Mama Ponnu Manasil
From Kaalam Oru Naal Maarum · 1981
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- S. Janaki, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- V. Kumar
- Details
- Kaalam Oru Naal Maarum1981
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Mama ponnu manasil ninnaa | If maternal uncle's daughter resides in the heart, |
| Machchankitta maraichchu ninnaa | And stays hiding from her cousin, |
| Manasu ennaagum | What will happen to the heart? |
| Aiyyo adhu avunthathunnaa | Oh dear, if that unties, |
| Azhagu mugam sevanthathunnaa | And if the beautiful face blushes red, |
| Aasai undaagum | Desire will be born! |
| Male | |
| Haei mama ponnu manasil ninnaa | Hey, if maternal uncle's daughter resides in the heart, |
| Machchankitta maraichchu ninnaa | And stays hiding from her cousin, |
| Manasu ennaagum | What will happen to the heart? |
| Aiyyo adhu avunthathunnaa | Oh dear, if that unties, |
| Azhagu mugam sevanthathunnaa | And if the beautiful face blushes red, |
| Aasai undaagum | Desire will be born! |
| Male | |
| Rasaththi vaa summaa | My princess, come simply, |
| Rasavum naanamma | I too am your prince, my dear! |
| Female | |
| Selai marappula silukkum kirukkula | In the concealment of the saree and the playful madness, |
| Thaedi odidalaamaa | Shall we search and run away? |
| Meesai mulaikkala neeyum kulikkala | Moustache hasn't sprouted, nor have you bathed, |
| Pakkam nee varalaamaa | Can you come near me? |
| Male | |
| Mela oru kannu | An eye kept upon you from above, |
| Aasai vachcha ponnu | The girl who holds desire, |
| Pakkaththula ninnaa vekkamedhukku | When standing near, why be shy? |
| Female | |
| Podaathae….pala vesham | Don't put on... so many disguises, |
| Puriyaatho un vesham | Won't your act be understood? |
| Male | |
| Mama ponnu manasil ninnaa | If maternal uncle's daughter resides in the heart, |
| Machchaan nenja purinju ninnaa | And stands understanding cousin's heart, |
| Mayangidalaamaa | Can one swoon in love? |
| Roadoramaa paruva ponnu | On seeing a young girl by the roadside, |
| Paaththaa manam viragaththilae | When looking at her, in longing pangs, |
| Thavichchidalaamaa | Can the heart suffer in agony? |
| Female | |
| Paaththaalum pothaathaa | Even if seen, is it not enough? |
| Pasiththaalum theeraathaa | Even if hungry, won't it be quenched? |
| Male | |
| Asaiyum udambula aadum iduppula | In the swaying body and dancing waist, |
| Aasai vizhunthathu enakku | Desire fell upon me! |
| Anaikka ninaikkuthun ninaichchaa inikkuthu | It longs to embrace, thinking of it feels sweet, |
| Alli kodukkuraen unakku | I will scoop and give it all to you! |
| Female | |
| Katti vachcha pallu | Teeth set closely, |
| Kotti podum nillu | Stop, it will spill over! |
| Etti etti sellu intha neram | Walk far away at this moment, |
| Female | |
| Adichchaalum santhosam | Even if you beat me, it is joy, |
| Anaichchaalum santhosam | Even if you embrace me, it is joy! |
| Male | |
| Haan mama ponnu manasil ninnaa | Ha, if maternal uncle's daughter resides in the heart, |
| Machchaan nenja purinju ninnaa | And stands understanding cousin's heart, |
| Mayangidalaamaa | Can one swoon in love? |
| Roadoramaa paruva ponnu | On seeing a young girl by the roadside, |
| Paaththaa manam viragaththilae | When looking at her, in longing pangs, |
| Thavichchidalaamaa | Can the heart suffer in agony? |
| Female | |
| Paaththaalum pothaathaa | Even if seen, is it not enough? |
| Pasiththaalum theeraathaa | Even if hungry, won't it be quenched? |
| Male | |
| Mama ponnu manasil ninnaa | If maternal uncle's daughter resides in the heart, |
| Machchankitta maraichchu ninnaa | And stays hiding from her cousin, |
| Manasu ennaagum | What will happen to the heart? |
| Aiyyo adhu avunthathunnaa | Oh dear, if that unties, |
| Azhagu mugam sevanthathunnaa | And if the beautiful face blushes red, |
| Aasai undaagum | Desire will be born! |
| Male | |
| Rasaththi vaa summaa | My princess, come simply, |
| Rasavum naanamma | I too am your prince, my dear! |
மாமா பொண்ணு மனசில் நின்னா
மச்சான்கிட்ட மறைச்சு நின்னா
மனசு என்னாகும்
அய்யோ அது அவுந்ததுன்னா
அழகு முகம் செவந்ததுன்னா
ஆசை உண்டாகும்
If maternal uncle's daughter resides in the heart,
And stays hiding from her cousin,
What will happen to the heart?
