Maamoi Maamoi
From Dhavani Kanavugal · 1984
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Dhavani Kanavugal1984
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Haa….aaa….aaa…aa… | Haa....aaa....aaa...aa... |
| Sokkanukkum rendu pondatti | Lord Shiva (Sokkan) has two wives, |
| Avan magan subbanukkum | His son Lord Murugan (Subban) also |
| Rendu pondaatti | Has two wives, |
| Ayar paadi kannanukkoo | For Krishna of Ayarpadi, |
| Alaillatha pondatti | Countless wives exist, |
| Aana enna pola thangachinga | But younger sisters like me, |
| Endha saamikkum kedaiyadhuuu | No god ever possessed! |
| En kastangala sonnalum | Even if I tell my troubles, |
| Kadavulukku puriyadhu | God will not understand. |
| Maamoi… maamoi… | Uncle... uncle... |
| Male | |
| Maamoi maamoi | Uncle, uncle! |
| Kallu kada marandhidunga | Forget the toddy shop, |
| Pala ezha veedu thanniyila | Many poor homes in alcohol (water) |
| Muzhugudhunga | Are drowning! |
| Pozhudhaachu ammammammamammaa | Time has passed, oh dear mother! |
| Azhudhaachu ammammammamammaa | We have wept, oh dear mother! |
| Ada bodha meeri vandha vazhi thavarudhunga | When intoxication crosses limits, the path goes astray! |
| Male | |
| Maamoi maamoi | Uncle, uncle, |
| Kallu kada marandhidunga | Forget the toddy shop, |
| Pala ezha veedu thanniyila | Many poor homes in alcohol (water) |
| Muzhugudhunga | Are drowning! |
| Male | |
| Maram vechavan thanni oothala | The God who planted the tree didn't pour water, |
| Yaahoohu yaahoohu | Yaahoohu yaahoohu, |
| Naan oothunaa ooru kekkudhae | If I pour (drink), the whole town questions me, |
| Yaahoohu yaahoohu | Yaahoohu yaahoohu, |
| Pattam vaanga vitta kaasil | With the money spent to earn a degree, |
| Potti kada vechiruppen | I could have set up a petty shop, |
| Ippo oru vazhi illaiyae | Now there is no way out, |
| Ration kada attaikkum thaan | Even for a ration card, |
| Neram varum kaalam varum | A time and season will come, |
| Pattathukku adhu illaiyae | But not for this degree! |
| Naan kudikka yaar poruppu | Who is responsible for my drinking? |
| Vekkam illaama appan aathaavum | Shamelessly, my mother and father, |
| Enni kollaama yen thaan pethaangalo | Without thinking, why did they birth me? |
| Male | |
| Maamoi | Uncle! |
| Maamoi maamoi | Uncle, uncle! |
| Kallu kada marandhidunga | Forget the toddy shop, |
| Pala ezha veedu thanniyila | Many poor homes in water (alcohol) |
| Muzhugudhunga maamoi | Are drowning, uncle! |
| Male | |
| En tholil romba baaramae | On my shoulders lies a heavy burden, |
| Yaahoohu yaahoohu | Yaahoohu yaahoohu, |
| Pen jenmamae endrum paavamae | Being born a woman is ever a curse, |
| Yaahoohu yaahoohu | Yaahoohu yaahoohu, |
| Ennaiyadhu illaama kanneeril yeriyudhu | Without oil, burning in tears, |
| Kutha vecha kuthu velakku | Is the floor lamp kept here, |
| Oru thiri eriyavae vazhi illa vidhi illa | When there is no way or fate for one wick to burn, |
| Enna seiyum matha velakku | What can the other wicks do? |
| Jaadhagathil maedirukku | There is a peak in my horoscope, |
| Neram vandhaalae yogam thappaadhu | When the time comes, fortune will not miss, |
| Naanae ellorkkum raajaa appodhu hooo hoi… | I myself will be king to everyone then, hooo hoi... |
| Male | |
| Maamoi hahaa | Uncle, haha! |
| Maamoi maamoi | Uncle, uncle, |
| Kallu kada marandhidunga | Forget the toddy shop, |
| Pala ezha veedu thanniyila | Many poor homes in water (alcohol) |
| Muzhugudhunga | Are drowning, |
| Pala ezha veedu thanniyila | Many poor homes in water (alcohol) |
| Muzhugudhunga | Are drowning, |
| Pozhudhaachu ammammammamammaa | Time has passed, oh dear mother! |
| Azhudhaachu ammammammamammaa | We have wept, oh dear mother! |
| Ada thaaru roadu thanniyila vazhukkudhunga | Ah, the tar road slips in the water (alcohol)! |
| Male | |
| Maamoi maamoi | Uncle, uncle, |
| Kallu kada marandhidunga | Forget the toddy shop, |
| Pala ezha veedu thanniyila | Many poor homes in water (alcohol) |
| Muzhugudhunga | Are drowning! |
ஹா.....ஆஅ......ஆஅ......ஆ.....
