Mama Veettu
From Nalla Mudivu · 1973
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Nalla Mudivu1973
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Ohho hooi | Ohho hooi |
| Chorus :Oo….oh hoi | Chorus: Oo...oh hoi |
| Female :Ohho hooi | Female: Ohho hooi |
| Chorus :Oo….oh hoi | Chorus: Oo...oh hoi |
| Female :Ohho hooi | Female: Ohho hooi |
| Chorus :Oo….oh hoi | Chorus: Oo...oh hoi |
| Female | |
| Mama veettu kalyaanathilae | At the wedding in maternal uncle's house, |
| Oorkolam vittathu polae | Just like a grand procession being held, |
| Aagayathilae megam poguthu | The clouds are drifting across the sky, |
| Adhisayamaa aaththilaeyum thanni oduthu | Miraculously, water is flowing in the river as well, |
| Adhisayamaa aaththilaeyum thanni oduthu | Miraculously, water is flowing in the river as well. |
| Female | |
| Mama veettu kalyaanathilae | At the wedding in maternal uncle's house, |
| Oorkolam vittathu polae | Just like a grand procession being held, |
| Aagayathilae megam poguthu | The clouds are drifting across the sky, |
| Adhisayamaa aaththilaeyum thanni oduthu | Miraculously, water is flowing in the river as well, |
| Adhisayamaa aaththilaeyum thanni oduthu | Miraculously, water is flowing in the river as well. |
| Female | |
| Thalaivaari poo mudichu thadam melae kannu vachu | Combing her hair, wearing flowers, and keeping her eyes on the path, |
| Silai polae vanthaalaeyoru singaara ponnu | A beautiful girl came walking gracefully like a statue. |
| Thalaivaari poo mudichu thadam melae kannu vachu | Combing her hair, wearing flowers, and keeping her eyes on the path, |
| Silai polae vanthaalaeyoru singaara ponnu | A beautiful girl came walking gracefully like a statue. |
| Ava seeppeduthu pooveduthu silusilukkum elai eduthu | She picked up a comb, gathered flowers, and took a rustling banana leaf, |
| Siththaadai katti nirkkum sevvaazhai kannu | Like a young red banana tree standing adorned in a half-saree. |
| Female | |
| Azhagazhagaai nizhalirukku yaanai thanga idamirukku | There is beautiful shade and space enough for an elephant to stay, |
| Aalamaram nimirnthirukku rajavai polae hoi | The banyan tree stands tall like a king, oh! |
| Aalamaram nimirnthirukku rajavai polae hoi | The banyan tree stands tall like a king, oh! |
| Female | |
| Mama veettu kalyaanathilae | At the wedding in maternal uncle's house, |
| Oorkolam vittathu polae | Just like a grand procession being held, |
| Aagayathilae megam poguthu | The clouds are drifting across the sky, |
| Adhisayamaa aaththilaeyum thanni oduthu | Miraculously, water is flowing in the river as well, |
| Adhisayamaa aaththilaeyum thanni oduthu | Miraculously, water is flowing in the river as well. |
| Chorus | |
| ………………. | ... |
| Female | |
| Kanniponnu maeniyilae | On the body of a young virgin girl, |
| Thanni pattaa kodhikkuthadi | If water touches, it boils over, my dear! |
| Kaathadichaa eriyuthadi kaaranam sollu | If the wind blows, it feels like burning; tell me the reason! |
| Kanniponnu maeniyilae | On the body of a young virgin girl, |
| Thanni pattaa kodhikkuthadi | If water touches, it boils over, my dear! |
| Kaathadichaa eriyuthadi kaaranam sollu | If the wind blows, it feels like burning; tell me the reason! |
