Muppathu Paisa
From Pookkari · 1973
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- L. R. Eswari
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Pookkari1973
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Muppathu paisa moonu mozham | Thirty paise for three cubits, |
| Mullai malligai kanagaamparam | Jasmine, Arabian jasmine, and crossandra! |
| Ippathaanunga malarnthathunga | They have bloomed just now, |
| Naareduthuthu naanae thoduththathunga | I picked the fiber and strung them myself. |
| Ippathaanunga malarnthathunga | They have bloomed just now, |
| Naareduthuthu naanae thoduththathunga | I picked the fiber and strung them myself. |
| Female | |
| Muppathu paisa moonu mozham | Thirty paise for three cubits, |
| Mullai malligai kanagaamparam | Jasmine, Arabian jasmine, and crossandra! |
| Kanagaamparam roja mullai | Crossandra, rose, jasmine, |
| Sambangi sevvanthi | Tuberose and chrysanthemum, |
| Thanjavur-u kadhambam….kadhambam kadhambam | Thanjavur mixed garland... mixed garland, mixed garland! |
| Female | |
| Vellikkizhamai velakku vachchaa | When the lamp is lit on a Friday, |
| Veettilirukkum pendaatti | The wife at home, |
| Vellikkizhamai velakku vachchaa | When the lamp is lit on a Friday, |
| Veettilirukkum pendaatti | The wife at home, |
| Aval alli mudikka mallaigai poovai | To tie up her hair, buy her jasmine flowers, |
| Vaangithaaiyya kai neetti | Reach out your hand and buy them, sir! |
| Female | |
| Ava azhagaa iruppaa | She will look beautiful, |
| Un mel anbaaa iruppaa | She will be affectionate towards you. |
| Ava azhagaa iruppaa | She will look beautiful, |
| Un mel anbaaa iruppaa | She will be affectionate towards you. |
| Nee sonna ketpaa pinnagai pooppaa | She will listen to you, blossom with a smile, |
| Unnai anaippaa | And embrace you! |
| Female | |
| …………… | ... |
| Female | |
| Muppathu paisa moonu mozham | Thirty paise for three cubits, |
| Mullai malligai kanagaamparam | Jasmine, Arabian jasmine, and crossandra! |
| Kanagaamparam roja mullai | Crossandra, rose, jasmine, |
| Sambangi sevvanthi | Tuberose and chrysanthemum, |
| Thanjavur-u kadhambam…. | Thanjavur mixed garland... |
| Female | |
| Inthaa thambi senthaamaraippoo | Here brother, take this red lotus flower, |
| Irukkira thutta nee podu | Pay whatever money you have. |
| Nam kannaa irunthu nenjil niraintha | Who was like our eyes and filled our hearts, |
| Annaa silaikku poo podu | Offer flowers to the statue of Anna! |
| Nam kannaa irunthu nenjil niraintha | Who was like our eyes and filled our hearts, |
| Annaa silaikku poo podu | Offer flowers to the statue of Anna! |
| Female | |
| Nee vaasanau poovaa | Like a fragrant flower, |
| Nallaa vaazhanum thambi | May you live well, brother! |
| Sila kaagithapoo kannai parikkum | Some paper flowers might catch your eye, |
| Pogaathae nambi | Do not go trusting them! |
| Female | |
| : Roja mullai sambangi sevvanthi | Rose, jasmine, tuberose, chrysanthemum, |
| Thanjavur-u kadhambam….kadhambam kadhambam | Thanjavur mixed garland... mixed garland, mixed garland! |
| Female | |
| Vaadikkaiyaa naan poo vikkumpothu | When I routinely sell flowers, |
| Vedikkaiyaa nee paarkkaathae | Do not gaze at me as if it were an entertainment! |
