Machan Ennai
From Senthamizh Selvan · 1994
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- Swarnalatha
- Music directors
- K. V. Mahadevan, Ilayaraja
- Details
- Senthamizh Selvan1994
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Naan viricha valaiyila | In the net that I cast |
| Sikkinaaru maappilla | The groom got trapped |
| Chorus | |
| Oho hoi oho hoi oho hoi oho hoi | Oho hoi oho hoi oho hoi oho hoi |
| Female | |
| Oora vittu ooru vandhu | Leaving his town and coming here |
| Maattinaaru maappilla | The groom got trapped |
| Chorus | |
| Oho hoi oho hoi oho hoi oho hoi | Oho hoi oho hoi oho hoi oho hoi |
| Female | |
| Kenda meenu keluthi meenu | Carp fish, catfish |
| Vaazha meenu vavvaa meenu | Ribbon fish, pomfret fish |
| Veraal meenu vanjira meenu | Murrel fish, kingfish |
| Ayira meenu nethili meenu | Spiny eel fish, anchovy fish |
| Noothu kanakkula | In hundreds |
| Meen irukku aathula | There are fish in the river |
| Naan pudichu kozhambu veppaen | I will catch them and cook curry |
| Namma veettu sattiyila | In our house pot |
| Chorus | |
| Akkaa akkaa akkaa thaan | It is my sister, my sister, my sister |
| Akkaa vaelai pakkaa thaan | My sister's work is always perfect |
| Maattinaaru maappilla | The groom got trapped |
| Mannangatti thoppula | In the grove of mud |
| Hahahahahahaha | Hahahahahahaha |
| Female | |
| Machaan enna kaelu | Listen to me, cousin |
| Kathu koduppenae | I will teach you |
| Neechal adikka | How to swim |
| Oru acham pirandhaakkaa | If any fear arises |
| Pakkam iruppenae | I will be right beside you |
| Thaangi pudikka | To hold and support you |
| Pacha malai oram | By the side of the green hill |
| Patta pagal naeram | In broad daylight |
| Aadai adikka | When clothes flutter |
| Kuri vechu pudichenae | I aimed and caught you |
| Otha pana pola | Like a solitary palm tree |
| Neeyum irukkae | You stand tall |
| Female | |
| Eppodhum thappaadhu | She never misses her mark |
| Vayasu ponnu | When a young girl |
| Vala pottaa | Casts her net |
| Unnaattam meen kanakkaa odi poga | She won't let you flee |
| Vida maattaa | Like a slipping fish |
| Chorus | |
| Un ooru ungaathaa yaaru enna | What is your town? Who is your mother? |
| Iva kaeppaa | She will ask you all this |
| Sonnaa thaan oorukkulla | Only if you answer |
| Vaazha unna viduvaappaa | Will she let you live in this town |
| Female | |
| Eera mathaappu thaan un veeram | Your courage is like a wet cracker |
| Verum kithaappu yen innaeram | Why this empty pride right now? |
| Oru sappaani nee thaanyaa | You are just a weakling, sir |
| Edha kandaalum bayamaa irukku | You get scared of everything you see |
| Buski dhandaalum yen yaa unakku | Why do push-ups if you lack strength? |
| Asaloor maamanae | Oh cousin from another town |
| Chorus | |
| Iva dhaesingu raasan paethi | She is the granddaughter of King Desingu |
| Yevan thottaalum adippaa thookki | She will beat up anyone who touches her |
| Iva engooru raasaathi | She is the princess of my town |
| Idhu pinnaadi puriyum unakkum | You will understand this later |
| Ippa munnaadi podu vanakkam | For now, bow down and greet her |
| Vasamaa maattinae | You got trapped fair and square |
