Mathippu Ketta Maamaa Nee Vaalai Aatalaamaa
From Paasavalai · 1956
- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Singers
- P. Susheela, Chorus
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Paasavalai1956
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Hoi mathippu ketta maama | Hey, uncle who has lost respect! |
| Nee vaalai aatta laama | Should you wag your tail? |
| Chorus :Dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu | Chorus: Dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu |
| Mathippu ketta maama | Uncle who has lost respect! |
| Nee vaalai aatta laama | Should you wag your tail? |
| Female | |
| Nadippu katti yemaandhu pona | Oh bundle of pretense who got fooled, |
| Naalu kaalu maama | Four-legged uncle! |
| Chorus :Nadippu katti yemaandhu pona | Chorus: Oh bundle of pretense who got fooled, |
| Naalu kaalu maama | Four-legged uncle! |
| Mathippu ketta maama | Uncle who has lost respect! |
| Nee vaalai aatta laama | Should you wag your tail? |
| Female | |
| Manasil onnu vakkil onnu | Having one thing in mind and another in speech, |
| Vechirukkalaama | Is it right to hold such deceit? |
| Veenae vambhu ilukkalaama | Is it right to needlessly pick a fight? |
| Chorus : Vechirukkalaama | Chorus: Is it right to hold such deceit? |
| Veenae vambhu ilukkalaama | Is it right to needlessly pick a fight? |
| Female | |
| Mannadhi mannaraalum | Even if one is a king of kings, |
| Pennai vella poomaa | Can he win over a woman? |
| Chorus | |
| Nadippu katti yemaandhu pona | Oh bundle of pretense who got fooled, |
| Naalu kaalu maama | Four-legged uncle! |
| Mathippu ketta maama | Uncle who has lost respect! |
| Nee vaalai aatta laama | Should you wag your tail? |
| Female | |
| Veetu vaasalai kaakanum | You must guard the entrance of the house, |
| Velai sonna kekkanum | You must listen when told to do work, |
| Pechil gavanam irukkanum | You must be careful in your speech, |
| Kuppai maetil vilundhu kidakkanum | And lie fallen on top of the garbage heap! |
| Chorus :Kuppai maetil vilundhu kidakkanum | Chorus: And lie fallen on top of the garbage heap! |
| Female | |
| Kottai kadandhu pona | If you cross the boundary line, |
| Un seetu kilinchidum thaana | Your ticket will automatically get torn! |
| Chorus :Un seetu kilinchidum thaana | Chorus: Your ticket will automatically get torn! |
| Chorus | |
| Nadippu katti yemaandhu pona | Oh bundle of pretense who got fooled, |
| Naalu kaalu maama | Four-legged uncle! |
| Mathippu ketta maama | Uncle who has lost respect! |
| Nee vaalai aatta laama | Should you wag your tail? |
| Female | |
| Kungumam sumakkira kaludhaikku | For a donkey carrying saffron, |
| Andha kunguma magimai theriyuma | Does it know the glory of that saffron? |
| Chorus :Sangeetha inimai ariyuma | Chorus: Does it know the sweetness of music? |
| Female :Gangai kaaveri neranji ponalum | Female: Even if the Ganges and Cauvery flow full, |
| Karayil ninnu naai nakki thaan kudikkanum | A dog can only stand at the bank and lap it up to drink! |
| Chorus :Gangai kaaveri neranji ponalum | Chorus: Even if the Ganges and Cauvery flow full, |
| Karayil ninnu naai nakki thaan kudikkanum | A dog can only stand at the bank and lap it up to drink! |
| Female | |
| Nadippu katti yemaandhu pona | Oh bundle of pretense who got fooled, |
| Chorus :Nadippu katti yemaandhu pona | Chorus: Oh bundle of pretense who got fooled, |
| Naalu kaalu maama | Four-legged uncle! |
| Mathippu ketta maama | Uncle who has lost respect! |
| Nee vaalai aatta laama | Should you wag your tail? |
| Chorus | |
| Dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu | Dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu |
| Hoi mathippu ketta maama | Hey, uncle who has lost respect! |
| Nee vaalai aatta laama | Should you wag your tail? |
| Chorus | |
| Dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu | Dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu |
| Hoi mathippu ketta maama | Hey, uncle who has lost respect! |
| Nee vaalai aatta laama | Should you wag your tail? |
பெண் குழு :
ஹாஹா ஹா ஹோ ஹோ ஹோ
ஹஹா ஹா ஹோய்
Hey, uncle who has lost respect!
Should you wag your tail?
Chorus: Dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu
Uncle who has lost respect!
Should you wag your tail?