சொக்கனுக்கும் ரெண்டு பொண்டாட்டி
அவன் மகன் சுப்பனுக்கும்
ரெண்டு பொண்டாட்டி
ஆயர்பாடி கண்ணனுக்கோ
அலவில்லாத பொண்டாட்டி
ஆனா என்ன போல தங்கச்சிங்க
எந்த சாமிக்கும் கெடையாது
என் கஷ்டங்கள சொன்னாலும்
கடவுளுக்கு புரியாது
மாமோய்........மாமோய்........
Haa....aaa....aaa...aa...
Lord Shiva (Sokkan) has two wives,
His son Lord Murugan (Subban) also
Has two wives,
For Krishna of Ayarpadi,
Countless wives exist,
But younger sisters like me,
No god ever possessed!
Even if I tell my troubles,
God will not understand.
Uncle... uncle...
மாமோய் மாமோய்
கள்ளுக் கடை மறந்திடுங்க
பல ஏழை வீடு தண்ணியில
முழுகுதுங்க
பொழுதாச்சு அம்மம்மம்மம்மா
அழுதாச்சு அம்மம்மம்மமம்மா
அட போதை மீறி வந்த வழி தவறுதுங்க
Uncle, uncle!
Forget the toddy shop,
Many poor homes in alcohol (water)
Are drowning!
Time has passed, oh dear mother!
We have wept, oh dear mother!
When intoxication crosses limits, the path goes astray!
மாமோய் மாமோய்
கள்ளுக் கடை மறந்திடுங்க
பல ஏழை வீடு தண்ணியில
முழுகுதுங்க
Uncle, uncle,
Forget the toddy shop,
Many poor homes in alcohol (water)
Are drowning!
மரம் வெச்சவன் தண்ணி ஊத்தல
யாஹூஹு யாஹூஹு
நான் ஊத்துனா ஊரு கேக்குதே
யாஹூஹு யாஹூஹு
பட்டம் வாங்க விட்ட காசில்
பொட்டிக் கடை வெச்சிருப்பேன்
இப்போ ஒரு வழி இல்லையே
ரேஷன் கடை அட்டைக்கும்தான்
நேரம் வரும் காலம் வரும்
பட்டத்துக்கு அது இல்லையே
நான் குடிக்க யார் பொறுப்பு
வெக்கம் இல்லாம அப்பன் ஆத்தாவும்
எண்ணிக் கொள்ளாம ஏன்தான்
பெத்தாங்களோ.....ஓ.....ஹோய்....
The God who planted the tree didn't pour water,
Yaahoohu yaahoohu,
If I pour (drink), the whole town questions me,
Yaahoohu yaahoohu,
With the money spent to earn a degree,
I could have set up a petty shop,
Now there is no way out,
Even for a ration card,
A time and season will come,
But not for this degree!
Who is responsible for my drinking?
Shamelessly, my mother and father,
Without thinking, why did they birth me?
