Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mama Mama Makku Mama

From Thirudathe · 1961

Lyricist
Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam
Singers
P. Susheela, Chorus
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Thirudathe1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Maamaa maamaa makkumaamaaUncle, uncle, foolish uncle!
Maamaa maamaa makkumaamaaUncle, uncle, foolish uncle!
Nee mannaaru saami pola nikkalaamaaShould you stand motionless like the deity Mannaru Saami?
Maamaa maamaa makku maamaaUncle, uncle, foolish uncle!
Indha maalaiya paarthu nee sokkalaamaaShould you be mesmerized looking at this garland?
Indha maalaiya paarthu nee sokkalaamaaShould you be mesmerized looking at this garland?
Female
Maamaavaiyae maamiyaaga maathudhadiIt turns an uncle into an aunt!
Indha maalaiThis garland...
Maamaavaiyae maamiyaaga maathudhadiIt turns an uncle into an aunt!
Indha maalaiThis garland...
Oru maayaa jaalam polaeLike a magical spell!
Hooo ooo oo oo oo …Hooo ooo oo oo oo …
Oru maayaa jaalam polaeLike a magical spell!
Female
Aamaandi idhu namakkaeYes girl, for us...
Aabathaana velaiThis is a dangerous situation!
Jaldhi anuppudi indha aalaiSend this man away quickly!
Female
Idhai pombalai vaangi pottukkittaaIf a woman buys and wears this,
Pudhu azhagu vandhu serumA new beauty will adorn her!
Ava purushan madhippu yerumHer husband's respect and prestige will rise!
Ava purushan madhippu yerumHer husband's respect and prestige will rise!
Female
Adi vambukkaari ingaeHey mischievous girl, here,
Konjam paaradiLook here for a moment!
Vambukkaari ingae konjam paaradiMischievous girl, look here for a moment!
Idhai vaangi koduthaWho is the great man
Periya manushan yaaradiWho bought and gifted this?
Idhai vaangi koduthaWho is the great man
Periya manushan yaaradiWho bought and gifted this?
Female
Annaanaana annan engaOur brother is a grand brother,
Arumaiyaana annanA wonderful brother!
Annaanaana annanA grand brother!
Annanoda kalyaanathil aaduvenI will dance at my brother's wedding!
Idhai anni kazhuthil aasaiyoda poduvenI will place this lovingly around my sister-in-law's neck!
Aval pinnae ninnu kaelippaattu paaduvenI will stand behind her and sing teasing songs!
Thaavi pidikka vandhaaIf he leaps to catch me,
Sittaa parandhu oduvenI will fly away like a swift bird!
Thaavi pidikka vandhaaIf he leaps to catch me,
Sittaa parandhu oduvenI will fly away like a swift bird!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the 1961 Tamil film 'Thirudathe' is a playful comedic dialogue track filled with tease, wit, and humor. Characters banter back and forth regarding a garland and marriage preparations, using lighthearted insults and humorous exaggerated compliments to poke fun at an uncle ('maamaa') and a brother ('annan').

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Maamaa maamaa makkumaamaa

The second letter consonant rhyming is used effectively in lines like 'Maamaa' and 'Makkumaamaa'.

Uvamai (Simile)

Nee mannaaru saami pola nikkalaamaa

Comparing someone's motionless stance to a deity statue ('Mannaaru saami pola') and flying speed to a bird ('Sittaa parandhu').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Thirudathe' (1961) was a landmark hit film starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), B. Saroja Devi, and K. A. Thangavelu, with music composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu.

Keep listening

More from Thirudathe