Maama Yemmaa
From Thambi Durai · 1997
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Maamaa | Uncle / My dear |
| Male :Yen maa | Male: Why, girl? |
| Female :Oththaasa senjaa enna | Female: What if you give me a helping hand? |
| Maamaa ….maamaa | Uncle... Uncle... |
| Male | |
| Ada yen maa | Male: Oh why, girl? |
| Female :Ottaama etti nikkalaamaa | Female: Can't you stand close without keeping a distance? |
| Soraakkum neram summaavae neeyum | While it is time to cook food, if you just stand idle |
| Sogusaaga ingae ninnaalae paavam | And stand here so stylishly, it is a pity |
| Female | |
| Maamaa | Uncle |
| Male :Yen maa | Male: Why, girl? |
| Female :Oththaasa senjaa enna | Female: What if you give me a helping hand? |
| Samayalukku oththaasa senjaa enna | What if you help me with cooking? |
| Maamaa | Uncle |
| Male | |
| Vendaamae ingae ippo | I don't need it here right now |
| Indha chaappaadu…uu… | This meal... |
| Aathaadi ullae paaru | Oh my, look inside |
| Thaathaa yerpaadu | Grandfather's arrangement |
| Male | |
| Poovaalae kattil meththa | A mattress and bed of flowers |
| Ellaam pottaachu | Everything has been prepared |
| Vaa vaa naam konja povom | Come, come, let's go fondle each other |
| Romba late aachu | It has gotten very late |
| Female | |
| Annaadam enna | What is this every day? |
| Kara seththa maamaa | Oh uncle who has accumulated dirt/stains |
| Innaalil neeyae ala paayalaamaa | On this day, should you wander restlessly? |
| Vaadaama konjam nillu naan vaaren | Wait a little without wilting, I am coming |
| Nee kekkaama ulladhellaam | Even without you asking, all that is inside |
| Naan thaaren…. | I will give you... |
| Female | |
| Maamaa | Uncle |
| Male :Yen maa | Male: Why, girl? |
| Female :Oththaasa senjaa enna | Female: What if you give me a helping hand? |
| Maamaa ….maamaa | Uncle... Uncle... |
| Male :Ada yen maa | Male: Oh why, girl? |
| Female :Ottaama etti nikkalaamaa | Female: Can't you stand close without keeping a distance? |
| Soraakkum neram summaavae neeyum | While it is time to cook food, if you just stand idle |
| Sogusaaga ingae ninnaalae paavam | And stand here so stylishly, it is a pity |
| Female | |
| Maamaa | Uncle |
| Male :Yen maa | Male: Why, girl? |
| Female :Oththaasa senjaa enna | Female: What if you give me a helping hand? |
| Samayalukku oththaasa senjaa enna | What if you help me with cooking? |
| Maamaa | Uncle |
| Female | |
| Poongaathum vennilaavum | The gentle breeze and the moonlight |
| Romba soodaachoo | Have turned so hot |
| Pollaadha mogam vandhu | A fierce desire has come |
| Paduthum paadaachoo | And is troubling us endlessly |
| Female | |
| Nee konjam kaathirukka | To wait for just a little while |
| Unnaal aagaadhaa | Is it impossible for you? |
| Neram thaan aanaa enna | Even if it gets late, so what? |
| Sondham koodaadhaa | Can't our intimate bond unite? |
| Male | |
| Anjaaru baanam | Five or six arrows |
| Viduraanae kaaman | Kamadeva (the god of love) is shooting |
| Thallaadi ninnaa | Standing and swaying |
| Thadumaarum maaman | The uncle is stumbling |
| Raa podhu kannu rendum thoongaadhu | In the dead of night, both eyes won't sleep |
| Nee raagathai mella paadu | Sing the melody softly |
| Neengaadhu vaammaa | Come to me without leaving, girl |
| Female | |
| Maamaa | Uncle |
| Male :Ennodu vambu pannalaamaa | Male: Can you tease/quarrel with me like this? |
| Yen maa | Why, girl? |
| Female :Maamaa | Female: Uncle |
| Male :Ippodhu soru pongalaamaa | Male: Shall we cook the rice now? |
| Pon maanae poovae onnaaga cheru | Golden deer, floral beauty, unite with me |
| Nee thaandi ingae enakkaana soru | More than food, you are the real feast for me here |
| Vaammaa | Come, my girl |
| Female :Maamaa | Female: Uncle |
| Male :Ennodu vambu pannalaamaa | Male: Can you tease/quarrel with me like this? |
| Ada dadadaa ennodu vambu pannalaamaa | Oh dadadaa, can you tease/quarrel with me like this? |
மாமா.......
ஏம்மா.....
ஒத்தாச செஞ்சா என்ன மாமா
மாமா...
அட ஏம்மா....
