Maanooththu Manthaiyile
From Kizhakku Cheemayile · 1993
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sasirekha
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Kizhakku Cheemayile1993
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Maanooththu manthaiyila | In the common grazing ground of Maanoothu, |
| Maangutti petha mayilae | Oh peacock who gave birth to a fawn! |
| Pottapulla porandhadhunnu | Saying that a baby girl has been born, |
| Polikaattil koovum kuyilae | Oh cuckoo singing in the fertile forest! |
| Chorus | |
| Thaaimaaman seer | The maternal uncle's ceremonial gifts, |
| Sumandhu vaaraandi | He is carrying and bringing them! |
| Avan thanga golusu | His gift of gold anklets, |
| Kondu thaaraandi…. | He is bringing and giving them... |
| Chorus | |
| Seeru sumandha saadhi sanamae | Oh relatives carrying the ceremonial gifts! |
| Aaru kadandhaa ooru varumae | Once you cross the river, the village will arrive. |
| Male | |
| Naattukkozhi adichu | Slaughtering a free-range country chicken, |
| Naakkusotta samachi | Cooking a mouth-watering, delicious dish, |
| Nallenna oothi kudu aathaa | Pour sesame oil and serve it, mother! |
| Chorus | |
| Melu kaal valichaa | If the body and legs ache, |
| Vellappoondu urichi | Peeling cloves of garlic, |
| Vellangonjam pottu kudu aathaa | Add a little bit of jaggery and give it, mother! |
| Male | |
| Pacha odambukkaari | The new mother with a fragile postpartum body, |
| Paathu nadakkachollunga | Tell her to walk with care! |
| Chorus :Pillaikki thaaippaala | [Chorus] For the newborn baby, breast milk, |
| Thookki kodukkachollu | Tell her to hold the baby up and feed, |
| Male | |
| Machaana thinnaiyila | The brother-in-law on the outer porch, |
| Pothi padukkachollu | Tell him to wrap himself up and sleep there. |
| Male | |
| Maanooththu manthaiyila | In the common grazing ground of Maanoothu, |
| Maangutti petha mayilae | Oh peacock who gave birth to a fawn! |
| Pottapulla porandhadhunnu | Saying that a baby girl has been born, |
| Polikaattil koovum kuyilae | Oh cuckoo singing in the fertile forest! |
| Chorus | |
| Thaaimaaman seer | The maternal uncle's ceremonial gifts, |
| Sumandhu vaaraandi | He is carrying and bringing them! |
| Avan thanga golusu | His gift of gold anklets, |
| Kondu thaaraandi…. | He is bringing and giving them... |
| Chorus | |
| Seeru sumandha saadhi sanamae | Oh relatives carrying the ceremonial gifts! |
| Aaru kadandhaa ooru varumae | Once you cross the river, the village will arrive. |
| Male | |
| Aattuppaal kudichaa | If you drink goat's milk, |
| Arivazhinji pogumunnu | They say wisdom will be lost, |
| Erumappaal kudichaa | If you drink buffalo's milk, |
| Yeppam vandhu serumunnu | Burping will keep coming, |
| Chorus :Kaaraampasu otti vaaraandi | [Chorus] Driving a sacred dark cow, he comes, |
| Thaai maaman | The maternal uncle! |
| Male | |
| Vellichangu senjaa | If made of a silver conch, |
| Velakki vekka venumunnu | Thinking it needs to be polished and kept aside, |
| Thangathil sangu senji thaaraandi | He makes a feeding conch out of gold and gives it, |
| Thaai maaman | The maternal uncle! |
| Chorus | |
| Pacha odambukkaari | The new mother with a fragile postpartum body, |
| Paathu nadakkachollunga | Tell her to walk with care! |
| Male :Ee erumbu andaama | [Male] Without flies or ants hovering near, |
| Etti irukkachollu | Tell everyone to stand at a distance, |
| Machaana eerathuni | The brother-in-law, a wet cloth, |
| Katti irukkachollu..haha.. | Tell him to tie around his waist... haha... |
