Ada Moona Asal Mukkaalanaa
From Kathavarayan · 1958
- Lyricist
- Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
- Singers
- Jikki, T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- G. Ramanathan
- Details
- Kathavarayan1958
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Eththanaiyo kai paarththen idhu pola | I have seen many hands like this before. |
| Engaeyo maavaatti kaachchirukku poyillae | Somewhere the mango tree has borne fruit, hasn't it? |
| Irumpaana kayithu valaiyalukku ilgaatha kayithu | It is a hand made of iron, a hand that doesn't bend for bangles. |
| Entha kodaarikkum kooda udaiyaatha palagaiyithu pala kayithu | It is a wooden board that cannot be broken by any axe, a hand of many strengths. |
| Female | |
| Moonaa ada moonaa asal mukkaalunnaa ngappaa | Three-fourths, oh three-fourths, as genuine as three-quarters, my father! |
| Mudhugu melae vachchaalenna | What if placed upon the back? |
| Moonaa asal mukkaalunnaa ngappaa | Three-fourths, as genuine as three-quarters, my father! |
| Mudhugu melae vachchaalenna | What if placed upon the back? |
| Ponaa pogattuminnaa nee | If I let it go thinking 'let it be', why do you... |
| Pompalaiyae yaeipathenna | ...deceive women? |
| Ponaa pogattuminnaa nee | If I let it go thinking 'let it be', why do you... |
| Pompalaiyae yaeipathenna | ...deceive women? |
| Female | |
| Moonaa ada moonaa asal mukkaalunnaa ngappaa | Three-fourths, oh three-fourths, as genuine as three-quarters, my father! |
| Mudhugu melae vachchaalenna | What if placed upon the back? |
| Female | |
| Naanga ombothu pombalae | We are nine women here, |
| Nee ondiyaana aambalae | And you are a single man! |
| Ombothu pombalae | Nine women, |
| Nee ondiyaana aambalae | And you are a solitary man! |
| Onnaalae ennaagum dingiri | What can you possibly achieve, fellow? |
| Ingae oiyyaaram kiyyaaram kaattaatheiyyaa | Do not show off your swagger and attitude here, sir! |
| Onnae uyiroda vidavaethaan maattomaiyaa | We will not let you leave alive! |
| Female | |
| Ada moonaa asal mukkaalunnaa ngappaa | Oh three-fourths, as genuine as three-quarters, my father! |
| Mudhugu melae vachchaalenna | What if placed upon the back? |
| Ponaa pogattuminnaa nee | If I let it go thinking 'let it be', why do you... |
| Pompalaiyae yaeipathenna | ...deceive women? |
| Female | |
| Ungalukku varappo thalagaani | For you, the field ridge is your pillow, |
| Vaaikkaalo panju meththa | And the irrigation canal is your cotton mattress! |
| Naanga vaaichchu kittaa engakittae | If we happen to interact with you, |
| Kaattiveenga konjam viththae | You show us a few tricks and skills! |
| Verappaaga paaththukitae | Looking sternly at us, |
| Verattureenga ninnukittae | You stand and chase us away! |
| Ongala villaavalaichchuduvaen | I will bend you like a bow! |
| Sellaathu ennukkitta | Your tricks won't work with me! |
| Male | |
| Maanaa adi maanaa maduraiyilae kutty | Oh young deer, girl from Madurai, |
| Marikkozhunthu viththavalae | You who sell aromatic marjoram flowers! |
| Adi maanaa maduraiyilae kutty | Oh young deer, girl from Madurai, |
| Marikkozhunthu viththavalae | You who sell aromatic marjoram flowers! |