| Chorus | |
| Kannukkullae kannu vachu | When someone arrives to gaze deep into her eyes, |
| Kalanthu nirkka aalu vanthaa | And unite with her in love, |
| Munnae pinnae therinjukalaam | You will understand everything eventually, |
| Poruthukka kannu | Be patient, my dear. |
| Female | |
| Pannirendu vayathinilae | The sights that were witnessed at the age of twelve, |
| Paarthu vantha kaatchiyellaam | All those familiar scenes, |
| Paruvathilae maaruthadi ragasiyam enna | Change as youth arrives; what is the secret behind it? |
| Chorus | |
| Kannirendum malarntha pinnae | After the two eyes bloom with understanding, |
| Kani idhazhum kanintha pinnae | And after the sweet lips ripen, |
| Penn manathu maaruvathil adhisayam enna | What is the wonder if a woman's heart changes? |
| Female :Hoi penn manathu maaruvathil adhisayam enna | Female: Oh, what is the wonder if a woman's heart changes? |
| Female | |
| Mama veettu kalyaanathilae | Mama veettu kalyaanathilae |
| Oorkolam vittathu polae | Just like a grand procession being held, |
| Aagayathilae megam poguthu | The clouds are drifting across the sky, |
| Adhisayamaa aaththilaeyum thanni oduthu | Miraculously, water is flowing in the river as well, |
| Adhisayamaa aaththilaeyum thanni oduthu | Miraculously, water is flowing in the river as well. |
| Female | |
| ……………… | ... |
| Chorus :……………… | Chorus: ... |
ஓஹ்ஹோ ஹோய்
குழு :
ஓ....ஓஹ் ஹோய்
ஓஹ்ஹோ ஹோய்
குழு :
ஓ....ஓஹ் ஹோய்
ஓஹ்ஹோ ஹோய்
குழு :
ஓ....ஓஹ் ஹோய்
Ohho hooi
Chorus: Oo...oh hoi
Female: Ohho hooi
Chorus: Oo...oh hoi
Female: Ohho hooi
Chorus: Oo...oh hoi
மாமா வீட்டுக் கல்யாணத்திலே
ஊர்கோலம் விட்டது போலே
ஆகாயத்திலே மேகம் போகுது
அதிசயமா ஆத்திலேயும் தண்ணி ஓடுது
அதிசயமா ஆத்திலேயும் தண்ணி ஓடுது
At the wedding in maternal uncle's house,
Just like a grand procession being held,
The clouds are drifting across the sky,
Miraculously, water is flowing in the river as well,
Miraculously, water is flowing in the river as well.
மாமா வீட்டுக் கல்யாணத்திலே
ஊர்கோலம் விட்டது போலே
ஆகாயத்திலே மேகம் போகுது
அதிசயமா ஆத்துலேயும் தண்ணி ஓடுது
அதிசயமா ஆத்துலேயும் தண்ணி ஓடுது
At the wedding in maternal uncle's house,
Just like a grand procession being held,
The clouds are drifting across the sky,
Miraculously, water is flowing in the river as well,
Miraculously, water is flowing in the river as well.
தலைவாரி பூ முடிச்சு தடம் மேலே கண்ணு வச்சு
சிலை போலே வந்தாலேயொரு சிங்காரப் பொண்ணு
தலைவாரி பூ முடிச்சு தடம் மேலே கண்ணு வச்சு
சிலை போலே வந்தாலேயொரு சிங்காரப் பொண்ணு
அவ சீப்பெடுத்து பூவெடுத்து சிலுசிலுக்கும் எலை எடுத்து
சித்தாடை கட்டி நிற்கும் செவ்வாழை கன்னு
Combing her hair, wearing flowers, and keeping her eyes on the path,
A beautiful girl came walking gracefully like a statue.
Combing her hair, wearing flowers, and keeping her eyes on the path,
A beautiful girl came walking gracefully like a statue.
She picked up a comb, gathered flowers, and took a rustling banana leaf,
Like a young red banana tree standing adorned in a half-saree.
அழகழகாய் நிழலிருக்கு யானை தங்க இடமிருக்கு
ஆலமரம் நிமிர்ந்திருக்கு ராஜாவைப் போலே ஹோய்...
ஆலமரம் நிமிர்ந்திருக்கு ராஜாவைப் போலே....
There is beautiful shade and space enough for an elephant to stay,
The banyan tree stands tall like a king, oh!
The banyan tree stands tall like a king, oh!