ஹோய் மதிப்பு கெட்ட மாமா
நீ வாலை ஆட்டலாமா
குழு :
து து து து து து து து
மதிப்பு கெட்ட மாமா
நீ வாலை ஆட்டலாமா
Oh bundle of pretense who got fooled,
Four-legged uncle!
Chorus: Oh bundle of pretense who got fooled,
Four-legged uncle!
Uncle who has lost respect!
Should you wag your tail?
நடிப்பு காட்டி ஏமாந்து போன
நாலு காலு மாமா
குழு :
நடிப்பு காட்டி ஏமாந்து போன
நாலு காலு மாமா
மதிப்பு கெட்ட மாமா
நீ வாலை ஆட்டலாமா
Having one thing in mind and another in speech,
Is it right to hold such deceit?
Is it right to needlessly pick a fight?
Chorus: Is it right to hold such deceit?
Is it right to needlessly pick a fight?
மனசில் ஒன்னு வாக்கில் ஒன்னு
வெச்சிருக்கலாமா
வீணா வம்பு இழுக்கலாமா
குழு :
வெச்சிருக்கலாமா
வீணா வம்பு இழுக்கலாமா
Even if one is a king of kings,
Can he win over a woman?
மன்னாதி மன்னராலும்
பெண்ணை வெல்ல போமா
Oh bundle of pretense who got fooled,
Four-legged uncle!
Uncle who has lost respect!
Should you wag your tail?
நடிப்பு காட்டி ஏமாந்து போன
நாலு காலு மாமா
மதிப்பு கெட்ட மாமா
நீ வாலை ஆட்டலாமா
You must guard the entrance of the house,
You must listen when told to do work,
You must be careful in your speech,
And lie fallen on top of the garbage heap!
Chorus: And lie fallen on top of the garbage heap!
வீட்டு வாசலை காக்கணும்
வேலைய சொன்னா கேக்கணும்
பேச்சில் கவனம் இருக்கணும்
குப்பை மேட்டில் விழுந்து கிடக்கணும்
குழு :
குப்பை மேட்டில் விழுந்து கிடக்கணும்
If you cross the boundary line,
Your ticket will automatically get torn!
Chorus: Your ticket will automatically get torn!
கோட்டை கடந்து போனா
உன் சீட்டு கிழிஞ்சிடும் தானா
குழு :
உன் சீட்டு கிழிஞ்சிடும் தானா
Oh bundle of pretense who got fooled,
Four-legged uncle!
Uncle who has lost respect!
Should you wag your tail?
நடிப்பு காட்டி ஏமாந்து போன
நாலு காலு மாமா
மதிப்பு கெட்ட மாமா
நீ வாலை ஆட்டலாமா
For a donkey carrying saffron,
Does it know the glory of that saffron?
Chorus: Does it know the sweetness of music?
Female: Even if the Ganges and Cauvery flow full,
A dog can only stand at the bank and lap it up to drink!
Chorus: Even if the Ganges and Cauvery flow full,
A dog can only stand at the bank and lap it up to drink!
குங்குமம் சுமக்கிற கழுதைக்கு
அந்த குங்குமம் மகிமை தெரியுமா
குழு :
சங்கீத இனிமை அறியுமா
கங்கை காவேரி நிறைஞ்சி போனாலும்
கரையில் நின்னி நாய் நக்கி குடிக்கணும்
குழு :
கங்கை காவேரி நிறைஞ்சி போனாலும்
கரையில் நின்னி நாய் நக்கி குடிக்கணும்
Oh bundle of pretense who got fooled,
Chorus: Oh bundle of pretense who got fooled,
Four-legged uncle!
Uncle who has lost respect!
Should you wag your tail?
நடிப்பு காட்டி ஏமாந்து போன
குழு :
நடிப்பு காட்டி ஏமாந்து போன
நாலு காலு மாமா
மதிப்பு கெட்ட மாமா
நீ வாலை ஆட்டலாமா
Dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu
Hey, uncle who has lost respect!
Should you wag your tail?
து து து து து து து து
ஹோய் மதிப்பு கெட்ட மாமா
நீ வாலை ஆட்டலாமா
Dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu
Hey, uncle who has lost respect!
Should you wag your tail?
து து து து து து து து
ஹோய் மதிப்பு கெட்ட மாமா
நீ வாலை ஆட்டலாமா
Hoi mathippu ketta maama
Hey, uncle who has lost respect!
Nee vaalai aatta laama
Should you wag your tail?
Chorus :Dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu
Chorus: Dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu
Mathippu ketta maama
Uncle who has lost respect!
