Mallu Vetti Madichu
From Sorkkam Naragam · 1977
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- P. Susheela, T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Sorkkam Naragam1977
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Mallu vetti madichu kattum | My cousin who folds and wears his mulmul dhoti |
| Machaan oru mayila kaala | Is like a majestic bull with peacock-patterned legs! |
| Mallu vetti madichu kattum | My cousin who folds and wears his mulmul dhoti |
| Machaan oru mayila kaala | Is like a majestic bull with peacock-patterned legs! |
| Female | |
| Pinjukodi ennidaththil | Towards me, who is like a delicate young vine, |
| Piriyamulla sevaththakaala saami | You are a loving reddish bull-like deity! |
| Unnai pirivathendraal thaangalaiyae bhoomi | If I am separated from you, even this earth cannot bear it! |
| Unnai pirivathendraal thaangalaiyae bhoomi | If I am separated from you, even this earth cannot bear it! |
| Male | |
| Selangatti maampazhamae | Oh mango fruit from Salem! |
| Dindigul palaapazhamae | Oh jackfruit from Dindigul! |
| Selangatti maampazhamae | Oh mango fruit from Salem! |
| Dindigul palaapazhamae | Oh jackfruit from Dindigul! |
| Male | |
| Thaalam pottu nadanthukittu | Walking with a rhythmic beat, |
| Thavikka vaikkirae en manasa ponnae | You make my heart yearn, my golden girl! |
| Thaalam pottu nadanthukittu | Walking with a rhythmic beat, |
| Thavikka vaikkirae en manasa ponnae | You make my heart yearn, my golden girl! |
| Aasai thaangalaiyae vaadiyamma kannae | My desire is unbearable, come to me, my dear eyes! |
| Aasai thaangalaiyae vaadiyamma kannae | My desire is unbearable, come to me, my dear eyes! |
| Female | |
| Mallu vetti madichu kattum | My cousin who folds and wears his mulmul dhoti |
| Machaan oru mayila kaala hae…. | Is like a majestic bull with peacock-patterned legs, hey! |
| Male | |
| Yae pullae aaththoram karumbu vachaen | Hey girl, I planted sugarcane by the riverbank, |
| Velainju nikkuthu | And it stands fully grown! |
| Female :Oo…..machaan aiyaa un udhattarugae | Female: Oh cousin, near your lips, |
| Valainju nikkuthu | It curves and stands gracefully! |
| Male | |
| Karumbu eduththu saari pizhinju | Take the sugarcane, squeeze the juice, |
| Sarkkarai pongalai podu | And prepare the sweet jaggery pongal! |
| Female :Nee erumbu pola nadanthu vanthu | Female: You walk like an ant, |
| Inippai adhilae thedu | And search for the sweetness in it! |
| Male | |
| Ha….karumbu eduththu saari pizhinju | Ha... Take the sugarcane, squeeze the juice, |
| Sarkkarai pongalai podu | And prepare the sweet jaggery pongal! |
| Female :Nee erumbu pola nadanthu vanthu | Female: You walk like an ant, |
| Inippai adhilae thedu | And search for the sweetness in it! |
| Male | |
| Selangatti maampazhamae | Oh mango fruit from Salem! |
| Dindigul palaapazhamae | Oh jackfruit from Dindigul! |
| Thaalam pottu nadanthukittu | Walking with a rhythmic beat, |
| Thavikka vaikkirae en manasa ponnae | You make my heart yearn, my golden girl! |
| Aasai thaangalaiyae vaadiyamma kannae | My desire is unbearable, come to me, my dear eyes! |
| Female | |
| Mallu vetti madichu kattum | My cousin who folds and wears his mulmul dhoti |
| Machaan oru mayila kaala hae…. | Is like a majestic bull with peacock-patterned legs, hey! |
| Male | |
| Yae pullae thamarai pooththirukku | Hey girl, the lotus flower has bloomed |
| Thannikku melae | Above the water! |
| Female :Oo…..machaan thanduthaan maranjirukku | Female: Oh cousin, the stem remains hidden |
| Thannikku keezhae | Below the water! |
| Male | |
| Yae pullae thamarai pooththirukku | Hey girl, the lotus flower has bloomed |