மாமா வீட்டுக் கல்யாணத்திலே
ஊர்கோலம் விட்டது போலே
ஆகாயத்திலே மேகம் போகுது
அதிசயமா ஆத்துலேயும் தண்ணி ஓடுது
அதிசயமா ஆத்துலேயும் தண்ணி ஓடுது
At the wedding in maternal uncle's house,
Just like a grand procession being held,
The clouds are drifting across the sky,
Miraculously, water is flowing in the river as well,
Miraculously, water is flowing in the river as well.
.....................
...
கன்னிப்பொண்ணு மேனியிலே
தண்ணிப் பட்டா கொதிக்குதடி
காத்தடிச்சா எரியுதடி காரணம் சொல்லு
கன்னிப்பொண்ணு மேனியிலே
தண்ணிப் பட்டா கொதிக்குதடி
காத்தடிச்சா எரியுதடி காரணம் சொல்லு
On the body of a young virgin girl,
If water touches, it boils over, my dear!
If the wind blows, it feels like burning; tell me the reason!
On the body of a young virgin girl,
If water touches, it boils over, my dear!
If the wind blows, it feels like burning; tell me the reason!
கண்ணுக்குள்ளே கண்ணு வச்சு
கலந்து நிற்க ஆளு வந்தா
முன்னே பின்னே தெரிஞ்சுக்கலாம்
பொறுத்துக்க கண்ணு......
When someone arrives to gaze deep into her eyes,
And unite with her in love,
You will understand everything eventually,
Be patient, my dear.
பன்னிரெண்டு வயதினிலே
பார்த்து வந்த காட்சியெல்லாம்
பருவத்திலே மாறுதடி ரகசியம் என்ன
The sights that were witnessed at the age of twelve,
All those familiar scenes,
Change as youth arrives; what is the secret behind it?
கண்ணிரெண்டும் மலர்ந்த பின்னே
கனி இதழும் கனிந்த பின்னே
பெண் மனது மாறுவதில் அதிசயம் என்ன
ஹோய் பெண் மனது மாறுவதில் அதிசயம் என்ன
After the two eyes bloom with understanding,
And after the sweet lips ripen,
What is the wonder if a woman's heart changes?
Female: Oh, what is the wonder if a woman's heart changes?
மாமா வீட்டுக் கல்யாணத்திலே
ஊர்கோலம் விட்டது போலே
ஆகாயத்திலே மேகம் போகுது
அதிசயமா ஆத்துலேயும் தண்ணி ஓடுது
அதிசயமா ஆத்துலேயும் தண்ணி ஓடுது
Mama veettu kalyaanathilae
Just like a grand procession being held,
The clouds are drifting across the sky,
Miraculously, water is flowing in the river as well,
Miraculously, water is flowing in the river as well.
........................
குழு :
.....................
...
Chorus: ...
Ohho hooi
Ohho hooi
Chorus :Oo….oh hoi
Chorus: Oo...oh hoi
Female :Ohho hooi
Female: Ohho hooi
Chorus :Oo….oh hoi
Chorus: Oo...oh hoi
Female :Ohho hooi
Female: Ohho hooi
Chorus :Oo….oh hoi
Chorus: Oo...oh hoi
Mama veettu kalyaanathilae
At the wedding in maternal uncle's house,
Oorkolam vittathu polae
Just like a grand procession being held,
Aagayathilae megam poguthu
The clouds are drifting across the sky,
Adhisayamaa aaththilaeyum thanni oduthu
Miraculously, water is flowing in the river as well,
Adhisayamaa aaththilaeyum thanni oduthu
Miraculously, water is flowing in the river as well.
Mama veettu kalyaanathilae
At the wedding in maternal uncle's house,
Oorkolam vittathu polae
Just like a grand procession being held,
Aagayathilae megam poguthu
The clouds are drifting across the sky,
Adhisayamaa aaththilaeyum thanni oduthu
Miraculously, water is flowing in the river as well,
Adhisayamaa aaththilaeyum thanni oduthu
Miraculously, water is flowing in the river as well.
Thalaivaari poo mudichu thadam melae kannu vachu
Combing her hair, wearing flowers, and keeping her eyes on the path,
Silai polae vanthaalaeyoru singaara ponnu
A beautiful girl came walking gracefully like a statue.
