Mallinna Mallithan Manamadura
From Vetri Mel Vetri · 1989
- Lyricist
- S. Malarmaran
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sudhakar
- Music director
- Vijay Anand
- Details
- Vetri Mel Vetri1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Mallinnaa mallithaan maanaamadhura mallithaan | If it is jasmine, it is the famous Manamadurai jasmine! |
| Millinnaa millithaan enga ooru millithaan | If it is a mill, it is our town's mill! |
| Paatila paaththuputtaa bodhaiyum yaeruthadaa | Just looking at the bottle gets you intoxicated, my friend! |
| Bodhaiya yaeththiputtaa paathaiyum maaruthadaa | Once you get intoxicated, your path changes, my friend! |
| Paathaiya maaththiputtum sangeetham vanthathadaa adoi | Even after changing the path, music emerged, oh my! |
| Chorus | |
| Mallinnaa mallithaan maanaamadhura mallithaan | If it is jasmine, it is the famous Manamadurai jasmine! |
| Millinnaa millithaan enga ooru millithaan | If it is a mill, it is our town's mill! |
| Male | |
| Sontham pantham yaarumilla | We have no family or relatives, |
| Enga nenjilae pedhamilla | There is no prejudice or discrimination in our hearts. |
| Chorus :Enga nenjilae pedhamilla | Chorus: There is no prejudice or discrimination in our hearts. |
| Male :Vela vetti yaedhumilla | Male: We have no proper job or employment, |
| Thatti kekka aalumilla | There is no one around to question or stop us. |
| Chorus :Aamaam thatti kekka aalumilla | Chorus: Yes, there is no one around to question or stop us. |
| Male | |
| Haei thenamum rajayonganthaan | Hey, every single day is a royal life for us! |
| Yaezhai vidum kanneerukku raththaiyum sinthiduvom | We will shed our blood for the tears shed by the poor. |
| Kedachchathai alli thanthu karnanaiyum minjiduvom | We will give away whatever we get and surpass even Lord Karna in charity. |
| Saami intha bhoomi engum kaanji kedakku | Lord, this whole earth lies dry and parched. |
| Rendu pottaa varum note-tu verum pechu edhukku | If you down a couple of drinks, money comes; why talk useless words? |
| Male | |
| Mallinnaa mallithaan maanaamadhura mallithaan | If it is jasmine, it is the famous Manamadurai jasmine! |
| Millinnaa millithaan enga ooru millithaan | If it is a mill, it is our town's mill! |
| Paattila paaththuputtaa bodhaiyum yaeruthada….doi…. | Just looking at the bottle gets you intoxicated, my friend... |
| Bodhaiya yaeththiputta paadhaiyum maaruthadaa | Once you get intoxicated, your path changes, my friend! |
| Padhaiya maaththipputtum sangeetham vanthathadaa haang…. | Even after changing the path, music emerged! |
| Chorus | |
| Mallinnaa mallithaan maanaamadhura mallithaan | If it is jasmine, it is the famous Manamadurai jasmine! |
| Millinnaa millithaan enga ooru millithaan | If it is a mill, it is our town's mill! |
| Male | |
| Thathuvam pesikkittu jaadhi sandaiya valakkuraan | While preaching lofty philosophies, they foster caste clashes. |
| Chorus :Ada jaathi sandaiya valakkuraan | Chorus: Oh, they foster caste clashes! |
| Male :Koottani vachchikittu route-ta maaththi pozhaikkuraan | Male: Forming political alliances, they change their routes just to make a living. |
| Chorus :Aamaam route-ta maaththi pozhaikkuraan | Chorus: Yes, they change their routes just to make a living! |
| Male | |
| Olagam kannaamoochchithaan….hoi….hoi | This world is merely a game of hide-and-seek... |
| Aalukkoru kodiyaeththi naadu vazhiyaachchi | Everyone hoists their own flag, and the nation has gone to ruin. |
| Nallavanga solli vachcha vaarththaiyellaam poiyaachchu | All the advice left behind by good elders has turned out to be false. |
| Kaalaam kettu pochchu thenam pottom sarakku | Times have degraded, so we drink liquor every day. |
| Ippa neeyum konjam ooththu appa theriyum unakku | Now you pour some as well, and then you will understand. |
| Chorus | |
| Mallinnaa mallithaan maanaamadhura mallithaan | If it is jasmine, it is the famous Manamadurai jasmine! |
| Millinnaa millithaan enga ooru millithaan | If it is a mill, it is our town's mill! |
| Podu mallinnaa mallithaan maanaamadhura mallithaan | Hit it, if it is jasmine, it is the famous Manamadurai jasmine! |
| Millinnaa millithaan enga ooru millithaan | If it is a mill, it is our town's mill! |
| Male | |
| Paattinnaa paattithaan toppu takkaru paattithaan | If it is a song, it is a top-notch fantastic song! |
| Dakkarunnaa takkaruthaan toppu takkaru rakkaruthaan | If it is unbeatable, it is the ultimate top-notch performance! |
| Male | |
| ……………………….. | ... |
மல்லின்னா மல்லிதான் மானாமதுர மல்லிதான்
மில்லின்னா மில்லிதான் எங்க ஊரு மில்லிதான்
பாட்டில பாத்துப்புட்டா போதையும் ஏறுதடா
போதைய ஏத்திப்புட்டா பாதையும் மாறுதடா
பாதைய மாத்திப்புட்டும் சங்கீதம் வந்ததடா அடோய்
If it is jasmine, it is the famous Manamadurai jasmine!