| Male | |
| Maanooththu manthaiyila .. | In the common grazing ground of Maanoothu... |
| Maangutti petha mayilae | Oh peacock who gave birth to a fawn! |
| Aiyo…. | Oh dear... |
| Pottapulla porandhadhunnu | Saying that a baby girl has been born, |
| Polikaattil koovum kuyilae | Oh cuckoo singing in the fertile forest! |
| Chorus | |
| Thaaimaaman seer | The maternal uncle's ceremonial gifts, |
| Sumandhu vaaraandi | He is carrying and bringing them! |
| Avan thanga golusu | His gift of gold anklets, |
| Kondu thaaraandi…. | He is bringing and giving them... |
| Chorus | |
| Seeru sumandha saadhi sanamae | Oh relatives carrying the ceremonial gifts! |
| Aaru kadandhaa ooru varumae | Once you cross the river, the village will arrive. |
| Male :Hoi | [Male] Hoi! |
| Chorus :Seeru sumandha saadhi sanamae | [Chorus] Oh relatives carrying the ceremonial gifts! |
| Aaru kadandhaa ooru varumae | Once you cross the river, the village will arrive. |
| Male | |
| Maanooththu manthaiyila .. | In the common grazing ground of Maanoothu... |
| Maangutti petha mayilae | Oh peacock who gave birth to a fawn! |
| Podu…. | Play on! |
| Pottapulla porandhadhunnu | Saying that a baby girl has been born, |
| Polikaattil koovum kuyilae | Oh cuckoo singing in the fertile forest! |
மானூத்து மந்தையில
மாங்குட்டி பெத்த மயிலே
பொட்டபுள்ள பொறந்ததுன்னு
பொலிகாட்டில் கூவும் குயிலே
In the common grazing ground of Maanoothu,
Oh peacock who gave birth to a fawn!
Saying that a baby girl has been born,
Oh cuckoo singing in the fertile forest!
தாய்மாமன் சீர்
சொமந்து வாராண்டி
அவன் தங்கக் கொலுசு
கொண்டு தாராண்டி
The maternal uncle's ceremonial gifts,
He is carrying and bringing them!
His gift of gold anklets,
He is bringing and giving them...
சீரு சொமந்த சாதி சனமே
ஆறு கடந்தா ஊரு வருமே
Oh relatives carrying the ceremonial gifts!
Once you cross the river, the village will arrive.
நாட்டுக் கோழி அடிச்சு
நாக்கு சொட்ட சமைச்சு
நல்லெண்ண ஊத்திக் குடு ஆத்தா
Slaughtering a free-range country chicken,
Cooking a mouth-watering, delicious dish,
Pour sesame oil and serve it, mother!
மேலு காலு வலிச்சா
வெள்ளப்பூண்டு உரிச்சி
வெல்லங் கொஞ்சம் போட்டுக் குடு ஆத்தா
If the body and legs ache,
Peeling cloves of garlic,
Add a little bit of jaggery and give it, mother!
பச்ச ஒடம்புக்காரி
பாத்து நடக்கச்சொல்லுங்க
குழு :
பிள்ளைக்கி தாய்ப்பாலத்
தூக்கிக் கொடுக்கச்சொல்லு
The new mother with a fragile postpartum body,
Tell her to walk with care!
[Chorus] For the newborn baby, breast milk,
Tell her to hold the baby up and feed,
மச்சான திண்ணையில
போத்திப் படுக்கச்சொல்லு
The brother-in-law on the outer porch,
Tell him to wrap himself up and sleep there.
மானூத்து மந்தையில
மாங்குட்டி பெத்த மயிலே
பொட்டபுள்ள பொறந்ததுன்னு
பொலிகாட்டில் கூவும் குயிலே
In the common grazing ground of Maanoothu,
Oh peacock who gave birth to a fawn!
Saying that a baby girl has been born,
Oh cuckoo singing in the fertile forest!
தாய்மாமன் சீர்
சொமந்து வாராண்டி
அவன் தங்கக் கொலுசு
கொண்டு தாராண்டி
The maternal uncle's ceremonial gifts,
He is carrying and bringing them!
His gift of gold anklets,
He is bringing and giving them...
சீரு சொமந்த சாதி சனமே
ஆறு கடந்தா ஊரு வருமே
Oh relatives carrying the ceremonial gifts!
Once you cross the river, the village will arrive.
ஆட்டுப்பால் குடிச்சா
அறிவழிஞ்சி போகுமுன்னு
எருமப்பால் குடிச்சா
ஏப்பம் வந்து சேருமுன்னு
குழு :
காராம்பசு ஓட்டி
வாராண்டி தாய் மாமன்
If you drink goat's milk,
They say wisdom will be lost,
If you drink buffalo's milk,
Burping will keep coming,
[Chorus] Driving a sacred dark cow, he comes,
The maternal uncle!