| Female | |
| Nethiyila pottu vechu | Put a bindi on your forehead |
| Mai poosi poo mudichu | Apply kohl and put flowers in your hair |
| Kandaangi saela kattu | Drape a Kandangi saree |
| Unakku yenyaa vaetti satta | Why do you need a shirt and waist-cloth? |
| Unnaattam sooranukku | For a brave man like you |
| Ennaalum kaavalukku | To protect you every single day |
| Pinnodu naan irukken | I will stand right behind you |
| Paavan nee thaan ondikkatta | Poor thing, you are all alone |
| Chorus | |
| Un ooru ungaathaa yaaru enna | What is your town? Who is your mother? |
| Iva kaeppaa | She will ask you all this |
| Sonnaa thaan oorukkulla | Only if you answer |
| Vaazha unna viduvaappaa | Will she let you live in this town |
| Female | |
| Machaan enna kaelu | Listen to me, cousin |
| Kathu koduppenae | I will teach you |
| Neechal adikka | How to swim |
| Oru acham pirandhaakkaa | If any fear arises |
| Pakkam iruppenae | I will be right beside you |
| Thaangi pudikka | To hold and support you |
| Female | |
| Idhu paanjaalam kurichi mannu | This is the soil of Kattabomman's Panjalamkurichi |
| Ingu pul kooda edhukkum ninnu | Here even a blade of grass stands firm |
| Indha manna nee midhichaachu | Now that you have stepped on this land |
| Oru malyuthakkaaran polae | Like a mighty wrestler |
| Rendu mundaavaithattu maelae | Slap your thighs and flex |
| Adha naan paakkanum | I want to see that |
| Chorus | |
| Enga akkaava morachaa neeyum | If you glare at our sister |
| Thala mukkaadu poda vaenum | You will have to cover your head in shame |
| Oru sittaattam nenaikkaadhae | Don't look down on her like a small bird |
| Naanga ellorum akkaa saena | We are all part of sister's army |
| Iva annaadam iduvaa aana | Whatever command she issues daily |
| Adha nee kaekkanum | You must obey it |
| Female | |
| Nallaa thaan aal irundhum | Even if a man has good build |
| Kallaattam thol irundhum | And shoulders solid as stone |
| Pullaattam nenjirundhaa | If his heart is weak as grass |
| Avanga peru potta pulla | They are called cowardly women |
| Villaattam paanjidanum | One should charge forward like an arrow |
| Dhillaa thaan pesidanum | And speak with pure courage |
| Illaatti aambalaikku | Otherwise for a man |
| Ingaedhum madhippu illae | There is no respect here |
| Chorus | |
| Un ooru ungaathaa yaaru enna | What is your town? Who is your mother? |
| Iva kaeppaa | She will ask you all this |
| Sonnaa thaan oorukkulla | Only if you answer |
| Vaazha unna viduvaappaa | Will she let you live in this town |
| Female | |
| Machaan enna kaelu | Listen to me, cousin |
| Kathu koduppenae | I will teach you |
| Neechal adikka | How to swim |
| Oru acham pirandhaakkaa | If any fear arises |
| Pakkam iruppenae | I will be right beside you |
| Thaangi pudikka | To hold and support you |
| Pacha malai oram | By the side of the green hill |
| Patta pagal naeram | In broad daylight |
| Aadai adikka | When clothes flutter |
| Kuri vechu pudichenae | I aimed and caught you |
| Otha pana pola | Like a solitary palm tree |
| Neeyum irukkae | You stand tall |
| Female | |
| Eppodhum thappaadhu | She never misses her mark |
