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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mamiyaalukku Oru Saedhi

From Panithirai · 1961

Lyricist
Kothamangalam Subbu
Singers
Sirkazhi Govindarajan, T. V. Rathinam
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Panithirai1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Elaya pottaan sotha vachaanHe placed a banana leaf and served food
Eduthu thinbadha keduthittaanBut he ruined eating it
Silaya pola radhiya koduthaanHe gave a beauty like a statue
Sirichi pesa thaduthittaanBut he prevented her from smiling and talking
Female
Thalaiyil vaitha malligai pooThe jasmine flower placed on the head
Thaanum vaadi pogudhuIs also fading away
Vaasappadiya paathu paathuLooking continuously at the doorway
Vayasum odi pogudhuAge is also running away
Male
Maamiyaalukku oru saedhiHere is a message for the mother-in-law
Idhai madhichu nadandhaa mariyaadhiIf she respects and follows this, it will bring honor
Maamiyaalukku oru saedhiHere is a message for the mother-in-law
Idhai madhichu nadandhaa mariyaadhiIf she respects and follows this, it will bring honor
Female
Marumagal thannaiThe daughter-in-law
Perumaigal udanaeWith dignity and pride
Marumagal thannai perumaigaludanaeMaking the daughter-in-law live with pride
Vaazha vaippadhu pudhu needhiIs the new code of justice
Male
Maamiyaalukku oru saedhiHere is a message for the mother-in-law
Idhai madhichu nadandhaa mariyaadhiIf she respects and follows this, it will bring honor
Adi marumagalellaam erumaigalaaAre all daughters-in-law buffaloes?
Andha maamiyaarukku adimaigalaaAre they slaves to that mother-in-law?
Adi marumagalellaam erumaigalaaAre all daughters-in-law buffaloes?
Andha maamiyaarukku adimaigalaaAre they slaves to that mother-in-law?
Female
Adha vayasaanavanga purinjukkanumThe elders must understand that
Namma vaaliba manasa therinjukkanumThey must understand our youthful hearts
Adha vayasaanavanga purinjukkanumThe elders must understand that
Namma vaaliba manasa therinjukkanumThey must understand our youthful hearts
Male
Pazhasaa pona paathiramellaamAll old vessels that have become ancient
Paranaiyin melae odhingikkanumShould move aside to the loft attic
Pazhasaa pona paathiramellaamAll old vessels that have become ancient
Paranaiyin melae odhingikkanumShould move aside to the loft attic
Male
Maamiyaalukku oru saedhiHere is a message for the mother-in-law
Idhai madhichu nadandhaa mariyaadhiIf she respects and follows this, it will bring honor
Female
Kittathil ninnaa sirichaal endruIf she stands nearby and smiles
Kelvi ketkka koodaadhuYou should not question her
Male
AamaamaaYes, indeed
Female
Kittathil ninnaa sirichaal endruIf she stands nearby and smiles
Kelvi ketkka koodaadhuYou should not question her
Male
Thatti maraivil kaadhai koduthuHiding behind the bamboo screen and listening
Ottu ketka koodaadhuYou should not eavesdrop
Female
AamaamaaYes, indeed
Male
Thatti maraivil kaadhai koduthuHiding behind the bamboo screen and listening
Ottu ketka koodaadhuYou should not eavesdrop
Female
Oodhu vathiya poruthum podhuWhen lighting incense sticks
Ussunnu perumoochaagaadhuYou should not sigh heavily
Oodhu vathiya poruthum podhuWhen lighting incense sticks
Ussunnu perumoochaagaadhuYou should not sigh heavily
Male
Panjana methaiya virikkum podhuWhen spreading out the soft mattress
Bakkunu iruma koodaadhuYou should not suddenly cough loudly
Panjana methaiya virikkum podhuWhen spreading out the soft mattress
Bakkunu iruma koodaadhuYou should not suddenly cough loudly
Male
Maamiyaalukku oru saedhiHere is a message for the mother-in-law
Idhai madhichu nadandhaa mariyaadhiIf she respects and follows this, it will bring honor
Female
Saaviyai marumagal kayil koduthuHand over the house keys to the daughter-in-law
Jaba maalai thannai eduthukkanumAnd take up the rosary beads for prayer
Male
Raam raam raama raama raama raamaaRam Ram Rama Rama Rama Rama
Female
Saaviyai marumagal kayil koduthuHand over the house keys to the daughter-in-law
Jaba maalai thannai eduthukkanumAnd take up the rosary beads for prayer
Male
Saami paakkanum kovil poganumGo to the temple and worship God
Namma sandhoshathukkuFor our happiness
Time kodukkanum kodukkanumYou must give time, give time
Male
Maamiyaalukku oru saedhiHere is a message for the mother-in-law
Idhai madhichu nadandhaa mariyaadhiIf she respects and follows this, it will bring honor
Mammamma maamiyaalukku oru saedhiMa-ma-ma message for the mother-in-law
Idhai madhichu nadandhaa mariyaadhiIf she respects and follows this, it will bring honor

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful yet progressive song from the 1961 movie Panithirai delivers a humorous message to mothers-in-law regarding domestic autonomy and privacy for young newlyweds. It lightheartedly expresses the frustrations of daughters-in-law whose personal lives and youth are stifled by overbearing elders in traditional households. The lyricist advocates for a generational shift where elders step back from managing household keys and intruding on intimate moments, allowing young couples the privacy and freedom to build their lives together.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagam)

Pazhasaa pona paathiramellaam Paranaiyin melae odhingikkanum

Comparing aging elders retiring from household control to old, unused kitchen vessels being stored away on the loft attic (paran).

Onomatopoeia (Oli Kurippu)

Ussunnu perumoochaagaadhu

Use of expressional sound words 'ussunnu' (heavy sighing) and 'bakkunu' (sudden coughing) to mimic annoying domestic interruptions.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Elaya pottaan sotha vachaan / Eduthu thinbadha keduthittaan

Repetition of initial consonant and vowel sounds ('Elaya' / 'Eduthu') establishing rhythmic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics were authored by the iconic Tamil writer, director, and lyricist Kothamangalam Subbu, best known for his landmark novel 'Thillana Mohanambal'. The song features music composed by K. V. Mahadevan for the 1961 film Panithirai.

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