Aththa Peththa
From Pei Veedu · 1984
- Lyricist
- T. K. S. Natarajan
- Singer
- T. K. S. Natarajan
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Pei Veedu1984
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Aththa peththa malliyappoo | Jasmine flower born to my paternal aunt, |
| En aasaikeththa mullaippoo | Jasmine flower matching my heart's desire, |
| Maampazha kannaththilae | On those cheeks soft like ripe mangoes, |
| Mallammaa chellammaa ponnammaa | Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma! |
| Naan maari maari muththam thaaraen | I will give you kisses again and again, |
| Mallammaa chellammaa ponnammaa | Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma! |
| Male | |
| Maanaa madhurakullae | In the city of Manamadurai, |
| Maadu meikkum paruva pillae | Young girl who herds cattle, |
| Thengaa peraththu pullae | Girl who plucks coconuts, |
| Mallammaa chellammaa ponnammaa | Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma! |
| Un thaevaiya naan theerththu vaippaen | I will fulfill all your needs, |
| Mallammaa chellammaa ponnammaa | Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma! |
| Male | |
| Kunnakkudi vandiyilae | In the cart going to Kundrakudi, |
| Kozhunthan kooda ponavalae | The girl who went along with her brother-in-law, |
| Kozhunthan kooda ponathaalae…ae… | Because she went with her brother-in-law... |
| Yae….mallammaa yae…..chellammaa yae….ponnammaa | Hey Mallamma, hey Chellamma, hey Ponnamma! |
| Ippa kuliyaama vanthirukkae…ae… | She has now arrived without taking a bath... |
| Male | |
| Eeraatti saayaththilae irupaththi rendu mozham | A twenty-two cubit long sari in dark purple shade, |
| Subbamma kattikittu | Subbamma wore it, |
| Yae….mallammaa yae…..chellammaa yae….ponnammaa | Hey Mallamma, hey Chellamma, hey Ponnamma! |
| Ava surutturaalae oorellaam | She is hoodwinking the entire village! |
| Male | |
| Aththa peththa malliyappoo | Jasmine flower born to my paternal aunt, |
| En aasaikeththa mullaippoo | Jasmine flower matching my heart's desire, |
| Maampazha kannaththilae | On those cheeks soft like ripe mangoes, |
| Mallammaa chellammaa ponnammaa | Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma! |
| Naan maari maari muththam thaaraen | I will give you kisses again and again, |
| Mallammaa chellammaa ponnammaa | Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma! |
| Male | |
| Moovaaru padhinettu mogaththila saanthupottu | At eighteen years of age, wearing sandal paste on the face, |
| Lavukkaiyae podaamae | Without even wearing a blouse, |
| Yae….mallammaa yae…..chellammaa yae….ponnammaa | Hey Mallamma, hey Chellamma, hey Ponnamma! |
| Nee roundadika pogaathae | Don't go wandering around! |
| Male | |
| : Mangammaa un peru madhuraiyilae vaigaiyaaru | : Your name is Mangamma, and in Madurai, the Vaigai river, |
| Kulikkiratha paakkumpothu | When seeing you take a bath, |
| Yae….mallammaa yae…..chellammaa yae….ponnammaa | Hey Mallamma, hey Chellamma, hey Ponnamma! |
| En koyil mani adikkuthadi | My temple bell rings, my girl! |
| Male | |
| Aththa peththa malliyappoo | Jasmine flower born to my paternal aunt, |
| En aasaikeththa mullaippoo | Jasmine flower matching my heart's desire, |
| Maampazha kannaththilae | On those cheeks soft like ripe mangoes, |
| Mallammaa chellammaa ponnammaa | Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma! |
| Naan maari maari muththam thaaraen | I will give you kisses again and again, |
| Mallammaa chellammaa ponnammaa | Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma! |
