Maama Maama
From Nalla Thambi · 1985
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Nalla Thambi1985
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Maamaa maamaa | Uncle, uncle |
| Aei maamaa maamaa | Hey uncle, uncle |
| Enna medhuvaa medhuvaa pudichukko | Hold me gently, gently |
| Male | |
| Yammaa yamma | Oh girl, oh girl |
| Aei yamma yamma | Hey girl, girl |
| Unna pudichaa thavaru purinjukko | If I touch you, understand that it is a mistake |
| Female | |
| Ora kannil paathukkanum | You must look at me out of the corner of your eye |
| Kaadhal panna kathukkanum | You must learn how to romance |
| Male | |
| Chee ketta ketta vaarthai idhu | Shame, these are bad, bad words |
| Kanni ponnu pechaa idhu | Is this how a young innocent girl talks? |
| Vaenaa vaenaa thaangaadhammaa odambu | No, no, my body cannot endure this |
| Female | |
| Maamaa maamaa | Uncle, uncle |
| Male :Aei | Male: Hey |
| Female :Maamaa maamaa | Female: Uncle, uncle |
| Male :Haei | Male: Hey |
| Female :Enna medhuvaa medhuvaa pudichukko | Female: Hold me gently, gently |
| Female | |
| Oru kaadhal duet paadu | Sing a love duet |
| Iduppula kaiya konjam podu | Put your hand around my waist a little |
| Male | |
| Idhu kanni ponnu dhegam | This is the body of a young innocent girl |
| Thoduradhu romba romba paavam haa | Touching it is a very big sin, ha |
| Female | |
| Paavam alla yogam adhu | It is not a sin, it is good fortune |
| Dhosham alla thottu pidi | It is not a flaw, go ahead and touch me |
| Male | |
| Engileeshu naan padichu paarthaen | I tried studying English |
| Ippa thaanae indha baasha kettaen | Only now am I hearing this language |
| Female | |
| Tution vechu solli thaaren | I will teach you by holding tuition classes |
| Aasai ellaam allit thaaren | I will shower you with all my desires |
| Engae neeyum sollu I love you | Come on, you too say I love you |
| Male | |
| Aiyai yaiyai yo | Oh my goodness! |
| Yammaa yamma | Oh girl, oh girl |
| Female :Haan | Female: Yeah |
| Male :Aei yamma yamma | Male: Hey girl, girl |
| Female :Ha ha haan | Female: Ha ha yeah |
| Male :Unna pudichaa thavaru purinjukko | Male: If I touch you, understand that it is a mistake |
| Female | |
| Idhu dhaagamaana rojaa | This is a thirsty rose |
| Adikkadi thanni oothu raajaa | Water it frequently, my king |
| Male | |
| Enna paatha paarva podhum | Just looking at me is enough |
| Posukkunu kannu pattu pogum | An evil eye will instantly fall upon us |
| Female | |
| Kannum padum kaiyum padum | Eyes will meet and hands will touch |
| Kannathula kannam padum | Cheek will touch against cheek |
| Male | |
| Naadu mechum nalla thambi naanae | I am Nalla Thambi, praised by the whole country |
| Oorukkulla kettukkadi maanae | Ask around in town about me, my dear |
| Female | |
| Nalla thambi thanga kambi | Nalla Thambi is like a solid golden wire |
| Naanum ippo unnai nambi | Now I too am trusting you |
| Manmadha leelai paarthaen | I have witnessed the divine play of Lord Manmadha |
| Female | |
| Maamaa maamaa | Uncle, uncle |
| Aei maamaa maamaa | Hey uncle, uncle |
| Enna medhuvaa medhuvaa pudichukko | Hold me gently, gently |
| Male | |
| Yammaa yamma | Oh girl, oh girl |
| Aei yamma yamma | Hey girl, girl |
| Unna pudichaa thavaru purinjukko | If I touch you, understand that it is a mistake |
| Female | |
| Ora kannil paathukkanum | You must look at me out of the corner of your eye |
| Kaadhal panna kathukkanum | You must learn how to romance |
| Male | |
| Hae ketta ketta vaarthai idhu | Hey, these are bad, bad words |
| Kanni ponnu pechaa idhu | Is this how a young innocent girl talks? |
| Vaenaa vaenaa thaangaadhammaa odambu | No, no, my body cannot endure this |
| Female | |
| Maamaa maamaa | Uncle, uncle |
| Male :Aei | Male: Hey |
| Female :Maamaa maamaa | Female: Uncle, uncle |
| Enna medhuvaa medhuvaa pudichukko | Hold me gently, gently |
| Male | |
| Yammaa yamma | Oh girl, oh girl |
| Female :Aei | Female: Hey |
| Male :Yammaa yamma | Male: Oh girl, oh girl |
மாமா மாமா
ஏய் மாமா மாமா
என்ன மெதுவா மெதுவா
புடிச்சுக்கோ
Uncle, uncle
Hey uncle, uncle
Hold me gently, gently
யம்மா யம்மா
ஏய் யம்மா யம்மா
உன்ன புடிச்சா தவறு
புரிஞ்சுக்கோ
Oh girl, oh girl
Hey girl, girl
If I touch you, understand that it is a mistake
ஓரக் கண்ணில் பாத்துக்கணும்
காதல் பண்ண கத்துக்கணும்
ச்சீ கெட்ட கெட்ட
வார்த்தை இது
கன்னிப் பொண்ணு பேச்சா இது
வேணா வேணா
தாங்காதம்மா ஒடம்பு.......