| Vayasu ponnu | When a young girl |
| Vala pottaa | Casts her net |
| Unnaattam meen kanakkaa odi poga | She won't let you flee |
| Vida maattaa | Like a slipping fish |
| Chorus | |
| Un ooru ungaathaa yaaru enna | What is your town? Who is your mother? |
| Iva kaeppaa | She will ask you all this |
| Sonnaa thaan oorukkulla | Only if you answer |
| Vaazha unna viduvaappaa | Will she let you live in this town |
நான் விரிச்ச வலையில
சிக்கினாரு மாப்பிள்ள
In the net that I cast
The groom got trapped
ஓஹோ ஹொய் ஓஹோ ஹொய்
ஓஹோ ஹொய் ஓஹோ ஹொய்
Oho hoi oho hoi oho hoi oho hoi
ஊர விட்டு ஊரு வந்து
மாட்டினாரு மாப்பிள்ள
Leaving his town and coming here
The groom got trapped
ஓஹோ ஹொய் ஓஹோ ஹொய்
ஓஹோ ஹொய் ஓஹோ ஹொய்
Oho hoi oho hoi oho hoi oho hoi
கெண்ட மீனு கெளுத்தி மீனு
வாழ மீனு வவ்வா மீனு
வெறால் மீனு வஞ்சிர மீனு
அயிர மீனு நெத்திலி மீனு
நூத்துக் கணக்குல
மீன் இருக்கு ஆத்துல
நான் புடிச்சு கொழம்பு வெப்பேன்
நம்ம வீட்டு சட்டியில
Carp fish, catfish
Ribbon fish, pomfret fish
Murrel fish, kingfish
Spiny eel fish, anchovy fish
In hundreds
There are fish in the river
I will catch them and cook curry
In our house pot
அக்கா அக்கா அக்காதான்
அக்கா வேல பக்காதான்
மாட்டினாரு மாப்பிள்ள
மண்ணாங்கட்டி தோப்புல
ஹஹாஹாஹாஹாஹா
It is my sister, my sister, my sister
My sister's work is always perfect
The groom got trapped
In the grove of mud
Hahahahahahaha
மச்சான் என்னக் கேளு
கத்துக் கொடுப்பேனே
நீச்சல் அடிக்க
ஒரு அச்சம் பிறந்தாக்கா
பக்கம் இருப்பேனே
தாங்கிப் புடிக்க
பச்ச மலை ஓரம்
பட்டப் பகல் நேரம்
ஆடை அடிக்க
குறி வெச்சுப் புடிச்சேனே
ஒத்தப் பன போலே
நீயும் இருக்க
Listen to me, cousin
I will teach you
How to swim
If any fear arises
I will be right beside you
To hold and support you
By the side of the green hill
In broad daylight
When clothes flutter
I aimed and caught you
Like a solitary palm tree
You stand tall
எப்போதும் தப்பாது
வயசு பொண்ணு
வலை போட்டா
உன்னாட்டம் மீன் கிடைச்சா
ஓடிப் போக விட மாட்டா
She never misses her mark
When a young girl
Casts her net
She won't let you flee
Like a slipping fish
உன் ஊரு உங்காத்தா யாரு என்ன
இவ கேப்பா
சொன்னாத்தான் ஊருக்குள்ள
வாழ உன்ன விடுவாப்பா
What is your town? Who is your mother?
She will ask you all this
Only if you answer
Will she let you live in this town
ஈர மத்தாப்புதான் உன் வீரம்
வெறும் கித்தாப்பு ஏன் இந்நேரம்
ஒரு சப்பாணி நீ தான்யா
எதக் கண்டாலும் பயமா இருக்கு
பஸ்கி தண்டாலும் ஏன்யா உனக்கு
அசலூர் மாமனே
Your courage is like a wet cracker
Why this empty pride right now?
You are just a weakling, sir
You get scared of everything you see
Why do push-ups if you lack strength?
Oh cousin from another town
இவ தேசிங்கு ராசன் பேத்தி
எவன் தொட்டாலும் அடிப்பா தூக்கி
இவ எங்கூரு ராசாத்தி
இது பின்னாடி புரியும் உனக்கும்
இப்ப முன்னாடி போடு வணக்கம்
வசமா மாட்டினே
She is the granddaughter of King Desingu
She will beat up anyone who touches her
She is the princess of my town
You will understand this later
For now, bow down and greet her
You got trapped fair and square
நெத்தியில பொட்டு வெச்சு
மை பூசி பூ முடிச்சு
கண்டாங்கி சேல கட்டு
உனக்கு ஏன்யா வேட்டி சட்ட
உன்னாட்டம் சூரனுக்கு
எந்நாளும் காவலுக்கு
பின்னோடு நான் இருக்கேன்
பாவம் நீ தான் ஒண்டிக்கட்ட
Put a bindi on your forehead
Apply kohl and put flowers in your hair
Drape a Kandangi saree
Why do you need a shirt and waist-cloth?