| Male | |
| Odugira ottaththilae olaipetti kakkaththilae | In the running stream, holding a palm leaf basket in her armpit, |
| Olaipetti pinjaalum | Even if that palm leaf basket gets torn, |
| Yae….mallammaa yae…..chellammaa yae….ponnammaa | Hey Mallamma, hey Chellamma, hey Ponnamma! |
| Naan unna vida porathilla | I will never leave your side! |
| Male | |
| Kodaali konda pottu | Wearing an axe-shaped hair bun, |
| Koyilukku porapulla | Girl going to the temple, |
| Aasai intha kondakullae | Desire resides inside this hair bun, |
| Yae….mallammaa yae…..chellammaa yae….ponnammaa | Hey Mallamma, hey Chellamma, hey Ponnamma! |
| Nee yaarai allai sorugaporae | Whose night jasmine are you going to tuck in your hair? |
| Male | |
| Aththa peththa malliyappoo | Jasmine flower born to my paternal aunt, |
| En aasaikeththa mullaippoo | Jasmine flower matching my heart's desire, |
| Maampazha kannaththilae | On those cheeks soft like ripe mangoes, |
| Mallammaa chellammaa ponnammaa | Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma! |
| Naan maari maari muththam thaaraen | I will give you kisses again and again, |
| Mallammaa chellammaa ponnammaa | Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma! |
அத்த பெத்த மல்லியப் பூ
என் ஆசைக்கேத்த முல்லைப்பூ
மாம்பழக் கன்னத்திலே
மல்லம்மா செல்லம்மா பொன்னம்மா
நான் மாறி மாறி முத்தம் தாரேன்
மல்லம்மா செல்லம்மா பொன்னம்மா
Jasmine flower born to my paternal aunt,
Jasmine flower matching my heart's desire,
On those cheeks soft like ripe mangoes,
Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma!
I will give you kisses again and again,
Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma!
மானா மதுரகுள்ளே
மாடு மேய்க்கும் பருவப் புள்ளே
தேங்கா நெறத்து புள்ளே
மல்லம்மா செல்லம்மா பொன்னம்மா
உன் தேவைய நான் தீர்த்து வைப்பேன்
மல்லம்மா செல்லம்மா பொன்னம்மா
In the city of Manamadurai,
Young girl who herds cattle,
Girl who plucks coconuts,
Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma!
I will fulfill all your needs,
Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma!
குன்னக்குடி வண்டியிலே
கொழந்தன் கூட போனவளே
கொழுந்தன் கூட போனதாலே.....ஏ....
ஏ.......மல்லம்மா ஏ......செல்லம்மா ஏ......பொன்னம்மா
இப்ப குளியாம வந்திருக்கே...ஏ.....
In the cart going to Kundrakudi,
The girl who went along with her brother-in-law,
Because she went with her brother-in-law...
Hey Mallamma, hey Chellamma, hey Ponnamma!
She has now arrived without taking a bath...
ஈராட்டி சாயத்திலே இருபத்தி ரெண்டு மொழம்
சுப்பம்மா கட்டிக்கிட்டு...
ஏ.....மல்லம்மா ஏ......செல்லம்மா ஏ.......பொன்னம்மா
அவ சுருட்டுறாளே ஊரெல்லாம்......
A twenty-two cubit long sari in dark purple shade,
Subbamma wore it,
Hey Mallamma, hey Chellamma, hey Ponnamma!
She is hoodwinking the entire village!
அத்த பெத்த மல்லியப் பூ
என் ஆசைக்கேத்த முல்லைப்பூ
மாம்பழக் கன்னத்திலே
மல்லம்மா செல்லம்மா பொன்னம்மா
நான் மாறி மாறி முத்தம் தாரேன்
மல்லம்மா செல்லம்மா பொன்னம்மா
Jasmine flower born to my paternal aunt,
Jasmine flower matching my heart's desire,
On those cheeks soft like ripe mangoes,
Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma!
I will give you kisses again and again,
Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma!
மூவாறு பதினெட்டு மொகத்தில சாந்துப்பொட்டு
லவுக்கையே போடாமே.....
ஏ.....மல்லம்மா ஏ......செல்லம்மா ஏ.......பொன்னம்மா
நீ ரவுண்டடிக்க போகாதே..
At eighteen years of age, wearing sandal paste on the face,
Without even wearing a blouse,
Hey Mallamma, hey Chellamma, hey Ponnamma!
Don't go wandering around!
மங்கம்மா உன் பேரு மதுரையிலே வைகையாறு
குளிக்கிறத பாக்கும்போது.....