Nee vaalai aatta laama
Should you wag your tail?
Nadippu katti yemaandhu pona
Oh bundle of pretense who got fooled,
Naalu kaalu maama
Four-legged uncle!
Chorus :Nadippu katti yemaandhu pona
Chorus: Oh bundle of pretense who got fooled,
Naalu kaalu maama
Four-legged uncle!
Mathippu ketta maama
Uncle who has lost respect!
Nee vaalai aatta laama
Should you wag your tail?
Manasil onnu vakkil onnu
Having one thing in mind and another in speech,
Vechirukkalaama
Is it right to hold such deceit?
Veenae vambhu ilukkalaama
Is it right to needlessly pick a fight?
Chorus : Vechirukkalaama
Chorus: Is it right to hold such deceit?
Veenae vambhu ilukkalaama
Is it right to needlessly pick a fight?
Mannadhi mannaraalum
Even if one is a king of kings,
Pennai vella poomaa
Can he win over a woman?
Nadippu katti yemaandhu pona
Oh bundle of pretense who got fooled,
Naalu kaalu maama
Four-legged uncle!
Mathippu ketta maama
Uncle who has lost respect!
Nee vaalai aatta laama
Should you wag your tail?
Veetu vaasalai kaakanum
You must guard the entrance of the house,
Velai sonna kekkanum
You must listen when told to do work,
Pechil gavanam irukkanum
You must be careful in your speech,
Kuppai maetil vilundhu kidakkanum
And lie fallen on top of the garbage heap!
Chorus :Kuppai maetil vilundhu kidakkanum
Chorus: And lie fallen on top of the garbage heap!
Kottai kadandhu pona
If you cross the boundary line,
Un seetu kilinchidum thaana
Your ticket will automatically get torn!
Chorus :Un seetu kilinchidum thaana
Chorus: Your ticket will automatically get torn!
Nadippu katti yemaandhu pona
Oh bundle of pretense who got fooled,
Naalu kaalu maama
Four-legged uncle!
Mathippu ketta maama
Uncle who has lost respect!
Nee vaalai aatta laama
Should you wag your tail?
Kungumam sumakkira kaludhaikku
For a donkey carrying saffron,
Andha kunguma magimai theriyuma
Does it know the glory of that saffron?
Chorus :Sangeetha inimai ariyuma
Chorus: Does it know the sweetness of music?
Female :Gangai kaaveri neranji ponalum
Female: Even if the Ganges and Cauvery flow full,
Karayil ninnu naai nakki thaan kudikkanum
A dog can only stand at the bank and lap it up to drink!
Chorus :Gangai kaaveri neranji ponalum
Chorus: Even if the Ganges and Cauvery flow full,
Karayil ninnu naai nakki thaan kudikkanum
A dog can only stand at the bank and lap it up to drink!
Nadippu katti yemaandhu pona
Oh bundle of pretense who got fooled,
Chorus :Nadippu katti yemaandhu pona
Chorus: Oh bundle of pretense who got fooled,
Naalu kaalu maama
Four-legged uncle!
Mathippu ketta maama
Uncle who has lost respect!
Nee vaalai aatta laama
Should you wag your tail?
Dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu
Dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu
Hoi mathippu ketta maama
Hey, uncle who has lost respect!
Nee vaalai aatta laama
Should you wag your tail?
Dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu
Dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu dhu
Hoi mathippu ketta maama
Hey, uncle who has lost respect!
Nee vaalai aatta laama
Should you wag your tail?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This satirical and comedic track from the 1956 Tamil film 'Paasavalai' delivers a stinging rebuke to a foolish, hypocritical man. Through lively folk-style phrasing, the song mocks his arrogance, calling him a 'four-legged uncle' and comparing him to animals that lack refined awareness or dignity.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Naalu kaalu maama”
Refers to the dishonest man as a 'naalu kaalu maama' (four-legged uncle) and 'nadippu katti' (a bundle of pretense/acting), metaphorically equating his foolish behavior to that of a beast.
Proverbial Imagery (Pazhamozhi)
“Kungumam sumakkira kaludhaikku”
Uses the famous Tamil proverb about a donkey carrying saffron to illustrate that an uncultured person cannot appreciate value or quality.
Eukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Mathippu ketta maama / Nadippu katti yemaandhu pona”
Traditional Tamil poetic harmony where the second consonant matches across adjacent lines, such as 'Mathippu' and 'Nadippu'.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Paasavalai' (1956) featured music by the legendary Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy duo, with sharp, folk-inspired lyrics written by A. Maruthakasi. The song relies heavily on traditional Tamil proverbs and humor to mock an antagonistic character.
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