Chella Mama Onnu
From Naalum Therinthavan · 1968
- Lyricist
- Poovai Senguttavan
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, S. V. Ponnusami, Chrous
- Music director
- S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
- Details
- Naalum Therinthavan1968
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Chella mama onnu sollalaama | Dear uncle, can I tell you something? |
| Chella mama onnu sollalaama | Dear uncle, can I tell you something? |
| Oorukellam puthi solla vayasu paththala | I am not old enough to advise the whole town, |
| Oomaiyaga irukkathaan manasu ketkala | But my heart refuses to stay silent. |
| Oorukellam puthi solla vayasu paththala | I am not old enough to advise the whole town, |
| Oomaiyaga irukkathaan manasu ketkala | But my heart refuses to stay silent. |
| Chella mama onnu sollalaama | Dear uncle, can I tell you something? |
| Male | |
| Singam polae ivar kural irukkum aaa…mmm.. | His voice is like a roaring lion, ah... mm... |
| Singam polae ivar kural irukkum | His voice is like a roaring lion, |
| Mama sirikkaiyilae hahaa | When uncle laughs, haha, |
| Mama sirikkaiyilae namma udal nadungum | When uncle laughs, our bodies tremble. |
| Male | |
| Pattaalaththu veerarthaan namma maama | Our uncle is truly a brave soldier from the army, |
| Paarvaiyilae left right-u podalaama | Should we march left-right just at his gaze? |
| Chorus | |
| Pattaalaththu veerarthaan namma maama | Our uncle is truly a brave soldier from the army, |
| Paarvaiyilae left right-u podalaama | Should we march left-right just at his gaze? |
| Chorus | |
| Chella mama onnu sollalaama | Dear uncle, can I tell you something? |
| Male | |
| Mugaththilaethaan kan irukkum | Eyes are usually on the face, |
| Mamaa mudhukulaeyum antha muzhi irukkum | But uncle has wide eyes even on his back! |
| Mugaththilaethaan kan irukkum | Eyes are usually on the face, |
| Mamaa mudhukulaeyum antha muzhi irukkum | But uncle has wide eyes even on his back! |
| Male | |
| Uththu uththu paakkura kannu maama kannu | Uncle's eyes stare deeply and intently, |
| Uththu uththu paakkura kannu maama kannu | Uncle's eyes stare deeply and intently, |
| Adhai oppukolla venum oru thuppikkinnu | One must admit they are as sharp as a gun. |
| Female | |
| Manasu thiranthu pesa vantha machchaan | Brother-in-law has come to speak his mind openly. |
| Chorus :Ae….machchaan oo….machchaan | Chorus: Hey... brother-in-law, oh... brother-in-law! |
| Female | |
| Unga vaalipaththa….aaa…..aa….aa… | Your youthfulness... ah... ah... ah... |
| Chorus :Hoi unga vaalipaththa | Chorus: Hoi, your youthfulness... |
| Thaadikulla maraichchidalaama | Can it really be hidden inside a beard? |
| Female :Unga vaalipaththa unga vaalipaththa | Female: Your youthfulness, your youthfulness, |
| Chorus :Unga vaalipaththa…. | Chorus: Your youthfulness... |
| Thaadikulla maraichchidalaama | Can it really be hidden inside a beard? |
| Male | |
| Porumai…. | Patience... |
| Chorus :Gandhi…. | Chorus: Gandhi... |
| Male :Kadamai…. | Male: Duty... |
| Chorus :Nehru… | Chorus: Nehru... |
| Male :Panpu…. | Male: Moral character... |
| Chorus :Annaa….. | Chorus: Anna... |
| Male | |
| Porumai…..kadamai….panbu | Patience... duty... character... |
| Chorus :Gandhi….nehru….annaa…. | Chorus: Gandhi... Nehru... Anna... |
| Gandhi….nehru….annaa… | Gandhi... Nehru... Anna... |
| Male | |
| Porumaiyil Gandhiyai pol | Like Gandhi in patience, |
| Kadamaiyilae nehruvai pol | Like Nehru in duty, |
| Panbinilae annaavai pol | Like Anna in moral character, |
| Irunthidavendum | We must live and conduct ourselves. |
| Chorus | |
| Antha paadhaiyil naamellam | Along that righteous path, all of us |
| Nadanthida vendum | Must walk together. |
| Antha paadhaiyil naamellam | Along that righteous path, all of us |
| Nadanthida vendum | Must walk together. |
| Male | |
| Tamil panbodu naamellaam | With rich Tamil culture, all of us |
| Valarnthida vendum… | Must grow and flourish... |
| Male | |
| Attention | Attention! |
| Whistle :…………………. | Whistle sound |
| Male :Left right left right left right | Male: Left right left right left right |
| Left right left right left right | Male: Left right left right left right |
மற்றும் குழு
Dear uncle, can I tell you something?
Dear uncle, can I tell you something?
I am not old enough to advise the whole town,
But my heart refuses to stay silent.
I am not old enough to advise the whole town,
But my heart refuses to stay silent.
