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Lyrics & meaning

Gumthalakka Gumma

From Mazhalai Pattalam · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
Master Raj, T. K. Kala, L. R. Anjali, B. S. Sasirekha, S. P. Sailaja
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Mazhalai Pattalam1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Gumthalakkaa kummaaGumthalakkaa kummaa (a rhythmic folk chant)
Naan kodukkattumaa summaaShall I give it to you just like that?
Aang…..Gumthalakkaa kummaaYeah... Gumthalakkaa kummaa!
Naan kodukkattumaa summaaShall I give it to you just like that?
Unga kottaiyaththaan pudikka poromWe are going to capture your fort!
Paaththukkammaa…mamaWatch out, uncle!
Chorus :Unga kottaiyaththaan pudikka poromChorus: We are going to capture your fort!
Paaththukkammaa…mamaWatch out, uncle!
Female
Enga koottaththilae veeraththukku korachchalilla aamaaYes, there is no shortage of courage in our gang!
Enga koottaththilae veeraththukku korachchalilla aamaaYes, there is no shortage of courage in our gang!
Female
Vanthuttuthu vanthuttuthu mazhalai pattaalamHere comes, here comes the children's army!
Odha vaangikittu poguthaiyyaa unga vattaaramYour entire circle is going to get beaten up and leave, sir!
Vanthuttuthu vanthuttuthu mazhalai pattaalamHere comes, here comes the children's army!
Odha vaangikittu poguthaiyyaa unga vattaaramYour entire circle is going to get beaten up and leave, sir!
Female
Intha aandu enga aandu vanthathu neramThis year is our year, the time has come!
Neenga eththanai per vantha pothum paaththukka poromNo matter how many of you come, we will take you on!
Aa….intha aandu enga aandu vanthathu neramAh... this year is our year, the time has come!
Neenga eththanai per vantha pothum paaththukka poromNo matter how many of you come, we will take you on!
Chorus :Oru kai paarththukka poromChorus: We will challenge you face-to-face!
Chorus
Aang…..Gumthalakkaa kummaaYeah... Gumthalakkaa kummaa!
Naan kodukkattumaa summaaShall I give it to you just like that?
Unga kottaiyaththaan pudikka poromWe are going to capture your fort!
Paaththukkammaa…mamaWatch out, uncle!
Enga koottaththilae veeraththukku korachchalilla aamaaYes, there is no shortage of courage in our gang!
Female
Thaadagaiyai konnathuvum paalagan thaanaeWasn't it a young boy who killed Tataka?
Antha poothagiyai konnathuvum paalaganthaanaeWasn't it a young child who killed Putana?
Thaadagaiyai konnathuvum paalagan thaanaeWasn't it a young boy who killed Tataka?
Antha poothagiyai konnathuvum paalaganthaanaeWasn't it a young child who killed Putana?
Female
Thaadagaiyai konnathuvum paalagan thaanaeWasn't it a young boy who killed Tataka?
Mappillaiyai kondu poga sakthiyum irukkuWe also have the strength to carry away the groom!
Engammaa paththukku mel pillaigalai peththatherkkuBecause our mother gave birth to more than ten children!
Mappillaiyai kondu poga sakthiyum irukkuWe also have the strength to carry away the groom!
Engammaa paththukku mel pillaigalai peththatherkkuBecause our mother gave birth to more than ten children!
Chorus :Paththukku mel pillaigalai peththatherkkuChorus: Because she gave birth to more than ten children!
Female
Avangalukkul manasu vachchu aasa vachchaanga yaenyaaWhy did they give their hearts to each other and fall in love, mister?
Ada kedukkaththaanaa neenga meesa vachcheengaHey, did you grow a mustache just to ruin their love?
Avangalukkul manasu vachchu aasa vachchaanga yaenyaaWhy did they give their hearts to each other and fall in love, mister?
Ada kedukkaththaanaa neenga meesa vachcheengaHey, did you grow a mustache just to ruin their love?
Female
Aasaiyillaa kalyaanamaa enna arththamWhat is the point of a marriage without love?
Male :Enga akkaalukku ippozhuthae nichchayathaarththamMale: Our elder sister's engagement is happening right now!
Female :Aasaiyillaa kalyaanamaa enna arththamFemale: What is the point of a marriage without love?
Male :Enga akkaalukku ippozhuthae nichchayathaarththamMale: Our elder sister's engagement is happening right now!
Chorus :NichchayathaarththamChorus: Engagement!
Chorus
Kumthalakkaa kummaaGumthalakkaa kummaa!
Naan kodukkattumaa summaaShall I give it to you just like that?
Unga kottaiyaththaan pudikka poromWe are going to capture your fort!
Paaththukkammaa…mamaWatch out, uncle!
Enga koottaththilae veeraththukku korachchalilla aamaaYes, there is no shortage of courage in our gang!
Enga koottaththilae veeraththukku korachchalilla aamaaYes, there is no shortage of courage in our gang!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Gumthalakkaa kummaa' from the 1980 movie 'Mazhalai Pattalam' is a energetic children's anthem sung from the perspective of a lively gang of young kids standing up against adult authority. Using rhythmic beats and playful taunts, the children proclaim their unity and courage ('Mazhalai Pattaalam' meaning 'Children's Army'). They cite mythological examples like young Lord Rama defeating Tataka and child Krishna defeating Putana to prove that youth does not equate to weakness. Beneath the fun and mock-conquest of capturing the adults' 'fort', the song addresses the movie's main plot point: questioning forced, loveless marriages enforced by traditional elders. The children playfully mock the adults' rigid attitudes and take matters into their own hands to protect their elder sister's true love, blending juvenile enthusiasm with a sharp social commentary.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Allusion (Mythological Reference)

Thaadagaiyai konnathuvum paalagan thaanae / Antha poothagiyai konnathuvum paalaganthaanae

Refers to Hindu mythology where Lord Rama defeated the demoness Tataka and Lord Krishna killed Putana as children, drawing a parallel to prove children are capable of heroic feats.

Metaphor

Unga kottaiyaththaan pudikka porom

Capturing the adults' 'fort' is a metaphor for taking control, overriding adult authority, and winning the battle of wits.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Thaadagaiyai konnathuvum paalagan thaanae / Antha poothagiyai konnathuvum paalaganthaanae

The lines end with matching phonetic endings ('paalagan thaanae'), enhancing the rhythmic folk bounce of the track.

Repetition / Anaphora

Vanthuttuthu vanthuttuthu mazhalai pattaalam

The repetition of 'vanthuttuthu' emphasizes the imminent arrival and unstoppable momentum of the children's army.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Mazhalai Pattalam' (1980) was directed by veteran actress Lakshmi in her directorial debut, under the supervision and story concept of legendary filmmaker K. Balachander. The film was produced by Kavithalayaa Productions. The soundtrack was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan, featuring an ensemble of child singers and playback artists including Master Raj, T. K. Kala, L. R. Anjali, B. S. Sasirekha, and S. P. Sailaja to capture the authentic chorus of a children's gang.

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