மாமோய்
மாமோய் மாமோய்
கள்ளுக் கடை மறந்திடுங்க
பல ஏழை வீடு தண்ணியில
முழுகுதுங்க மாமோய்..........
Uncle!
Uncle, uncle!
Forget the toddy shop,
Many poor homes in water (alcohol)
Are drowning, uncle!
என் தோளிலே ரொம்ப பாரமே
யாஹூஹு யாஹூஹு
பெண் ஜென்மமே என்றும் பாவமே
யாஹூஹு யாஹூஹு
எண்ணையது இல்லாம கண்ணீரில் எரியுது
குத்த வெச்ச குத்து வெளக்கு
ஒரு திரி எரியவே வழி இல்ல விதி இல்ல
என்ன செய்யும் மத்த வெளக்கு
ஜாதகத்தில் மேடிருக்கு
நேரம் வந்தாலே யோகம் தப்பாது
நானே எல்லோர்க்கும் ராஜா
அப்போது ஹோய் ஹோய்......
On my shoulders lies a heavy burden,
Yaahoohu yaahoohu,
Being born a woman is ever a curse,
Yaahoohu yaahoohu,
Without oil, burning in tears,
Is the floor lamp kept here,
When there is no way or fate for one wick to burn,
What can the other wicks do?
There is a peak in my horoscope,
When the time comes, fortune will not miss,
I myself will be king to everyone then, hooo hoi...
மாமோய் ஹஹா
மாமோய் மாமோய்
கள்ளுக் கடை மறந்திடுங்க
பல ஏழ வீடு தண்ணியில
முழுகுதுங்க
பல ஏழை வீடு தண்ணியில
முழுகுதுங்க
பொழுதாச்சு அம்மம்மம்மம்மா
அழுதாச்சு அம்மம்மம்மமம்மா
அட தாரு ரோடு தண்ணியில வழுகுதுங்க
Uncle, haha!
Uncle, uncle,
Forget the toddy shop,
Many poor homes in water (alcohol)
Are drowning,
Many poor homes in water (alcohol)
Are drowning,
Time has passed, oh dear mother!
We have wept, oh dear mother!
Ah, the tar road slips in the water (alcohol)!
மாமோய் மாமோய்
கள்ளுக் கடை மறந்திடுங்க
பல ஏழை வீடு தண்ணியில
முழுகுதுங்க
Uncle, uncle,
Forget the toddy shop,
Many poor homes in water (alcohol)
Are drowning!
Haa….aaa….aaa…aa…
Haa....aaa....aaa...aa...
Sokkanukkum rendu pondatti
Lord Shiva (Sokkan) has two wives,
Avan magan subbanukkum
His son Lord Murugan (Subban) also
Rendu pondaatti
Has two wives,
Ayar paadi kannanukkoo
For Krishna of Ayarpadi,
Alaillatha pondatti
Countless wives exist,
Aana enna pola thangachinga
But younger sisters like me,
Endha saamikkum kedaiyadhuuu
No god ever possessed!
En kastangala sonnalum
Even if I tell my troubles,
Kadavulukku puriyadhu
God will not understand.
Maamoi… maamoi…
Uncle... uncle...
Maamoi maamoi
Uncle, uncle!
Kallu kada marandhidunga
Forget the toddy shop,
Pala ezha veedu thanniyila
Many poor homes in alcohol (water)
Muzhugudhunga
Are drowning!
Pozhudhaachu ammammammamammaa
Time has passed, oh dear mother!
Azhudhaachu ammammammamammaa
We have wept, oh dear mother!
Ada bodha meeri vandha vazhi thavarudhunga
When intoxication crosses limits, the path goes astray!
Maamoi maamoi
Uncle, uncle,
Kallu kada marandhidunga
Forget the toddy shop,
Pala ezha veedu thanniyila
Many poor homes in alcohol (water)
Muzhugudhunga
Are drowning!
