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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maadiyil Kudiyirukkum

From Vayilla Poochi · 1977

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
P. Susheala
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Details
Vayilla Poochi1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Maadiyil kudi irukkum mangammaOh Mangamma living on the upstairs floor,
Mannadhi mannar ellaam engammaWhere are all the mighty kings of kings now, my dear?
Maadiyil kudi irukkum mangammaOh Mangamma living on the upstairs floor,
Mannadhi mannar ellaam engammaWhere are all the mighty kings of kings now, my dear?
Karandha paalai koduthavadi ungammaYour mother gave you milk milked from cows, my girl,
Thaana sorandha paalai koduthavadi engammaBut my mother gave milk that secreted naturally from her breast, my dear.
Karandha paalai koduthavadi ungammaYour mother gave you milk milked from cows, my girl,
Thaana sorandha paalai koduthavadi engammaBut my mother gave milk that secreted naturally from her breast, my dear.
Female
Porakarappo pogirappoAt the moment of birth and at the moment of death,
Ellam onnuEverything and everyone is one and equal.
Idhil pollaappu veeraappu yendi kannuGiven this, why this malice and vain pride, my dear?
Female
Maadiyil kudi irukkum mangammaOh Mangamma living on the upstairs floor,
Mannadhi mannar ellaam engammaWhere are all the mighty kings of kings now, my dear?
Female
Yen aiyaa ezh ettu pillai kuttiOh sir, why do you have seven or eight children?
Idhuthaana nee paarkkum velai vettiIs this the only job and work you carry out?
Yen aiyaa ezh ettu pillai kuttiOh sir, why do you have seven or eight children?
Idhuthaana nee paarkkum velai vettiIs this the only job and work you carry out?
Appappaa thappa appaa appappa thappappaOh my, it is wrong, sir, oh my, it is terribly wrong!
Alavodu pettral than valam appaOnly if you give birth in moderation will there be true prosperity, sir!
Female
Aasaikkum aasthikkum pillai venumOne needs children for emotional love and for property inheritance,
Aanaalum adhukkum orr ellai venumEven so, there must be a reasonable limit to it.
Female
Maadiyil kudi irukkum mangammaOh Mangamma living on the upstairs floor,
Mannadhi mannar ellaam engammaWhere are all the mighty kings of kings now, my dear?
Karandha paalai koduthavadi ungammaYour mother gave you milk milked from cows, my girl,
Thaana sorandha paalai koduthavadi engammaBut my mother gave milk that secreted naturally from her breast, my dear.
Female
Porakarappo pogirappoAt the moment of birth and at the moment of death,
Ellam onnuEverything and everyone is one and equal.
Idhil pollaappu veeraappu yendi kannuGiven this, why this malice and vain pride, my dear?
Female
Maadiyil kudi irukkum mangammaOh Mangamma living on the upstairs floor,
Mannadhi mannar ellaam engammaWhere are all the mighty kings of kings now, my dear?
Female
Muzhu neelam mudi engaeWhere did full long hair go?
Yen vandhadhuWhy did this modern style come about?
Mudi vettum thozhilaali ennavadhuWhat will become of the traditional barber who cuts hair?
Muzhu neelam mudi engaeWhere did full long hair go?
Yen vandhadhuWhy did this modern style come about?
Mudi vettum thozhilaali ennavadhuWhat will become of the traditional barber who cuts hair?
Kirudhavaa padudhavaaaWith these sideburns and modern haircuts,
Kirudhavaaa padudhavaaWith these sideburns and modern haircuts,
Adadaa un azhagenna naan solvadhuOh my, how can I even begin to describe your beauty!
Female
Maadiyil kudi irukkum mangammaOh Mangamma living on the upstairs floor,
Mannadhi mannar ellaam engammaWhere are all the mighty kings of kings now, my dear?
Karandha paalai koduthavadi ungammaYour mother gave you milk milked from cows, my girl,
Thaana sorandha paalai koduthavadi engammaBut my mother gave milk that secreted naturally from her breast, my dear.
Female
Porakarappo pogirappoAt the moment of birth and at the moment of death,
Ellam onnuEverything and everyone is one and equal.
Idhil pollaappu veeraappu yendi kannuGiven this, why this malice and vain pride, my dear?
Female
Maadiyil kudi irukkum mangammaOh Mangamma living on the upstairs floor,
Mannadhi mannar ellaam engammaWhere are all the mighty kings of kings now, my dear?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Maadiyil Kudi Irukkum Mangamma is a socially conscious and philosophical folk-style song composed by T. R. Pappa with lyrics written by Vaali for the 1977 film Vayilla Poochi. Addressing an upper-class woman living upstairs, the song critiques social class divides, vanity, and arrogance, reminding listeners that rich and poor alike face the exact same reality at birth and death.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Maadiyil kudi irukkum mangamma / Mannadhi mannar ellaam engamma

Matching line endings in 'mangamma' and 'engamma' create a melodic folk cadence.

Contrast (Muran)

Karandha paalai koduthavadi ungamma / Thaana sorandha paalai koduthavadi engamma

Juxtaposes cow's milk given by a privileged mother with natural breast milk given by a poor mother to highlight social distinction and warmth.

Assonance (Monai)

Porakarappo pogirappo

Repetition of initial vowel sounds in 'Porakarappo' and 'pogirappo' for rhythmic emphasis.

Rhetorical Question

Mannadhi mannar ellaam engamma

Asks where all ancient mighty kings went, reminding that death levels all status.

Did you know?

Trivia

The line 'Alavodu pettral than valam appa' directly reflects the Indian government's nationwide family planning awareness initiatives during the mid-1970s. Lyricist Vaali seamlessly integrated contemporary socio-political messaging into catchy cinema folk songs.

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