Mama Mama Mannaru
From Pandavar Vanavasam · 1961
- Lyricist
- Kuyilan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- Ghantasala
- Details
- Pandavar Vanavasam1961
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Maama maama mannaaru | Uncle, uncle Mannaru, |
| Maappillai manasilae pennaaru | Which woman resides in the groom's mind? |
| Pandhalum podalae melamungkottalae | Without erecting a marriage pandal, without beating the drums, |
| Yengiyae ninnaaru | He stood there yearning. |
| Female | |
| Maama maama mannaaru | Uncle, uncle Mannaru, |
| Maappillai manasilae pennaaru | Which woman resides in the groom's mind? |
| Pandhalum podalae melamungkottalae | Without erecting a marriage pandal, without beating the drums, |
| Yengiyae ninnaaru | He stood there yearning. |
| Female | |
| Sirippai kandavudan | Upon seeing her smile, |
| Viruppamkondathenna | Why did desire arise in him? |
| Mutham thaedi vandhae nitham ninadhenna | Why did he come searching for a kiss and stand there daily? |
| Sirippai kandavudan | Upon seeing her smile, |
| Viruppamkondathenna | Why did desire arise in him? |
| Mutham thaedi vandhae nitham ninadhenna | Why did he come searching for a kiss and stand there daily? |
| Manakka pogum maadhu kitta maruva vandha podhu | When approaching the woman he is to marry to embrace her, |
| Sunakkamenna thunichal engae | Why this hesitation, where has your courage gone? |
| Sokkiyae makkena nikkathaeiyaa..oi | Don't stand mesmerized like a fool, sir! |
| Female | |
| Ho ho hoi …maama maama | Ho ho hoi... uncle, uncle |
| Maama maama mannaaru | Uncle, uncle Mannaru, |
| Maappillai manasilae pennaaru | Which woman resides in the groom's mind? |
| Pandhalum podalae melamungkottalae | Without erecting a marriage pandal, without beating the drums, |
| Yengiyae ninnaaru | He stood there yearning. |
| Female | |
| Pennukku anji oodum bodhu | When he ran away out of fear of a woman, |
| Pidichi vandhen paaru | Look, I caught him and brought him back! |
| Kundu kannazhagan nandu kaalazhagan | Handsome with round eyes, handsome with crab-like legs, |
| Engum paathariyaa ilicha vaayazhagan | Unseen anywhere before, a handsome man with a foolish gaping grin! |
| Pennukku anji oodum bodhu | When he ran away out of fear of a woman, |
| Pidichi vandhen paaru | Look, I caught him and brought him back! |
| Kundu kannazhagan nandu kaalazhagan | Handsome with round eyes, handsome with crab-like legs, |
| Engum paathariyaa ilicha vaayazhagan | Unseen anywhere before, a handsome man with a foolish gaping grin! |
| Female | |
| Arugilae poyi konjam | Going close to him, |
| Naan anbudanae thotta | When I touched him tenderly with love, |
| Arugilae poyi konjam | Going close to him, |
| Naan anbudanae thotta | When I touched him tenderly with love, |
| Azhudhapadi udal padhari | Weeping aloud with his body trembling in panic, |
| Aiyoo appa endraaraiyaa | He cried out 'Oh my goodness, father!' sir. |
| Female | |
| Ho ho hoi …maama maama | Ho ho hoi... uncle, uncle |
| Maama maama mannaaru | Uncle, uncle Mannaru, |
| Maappillai manasilae pennaaru | Which woman resides in the groom's mind? |
| Manapponnu kooda jalagreedaikku | To engage in water play with the bride, |
| Maappillai vandhaaru | The groom arrived. |
| Manapponnu sonnaa | As soon as the bride asked him, |
| Thayakkamae illai mappillai kudhichaaru | Without any hesitation, the groom jumped right in! |
| Female | |
| Mayakkudhae | It is intoxicating! |
| Maama maama mannaaru | Uncle, uncle Mannaru, |
| Maappillai manasilae pennaaru | Which woman resides in the groom's mind? |
| Manapponnu kooda jalagreedaikku | To engage in water play with the bride, |
| Maappillai vandhaaru | The groom arrived. |
| Manapponnu sonnaa | As soon as the bride asked him, |
| Thayakkamae illai mappillai kudhichaaru | Without any hesitation, the groom jumped right in! |
| Maama maama mannaaru | Uncle, uncle Mannaru, |
| Maappillai manasilae pennaaru | Which woman resides in the groom's mind? |
| Manapponnu kooda jalagreedaikku | To engage in water play with the bride, |
| Maappillai vandhaaru | The groom arrived. |
| Manapponnu sonnaa | As soon as the bride asked him, |
| Thayakkamae illai mappillai kudhichaaru | Without any hesitation, the groom jumped right in! |
| Manapponnu sonnaa | As soon as the bride asked him, |
| Thayakkamae illai mappillai kudhichaaru | Without any hesitation, the groom jumped right in! |
மாமா மாமா மன்னாரு
மாப்பிள்ளை மனசிலே பெண்ணாரு
பந்தலும் போடலே மேளமுங் கொட்டலே
ஏங்கியே நின்னாரு...
