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Isaimozhi
Aagaya Gangai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Mama Mama

From Aagaya Gangai · 1982

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Aagaya Gangai
Movie release year
1982
Lyrics added on
23 Nov 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Maamaa maamaa
Manja manam manakka
Malliya poo manakka
Vanji kodi onnu
Vaadi nikkuthu thedi nikkuthu
Maaamaa maamaa maamaa
Maamaa maamaa
Manja manam manakka
Malliya poo manakka
Vanji kodi onnu
Vaadi nikkuthu thedi nikkuthu
Maaamaa maamaa maamaa
Pakkathila nee irundha
Sorgaththila nan iruppen
Maamaa unga paarvaikku
Kaathirukken…. kaathirukken
Onnaa rendaa nenjukulla
Odi peruguthu ullukulla
Onnaa rendaa nenjukulla
Odi peruguthu ullukulla
Sonnaa enna thappae illa
Nee illanaa naan illa
Maamaa maamaa
Manja manam manakka
Malliya poo manakka
Vanji kodi onnu
Vaadi nikkuthu thedi nikkuthu
Maaamaa maamaa maamaa
Pattuthuni kattikittu
Pakkathula thottukittu
Naanum neeyum serura
Kaalathila…. kaalathila
Ahaa unga oorathilae
Aasa manasu vegathilae
Ahaa unga oorathilae
Aasa manasu vegathilae
Melogamum boolagamum
Onnaanadhu nammoda
Maamaa maamaa
Manja manam manakka
Malliya poo manakka
Vanji kodi onnu
Vaadi nikkuthu thedi nikkuthu
Maaamaa maamaa maamaa
Mama, oh Mama,
with the fragrance of turmeric wafting,
and the scent of jasmine flowers in the air,
a slender vine of a girl
stands here pining and searching for you,
Mama, Mama, Mama!
Mama, oh Mama,
with the fragrance of turmeric wafting,
and the scent of jasmine flowers in the air,
a slender vine of a girl
stands here pining and searching for you,
Mama, Mama, Mama!
If you are right by my side,
I will feel like I am in heaven.
Mama, for just one glance from your eyes,
I keep waiting... and waiting.
Is it just one feeling or two? Inside my heart,
emotions rush and overflow deep within.
Is it just one feeling or two? Inside my heart,
emotions rush and overflow deep within.
What is wrong if I say it? It is no wrong at all,
if you are not there, I do not exist.
Mama, oh Mama,
with the fragrance of turmeric wafting,
and the scent of jasmine flowers in the air,
a slender vine of a girl
stands here pining and searching for you,
Mama, Mama, Mama!
Dressed in fine silk clothes,
gently brushing against your side,
in the moments when you and I
walk together... walk together,
ah, standing right beside you,
my longing heart fills with sweet shyness.
Ah, standing right beside you,
my longing heart fills with sweet shyness.
The world above and this world below
have become one through our love.
Mama, oh Mama,
with the fragrance of turmeric wafting,
and the scent of jasmine flowers in the air,
a slender vine of a girl
stands here pining and searching for you,
Mama, Mama, Mama!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This playful romantic track from the 1982 Tamil movie Aagaya Gangai depicts a young woman expressing her deep longing, affection, and romantic desire for her beloved suitor (traditionally addressed as 'Maamaa'). She compares her tender, eager self to a delicate flower vine fragrant with turmeric and jasmine, yearning for his presence and gaze which brings her heavenly happiness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Manja manam manakka / Malliya poo manakka”

Repetition of the initial sound 'Ma' across the line creating a melodious rhythm.

Metaphor (Uvamai)

“Vanji kodi onnu”

Comparing the heroine's slender and tender body to a vine (Vanji kodi).

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Odi peruguthu ullukulla / Sonnaa enna thappae illa”

Matching ending sounds 'ullukulla' and 'thappae illa' enhancing the song's rhythmic folk flow.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Thangame Un Pole1957
MayabazarCourtshipPlayful Romance
Poovaitha Poovaikku1970
Maattukara VelanCourtshipPlayful Romance
Malargalil Aadum1979
KalyanaramanPlayful RomanceLonging
Inji Idupazhagi1992
Thevar MaganLongingPlayful Romance
Vachalum Vekkama Ponnalum1991
Michael Madana Kama RajanDesirePlayful Romance
Pooparikka Neeyum2006
Something Something Unakkum EnakkumAttractionDesire

From the same album

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