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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mamiyar Veedirukku

From Maamiyar Veedu · 1993

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Arun Mozhi
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Maamiyar Veedu1993

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
VeedirukkuThere is a house
Chorus
ThorandhirukkuIt remains open
Chorus
Hae maamiyaar veedirukku veedirukkuHey, there is mother-in-law's house (jail)
Veedirukku veedirukkuThere is a house, there is a house
Kadhavu eppavum thorandhirukkuThe door is always open
Thorandhirukku thorandhirukku thorandhirukkuIt is open, open, open
Male
Kannan annaalil pirandhaan siraiyilaeLord Krishna was born in prison in those days
Chorus
Pirandhaan siraiyilae pirandhaan siraiyilaeBorn in prison, born in prison
Male
Sirayil pirandhaalum geethai sonnaan paaruEven though born in prison, look, he delivered the Bhagavad Gita!
Chorus
Geethai sonnaan paaru geethai sonnaan paaruLook, he delivered the Gita! Look, he delivered the Gita!
Male
Gandhi kaidhaagi irundhaar jaililaeMahatma Gandhi was imprisoned as a captive in jail
Jailil irundhaalum kondaadudhu ooruEven if he was in jail, the whole town celebrates him
Male
Saamigalum aasaamigalumGods and ordinary men alike
Vandhu thangum idamThe place where they come to stay
Idhu onnu thaanThis is the only place
Male
Aaga motham ingu naam irundhaalOn the whole, if we stay here
Oru dhosham illae vittu thallu daaThere is no sin or fault in it, so leave it be, man!
Chorus
Maamiyaar veedirukku veedirukkuMother-in-law's house is there, is there
Veedirukku veedirukkuThere is a house, there is a house
Kadhavu eppavum thorandhirukkuThe door is always open
Thorandhirukku thorandhirukku thorandhirukkuIt is open, open, open
Male
Siriya manushan thaan sirusaa thiruduraanOnly a small man steals small things
Chorus
Sirusaa thiruduraan sirusaa thiruduraanSteals small things, steals small things
Male
Avan thaan lockup il maattikkiraan paavamPity that he gets caught in the police lockup
Chorus
Maattikkiraan paavam maattikkiraan paavamPoor guy gets caught, poor guy gets caught
Male
Periya manushan thaan perusaa thiruduraanIt is the big man who steals big things
Padhavi make up ah pottukkuraan naalumDaily putting on the disguise of official power
Male
Leader ellaam ingae thappikkiraanAll the leaders escape justice here
Avan seedar ellaam ingae maatturaan haaWhile all their followers get trapped here, ha!
Male
Needhi illa idhu niyaayam illaThere is no justice, this is not fair
Idha endha paya inga kekkuraanWhich fellow here even questions this?
Chorus
Maamiyaar veedirukku veedirukkuMother-in-law's house is there, is there
Veedirukku veedirukkuThere is a house, there is a house
Kadhavu eppavum thorandhirukkuThe door is always open
Thorandhirukku thorandhirukku thorandhirukkuIt is open, open, open
Chorus
Hae maamiyaar veedirukku veedirukkuHey, mother-in-law's house is there, is there
Veedirukku veedirukkuThere is a house, there is a house
Kadhavu eppavum thorandhirukkuThe door is always open
Thorandhirukku thorandhirukku thorandhirukkuIt is open, open, open

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Maamiyar Veedu' uses Tamil slang where 'Maamiyaar Veedu' (mother-in-law's house) serves as a humorous euphemism for prison. The track sarcastically portrays prison life not as a punishment, but as a famous lodging house frequented by historical and legendary figures like Lord Krishna and Mahatma Gandhi. Through satirical humor, lyricist Vaali highlights the ironies of society where small-time petty thieves get caught and punished while influential leaders committing massive corruption walk free. The song adopts an easygoing, philosophical tone, suggesting that staying in jail holds no true shame given the systemic flaws in society's concept of justice.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Euphemism)

Hae maamiyaar veedirukku veedirukku

The term 'Maamiyaar Veedu' (mother-in-law's house) is used metaphorically throughout the song to represent prison, a common Tamil colloquialism.

Contrast / Antithesis

Siriya manushan thaan sirusaa thiruduraan ... Periya manushan thaan perusaa thiruduraan

Contrasts the small man stealing small items with the big leader stealing big things to highlight social inequality and systemic corruption.

Anaphora / Repetition (Adukkuthodar)

Thorandhirukku thorandhirukku thorandhirukku

Repetition of words like 'thorandhirukku' and 'veedirukku' creates a rhythmic cadence suitable for comedic performance.

Alliteration (Moonaai / Etugai)

Siriya manushan thaan sirusaa thiruduraan

Use of matching internal rhyming and sound patterns across contrasting lines ('Siriya' / 'Sirusaa' and 'Periya' / 'Perusaa').

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Maamiyar Veedu' (1993) starred Sarathkumar and featured music composed by Ilaiyaraaja. Lyricist Vaali frequently used pop-culture idioms and local Chennai Tamil slangs to deliver sharp political and social satire in commercial cinema songs.

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