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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maadi Veettu Mappillai Naan

From Maadi Veettu Mappillai · 1967

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Tharapuram Sundarajan
Music director
T. Chalapathi Rao
Details
Maadi Veettu Mappillai1967

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Maadi veettu mappillai naan marakkalaeI am the son-in-law of a grand upstairs house, never forget it!
Maamanaarukku thaandi ingae madhipillaeIn this house, respect is given to me even more than to the father-in-law!
Maadi veettu mappillai naan marakkalaeI am the son-in-law of a grand upstairs house, never forget it!
Maamanaarukku thaandi ingae madhipillaeIn this house, respect is given to me even more than to the father-in-law!
Kodi vetti silukku sattaiCrisp new starched silk shirts,
Konjum kili panju methaiA soft cotton bed for a sweet-talking darling,
Kulikka kooda veneer undu kudathilaeThere is even hot water in a pot just for bathing!
Male
Maamiyaarum anubhavathil paarkkalaEven your mother-in-law has not seen such luxury in her experience,
Maamanaarum ennai pola rasikkalaNor has your father-in-law enjoyed life the way I do.
Magalukku endru ulladhellamWhatever was meant for his daughter,
Anubhavikka ennai ingaeTo enjoy all of it right here,
Maalai pottu kootti vandhaan veetilaeHe garlanded me and welcomed me into his home!
Maadi veettu mappillai naan marakkalaeI am the son-in-law of a grand upstairs house, never forget it!
Maamanaarukku thaandi ingae madhipillaeIn this house, respect is given to me even more than to the father-in-law!
Male
Thinnaiyilae thoonga sollu ungappanaiTell your father to go sleep on the outer porch!
Thinnaiyilae thoonga sollu ungappanaiTell your father to go sleep on the outer porch!
Panamum serthu enakku vecha subbanaiThat Subban who saved up all his wealth just for me.
Thonnaiyilale sundal unduThere is chickpea snack served in leaf bowls,
Thundu poda madamum unduThere are public rest houses to spread a cloth and sleep,
Pillaiyaaru koyil ingae ethanaiLook how many Ganesha temples are located right here!
Maadi veettu mappillai naan marakkalaeI am the son-in-law of a grand upstairs house, never forget it!
Maamanaarukku thaandi ingae madhipillaeIn this house, respect is given to me even more than to the father-in-law!
Male
Ennai vitta unakku vera kadhiyillaeIf you lose me, you have no other refuge or choice,
Naanillaenaa ungappanukku sariyillaeWithout me, things will not go well for your father.
Kallai katti kazhuthai vettiEven if you tie a stone, slit my neck,
Kinathukullae potta podhumAnd throw me into a deep well,
Karaiyil yeri vandhu nirppen edhirilaeI will climb back up to the bank and stand right in front of you!
Maadi veettu mappillai naan marakkalaeI am the son-in-law of a grand upstairs house, never forget it!
Maamanaarukku thaandi ingae madhipillaeIn this house, respect is given to me even more than to the father-in-law!
Madhipillae madhipillaeRespected son-in-law, respected son-in-law!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic comedic track features a pampering and boastful son-in-law who delights in his newfound fortune after marrying into a wealthy family. He humorously asserts his dominance over his father-in-law, claiming that he commands more respect and enjoys far greater comforts than the older generation ever did. From silk shirts to hot baths and soft beds, he revels in the pampered lifestyle provided to him. In the second half, the song takes a lighthearted, cheeky tone as he asserts his resilience and indispensability to the household. He playfully remarks that no matter how much they try to get rid of him or push him down, he will always bounce back. Kannadasan's playful lyrics effortlessly capture traditional South Indian familial banter and the trope of the pampered 'Maadi Veettu Mappillai' (upstairs house son-in-law).

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Maadi veettu mappillai naan marakkalae

The second consonant 'di' rhymes across 'Maadi' and 'Maamanaarukku' (patterned across phrases in the refrain).

Monae (Initial letter alliteration)

Maadi veettu mappillai naan marakkalae

The starting 'M' sound repeats across 'Maadi', 'Mappillai', 'Marakkalae', and 'Maamanaarukku'.

Hyperbole (Exaggeration)

Kallai katti kazhuthai vetti kinathukullae potta podhum

Exaggerating resilience by claiming he would climb out of a well even if tied to a stone and throat-slit.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Thonnaiyilale sundal undu / Thundu poda madamum undu

Matching end sounds with 'sattai' and 'methai', as well as 'undu' across lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

The phrase 'Maadi Veettu Mappillai' became a famous pop-culture trope in Tamil cinema and society, referring to a man who marries into a wealthy family and enjoys a comfortable, spoiled life at his in-laws' expense.

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