Manakkum Malligai
From Rickshaw Mama · 1992
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Rickshaw Mama1992
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Manakkum malligai | Fragrant jasmine |
| Manjaththil virichu | Spread out on the bed |
| Kanakku pannunga | Do your calculations |
| Kanni ponn irukku maamaa | A maiden girl is here, uncle |
| Male | |
| Sirichu mayakkum | Entrancing with a smile |
| Chinnappen unakku | For a young girl like you |
| Edhukku ippadi | Why do you have |
| Buddhiyum irukku pommaa | Such a mindset? Go away! |
| Female | |
| Manakkum malligai | Fragrant jasmine |
| Manjaththil virichu | Spread out on the bed |
| Kanakku pannunga | Do your calculations |
| Kanni ponn irukku maamaa | A maiden girl is here, uncle |
| Male | |
| Sirichu mayakkum | Entrancing with a smile |
| Chinnappen unakku | For a young girl like you |
| Edhukku ippadi | Why do you have |
| Buddhiyum irukku pommaa | Such a mindset? Go away! |
| Female | |
| Chellamma killavaa | Dear girl, shall I pinch you? |
| Onnu naan sollavaaa | Shall I tell you something? |
| Male :Thallammaa sellamaa | Male: Move away, my dear |
| Thalliyae nillaammaa | Stand at a distance! |
| Female | |
| Manakkum malligai | Fragrant jasmine |
| Manjaththil virichu | Spread out on the bed |
| Kanakku pannunga | Do your calculations |
| Kanni ponn irukku maamaa | A maiden girl is here, uncle |
| Male | |
| Sirichu mayakkum | Entrancing with a smile |
| Chinnappen unakku | For a young girl like you |
| Edhukku ippadi | Why do you have |
| Buddhiyum irukku pommaa | Such a mindset? Go away! |
| Female | |
| Thaaliya kattina pinnae | After tying the marital thread |
| Thalli nikkalaamaa | Can you stand away? |
| Nana naa na na nana naaa | Nana naa na na nana naaa |
| Nana nannannaana naananan naa | Nana nannannaana naananan naa |
| Veliya thottu pirichu | Lifting the veil and touching |
| Allikkollu maamaa | Embrace me, uncle! |
| Male | |
| Adi raani indha raajaangam | Hey queen, this kingdom |
| Desam kidayaadhu | Is not a real country |
| Idhu ezhai padum paadammaa | This is the struggle of the poor, my dear |
| Unnaal mudiyadhu | You cannot bear this |
| Female | |
| Raani indha veettu maharani | Queen, the empress of this house |
| Male :Unga bhaani pudhu bhaani | Male: Your style is a brand new style |
| Thalliippo nee | Move away, you! |
| Female | |
| Manakkum malligai | Fragrant jasmine |
| Manjaththil virichu | Spread out on the bed |
| Kanakku pannunga | Do your calculations |
| Kanni ponn irukku maamaa | A maiden girl is here, uncle |
| Male | |
| Sirichu mayakkum | Entrancing with a smile |
| Chinnappen unakku | For a young girl like you |
| Edhukku ippadi | Why do you have |
| Buddhiyum irukku pommaa | Such a mindset? Go away! |
| Male | |
| Maadiyin thanga kalasam | Should the golden finial of the terrace |
| Man padalaamaa | Fall onto the mud? |
| Ahaa haa aha haa haa haa hahaha haahaha | Ahaa haa aha haa haa haa hahaha haahaha |
| Hohoh hoo hoo | Hohoh hoo hoo |
| Seriyil sandhanam vandhu | If sandalwood falls in sewage |
| Manam kedalaamaa | Should it lose its fragrance? |
| Female | |
| Nadhi vaanam varaipponaalum | Even if a river reaches up to the sky |
| Keezhae varavenum | It must eventually flow down |
