Mamma Mamma
From Petra Maganai Vitra Annai · 1958
- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Petra Maganai Vitra Annai1958
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Aahaa..haehae…oohoo | Aahaa..haehae…oohoo |
| Chorus | |
| Mama mama pannadhae | Don't act smart, uncle! |
| Vaanga vaayen ponnadae | Come, come, precious golden one! |
| Varavu mattum ponnodu | May income come with gold, |
| Selavu ellam onnodu | While all expenses stay with you. |
| Female | |
| Mama maama | Uncle, uncle |
| Mama maama | Uncle, uncle |
| Chorus | |
| Mama mama pannadhae | Don't act smart, uncle! |
| Vaanga vaayen ponnadae | Come, come, precious golden one! |
| Varavu mattum ponnodu | May income come with gold, |
| Selavu ellam onnodu | While all expenses stay with you. |
| Female | |
| Aamaang saami kaariyam mudichi | Yes sir, after finishing the work, |
| Anuppi vaikkirom kaiyodae | We will send you away immediately. |
| Aamaang saami kaariyam mudichi | Yes sir, after finishing the work, |
| Anuppi vaikkirom kaiyodae | We will send you away immediately. |
| Chorus | |
| Seeman unakku varisaivammae | Oh wealthy man, as dowry gifts for you, |
| Saamaan tharom paiyodae | We will give goods along with a bag. |
| Seeman unakku varisaivammae | Oh wealthy man, as dowry gifts for you, |
| Saamaan tharom paiyodae | We will give goods along with a bag. |
| Chorus | |
| Komaalikkum komali | A jester among clowns, |
| Kuluki minukkum yemaali | A showy fool who sways and sparkles. |
| Varavu mattum ponnodu | Income only with gold, |
| Selavu mattum onnodu | Expenses only with you. |
| Female | |
| Mama maama | Uncle, uncle |
| Mama maama | Uncle, uncle |
| Chorus | |
| Mama mama pannadhae | Don't act smart, uncle! |
| Vaanga vaayen ponnadae | Come, come, precious golden one! |
| Varavu mattum ponnodu | May income come with gold, |
| Selavu ellam onnodu | While all expenses stay with you. |
| Chorus | |
| Hoo oo ooo | Hoo oo ooo |
| Hoo oo oo ooo | Hoo oo oo ooo |
| Female | |
| Kathi eduthaalae sathamillamalae | Even if a knife is drawn silently, |
| Chorus :Pathu pathanainju kathiri pinjugalae | Chorus: Ten or fifteen tender eggplants, |
| Female | |
| Paanju paanju veeran neeyum | You pounce like a warrior, |
| Padhungi odhungi narukkabvae | Duck and dodge just to chop them! |
| Chorus | |
| Aanju oonju asanthu poiyi | Getting exhausted and tired, |
| Vizhunthu ezhunthu porukkavae | Falling and rising just to gather them, |
| Female | |
| Sethu kedakkura kattu viriyanai | A dead krait snake lying on the ground, |
| Etti irundhu norukkavae | You smash it from a safe distance! |
| Chorus | |
| Buthi irundhu kooja thooku | Lift the water jug using your wits, |
| Buthi irundhu kooja thooku | Lift the water jug using your wits, |
| Pithu irukkudhu raajavaaga | You have the delusion of living like a king! |
| Varavu mattum ponnodu | Income only with gold, |
| Selavu ellam onnodu | While all expenses stay with you. |
| Female | |
| Mama maama | Uncle, uncle |
| Mama maama | Uncle, uncle |
| Chorus | |
| Mama mama pannadhae | Don't act smart, uncle! |