ஒட்டாம எட்டி நிக்கலாமா
சோறாக்கும் நேரம் சும்மாவே நீயும்
சொகுசாக இங்கே நின்னாலே பாவம்
Uncle / My dear
Male: Why, girl?
Female: What if you give me a helping hand?
Uncle... Uncle...
மாமா.......
ஏம்மா.....
ஒத்தாச செஞ்சா என்ன மாமா
சமையலுக்கு
ஒத்தாச செஞ்சா என்ன மாமா
Male: Oh why, girl?
Female: Can't you stand close without keeping a distance?
While it is time to cook food, if you just stand idle
And stand here so stylishly, it is a pity
வேண்டாமே இங்கே இப்போ
இந்தச் சாப்பாடு.....
ஆத்தாடி உள்ளே பாரு
தாத்தா ஏற்பாடு.....
Uncle
Male: Why, girl?
Female: What if you give me a helping hand?
What if you help me with cooking?
Uncle
பூவாலே கட்டில் மெத்தை
எல்லாம் போட்டாச்சு....
வா வா நாம் கொஞ்சப் போவோம்
ரொம்ப லேட் ஆச்சு....
I don't need it here right now
This meal...
Oh my, look inside
Grandfather's arrangement
அன்னாடம் என்ன கரை சேத்த மாமா
இந்நாளில் நீயே அலை பாயலாமா
வாடாம கொஞ்சம் நில்லு நான் வாரேன்
நீ கேக்காம உள்ளதெல்லாம்
நான் தாரேன் மாமா
A mattress and bed of flowers
Everything has been prepared
Come, come, let's go fondle each other
It has gotten very late
மாமா.......
ஏம்மா.....
ஒத்தாச செஞ்சா என்ன மாமா
மாமா.....
அட ஏம்மா......
ஒட்டாம எட்டி நிக்கலாமா
சோறாக்கும் நேரம் சும்மாவே நீயும்
சொகுசாக இங்கே நின்னாலே பாவம்
What is this every day?
Oh uncle who has accumulated dirt/stains
On this day, should you wander restlessly?
Wait a little without wilting, I am coming
Even without you asking, all that is inside
I will give you...
மாமா.......
ஏம்மா.....
ஒத்தாச செஞ்சா என்ன மாமா
சமையலுக்கு
ஒத்தாச செஞ்சா என்ன மாமா
Uncle
Male: Why, girl?
Female: What if you give me a helping hand?
Uncle... Uncle...
Male: Oh why, girl?
Female: Can't you stand close without keeping a distance?
While it is time to cook food, if you just stand idle
And stand here so stylishly, it is a pity
பூங்காத்தும் வெண்ணிலவும்
ரொம்ப சூடாச்சா.....
பொல்லாத மோகம் வந்து
படுத்தும் பாடாச்சா.....
Uncle
Male: Why, girl?
Female: What if you give me a helping hand?
What if you help me with cooking?
Uncle
நீ கொஞ்சம் காத்திருக்க
உன்னால் ஆகாதா....
நேரம்தான் ஆனா என்ன
சொந்தம் கூடாதா....
The gentle breeze and the moonlight
Have turned so hot
A fierce desire has come
And is troubling us endlessly
அஞ்சாறு பாணம்
விடுறானே காமன்
தள்ளாடி நின்னா தடுமாறும் மாமன்
ராப்போது கண்ணு ரெண்டும் தூங்காது
நீ ராகத்தை மெல்லப்பாடு நீங்காது......
To wait for just a little while
Is it impossible for you?
Even if it gets late, so what?
Can't our intimate bond unite?
வாம்மா......
மாமா...
என்னோடு வம்பு பண்ணலாமா
ஏம்மா......
மாமா.....
இப்போது சோறு பொங்கலாமா
பொன்மானே பூவே ஒண்ணாகச் சேரு
நீதான்டி இங்கே எனக்கான சோறு
Five or six arrows
Kamadeva (the god of love) is shooting
Standing and swaying
The uncle is stumbling
In the dead of night, both eyes won't sleep
Sing the melody softly
Come to me without leaving, girl
வாம்மா
மாமா...
என்னோடு வம்பு பண்ணலாமா
அடடாடா
என்னோடு வம்பு பண்ணலாமா.....ஆஅ....
Uncle
Male: Can you tease/quarrel with me like this?
Why, girl?
Female: Uncle
Male: Shall we cook the rice now?
Golden deer, floral beauty, unite with me
More than food, you are the real feast for me here
Come, my girl
Female: Uncle
Male: Can you tease/quarrel with me like this?
Oh dadadaa, can you tease/quarrel with me like this?
Maamaa
Uncle / My dear
Male :Yen maa
Male: Why, girl?
Female :Oththaasa senjaa enna
Female: What if you give me a helping hand?
Maamaa ….maamaa
Uncle... Uncle...
Ada yen maa
Male: Oh why, girl?
Female :Ottaama etti nikkalaamaa
Female: Can't you stand close without keeping a distance?