| Thannikku melae | Above the water! |
| Female :Oo…..machaan thanduthaan maranjirukku | Female: Oh cousin, the stem remains hidden |
| Thannikku keezhae | Below the water! |
| Male | |
| Aambalainga poovai pola | Men usually express themselves openly, |
| Veliyil solvathu undu | Showing off like the flower on top! |
| Female :Aayiramthaan nenaicha pothum | Female: Whatever thousands of thoughts you have, |
| Adhilae naanga thandu | We women are the strong stem beneath! |
| Male | |
| Aambalainga poovai pola | Men usually express themselves openly, |
| Veliyil solvathu undu | Showing off like the flower on top! |
| Female :Aayiramthaan nenaicha pothum | Female: Whatever thousands of thoughts you have, |
| Adhilae naanga thandu | We women are the strong stem beneath! |
| Female | |
| Mallu vetti madichu kattum | My cousin who folds and wears his mulmul dhoti |
| Machaan oru mayila kaala | Is like a majestic bull with peacock-patterned legs! |
| Mallu vetti madichu kattum | My cousin who folds and wears his mulmul dhoti |
| Machaan oru mayila kaala | Is like a majestic bull with peacock-patterned legs! |
| Female | |
| Pinju kodi ennidaththil | Towards me, who is like a delicate young vine, |
| Piriyamulla sevaththakaala saami | You are a loving reddish bull-like deity! |
| Unnai pirivathendraal thaangalaiyae bhoomi | If I am separated from you, even this earth cannot bear it! |
| Unnai pirivathendraal thaangalaiyae bhoomi | If I am separated from you, even this earth cannot bear it! |
| Male | |
| Selangatti maampazhamae | Oh mango fruit from Salem! |
| Dindigul palaapazhamae | Oh jackfruit from Dindigul! |
| Thaalam pottu nadanthukittu | Walking with a rhythmic beat, |
| Thavikka vaikkirae en manasa ponnae | You make my heart yearn, my golden girl! |
| Aasai thaangalaiyae vaadiyamma kannae | My desire is unbearable, come to me, my dear eyes! |
| Aasai thaangalaiyae vaadiyamma kannae | My desire is unbearable, come to me, my dear eyes! |
| Female | |
| Mallu vetti madichu kattum | My cousin who folds and wears his mulmul dhoti |
| Machaan oru mayila kaala….hae….yae…yae…. | Is like a majestic bull with peacock-patterned legs... hey... ye... ye! |
மல்லு வேட்டி மடிச்சுக் கட்டும்
மச்சான் ஒரு மயிலக் காள
மல்லு வேட்டி மடிச்சுக் கட்டும்
மச்சான் ஒரு மயிலக் காள
My cousin who folds and wears his mulmul dhoti
Is like a majestic bull with peacock-patterned legs!
My cousin who folds and wears his mulmul dhoti
Is like a majestic bull with peacock-patterned legs!
பிஞ்சுக் கொடி என்னிடத்தில்
பிரியமுள்ள செவதக்காள சாமி
உன்னைப் பிரிவதென்றால் தாங்கலையே பூமி
உன்னைப் பிரிவதென்றால் தாங்கலையே பூமி
Towards me, who is like a delicate young vine,
You are a loving reddish bull-like deity!
If I am separated from you, even this earth cannot bear it!
If I am separated from you, even this earth cannot bear it!
சேலங்கட்டி மாம்பழமே
திண்டுக்கல் பலாப்பழமே
சேலங்கட்டி மாம்பழமே
திண்டுக்கல் பலாப்பழமே
Oh mango fruit from Salem!
Oh jackfruit from Dindigul!
Oh mango fruit from Salem!
Oh jackfruit from Dindigul!
தாளம் போட்டு நடந்துக் கிட்டு
தவிக்க வைக்கிறே என் மனச பொண்ணே
தாளம் போட்டு நடந்துக் கிட்டு
தவிக்க வைக்கிறே என் மனச பொண்ணே
ஆசை தாங்கலையே வாடியம்மா கண்ணே
ஆசை தாங்கலையே வாடியம்மா கண்ணே
Walking with a rhythmic beat,
You make my heart yearn, my golden girl!
Walking with a rhythmic beat,
You make my heart yearn, my golden girl!
My desire is unbearable, come to me, my dear eyes!
My desire is unbearable, come to me, my dear eyes!
மல்லு வேட்டி மடிச்சுக் கட்டும்
மச்சான் ஒரு மயிலக் காள ஹே..
My cousin who folds and wears his mulmul dhoti
Is like a majestic bull with peacock-patterned legs, hey!