வெள்ளிச்சங்கு செஞ்சா
வெலக்கி வெக்க வேணுமுன்னு
தங்கத்தில் சங்கு செஞ்சி
தாராண்டி தாய் மாமன்
If made of a silver conch,
Thinking it needs to be polished and kept aside,
He makes a feeding conch out of gold and gives it,
The maternal uncle!
பச்ச ஒடம்புக்காரி
பாத்து நடக்கச்சொல்லுங்க
ஈ எறும்பு அண்டாம
எட்டி இருக்கச்சொல்லு
மச்சான ஈரத்துணி
கட்டி இருக்கச்சொல்லு..ஹா..ஹா..
The new mother with a fragile postpartum body,
Tell her to walk with care!
[Male] Without flies or ants hovering near,
Tell everyone to stand at a distance,
The brother-in-law, a wet cloth,
Tell him to tie around his waist... haha...
மானூத்து மந்தையில
மாங்குட்டி பெத்த மயிலே..ஐயோ
பொட்டபுள்ள பொறந்ததுன்னு
பொலிகாட்டில் கூவும் குயிலே
In the common grazing ground of Maanoothu...
Oh peacock who gave birth to a fawn!
Oh dear...
Saying that a baby girl has been born,
Oh cuckoo singing in the fertile forest!
தாய்மாமன் சீர்
சொமந்து வாராண்டி
அவன் தங்கக் கொலுசு
கொண்டு தாராண்டி
The maternal uncle's ceremonial gifts,
He is carrying and bringing them!
His gift of gold anklets,
He is bringing and giving them...
சீரு சொமந்த சாதி சனமே
ஆறு கடந்தா ஊரு வருமே
ஹோய்
குழு :
சீரு சொமந்த சாதி சனமே
ஆறு கடந்தா ஊரு வருமே
Oh relatives carrying the ceremonial gifts!
Once you cross the river, the village will arrive.
[Male] Hoi!
[Chorus] Oh relatives carrying the ceremonial gifts!
Once you cross the river, the village will arrive.
மானூத்து மந்தையில
மாங்குட்டி பெத்த மயிலே...போடு
பொட்டபுள்ள பொறந்ததுன்னு
பொலிகாட்டில் கூவும் குயிலே
In the common grazing ground of Maanoothu...
Oh peacock who gave birth to a fawn!
Play on!
Saying that a baby girl has been born,
Oh cuckoo singing in the fertile forest!
Maanooththu manthaiyila
In the common grazing ground of Maanoothu,
Maangutti petha mayilae
Oh peacock who gave birth to a fawn!
Pottapulla porandhadhunnu
Saying that a baby girl has been born,
Polikaattil koovum kuyilae
Oh cuckoo singing in the fertile forest!
Thaaimaaman seer
The maternal uncle's ceremonial gifts,
Sumandhu vaaraandi
He is carrying and bringing them!
Avan thanga golusu
His gift of gold anklets,
Kondu thaaraandi….
He is bringing and giving them...
Seeru sumandha saadhi sanamae
Oh relatives carrying the ceremonial gifts!
Aaru kadandhaa ooru varumae
Once you cross the river, the village will arrive.
Naattukkozhi adichu
Slaughtering a free-range country chicken,
Naakkusotta samachi
Cooking a mouth-watering, delicious dish,
Nallenna oothi kudu aathaa
Pour sesame oil and serve it, mother!
Melu kaal valichaa
If the body and legs ache,
Vellappoondu urichi
Peeling cloves of garlic,
Vellangonjam pottu kudu aathaa
Add a little bit of jaggery and give it, mother!
Pacha odambukkaari
The new mother with a fragile postpartum body,
Paathu nadakkachollunga
Tell her to walk with care!
Chorus :Pillaikki thaaippaala
[Chorus] For the newborn baby, breast milk,
Thookki kodukkachollu
Tell her to hold the baby up and feed,
Machaana thinnaiyila
The brother-in-law on the outer porch,
Pothi padukkachollu
Tell him to wrap himself up and sleep there.
Maanooththu manthaiyila
In the common grazing ground of Maanoothu,
Maangutti petha mayilae
Oh peacock who gave birth to a fawn!