| Veenaa moraikkaathadi kutty | Do not glare in vain, young girl, |
| Vishayam yaavum kaththavalae | You who have learned everything worth knowing! |
| Veenaa moraikkaathadi kutty | Do not glare in vain, young girl, |
| Vishayam yaavum kaththavalae | You who have learned everything worth knowing! |
| Male | |
| Javvaathu pottulae thalukkaana kattulae | In the dot of civet perfume, on a shiny bed, |
| Saayaathammaa onga vettulae | Your style will not falter, lady! |
| Ennai naadodi machchaanaa ennaatheenga | Do not think of me as a mere nomad, my dear! |
| Intha nayinaa kittae jaadai pannaatheenga | Do not make sly gestures at this boss/guy! |
| Naadodi machchaanaa ennaatheenga | Do not think of me as a mere nomad, my dear! |
| Intha nayinaa kittae jaadai pannaatheenga | Do not make sly gestures at this boss/guy! |
| Male | |
| Adi maanaa maduraiyilae kutty | Oh young deer, girl from Madurai, |
| Marikkozhunthu viththavalae | You who sell aromatic marjoram flowers! |
| Veenaa moraikkaathadi kutty | Do not glare in vain, young girl, |
| Vishayam yaavum kaththavalae | You who have learned everything worth knowing! |
எத்தனையோ கை பார்த்தேன் இதுபோல
எங்கேயோ மாவாட்டி காச்சிருக்கு பொய்யில்லே
இரும்பான கையிது வளையலுக்கு இளகாத கையிது
எந்த கோடரிக்கும் கூட உடையாத பலகையிது பல கையிது
I have seen many hands like this before.
Somewhere the mango tree has borne fruit, hasn't it?
It is a hand made of iron, a hand that doesn't bend for bangles.
It is a wooden board that cannot be broken by any axe, a hand of many strengths.
மூணா அட மூணா அசல் முக்காலுன்னா ங்கப்பா
முதுகு மேலே வச்சாலென்ன
மூணா அசல் முக்காலுன்னா ங்கப்பா
முதுகு மேலே வச்சாலென்ன
போனா போகட்டுமின்னா நீ
பொம்பளையே ஏய்ப்பதென்ன
போனா போகட்டுமின்னா நீ
பொம்பளையே ஏய்ப்பதென்ன
Three-fourths, oh three-fourths, as genuine as three-quarters, my father!
What if placed upon the back?
Three-fourths, as genuine as three-quarters, my father!
What if placed upon the back?
If I let it go thinking 'let it be', why do you...
...deceive women?
If I let it go thinking 'let it be', why do you...
...deceive women?
மூணா அட மூணா அசல் முக்காலுன்னா ங்கப்பா
முதுகு மேலே வச்சாலென்ன
Three-fourths, oh three-fourths, as genuine as three-quarters, my father!
What if placed upon the back?
நாங்க ஒம்போது பொம்பளே
நீ ஒண்டியான ஆம்பளே
ஒம்போது பொம்பளே
நீ ஒண்டியான ஆம்பளே
ஒன்னாலே என்னாகும் டிங்கிரி
இங்கே ஒய்யாரம் கிய்யாரம் காட்டாதேய்யா
ஒன்னே உயிரோட விடவேதான் மாட்டோமையா
We are nine women here,
And you are a single man!
Nine women,
And you are a solitary man!
What can you possibly achieve, fellow?
Do not show off your swagger and attitude here, sir!
We will not let you leave alive!
அட மூணா அசல் முக்காலுன்னா ங்கப்பா
முதுகு மேலே வச்சாலென்ன
போனா போகட்டுமின்னா நீ
பொம்பளையே ஏய்ப்பதென்ன
Oh three-fourths, as genuine as three-quarters, my father!
What if placed upon the back?
If I let it go thinking 'let it be', why do you...
...deceive women?
உங்களுக்கு வரப்போ தலகாணி
வாய்க்காலோ பஞ்சு மெத்த
நாங்க வாய்ச்சு கிட்டா எங்ககிட்டே
காட்டுவீங்க கொஞ்சம் வித்தே
வெறப்பாக பாத்துகிட்டே
வெரட்டுறீங்க நின்னுகிட்டே
ஒங்கள வில்லா வளைச்சுடுவேன்
செல்லாது என்னுக்கிட்ட
For you, the field ridge is your pillow,
And the irrigation canal is your cotton mattress!