Soraakkum neram summaavae neeyum
While it is time to cook food, if you just stand idle
Sogusaaga ingae ninnaalae paavam
And stand here so stylishly, it is a pity
Maamaa
Uncle
Male :Yen maa
Male: Why, girl?
Female :Oththaasa senjaa enna
Female: What if you give me a helping hand?
Samayalukku oththaasa senjaa enna
What if you help me with cooking?
Maamaa
Uncle
Vendaamae ingae ippo
I don't need it here right now
Indha chaappaadu…uu…
This meal...
Aathaadi ullae paaru
Oh my, look inside
Thaathaa yerpaadu
Grandfather's arrangement
Poovaalae kattil meththa
A mattress and bed of flowers
Ellaam pottaachu
Everything has been prepared
Vaa vaa naam konja povom
Come, come, let's go fondle each other
Romba late aachu
It has gotten very late
Annaadam enna
What is this every day?
Kara seththa maamaa
Oh uncle who has accumulated dirt/stains
Innaalil neeyae ala paayalaamaa
On this day, should you wander restlessly?
Vaadaama konjam nillu naan vaaren
Wait a little without wilting, I am coming
Nee kekkaama ulladhellaam
Even without you asking, all that is inside
Naan thaaren….
I will give you...
Maamaa
Uncle
Male :Yen maa
Male: Why, girl?
Female :Oththaasa senjaa enna
Female: What if you give me a helping hand?
Maamaa ….maamaa
Uncle... Uncle...
Male :Ada yen maa
Male: Oh why, girl?
Female :Ottaama etti nikkalaamaa
Female: Can't you stand close without keeping a distance?
Soraakkum neram summaavae neeyum
While it is time to cook food, if you just stand idle
Sogusaaga ingae ninnaalae paavam
And stand here so stylishly, it is a pity
Maamaa
Uncle
Male :Yen maa
Male: Why, girl?
Female :Oththaasa senjaa enna
Female: What if you give me a helping hand?
Samayalukku oththaasa senjaa enna
What if you help me with cooking?
Maamaa
Uncle
Poongaathum vennilaavum
The gentle breeze and the moonlight
Romba soodaachoo
Have turned so hot
Pollaadha mogam vandhu
A fierce desire has come
Paduthum paadaachoo
And is troubling us endlessly
Nee konjam kaathirukka
To wait for just a little while
Unnaal aagaadhaa
Is it impossible for you?
Neram thaan aanaa enna
Even if it gets late, so what?
Sondham koodaadhaa
Can't our intimate bond unite?
Anjaaru baanam
Five or six arrows
Viduraanae kaaman
Kamadeva (the god of love) is shooting
Thallaadi ninnaa
Standing and swaying
Thadumaarum maaman
The uncle is stumbling
Raa podhu kannu rendum thoongaadhu
In the dead of night, both eyes won't sleep
Nee raagathai mella paadu
Sing the melody softly
Neengaadhu vaammaa
Come to me without leaving, girl
Maamaa
Uncle
Male :Ennodu vambu pannalaamaa
Male: Can you tease/quarrel with me like this?
Yen maa
Why, girl?
Female :Maamaa
Female: Uncle
Male :Ippodhu soru pongalaamaa
Male: Shall we cook the rice now?
Pon maanae poovae onnaaga cheru
Golden deer, floral beauty, unite with me
Nee thaandi ingae enakkaana soru
More than food, you are the real feast for me here
Vaammaa
Come, my girl
Female :Maamaa
Female: Uncle
Male :Ennodu vambu pannalaamaa
Male: Can you tease/quarrel with me like this?
Ada dadadaa ennodu vambu pannalaamaa
Oh dadadaa, can you tease/quarrel with me like this?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This playful duet features a romantic banter between a husband and wife (or couple addressed playfully as 'Maamaa' and 'Maa'). The heroine asks her partner to help her with household chores like cooking, while the hero is eager for intimacy and romantic union, expressing that her love is the real feast he desires over physical food. The song captures their flirtatious tug-of-war, balancing domestic responsibilities with passionate yearning under the moonlight.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Oththaasa senjaa enna / Ottaama etti nikkalaamaa”
The second letters 'th' match in 'Oththaasa' and 'Ottaama', creating rhythmic harmony.
Monaai (Alliteration)
“Soraakkum neram summaavae neeyum / Sogusaaga ingae ninnaalae paavam”
Repetition of the 'S' sound across 'Soraakkum', 'summaavae', and 'Sogusaaga'.
Metaphor / Mythological Reference
“Anjaaru baanam / Viduraanae kaaman”
Referencing 'Kaaman' (Kamadeva) shooting love arrows ('baanam') as a metaphor for overwhelming desire.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is from the movie 'Thambi Durai' (1997), featuring lyrics penned by the veteran Tamil lyricist Vaali. It embodies the classic rural Tamil folk-pop romantic duet format popular in the late 1990s.
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