Oh dear, if that unties,
And if the beautiful face blushes red,
Desire will be born!
ஹேய் மாமா பொண்ணு மனசில் நின்னா
மச்சான்கிட்ட மறைச்சு நின்னா
மனசு என்னாகும்
அய்யோ அது அவுந்ததுன்னா
அழகு முகம் செவந்ததுன்னா
ஆசை உண்டாகும்
Hey, if maternal uncle's daughter resides in the heart,
And stays hiding from her cousin,
What will happen to the heart?
Oh dear, if that unties,
And if the beautiful face blushes red,
Desire will be born!
ராசாத்தி வா சும்மா
ராசாவும் நானம்மா
My princess, come simply,
I too am your prince, my dear!
சேலை மறப்புல சிலுக்கும் கிறுக்குல
தேடி ஓடிடலாமா
மீசை முளைக்கல நீயும் குளிக்கல
பக்கம் நீ வரலாமா
In the concealment of the saree and the playful madness,
Shall we search and run away?
Moustache hasn't sprouted, nor have you bathed,
Can you come near me?
மேல ஒரு கண்ணு
ஆசை வச்ச பொண்ணு
பக்கத்துல நின்னா வெக்கமெதுக்கு
An eye kept upon you from above,
The girl who holds desire,
When standing near, why be shy?
போடாதே..... பல வேஷம்
புரியாதோ உன் வேஷம்
Don't put on... so many disguises,
Won't your act be understood?
மாமா பொண்ணு மனசில் நின்னா
மச்சான் நெஞ்ச புரிஞ்சு நின்னா
மயங்கிடலாமா
ரோட்டோரமா பருவ பொண்ணு
பாத்தா மனம் விரகத்திலே
தவிச்சிடலாமா
If maternal uncle's daughter resides in the heart,
And stands understanding cousin's heart,
Can one swoon in love?
On seeing a young girl by the roadside,
When looking at her, in longing pangs,
Can the heart suffer in agony?
பாத்தாலும் போதாதா
பசித்தாலும் தீராதா
Even if seen, is it not enough?
Even if hungry, won't it be quenched?
அசையும் உடம்புல ஆடும் இடுப்புல
ஆசை விழுந்தது எனக்கு
அணைக்க நினைக்குது நினைச்சா இனிக்குது
அள்ளி கொடுக்குறேன் உனக்கு
In the swaying body and dancing waist,
Desire fell upon me!
It longs to embrace, thinking of it feels sweet,
I will scoop and give it all to you!
கட்டி வச்ச பல்லு
கொட்டி போடும் நில்லு
எட்டி எட்டி செல்லு இந்த நேரம்
Teeth set closely,
Stop, it will spill over!
Walk far away at this moment,
அடிச்சாலும் சந்தோசம்
அணைச்சாலும் சந்தோசம்
Even if you beat me, it is joy,
Even if you embrace me, it is joy!
ஹான் மாமா பொண்ணு மனசில் நின்னா
மச்சான் நெஞ்ச புரிஞ்சு நின்னா
மயங்கிடலாமா
ரோட்டோரமா பருவ பொண்ணு
பாத்தா மனம் விரகத்திலே
தவிச்சிடலாமா
Ha, if maternal uncle's daughter resides in the heart,
And stands understanding cousin's heart,
Can one swoon in love?
On seeing a young girl by the roadside,
When looking at her, in longing pangs,
Can the heart suffer in agony?
பாத்தாலும் போதாதா
பசித்தாலும் தீராதா
Even if seen, is it not enough?
Even if hungry, won't it be quenched?
மாமா பொண்ணு மனசில் நின்னா
மச்சான்கிட்ட மறைச்சு நின்னா
மனசு என்னாகும்
அய்யோ அது அவுந்ததுன்னா
அழகு முகம் செவந்ததுன்னா
ஆசை உண்டாகும்
If maternal uncle's daughter resides in the heart,
And stays hiding from her cousin,
What will happen to the heart?
Oh dear, if that unties,
And if the beautiful face blushes red,
Desire will be born!
ராசாத்தி வா சும்மா
ராசாவும் நானம்மா
My princess, come simply,
I too am your prince, my dear!
Mama ponnu manasil ninnaa
If maternal uncle's daughter resides in the heart,
Machchankitta maraichchu ninnaa
And stays hiding from her cousin,
Manasu ennaagum
What will happen to the heart?
Aiyyo adhu avunthathunnaa
Oh dear, if that unties,
Azhagu mugam sevanthathunnaa
And if the beautiful face blushes red,
Aasai undaagum
Desire will be born!
Haei mama ponnu manasil ninnaa
Hey, if maternal uncle's daughter resides in the heart,
Machchankitta maraichchu ninnaa
And stays hiding from her cousin,
Manasu ennaagum
What will happen to the heart?
Aiyyo adhu avunthathunnaa
Oh dear, if that unties,
Azhagu mugam sevanthathunnaa
And if the beautiful face blushes red,
Aasai undaagum
Desire will be born!
