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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maman Voottu Mayile

From Vellai Manasu · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Vellai Manasu1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Maman voottu mayilae nithamOh peacock of maternal uncle's house, daily
Manja kulikkum kuyilaeOh cuckoo that bathes in turmeric,
Maman voottu mayilae nithamOh peacock of maternal uncle's house, daily
Manja kulikkum kuyilaeOh cuckoo that bathes in turmeric,
Male
Machchaana paaththathum mamannu kooppiduUpon seeing your cousin, call him uncle affectionately,
Achchaaram vachchvanum naanthaanI am the one who gave you the advance token of love.
Munnaadi moodura melaakku aaduthuThe veil covering the front sways softly,
Ullaara pongurathu thaenthaanInside, sweet nectar is overflowing.
Female
Maman voottu mayilae nithamOh peacock of maternal uncle's house, daily
Manja kulikkum kuyilaeOh cuckoo that bathes in turmeric,
Maman voottu mayilae nithamOh peacock of maternal uncle's house, daily
Manja kulikkum kuyilaeOh cuckoo that bathes in turmeric,
Female
Machchaana paaththathum mamannu kooppiduUpon seeing your cousin, call him uncle affectionately,
Achchaaram vachchvanum neethaanYou are the one who gave the advance token of love.
Munnaadi moodura melaakku aaduthuThe veil covering the front sways softly,
Ullaara pongurathu thaenthaanInside, sweet nectar is overflowing.
Male
Maman voottu mayilae nithamOh peacock of maternal uncle's house, daily
Manja kulikkum kuyilaeOh cuckoo that bathes in turmeric,
Male
Thanjavur kadhambam pinnaadi vappaenaeI will adorn the Thanjavur mixed flowers at the back,
Kannae un koondhalil naanthaanMy dear, right in your tresses, I will place them.
Male :AahAah
Male :Thanjavur kadhambam pinnaadi vappaenaeI will adorn the Thanjavur mixed flowers at the back,
Kannae un koondhalil naanthaanMy dear, right in your tresses, I will place them.
Female
Vachchaalae pothum vaasam nesamJust placing them is enough, their fragrance and affection
Eppothum irukkum paaruWill remain forever, look and see!
Male :AiyyoAiyyo!
Female :Thottaalae pothum mama naanthaanJust touching it is enough, uncle, I am
Kaiyodu manakkum poovuA flower that leaves a lingering fragrance on your hands.
Male
Manjakkaanithaan vaanam paaththathuThe turmeric plot looked up at the sky,
Female :Thooral podaththaan megam vanthathuThe cloud came down to shower a light drizzle.
Male :Ippothum eppothum neeraattaNow and forever, to bathe you in love,
Female
Maman voottu mayilae nithamOh peacock of maternal uncle's house, daily
Manja kulikkum kuyilaeOh cuckoo that bathes in turmeric,
Male :Maman voottu mayilae nithamOh peacock of maternal uncle's house, daily
Manja kulikkum kuyilae ThaginathathomOh cuckoo that bathes in turmeric, Thaginathathom!
Female
Sevvaazha kuruththu singaara pennaagiA young tender red banana leaf becoming a beautiful woman,
Sangeetham paaduthu keluIs singing music, listen!
Male :Hoi….Hoi...
Female :Sevvaazha kuruththu singaara pennaagiA young tender red banana leaf becoming a beautiful woman,
Sangeetham paaduthu keluIs singing music, listen!
Male
Unnaalathaanae maanae naanaeIt is only because of you, my deer, that I am
Ulmoochchu kodhikkum neramexperiencing moments where my inner breath boils with desire.
Female :AahaaAahaa!
Male :Ammaadi needhaan angae ingaeOh dear, if you warmly embrace me here and there,
Anbaaga anaichchaa aarumThis deep desire will cool down.
Female
Maala soodura maman allavaaIs he not the uncle who will garland me?
Male :Paanam podura kaman allavaaIs he not the Cupid who aims arrows of love?
Female :Onnodu onnaagum naalthaanaeToday is the day we become one with each other!
Male
Maman voottu mayilae nithamOh peacock of maternal uncle's house, daily
Manja kulikkum kuyilaeOh cuckoo that bathes in turmeric,
Female :Machchaana paaththathum mamannu kooppiduUpon seeing your cousin, call him uncle affectionately,
Achchaaram vachchvanum neethaanYou are the one who gave the advance token of love.
Male :Munnaadi moodura melaakku aaduthuThe veil covering the front sways softly,
Ullaara pongurathu thaenthaanInside, sweet nectar is overflowing.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Maman Voottu Mayilae' from the 1985 Tamil film 'Vellai Manasu' is a lively, flirtatious romantic duet composed by Shankar Ganesh and written by Vaali. The song revolves around a romantic banter between a maternal cousin (maman/machchan) and his beloved bride-to-be. The lyrics utilize rural folk imagery—comparing the heroine to a turmeric-bathed cuckoo, a peacock, and a tender red banana leaf—to highlight her innocence, beauty, and intimate affection for her suitor.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor & Simile

Sevvaazha kuruththu singaara pennaagi

Comparing the heroine to 'mayil' (peacock), 'kuyil' (cuckoo), and 'sevvaazha kuruththu' (tender red banana leaf) to emphasize her natural beauty and charm.

Monai (Initial Rhyme)

Maman voottu mayilae nitham / Manja kulikkum kuyilae

The initial letter sounds 'Ma' align across lines, creating a rhythmic harmony characteristic of folk Tamil poetry.

Edupugai / Rhyme

Machchaana paaththathum mamannu kooppidu / Achchaaram vachchvanum naanthaan

Matching second consonants across lines ('ma-ma-n' / 'a-ch-ch-aaram'), establishing a buoyant lyrical bounce.

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Trivia

The song features the distinct vocal dynamic of Malaysia Vasudevan and S. P. Sailaja. Lyricist Vaali crafted the lines using typical Tamil rural romantic parlance, playing on traditional kinship terms like 'Maman' and 'Machchan' which carry strong romantic undertones in Tamil village culture.

Keep listening

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