If it is a mill, it is our town's mill!
Just looking at the bottle gets you intoxicated, my friend!
Once you get intoxicated, your path changes, my friend!
Even after changing the path, music emerged, oh my!
மல்லின்னா மல்லிதான் மானாமதுர மல்லிதான்
மில்லின்னா மில்லிதான் எங்க ஊரு மில்லிதான்
If it is jasmine, it is the famous Manamadurai jasmine!
If it is a mill, it is our town's mill!
சொந்தம் பந்தம் யாருமில்ல
எங்க நெஞ்சிலே பேதமில்ல
குழு :
எங்க நெஞ்சிலே பேதமில்ல
வேல வெட்டி ஏதுமில்ல
தட்டிக் கேக்க ஆளுமில்ல
குழு :
ஆமாம் தட்டிக் கேக்க ஆளுமில்ல
We have no family or relatives,
There is no prejudice or discrimination in our hearts.
Chorus: There is no prejudice or discrimination in our hearts.
Male: We have no proper job or employment,
There is no one around to question or stop us.
Chorus: Yes, there is no one around to question or stop us.
ஹேய் தெனமும் ராஜயோகந்தான்
ஏழை விடும் கண்ணீருக்கு ரத்தத்தையும் சிந்திடுவோம்
கெடச்சதை அள்ளித் தந்து கர்ணனையும் மிஞ்சிடுவோம்
சாமி இந்த பூமி எங்கும் காஞ்சி கெடக்கு
ரெண்டு போட்டா வரும் நோட்டு வெறும் பேச்சு எதுக்கு
Hey, every single day is a royal life for us!
We will shed our blood for the tears shed by the poor.
We will give away whatever we get and surpass even Lord Karna in charity.
Lord, this whole earth lies dry and parched.
If you down a couple of drinks, money comes; why talk useless words?
மல்லின்னா மல்லிதான் மானாமதுர மல்லிதான்
மில்லின்னா மில்லிதான் எங்க ஊரு மில்லிதான்
பாட்டில பாத்துப்புட்டா போதையும் ஏறுதடா..டோய்...
போதைய ஏத்திப்புட்டா பாதையும் மாறுதடா
பாதைய மாத்திப்புட்டும் சங்கீதம் வந்ததடா ஹாங்....
If it is jasmine, it is the famous Manamadurai jasmine!
If it is a mill, it is our town's mill!
Just looking at the bottle gets you intoxicated, my friend...
Once you get intoxicated, your path changes, my friend!
Even after changing the path, music emerged!
மல்லின்னா மல்லிதான் மானாமதுர மல்லிதான்
மில்லின்னா மில்லிதான் எங்க ஊரு மில்லிதான்
If it is jasmine, it is the famous Manamadurai jasmine!
If it is a mill, it is our town's mill!
தத்துவம் பேசிக்கிட்டு ஜாதி சண்டைய வளக்குறான்
குழு :
அட சாதி சண்டைய வளக்குறான்
கூட்டணி வச்சிக்கிட்டு ரூட்ட மாத்தி பொழைக்குறான்
குழு :
ஆமாம் ரூட்ட மாத்தி பொழைக்குறான்
While preaching lofty philosophies, they foster caste clashes.
Chorus: Oh, they foster caste clashes!
Male: Forming political alliances, they change their routes just to make a living.
Chorus: Yes, they change their routes just to make a living!
ஒலகம் கண்ணாமூச்சிதான்..ஹோய்..ஹோய்..
ஆளுக்கொரு கொடியேத்தி நாடு ஒரு வழியாச்சி
நல்லவங்க சொல்லி வெச்ச வார்த்தையெல்லாம் பொய்யாச்சு
காலம் கெட்டுப் போச்சு தெனம் போட்டோம் சரக்கு
இப்ப நீயும் கொஞ்சம் ஊத்து அப்ப தெரியும் உனக்கு
This world is merely a game of hide-and-seek...
Everyone hoists their own flag, and the nation has gone to ruin.
All the advice left behind by good elders has turned out to be false.
Times have degraded, so we drink liquor every day.
Now you pour some as well, and then you will understand.
மல்லின்னா மல்லிதான் மானாமதுர மல்லிதான்
மில்லின்னா மில்லிதான் எங்க ஊரு மில்லிதான்
போடு மல்லின்னா மல்லிதான் மானாமதுர மல்லிதான்
மில்லின்னா மில்லிதான் எங்க ஊரு மில்லிதான்
If it is jasmine, it is the famous Manamadurai jasmine!
