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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Athaiya Mamiya Angaya Ingaya

From Athaiya Mamiya · 1974

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
P. Susheela, L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Athaiya Mamiya1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aththaiyaa mamiyaa angaeyaa ingaeyaaIs it paternal aunt or maternal aunt, over there or over here?
Aththaiyaa mamiyaa angaeyaa ingaeyaaIs it paternal aunt or maternal aunt, over there or over here?
Aththai peththa alliyaa mami peththa kalliyaaIs it the water lily born to paternal aunt, or the wild cactus born to maternal aunt?
Aththai peththa alliyaa mami peththa kalliyaaIs it the water lily born to paternal aunt, or the wild cactus born to maternal aunt?
Female
Mamiyaa aththaiyaa ingaeyaa angaeyaaMaternal aunt or paternal aunt, over here or over there?
Mami peththa malliyaa aththai peththa araliyaaIs it the jasmine born to maternal aunt, or the poisonous oleander born to paternal aunt?
Mami peththa malliyaa aththai peththa araliyaaIs it the jasmine born to maternal aunt, or the poisonous oleander born to paternal aunt?
Female
Aththai veedu meththai veeduPaternal aunt's home is a multi-story mansion,
Mami veedo pattikkaaduWhile maternal aunt's home is a rural village,
Anju veli manjakaani ingu unduWe own five veli of fertile turmeric fields here,
Eththanaiyo seeru….Along with countlessly rich gifts...
Female
: Mami pola mamiyaaru bhoomi melae veru yaaruWho else on this earth is a mother-in-law like her?
Benz Car-u sontha veeduA Benz car and an owned house,
Ondru alla nooru vagai seeruNot just one, but a hundred kinds of dowry gifts!
Female
Mamiyaa aththaiyaa ingaeyaa angaeyaaMaternal aunt or paternal aunt, over here or over there?
Mami peththa malliyaa aththai peththa araliyaaIs it the jasmine born to maternal aunt, or the poisonous oleander born to paternal aunt?
Mami peththa malliyaa aththai peththa araliyaaIs it the jasmine born to maternal aunt, or the poisonous oleander born to paternal aunt?
Female
Naan pesum aangilaththai kettu mayanguBe swooned upon hearing the English that I speak,
Newyork-kku beauty endru paarththu mayanguBe dazzled seeing me as a beauty from New York!
Unathu rani azhagu maeni pudhiya bhaaniYour queen, a beautiful persona, a trendy modern style.
Female
Kaveri karai pirantha kanni enakkuAs a maiden born on the fertile banks of River Kaveri,
Ennaalum thevaiyillai iraval sarakkuI never have any need for borrowed or artificial goods,
Iyarkkai azhagu irukkum enakkuI possess pure natural beauty,
Ivalai polae makeup edharkkuWhy put on excessive makeup like her?
Female
Melai naattu mappillaikkuFor a groom arriving from Western lands,
Ennai pola yaarumillai jodiThere is no suitable match equal to me!
Intha pennai paarththa kangalThe eyes that have looked upon this girl,
Veru pennai paarppathillai podiWill never glance at any other girl, get lost!
Female
Aththaiyaa mamiyaa angaeyaa ingaeyaaIs it paternal aunt or maternal aunt, over there or over here?
Aththai peththa alliyaa mami peththa kalliyaaIs it the water lily born to paternal aunt, or the wild cactus born to maternal aunt?
Aththai peththa alliyaa mami peththa kalliyaaIs it the water lily born to paternal aunt, or the wild cactus born to maternal aunt?
Female
Thai masam paaththirukku nalla mukoorththamAn auspicious marriage timing is set in the holy month of Thai,
Thannaala saernthiruchchu namma poruththamOur natural compatibility has matched effortlessly on its own!
Thaiyil vanthu aththai magalin kaiyai thodugaCome in the month of Thai and take the hand of your aunt's daughter,
Female
Munnaalae paarththirukku enga mukoorththamOur auspicious wedding time was fixed long ago!
Moonae naalthaan irukku antha mukoorththamThere are only three days remaining for that sacred moment,
Naalai marunaal neeyum enakku melam kotta….The day after tomorrow, you will be beating the celebratory drums for my wedding!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful banter song from the movie Athaiya Mamiya (1974) depicts a lively musical duel between two women competing for a eligible groom's hand in marriage. One represents modern Westernized charm, wealth, and high status, boasting of Benz cars, English fluency, and New York fashion sensibilities. The other represents traditional, rooted Tamil virtue, natural beauty from the banks of the Kaveri river, and conventional cultural values.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Aththai peththa alliyaa mami peththa kalliyaa

Rhyming end-syllables comparing two contrasting personalities using floral imagery.

Contrast / Antithesis

Mami peththa malliyaa aththai peththa araliyaa

Contrasting fragrant jasmine (malliyaa) with toxic oleander (araliyaa) to elevate oneself while disparaging the rival.

Ethirai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Aththai veedu meththai veedu

The second letter 'th' rhymes between 'Aththai' and 'meththai'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Vaali, the song features a popular musical face-off between legendary singers P. Susheela and L. R. Eswari, highlighting their distinct vocal styles representing traditional elegance and modern exuberance respectively.

Keep listening

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