If we happen to interact with you,
You show us a few tricks and skills!
Looking sternly at us,
You stand and chase us away!
I will bend you like a bow!
Your tricks won't work with me!
மானா அடி மானாமதுரையிலே குட்டி
மரிக்கொழுந்து வித்தவளே
அடி மானாமதுரையிலே குட்டி
மரிக்கொழுந்து வித்தவளே
வீணா மொறைக்காதடி குட்டி
விஷயம் யாவும் கத்தவளே
வீணா மொறைக்காதடி குட்டி
விஷயம் யாவும் கத்தவளே
Oh young deer, girl from Madurai,
You who sell aromatic marjoram flowers!
Oh young deer, girl from Madurai,
You who sell aromatic marjoram flowers!
Do not glare in vain, young girl,
You who have learned everything worth knowing!
Do not glare in vain, young girl,
You who have learned everything worth knowing!
ஜவ்வாது பொட்டுலே தளுக்கான கட்டுலே
சாயாதம்மா ஒங்க வெட்டுலே
என்னை நாடோடி மச்சானா எண்ணாதீங்க
இந்த நயினா கிட்டே ஜாடை பண்ணாதீங்க
நாடோடி மச்சானா எண்ணாதீங்க
இந்த நயினா கிட்டே ஜாடை பண்ணாதீங்க
In the dot of civet perfume, on a shiny bed,
Your style will not falter, lady!
Do not think of me as a mere nomad, my dear!
Do not make sly gestures at this boss/guy!
Do not think of me as a mere nomad, my dear!
Do not make sly gestures at this boss/guy!
அடி மானாமதுரையிலே குட்டி
மரிக்கொழுந்து வித்தவளே
வீணா மொறைக்காதடி குட்டி
விஷயம் யாவும் கத்தவளே
Oh young deer, girl from Madurai,
You who sell aromatic marjoram flowers!
Do not glare in vain, young girl,
You who have learned everything worth knowing!
Eththanaiyo kai paarththen idhu pola
I have seen many hands like this before.
Engaeyo maavaatti kaachchirukku poyillae
Somewhere the mango tree has borne fruit, hasn't it?
Irumpaana kayithu valaiyalukku ilgaatha kayithu
It is a hand made of iron, a hand that doesn't bend for bangles.
Entha kodaarikkum kooda udaiyaatha palagaiyithu pala kayithu
It is a wooden board that cannot be broken by any axe, a hand of many strengths.
Moonaa ada moonaa asal mukkaalunnaa ngappaa
Three-fourths, oh three-fourths, as genuine as three-quarters, my father!
Mudhugu melae vachchaalenna
What if placed upon the back?
Moonaa asal mukkaalunnaa ngappaa
Three-fourths, as genuine as three-quarters, my father!
Mudhugu melae vachchaalenna
What if placed upon the back?
Ponaa pogattuminnaa nee
If I let it go thinking 'let it be', why do you...
Pompalaiyae yaeipathenna
...deceive women?
Ponaa pogattuminnaa nee
If I let it go thinking 'let it be', why do you...
Pompalaiyae yaeipathenna
...deceive women?
Moonaa ada moonaa asal mukkaalunnaa ngappaa
Three-fourths, oh three-fourths, as genuine as three-quarters, my father!
Mudhugu melae vachchaalenna
What if placed upon the back?
Naanga ombothu pombalae
We are nine women here,
Nee ondiyaana aambalae
And you are a single man!
Ombothu pombalae
Nine women,
Nee ondiyaana aambalae
And you are a solitary man!
Onnaalae ennaagum dingiri
What can you possibly achieve, fellow?
