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Lyrics & meaning

Engiruntho Vanthava

From Muthalali Amma · 1990

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
Nithyashree Mahadevan, Shreya Ghoshal
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Muthalali Amma1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
……………..
Female
Engiruntho vanthavadaa doiHe came from who knows where, oh friend!
Chorus :Aamam doiChorus: Yes, indeed, friend!
Female :Eduththu sonnaa naaripudum doiFemale: If revealed in detail, it will stink up, oh friend!
Chorus :Aamam doiChorus: Yes, indeed, friend!
Female :Yaaraaro kaasa vachchu ooraala aasai vachchuFemale: Stashing away someone else's money and wishing to rule the town,
Male :Aadatha aattamillai koodaatha koottumillaMale: There is no dance left unperformed and no illicit crowd left ungathered!
Female :Amma kannu chummaa iru doiFemale: Hey dear Mother, stay quiet, oh friend!
Chorus :Miyaav miyaav miyaavChorus: Meow meow meow!
Female
Engiruntho vanthavadaa doiHe came from who knows where, oh friend!
Chorus :Aamam doiChorus: Yes, indeed, friend!
Female :Eduththu sonnaa naaripudum doiFemale: If revealed in detail, it will stink up, oh friend!
Chorus :Aamam doiChorus: Yes, indeed, friend!
Ooh ooh ooh…..ooh ooh ohh….Ooh ooh ooh... ooh ooh ooh...
Female
Oohoo ooh….ammaala koopiduOohoo ooh... call the mother figure!
Pallaakka thookkittu vottukku vaaraana doiCarrying a palanquin, he comes seeking votes, oh friend!
Male :Maanaththa ennaama mariyaatha illaamaMale: Without any self-respect or honor,
Pinnaala poraanga doiThey are following behind, oh friend!
Female
Yaar yaara engengae vaikkanumWho should be placed where,
Angangae vaikkaama pooneengadaaYou failed to put them in their proper places, fellas!
Male :Ada viththaara kallikkuMale: Oh, to that cunning and deceitful woman,
Thee vachcha kollikku kaikkooli aaneengadaaTo that fire-setting torch, you became paid mercenaries!
Female :Ellaa aalumae pulla poochchithaanFemale: Everyone here is harmless like a tiny insect,
Male :Angae yaavumae amma aatchithaanMale: Over there, everything is under 'Amma's' rule,
Female :Enna yaedhu ellaam marmamthaanFemale: Whatever happens, everything is a complete mystery!
Male
Engiruntho vanthavadaa doiHe came from who knows where, oh friend!
Chorus :Aamam doiChorus: Yes, indeed, friend!
Male :Eduththu sonnaa naaripudum doiMale: If revealed in detail, it will stink up, oh friend!
Chorus :Aamam doiChorus: Yes, indeed, friend!
Female :Yaaraaro kaasa vachchu ooraala aasai vachchuFemale: Stashing away someone else's money and wishing to rule the town,
Aadatha aattamillai koodaatha koottumillaThere is no dance left unperformed and no illicit crowd left ungathered!
Female :Amma kannu chummaa illa doiFemale: Hey dear Mother, she is not sitting quietly, oh friend!
Chorus :Miyaav miyaav miyaavChorus: Meow meow meow!
Female
Engiruntho vanthavadaa doiHe came from who knows where, oh friend!
Chorus :Aamam doiChorus: Yes, indeed, friend!
Female :Eduththu sonnaa naaripudum doiFemale: If revealed in detail, it will stink up, oh friend!
Chorus :Aamam doiChorus: Yes, indeed, friend!
Lala lala lala laa…..lala lala lala laa….Lala lala lala laa... lala lala lala laa...
Lala lala lala laa…..lala lala lala laa….Lala lala lala laa... lala lala lala laa...
Male
Haehaehaehae veeraathi veerannuHey hey hey hey, calling yourselves the bravest among the brave,
Sooraathi soorannu maar thatti sonneengalaeAnd beating your chests claiming to be heroes among heroes!
Female :Thanmaanam illaamaeFemale: Without any dignity or self-respect,
Ammaalu munnaalae kaikatti ninneengalaeYou stood with folded hands in front of 'Amma'!
Male
Ada maarappu saelaikkumOh, duped by a drape-wearing woman,
Veeraappu velaikkum yaamaantha thambigalaaDuped by arrogant showmanship, my foolish brothers!
Female :Mothikka vaareengaFemale: You come to clash with us,
Thokkaththaan poreenga viththaala kambigalaaBut you are bound to lose, you showy pretenders!
Male :Aiyaa maappilla sonnaa ketkalaMale: The sir and groom won't listen to advice,
Female :Velli kaasukku palla kaatturaFemale: Showing off teeth and grinning for silver coins!
Male :Chumma chumma kaala aattura…ae….Male: Just sitting idle and swinging legs aimlessly...
Female
Engiruntho vanthavadaa doiHe came from who knows where, oh friend!
Chorus :Aamam doiChorus: Yes, indeed, friend!
Female :Eduththu sonnaa naaripudum doiFemale: If revealed in detail, it will stink up, oh friend!
Chorus :Aamam doiChorus: Yes, indeed, friend!
Female :Yaaraaro kaasa vachchu ooraala aasai vachchuFemale: Stashing away someone else's money and wishing to rule the town,
Male :Aadatha aattamillai koodaatha koottumillaMale: There is no dance left unperformed and no illicit crowd left ungathered!
Female :Amma kannu chummaa iru doiFemale: Hey dear Mother, stay quiet, oh friend!
Chorus :Miyaav miyaav miyaavChorus: Miyaav miyaav miyaav!
Male
Engiruntho vanthavadaa doiHe came from who knows where, oh friend!
Chorus :Aamam doiChorus: Yes, indeed, friend!
Male :Eduththu sonnaa naaripudum doiMale: If revealed in detail, it will stink up, oh friend!
Chorus :Aamam doi….Chorus: Yes, indeed, friend!...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This satirical track from 'Muthalali Amma' (1990) uses folk rhythms and humorous dialogic banter to critique political sycophancy, corruption, and blind allegiance to power. Through sharp colloquial lyrics, the singers expose opportunistic politicians who parade around for votes while secretly hoarding wealth and bowing subserviently to higher authorities ('Amma'). The song mocks those who boast of bravery in public yet surrender their self-respect for monetary gain.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Alliteration)

Veeraappu velaikkum yaamaantha thambigalaa

Repetition of the initial sound 'Vee' in 'Veeraappu' and 'velaikkum'.

Satire / Irony

Ammaala koopidu / Pallaakka thookkittu vottukku vaaraana doi

Uses mocking folk satire to expose politicians who put on elaborate displays solely to gather votes during election season.

Metaphor

Ellaa aalumae pulla poochchithaan

Compares common people or submissive followers to harmless little insects ('pulla poochchi') to emphasize their lack of voice.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyming)

Haehaehaehae veeraathi veerannu / Sooraathi soorannu maar thatti sonneengalae

Matching of the second consonant sounds across lines ('ra' in 'veeraathi' and 'sooraathi').

Did you know?

Trivia

Lyricist Pulamaipithan was a renowned Tamil poet and former Deputy Chairman of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Council. He was celebrated for embedding sharp political commentaries, double entendres, and social critiques into Tamil film lyrics, particularly during the 1970s through the 1990s.

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