| Oru kelvi enai kekkaadhu | Without asking me any questions |
| Yaavum tharavenum | You must surrender everything |
| Male | |
| Hoho ini yedhum puriyaadhu | Hoho, now nothing is understandable |
| Female :Mudivaedhu vidiyaadhu | Female: What is the end? Dawn will not break |
| Theriyaadhu | It is unknown |
| Female | |
| Manakkum malligai | Fragrant jasmine |
| Manjaththil virichu | Spread out on the bed |
| Kanakku pannunga | Do your calculations |
| Kanni ponn irukku maamaa | A maiden girl is here, uncle |
| Male | |
| Sirichu mayakkum | Entrancing with a smile |
| Chinnappen unakku | For a young girl like you |
| Edhukku ippadi | Why do you have |
| Buddhiyum irukku pommaa | Such a mindset? Go away! |
| Female | |
| Chellamma killavaa | Dear girl, shall I pinch you? |
| Onnu naan sollavaaa | Shall I tell you something? |
| Male :Yeeiii | Male: Yeeiii |
| Thallammaa sellamaa | Move away, my dear |
| Thalliyae nillaammaa | Stand at a distance! |
| Female | |
| Manakkum malligai | Fragrant jasmine |
| Manjaththil virichu | Spread out on the bed |
| Kanakku pannunga | Do your calculations |
| Kanni ponn irukku maamaa | A maiden girl is here, uncle |
| Male | |
| Huhmmm | Huhmmm |
| Sirichu mayakkum | Entrancing with a smile |
| Chinnappen unakku | For a young girl like you |
| Edhukku ippadi | Why do you have |
| Buddhiyum irukku pommaa | Such a mindset? Go away! |
| Female | |
| Humm… mmmm …. | Humm… mmmm …. |
| Male :Haa…aa aah | Male: Haa…aa aah |
மணக்கும் மல்லிகை
மஞ்சத்தில் விரிச்சு
கணக்கு பண்ணுங்க
கன்னிப் பொண் இருக்கு மாமா
Fragrant jasmine
Spread out on the bed
Do your calculations
A maiden girl is here, uncle
சிரிச்சு மயக்கும்
சின்னப் பெண் ஒனக்கு
எதுக்கு இப்படி
புத்தியும் இருக்கு போமா
Entrancing with a smile
For a young girl like you
Why do you have
Such a mindset? Go away!
மணக்கும் மல்லிகை
மஞ்சத்தில் விரிச்சு
கணக்கு பண்ணுங்க
கன்னிப் பொண் இருக்கு மாமா
Fragrant jasmine
Spread out on the bed
Do your calculations
A maiden girl is here, uncle
சிரிச்சு மயக்கும்
சின்னப் பெண் ஒனக்கு
எதுக்கு இப்படி
புத்தியும் இருக்கு போமா
Entrancing with a smile
For a young girl like you
Why do you have
Such a mindset? Go away!
செல்லமா கிள்ளவா
ஒன்னு நான் சொல்லவா
தள்ளம்மா செல்லம்மா
தள்ளியே நில்லம்மா
Dear girl, shall I pinch you?
Shall I tell you something?
Male: Move away, my dear
Stand at a distance!
மணக்கும் மல்லிகை
மஞ்சத்தில் விரிச்சு
கணக்கு பண்ணுங்க
கன்னிப் பொண் இருக்கு மாமா
Fragrant jasmine
Spread out on the bed
Do your calculations
A maiden girl is here, uncle
சிரிச்சு மயக்கும்
சின்னப் பெண் ஒனக்கு
எதுக்கு இப்படி
புத்தியும் இருக்கு போமா
Entrancing with a smile
For a young girl like you
Why do you have
Such a mindset? Go away!
தாலிய கட்டின பின்னே
தள்ளி நிக்கலாமா......
நனனா நன னா நானன்னா
நானன்னா நானன்னா
வேலிய தொட்டுப் பிரிச்சு
அள்ளிக் கொள்ளு மாமா
After tying the marital thread
Can you stand away?
Nana naa na na nana naaa
Nana nannannaana naananan naa
Lifting the veil and touching
Embrace me, uncle!
அடி ராணி இந்த ராஜாங்கம்
தேசம் கிடையாது
இது ஏழை படும் பாடம்மா
உன்னால் முடியாது
Hey queen, this kingdom
Is not a real country
This is the struggle of the poor, my dear
You cannot bear this
ராணி இந்த வீட்டு மகாராணி
உங்க பாணி புதுப் பாணி
தள்ளிப் போ நீ
Queen, the empress of this house
Male: Your style is a brand new style
Move away, you!