| Vaanga vaayen ponnadae | Come, come, precious golden one! |
| Varavu mattum ponnodu | May income come with gold, |
| Selavu ellam onnodu | While all expenses stay with you. |
| Chorus | |
| Hoo oo ooo | Hoo oo ooo |
| Hoo oo oo ooo | Hoo oo oo ooo |
| Female | |
| Maapillaiyinna mappillai thaan | If anyone is a groom, he's the groom, |
| Mannangatti maappillae | A useless, clay-headed groom! |
| Chorus : Huhumm huhumm huhumm | Chorus: Huhumm huhumm huhumm |
| Huhumm huhumm huhumm humm | Chorus: Huhumm huhumm huhumm humm |
| Female | |
| Saapittu vittu yaeppam vittu | After eating and belching, |
| Nalla thoonguvae thoppilae | You sleep soundly in the orchard! |
| Chorus :Huhumm huhumm huhumm | Chorus: Huhumm huhumm huhumm |
| Huhumm huhumm huhumm humm | Chorus: Huhumm huhumm huhumm humm |
| Chorus | |
| Maapillaiyinna mappillai thaan | If anyone is a groom, he's the groom, |
| Mannangatti maappillae | A useless, clay-headed groom! |
| Saapittu vittu yaeppam vittu | After eating and belching, |
| Nalla thoonguvae thoppilae | You sleep soundly in the orchard! |
| Female | |
| Unna koopidum pothu korattai viduvae | When called, you start snoring! |
| Ponnu koopidum pothu korattai viduvae | When the bride calls, you start snoring! |
| Aapittu kittu avadhi paduvae | You'll get trapped and suffer in trouble! |
| Chorus | |
| Mama mama pannadhae | Don't act smart, uncle! |
| Vaanga vaayen ponnadae | Come, come, precious golden one! |
| Varavu mattum ponnodu | May income come with gold, |
| Selavu ellam onnodu | While all expenses stay with you. |
| Chorus | |
| Mama mama | Uncle, uncle |
| Mama mama | Uncle, uncle |
| Chorus | |
| Mama mama pannadhae | Don't act smart, uncle! |
| Vaanga vaayen ponnadae | Come, come, precious golden one! |
| Varavu mattum ponnodu | May income come with gold, |
| Selavu ellam onnodu | While all expenses stay with you. |
| Chorus | |
| Mama mama | Uncle, uncle |
ஆஹா......ஹீஹீ....ஓஹோ
Aahaa..haehae…oohoo
மாமா மாமா பன்னாடெ
வாங்கி வாயேன் பொன்னாடெ
வரவு மட்டும் பொண்ணோடு
செலவு எல்லாம் ஒன்னோடு
Don't act smart, uncle!
Come, come, precious golden one!
May income come with gold,
While all expenses stay with you.
மாமா மாமா
மாமா மாமா
Uncle, uncle
Uncle, uncle
மாமா மாமா பன்னாடெ
வாங்கி வாயேன் பொன்னாடெ
வரவு மட்டும் பொண்ணோடு
செலவு எல்லாம் ஒன்னோடு
Don't act smart, uncle!
Come, come, precious golden one!
May income come with gold,
While all expenses stay with you.
ஆமாங் சாமி காரியம் முடிச்சி
அனுப்பி வைக்கிறோம் கையோடே
ஆமாங் சாமி காரியம் முடிச்சி
அனுப்பி வைக்கிறோம் கையோடே
Yes sir, after finishing the work,
We will send you away immediately.
Yes sir, after finishing the work,
We will send you away immediately.
சீமான் உனக்கு வரிசைவம்மே
சாமான் தாறோம் பையோடே
சீமான் உனக்கு வரிசைவம்மே
சாமான் தாறோம் பையோடே
Oh wealthy man, as dowry gifts for you,
We will give goods along with a bag.
Oh wealthy man, as dowry gifts for you,
We will give goods along with a bag.
கோமாளிக்கும் கோமாளியே
குலுக்கி மினுக்கும் ஏமாளி
வரவு மட்டும் பொண்ணோடு
செலவு எல்லாம் ஒன்னோடு.....
A jester among clowns,
A showy fool who sways and sparkles.
