Jaan Pillaiyanalum Aan Pillaiye
From Devi Sridevi · 1983
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, Gangai Amaran
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Devi Sridevi1983
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Jaan pillaiyaanalum aann pillaiyae | Even if only a span tall, a boy is still a man. |
| Mamavai pol vantha maappillaiyae | The groom who came like an uncle. |
| Chorus :Hae jaan pillaiyaanalum aann pillaiyae | Chorus: Hey, even if only a span tall, a boy is still a man. |
| Mamavai pol vantha maappillaiyae | The groom who came like an uncle. |
| Male | |
| Kalyaanam endroru santhaiyil needhaanae aadu | In the market called marriage, you are the goat. |
| Maalai podu solli paadu daadadaa…..daa….daa | Put the garland, sing along, daadadaa...daa...daa. |
| Chorus | |
| Jaan pillaiyaanalum aann pillaiyae | Even if only a span tall, a boy is still a man. |
| Hae mamavai pol vantha maappillaiyae | Hey, the groom who came like an uncle. |
| Male | |
| Senja thappu aiyyo konjam nillu | Oh, wait a moment for the mistake committed. |
| Senjidatha mosam illa | There is no deceit left uncommitted. |
| Male | |
| ……………… | ................ |
| Male | |
| Kaasu panam aiyyaiyo kettathilla | Oh dear, didn't ask for cash or money. |
| Unna vida yaarumilla hoi hoi | There is no one better than you, hoi hoi. |
| Chorus | |
| Kai kodukkum velaiyilae | At the time of lending a helping hand, |
| Unnai vittaa aalumilla | Except you, there is no one else. |
| Kai kodukkum velaiyilae | At the time of lending a helping hand, |
| Unnai vittaa aalumilla | Except you, there is no one else. |
| Male | |
| Aasaikkoru vaeli illa | There is no boundary or fence for desires. |
| Moolaiyum illa yaehae hei | Nor is there any brain, yaehae hei. |
| Mamanukku panthaa edhukku | Why show off so much arrogance, uncle? |
| Chorus :Un kaalamum maaruthu neramum maaruthappaa | Chorus: Man, your time and luck are changing now. |
| Chorus | |
| Jaan pillaiyaanalum aann pillaiyae | Even if only a span tall, a boy is still a man. |
| Mamavai pol vantha maappillaiyae | The groom who came like an uncle. |
| Male | |
| Kalyaanam endroru santhaiyil needhaanae aadu | In the market called marriage, you are the goat. |
| Maalai podu solli paadu daadadaa…..daa….daa | Put the garland, sing along, daadadaa...daa...daa. |
| Chorus | |
| Jaan pillaiyaanalum aann pillaiyae | Even if only a span tall, a boy is still a man. |
| Aahaahaah mamavai pol vantha maappillaiyae | Aha, the groom who came like an uncle. |
| Male | |
| Pillaigala peththa ammaakkalae | Oh mothers who gave birth to children, |
| Konjam enni paarungalaen | Just consider and think for a bit. |
| Kanni pengal kanneer vellaththilae | Young maiden girls are drowning in a flood of tears, |
| Kaalam thalla kaanungalae | Look at them passing their time in misery. |
| Chorus | |
| Vaazha oru paadhaiyindri | Without a path to live their lives, |
| Melamindri thaaliyindri | Without wedding drums, without a sacred thali thread, |
| Vaazhum ilam pengalaiyae | The young women living here, |
| Vaattum varathatchanaiyae | Are tormented by the evil practice of dowry. |
| Male | |
| Intha thuyar theerththu vida yaarumillai ingae | There is no one here to end this deep sorrow. |
| Penn paavam thanai dhinam saerththavanai | The man who daily accumulates sins against women, |
| Chorus :Nam oorukku munnindru | Chorus: Standing in front of our town, |
| Kaattida vanthavan naan hoo hoo | I am the one who has come to expose him, hoo hoo. |
| Chorus | |
| Jaan pillaiyaanalum aann pillaiyae | Even if only a span tall, a boy is still a man. |
| Aah mamavai pol vantha maappillaiyae | Ah, the groom who came like an uncle. |
| Male | |
| Kalyaanam endroru santhaiyil needhaanae aadu | In the market called marriage, you are the goat. |
| Maalai podu solli paadu daadadaa…..dei….dei | Put the garland, sing along, daadadaa...dei...dei. |
| Chorus | |
| Jaan pillaiyaanalum aann pillaiyae | Even if only a span tall, a boy is still a man. |
| Haei mamavai pol vantha maappillaiyae…. | Hey, the groom who came like an uncle.... |
ஜாண் பிள்ளையானாலும் ஆண் பிள்ளையே
மாமாவை போல் வந்த மாப்பிள்ளையே
குழு :
ஹே ஜாண் பிள்ளையானாலும் ஆண் பிள்ளையே
மாமாவை போல் வந்த மாப்பிள்ளையே
Even if only a span tall, a boy is still a man.
The groom who came like an uncle.