மணக்கும் மல்லிகை
மஞ்சத்தில் விரிச்சு
கணக்கு பண்ணுங்க
கன்னிப் பொண் இருக்கு மாமா
Fragrant jasmine
Spread out on the bed
Do your calculations
A maiden girl is here, uncle
சிரிச்சு மயக்கும்
சின்னப் பெண் ஒனக்கு
எதுக்கு இப்படி
புத்தியும் இருக்கு போமா
Entrancing with a smile
For a young girl like you
Why do you have
Such a mindset? Go away!
மாடியின் தங்கக் கலசம்
மண் படலாமா...
அஹா ஹா அஹா ஹா
அஹாஹா ஓஹோ ஹோ....
சேரியில் சந்தனம் வந்து
மணம் கெடலாமா
Should the golden finial of the terrace
Fall onto the mud?
Ahaa haa aha haa haa haa hahaha haahaha
Hohoh hoo hoo
If sandalwood falls in sewage
Should it lose its fragrance?
நதி வானம் வரைபோனாலும்
கீழே வர வேணும்
ஒரு கேள்வி எனை கேக்காம
யாவும் தர வேணும்
Even if a river reaches up to the sky
It must eventually flow down
Without asking me any questions
You must surrender everything
ஊஹும் இனி ஏதும் புரியாது
முடிவேது விடியாது தெரியாது
Hoho, now nothing is understandable
Female: What is the end? Dawn will not break
It is unknown
மணக்கும் மல்லிகை
மஞ்சத்தில் விரிச்சு
கணக்கு பண்ணுங்க
கன்னிப் பொண் இருக்கு மாமா
Fragrant jasmine
Spread out on the bed
Do your calculations
A maiden girl is here, uncle
சிரிச்சு மயக்கும்
சின்னப் பெண் ஒனக்கு
எதுக்கு இப்படி
புத்தியும் இருக்கு போமா
Entrancing with a smile
For a young girl like you
Why do you have
Such a mindset? Go away!
செல்லமா கிள்ளவா
ஒன்னு நான் சொல்லவா ஆண் :
ஹே
தள்ளம்மா செல்லம்மா
தள்ளியே நில்லம்மா
Dear girl, shall I pinch you?
Shall I tell you something?
Male: Yeeiii
Move away, my dear
Stand at a distance!
மணக்கும் மல்லிகை
மஞ்சத்தில் விரிச்சு
கணக்கு பண்ணுங்க
கன்னிப் பொண் இருக்கு மாமா
Fragrant jasmine
Spread out on the bed
Do your calculations
A maiden girl is here, uncle
சிரிச்சு மயக்கும்
சின்னப் பெண் ஒனக்கு
எதுக்கு இப்படி
புத்தியும் இருக்கு போமா
Huhmmm
Entrancing with a smile
For a young girl like you
Why do you have
Such a mindset? Go away!
Humm… mmmm ….
Male: Haa…aa aah
Manakkum malligai
Fragrant jasmine
Manjaththil virichu
Spread out on the bed
Kanakku pannunga
Do your calculations
Kanni ponn irukku maamaa
A maiden girl is here, uncle
Sirichu mayakkum
Entrancing with a smile
Chinnappen unakku
For a young girl like you
Edhukku ippadi
Why do you have
Buddhiyum irukku pommaa
Such a mindset? Go away!
Manakkum malligai
Fragrant jasmine
Manjaththil virichu
Spread out on the bed
Kanakku pannunga
Do your calculations
Kanni ponn irukku maamaa
A maiden girl is here, uncle
Sirichu mayakkum
Entrancing with a smile
Chinnappen unakku
For a young girl like you
Edhukku ippadi
Why do you have
Buddhiyum irukku pommaa
Such a mindset? Go away!
Chellamma killavaa
Dear girl, shall I pinch you?
Onnu naan sollavaaa
Shall I tell you something?
Male :Thallammaa sellamaa
Male: Move away, my dear
Thalliyae nillaammaa
Stand at a distance!
Manakkum malligai
Fragrant jasmine
Manjaththil virichu
Spread out on the bed
Kanakku pannunga
Do your calculations
Kanni ponn irukku maamaa
A maiden girl is here, uncle
Sirichu mayakkum
Entrancing with a smile
Chinnappen unakku
For a young girl like you
Edhukku ippadi
Why do you have
Buddhiyum irukku pommaa
Such a mindset? Go away!
Thaaliya kattina pinnae
After tying the marital thread
Thalli nikkalaamaa
Can you stand away?