If it is a mill, it is our town's mill!
Hit it, if it is jasmine, it is the famous Manamadurai jasmine!
If it is a mill, it is our town's mill!
பாட்டின்னா பாட்டிதான் டாப்பு டக்கரு பாட்டிதான்
டக்கருன்னா டக்கருதான் டாப்பு டக்கரு டக்கருதான்
If it is a song, it is a top-notch fantastic song!
If it is unbeatable, it is the ultimate top-notch performance!
.............................
...
Mallinnaa mallithaan maanaamadhura mallithaan
If it is jasmine, it is the famous Manamadurai jasmine!
Millinnaa millithaan enga ooru millithaan
If it is a mill, it is our town's mill!
Paatila paaththuputtaa bodhaiyum yaeruthadaa
Just looking at the bottle gets you intoxicated, my friend!
Bodhaiya yaeththiputtaa paathaiyum maaruthadaa
Once you get intoxicated, your path changes, my friend!
Paathaiya maaththiputtum sangeetham vanthathadaa adoi
Even after changing the path, music emerged, oh my!
Mallinnaa mallithaan maanaamadhura mallithaan
If it is jasmine, it is the famous Manamadurai jasmine!
Millinnaa millithaan enga ooru millithaan
If it is a mill, it is our town's mill!
Sontham pantham yaarumilla
We have no family or relatives,
Enga nenjilae pedhamilla
There is no prejudice or discrimination in our hearts.
Chorus :Enga nenjilae pedhamilla
Chorus: There is no prejudice or discrimination in our hearts.
Male :Vela vetti yaedhumilla
Male: We have no proper job or employment,
Thatti kekka aalumilla
There is no one around to question or stop us.
Chorus :Aamaam thatti kekka aalumilla
Chorus: Yes, there is no one around to question or stop us.
Haei thenamum rajayonganthaan
Hey, every single day is a royal life for us!
Yaezhai vidum kanneerukku raththaiyum sinthiduvom
We will shed our blood for the tears shed by the poor.
Kedachchathai alli thanthu karnanaiyum minjiduvom
We will give away whatever we get and surpass even Lord Karna in charity.
Saami intha bhoomi engum kaanji kedakku
Lord, this whole earth lies dry and parched.
Rendu pottaa varum note-tu verum pechu edhukku
If you down a couple of drinks, money comes; why talk useless words?
Mallinnaa mallithaan maanaamadhura mallithaan
If it is jasmine, it is the famous Manamadurai jasmine!
Millinnaa millithaan enga ooru millithaan
If it is a mill, it is our town's mill!
Paattila paaththuputtaa bodhaiyum yaeruthada….doi….
Just looking at the bottle gets you intoxicated, my friend...
Bodhaiya yaeththiputta paadhaiyum maaruthadaa
Once you get intoxicated, your path changes, my friend!
Padhaiya maaththipputtum sangeetham vanthathadaa haang….
Even after changing the path, music emerged!
Mallinnaa mallithaan maanaamadhura mallithaan
If it is jasmine, it is the famous Manamadurai jasmine!
Millinnaa millithaan enga ooru millithaan
If it is a mill, it is our town's mill!
Thathuvam pesikkittu jaadhi sandaiya valakkuraan
While preaching lofty philosophies, they foster caste clashes.
Chorus :Ada jaathi sandaiya valakkuraan
Chorus: Oh, they foster caste clashes!
Male :Koottani vachchikittu route-ta maaththi pozhaikkuraan
Male: Forming political alliances, they change their routes just to make a living.
Chorus :Aamaam route-ta maaththi pozhaikkuraan
Chorus: Yes, they change their routes just to make a living!
Olagam kannaamoochchithaan….hoi….hoi
This world is merely a game of hide-and-seek...
Aalukkoru kodiyaeththi naadu vazhiyaachchi
Everyone hoists their own flag, and the nation has gone to ruin.
Nallavanga solli vachcha vaarththaiyellaam poiyaachchu
All the advice left behind by good elders has turned out to be false.
Kaalaam kettu pochchu thenam pottom sarakku
Times have degraded, so we drink liquor every day.
Ippa neeyum konjam ooththu appa theriyum unakku
Now you pour some as well, and then you will understand.
Mallinnaa mallithaan maanaamadhura mallithaan
If it is jasmine, it is the famous Manamadurai jasmine!
Millinnaa millithaan enga ooru millithaan
If it is a mill, it is our town's mill!
Podu mallinnaa mallithaan maanaamadhura mallithaan
Hit it, if it is jasmine, it is the famous Manamadurai jasmine!
Millinnaa millithaan enga ooru millithaan
If it is a mill, it is our town's mill!
Paattinnaa paattithaan toppu takkaru paattithaan
If it is a song, it is a top-notch fantastic song!
Dakkarunnaa takkaruthaan toppu takkaru rakkaruthaan
If it is unbeatable, it is the ultimate top-notch performance!
………………………..
...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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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