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Dhavani Kanavugal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Maamoi Maamoi

From Dhavani Kanavugal · 1984

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Dhavani Kanavugal
Movie release year
1984
Lyrics added on
2 Sept 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Haa….aaa….aaa…aa…
Sokkanukkum rendu pondatti
Avan magan subbanukkum
Rendu pondaatti
Ayar paadi kannanukkoo
Alaillatha pondatti
Aana enna pola thangachinga
Endha saamikkum kedaiyadhuuu
En kastangala sonnalum
Kadavulukku puriyadhu
Maamoi… maamoi…
Maamoi maamoi
Kallu kada marandhidunga
Pala ezha veedu thanniyila
Muzhugudhunga
Pozhudhaachu ammammammamammaa
Azhudhaachu ammammammamammaa
Ada bodha meeri vandha vazhi thavarudhunga
Maamoi maamoi
Kallu kada marandhidunga
Pala ezha veedu thanniyila
Muzhugudhunga
Maram vechavan thanni oothala
Yaahoohu yaahoohu
Naan oothunaa ooru kekkudhae
Yaahoohu yaahoohu
Pattam vaanga vitta kaasil
Potti kada vechiruppen
Ippo oru vazhi illaiyae
Ration kada attaikkum thaan
Neram varum kaalam varum
Pattathukku adhu illaiyae
Naan kudikka yaar poruppu
Vekkam illaama appan aathaavum
Enni kollaama yen thaan pethaangalo
Maamoi
Maamoi maamoi
Kallu kada marandhidunga
Pala ezha veedu thanniyila
Muzhugudhunga maamoi
En tholil romba baaramae
Yaahoohu yaahoohu
Pen jenmamae endrum paavamae
Yaahoohu yaahoohu
Ennaiyadhu illaama kanneeril yeriyudhu
Kutha vecha kuthu velakku
Oru thiri eriyavae vazhi illa vidhi illa
Enna seiyum matha velakku
Jaadhagathil maedirukku
Neram vandhaalae yogam thappaadhu
Naanae ellorkkum raajaa appodhu hooo hoi…
Maamoi hahaa
Maamoi maamoi
Kallu kada marandhidunga
Pala ezha veedu thanniyila
Muzhugudhunga
Pala ezha veedu thanniyila
Muzhugudhunga
Pozhudhaachu ammammammamammaa
Azhudhaachu ammammammamammaa
Ada thaaru roadu thanniyila vazhukkudhunga
Maamoi maamoi
Kallu kada marandhidunga
Pala ezha veedu thanniyila
Muzhugudhunga
Ha... aah... aah... ah...
Lord Shiva has two wives,
and his son Murugan
has two wives too!
As for Krishna of Gokulam,
his wives are as countless as the waves!
But sisters like the ones I have,
no god has ever had!
Even if I explain all my struggles,
God will not understand!
Uncle... oh uncle...
Uncle, oh uncle,
forget the liquor shop!
So many poor homes
are drowning in alcohol!
The day is done, oh mama mama mama!
We have wept so much, oh mama mama mama!
Drunk out of our senses, we are losing our way!
Uncle, oh uncle,
forget the liquor shop!
So many poor homes
are drowning in alcohol!
The one who planted the tree never watered it,
Yahoo-hoo, yahoo-hoo!
If I pour myself a drink, the whole town questions me!
Yahoo-hoo, yahoo-hoo!
With the money spent to buy this college degree,
I could have set up a small petty shop!
Now there is no way out at all!
Even for a family ration card,
a good time and turn will come,
but never for this degree!
Who is to blame for my drinking?
Without any shame, why did mom and dad
keep giving birth without thinking twice?
Uncle!
Uncle, oh uncle,
forget the liquor shop!
So many poor homes
are drowning in alcohol, uncle!
The burden on my shoulders is far too heavy,
Yahoo-hoo, yahoo-hoo!
Being born a woman is an endless curse,
Yahoo-hoo, yahoo-hoo!
With no oil, burning only on tears,
stands the sacred brass lamp!
When there is no way or fate for even one wick to burn,
what will the other lamps do?
There is a peak of fortune in my horoscope;
once the time arrives, good luck will never fail!
I will be the king of everyone then, oh yeah!
Uncle, haha!
Uncle, oh uncle,
forget the liquor shop!
So many poor homes
are drowning in alcohol!
So many poor homes
are drowning in alcohol!
The day is done, oh mama mama mama!
We have wept so much, oh mama mama mama!
Look, even the tar road is slipping in all this booze!
Uncle, oh uncle,
forget the liquor shop!
So many poor homes
are drowning in alcohol!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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