ஏ....புள்ளே ஆத்தோரம் கரும்பு வச்சேன்
வெளைஞ்சு நிக்குது
பெண்
: ஓஒ......மச்சான் ஐயா உன் உதட்டருகே
வளைஞ்சு நிக்குது
Hey girl, I planted sugarcane by the riverbank,
And it stands fully grown!
Female: Oh cousin, near your lips,
It curves and stands gracefully!
ஏ....புள்ளே ஆத்தோரம் கரும்பு வச்சேன்
வெளைஞ்சு நிக்குது
ஓஒ......மச்சான் ஐயா உன் உதட்டருகே
வளைஞ்சு நிக்குது
Take the sugarcane, squeeze the juice,
And prepare the sweet jaggery pongal!
Female: You walk like an ant,
And search for the sweetness in it!
கரும்பு எடுத்து சாறு பிழிஞ்சு
சர்க்கரைப் பொங்கலைப் போடு
நீ எறும்பு போல நடந்து வந்து
இனிப்பை அதிலே தேடு......
Ha... Take the sugarcane, squeeze the juice,
And prepare the sweet jaggery pongal!
Female: You walk like an ant,
And search for the sweetness in it!
ஹ.....கரும்பு எடுத்து சாறு பிழிஞ்சு
சர்க்கரைப் பொங்கலைப் போடு
நீ எறும்பு போல நடந்து வந்து
இனிப்பை அதிலே தேடு......
Oh mango fruit from Salem!
Oh jackfruit from Dindigul!
Walking with a rhythmic beat,
You make my heart yearn, my golden girl!
My desire is unbearable, come to me, my dear eyes!
சேலங்கட்டி மாம்பழமே
திண்டுக்கல் பலாப்பழமே
தாளம் போட்டு நடந்துக் கிட்டு
தவிக்க வைக்கிறே என் மனச பொண்ணே
ஆசை தாங்கலையே வாடியம்மா கண்ணே
ஆசை தாங்கலையே வாடியம்மா கண்ணே
My cousin who folds and wears his mulmul dhoti
Is like a majestic bull with peacock-patterned legs, hey!
மல்லு வேட்டி மடிச்சுக் கட்டும்
மச்சான் ஒரு மயிலக் காள ஹேய்
Hey girl, the lotus flower has bloomed
Above the water!
Female: Oh cousin, the stem remains hidden
Below the water!
ஏ......புள்ளே தாமரைப் பூத்திருக்கு
தண்ணிக்கு மேலே
ஓஓ.......மச்சான் தண்டுதான் மறஞ்சிருக்கு
தண்ணிக்குக் கீழே
Hey girl, the lotus flower has bloomed
Above the water!
Female: Oh cousin, the stem remains hidden
Below the water!
ஏ......புள்ளே தாமரைப் பூத்திருக்கு
தண்ணிக்கு மேலே
ஓஓ.......மச்சான் தண்டுதான் மறஞ்சிருக்கு
தண்ணிக்குக் கீழே
Men usually express themselves openly,
Showing off like the flower on top!
Female: Whatever thousands of thoughts you have,
We women are the strong stem beneath!
ஆம்பளைங்க பூவைப்போல
வெளியில் சொல்வது உண்டு
ஆயிரம்தான் நெனச்ச போதும்
அதிலே நாங்க தண்டு....
Men usually express themselves openly,
Showing off like the flower on top!
Female: Whatever thousands of thoughts you have,
We women are the strong stem beneath!
ஆம்பளைங்க பூவைப்போல
வெளியில் சொல்வது உண்டு
ஆயிரம்தான் நெனச்ச போதும்
அதிலே நாங்க தண்டு....
My cousin who folds and wears his mulmul dhoti
Is like a majestic bull with peacock-patterned legs!
My cousin who folds and wears his mulmul dhoti
Is like a majestic bull with peacock-patterned legs!
மல்லு வேட்டி மடிச்சுக் கட்டும்
மச்சான் ஒரு மயிலக் காள
மல்லு வேட்டி மடிச்சுக் கட்டும்
மச்சான் ஒரு மயிலக் காள
Towards me, who is like a delicate young vine,
You are a loving reddish bull-like deity!
If I am separated from you, even this earth cannot bear it!
If I am separated from you, even this earth cannot bear it!
பிஞ்சுக் கொடி என்னிடத்தில்
பிரியமுள்ள செவதக்காள சாமி
உன்னைப் பிரிவதென்றால் தாங்கலையே பூமி
உன்னைப் பிரிவதென்றால் தாங்கலையே பூமி
Oh mango fruit from Salem!