For a brave man like you
To protect you every single day
I will stand right behind you
Poor thing, you are all alone
உன் ஊரு உங்காத்தா யாரு என்ன
இவ கேப்பா
சொன்னாத் தான் ஊருக்குள்ள
வாழ உன்ன விடுவாப்பா
What is your town? Who is your mother?
She will ask you all this
Only if you answer
Will she let you live in this town
மச்சான் என்னக் கேளு
கத்துக் கொடுப்பேனே
நீச்சல் அடிக்க
ஒரு அச்சம் பிறந்தாக்கா
பக்கம் இருப்பேனே
தாங்கிப் புடிக்க
Listen to me, cousin
I will teach you
How to swim
If any fear arises
I will be right beside you
To hold and support you
இது பாஞ்சாலம் குறிச்சி மண்ணு
இங்கு புல் கூட எதுக்கும் நின்னு
இந்த மண்ண நீ மிதிச்சாச்சு
ஒரு மல்யுத்தக்காரன் போலே
ரெண்டு முண்டாவைத் தட்டு மேலே
அத நான் பாக்கணும்
This is the soil of Kattabomman's Panjalamkurichi
Here even a blade of grass stands firm
Now that you have stepped on this land
Like a mighty wrestler
Slap your thighs and flex
I want to see that
எங்க அக்காவ மொறச்சா நீயும்
தல முக்காடு போட வேணும்
ஒரு சிட்டாட்டம் நெனைக்காதே
நாங்க எல்லோரும் அக்கா சேன
இவ அன்னாடம் இடுவா ஆனை
அத நீ கேக்கணும்
If you glare at our sister
You will have to cover your head in shame
Don't look down on her like a small bird
We are all part of sister's army
Whatever command she issues daily
You must obey it
நல்லாத் தான் ஆள் இருந்தும்
கல்லாட்டம் தோள் இருந்தும்
புல்லாட்டம் நெஞ்சிருந்தா
அவங்க பேரு பொட்டப் புள்ள
வில்லாட்டம் பாஞ்சிடணும்
தில்லாத் தான் பேசிடணும்
இல்லாட்டி ஆம்பளைக்கு
மதிப்பு ஏதும் இங்கே இல்லே
Even if a man has good build
And shoulders solid as stone
If his heart is weak as grass
They are called cowardly women
One should charge forward like an arrow
And speak with pure courage
Otherwise for a man
There is no respect here
உன் ஊரு உங்காத்தா யாரு என்ன
இவ கேப்பா
சொன்னாத் தான் ஊருக்குள்ள
வாழ உன்ன விடுவாப்பா
What is your town? Who is your mother?
She will ask you all this
Only if you answer
Will she let you live in this town
மச்சான் என்னக் கேளு
கத்துக் கொடுப்பேனே
நீச்சல் அடிக்க
ஒரு அச்சம் பிறந்தாக்கா
பக்கம் இருப்பேனே
தாங்கிப் புடிக்க
பச்ச மலை ஓரம்
பட்டப் பகல் நேரம்
ஆடை அடிக்க
குறி வெச்சுப் புடிச்சேனே
ஒத்தப் பன போலே
நீயும் இருக்கே
Listen to me, cousin
I will teach you
How to swim
If any fear arises
I will be right beside you
To hold and support you
By the side of the green hill
In broad daylight
When clothes flutter
I aimed and caught you
Like a solitary palm tree
You stand tall
எப்போதும் தப்பாது
வயசு பொண்ணு
வலை போட்டா
உன்னாட்டம் மீன் கிடைச்சா
ஓடிப் போக விட மாட்டா
She never misses her mark
When a young girl
Casts her net
She won't let you flee
Like a slipping fish
உன் ஊரு உங்காத்தா யாரு என்ன
இவ கேப்பா
சொன்னாத்தான் ஊருக்குள்ள
வாழ உன்ன விடுவாப்பா
What is your town? Who is your mother?