Income only with gold,
Expenses only with you.
மாமா மாமா
மாமா மாமா
Uncle, uncle
Uncle, uncle
மாமா மாமா பன்னாடெ
வாங்கி வாயேன் பொன்னாடெ
வரவு மட்டும் பொண்ணோடு
செலவு எல்லாம் ஒன்னோடு
Don't act smart, uncle!
Come, come, precious golden one!
May income come with gold,
While all expenses stay with you.
ஹோ ஓ ஓஒ
ஹோ ஓ ஓ ஓஒ
Hoo oo ooo
Hoo oo oo ooo
கத்தி எடுத்தாலே சத்தமில்லாமலே
குழு :
பத்துப் பதினைஞ்சு கத்திரிப் பிஞ்சுகளை
Even if a knife is drawn silently,
Chorus: Ten or fifteen tender eggplants,
பாஞ்சு பாஞ்சு வீரன் நீயும்
பதுங்க ஒதுங்கி நறுக்குவே
You pounce like a warrior,
Duck and dodge just to chop them!
ஆஞ்சு ஓஞ்சு அசந்து போயி
விழுந்து எழுந்து பொறுக்குவே
Getting exhausted and tired,
Falling and rising just to gather them,
செத்துக் கிடக்கிற கட்டு விரியனை
எட்டியிருந்தே நொறுக்குவே
A dead krait snake lying on the ground,
You smash it from a safe distance!
புத்தியிருந்து கூஜா தூக்க
புத்தியிருந்து கூஜா தூக்க
பித்துயிருக்குது ராஜாவாக
வரவு மட்டும் பொண்ணோடு
செலவு எல்லாம் ஒன்னோடு.....
Lift the water jug using your wits,
Lift the water jug using your wits,
You have the delusion of living like a king!
Income only with gold,
While all expenses stay with you.
மாமா மாமா
மாமா மாமா
Uncle, uncle
Uncle, uncle
மாமா மாமா பன்னாடெ
வாங்கி வாயேன் பொன்னாடெ
வரவு மட்டும் பொண்ணோடு
செலவு எல்லாம் ஒன்னோடு
Don't act smart, uncle!
Come, come, precious golden one!
May income come with gold,
While all expenses stay with you.
ஹோ ஓ ஓஒ
ஹோ ஓ ஓ ஓஒ
Hoo oo ooo
Hoo oo oo ooo
மாப்பிள்ளையின்னா மாப்பிளைதான்
மண்ணாங்கட்டி மாப்பிள்ளே
குழு :
ஹுஹும்ம் ஹுஹும்ம் ஹுஹும்ம்
ஹுஹும்ம் ஹுஹும்ம் ஹுஹும்ம் ஹும்
If anyone is a groom, he's the groom,
A useless, clay-headed groom!
Chorus: Huhumm huhumm huhumm
Chorus: Huhumm huhumm huhumm humm
சாப்பிட்டு விட்டு ஏப்பம் விட்டு
நல்லா தூங்குவே தோப்பில்லே
குழு :
ஹுஹும்ம் ஹுஹும்ம் ஹுஹும்ம்
ஹுஹும்ம் ஹுஹும்ம் ஹுஹும்ம் ஹும்
After eating and belching,
You sleep soundly in the orchard!
Chorus: Huhumm huhumm huhumm
Chorus: Huhumm huhumm huhumm humm
மாப்பிள்ளையின்னா மாப்பிளைதான்
மண்ணாங்கட்டி மாப்பிள்ளே
சாப்பிட்டு விட்டு ஏப்பம் விட்டு
நல்லா தூங்குவே தோப்பில்லே
If anyone is a groom, he's the groom,
A useless, clay-headed groom!
After eating and belching,
You sleep soundly in the orchard!
உன்ன கூப்பிடும் போது கொறட்டை விடுவே
பொண்ணு கூப்பிடும் போது கொறட்டை விடுவே
ஆப்பிட்டுக் கிட்டு அவதிப் படுவே.....