Ingae oiyyaaram kiyyaaram kaattaatheiyyaa
Do not show off your swagger and attitude here, sir!
Onnae uyiroda vidavaethaan maattomaiyaa
We will not let you leave alive!
Ada moonaa asal mukkaalunnaa ngappaa
Oh three-fourths, as genuine as three-quarters, my father!
Mudhugu melae vachchaalenna
What if placed upon the back?
Ponaa pogattuminnaa nee
If I let it go thinking 'let it be', why do you...
Pompalaiyae yaeipathenna
...deceive women?
Ungalukku varappo thalagaani
For you, the field ridge is your pillow,
Vaaikkaalo panju meththa
And the irrigation canal is your cotton mattress!
Naanga vaaichchu kittaa engakittae
If we happen to interact with you,
Kaattiveenga konjam viththae
You show us a few tricks and skills!
Verappaaga paaththukitae
Looking sternly at us,
Verattureenga ninnukittae
You stand and chase us away!
Ongala villaavalaichchuduvaen
I will bend you like a bow!
Sellaathu ennukkitta
Your tricks won't work with me!
Maanaa adi maanaa maduraiyilae kutty
Oh young deer, girl from Madurai,
Marikkozhunthu viththavalae
You who sell aromatic marjoram flowers!
Adi maanaa maduraiyilae kutty
Oh young deer, girl from Madurai,
Marikkozhunthu viththavalae
You who sell aromatic marjoram flowers!
Veenaa moraikkaathadi kutty
Do not glare in vain, young girl,
Vishayam yaavum kaththavalae
You who have learned everything worth knowing!
Veenaa moraikkaathadi kutty
Do not glare in vain, young girl,
Vishayam yaavum kaththavalae
You who have learned everything worth knowing!
Javvaathu pottulae thalukkaana kattulae
In the dot of civet perfume, on a shiny bed,
Saayaathammaa onga vettulae
Your style will not falter, lady!
Ennai naadodi machchaanaa ennaatheenga
Do not think of me as a mere nomad, my dear!
Intha nayinaa kittae jaadai pannaatheenga
Do not make sly gestures at this boss/guy!
Naadodi machchaanaa ennaatheenga
Do not think of me as a mere nomad, my dear!
Intha nayinaa kittae jaadai pannaatheenga
Do not make sly gestures at this boss/guy!
Adi maanaa maduraiyilae kutty
Oh young deer, girl from Madurai,
Marikkozhunthu viththavalae
You who sell aromatic marjoram flowers!
Veenaa moraikkaathadi kutty
Do not glare in vain, young girl,
Vishayam yaavum kaththavalae
You who have learned everything worth knowing!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This playful and rhythmic folk duet from the film 'Kathavarayan' (1958) depicts a lively bantering exchange between a group of women (led by Jikki's vocal lead) and a bold male protagonist (voiced by T. M. Soundararajan). The women taunt the male lead for his bravado, reminding him that he is outnumbered by nine women and questioning his boastful claims. They mock his rustic lifestyle, where the open fields serve as his bed, while asserting their strength to subdue him.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Naanga ombothu pombalae / Nee ondiyaana aambalae”
Matching second consonant 'n' sound across lines creating a rhythmic folk cadence.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Maanaa adi maanaa maduraiyilae kutty / Marikkozhunthu viththavalae”
Comparing the female lead metaphorically to a gentle young deer ('maanaa') and aromatic blossoms ('marikkozhunthu').
Simile (Upamai)
“Ongala villaavalaichchuduvaen”
Comparing bending someone in submission to bending a bow ('villaavalaichchuduvaen').
Did you know?
Trivia
'Kathavarayan' (1958) starred Sivaji Ganesan and Savitri, with music composed by G. Ramanathan. Lyricist Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass was legendary for crafting authentic folk lyrics using colloquial Tamil expressions, capturing the rich theatrical heritage of South India.
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