Uncle, uncle Mannaru,
Which woman resides in the groom's mind?
Without erecting a marriage pandal, without beating the drums,
He stood there yearning.
மாமா மாமா மன்னாரு
மாப்பிள்ளை மனசிலே பெண்ணாரு
பந்தலும் போடலே மேளமுங் கொட்டலே
ஏங்கியே நின்னாரு...
Uncle, uncle Mannaru,
Which woman resides in the groom's mind?
Without erecting a marriage pandal, without beating the drums,
He stood there yearning.
சிரிப்பைக் கண்டவுடன்
விருப்பங்கொண்டதென்ன
முத்தம் தேடி வந்தே நித்தம் நின்னதென்ன
சிரிப்பைக் கண்டவுடன்
விருப்பங்கொண்டதென்ன
முத்தம் தேடி வந்தே நித்தம் நின்னதென்ன
மணக்கப் போகும் மாது கிட்ட மருவ வந்தபோது
மணக்கப் போகும் மாது கிட்ட மருவ வந்தபோது
சுணக்கமென்ன துணிச்சலெங்கே
சொக்கியே மக்கென நிக்காதேய்யா ஒய்.....
Upon seeing her smile,
Why did desire arise in him?
Why did he come searching for a kiss and stand there daily?
Upon seeing her smile,
Why did desire arise in him?
Why did he come searching for a kiss and stand there daily?
When approaching the woman he is to marry to embrace her,
Why this hesitation, where has your courage gone?
Don't stand mesmerized like a fool, sir!
ஹோ ஹோ ஹோய் ..மாமா..மாமா
மாமா மாமா மன்னாரு
மாப்பிள்ளை மனசிலே பெண்ணாரு
பந்தலும் போடலே மேளமுங் கொட்டலே
ஏங்கியே நின்னாரு...
Ho ho hoi... uncle, uncle
Uncle, uncle Mannaru,
Which woman resides in the groom's mind?
Without erecting a marriage pandal, without beating the drums,
He stood there yearning.
பெண்ணுக்கு அஞ்சி ஓடும்போது
பிடிச்சி வந்தேன் பாரு
குண்டுக் கண்ணழகன் நண்டு காலழகன்
எங்கும் பாத்தறியா இளிச்ச வாயழகன்
பெண்ணுக்கு அஞ்சி ஓடும்போது
பிடிச்சி வந்தேன் பாரு
குண்டுக் கண்ணழகன் நண்டு காலழகன்
எங்கும் பாத்தறியா இளிச்ச வாயழகன்
When he ran away out of fear of a woman,
Look, I caught him and brought him back!
Handsome with round eyes, handsome with crab-like legs,
Unseen anywhere before, a handsome man with a foolish gaping grin!
When he ran away out of fear of a woman,
Look, I caught him and brought him back!
Handsome with round eyes, handsome with crab-like legs,
Unseen anywhere before, a handsome man with a foolish gaping grin!
அருகிலே போயி கொஞ்சம்
நான் அன்புடனே தொட்டா
அருகிலே போயி கொஞ்சம்
நான் அன்புடனே தொட்டா
அழுதபடி உடல் பதறி
அய்யோ அப்பா என்றாரய்யா..