When called, you start snoring!
When the bride calls, you start snoring!
You'll get trapped and suffer in trouble!
மாமா மாமா பன்னாடெ
வாங்கி வாயேன் பொன்னாடெ
வரவு மட்டும் பொண்ணோடு
செலவு எல்லாம் ஒன்னோடு
Don't act smart, uncle!
Come, come, precious golden one!
May income come with gold,
While all expenses stay with you.
மாமா மாமா
மாமா மாமா
Uncle, uncle
Uncle, uncle
மாமா மாமா பன்னாடெ
வாங்கி வாயேன் பொன்னாடெ
வரவு மட்டும் பொண்ணோடு
செலவு எல்லாம் ஒன்னோடு
Don't act smart, uncle!
Come, come, precious golden one!
May income come with gold,
While all expenses stay with you.
மாமா மாமா
Uncle, uncle
Aahaa..haehae…oohoo
Aahaa..haehae…oohoo
Mama mama pannadhae
Don't act smart, uncle!
Vaanga vaayen ponnadae
Come, come, precious golden one!
Varavu mattum ponnodu
May income come with gold,
Selavu ellam onnodu
While all expenses stay with you.
Mama maama
Uncle, uncle
Mama maama
Uncle, uncle
Mama mama pannadhae
Don't act smart, uncle!
Vaanga vaayen ponnadae
Come, come, precious golden one!
Varavu mattum ponnodu
May income come with gold,
Selavu ellam onnodu
While all expenses stay with you.
Aamaang saami kaariyam mudichi
Yes sir, after finishing the work,
Anuppi vaikkirom kaiyodae
We will send you away immediately.
Aamaang saami kaariyam mudichi
Yes sir, after finishing the work,
Anuppi vaikkirom kaiyodae
We will send you away immediately.
Seeman unakku varisaivammae
Oh wealthy man, as dowry gifts for you,
Saamaan tharom paiyodae
We will give goods along with a bag.
Seeman unakku varisaivammae
Oh wealthy man, as dowry gifts for you,
Saamaan tharom paiyodae
We will give goods along with a bag.
Komaalikkum komali
A jester among clowns,
Kuluki minukkum yemaali
A showy fool who sways and sparkles.
Varavu mattum ponnodu
Income only with gold,
Selavu mattum onnodu
Expenses only with you.
Mama maama
Uncle, uncle
Mama maama
Uncle, uncle
Mama mama pannadhae
Don't act smart, uncle!
Vaanga vaayen ponnadae
Come, come, precious golden one!
Varavu mattum ponnodu
May income come with gold,
Selavu ellam onnodu
While all expenses stay with you.
Hoo oo ooo
Hoo oo ooo
Hoo oo oo ooo
Hoo oo oo ooo
Kathi eduthaalae sathamillamalae
Even if a knife is drawn silently,
Chorus :Pathu pathanainju kathiri pinjugalae
Chorus: Ten or fifteen tender eggplants,
Paanju paanju veeran neeyum
You pounce like a warrior,
Padhungi odhungi narukkabvae
Duck and dodge just to chop them!
Aanju oonju asanthu poiyi
Getting exhausted and tired,
Vizhunthu ezhunthu porukkavae
Falling and rising just to gather them,
Sethu kedakkura kattu viriyanai
A dead krait snake lying on the ground,
Etti irundhu norukkavae
You smash it from a safe distance!
Buthi irundhu kooja thooku
Lift the water jug using your wits,
Buthi irundhu kooja thooku
Lift the water jug using your wits,
Pithu irukkudhu raajavaaga
You have the delusion of living like a king!
Varavu mattum ponnodu
Income only with gold,
Selavu ellam onnodu
While all expenses stay with you.
Mama maama
Uncle, uncle
Mama maama
Uncle, uncle
Mama mama pannadhae
Don't act smart, uncle!