Chorus: Hey, even if only a span tall, a boy is still a man.
The groom who came like an uncle.
கல்யாணம் என்றொரு சந்தையில் நீதானே ஆடு
மாலை போடு சொல்லி பாடு டாடடா.....டா....டா..
In the market called marriage, you are the goat.
Put the garland, sing along, daadadaa...daa...daa.
ஜாண் பிள்ளையானாலும் ஆண் பிள்ளையே
ஹே மாமாவை போல் வந்த மாப்பிள்ளையே
Even if only a span tall, a boy is still a man.
Hey, the groom who came like an uncle.
செஞ்ச தப்பு அய்யோ கொஞ்சம் நில்லு
செஞ்சிடாத மோசம் இல்ல
Oh, wait a moment for the mistake committed.
There is no deceit left uncommitted.
.....................
................
காசு பணம் அய்யய்யோ கேட்டதில்ல
உன்ன விட யாருமில்ல ஹோய் ஹோய்
Oh dear, didn't ask for cash or money.
There is no one better than you, hoi hoi.
கை கொடுக்கும் வேளையிலே
உன்னை விட்டா ஆளுமில்ல
கை கொடுக்கும் வேளையிலே
உன்னை விட்டா ஆளுமில்ல
At the time of lending a helping hand,
Except you, there is no one else.
At the time of lending a helping hand,
Except you, there is no one else.
ஆசைக்கொரு வேலியில்ல
மூளையுமில்ல ஏஹே ஹேய்
மாமனுக்கு பந்தா எதுக்கு
குழு :
உன் காலமும் மாறுது நேரமும் மாறுதப்பா
There is no boundary or fence for desires.
Nor is there any brain, yaehae hei.
Why show off so much arrogance, uncle?
Chorus: Man, your time and luck are changing now.
ஜாண் பிள்ளையானாலும் ஆண் பிள்ளையே
மாமாவை போல் வந்த மாப்பிள்ளையே
Even if only a span tall, a boy is still a man.
The groom who came like an uncle.
கல்யாணம் என்றொரு சந்தையில் நீதானே ஆடு
மாலை போடு சொல்லி பாடு டாடடா.....டா....டா..
In the market called marriage, you are the goat.
Put the garland, sing along, daadadaa...daa...daa.
ஜாண் பிள்ளையானாலும் ஆண் பிள்ளையே
ஆஹஹாஹ் மாமாவை போல் வந்த மாப்பிள்ளையே
Even if only a span tall, a boy is still a man.
Aha, the groom who came like an uncle.
பிள்ளைகள பெத்த அம்மாக்களே
கொஞ்சம் எண்ணி பாருங்களேன்
கன்னிப் பெண்கள் கண்ணீர் வெள்ளத்திலே
காலம் தள்ள காணுங்களேன்
Oh mothers who gave birth to children,
Just consider and think for a bit.
Young maiden girls are drowning in a flood of tears,
Look at them passing their time in misery.
வாழ ஒரு பாதையின்றி
மேளமின்றி தாலியின்றி
வாழும் இளம் பெண்களையே
வாட்டும் வரதட்சணையே
Without a path to live their lives,
Without wedding drums, without a sacred thali thread,
The young women living here,
Are tormented by the evil practice of dowry.
இந்த துயர் தீர்த்துவிட யாருமில்லையிங்கே
பெண் பாவம்தனை தினம் சேர்த்தவனை
குழு
: நம்மூருக்கு முன்னின்று
காட்டிட வந்தவன் நான் ஹூ ஹூ
There is no one here to end this deep sorrow.
The man who daily accumulates sins against women,
Chorus: Standing in front of our town,
I am the one who has come to expose him, hoo hoo.
ஜாண் பிள்ளையானாலும் ஆண் பிள்ளையே
ஆஹ் மாமாவை போல் வந்த மாப்பிள்ளையே
Even if only a span tall, a boy is still a man.
Ah, the groom who came like an uncle.
கல்யாணம் என்றொரு சந்தையில் நீதானே ஆடு
மாலை போடு சொல்லி பாடு டாடடா.....டேய் டேய்....
In the market called marriage, you are the goat.
Put the garland, sing along, daadadaa...dei...dei.
ஜாண் பிள்ளையானாலும் ஆண் பிள்ளையே
ஹேய் மாமாவை போல் வந்த மாப்பிள்ளையே...
Even if only a span tall, a boy is still a man.
Hey, the groom who came like an uncle....
Jaan pillaiyaanalum aann pillaiyae
Even if only a span tall, a boy is still a man.
Mamavai pol vantha maappillaiyae
The groom who came like an uncle.
Chorus :Hae jaan pillaiyaanalum aann pillaiyae
Chorus: Hey, even if only a span tall, a boy is still a man.
Mamavai pol vantha maappillaiyae
The groom who came like an uncle.
Kalyaanam endroru santhaiyil needhaanae aadu
In the market called marriage, you are the goat.
Maalai podu solli paadu daadadaa…..daa….daa
Put the garland, sing along, daadadaa...daa...daa.