Going close to him,
When I touched him tenderly with love,
Going close to him,
When I touched him tenderly with love,
Weeping aloud with his body trembling in panic,
He cried out 'Oh my goodness, father!' sir.
ஹோ ஹோ ஹோய் ..மாமா
மாமா மாமா மன்னாரு
மாப்பிள்ளை மனசிலே பெண்ணாரு
மணப்பொண்ணு கூட ஜலக்கிரீடைக்கு
மாப்பிள்ளை வந்தாரு
மணப்பொண்ணு சொன்னா
தயக்கமே இல்லை மாப்பிள்ளை குதிச்சாரு.....
Ho ho hoi... uncle, uncle
Uncle, uncle Mannaru,
Which woman resides in the groom's mind?
To engage in water play with the bride,
The groom arrived.
As soon as the bride asked him,
Without any hesitation, the groom jumped right in!
மயக்குதே
மாமா மாமா மன்னாரு
மாப்பிள்ளை மனசிலே பெண்ணாரு
மணப்பொண்ணு கூட ஜலக்கிரீடைக்கு
மாப்பிள்ளை வந்தாரு
மணப்பொண்ணு சொன்னா
தயக்கமே இல்லை மாப்பிள்ளை குதிச்சாரு.....
மாமா மாமா மன்னாரு
மாப்பிள்ளை மனசிலே பெண்ணாரு
மணப்பொண்ணு கூட ஜலக்கிரீடைக்கு
மாப்பிள்ளை வந்தாரு
மணப்பொண்ணு சொன்னா
தயக்கமே இல்லை மாப்பிள்ளை குதிச்சாரு.....
மணப்பொண்ணு சொன்னா
தயக்கமே இல்லை மாப்பிள்ளை குதிச்சாரு.....
It is intoxicating!
Uncle, uncle Mannaru,
Which woman resides in the groom's mind?
To engage in water play with the bride,
The groom arrived.
As soon as the bride asked him,
Without any hesitation, the groom jumped right in!
Uncle, uncle Mannaru,
Which woman resides in the groom's mind?
To engage in water play with the bride,
The groom arrived.
As soon as the bride asked him,
Without any hesitation, the groom jumped right in!
As soon as the bride asked him,
Without any hesitation, the groom jumped right in!
Maama maama mannaaru
Uncle, uncle Mannaru,
Maappillai manasilae pennaaru
Which woman resides in the groom's mind?
Pandhalum podalae melamungkottalae
Without erecting a marriage pandal, without beating the drums,
Yengiyae ninnaaru
He stood there yearning.
Maama maama mannaaru
Uncle, uncle Mannaru,
Maappillai manasilae pennaaru
Which woman resides in the groom's mind?
Pandhalum podalae melamungkottalae
Without erecting a marriage pandal, without beating the drums,
Yengiyae ninnaaru
He stood there yearning.
Sirippai kandavudan
Upon seeing her smile,
Viruppamkondathenna
Why did desire arise in him?
Mutham thaedi vandhae nitham ninadhenna
Why did he come searching for a kiss and stand there daily?
Sirippai kandavudan
Upon seeing her smile,
Viruppamkondathenna
Why did desire arise in him?
Mutham thaedi vandhae nitham ninadhenna
Why did he come searching for a kiss and stand there daily?
Manakka pogum maadhu kitta maruva vandha podhu
When approaching the woman he is to marry to embrace her,
Sunakkamenna thunichal engae
Why this hesitation, where has your courage gone?
Sokkiyae makkena nikkathaeiyaa..oi
Don't stand mesmerized like a fool, sir!
Ho ho hoi …maama maama
Ho ho hoi... uncle, uncle
Maama maama mannaaru
Uncle, uncle Mannaru,
Maappillai manasilae pennaaru
Which woman resides in the groom's mind?
Pandhalum podalae melamungkottalae
Without erecting a marriage pandal, without beating the drums,
Yengiyae ninnaaru
He stood there yearning.
Pennukku anji oodum bodhu
When he ran away out of fear of a woman,
Pidichi vandhen paaru
Look, I caught him and brought him back!