Vaanga vaayen ponnadae
Come, come, precious golden one!
Varavu mattum ponnodu
May income come with gold,
Selavu ellam onnodu
While all expenses stay with you.
Hoo oo ooo
Hoo oo ooo
Hoo oo oo ooo
Hoo oo oo ooo
Maapillaiyinna mappillai thaan
If anyone is a groom, he's the groom,
Mannangatti maappillae
A useless, clay-headed groom!
Chorus : Huhumm huhumm huhumm
Chorus: Huhumm huhumm huhumm
Huhumm huhumm huhumm humm
Chorus: Huhumm huhumm huhumm humm
Saapittu vittu yaeppam vittu
After eating and belching,
Nalla thoonguvae thoppilae
You sleep soundly in the orchard!
Chorus :Huhumm huhumm huhumm
Chorus: Huhumm huhumm huhumm
Huhumm huhumm huhumm humm
Chorus: Huhumm huhumm huhumm humm
Maapillaiyinna mappillai thaan
If anyone is a groom, he's the groom,
Mannangatti maappillae
A useless, clay-headed groom!
Saapittu vittu yaeppam vittu
After eating and belching,
Nalla thoonguvae thoppilae
You sleep soundly in the orchard!
Unna koopidum pothu korattai viduvae
When called, you start snoring!
Ponnu koopidum pothu korattai viduvae
When the bride calls, you start snoring!
Aapittu kittu avadhi paduvae
You'll get trapped and suffer in trouble!
Mama mama pannadhae
Don't act smart, uncle!
Vaanga vaayen ponnadae
Come, come, precious golden one!
Varavu mattum ponnodu
May income come with gold,
Selavu ellam onnodu
While all expenses stay with you.
Mama mama
Uncle, uncle
Mama mama
Uncle, uncle
Mama mama pannadhae
Don't act smart, uncle!
Vaanga vaayen ponnadae
Come, come, precious golden one!
Varavu mattum ponnodu
May income come with gold,
Selavu ellam onnodu
While all expenses stay with you.
Mama mama
Uncle, uncle
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Mama Mama Pannadhae is a playful and satirical song from the 1958 Tamil film 'Petra Maganai Vitra Annai', penned by A. Maruthakasi. The lyrics tease an incompetent, lazy, and boasting man who pretends to be grand and heroic. The speaker lightheartedly ridicules his fake bravery—mocking how he acts like a warrior while merely chopping eggplants or striking an already dead snake from a distance. The song humorously critiques his greed and sloth, describing how he expects all profits and gifts while dumping all expenses on others, only to spend his time eating, belching, and snoring in orchards. It captures classic Tamil folk humor and comic banter surrounding prospective grooms and local pretenders.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Satire / Mockery
“Paanju paanju veeran neeyum / Padhungi odhungi narukkabvae”
The lyricist uses playful exaggeration to mock the subject's pretend heroism in chopping eggplants and hitting dead snakes.
Monaai (Alliteration)
“Komaalikkum komali”
Repetition of the initial sound 'Ko' creating a bouncy, rhythmic quality in comic delivery.
Edhugai (Rhyming Scheme)
“Varavu mattum ponnodu / Selavu ellam onnodu”
Rhyming endings using 'ponnodu' and 'onnodu' to establish a catchy folk refrain.
Did you know?
Trivia
This song from 'Petra Maganai Vitra Annai' (1958) features music composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy. Lyricist A. Maruthakasi was renowned for weaving authentic rural Tamil colloquialisms, humor, and social commentary into popular film melodies during the 1950s.
Keep listening
More from Petra Maganai Vitra Annai
Petra Maganai Vitra Annai
Petra Maganai Vitra Annai
Petra Maganai Vitra Annai
Petra Maganai Vitra Annai
Petra Maganai Vitra Annai
Petra Maganai Vitra Annai