Rasaththi vaa summaa
My princess, come simply,
Rasavum naanamma
I too am your prince, my dear!
Selai marappula silukkum kirukkula
In the concealment of the saree and the playful madness,
Thaedi odidalaamaa
Shall we search and run away?
Meesai mulaikkala neeyum kulikkala
Moustache hasn't sprouted, nor have you bathed,
Pakkam nee varalaamaa
Can you come near me?
Mela oru kannu
An eye kept upon you from above,
Aasai vachcha ponnu
The girl who holds desire,
Pakkaththula ninnaa vekkamedhukku
When standing near, why be shy?
Podaathae….pala vesham
Don't put on... so many disguises,
Puriyaatho un vesham
Won't your act be understood?
Mama ponnu manasil ninnaa
If maternal uncle's daughter resides in the heart,
Machchaan nenja purinju ninnaa
And stands understanding cousin's heart,
Mayangidalaamaa
Can one swoon in love?
Roadoramaa paruva ponnu
On seeing a young girl by the roadside,
Paaththaa manam viragaththilae
When looking at her, in longing pangs,
Thavichchidalaamaa
Can the heart suffer in agony?
Paaththaalum pothaathaa
Even if seen, is it not enough?
Pasiththaalum theeraathaa
Even if hungry, won't it be quenched?
Asaiyum udambula aadum iduppula
In the swaying body and dancing waist,
Aasai vizhunthathu enakku
Desire fell upon me!
Anaikka ninaikkuthun ninaichchaa inikkuthu
It longs to embrace, thinking of it feels sweet,
Alli kodukkuraen unakku
I will scoop and give it all to you!
Katti vachcha pallu
Teeth set closely,
Kotti podum nillu
Stop, it will spill over!
Etti etti sellu intha neram
Walk far away at this moment,
Adichchaalum santhosam
Even if you beat me, it is joy,
Anaichchaalum santhosam
Even if you embrace me, it is joy!
Haan mama ponnu manasil ninnaa
Ha, if maternal uncle's daughter resides in the heart,
Machchaan nenja purinju ninnaa
And stands understanding cousin's heart,
Mayangidalaamaa
Can one swoon in love?
Roadoramaa paruva ponnu
On seeing a young girl by the roadside,
Paaththaa manam viragaththilae
When looking at her, in longing pangs,
Thavichchidalaamaa
Can the heart suffer in agony?
Paaththaalum pothaathaa
Even if seen, is it not enough?
Pasiththaalum theeraathaa
Even if hungry, won't it be quenched?
Mama ponnu manasil ninnaa
If maternal uncle's daughter resides in the heart,
Machchankitta maraichchu ninnaa
And stays hiding from her cousin,
Manasu ennaagum
What will happen to the heart?
Aiyyo adhu avunthathunnaa
Oh dear, if that unties,
Azhagu mugam sevanthathunnaa
And if the beautiful face blushes red,
Aasai undaagum
Desire will be born!
Rasaththi vaa summaa
My princess, come simply,
Rasavum naanamma
I too am your prince, my dear!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic duet from the 1981 Tamil movie 'Kaalam Oru Naal Maarum' captures a playful and romantic banter between two cross-cousins (Mama Ponnu and Machan). In traditional Tamil culture, cross-cousins share a special bond often associated with romantic eligibility. The hero expresses his passionate affection, longing to get closer to her, while teasing her shy demeanor and coy resistance. The heroine responds with equal wit, playfully questioning his readiness while acknowledging her secret attraction toward him. Throughout the song, lyricist Vaali uses colloquial Tamil idioms and rhythmic romantic expressions to depict youthful courtship, shyness, bodily grace, and mutual desire. Music composer V. Kumar sets a lively tune complemented by the vibrant vocals of S. Janaki and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, highlighting the playful dynamics between the lovers.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monaai (Assonance / Initial Alliteration)
“Mama ponnu manasil ninnaa / Machchankitta maraichchu ninnaa”
Repetition of initial consonants/vowels in consecutive words or lines, such as 'Mama' and 'Machchan' or 'Aiyyo' and 'Azhagu'.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Asaiyum udambula aadum iduppula / Aasai vizhunthathu enakku”
The second consonant sound matches across lines ('a' + 'sa' in Asaiyum and Aasai).
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Aiyyo adhu avunthathunnaa / Azhagu mugam sevanthathunnaa”
Matching rhyming word endings such as 'ninnaa' and 'unthathunnaa' / 'sevanthathunnaa'.
Metaphor / Wordplay
“Rasaththi vaa summaa / Rasavum naanamma”
Calling each other 'Rasaththi' (Princess/Queen) and 'Rasavum' (King/Prince), elevating rural romantic banter into royal terminology.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Kaalam Oru Naal Maarum' (1981) featured music composed by V. Kumar, who was known for his melodious compositions in 1970s and early 80s Tamil cinema. The song stands out for SPB and S. Janaki's energetic rendering of Vaali's playful folk-pop lyrics.
Keep listening
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