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Lyrics & meaning

Mama Poo

From Kavalai Padathe Sagodhara · 1998

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
K. S. Chithra, Mano
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kavalai Padathe Sagodhara1998

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Maamaa poo pooUncle, flower, flower
Malliya pooJasmine flower
Maami poo poo mathaappooAunt, flower, flower, sparkler flower
Male
Puppuppoo puppoo puppooPoo-poo-poo rhythmic sounds
Maamaa poo poo maamaa pooUncle, flower, flower, uncle flower
Malliya pooJasmine flower
Maami poo poo maami poo mathaappooAunt, flower, flower, aunt flower, sparkler flower
Female
Maamaa poo poo maamaa pooUncle, flower, flower, uncle flower
Malliyap pooJasmine flower
Maami poo poo maami poo mathaappooAunt, flower, flower, aunt flower, sparkler flower
Male
Koothu nalla koothu koodaThe folk dance show is a fine show
Vandha raakkuNight time has arrived
Male
Raathirikku sangadhi ennaWhat is the plan for the night?
Chorus
Hae azhagi aathaadiHey beautiful girl, oh my goodness!
Kannadichu paathaadiShe looked at me and winked her eye
Kannadichu paathaalaeBecause she looked and winked her eye
Em manasu kaathaadiMy heart fluttered like a kite
Female
Seeti adichaalae signal koduthaalaeShe whistled and gave a signal
Silukku sindhaamaniSilky precious girl
Sittu sirichaalae mettu padichaalaeThe little bird smiled and sang a tune
Kulungum en kanmaniMy precious darling trembling with joy
Male
Ae velakku illaamaHey, even without a lamp
Velicham vandhaadhuLight has arrived
Azhagi aathaadiBeautiful girl, oh my goodness!
Chorus
Hae azhagi aathaadiHey beautiful girl, oh my goodness!
Kannadichu paathaadiShe looked at me and winked her eye
Kannadichu paathaalaeBecause she looked and winked her eye
Em manasu kaathaadiMy heart fluttered like a kite
Male
Maamaa poo poo maamaa pooUncle, flower, flower, uncle flower
Malliya pooJasmine flower
Maami poo poo maami poo mathaappooAunt, flower, flower, aunt flower, sparkler flower
Female
Maamaa poo poo maamaa pooUncle, flower, flower, uncle flower
Malliya pooJasmine flower
Maami poo poo maami poo mathaappooAunt, flower, flower, aunt flower, sparkler flower
Male
Heart thaan nikkaEven if the heart stops
Aattam nikkaadhu ammani ammaniThe dance will not stop, my lady, my lady
Etti ponaalum vittu vaikkaadhuEven if she moves far away, it won't leave me
Minmini minminiFirefly, firefly
Chorus
Heart thaan nikkaEven if the heart stops
Aattam nikkaadhu ammani ammaniThe dance will not stop, my lady, my lady
Etti ponaalum vittu vaikkaadhuEven if she moves far away, it won't leave me
Minmini minminiFirefly, firefly
Female
Ae velakku illaamaHey, even without a lamp
Velicham vandhaadhuLight has arrived
Azhagi aatthaadiBeautiful girl, oh my goodness!
Chorus
Hae azhagi aathaadiHey beautiful girl, oh my goodness!
Kannadichu paathaadiShe looked at me and winked her eye
Kannadichu paathaalaeBecause she looked and winked her eye
Em manasu kaathaadiMy heart fluttered like a kite
Male
Maamaa poo poo maamaa pooUncle, flower, flower, uncle flower
Malliya pooJasmine flower
Maami poo poo maami poo mathaappooAunt, flower, flower, aunt flower, sparkler flower
Female
Maamaa poo poo maamaa pooUncle, flower, flower, uncle flower
Malliya pooJasmine flower
Maami poo poo maami poo mathaappooAunt, flower, flower, aunt flower, sparkler flower
Male
Koothu nalla koothu koodaThe folk dance show is a fine show
Vandha raakkuNight time has arrived
Male
Raathirikku sangadhi ennaWhat is the plan for the night?
Chorus
Hae azhagi aathaadiHey beautiful girl, oh my goodness!
Kannadichu paathaadiShe looked at me and winked her eye
Kannadichu paathaalaeBecause she looked and winked her eye
Em manasu kaathaadiMy heart fluttered like a kite

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This upbeat folk-style celebratory track expresses the playful flirtation and joyous excitement of a protagonist captivated by a charming maiden. As she winks and signals to him, his heart flutters with uncontrolled delight like a kite caught in the wind. The lyrics blend traditional folk dance imagery with rhythmic nonsense syllables and lively local expressions, capturing the vibrant energy of a night celebration where love and dance merge seamlessly.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uwamai)

Em manasu kaathaadi

Compares the fluttering state of the protagonist's excited heart to a kite flying in the wind ('Manasu kaathaadi').

Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Kannadichu paathaadi / Em manasu kaathaadi

Use of rhyming end sounds 'paathaadi' and 'kaathaadi' to create a catchy, rhythmic folk verse structure.

Repetition (Adukku Thodar)

Maamaa poo poo maamaa poo

Rhythmic repetition of words like 'poo poo', 'ammani ammani', and 'minmini minmini' for musical cadence and folk flavor.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kavalai Padathe Sagodhara' (1998) features comedy legend Pandiarajan in the lead role, with lyrics penned by veteran lyricist Vaali, who frequently incorporated colloquial folk rhythms and playful double-word repetitions in dance numbers.

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