Oh jackfruit from Dindigul!
Walking with a rhythmic beat,
You make my heart yearn, my golden girl!
My desire is unbearable, come to me, my dear eyes!
My desire is unbearable, come to me, my dear eyes!
சேலங்கட்டி மாம்பழமே
திண்டுக்கல் பலாப்பழமே
தாளம் போட்டு நடந்துக் கிட்டு
தவிக்க வைக்கிறே என் மனச பொண்ணே
ஆசை தாங்கலையே வாடியம்மா கண்ணே
ஆசை தாங்கலையே வாடியம்மா கண்ணே
My cousin who folds and wears his mulmul dhoti
Is like a majestic bull with peacock-patterned legs... hey... ye... ye!
மல்லு வேட்டி மடிச்சுக் கட்டும்
மச்சான் ஒரு மயிலக் காள...ஹே....ஏ.....ஏ.....
Mallu vetti madichu kattum
My cousin who folds and wears his mulmul dhoti
Machaan oru mayila kaala
Is like a majestic bull with peacock-patterned legs!
Mallu vetti madichu kattum
My cousin who folds and wears his mulmul dhoti
Machaan oru mayila kaala
Is like a majestic bull with peacock-patterned legs!
Pinjukodi ennidaththil
Towards me, who is like a delicate young vine,
Piriyamulla sevaththakaala saami
You are a loving reddish bull-like deity!
Unnai pirivathendraal thaangalaiyae bhoomi
If I am separated from you, even this earth cannot bear it!
Unnai pirivathendraal thaangalaiyae bhoomi
If I am separated from you, even this earth cannot bear it!
Selangatti maampazhamae
Oh mango fruit from Salem!
Dindigul palaapazhamae
Oh jackfruit from Dindigul!
Selangatti maampazhamae
Oh mango fruit from Salem!
Dindigul palaapazhamae
Oh jackfruit from Dindigul!
Thaalam pottu nadanthukittu
Walking with a rhythmic beat,
Thavikka vaikkirae en manasa ponnae
You make my heart yearn, my golden girl!
Thaalam pottu nadanthukittu
Walking with a rhythmic beat,
Thavikka vaikkirae en manasa ponnae
You make my heart yearn, my golden girl!
Aasai thaangalaiyae vaadiyamma kannae
My desire is unbearable, come to me, my dear eyes!
Aasai thaangalaiyae vaadiyamma kannae
My desire is unbearable, come to me, my dear eyes!
Mallu vetti madichu kattum
My cousin who folds and wears his mulmul dhoti
Machaan oru mayila kaala hae….
Is like a majestic bull with peacock-patterned legs, hey!
Yae pullae aaththoram karumbu vachaen
Hey girl, I planted sugarcane by the riverbank,
Velainju nikkuthu
And it stands fully grown!
Female :Oo…..machaan aiyaa un udhattarugae
Female: Oh cousin, near your lips,
Valainju nikkuthu
It curves and stands gracefully!
Karumbu eduththu saari pizhinju
Take the sugarcane, squeeze the juice,
Sarkkarai pongalai podu
And prepare the sweet jaggery pongal!
Female :Nee erumbu pola nadanthu vanthu
Female: You walk like an ant,
Inippai adhilae thedu
And search for the sweetness in it!
Ha….karumbu eduththu saari pizhinju
Ha... Take the sugarcane, squeeze the juice,
Sarkkarai pongalai podu
And prepare the sweet jaggery pongal!
Female :Nee erumbu pola nadanthu vanthu
Female: You walk like an ant,
Inippai adhilae thedu
And search for the sweetness in it!
Selangatti maampazhamae
Oh mango fruit from Salem!
Dindigul palaapazhamae
Oh jackfruit from Dindigul!
Thaalam pottu nadanthukittu
Walking with a rhythmic beat,
Thavikka vaikkirae en manasa ponnae
You make my heart yearn, my golden girl!
Aasai thaangalaiyae vaadiyamma kannae
My desire is unbearable, come to me, my dear eyes!
Mallu vetti madichu kattum
My cousin who folds and wears his mulmul dhoti
Machaan oru mayila kaala hae….
Is like a majestic bull with peacock-patterned legs, hey!
Yae pullae thamarai pooththirukku
Hey girl, the lotus flower has bloomed
Thannikku melae
Above the water!