Thalaivaari poo mudichu thadam melae kannu vachu
Combing her hair, wearing flowers, and keeping her eyes on the path,
Silai polae vanthaalaeyoru singaara ponnu
A beautiful girl came walking gracefully like a statue.
Ava seeppeduthu pooveduthu silusilukkum elai eduthu
She picked up a comb, gathered flowers, and took a rustling banana leaf,
Siththaadai katti nirkkum sevvaazhai kannu
Like a young red banana tree standing adorned in a half-saree.
Azhagazhagaai nizhalirukku yaanai thanga idamirukku
There is beautiful shade and space enough for an elephant to stay,
Aalamaram nimirnthirukku rajavai polae hoi
The banyan tree stands tall like a king, oh!
Aalamaram nimirnthirukku rajavai polae hoi
The banyan tree stands tall like a king, oh!
Mama veettu kalyaanathilae
At the wedding in maternal uncle's house,
Oorkolam vittathu polae
Just like a grand procession being held,
Aagayathilae megam poguthu
The clouds are drifting across the sky,
Adhisayamaa aaththilaeyum thanni oduthu
Miraculously, water is flowing in the river as well,
Adhisayamaa aaththilaeyum thanni oduthu
Miraculously, water is flowing in the river as well.
……………….
...
Kanniponnu maeniyilae
On the body of a young virgin girl,
Thanni pattaa kodhikkuthadi
If water touches, it boils over, my dear!
Kaathadichaa eriyuthadi kaaranam sollu
If the wind blows, it feels like burning; tell me the reason!
Kanniponnu maeniyilae
On the body of a young virgin girl,
Thanni pattaa kodhikkuthadi
If water touches, it boils over, my dear!
Kaathadichaa eriyuthadi kaaranam sollu
If the wind blows, it feels like burning; tell me the reason!
Kannukkullae kannu vachu
When someone arrives to gaze deep into her eyes,
Kalanthu nirkka aalu vanthaa
And unite with her in love,
Munnae pinnae therinjukalaam
You will understand everything eventually,
Poruthukka kannu
Be patient, my dear.
Pannirendu vayathinilae
The sights that were witnessed at the age of twelve,
Paarthu vantha kaatchiyellaam
All those familiar scenes,
Paruvathilae maaruthadi ragasiyam enna
Change as youth arrives; what is the secret behind it?
Kannirendum malarntha pinnae
After the two eyes bloom with understanding,
Kani idhazhum kanintha pinnae
And after the sweet lips ripen,
Penn manathu maaruvathil adhisayam enna
What is the wonder if a woman's heart changes?
Female :Hoi penn manathu maaruvathil adhisayam enna
Female: Oh, what is the wonder if a woman's heart changes?
Mama veettu kalyaanathilae
Mama veettu kalyaanathilae
Oorkolam vittathu polae
Just like a grand procession being held,
Aagayathilae megam poguthu
The clouds are drifting across the sky,
Adhisayamaa aaththilaeyum thanni oduthu
Miraculously, water is flowing in the river as well,
Adhisayamaa aaththilaeyum thanni oduthu
Miraculously, water is flowing in the river as well.
………………
...
Chorus :………………
Chorus: ...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic folk-inspired song captures the joy, playful innocence, and emotional transformation of a young woman coming of age. Set against the backdrop of nature and festive celebrations—symbolized by clouds floating like a wedding procession and river waters flowing endlessly—the lyrics paint vivid imagery of rural Tamil life.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Oorkolam vittathu polae”
Compares clouds moving in the sky to a festive wedding procession ('Oorkolam').
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Siththaadai katti nirkkum sevvaazhai kannu”
Compares a girl dressed in traditional attire to a delicate red banana plant ('sevvaazhai').
Alliteration (Edugai / Mónai)
“Kanniponnu maeniyilae”
Repetition of consonant sounds like 'kanniponnu' and 'kalanthu' across poetic lines.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by MS Viswanathan and written by Kannadasan, this track features the playback voice of P. Susheela, who was celebrated for rendering delicate folk rhythms and expressions of youthful romance during this era of Tamil cinema.
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