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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mama Azhagu Rama

From En Vazhi Thani Vazhi · 1988

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. P. Shailaja
Music director
R. D. Burman
Details
En Vazhi Thani Vazhi1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Maama azhagu raamaUncle, handsome Rama
Naan poonaikku vazhi vidalaamaShould I yield the way to a cat?
Hoi maama azhagu raamaHoi uncle, handsome Rama
Naan poonaikku vazhi vidalaamaShould I yield the way to a cat?
Roadu unga sondhama…Is the road your personal property?
Chorus :SondhamaPersonal property?
Female :Ooru oppu kollumaaWill the town accept this?
Neenga vacha sattamaa..Is this a law made by you?
Chorus :SattamaaA law?
Female :Naanaga enna mattamaa…hoi hoiAm I so inferior? Hoi hoi
Female
Maama azhagu raamaUncle, handsome Rama
Naan poonaikku vazhi vidalaamaShould I yield the way to a cat?
Maama azhagu raamaUncle, handsome Rama
Naan poonaikku vazhi vidalaamaShould I yield the way to a cat?
Female
Thaeni katti vecha kootta oru korangu vandhuA monkey touched a nest built by bees
Thottu kottu pattu muzhikkiradhaeGot stung, hurt, and stands staring blankly
Indha vattam vittu thappi sella vazhi illaiyaeThere is no way to escape leaving this circle
Sikkal vandhu kokku thavikkiradhaeTrapped in trouble, the stork suffers
Female
PonnilaamalaeWithout a woman
Chorus :Hae haeHae hae
Female :PorandhaaraiyaaWas he born, sir?
Unga appanaeIs your father
Chorus :Ho hoHo ho
Female :Bhrammachaariyaa…aa..aa…A bachelor?
Female
Maama azhagu raamaUncle, handsome Rama
Naan poonaikku vazhi vidalaamaShould I yield the way to a cat?
Maamooi azhagu raamaUncle, handsome Rama
Naan poonaikku vazhi vidalaamaShould I yield the way to a cat?
Roadu unga sondhama…Is the road your personal property?
Chorus :SondhamaPersonal property?
Female :Ooru oppu kollumaaWill the town accept this?
Neenga vacha sattamaa..Is this a law made by you?
Chorus :SattamaaA law?
Female :Naanaga enna mattamaa…hoi hoiAm I so inferior? Hoi hoi
Female
Maama azhagu raamaUncle, handsome Rama
Naan poonaikku vazhi vidalaamaShould I yield the way to a cat?
Ada maama azhagu raamaHey uncle, handsome Rama
Naan poonaikku vazhi vidalaamaShould I yield the way to a cat?
Female
Kanni ponnu ival kattil kadhai padikkum munnaeBefore this young maiden reads stories of romance
Pathu kalaigalum padichirukkaShe has already mastered all ten arts
Thenna marathukku annan endru valarndhavaraeO one who grew as tall as an elder brother to a coconut tree!
Ennai edhukkavum sarakirukkaaDo you have the mettle to confront me?
Female
Aiyoo raamanaeOh Rama!
Chorus :Hae haeHae hae
Female :Nalla saapiduEat well
Yaarum modhunaaIf anyone clashes with you
Chorus :Ho hoHo ho
Female :Ennai koopiduCall me!
Female
Maama azhagu raamaUncle, handsome Rama
Naan poonaikku vazhi vidalaamaShould I yield the way to a cat?
Maamooi azhagu raamaUncle, handsome Rama
Naan poonaikku vazhi vidalaamaShould I yield the way to a cat?
Roadu unga sondhama…Is the road your personal property?
Chorus :SondhamaPersonal property?
Female :Ooru oppu kollumaaWill the town accept this?
Neenga vacha sattamaa..Is this a law made by you?
Chorus :SattamaaA law?
Female :Naanaga enna mattamaa…hoi hoi hoiAm I so inferior? Hoi hoi hoi
Female
Maama azhagu raamaUncle, handsome Rama
Naan poonaikku vazhi vidalaamaShould I yield the way to a cat?
Maama azhagu raamaUncle, handsome Rama
Naan poonaikku vazhi vitten pomaaI have given way to the cat, now get lost!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and cheeky song features a confident female protagonist taunting a man (referred to mockingly as 'handsome Rama'). She questions his authority, humorously challenging whether he owns the road or creates the laws. Through vivid metaphors involving monkeys, beehives, and storks, she asserts her own cleverness and strength while poking fun at his tall stature and ego.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor

Thaeni katti vecha kootta oru korangu vandhu

Compares an foolish intruder to a monkey messing with a beehive and getting stung.

Hyperbole / Uyirvu Navirtchi

Thenna marathukku annan endru valarndhavarae

Exaggerates the man's height by calling him the elder brother to a coconut tree.

Iyaibu / Rhyming

Neenga vacha sattamaa.. Naanaga enna mattamaa

End rhymes using rhythmic echo words like sattamaa and mattamaa to build a teasing dynamic.

Did you know?

Trivia

En Vazhi Thani Vazhi (1988) featured music by Chandrabose, known for energetic and rhythm-heavy commercial numbers in Tamil cinema during the late 1980s.

Keep listening

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