Female :Oo…..machaan thanduthaan maranjirukku
Female: Oh cousin, the stem remains hidden
Thannikku keezhae
Below the water!
Yae pullae thamarai pooththirukku
Hey girl, the lotus flower has bloomed
Thannikku melae
Above the water!
Female :Oo…..machaan thanduthaan maranjirukku
Female: Oh cousin, the stem remains hidden
Thannikku keezhae
Below the water!
Aambalainga poovai pola
Men usually express themselves openly,
Veliyil solvathu undu
Showing off like the flower on top!
Female :Aayiramthaan nenaicha pothum
Female: Whatever thousands of thoughts you have,
Adhilae naanga thandu
We women are the strong stem beneath!
Aambalainga poovai pola
Men usually express themselves openly,
Veliyil solvathu undu
Showing off like the flower on top!
Female :Aayiramthaan nenaicha pothum
Female: Whatever thousands of thoughts you have,
Adhilae naanga thandu
We women are the strong stem beneath!
Mallu vetti madichu kattum
My cousin who folds and wears his mulmul dhoti
Machaan oru mayila kaala
Is like a majestic bull with peacock-patterned legs!
Mallu vetti madichu kattum
My cousin who folds and wears his mulmul dhoti
Machaan oru mayila kaala
Is like a majestic bull with peacock-patterned legs!
Pinju kodi ennidaththil
Towards me, who is like a delicate young vine,
Piriyamulla sevaththakaala saami
You are a loving reddish bull-like deity!
Unnai pirivathendraal thaangalaiyae bhoomi
If I am separated from you, even this earth cannot bear it!
Unnai pirivathendraal thaangalaiyae bhoomi
If I am separated from you, even this earth cannot bear it!
Selangatti maampazhamae
Oh mango fruit from Salem!
Dindigul palaapazhamae
Oh jackfruit from Dindigul!
Thaalam pottu nadanthukittu
Walking with a rhythmic beat,
Thavikka vaikkirae en manasa ponnae
You make my heart yearn, my golden girl!
Aasai thaangalaiyae vaadiyamma kannae
My desire is unbearable, come to me, my dear eyes!
Aasai thaangalaiyae vaadiyamma kannae
My desire is unbearable, come to me, my dear eyes!
Mallu vetti madichu kattum
My cousin who folds and wears his mulmul dhoti
Machaan oru mayila kaala….hae….yae…yae….
Is like a majestic bull with peacock-patterned legs... hey... ye... ye!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Mallu Vetti Madichu Kattum is a playful and lively rural romantic duet between a man and a woman. The song opens with the heroine extolling the rustic charm of her lover, praising his traditional folded dhoti and comparing his virility to a fine bull, while expressing that she cannot bear separation from him. In turn, the hero teasingly compares her beauty and sweetness to famous regional delicacies like Salem mangoes and Dindigul jackfruit, complaining playfully that her rhythmic gait drives his heart to despair. Through clever village metaphors involving riverbank sugarcane, sweet pongal, ants, and lotus flowers, the pair engage in endearing folk banter about romance and gender roles. The heroine cleverly remarks that while men love to stand out visibly like lotus flowers floating above water, women act as the hidden stem below that grounds and supports everything. Penned by Kannadasan, the song beautifully blends rural folklore tropes with passionate declarations of love.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagandhal)
“Selangatti maampazhamae / Dindigul palaapazhamae”
Compares the beloved woman to famous fruits of specific Tamil regions (Salem mangoes and Dindigul jackfruits) to emphasize her sweetness and regional pride.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Nee erumbu pola nadanthu vanthu / Inippai adhilae thedu”
Compares the lover's soft and persistent approach to an ant moving steadily towards sweet jaggery pongal.
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Pinjukodi ennidaththil / Piriyamulla sevaththakaala saami”
Repetition of the initial sound 'Pi' ('Pinjukodi' / 'Piriyamulla') creates poetic resonance across consecutive lines.
Allegory / Symbolic Contrast
“Aambalainga poovai pola / Veliyil solvathu undu ... Adhilae naanga thandu”
Uses the image of a lotus flower (visible above water) and its stem (hidden under water) to symbolize the expressive nature of men versus the supportive, foundational nature of women.
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Trivia
Composed by the musical duo Shankar-Ganesh and sung by T. M. Soundararajan alongside P. Susheela, this song stands out as a memorable 1970s rural duet featuring Kannadasan's signature folk-style lyrics filled with regional Tamil idioms.
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