Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Machanin Vandi Kelambala

From Mananthal Mahadevan · 1989

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Mananthal Mahadevan1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
……………
Female
Machchanin vandi aahaanBrother-in-law's car, aha
Haan machchanin vandi kelambala paavam kelampalaAha, brother-in-law's car isn't starting, poor thing, it's not starting
Munnerathaandi mudiyalla paavam mudiyallaIt can't move forward, poor thing, it can't move forward
Paaththaakka pudhiya mottor-uIf you look at it, it seems like a new motor car
Gear-ra pottaakkaa neraiya kolaaruBut when you put the gear, there are so many faults
Female
Machchanin vandi kelambala paavam kelampalaBrother-in-law's car isn't starting, poor thing, it's not starting
Aahaan munnerathaandi mudiyalla paavam mudiyallaAha, it can't move forward, poor thing, it can't move forward
Chorus
……………
Female
Radiyettaru ulla yaedhu watteruIs there any water inside the radiator?
Saainchu pochchu mamakkaaran mottaaru aahaanUncle's motor car has broken down, aha
Mela yaeraththaan engine soodu aaraththaanTo climb uphill and to cool down the heated engine
Thanni ooththi ottippaaru car-thaanPour water and try driving the car
Female
Naduvula naanga niruththa sollaWhen we asked you to stop in the middle
Edam thara neenga maruppu sollaYou refused to give us room
Vegamum veeramum ennaachchungaWhat happened to all your speed and courage now?
Veedhiyil paadhiyil ninnaachchungaYou ended up stranded right in the middle of the street
Chorus
………………………
Female
Machchanin vandi kelambala paavam kelampalaBrother-in-law's car isn't starting, poor thing, it's not starting
Munnerathaandi mudiyalla paavam mudiyallaIt can't move forward, poor thing, it can't move forward
Paaththaakka pudhiya mottor-uIf you look at it, it seems like a new motor car
Gear-ra pottaakkaa neraiya kolaaruBut when you put the gear, there are so many faults
Female
Machchanin vandi kelambala paavam kelampalaBrother-in-law's car isn't starting, poor thing, it's not starting
Munnerathaandi mudiyalla paavam mudiyallaIt can't move forward, poor thing, it can't move forward
Chorus
………………………
Female
Janagaraju thaan endru manasil nenapputhaanHe thinks in his mind that he is Janagaraj
Aalap paaru avara pola jaadathaanLook at him, he even looks like him
Ivarum koodaththaan s ve sekar polaththaanAnd he is also like S. V. Sekar
Irukkiraaru adikkiraaru joke-thaanHe hangs around cracking jokes continuously
Female
Mannippu kettaa kai koduppomIf you ask for forgiveness, we will offer a helping hand
Moraikkira aala vazhi marippomIf anyone glares at us arrogantly, we will block their path
Pokkiri velaigal kaattaatheengaDon't show off your rogue tricks here
Pombala vambula maattaatheenga haanDon't get caught up in trouble with women
Chorus
………………………
Female
Machchanin vandi kelambala paavam kelampalaBrother-in-law's car isn't starting, poor thing, it's not starting
Munnerathaandi mudiyalla paavam mudiyallaIt can't move forward, poor thing, it can't move forward
Paaththaakka pudhiya mottor-uIf you look at it, it seems like a new motor car
Gear-ra pottaakkaa neraiya kolaaruBut when you put the gear, there are so many faults
Female
Machchanin vandi kelambala paavam kelampalaBrother-in-law's car isn't starting, poor thing, it's not starting
Munnerathaandi mudiyalla paavam mudiyalla…..ae….It can't move forward, poor thing, it can't move forward... ae...
Chorus
Daangu takkara daangu takkara daangu takkara doiDaangu takkara daangu takkara daangu takkara doi
Female :AahaanAahaan
Chorus :Daangu takkara daangu takkara daangu takkara doiDaangu takkara daangu takkara daangu takkara doi
Female :YaehaeYaehae
Chorus :Daangu takkara daangu takkara daangu takkara doiDaangu takkara daangu takkara daangu takkara doi

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and satirical song from the movie Mananthal Mahadevan (1989) portrays women teasing a group of men whose car has broken down on the street. The breakdown of the motor vehicle serves as a comedic metaphor for the men's inflated pride and empty bravado collapsing under pressure.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor / Allegory

Gear-ra pottaakkaa neraiya kolaaru

The faulty car engine that fails to shift into gear symbolizes the men's false boastfulness and lack of actual substance.

Pop Culture Allusion

Janagaraju thaan endru manasil nenapputhaan

The lyricist explicitly refers to popular contemporary comedy actors Janagaraj and S. V. Sekar to highlight the comedic demeanor of the men.

Onomatopoeia

Daangu takkara daangu takkara daangu takkara doi

Rhythmic folk beats and sound words ('Daangu takkara') are used to add energy and a lighthearted, danceable quality to the chorus.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Vegamum veeramum ennaachchunga / Veedhiyil paadhiyil ninnaachchunga

Matching end sounds ('ennaachchunga' / 'ninnaachchunga') create a playful lyrical rhythm typical of Vaali's folk-pop style.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features popular references to legendary Tamil cinema comedians Janagaraj and S. V. Sekar, which was a common comedic songwriting trope used by lyricist Vaali during the late 1980s to instantly connect with front-bench theater audiences.

Keep listening

More from Mananthal Mahadevan