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Lyrics & meaning

Aththa Magan Mannaru

From Theeratha Vilaiyattu Pillai -1982 · 1982

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Vani Jairam, Chorus
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Theeratha Vilaiyattu Pillai -19821982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
………………....
Female
Aththa magan mannaaruMannaru, the aunt's son,
Suththi suththi vanthaaruKept hovering and hovering around,
Kanniya nambiTrusting this young maiden,
Maman pulla manmathan thambiUncle's son, the younger brother of the God of Love!
Female
Aththa magan mannaaruMannaru, the aunt's son,
Suththi suththi vanthaaruKept hovering and hovering around,
Kanniya nambiTrusting this young maiden,
Maman pulla manmathan thambiUncle's son, the younger brother of the God of Love!
Female
Singaarikku aasa irukkuThe stylish girl has desires,
Samsaarikku kaavi edhukkuWhy should a family man wear ascetic saffron robes?
Odaathae vaadaathaeDo not run away, do not wither,
Ullathai sollividuSpeak your heart out!
Chorus
Hoi aththa magan mannaaruHey, Mannaru, the aunt's son,
Suththi suththi vanthaaruKept hovering and hovering around,
Kanniya nambiTrusting this young maiden,
Maman pulla manmathan thambiUncle's son, the younger brother of the God of Love!
Female
Aandipatty santhaiyilaeIn the market of Aandipatty,
Kannukkutti kanomaamThe calf is said to be missing,
Maattikichchu kannukkuttiThe calf got caught,
Katti poda venaamaaShouldn't it be tied up?
Female
Aandipatty santhaiyilaeIn the market of Aandipatty,
Kannukkutti kanomaamThe calf is said to be missing,
Maattikichchu kannukkuttiThe calf got caught,
Katti poda venaamaaShouldn't it be tied up?
Female
Idhu ketti melamadiThis is the auspicious wedding drumbeat, girls,
Konjam thatti paarungadiTap and test it a little, girls!
Chorus :Idhu ketti melamadiChorus: This is the auspicious wedding drumbeat, girls,
Konjam thatti paarungadiTap and test it a little, girls!
Female
Kelungadi machchaan meesaListen girls, my lover's mustache,
Iraval vaangi vanthathadiWas borrowed on loan!
Kelungadi machchaan meesaListen girls, my lover's mustache,
Iraval vaangi vanthathadiWas borrowed on loan!
Female
Aththa magan mannaaruMannaru, the aunt's son,
Suththi suththi vanthaaruKept hovering and hovering around,
Kanniya nambiTrusting this young maiden,
Maman pulla manmathan thambiUncle's son, the younger brother of the God of Love!
Female
Raththirigal anthaalaeWhen the nights fall,
Nenjil varum nooraasaA hundred desires spring up in the heart,
Paarkadalai kudippatharkkuTo drink the entire ocean of milk,
Poonaikenna peraasaWhat immense greed does this cat have?
Female
Raththirigal anthaalaeWhen the nights fall,
Nenjil varum nooraasaA hundred desires spring up in the heart,
Paarkadalai kudippatharkkuTo drink the entire ocean of milk,
Poonaikenna peraasaWhat immense greed does this cat have?
Female
Adi nee penn jaathuHey, you yourself belong to the female gender,
Unakkedhukku ponjaathiWhy do you need a wife?
Chorus :Adi nee penn jaathuChorus: Hey, you yourself belong to the female gender,
Unakkedhukku ponjaathiWhy do you need a wife?
Female
Vilakkathu anaikkumpothuWhen extinguishing the light,
Vilakkam ketkkum appaaviHe is an innocent who asks for an explanation!
Vilakkathu anaikkumpothuWhen extinguishing the light,
Vilakkam ketkkum appaaviHe is an innocent who asks for an explanation!
Chorus
Aththa magan mannaaruMannaru, the aunt's son,
Suththi suththi vanthaaruKept hovering and hovering around,
Kanniya nambiTrusting this young maiden,
Maman pulla manmathan thambiUncle's son, the younger brother of the God of Love!
Female
Ponnu onna kattikkittaaIf he marries a girl,
Pozhuthu poyi konjikalaamTime will pass and they can cuddle,
Munthaan thongalilaeAt the loose edge of the sari pallu,
Mudinji unna vachchikalaamShe can tie you up and keep you safe!
Female
Idhu thullaatha meenuThis is a fish that does not leap,
Rusi illaatha thaenuThis is honey without taste!
Chorus :Idhu thullaatha meenuChorus: This is a fish that does not leap,
Rusi illaatha thaenuThis is honey without taste!
Female
Puththarukku vaarisaagiHe will become the heir to the Buddha,
Bodhi maraththil nirpaaruAnd stand under the Bodhi tree!
Puththarukku vaarisaagiHe will become the heir to the Buddha,
Bodhi maraththil nirpaaruAnd stand under the Bodhi tree!
Chorus
{Aththa magan mannaaru{Mannaru, the aunt's son,
Suththi suththi vanthaaruKept hovering and hovering around,
Kanniya nambiTrusting this young maiden,
Maman pulla manmathan thambi} (2)Uncle's son, the younger brother of the God of Love!} (2)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful teasing song from 'Theeratha Vilaiyattu Pillai' features a female protagonist teasing her cousin (Mannaru) along with her female friends. She playfully mocks his shy, overly innocent, and saint-like demeanor, questioning why a young man like him acts so detached and saintly when he should be embracing romance. Through witty analogies—such as comparing his modesty to a cat wanting to drink the ocean of milk or a monk standing beneath a Bodhi tree—the song pokes fun at his hesitation while inviting him to open his heart to love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Aththa magan mannaaru / Suththi suththi vanthaaru

Matching second consonants across successive lines, such as 'Aththa' and 'Suththi' or 'Singaarikku' and 'Samsaarikku'.

Metaphor / Analogy

Paarkadalai kudippatharkku / Poonaikenna peraasa

Comparing the hero's sudden romantic ambition to a cat attempting to drink the entire mythical Ocean of Milk (Paarkadal).

Irony / Humor

Idhu thullaatha meenu / Rusi illaatha thaenu

Playful puns and paradoxical lines like calling him a fish that doesn't leap and honey without sweetness to highlight his bashfulness.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Theeratha Vilaiyattu Pillai' (1982) features music composed by the veteran duo Shankar-Ganesh. The lyrics were written by Vairamuthu in his early prime, blending folk humor with contemporary cinematic rhythm, sung soulfully yet playfully by Vani Jairam.

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