She will ask you all this
Only if you answer
Will she let you live in this town
Naan viricha valaiyila
In the net that I cast
Sikkinaaru maappilla
The groom got trapped
Oho hoi oho hoi oho hoi oho hoi
Oho hoi oho hoi oho hoi oho hoi
Oora vittu ooru vandhu
Leaving his town and coming here
Maattinaaru maappilla
The groom got trapped
Oho hoi oho hoi oho hoi oho hoi
Oho hoi oho hoi oho hoi oho hoi
Kenda meenu keluthi meenu
Carp fish, catfish
Vaazha meenu vavvaa meenu
Ribbon fish, pomfret fish
Veraal meenu vanjira meenu
Murrel fish, kingfish
Ayira meenu nethili meenu
Spiny eel fish, anchovy fish
Noothu kanakkula
In hundreds
Meen irukku aathula
There are fish in the river
Naan pudichu kozhambu veppaen
I will catch them and cook curry
Namma veettu sattiyila
In our house pot
Akkaa akkaa akkaa thaan
It is my sister, my sister, my sister
Akkaa vaelai pakkaa thaan
My sister's work is always perfect
Maattinaaru maappilla
The groom got trapped
Mannangatti thoppula
In the grove of mud
Hahahahahahaha
Hahahahahahaha
Machaan enna kaelu
Listen to me, cousin
Kathu koduppenae
I will teach you
Neechal adikka
How to swim
Oru acham pirandhaakkaa
If any fear arises
Pakkam iruppenae
I will be right beside you
Thaangi pudikka
To hold and support you
Pacha malai oram
By the side of the green hill
Patta pagal naeram
In broad daylight
Aadai adikka
When clothes flutter
Kuri vechu pudichenae
I aimed and caught you
Otha pana pola
Like a solitary palm tree
Neeyum irukkae
You stand tall
Eppodhum thappaadhu
She never misses her mark
Vayasu ponnu
When a young girl
Vala pottaa
Casts her net
Unnaattam meen kanakkaa odi poga
She won't let you flee
Vida maattaa
Like a slipping fish
Un ooru ungaathaa yaaru enna
What is your town? Who is your mother?
Iva kaeppaa
She will ask you all this
Sonnaa thaan oorukkulla
Only if you answer
Vaazha unna viduvaappaa
Will she let you live in this town
Eera mathaappu thaan un veeram
Your courage is like a wet cracker
Verum kithaappu yen innaeram
Why this empty pride right now?
Oru sappaani nee thaanyaa
You are just a weakling, sir
Edha kandaalum bayamaa irukku
You get scared of everything you see
Buski dhandaalum yen yaa unakku
Why do push-ups if you lack strength?
Asaloor maamanae
Oh cousin from another town
Iva dhaesingu raasan paethi
She is the granddaughter of King Desingu
Yevan thottaalum adippaa thookki
She will beat up anyone who touches her
Iva engooru raasaathi
She is the princess of my town
Idhu pinnaadi puriyum unakkum
You will understand this later
Ippa munnaadi podu vanakkam
For now, bow down and greet her
Vasamaa maattinae
You got trapped fair and square
Nethiyila pottu vechu
Put a bindi on your forehead
Mai poosi poo mudichu
Apply kohl and put flowers in your hair
Kandaangi saela kattu
Drape a Kandangi saree
Unakku yenyaa vaetti satta
Why do you need a shirt and waist-cloth?
Unnaattam sooranukku
For a brave man like you
Ennaalum kaavalukku
To protect you every single day
Pinnodu naan irukken
I will stand right behind you
Paavan nee thaan ondikkatta
Poor thing, you are all alone
Un ooru ungaathaa yaaru enna
What is your town? Who is your mother?
