Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mamannu Yaarumilla

From Jigu Jigu Rail · 1986

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Jigu Jigu Rail1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Mamannu yaarumillaThere is no one to call uncle (maman)
Oru machchaannu aalumillaThere is no man to call cousin (machchan)
Mamannu yaarumillaThere is no one to call uncle
Oru machchaannu aalumillaThere is no man to call cousin
Female
Naan maalai podaththaanaeJust to place a garland
Aala theduraenaeI am looking for a suitable man
Vaattasaattamaana thola theduraenaeI am looking for broad and sturdy shoulders
Aasaiyodu naalu vaarththai pesa….aa….To speak a few affectionate words... aa...
Female
Ada mamannu yaarumillaAh, there is no one to call uncle
Oru machchaannu aalumillaThere is no man to call cousin
Female
Panjaamirtham sontha panneer kudamA pot of rosewater as rich as panchamirtham
Pambaram polavey aaduthuIs spinning and dancing like a top
Panjaamirtham sontha panneer kudamA pot of rosewater as rich as panchamirtham
Pambaram polavey aaduthuIs spinning and dancing like a top
Female
Asainjaa podhumaa aaninpon theruIs it enough if a man's golden chariot moves?
Asanthaa ottidum arasanum yaaruWho is the king that will hold close when relaxed?
Vasathi irunthaa varalaam munnaadiIf you have the wealth and status, you may step forward
Vasathi irunthaa varalaam munnaadiIf you have the wealth and status, you may step forward
Raththiri aanathum ragasiyam padikkaTo share secrets once night falls
Raththiri aanathum ragasiyam padikkaTo share secrets once night falls
Female
Mamannu yaarumillaThere is no one to call uncle
Oru machchaannu aalumillaThere is no man to call cousin
Naan maalai PodaththaanarJust to place a garland
Aala theduraenaeI am looking for a suitable man
Female
Vaattasaattamaana thola theduraenaeI am looking for broad and sturdy shoulders
Aasaiyodu naalu vaarththai pesaTo speak a few affectionate words
Female
Ada mamannu yaarumillaAh, there is no one to call uncle
Oru machchaannu aalumillaThere is no man to call cousin
Female
Katcherithaan ippo vachcha ennaWhat if we set up a musical concert right now?
Medaiyil melamum yaenguthuThe drums on the stage are yearning
Naanthaan paaduraen raagaththa thediI am singing in search of the right melody
Needhaan vegamaa thaalaththai poduYou set the fast rhythm
Irandum kalanthaa adhuthaan sangeethamWhen both combine, that is true music
Aanantha paattaththaan adikkadi padikkaTo repeatedly sing a song of joy
Female
Mamannu yaarumillaThere is no one to call uncle
Oru machchaannu aalumillaThere is no man to call cousin
Female
Thottaa enna idhu kettaa vidumWhat happens if you touch, will it spoil?
Thottukko tholilae saanjukkoTouch me and lean against my shoulders
Thottaa enna idhu kettaa vidumWhat happens if you touch, will it spoil?
Haan thottukko tholilae saanjukkoAha, touch me and lean against my shoulders
Female
Neththu pooththathu saamanthi poovuThe chrysanthemum flower bloomed yesterday
Neram aanathum nenjila novuAs time passes, a longing ache grows in the heart
Odambu elachchu urugum munnaalaeBefore the body thins out and melts away
Odambu elachchu urugum munnaalaeBefore the body thins out and melts away
Koottikka velaiyil kodiyidai anaikkaTo embrace the slender waist in the night hours
Koottikka velaiyil kodiyidai anaikkaTo embrace the slender waist in the night hours
Female
Mamannu yaarumillaThere is no one to call uncle
Oru machchaannu aalumillaThere is no man to call cousin
Female
Naan maalai podaththaanarJust to place a garland
Aala theduraenaeI am looking for a suitable man
Vaattasaattamaana thola theduraenaeI am looking for broad and sturdy shoulders
Aasaiyodu naalu vaarththai pesa….aa…aa…To speak a few affectionate words... aa... aa...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This upbeat romantic folk track 'Mamannu yaarumilla' from the 1986 film 'Jigu Jigu Rail' features a playful female protagonist expressing her desire to find her ideal life partner. She laments playfully about having no suitable maternal uncle or cousin to marry, and sets forth her longing for a sturdy, loving companion who can fulfill her romantic and emotional desires. Written by the legendary lyricist Vaali and set to energetic music by the Shankar-Ganesh duo, the song employs metaphors of dance, classical music concerts, blooming flowers, and evening intimacy to convey romantic yearning and playful invitation. Vani Jairam's expressive vocals give life to the character's spirited personality.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Pambaram polavey aaduthu

Compares the movement and grace of the maiden to a top spinning ('Pambaram polavey aaduthu').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Irandum kalanthaa adhuthaan sangeetham

Compares musical harmony (melody and rhythm) to the romantic union between two lovers ('Irandum kalanthaa adhuthaan sangeetham').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Koottikka velaiyil kodiyidai anaikka

Uses 'Kodiyidai' (creeper-like waist) to metaphorically describe a delicate and beautiful female waistline.

Alliteration (Monai)

Panjaamirtham sontha panneer kudam

Repetition of 'P' consonant sounds across 'Panjaamirtham' and 'Panneer' in the same line for musicality.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Jigu Jigu Rail' (1986) featured music composed by the famous duo Shankar-Ganesh. Lyricist Vaali was renowned for blending traditional Tamil folk expressions like 'Maaman' and 'Machchan' with contemporary rhythmic playfulness.

Keep listening

More from Jigu Jigu Rail