ஏ.....மல்லம்மா ஏ......செல்லம்மா ஏ.......பொன்னம்மா
என் கோயில் மணி அடிக்குதடி
: Your name is Mangamma, and in Madurai, the Vaigai river,
When seeing you take a bath,
Hey Mallamma, hey Chellamma, hey Ponnamma!
My temple bell rings, my girl!
அத்த பெத்த மல்லியப் பூ
என் ஆசைக்கேத்த முல்லைப்பூ
மாம்பழக் கன்னத்திலே
மல்லம்மா செல்லம்மா பொன்னம்மா
நான் மாறி மாறி முத்தம் தாரேன்
மல்லம்மா செல்லம்மா பொன்னம்மா
Jasmine flower born to my paternal aunt,
Jasmine flower matching my heart's desire,
On those cheeks soft like ripe mangoes,
Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma!
I will give you kisses again and again,
Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma!
ஓடுகிற ஓட்டத்திலே ஓலைப்பெட்டி கக்கத்திலே
ஓலைப்பெட்டி பிஞ்சாலும்..
ஏ.....மல்லம்மா ஏ......செல்லம்மா ஏ.......பொன்னம்மா
நான் உன்ன விடப் போறதில்ல
In the running stream, holding a palm leaf basket in her armpit,
Even if that palm leaf basket gets torn,
Hey Mallamma, hey Chellamma, hey Ponnamma!
I will never leave your side!
கோடாலி கொண்ட போட்டு
கோயிலுக்கு போறப் புள்ள
ஆசை இந்த கொண்டகுள்ளே.....
ஏ.....மல்லம்மா ஏ......செல்லம்மா ஏ.......பொன்னம்மா
நீ யாரை அள்ளி சொருகப்போறே.....
Wearing an axe-shaped hair bun,
Girl going to the temple,
Desire resides inside this hair bun,
Hey Mallamma, hey Chellamma, hey Ponnamma!
Whose night jasmine are you going to tuck in your hair?
அத்த பெத்த மல்லியப் பூ
என் ஆசைக்கேத்த முல்லைப்பூ
மாம்பழக் கன்னத்திலே
மல்லம்மா செல்லம்மா பொன்னம்மா
நான் மாறி மாறி முத்தம் தாரேன்
மல்லம்மா செல்லம்மா பொன்னம்மா
Jasmine flower born to my paternal aunt,
Jasmine flower matching my heart's desire,
On those cheeks soft like ripe mangoes,
Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma!
I will give you kisses again and again,
Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma!
Aththa peththa malliyappoo
Jasmine flower born to my paternal aunt,
En aasaikeththa mullaippoo
Jasmine flower matching my heart's desire,
Maampazha kannaththilae
On those cheeks soft like ripe mangoes,
Mallammaa chellammaa ponnammaa
Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma!
Naan maari maari muththam thaaraen
I will give you kisses again and again,
Mallammaa chellammaa ponnammaa
Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma!
Maanaa madhurakullae
In the city of Manamadurai,
Maadu meikkum paruva pillae
Young girl who herds cattle,
Thengaa peraththu pullae
Girl who plucks coconuts,
Mallammaa chellammaa ponnammaa
Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma!
Un thaevaiya naan theerththu vaippaen
I will fulfill all your needs,
Mallammaa chellammaa ponnammaa
Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma!
Kunnakkudi vandiyilae
In the cart going to Kundrakudi,
Kozhunthan kooda ponavalae
The girl who went along with her brother-in-law,
Kozhunthan kooda ponathaalae…ae…
Because she went with her brother-in-law...
Yae….mallammaa yae…..chellammaa yae….ponnammaa
Hey Mallamma, hey Chellamma, hey Ponnamma!
Ippa kuliyaama vanthirukkae…ae…
She has now arrived without taking a bath...
Eeraatti saayaththilae irupaththi rendu mozham
A twenty-two cubit long sari in dark purple shade,
Subbamma kattikittu
Subbamma wore it,
Yae….mallammaa yae…..chellammaa yae….ponnammaa
Hey Mallamma, hey Chellamma, hey Ponnamma!