Dear uncle, can I tell you something?
செல்ல மாமா ஒண்ணு சொல்லலாமா
செல்ல மாமா ஒண்ணு சொல்லலாமா
ஊருக்கெல்லாம் புத்தி சொல்ல வயசு பத்தல
ஊமையாக இருக்கத்தான் மனசு கேட்கல
ஊருக்கெல்லாம் புத்தி சொல்ல வயசு பத்தல
ஊமையாக இருக்கத்தான் மனசு கேட்கல
செல்ல மாமா ஒண்ணு சொல்லலாமா...
His voice is like a roaring lion, ah... mm...
His voice is like a roaring lion,
When uncle laughs, haha,
When uncle laughs, our bodies tremble.
சிங்கம் போலே இவர் குரல் இருக்கும் ஆஅ....ம்ம்ம்
சிங்கம் போலே இவர் குரல் இருக்கும்
மாமா சிரிக்கையிலே ஹஹா
மாமா சிரிக்கையிலே நம்ம உடல் நடுங்கும்
Our uncle is truly a brave soldier from the army,
Should we march left-right just at his gaze?
பட்டாளத்து வீரர்தான் நம்ம மாமா
பார்வையிலே லெப்ட் ரைட்டு போடலாமா
Our uncle is truly a brave soldier from the army,
Should we march left-right just at his gaze?
பட்டாளத்து வீரர்தான் நம்ம மாமா
பார்வையிலே லெப்ட் ரைட்டு போடலாமா
Dear uncle, can I tell you something?
செல்ல மாமா ஒண்ணு சொல்லலாமா
Eyes are usually on the face,
But uncle has wide eyes even on his back!
Eyes are usually on the face,
But uncle has wide eyes even on his back!
முகத்திலேதான் கண் இருக்கும்
மாமா முதுகுலேயும் அந்த முழி இருக்கும்
முகத்திலேதான் கண் இருக்கும்
மாமா முதுகுலேயும் அந்த முழி இருக்கும்
Uncle's eyes stare deeply and intently,
Uncle's eyes stare deeply and intently,
One must admit they are as sharp as a gun.
உத்து உத்துப் பாக்குற கண்ணு மாமா கண்ணு
உத்து உத்துப் பாக்குற கண்ணு மாமா கண்ணு
அதை ஒப்புக்கொள்ள வேணும் ஒரு துப்பாக்கின்னு
Brother-in-law has come to speak his mind openly.
Chorus: Hey... brother-in-law, oh... brother-in-law!
மனசு திறந்து பேச வந்த மச்சான்
குழு :
ஏ..... மச்சான் ஓ....மச்சான்
Your youthfulness... ah... ah... ah...
Chorus: Hoi, your youthfulness...
Can it really be hidden inside a beard?
Female: Your youthfulness, your youthfulness,
Chorus: Your youthfulness...
Can it really be hidden inside a beard?
உங்க வாலிபத்த.......ஆஅ....ஆ....ஆ.....
குழு :
ஹோய் உங்க வாலிபத்த
தாடிக்குள்ள மறைச்சிடலாமா
உங்க வாலிபத்த உங்க வாலிபத்த
குழு :
உங்க வாலிபத்த
தாடிக்குள்ள மறைச்சிடலாமா
Patience...
Chorus: Gandhi...
Male: Duty...
Chorus: Nehru...
Male: Moral character...
Chorus: Anna...
பொறுமை......
குழு :
காந்தி...
கடமை.....
குழு :
நேரு...
பண்பு......
குழு :
அண்ணா....
Patience... duty... character...
Chorus: Gandhi... Nehru... Anna...
Gandhi... Nehru... Anna...
பொறுமை......கடமை.....பண்பு......
குழு :
காந்தி...நேரு...அண்ணா....
காந்தி...நேரு...அண்ணா....
Like Gandhi in patience,
Like Nehru in duty,
Like Anna in moral character,
We must live and conduct ourselves.
பொறுமையிலே காந்தியைப் போல்
கடமையிலே நேருவைப் போல்
பண்பினிலே அண்ணாவை போல்
இருந்திடவேண்டும்
Along that righteous path, all of us
Must walk together.
Along that righteous path, all of us
Must walk together.
அந்த பாதையில் நாமெல்லாம்
நடந்திட வேண்டும்
அந்த பாதையில் நாமெல்லாம்
நடந்திட வேண்டும்
With rich Tamil culture, all of us
Must grow and flourish...
தமிழ் பண்போடு நாமெல்லாம்
வளர்ந்திட வேண்டும்...
Attention!
Whistle sound
Male: Left right left right left right
Male: Left right left right left right
அட்டென்சன்....
விசில் :
................
லெப்ட் ரைட் லெப்ட் ரைட் லெப்ட் ரைட்
லெப்ட் ரைட் லெப்ட் ரைட் லெப்ட் ரைட்
Chella mama onnu sollalaama
Dear uncle, can I tell you something?