Jaan pillaiyaanalum aann pillaiyae
Even if only a span tall, a boy is still a man.
Hae mamavai pol vantha maappillaiyae
Hey, the groom who came like an uncle.
Senja thappu aiyyo konjam nillu
Oh, wait a moment for the mistake committed.
Senjidatha mosam illa
There is no deceit left uncommitted.
………………
................
Kaasu panam aiyyaiyo kettathilla
Oh dear, didn't ask for cash or money.
Unna vida yaarumilla hoi hoi
There is no one better than you, hoi hoi.
Kai kodukkum velaiyilae
At the time of lending a helping hand,
Unnai vittaa aalumilla
Except you, there is no one else.
Kai kodukkum velaiyilae
At the time of lending a helping hand,
Unnai vittaa aalumilla
Except you, there is no one else.
Aasaikkoru vaeli illa
There is no boundary or fence for desires.
Moolaiyum illa yaehae hei
Nor is there any brain, yaehae hei.
Mamanukku panthaa edhukku
Why show off so much arrogance, uncle?
Chorus :Un kaalamum maaruthu neramum maaruthappaa
Chorus: Man, your time and luck are changing now.
Jaan pillaiyaanalum aann pillaiyae
Even if only a span tall, a boy is still a man.
Mamavai pol vantha maappillaiyae
The groom who came like an uncle.
Kalyaanam endroru santhaiyil needhaanae aadu
In the market called marriage, you are the goat.
Maalai podu solli paadu daadadaa…..daa….daa
Put the garland, sing along, daadadaa...daa...daa.
Jaan pillaiyaanalum aann pillaiyae
Even if only a span tall, a boy is still a man.
Aahaahaah mamavai pol vantha maappillaiyae
Aha, the groom who came like an uncle.
Pillaigala peththa ammaakkalae
Oh mothers who gave birth to children,
Konjam enni paarungalaen
Just consider and think for a bit.
Kanni pengal kanneer vellaththilae
Young maiden girls are drowning in a flood of tears,
Kaalam thalla kaanungalae
Look at them passing their time in misery.
Vaazha oru paadhaiyindri
Without a path to live their lives,
Melamindri thaaliyindri
Without wedding drums, without a sacred thali thread,
Vaazhum ilam pengalaiyae
The young women living here,
Vaattum varathatchanaiyae
Are tormented by the evil practice of dowry.
Intha thuyar theerththu vida yaarumillai ingae
There is no one here to end this deep sorrow.
Penn paavam thanai dhinam saerththavanai
The man who daily accumulates sins against women,
Chorus :Nam oorukku munnindru
Chorus: Standing in front of our town,
Kaattida vanthavan naan hoo hoo
I am the one who has come to expose him, hoo hoo.
Jaan pillaiyaanalum aann pillaiyae
Even if only a span tall, a boy is still a man.
Aah mamavai pol vantha maappillaiyae
Ah, the groom who came like an uncle.
Kalyaanam endroru santhaiyil needhaanae aadu
In the market called marriage, you are the goat.
Maalai podu solli paadu daadadaa…..dei….dei
Put the garland, sing along, daadadaa...dei...dei.
Jaan pillaiyaanalum aann pillaiyae
Even if only a span tall, a boy is still a man.
Haei mamavai pol vantha maappillaiyae….
Hey, the groom who came like an uncle....
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Jaan Pillaiyaanalum Aann Pillaiyae is a satirical and socially conscious Tamil track from the 1983 movie Devi Sridevi, penned by lyricist Gangai Amaran. The song directly addresses traditional patriarchy and the pervasive evil of dowry in Tamil society. Using irony, the lyrics turn the traditional Tamil proverb about male privilege on its head to critique arrogant grooms and the commercialization of marriage. The speaker highlights the grief of young women and their mothers who are driven to despair due to unaffordable dowry demands. Calling out the marriage market where grooms act like commodities or sacrificial goats, the protagonist vows to stand in front of the community and expose the greedy men responsible for subjecting young women to distress.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Kalyaanam endroru santhaiyil needhaanae aadu”
Compares marriage to a market ('santhai') and the groom or bride to a goat ('aadu'), highlighting the commercialization of relationships.
Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Melamindri thaaliyindri / Vaazhum ilam pengalaiyae”
Rhyming of second consonants across lines ('la' in Melamindri / Vaazhum) and matching trailing suffixes ('indri').
Irony / Satire
“Jaan pillaiyaanalum aann pillaiyae”
Uses the patriarchal proverb 'Jaan pillaiyaanalum aann pillai' (Even a small boy is still a man) sarcastically to mock foolish male arrogance.
Did you know?
Trivia
The title phrase 'Jaan pillaiyaanalum aann pillai' is an old Tamil proverb traditionally used to emphasize male dominance regardless of size or maturity. Lyricist Gangai Amaran repurposed this common idiom in a satirical context for the movie Devi Sridevi (1983) to highlight anti-dowry social messages.
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