Kundu kannazhagan nandu kaalazhagan
Handsome with round eyes, handsome with crab-like legs,
Engum paathariyaa ilicha vaayazhagan
Unseen anywhere before, a handsome man with a foolish gaping grin!
Pennukku anji oodum bodhu
When he ran away out of fear of a woman,
Pidichi vandhen paaru
Look, I caught him and brought him back!
Kundu kannazhagan nandu kaalazhagan
Handsome with round eyes, handsome with crab-like legs,
Engum paathariyaa ilicha vaayazhagan
Unseen anywhere before, a handsome man with a foolish gaping grin!
Arugilae poyi konjam
Going close to him,
Naan anbudanae thotta
When I touched him tenderly with love,
Arugilae poyi konjam
Going close to him,
Naan anbudanae thotta
When I touched him tenderly with love,
Azhudhapadi udal padhari
Weeping aloud with his body trembling in panic,
Aiyoo appa endraaraiyaa
He cried out 'Oh my goodness, father!' sir.
Ho ho hoi …maama maama
Ho ho hoi... uncle, uncle
Maama maama mannaaru
Uncle, uncle Mannaru,
Maappillai manasilae pennaaru
Which woman resides in the groom's mind?
Manapponnu kooda jalagreedaikku
To engage in water play with the bride,
Maappillai vandhaaru
The groom arrived.
Manapponnu sonnaa
As soon as the bride asked him,
Thayakkamae illai mappillai kudhichaaru
Without any hesitation, the groom jumped right in!
Mayakkudhae
It is intoxicating!
Maama maama mannaaru
Uncle, uncle Mannaru,
Maappillai manasilae pennaaru
Which woman resides in the groom's mind?
Manapponnu kooda jalagreedaikku
To engage in water play with the bride,
Maappillai vandhaaru
The groom arrived.
Manapponnu sonnaa
As soon as the bride asked him,
Thayakkamae illai mappillai kudhichaaru
Without any hesitation, the groom jumped right in!
Maama maama mannaaru
Uncle, uncle Mannaru,
Maappillai manasilae pennaaru
Which woman resides in the groom's mind?
Manapponnu kooda jalagreedaikku
To engage in water play with the bride,
Maappillai vandhaaru
The groom arrived.
Manapponnu sonnaa
As soon as the bride asked him,
Thayakkamae illai mappillai kudhichaaru
Without any hesitation, the groom jumped right in!
Manapponnu sonnaa
As soon as the bride asked him,
Thayakkamae illai mappillai kudhichaaru
Without any hesitation, the groom jumped right in!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This playful and humorous song from the movie Pandavar Vanavasam (1961) teases a shy and nervous groom who harbors romantic desires but lacks the boldness to act on them. The singer humorously describes his timid behavior, how he stands yearning for marriage without formal preparations, hesitates to approach his bride, and panics out of sheer fear at the gentle touch of a woman. Through lighthearted satire, the lyrics highlight his comical appearance, silly smile, and awkward actions, contrasting his nervousness with how quickly he complies when the bride invites him for water sports (jalagreeda). Overall, the track serves as an entertaining comic relief describing the hilarious plight of an overly timid bridegroom.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Maama maama mannaaru / Maappillai manasilae pennaaru”
The second consonant 'n' (ன/ண்) rhymes across consecutive lines creating melodic cadence.
Irony / Sarcastic Metaphor
“Kundu kannazhagan nandu kaalazhagan”
Using words like 'azhagan' (handsome) sarcastically alongside odd physical descriptions like 'kundu kannu' (round eyes) and 'nandu kaal' (crab-like legs) for comical effect.
Alliteration (Monaai)
“Maama maama mannaaru”
Repetition of initial consonants 'Ma' creating rhythmic playfulness.
Sanskrit Loanword (Thatsamam)
“Manapponnu kooda jalagreedaikku”
Usage of the formal word 'Jalagreeda' (water sports/play) in a folk-humorous context.
Did you know?
Trivia
Pandavar Vanavasam (1961) featured iconic music by legendary singer-composer Ghantasala. Written by lyricist Kuyilan and rendered by the legendary P. Susheela, this song is a classic example of traditional Tamil folk-style comic teasing songs (Nandi/Parihasam) utilized in epic cinema to lighten dramatic mythological narratives.
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