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Vetri Mel Vetri album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Mallinna Mallithan Manamadura

From Vetri Mel Vetri · 1989

Lyricist
S. Malarmaran
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sudhakar
Music director
Vijay Anand
Movie name
Vetri Mel Vetri
Movie release year
1989
Lyrics added on
11 Mar 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Mallinnaa mallithaan maanaamadhura mallithaan
Millinnaa millithaan enga ooru millithaan
Paatila paaththuputtaa bodhaiyum yaeruthadaa
Bodhaiya yaeththiputtaa paathaiyum maaruthadaa
Paathaiya maaththiputtum sangeetham vanthathadaa adoi
Mallinnaa mallithaan maanaamadhura mallithaan
Millinnaa millithaan enga ooru millithaan
Sontham pantham yaarumilla
Enga nenjilae pedhamilla
Chorus :Enga nenjilae pedhamilla
Male :Vela vetti yaedhumilla
Thatti kekka aalumilla
Chorus :Aamaam thatti kekka aalumilla
Haei thenamum rajayonganthaan
Yaezhai vidum kanneerukku raththaiyum sinthiduvom
Kedachchathai alli thanthu karnanaiyum minjiduvom
Saami intha bhoomi engum kaanji kedakku
Rendu pottaa varum note-tu verum pechu edhukku
Mallinnaa mallithaan maanaamadhura mallithaan
Millinnaa millithaan enga ooru millithaan
Paattila paaththuputtaa bodhaiyum yaeruthada….doi….
Bodhaiya yaeththiputta paadhaiyum maaruthadaa
Padhaiya maaththipputtum sangeetham vanthathadaa haang….
Mallinnaa mallithaan maanaamadhura mallithaan
Millinnaa millithaan enga ooru millithaan
Thathuvam pesikkittu jaadhi sandaiya valakkuraan
Chorus :Ada jaathi sandaiya valakkuraan
Male :Koottani vachchikittu route-ta maaththi pozhaikkuraan
Chorus :Aamaam route-ta maaththi pozhaikkuraan
Olagam kannaamoochchithaan….hoi….hoi
Aalukkoru kodiyaeththi naadu vazhiyaachchi
Nallavanga solli vachcha vaarththaiyellaam poiyaachchu
Kaalaam kettu pochchu thenam pottom sarakku
Ippa neeyum konjam ooththu appa theriyum unakku
Mallinnaa mallithaan maanaamadhura mallithaan
Millinnaa millithaan enga ooru millithaan
Podu mallinnaa mallithaan maanaamadhura mallithaan
Millinnaa millithaan enga ooru millithaan
Paattinnaa paattithaan toppu takkaru paattithaan
Dakkarunnaa takkaruthaan toppu takkaru rakkaruthaan
………………………..
If it is jasmine, it is truly jasmine—it is Manamadurai jasmine!
If it is a mill, it is truly a mill—our town's mill!
Just looking at the bottle makes you high, my friend!
Once the high kicks in, your whole path changes, my friend!
Even when the path changes, the music still finds its way, hey!
If it is jasmine, it is truly jasmine—it is Manamadurai jasmine!
If it is a mill, it is truly a mill—our town's mill!
We have no kith or kin to worry about,
And there is no discrimination in our hearts.
Chorus: There is no discrimination in our hearts.
Male: We have no regular job or work,
And no one around to question us.
Chorus: Yes, no one around to question us.
Hey, every single day is a royal life!
For the tears of the poor, we would even shed our blood,
Giving away all that we get, we will outdo even Karna (legendary generous giver)!
Lord, this entire world is lying parched and dry,
Down a couple of drinks and money rolls in, so why waste time with words?
If it is jasmine, it is truly jasmine—it is Manamadurai jasmine!
If it is a mill, it is truly a mill—our town's mill!
Just looking at the bottle makes you high, my friend... hey...
Once the high kicks in, your whole path changes, my friend!
Even when the path changes, the music still finds its way, ah...
If it is jasmine, it is truly jasmine—it is Manamadurai jasmine!
If it is a mill, it is truly a mill—our town's mill!
Spouting philosophy, they stir up caste fights,
Chorus: Ah, they stir up caste fights!
Male: Forming alliances, they switch their stance just to make a living,
Chorus: Yes, they switch their stance just to make a living!
The world is nothing but a game of hide-and-seek... hoy... hoy!
With everyone hoisting their own flag, the country has lost its way,
All the wise words left behind by good people have turned out to be false.
Times have gone bad, so we drink every single day,
Now pour yourself a little too, and then you will understand!
If it is jasmine, it is truly jasmine—it is Manamadurai jasmine!
If it is a mill, it is truly a mill—our town's mill!
Play it! If it is jasmine, it is truly jasmine—it is Manamadurai jasmine!
If it is a mill, it is truly a mill—our town's mill!
If it is a song, it is truly a song—a smashing top-class song!
If it is top-class, it is truly top-class—absolutely first-rate!
...
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Chorus
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Chorus
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Chorus
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song from 'Vetri Mel Vetri' (1989) is a lively, folk-flavored street anthem expressing the carefree philosophy of local working-class men. Despite having no wealth, steady jobs, or familial status, the protagonists take pride in their unity, generosity, and heart devoid of social prejudice. They view life with a mix of lighthearted humor and pragmatic acceptance. Beneath the energetic rhythms and upbeat celebration lies a keen social commentary. The lyrics critique corrupt politicians who foster caste divisions and manipulate alliances for self-interest, while lamenting how traditional values have withered in modern times. Ultimately, the song celebrates finding joy, music, and solidarity in everyday life regardless of societal hardships.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Etugai - Second Letter Rhyming)

“Mallinnaa mallithaan maanaamadhura mallithaan / Millinnaa millithaan enga ooru millithaan”

The second consonant 'll' in 'Mallinnaa' rhymes with 'Millinnaa' across consecutive lines.

Moonaam / Monai (Initial Sound Alliteration)

“Mallinnaa mallithaan maanaamadhura mallithaan”

Repetition of the 'M' sound in 'Mallinnaa', 'mallithaan', and 'maanaamadhura' creates a rhythmic folk cadence.

Hyperbole & Mythological Allusion

“Kedachchathai alli thanthu karnanaiyum minjiduvom”

Comparing their generosity to Karna, the famous benevolent king of the Mahabharata, emphasizing extreme charitable nature.

Metaphor

“Olagam kannaamoochchithaan….hoi….hoi”

Describing the treacherous and deceitful nature of society as a game of hide-and-seek ('kannaamoochchi').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Vijay Anand for the 1989 Tamil film 'Vetri Mel Vetri', 'Mallinnaa Mallithaan' showcases a classic late-80s Tamil folk-rock fusion. Sung exuberantly by legendary vocalist S. P. Balasubrahmanyam alongside Sudhakar, the track highlights S. Malarmaran's colloquial and politically sharp songwriting style.

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