
Hey, let us see whether it is you or me
Aha, let us face off directly
வெள்ள மனசோட இங்கே
விருந்துக்கு வந்திருக்கும்
வல்லவரு நல்லவரு சாமியோ
With a pure heart right here
The one who has come as a guest
Is a capable and good-hearted lord
வெள்ள மனசோட இங்கே
விருந்துக்கு வந்திருக்கும்
வல்லவரு நல்லவரு சாமியோ
With a pure heart right here
The one who has come as a guest
Is a capable and good-hearted lord
நல்லதையும் கெட்டதையும் நாளை நடப்பதையும்
நான் சொல்வேன் கையத்தான் கொஞ்சம் காமியோ
நல்லதையும் கெட்டதையும் நாளை நடப்பதையும்
நான் சொல்வேன் கையத்தான் கொஞ்சம் காமியோ
The good, the bad, and what happens tomorrow
I will tell it all, show me your hand a little
The good, the bad, and what happens tomorrow
I will tell it all, show me your hand a little
கொல்லிமல தேவி கிட்ட நல்ல வரம் வாங்கினேன்
கொல்லிமல தேவி கிட்ட நல்ல வரம் வாங்கினேன்
குறிப் பார்த்தா சரியாகும் சகுனம் தப்பாது
I received a great boon from the deity of Kollimalai
I received a great boon from the deity of Kollimalai
If fortune is read, it will be accurate and the omen will not fail
அட மாமா மாமா தட்டு மத்தாளத்த
அட மாமா தட்டு மத்தாளத்த
நான் மயக்கி இழுக்கிறேன் வட்டாரத்த....
அடி நீயா நானா பாத்துக்கலாம்
நேருக்கு நேரா போட்டுக்கலாம்...
Hey uncle, beat the maddalam drum
Hey uncle, beat the maddalam drum
I will charm and draw the whole neighborhood
Hey, let us see whether it is you or me
Let us face off directly
Ada mama thattu maththalaththa
Hey uncle, beat the maddalam drum
Ada mama thattu maththalaththa
Hey uncle, beat the maddalam drum
Naan mayakki izhukkiraen vattaaraththa
I will charm and draw the whole neighborhood
Adi neeyaa nanaa paaththukalaam
Hey, let us see whether it is you or me
Nerukku neraa pottukkalaam
Let us face off directly
Pondatti pakkaththula
With your wife right beside you
Pulla rendu kakkaththula
And two children under your arms
Ennaaththukku ennai kann adichcheenga
Why did you wink at me?
Pondatti pakkaththula
With your wife right beside you
Pulla rendu kakkaththula
And two children under your arms
Ennaaththukku ennai kann adichcheenga
Why did you wink at me?
Aasa theera thinnathum azhukku theera kulichchathum
Eating to one's heart's content and bathing to wash off dirt
Aambalainga pombalaiyanga yaarumae illa
Are not exclusive privileges of men or women
Ellaarum ponnuthaan
Everyone is precious like gold
Ellaarumae onnuthaan
Everyone is united as one
Ellaamae irukkura edaththa poruththuthaan
Everything depends on the place one is in
Ada mama thattu maththalaththa
Hey uncle, beat the maddalam drum
Ada mama thattu maththalaththa
Hey uncle, beat the maddalam drum
Naan mayakki izhukkiiraen vattaaraththa
I will charm and draw the whole neighborhood
Elachchava korachchaa thuniya
If a poor woman wears reduced clothing, it is called danger
Elachchava korachchaa aabaththunga aanaa
If a poor woman wears reduced clothing, it is danger, but
Kozhuththava korachchaa naagareeganga
If a wealthy woman reduces her clothing, it is called civilization
Poruppil iruppavanga
Those who hold positions of responsibility
Podhuvil irukkanuminnu
Must remain impartial and public-minded
Poomaalai podurom vaanga saami
We offer flower garlands, welcome sire
Neram nerunguthu niyaayam jeyikkuthu
The time is nearing, justice will prevail
Naalai pozhuthu oru nanmai irukkuthu
Tomorrow brings goodness with it
Ada mama thattu maththalaththa
Hey uncle, beat the maddalam drum
Ada mama thattu maththalaththa
Hey uncle, beat the maddalam drum
Naan mayakki izhukkiraen vattaaraththa
I will charm and draw the whole neighborhood
Adi neeyaa nanaa paaththukalaam
Hey, let us see whether it is you or me
Haan nerukku neraa pottukkalaam
Aha, let us face off directly
Vella manasoda ingae
With a pure heart right here
Virunthukku vanthirukkum
The one who has come as a guest
Vallavaru nallavaru saamiyo
Is a capable and good-hearted lord
Vella manasoda ingae
With a pure heart right here
Virunthukku vanthirukkum
The one who has come as a guest
Vallavaru nallavaru saamiyo
Is a capable and good-hearted lord
Nallathaiyum kettathaiyum naalai nadappathaiyum
The good, the bad, and what happens tomorrow
Naan solven kaiyaiththaan konjam kaamiyo
I will tell it all, show me your hand a little
Nallathaiyum kettathaiyum naalai nadappathaiyum
The good, the bad, and what happens tomorrow
Naan solven kaiyaiththaan konjam kaamiyo
I will tell it all, show me your hand a little
Kollimala devi kitta nalla varam vaanginaen
I received a great boon from the deity of Kollimalai
Kollimala devi kitta nalla varam vaanginaen
I received a great boon from the deity of Kollimalai
Kuri parththaa sariyaagum sagunam thappaathu
If fortune is read, it will be accurate and the omen will not fail
Ada mama thattu maththalaththa
Hey uncle, beat the maddalam drum
Ada mama thattu maththalaththa
Hey uncle, beat the maddalam drum
Naan mayakki izhukkiraen vattaaraththa
I will charm and draw the whole neighborhood
Adi neeyaa nanaa paaththukalaam
Hey, let us see whether it is you or me
Nerukku neraa pottukkalaam
Let us face off directly
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from 'Sattathukku Oru Saval' (1983) is a lively folk dance and fortune-telling track performed by female dancers to entertain and subtly lecture the local crowd. Set to energetic drum rhythms, the lyrics weave playful banter with biting socio-political commentary, calling out male hypocrisy and contrasting how society judges poor versus rich women.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second Letter Assonance)
“Elachchava korachchaa aabaththunga aanaa / Kozhuththava korachchaa naagareeganga”
The second letters of 'Elachchava' and 'Kozhuththava' match in sound, providing a rhythmic folk bounce.
Mona (Initial Letter Alliteration)
“Kollimala devi kitta nalla varam vaanginaen / Kuri parththaa sariyaagum”
Repetition of the 'K' sound at the beginning of words in 'Kollimala' and 'Kuri' enhances the oral folk storytelling style.
Metaphor
“Ellaarum ponnuthaan / Ellaarumae onnuthaan”
Comparing all human beings to 'ponnu' (gold) to signify inherent worth regardless of gender or stature.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by the veteran duo Shankar-Ganesh and penned by Vaali, this song captures the authentic atmosphere of street performances (Karakattam/Therukoothu style setup) used in 1980s Tamil cinema to deliver covert social messages.
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