Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maina Maina Naanthane

From Pudhiya Vaanam · 1988

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Shailaja, Sunantha
Music director
Hamsalekha
Details
Pudhiya Vaanam1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Maina maina naan thaanaeAm I not the Myna bird myself?
Mallukatta varavaa varavaaShall I come to wrestle and tease with you?
Female
Lailaa lailaa naan dhaanaeAm I not Laila myself?
Moga mutham tharava tharavaaShall I give you a passionate kiss?
Female
Ilamaeni kathiri pinjuMy youthful body is tender like a fresh brinjal,
Hoi maama en kitta konjuHey uncle, come cuddle close to me!
Female
Ilamaeni kathiri pinjuMy youthful body is tender like a fresh brinjal,
Hoi maama en kitta konjuHey uncle, come cuddle close to me!
Female
Maina maina naan thaanaeAm I not the Myna bird myself?
Mallukatta varavaa varavaa…hoiShall I come to wrestle and tease with you?
Female
Yeraadha bodhai vandhu yerudhu aiyaaAn unprecedented intoxication is rising within me, sir,
Ezhettu naala ullukkullae yenguthu koiyaaFor the past week or eight days, my inner self yearns,
Thookatha neenga thottu thottu theekkanum aiyaaYou must touch away my sleeplessness, sir,
Female
Poopotta thaavaniya paarunga maamaLook at this floral-patterned half-saree, uncle,
Haei purushana pola vandhu vandhuHey, come repeatedly like a husband,
Orasikka maamaAnd brush against me, uncle,
Pugayilai kaambha killi kolla thayangidalaamaShould one hesitate to snap off a tobacco leaf stem?
Male
Yendi pulla yengi alaiyura hoiWhy girl, are you wandering around yearning like this?
Summa enna haang suthaathadi aiyaDon't just keep circling around me for nothing,
Ennaal adhu aagathadi sonnaa kelendiThat is not possible by me, listen to what I say, girl!
Female
Pen aasa illadha aiyaavae nee yaaruWho are you, sir, having no desire for a woman?
Meiyaaga neeyum oru aambalathaanaAre you truly a man at all?
Female
Lailaa lailaa naan thaanaeAm I not Laila myself?
Moga mutham tharava tharavaaShall I give you a passionate kiss?
Male
……………………....
Female
Onnoda azhaga kandaa inikkudhu naakkuSeeing your beauty makes the tongue feel sweet,
Aattatha paathu nitham nitham aasaiya theettuWatching this dance, hone your desire daily,
Vethala paakku pottu kittu vekkatha pokkuChew betel leaves and nuts, and banish your bashfulness,
Female
Thaanaga aaduthaiyaa sandhana kaaduThe sandalwood forest sways on its own, sir,
Sangathi pesa kitta vandhu sammadham kooruCome close to talk matters and give your consent,
Unnaiyum vittu enakkkoru mappilla yaaruBesides you, who else is a groom for me?
Male
Kongu naattu thangam naanadi hohoiI am pure gold from the Kongu region, my girl,
Nenjukkulla ada kuthamilla hoiLook, there is no guile or fault inside my heart,
Veru penna thottathilla seiyaadha thollaI haven't touched any other woman, so don't cause trouble,
Female
Appaavi pola nee veshangal podadhaeDon't put on acts pretending to be an innocent fool,
Ippodhu enna vittu engum odaathaeDon't run away anywhere leaving me right now,
Female
Maina maina naan thaanaeAm I not the Myna bird myself?
Mallukatta varavaa varavaaShall I come to wrestle and tease with you?
Female
Lailaa lailaa naan dhaanaeAm I not Laila myself?
Moga mutham tharava tharavaaShall I give you a passionate kiss?
Female
Ilamaeni kathiri pinjuMy youthful body is tender like a fresh brinjal,
Hoi maama en kitta konjuHey uncle, come cuddle close to me!
Female
Ilamaeni kathiri pinjuMy youthful body is tender like a fresh brinjal,
Hoi maama en kitta konjuHey uncle, come cuddle close to me!
Male
Ammaa thaayae aala vidungaOh dear mother, please spare me and leave me alone!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and folk-infused duet from 'Pudhiya Vaanam' (1988) revolves around a energetic, flirtatious banter between a confident young woman and a reluctant, principled man. The woman playfully compares herself to a maina bird and the legendary lover Laila, boldly teasing the hero with seductive metaphors, tempting him to discard his shyness and engage with her.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani (Simile)

Ilamaeni kathiri pinju

Comparing the fresh youthful physique to a tender eggplant (Ilamaeni kathiri pinju) to express softness and freshness.

Metaphor / Folk Idiom

Pugayilai kaambha killi kolla thayangidalaama

Using the tobacco stem plucking ('Pugayilai kaambha killi') as a metaphor for taking quick advantage of a romantic opportunity without hesitation.

Monai (Alliteration)

Maina maina naan thaanae / Mallukatta varavaa varavaa

Repetition of initial consonant sounds in 'Maina maina' and 'Mallukatta' for rhythmic folk appeal.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Pudhiya Vaanam' (1988), starring Sivaji Ganesan, Sathyaraj, and Gautami, features music composed by Kannada maestro Hamsalekha in one of his rare Tamil film soundtracks. The track displays Hamsalekha's signature folk-pop rhythm blends with SPB's animated vocal expressions.

Keep listening

More from Pudhiya Vaanam