Ava surutturaalae oorellaam
She is hoodwinking the entire village!
Aththa peththa malliyappoo
Jasmine flower born to my paternal aunt,
En aasaikeththa mullaippoo
Jasmine flower matching my heart's desire,
Maampazha kannaththilae
On those cheeks soft like ripe mangoes,
Mallammaa chellammaa ponnammaa
Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma!
Naan maari maari muththam thaaraen
I will give you kisses again and again,
Mallammaa chellammaa ponnammaa
Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma!
Moovaaru padhinettu mogaththila saanthupottu
At eighteen years of age, wearing sandal paste on the face,
Lavukkaiyae podaamae
Without even wearing a blouse,
Yae….mallammaa yae…..chellammaa yae….ponnammaa
Hey Mallamma, hey Chellamma, hey Ponnamma!
Nee roundadika pogaathae
Don't go wandering around!
: Mangammaa un peru madhuraiyilae vaigaiyaaru
: Your name is Mangamma, and in Madurai, the Vaigai river,
Kulikkiratha paakkumpothu
When seeing you take a bath,
Yae….mallammaa yae…..chellammaa yae….ponnammaa
Hey Mallamma, hey Chellamma, hey Ponnamma!
En koyil mani adikkuthadi
My temple bell rings, my girl!
Aththa peththa malliyappoo
Jasmine flower born to my paternal aunt,
En aasaikeththa mullaippoo
Jasmine flower matching my heart's desire,
Maampazha kannaththilae
On those cheeks soft like ripe mangoes,
Mallammaa chellammaa ponnammaa
Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma!
Naan maari maari muththam thaaraen
I will give you kisses again and again,
Mallammaa chellammaa ponnammaa
Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma!
Odugira ottaththilae olaipetti kakkaththilae
In the running stream, holding a palm leaf basket in her armpit,
Olaipetti pinjaalum
Even if that palm leaf basket gets torn,
Yae….mallammaa yae…..chellammaa yae….ponnammaa
Hey Mallamma, hey Chellamma, hey Ponnamma!
Naan unna vida porathilla
I will never leave your side!
Kodaali konda pottu
Wearing an axe-shaped hair bun,
Koyilukku porapulla
Girl going to the temple,
Aasai intha kondakullae
Desire resides inside this hair bun,
Yae….mallammaa yae…..chellammaa yae….ponnammaa
Hey Mallamma, hey Chellamma, hey Ponnamma!
Nee yaarai allai sorugaporae
Whose night jasmine are you going to tuck in your hair?
Aththa peththa malliyappoo
Jasmine flower born to my paternal aunt,
En aasaikeththa mullaippoo
Jasmine flower matching my heart's desire,
Maampazha kannaththilae
On those cheeks soft like ripe mangoes,
Mallammaa chellammaa ponnammaa
Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma!
Naan maari maari muththam thaaraen
I will give you kisses again and again,
Mallammaa chellammaa ponnammaa
Oh Mallamma, dear Chellamma, precious Ponnamma!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This energetic rural Tamil folk song expresses playful romance, banter, and admiration for a young village girl using affectionate endearments like Mallamma, Chellamma, and Ponnamma. The male protagonist praises her beauty—comparing her cheeks to ripe mangoes and her delicate charm to jasmine flowers—while teasingly describing village gossip, her daily chores, her traditional attire, and her charming hair bun.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Aththa peththa malliyappoo / Maampazha kannaththilae”
Comparing the girl to 'malliyappoo' (jasmine flower) and her cheeks to 'maampazham' (ripe mango) to emphasize her beauty and sweetness.
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Aththa peththa malliyappoo / Naan maari maari muththam thaaraen”
The second letter 'th' rhymes between 'Aththa' and 'muththam', creating a rhythmic cadence in the chorus.
Anaaphora / Refrain
“Mallammaa chellammaa ponnammaa”
Repetition of endearing names 'Mallammaa chellammaa ponnammaa' at the end of stanzas to build folk musicality.
Did you know?
Trivia
T. K. S. Natarajan was a famous Tamil actor and folk singer renowned for his iconic energetic stage performances and rustic folk hit songs in Tamil cinema during the 1970s and 1980s.
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