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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maamaavukku Kudumaa Kudumaa

From Punnagai Mannan · 1986

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Punnagai Mannan1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Maamaavukku kudumaa kudumaaWill you give it to uncle, will you give?
Adi onnae onnuHey, just one single kiss
Un maaman pola varumaa varumaaCan anyone ever match your uncle?
En kannae kannuMy precious darling
Male
Maamaavukku kudumaa kudumaaWill you give it to uncle, will you give?
Adi onnae onnuHey, just one single kiss
Un maaman pola varumaa varumaaCan anyone ever match your uncle?
En kannae kannuMy precious darling
Male
Ichakuchacha ichakku chachakuchaaIchakuchacha ichakku chachakuchaa (rhythmic scatting)
BabambamBabambam
Ichakuchacha ichakku chaaaaaaaaaIchakuchacha ichakku chaaaaaaaaa
Ichakuchacha ichakku chachakuchaaIchakuchacha ichakku chachakuchaa
BabambamBabambam
Ichakuchacha ichakku chaaaaaaaaIchakuchacha ichakku chaaaaaaaa
Male
MaamaavukkuTo uncle
Un maamaavukkuTo your uncle
Chaplin maamaavukku kudumaa kudumaaWill you give it to Chaplin uncle, will you give?
Adi onnae onnuHey, just one single kiss
Un maaman pola varumaa varumaaCan anyone ever match your uncle?
En kannae kannuMy precious darling
Male
Joraana joker ithuThis is a wonderful joker
Yaarodum serumWho gets along with everyone
Vayasaanaa naattukattaiEven as this old block of wood ages
Vairamthaan yerumIts diamond brilliance only rises
Male
Naraivanthaa kaathalukkuWhen grey hair arrives, it might
Thirai poda koodumDraw a curtain over love
Sarisonna maamanukkuIf you say yes to this uncle
Narai maari pogumThe grey hair will disappear
Male
Kalyaanam aagavillaeI am not yet married
Jagu chachaan jakkuchachaanJagu chachaan jakkuchachaan
Kacheri paadavillaeI haven't sung in concerts
Jagu chachaan jakkuchachaanJagu chachaan jakkuchachaan
Male
Kalyana kaaichal vanthuMarriage fever hasn't struck
KaayavumillaeTo burn me down
Kaanaadha kaanagathaiI haven't grazed in
MeyavumillaeUnseen wild forests
Male
Perumoochu vayasaachuSighs have grown as age increased
Ini mutham kitham kutham illaeNow kisses and affection are no crime
Male
Chappaathikku kuruma kurumaaKuruma as a side dish for chapati
Adi ammakkannuHey my dear darling
Un maamaavukku kudumaa kudumaaWill you give it to your uncle, will you give?
Arai onnae onnuHalf of it, or just one
Male
Thangampol veshamittaA fake disguise painted like gold
Nikkaathu poliWill not last for long
Illaatha maamanukkuFor a non-existent uncle
Ingenna joliWhat business is there here?
Male
Ennappol meesa vechaanHe grew a moustache just like mine
Pollaatha aaluThat wicked fellow
Poonaikkum meesai unduEven a cat has a moustache
Ennaannu keluAsk him what's so special about that!
Male
Saareeram suthamundaaDoes he have a pure vocal tone?
Jagu chachaan jakkuchachaanJagu chachaan jakkuchachaan
Ennaippol machamundaaDoes he have a mole like mine?
Jagu chachaan jakkuchachaanJagu chachaan jakkuchachaan
Male
Thangappal rendirukkuI have two gold teeth
MaaruvathundaaWill that ever change?
Ullangai regai enpolDo the lines on his palm
OduvathundaaRun just like mine?
Male
Adi thaene solvenaeHey sweet honey, I'm asking you
Asal onna rendaaCan there be two originals?
Kaathal kondaaFall in love with me
Male
{Maamaavukku kudumaa kudumaa{Will you give it to uncle, will you give?
Adi onnae onnuHey, just one single kiss
Un maaman pola varumaa varumaaCan anyone ever match your uncle?
En kannae kannu} (2)My precious darling}
Male
Akkiri bachaaAkkiri bachaa
Kuruvi sikkikichaaDid the little bird get trapped?
En pol meesayum vechaaHe grew a moustache like mine
Palichichaaaa heheheheDid it shine bright? Hehehehe
Male
Akkiri bachaaAkkiri bachaa
Kuruvi sikkikichaaDid the little bird get trapped?
En pol meesayum vechaaHe grew a moustache like mine
PalichichaaaaDid it shine bright?
Male
MaamaavukkuTo uncle
Un maamaavukkuTo your uncle
Chaplin maamaavukku kudumaa kudumaaWill you give it to Chaplin uncle, will you give?
Adi onnae onnuHey, just one single kiss
Un maaman pola varumaa varumaaCan anyone ever match your uncle?
En kannae kannu he he he heMy precious darling he he he he

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and energetic track from 'Punnagai Mannan' features the protagonist dressed in his iconic Charlie Chaplin persona, playfully wooing his beloved while calling out an imposter trying to imitate him. He coaxingly asks for affection ('just one kiss') while humorously pointing out his own aging process and asserting that true charm only enhances with time, like a fine diamond.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kalyaanam aagavillae / Kacheri paadavillae

The second consonant sound matches across lines, a signature Tamil poetic rhyme scheme (e.g., Kalyaanam / Kacheri).

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kaanaadha kaanagathai / Meyavumillae

Repetition of the starting phonetic sound across line phrases (e.g., Kaanaadha / Kaanagathai).

Comic Metaphor

Poonaikkum meesai undu / Ennaannu kelu

Humorous usage of everyday imagery comparing an imitation moustache to a cat's whiskers to undermine a fake rival.

Did you know?

Trivia

In 'Punnagai Mannan' (1986), Kamal Haasan played a dual role, including 'Chaplin Chellappa', a homage to legendary comedian Charlie Chaplin. The song features vocal scatting, speed-talking rhythmic syllables, and slapstick dance routines choreographed by Kamal Haasan himself alongside director K. Balachander's creative vision.

Keep listening

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