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Lyrics & meaning

Maman Vetti Jarigai

From Kaaval Nilayam · 1991

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singer
Mano
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Kaaval Nilayam1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Yae….maman vetti jarigai vettithaanHey... uncle's dhoti is a zari-bordered dhoti
Podu thaalam adidaa melamthaanKeep the rhythm, beat the drums
Kodi vetti kattuvaenI will wear a flag-like grand dhoti
Dhinam koli kariya vettuvaeI will cut chicken curry every day
Kodi vetti kattuvaenI will wear a flag-like grand dhoti
Dhinam koli kariya vettuvaeI will cut chicken curry every day
Edhirkka vanthaa palla thattuvaenIf anyone opposes me, I will knock their teeth out
Male
Maaman vettiUncle's dhoti...
Sollungadaa deiSay it out loud, guys!
Chorus :Jarigai vettithanChorus: Zari-bordered dhoti indeed!
Male :Podu thaalamMale: Keep the rhythm!
Chorus :Adidaa melamthaanChorus: Beat the drums indeed!
Male
Adho aandaalu vaaraadaa kooda thookkiLook there, Aandaal is coming carrying a basket
Chorus :Aahaa thalli nilluChorus: Aahaa, stand aside!
Male :Ava azhagellaam enakkaaga allikkittuMale: Gathering all her beauty just for me
Chorus :Aahaa alli eduChorus: Aahaa, take it all!
Male
Konjam mutta parottavum kondu varaaShe brings along some egg parottas as well
Chorus :Aahaa saalnna saalnaaChorus: Aahaa, salna, salna!
Male :Intha machchaanin odamba nallaa thaeththa varaaMale: She comes to rejuvenate this cousin's body
Chorus :Aahaa sal sal sal salChorus: Aahaa, jingling along!
Male :Raavula vadhaikkiraa thookkaththa kedukkiraaMale: She torments me at night, ruins my sleep
Raasaannu katti pidikkiraaCalling me 'King' as she embraces me tight
Chorus
Maaman vettiUncle's dhoti...
Male :Haan jarigai vettithan aahaahMale: Haan, zari-bordered dhoti indeed, aahaah
Chorus :Podu thaalamChorus: Keep the rhythm!
Male :Adidaa melamthaan..aa….Male: Beat the drums indeed.. aa...
Male
Kodi vetti kattuvaenI will wear a flag-like grand dhoti
Dhinam koli kariya vettuvaeI will cut chicken curry every day
Kodi vetti kattuvaenI will wear a flag-like grand dhoti
Dhinam koli kariya vettuvaeI will cut chicken curry every day
Edhirkka vanthaa palla thattuvaenIf anyone opposes me, I will knock their teeth out
Male
Inga yaezhainga magaraa MGR-uHere, for the poor people, MGR is the emperor
Chorus :Namma MGR-uChorus: Our MGR!
Male :Antha idhayakkani pola inga veru yaaruMale: Who else is here like that 'Idhayakkani' (sweetheart)?
Chorus :Aamaam vera yaaruChorus: Yes, who else?
Male
Naan vaaththiyaru vazhiyil vantha sishya pullaI am the disciple who followed the Master's path
Chorus :Neenga sishya pullaChorus: You are the disciple!
Male :Avar sonnathellaam marakkaatha nalla pullaMale: A good child who never forgets what he taught
Chorus :Aamaam nalla pullaChorus: Yes, a good child!
Male :Kaalangal maaralaam kaatchigal maralaamMale: Times may change, scenes may shift
Sariththirangal maari pogumaaWill history ever change?
Male
Maaman vettiUncle's dhoti...
Chorus :Jarigai vettithanChorus: Zari-bordered dhoti indeed!
Male :Aaah podu thaalamMale: Aaah, keep the rhythm!
Chorus :Adidaa melamthaanChorus: Beat the drums indeed!
Male
Haei kodi vetti kattuvaenHey, I will wear a flag-like grand dhoti
Dhinam koli kariya vettuvaeI will cut chicken curry every day
Kodi vetti kattuvaenI will wear a flag-like grand dhoti
Dhinam koli kariya vettuvaeI will cut chicken curry every day
Edhirkka vanthaa palla thattuvaenIf anyone opposes me, I will knock their teeth out
Male
Maaman vettiUncle's dhoti...
Chorus :Avunthu pochchungaChorus: It came untied!
Male :Ponaa pottum eduththu kattungadaa…Male: Never mind, pick it up and tie it again, guys!
Male
…………….....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This upbeat celebratory folk track from the movie 'Kaaval Nilayam' features a bravado-filled protagonist enjoying life, good food, and local camaraderie. In the initial verses, he humorously sings about his stylish zari-bordered dhoti, feast-worthy chicken curry, and his romantic interactions with his lover Aandaal who brings him egg parottas.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moni / Rhyme

Dhinam koli kariya vettuvae / Edhirkka vanthaa palla thattuvaen

Repetition of similar rhythmic sounds at the end of lines ('vettuvaen' / 'thattuvaen').

Alliteration (Edhugai)

Kaalangal maaralaam kaatchigal maralaam

Matching second consonants across lines ('maaralaam' and 'moraalaam / maari').

Euphemism & Cultural Allusion

Antha idhayakkani pola inga veru yaaru

Referencing M. G. Ramachandran as 'Vaaththiyaru' and 'Idhayakkani', invoking political and cinematic loyalty within Tamil folk lyrics.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kaaval Nilayam (1991) stars Sarathkumar and Anandaraj. Muthulingam's lyrics pay tribute to the legendary actor-politician M.G. Ramachandran ('Vaaththiyaru' / 'Idhayakkani'), a common thematic element in early '90s Tamil commercial cinema to establish hero charisma.

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