You must look at me out of the corner of your eye
You must learn how to romance
மாமா மாமா
ஹேய்
மாமா மாமா
ஏய்
என்ன மெதுவா மெதுவா
புடிச்சுக்கோ
Shame, these are bad, bad words
Is this how a young innocent girl talks?
No, no, my body cannot endure this
ஒரு காதல் டூயட் பாடு
இடுப்புல கைய கொஞ்சம் போடு
இது கன்னிப் பொண்ணு தேகம்
தொடுறது ரொம்ப ரொம்ப பாவம் ஹா
Uncle, uncle
Male: Hey
Female: Uncle, uncle
Male: Hey
Female: Hold me gently, gently
பாவம் அல்ல யோகம் அது
தோஷம் அல்ல தொட்டுப்பிடி
இங்கிலீஷு நான் படிச்சு பார்த்தேன்
இப்பத்தானே இந்த பாஷ கேட்டேன்
Sing a love duet
Put your hand around my waist a little
ட்யூஷன் வெச்சு சொல்லித் தாரேன்
ஆசை எல்லாம் அள்ளித் தாரேன்
எங்கே நீ சொல்லு ஐ லவ் யூ
This is the body of a young innocent girl
Touching it is a very big sin, ha
அய்யய் யய்யய்யோ
யம்மா யம்மா
ஹான்
யம்மா யம்மா
ஹா ஹா அ ஹான்.....
உன்ன புடிச்சா தவறு
புரிஞ்சுக்கோ
It is not a sin, it is good fortune
It is not a flaw, go ahead and touch me
இது தாகமான ரோஜா
அடிக்கடி தண்ணி ஊத்து ராஜா
என்ன பாத்த பார்வை போதும்
பொசுக்குன்னு கண்ணுபட்டுப் போகும்
I tried studying English
Only now am I hearing this language
கண்ணும்படும் கையும் படும்
கன்னத்துல கன்னம் படும்
நாடு மெச்சும்
நல்ல தம்பி நானே....
ஊருக்குள்ள கேட்டுக்கடி மானே.....
I will teach you by holding tuition classes
I will shower you with all my desires
Come on, you too say I love you
நல்ல தம்பி தங்கக்கம்பி
நானும் இப்போ உன்னை நம்பி
மன்மத லீலை பார்த்தேன்
Oh my goodness!
Oh girl, oh girl
Female: Yeah
Male: Hey girl, girl
Female: Ha ha yeah
Male: If I touch you, understand that it is a mistake
மாமா மாமா
ஏய் மாமா மாமா
என்ன மெதுவா மெதுவா
புடிச்சுக்கோ
This is a thirsty rose
Water it frequently, my king
யம்மா யம்மா
ஏய் யம்மா யம்மா
உன்ன புடிச்சா தவறு
புரிஞ்சுக்கோ
Just looking at me is enough
An evil eye will instantly fall upon us
ஓரக் கண்ணில் பாத்துக்கணும்
காதல் பண்ண கத்துக்கணும்
கெட்ட கெட்ட
வார்த்தை இது
கன்னிப் பொண்ணு பேச்சா இது
வேணா வேணா
தாங்காதம்மா ஒடம்பு
Eyes will meet and hands will touch
Cheek will touch against cheek
மாமா மாமா
ஹேய்
மாமா மாமா
என்ன மெதுவா மெதுவா
புடிச்சுக்கோ
I am Nalla Thambi, praised by the whole country
Ask around in town about me, my dear
யம்மா யம்மா
ஹேய்
யம்மா யம்மா
Nalla Thambi is like a solid golden wire
Now I too am trusting you
I have witnessed the divine play of Lord Manmadha
Uncle, uncle
Hey uncle, uncle
Hold me gently, gently
Oh girl, oh girl
Hey girl, girl
If I touch you, understand that it is a mistake
You must look at me out of the corner of your eye
You must learn how to romance
Hey, these are bad, bad words
Is this how a young innocent girl talks?
No, no, my body cannot endure this
Uncle, uncle
Male: Hey
Female: Uncle, uncle
Hold me gently, gently
Oh girl, oh girl
Female: Hey
Male: Oh girl, oh girl
Maamaa maamaa
Uncle, uncle
Aei maamaa maamaa
Hey uncle, uncle
Enna medhuvaa medhuvaa pudichukko
Hold me gently, gently
Yammaa yamma
Oh girl, oh girl
Aei yamma yamma
Hey girl, girl
Unna pudichaa thavaru purinjukko
If I touch you, understand that it is a mistake
Ora kannil paathukkanum
You must look at me out of the corner of your eye
Kaadhal panna kathukkanum
You must learn how to romance
Chee ketta ketta vaarthai idhu
Shame, these are bad, bad words
Kanni ponnu pechaa idhu
Is this how a young innocent girl talks?