Pottapulla porandhadhunnu
Saying that a baby girl has been born,
Polikaattil koovum kuyilae
Oh cuckoo singing in the fertile forest!
Thaaimaaman seer
The maternal uncle's ceremonial gifts,
Sumandhu vaaraandi
He is carrying and bringing them!
Avan thanga golusu
His gift of gold anklets,
Kondu thaaraandi….
He is bringing and giving them...
Seeru sumandha saadhi sanamae
Oh relatives carrying the ceremonial gifts!
Aaru kadandhaa ooru varumae
Once you cross the river, the village will arrive.
Aattuppaal kudichaa
If you drink goat's milk,
Arivazhinji pogumunnu
They say wisdom will be lost,
Erumappaal kudichaa
If you drink buffalo's milk,
Yeppam vandhu serumunnu
Burping will keep coming,
Chorus :Kaaraampasu otti vaaraandi
[Chorus] Driving a sacred dark cow, he comes,
Thaai maaman
The maternal uncle!
Vellichangu senjaa
If made of a silver conch,
Velakki vekka venumunnu
Thinking it needs to be polished and kept aside,
Thangathil sangu senji thaaraandi
He makes a feeding conch out of gold and gives it,
Thaai maaman
The maternal uncle!
Pacha odambukkaari
The new mother with a fragile postpartum body,
Paathu nadakkachollunga
Tell her to walk with care!
Male :Ee erumbu andaama
[Male] Without flies or ants hovering near,
Etti irukkachollu
Tell everyone to stand at a distance,
Machaana eerathuni
The brother-in-law, a wet cloth,
Katti irukkachollu..haha..
Tell him to tie around his waist... haha...
Maanooththu manthaiyila ..
In the common grazing ground of Maanoothu...
Maangutti petha mayilae
Oh peacock who gave birth to a fawn!
Aiyo….
Oh dear...
Pottapulla porandhadhunnu
Saying that a baby girl has been born,
Polikaattil koovum kuyilae
Oh cuckoo singing in the fertile forest!
Thaaimaaman seer
The maternal uncle's ceremonial gifts,
Sumandhu vaaraandi
He is carrying and bringing them!
Avan thanga golusu
His gift of gold anklets,
Kondu thaaraandi….
He is bringing and giving them...
Seeru sumandha saadhi sanamae
Oh relatives carrying the ceremonial gifts!
Aaru kadandhaa ooru varumae
Once you cross the river, the village will arrive.
Male :Hoi
[Male] Hoi!
Chorus :Seeru sumandha saadhi sanamae
[Chorus] Oh relatives carrying the ceremonial gifts!
Aaru kadandhaa ooru varumae
Once you cross the river, the village will arrive.
Maanooththu manthaiyila ..
In the common grazing ground of Maanoothu...
Maangutti petha mayilae
Oh peacock who gave birth to a fawn!
Podu….
Play on!
Pottapulla porandhadhunnu
Saying that a baby girl has been born,
Polikaattil koovum kuyilae
Oh cuckoo singing in the fertile forest!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic Tamil folk song from the movie 'Kizhakku Cheemayile' captures the joy and communal warmth surrounding the birth of a newborn female child in a rural village setting. It highlights the deeply rooted Tamil tradition of 'Thaai Maaman Seeru', where the mother's brother brings extravagant ceremonial gifts—ranging from gold anklets and a golden feeding conch ('sangu') to a sacred milk cow—to celebrate his newborn niece.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor / Blended Imagery
“Maangutti petha mayilae”
Poetic fusion of nature imagery, addressing the mother as a 'mayil' (peacock) who gave birth to a 'maangutti' (fawn).
Monaai (First-letter Alliteration)
“Pottapulla porandhadhunnu / Polikaattil koovum kuyilae”
Matching initial consonant sounds 'Po' across words in the line.
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Naattukkozhi adichu / Naakkusotta samachi”
The second consonant sound 'tt' rhymes across consecutive lines.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by A. R. Rahman for Bharathiraja's iconic rural drama 'Kizhakku Cheemayile' (1993), this song features vocals by Malaysia Vasudevan, S. P. Sailaja, and Sujatha. Vairamuthu's lyrics reflect real Southern Tamil Nadu postpartum maternal care practices, including garlic-jaggery preparations and sesame oil remedies.
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