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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mollamari Capemari Somari

From Singapore Seeman · 1969

Lyricist
Madurai Maniyam
Singer
Manorama
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Singapore Seeman1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Mollamaari capemaari somaariYou cheat, trickster, lazy bum!
Female
Mollamaari capemaari somaariYou cheat, trickster, lazy bum!
Mollamaari capemaari somaariYou cheat, trickster, lazy bum!
Endha maari nee endha maariWhich kind of person are you? Which kind?
Enna maari nee endha maariWhat kind of person are you? Which kind?
Female
Mollamaari capemaari somaariYou cheat, trickster, lazy bum!
Female
Aapputadha suruttudaa aandiyappaSteal whatever you get and wrap it up, Aandiyappa!
Aapputadha suruttudaa aandiyappaSteal whatever you get and wrap it up, Aandiyappa!
Aayi magamaayi sonnenae kelappaaListen to me, old man, as Mother Goddess Magamaayi said,
Yaarum illadha velaiyippodhuNow, at a time when nobody is around,
Yaarum illadha velaiyippodhuNow, at a time when nobody is around,
Edhaiyum seiyalaam kadhaiya maathalaamWe can do anything; we can change the plot!
Edhaiyum seiyalaam kadhaiya maathalaamWe can do anything; we can change the plot!
Female
Mollamaari capemaari somaariYou cheat, trickster, lazy bum!
Female
Aadi maasam ammaavai thediIn the holy month of Aadi, seeking the Divine Mother,
Odi varuvaar kodaana kodiCrores and crores of devotees come running,
Saami aadum peyum aadumThe divine spirit possesses and dances, the ghost dances,
Saami aadum peyum aadumThe divine spirit possesses and dances, the ghost dances,
Samayapurathil paarungadiLook at Samayapuram, my girls!
Female
Mollamaari capemaari somaariYou cheat, trickster, lazy bum!
Mollamaari capemaari somaariYou cheat, trickster, lazy bum!
Endha maari nee endha maariWhich kind of person are you? Which kind?
Enna maari nee endha maariWhat kind of person are you? Which kind?
Female
Mollamaari capemaari somaariYou cheat, trickster, lazy bum!
Female
Vaeppillaiya kaiyil yendhiyaaHolding neem leaves in her hands,
Veetukkuthaanae thedi vandhaalShe came looking right to your house,
Vaeppillaiya kaiyil yendhiyaaHolding neem leaves in her hands,
Veetukkuthaanae thedi vandhaalShe came looking right to your house,
Dei vaeppillaiya kaiyil yendhiyaaHey, holding neem leaves in her hands,
Veetukkuthaanae thedi vandhaalShe came looking right to your house,
Vendum varam..haan …. aan aaanThe desired boon... haan... aan aaan,
Vendum varam thandhiduvaalShe will bestow the desired boon,
Vekkappattaal nadakaathaiyaaIf you feel shy, nothing will happen, sir!
Female
Dei vaeppillaiya kaiyil yendhiyaaHey, holding neem leaves in her hands,
Veetukkuthaanae thedi vandhaalShe came looking right to your house,
Vendum varam thandhiduvaalShe will bestow the desired boon,
Vekkappattaal nadakaathaiyaaIf you feel shy, nothing will happen, sir!
Female
Dei……………dei……… dei……… dei……….Hey... hey... hey... hey...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic and comic song performed by legendary singer-actress Manorama features playful street-slang (Madras Baashai) chiding and satirical commentary. The speaker calls out a cunning and lazy character ('mollamaari capemaari somaari') and urges them to take advantage of moments when no one is watching to twist situation to their favor. Interwoven with local cultural motifs like the temple festivities of Goddess Magamaayi/Mariamman in Samayapuram during the month of Aadi, the song blends folk devotion with humorous scheming, encouraging the listener not to be hesitant or shy if they want their wishes fulfilled.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Mollamaari capemaari somaari

The repetitive rhythmic suffixes '-maari' (mollamaari, capemaari, somaari) create a catchy and humorous end rhyme.

Wordplay / Polysemy (Shleshai)

Endha maari nee endha maari

The word 'maari' is cleverly played with as slang for 'type/kind' (endha maari) while echoing the name of the deity Mariamman (Magamaayi).

Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)

Edhaiyum seiyalaam kadhaiya maathalaam

Repetition of identical lines builds dynamic comic rhythm typical of Tamil folk musical plays.

Did you know?

Trivia

This iconic track from 'Singapore Seeman' (1969) highlights Manorama's signature versatility in rendering Madras Baashai dialect with theatrical flair. Composed by V. Kumar with lyrics by Madurai Maniyam, the song showcases the unique blend of folk devotional imagery and urban street humor.

Keep listening

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