Vaenaa vaenaa thaangaadhammaa odambu
No, no, my body cannot endure this
Maamaa maamaa
Uncle, uncle
Male :Aei
Male: Hey
Female :Maamaa maamaa
Female: Uncle, uncle
Male :Haei
Male: Hey
Female :Enna medhuvaa medhuvaa pudichukko
Female: Hold me gently, gently
Oru kaadhal duet paadu
Sing a love duet
Iduppula kaiya konjam podu
Put your hand around my waist a little
Idhu kanni ponnu dhegam
This is the body of a young innocent girl
Thoduradhu romba romba paavam haa
Touching it is a very big sin, ha
Paavam alla yogam adhu
It is not a sin, it is good fortune
Dhosham alla thottu pidi
It is not a flaw, go ahead and touch me
Engileeshu naan padichu paarthaen
I tried studying English
Ippa thaanae indha baasha kettaen
Only now am I hearing this language
Tution vechu solli thaaren
I will teach you by holding tuition classes
Aasai ellaam allit thaaren
I will shower you with all my desires
Engae neeyum sollu I love you
Come on, you too say I love you
Aiyai yaiyai yo
Oh my goodness!
Yammaa yamma
Oh girl, oh girl
Female :Haan
Female: Yeah
Male :Aei yamma yamma
Male: Hey girl, girl
Female :Ha ha haan
Female: Ha ha yeah
Male :Unna pudichaa thavaru purinjukko
Male: If I touch you, understand that it is a mistake
Idhu dhaagamaana rojaa
This is a thirsty rose
Adikkadi thanni oothu raajaa
Water it frequently, my king
Enna paatha paarva podhum
Just looking at me is enough
Posukkunu kannu pattu pogum
An evil eye will instantly fall upon us
Kannum padum kaiyum padum
Eyes will meet and hands will touch
Kannathula kannam padum
Cheek will touch against cheek
Naadu mechum nalla thambi naanae
I am Nalla Thambi, praised by the whole country
Oorukkulla kettukkadi maanae
Ask around in town about me, my dear
Nalla thambi thanga kambi
Nalla Thambi is like a solid golden wire
Naanum ippo unnai nambi
Now I too am trusting you
Manmadha leelai paarthaen
I have witnessed the divine play of Lord Manmadha
Maamaa maamaa
Uncle, uncle
Aei maamaa maamaa
Hey uncle, uncle
Enna medhuvaa medhuvaa pudichukko
Hold me gently, gently
Yammaa yamma
Oh girl, oh girl
Aei yamma yamma
Hey girl, girl
Unna pudichaa thavaru purinjukko
If I touch you, understand that it is a mistake
Ora kannil paathukkanum
You must look at me out of the corner of your eye
Kaadhal panna kathukkanum
You must learn how to romance
Hae ketta ketta vaarthai idhu
Hey, these are bad, bad words
Kanni ponnu pechaa idhu
Is this how a young innocent girl talks?
Vaenaa vaenaa thaangaadhammaa odambu
No, no, my body cannot endure this
Maamaa maamaa
Uncle, uncle
Male :Aei
Male: Hey
Female :Maamaa maamaa
Female: Uncle, uncle
Enna medhuvaa medhuvaa pudichukko
Hold me gently, gently
Yammaa yamma
Oh girl, oh girl
Female :Aei
Female: Hey
Male :Yammaa yamma
Male: Oh girl, oh girl
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This duet from 'Nalla Thambi' (1985) is a cheeky and lighthearted romantic exchange between the lead couple. The heroine playfully invites her lover to embrace her gently, sing romantic duets, and teach her the ways of love using modern English phrases like 'I love you'. She uses vibrant imagery, comparing herself to a thirsty rose waiting to be watered by her lover. In response, the hero feigns modesty and righteousness, asserting his clean reputation as 'Nalla Thambi' (a good brother/man praised by the town) and warning her about societal decorum, while gradually giving in to her romantic charm.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)
“Enna medhuvaa medhuvaa pudichukko”
The deliberate repetition of words like 'medhuvaa medhuvaa' (gently) and 'ketta ketta' (bad) intensifies the playfulness and emotion of the lines.
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Idhu dhaagamaana rojaa”
The heroine metaphorically refers to herself as a 'thirsty rose' (dhaagamaana rojaa) needing affection, while the hero compares his character to a 'golden wire' (thanga kambi).
Etukai (Second letter rhyming)
“Nalla thambi thanga kambi / Naanum ippo unnai nambi”
Tamil poetic rhyming where the second letter matches across adjacent lines ('Thambi' / 'Nambi').
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by Gangai Amaran, 'Nalla Thambi' (1985) starred Kartik and Radha in the lead roles. The film's soundtrack featured engaging, upbeat commercial tracks typical of mid-1980s Tamil cinema, blending folk-pop rhythms with playful, colloquial lyricism.
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