Maram vechavan thanni oothala
The God who planted the tree didn't pour water,
Yaahoohu yaahoohu
Yaahoohu yaahoohu,
Naan oothunaa ooru kekkudhae
If I pour (drink), the whole town questions me,
Yaahoohu yaahoohu
Yaahoohu yaahoohu,
Pattam vaanga vitta kaasil
With the money spent to earn a degree,
Potti kada vechiruppen
I could have set up a petty shop,
Ippo oru vazhi illaiyae
Now there is no way out,
Ration kada attaikkum thaan
Even for a ration card,
Neram varum kaalam varum
A time and season will come,
Pattathukku adhu illaiyae
But not for this degree!
Naan kudikka yaar poruppu
Who is responsible for my drinking?
Vekkam illaama appan aathaavum
Shamelessly, my mother and father,
Enni kollaama yen thaan pethaangalo
Without thinking, why did they birth me?
Maamoi
Uncle!
Maamoi maamoi
Uncle, uncle!
Kallu kada marandhidunga
Forget the toddy shop,
Pala ezha veedu thanniyila
Many poor homes in water (alcohol)
Muzhugudhunga maamoi
Are drowning, uncle!
En tholil romba baaramae
On my shoulders lies a heavy burden,
Yaahoohu yaahoohu
Yaahoohu yaahoohu,
Pen jenmamae endrum paavamae
Being born a woman is ever a curse,
Yaahoohu yaahoohu
Yaahoohu yaahoohu,
Ennaiyadhu illaama kanneeril yeriyudhu
Without oil, burning in tears,
Kutha vecha kuthu velakku
Is the floor lamp kept here,
Oru thiri eriyavae vazhi illa vidhi illa
When there is no way or fate for one wick to burn,
Enna seiyum matha velakku
What can the other wicks do?
Jaadhagathil maedirukku
There is a peak in my horoscope,
Neram vandhaalae yogam thappaadhu
When the time comes, fortune will not miss,
Naanae ellorkkum raajaa appodhu hooo hoi…
I myself will be king to everyone then, hooo hoi...
Maamoi hahaa
Uncle, haha!
Maamoi maamoi
Uncle, uncle,
Kallu kada marandhidunga
Forget the toddy shop,
Pala ezha veedu thanniyila
Many poor homes in water (alcohol)
Muzhugudhunga
Are drowning,
Pala ezha veedu thanniyila
Many poor homes in water (alcohol)
Muzhugudhunga
Are drowning,
Pozhudhaachu ammammammamammaa
Time has passed, oh dear mother!
Azhudhaachu ammammammamammaa
We have wept, oh dear mother!
Ada thaaru roadu thanniyila vazhukkudhunga
Ah, the tar road slips in the water (alcohol)!
Maamoi maamoi
Uncle, uncle,
Kallu kada marandhidunga
Forget the toddy shop,
Pala ezha veedu thanniyila
Many poor homes in water (alcohol)
Muzhugudhunga
Are drowning!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from the film Dhavani Kanavugal (1984) uses satirical and poignant social commentary to highlight the plight of unemployed educated youth and the devastating impact of alcoholism on poor households. The speaker addresses her uncle and society, invoking mythological figures to contrast divine privileges with the suffering of young women left to bear the burdens of family survival.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Slesai / Double Entendre (Pun)
“Pala ezha veedu thanniyila muzhugudhunga”
The word 'Thanni' (water) is cleverly used throughout the song to mean both actual water and alcohol/toddy, symbolizing drowning in poverty as well as liquor addiction.
Emona / Rhyme & Alliteration
“Pozhudhaachu ammammammamammaa / Azhudhaachu ammammammamammaa”
Use of similar rhythm and rhyming structure across consecutive lines like 'Pozhudhaachu' and 'Azhudhaachu'.
Metaphor
“Kutha vecha kuthu velakku / Oru thiri eriyavae vazhi illa vidhi illa”
The family members are metaphorically compared to wicks of a traditional oil lamp (kuthu velakku) struggling to stay alight without fuel (oil/resources).
Did you know?
Trivia
Dhavani Kanavugal (1984) was written, directed by, and starred K. Bhagyaraj alongside Shivaji Ganesan. The soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vairamuthu.
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