Chella mama onnu sollalaama
Dear uncle, can I tell you something?
Oorukellam puthi solla vayasu paththala
I am not old enough to advise the whole town,
Oomaiyaga irukkathaan manasu ketkala
But my heart refuses to stay silent.
Oorukellam puthi solla vayasu paththala
I am not old enough to advise the whole town,
Oomaiyaga irukkathaan manasu ketkala
But my heart refuses to stay silent.
Chella mama onnu sollalaama
Dear uncle, can I tell you something?
Singam polae ivar kural irukkum aaa…mmm..
His voice is like a roaring lion, ah... mm...
Singam polae ivar kural irukkum
His voice is like a roaring lion,
Mama sirikkaiyilae hahaa
When uncle laughs, haha,
Mama sirikkaiyilae namma udal nadungum
When uncle laughs, our bodies tremble.
Pattaalaththu veerarthaan namma maama
Our uncle is truly a brave soldier from the army,
Paarvaiyilae left right-u podalaama
Should we march left-right just at his gaze?
Pattaalaththu veerarthaan namma maama
Our uncle is truly a brave soldier from the army,
Paarvaiyilae left right-u podalaama
Should we march left-right just at his gaze?
Chella mama onnu sollalaama
Dear uncle, can I tell you something?
Mugaththilaethaan kan irukkum
Eyes are usually on the face,
Mamaa mudhukulaeyum antha muzhi irukkum
But uncle has wide eyes even on his back!
Mugaththilaethaan kan irukkum
Eyes are usually on the face,
Mamaa mudhukulaeyum antha muzhi irukkum
But uncle has wide eyes even on his back!
Uththu uththu paakkura kannu maama kannu
Uncle's eyes stare deeply and intently,
Uththu uththu paakkura kannu maama kannu
Uncle's eyes stare deeply and intently,
Adhai oppukolla venum oru thuppikkinnu
One must admit they are as sharp as a gun.
Manasu thiranthu pesa vantha machchaan
Brother-in-law has come to speak his mind openly.
Chorus :Ae….machchaan oo….machchaan
Chorus: Hey... brother-in-law, oh... brother-in-law!
Unga vaalipaththa….aaa…..aa….aa…
Your youthfulness... ah... ah... ah...
Chorus :Hoi unga vaalipaththa
Chorus: Hoi, your youthfulness...
Thaadikulla maraichchidalaama
Can it really be hidden inside a beard?
Female :Unga vaalipaththa unga vaalipaththa
Female: Your youthfulness, your youthfulness,
Chorus :Unga vaalipaththa….
Chorus: Your youthfulness...
Thaadikulla maraichchidalaama
Can it really be hidden inside a beard?
Porumai….
Patience...
Chorus :Gandhi….
Chorus: Gandhi...
Male :Kadamai….
Male: Duty...
Chorus :Nehru…
Chorus: Nehru...
Male :Panpu….
Male: Moral character...
Chorus :Annaa…..
Chorus: Anna...
Porumai…..kadamai….panbu
Patience... duty... character...
Chorus :Gandhi….nehru….annaa….
Chorus: Gandhi... Nehru... Anna...
Gandhi….nehru….annaa…
Gandhi... Nehru... Anna...
Porumaiyil Gandhiyai pol
Like Gandhi in patience,
Kadamaiyilae nehruvai pol
Like Nehru in duty,
Panbinilae annaavai pol
Like Anna in moral character,
Irunthidavendum
We must live and conduct ourselves.
Antha paadhaiyil naamellam
Along that righteous path, all of us
Nadanthida vendum
Must walk together.
Antha paadhaiyil naamellam
Along that righteous path, all of us
Nadanthida vendum
Must walk together.
Tamil panbodu naamellaam
With rich Tamil culture, all of us
Valarnthida vendum…
Must grow and flourish...
Attention
Attention!
Whistle :………………….
Whistle sound
Male :Left right left right left right
Male: Left right left right left right
Left right left right left right
Male: Left right left right left right
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This playful yet morally uplifting song begins with affectionate teasing aimed at a strict, soldier-like uncle figure. The singer humorously describes his imposing lion-like voice, trembling laugh, sharp eyes that seem to watch everywhere, and how he hides his youthful spirit behind a thick beard.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uvamai)
“Singam polae ivar kural irukkum”
Compares the stern voice of the uncle to the roar of a lion ('Singam polae').
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)
“Mamaa mudhukulaeyum antha muzhi irukkum”
Exaggerates the uncle's vigilance by claiming he has eyes on his back as well.
Anaphora / Rhyme (Monai and Etukai)
“Porumaiyil Gandhiyai pol / Kadamaiyilae nehruvai pol / Panbinilae annaavai pol”
Uses parallel structural rhymes across lines to list virtues alongside iconic leaders.
Did you know?
Trivia
The lyricist Poovai Senguttavan weaves references to legendary political figures—Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and C. N. Annadurai (Anna)—aligning civic virtues (patience, duty, virtue) with their legacy, which was a common motif in late 1960s Tamil cinema.
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