Iva kaeppaa
She will ask you all this
Sonnaa thaan oorukkulla
Only if you answer
Vaazha unna viduvaappaa
Will she let you live in this town
Machaan enna kaelu
Listen to me, cousin
Kathu koduppenae
I will teach you
Neechal adikka
How to swim
Oru acham pirandhaakkaa
If any fear arises
Pakkam iruppenae
I will be right beside you
Thaangi pudikka
To hold and support you
Idhu paanjaalam kurichi mannu
This is the soil of Kattabomman's Panjalamkurichi
Ingu pul kooda edhukkum ninnu
Here even a blade of grass stands firm
Indha manna nee midhichaachu
Now that you have stepped on this land
Oru malyuthakkaaran polae
Like a mighty wrestler
Rendu mundaavaithattu maelae
Slap your thighs and flex
Adha naan paakkanum
I want to see that
Enga akkaava morachaa neeyum
If you glare at our sister
Thala mukkaadu poda vaenum
You will have to cover your head in shame
Oru sittaattam nenaikkaadhae
Don't look down on her like a small bird
Naanga ellorum akkaa saena
We are all part of sister's army
Iva annaadam iduvaa aana
Whatever command she issues daily
Adha nee kaekkanum
You must obey it
Nallaa thaan aal irundhum
Even if a man has good build
Kallaattam thol irundhum
And shoulders solid as stone
Pullaattam nenjirundhaa
If his heart is weak as grass
Avanga peru potta pulla
They are called cowardly women
Villaattam paanjidanum
One should charge forward like an arrow
Dhillaa thaan pesidanum
And speak with pure courage
Illaatti aambalaikku
Otherwise for a man
Ingaedhum madhippu illae
There is no respect here
Un ooru ungaathaa yaaru enna
What is your town? Who is your mother?
Iva kaeppaa
She will ask you all this
Sonnaa thaan oorukkulla
Only if you answer
Vaazha unna viduvaappaa
Will she let you live in this town
Machaan enna kaelu
Listen to me, cousin
Kathu koduppenae
I will teach you
Neechal adikka
How to swim
Oru acham pirandhaakkaa
If any fear arises
Pakkam iruppenae
I will be right beside you
Thaangi pudikka
To hold and support you
Pacha malai oram
By the side of the green hill
Patta pagal naeram
In broad daylight
Aadai adikka
When clothes flutter
Kuri vechu pudichenae
I aimed and caught you
Otha pana pola
Like a solitary palm tree
Neeyum irukkae
You stand tall
Eppodhum thappaadhu
She never misses her mark
Vayasu ponnu
When a young girl
Vala pottaa
Casts her net
Unnaattam meen kanakkaa odi poga
She won't let you flee
Vida maattaa
Like a slipping fish
Un ooru ungaathaa yaaru enna
What is your town? Who is your mother?
Iva kaeppaa
She will ask you all this
Sonnaa thaan oorukkulla
Only if you answer
Vaazha unna viduvaappaa
Will she let you live in this town
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This folk-infused song from Senthamizh Selvan (1994) is a lively, high-energy teasing sequence where village women playfully mock an outsider groom who has wandered into their domain. Through witty lyrics packed with local fish names, references to historical heroic lineages like Panjalamkurichi and Raja Desingu, and exaggerated threats, the maidens challenge his masculinity, calling his bravery a 'wet cracker' and asserting that their leader/sister rules the town.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Eera mathaappu thaan un veeram”
Compares the hero's ineffective bravery to a wet cracker ('Eera mathaappu') that fails to ignite.
Simile (Upamai)
“Otha pana pola”
Compares the tall, solitary standing hero to a single palm tree ('Otha pana pola').
Etukai (Monosyllabic/Second-letter Rhyme)
“Pacha malai oram / Patta pagal naeram”
The second letters 'ra' match across consecutive lines ('Pacha' vs 'Patta').
Did you know?
Trivia
The film *Senthamizh Selvan* (1994) stars Prashanth and Sukanya in lead roles. Written by legendary lyricist Vaali, the track uses regional Tamil dialect and rural metaphors typical of Tamil folk film songs of the 1990s.
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