Nana naa na na nana naaa
Nana naa na na nana naaa
Nana nannannaana naananan naa
Nana nannannaana naananan naa
Veliya thottu pirichu
Lifting the veil and touching
Allikkollu maamaa
Embrace me, uncle!
Adi raani indha raajaangam
Hey queen, this kingdom
Desam kidayaadhu
Is not a real country
Idhu ezhai padum paadammaa
This is the struggle of the poor, my dear
Unnaal mudiyadhu
You cannot bear this
Raani indha veettu maharani
Queen, the empress of this house
Male :Unga bhaani pudhu bhaani
Male: Your style is a brand new style
Thalliippo nee
Move away, you!
Manakkum malligai
Fragrant jasmine
Manjaththil virichu
Spread out on the bed
Kanakku pannunga
Do your calculations
Kanni ponn irukku maamaa
A maiden girl is here, uncle
Sirichu mayakkum
Entrancing with a smile
Chinnappen unakku
For a young girl like you
Edhukku ippadi
Why do you have
Buddhiyum irukku pommaa
Such a mindset? Go away!
Maadiyin thanga kalasam
Should the golden finial of the terrace
Man padalaamaa
Fall onto the mud?
Ahaa haa aha haa haa haa hahaha haahaha
Ahaa haa aha haa haa haa hahaha haahaha
Hohoh hoo hoo
Hohoh hoo hoo
Seriyil sandhanam vandhu
If sandalwood falls in sewage
Manam kedalaamaa
Should it lose its fragrance?
Nadhi vaanam varaipponaalum
Even if a river reaches up to the sky
Keezhae varavenum
It must eventually flow down
Oru kelvi enai kekkaadhu
Without asking me any questions
Yaavum tharavenum
You must surrender everything
Hoho ini yedhum puriyaadhu
Hoho, now nothing is understandable
Female :Mudivaedhu vidiyaadhu
Female: What is the end? Dawn will not break
Theriyaadhu
It is unknown
Manakkum malligai
Fragrant jasmine
Manjaththil virichu
Spread out on the bed
Kanakku pannunga
Do your calculations
Kanni ponn irukku maamaa
A maiden girl is here, uncle
Sirichu mayakkum
Entrancing with a smile
Chinnappen unakku
For a young girl like you
Edhukku ippadi
Why do you have
Buddhiyum irukku pommaa
Such a mindset? Go away!
Chellamma killavaa
Dear girl, shall I pinch you?
Onnu naan sollavaaa
Shall I tell you something?
Male :Yeeiii
Male: Yeeiii
Thallammaa sellamaa
Move away, my dear
Thalliyae nillaammaa
Stand at a distance!
Manakkum malligai
Fragrant jasmine
Manjaththil virichu
Spread out on the bed
Kanakku pannunga
Do your calculations
Kanni ponn irukku maamaa
A maiden girl is here, uncle
Huhmmm
Huhmmm
Sirichu mayakkum
Entrancing with a smile
Chinnappen unakku
For a young girl like you
Edhukku ippadi
Why do you have
Buddhiyum irukku pommaa
Such a mindset? Go away!
Humm… mmmm ….
Humm… mmmm ….
Male :Haa…aa aah
Male: Haa…aa aah
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This playful track from Rickshaw Mama features a romantic banter between the female lead and the male protagonist. The heroine tries to entice her spouse with affectionate coaxing, referencing traditional imagery of post-wedding romance like jasmine flowers spread on a bed. In response, the hero playfully keeps his distance, pointing out the stark reality of his humble background compared to her elevated status. Through metaphors of rivers, golden finials, and sandalwood, the song juxtaposes innocent romantic persistence against pragmatic reality.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)
“Manakkum malligai / Manjaththil virichu”
Repetition of the 'Ma' sound across words in the line.
Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Chellamma killavaa / Male: Thallammaa sellamaa”
Rhyming second letter sound between 'Chellamma' and 'Thallammaa'.
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Maadiyin thanga kalasam / Man padalaamaa”
Comparing nobility and wealth to a golden finial on a rooftop ('Maadiyin thanga kalasam') versus poverty represented as mud ('Man').
Did you know?
Trivia
Rickshaw Mama (1992) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by Vaali. The film stars Sathyaraj, Kushboo, and Gautami, with this song featuring a playful duet rhythm characteristic of 90s Tamil cinema.
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