| Un paarvai enna purinjikkittaendaa | I understood what your look means, fellow, |
| Mookku mogara jaakkirathai | Beware, your nose and face will get smashed! |
| Female | |
| Naan bayapadamaattaendaa | I will not be afraid, |
| Unakku vasappadamaattaendaa | I will not yield to you! |
| Naan bayapadamaattaendaa | I will not be afraid, |
| Unakku vasappadamaattaendaa | I will not yield to you! |
| Kaippattaa taappu egiri pogum | If my hand hits, your head will spin off, |
| Thottu paaraendaa | Just try touching me and see! |
| Female | |
| Lalalaallaallaalaa | Lalalaallaallaalaa |
| Lalalaallaallaalaa | Lalalaallaallaalaa |
| Lalalaallaallaalaa | Lalalaallaallaalaa |
| Female | |
| Muppathu paisa moonu mozham | Thirty paise for three cubits, |
| Mullai malligai kanagaamparam | Jasmine, Arabian jasmine, and crossandra! |
| Kanagaamparam roja mullai | Crossandra, rose, jasmine, |
| Sambangi sevvanthi | Tuberose and chrysanthemum, |
| Thanjavur-u kadhambam….kadhambam kadhambam | Thanjavur mixed garland... mixed garland, mixed garland! |
முப்பது பைசா மூணு மொழம்
முல்லை மல்லிகை கனகாம்பரம்
இப்பதானுங்க மலர்ந்ததுங்க
நாரெடுத்து நானே தொடுத்ததுங்க
இப்பதானுங்க மலர்ந்ததுங்க
நாரெடுத்து நானே தொடுத்ததுங்க
Thirty paise for three cubits,
Jasmine, Arabian jasmine, and crossandra!
They have bloomed just now,
I picked the fiber and strung them myself.
They have bloomed just now,
I picked the fiber and strung them myself.
முப்பது பைசா மூணு மொழம்
முல்லை மல்லிகை கனகாம்பரம்
கனகாம்பரம் ரோஜா முல்லை
சம்பங்கி செவ்வந்தி
தஞ்சாவூரு கதம்பம்......கதம்பம் கதம்பம்
Thirty paise for three cubits,
Jasmine, Arabian jasmine, and crossandra!
Crossandra, rose, jasmine,
Tuberose and chrysanthemum,
Thanjavur mixed garland... mixed garland, mixed garland!
வெள்ளிக்கிழமை வெளக்கு வச்சா
வீட்டிலிருக்கும் பெண்டாட்டி
வெள்ளிக்கிழமை வெளக்கு வச்சா
வீட்டிலிருக்கும் பெண்டாட்டி
அவள் அள்ளி முடிக்க மல்லிகை பூவை
வாங்கி தாய்யா கை நீட்டி
When the lamp is lit on a Friday,
The wife at home,
When the lamp is lit on a Friday,
The wife at home,
To tie up her hair, buy her jasmine flowers,
Reach out your hand and buy them, sir!
அவ அழகா இருப்பா
உன் மேல் அன்பா இருப்பா
அவ அழகா இருப்பா
உன் மேல் அன்பா இருப்பா
நீ சொன்னா கேட்பா புன்னைகை பூப்பா
உன்னை அணைப்பா
She will look beautiful,
She will be affectionate towards you.
She will look beautiful,
She will be affectionate towards you.
She will listen to you, blossom with a smile,
And embrace you!
................................
...
முப்பது பைசா மூணு மொழம்
முல்லை மல்லிகை கனகாம்பரம்
கனகாம்பரம் ரோஜா முல்லை
சம்பங்கி செவ்வந்தி
தஞ்சாவூரு கதம்பம்......
Thirty paise for three cubits,
Jasmine, Arabian jasmine, and crossandra!
Crossandra, rose, jasmine,
Tuberose and chrysanthemum,
Thanjavur mixed garland...
இந்தா தம்பி செந்தாமரைப்பூ
இருக்கிற துட்ட நீ போடு
நம் கண்ணா இருந்து நெஞ்சில் நிறைந்த
அண்ணா சிலைக்கு பூ போடு
நம் கண்ணா இருந்து நெஞ்சில் நிறைந்த
அண்ணா சிலைக்கு பூ போடு
Here brother, take this red lotus flower,
Pay whatever money you have.
Who was like our eyes and filled our hearts,
Offer flowers to the statue of Anna!
Who was like our eyes and filled our hearts,
Offer flowers to the statue of Anna!
நீ வாசனை பூவா
நல்லா வாழணும் தம்பி
சில காகிதப்பூ கண்ணைப் பறிக்கும்
போகாதே நம்பி
Like a fragrant flower,
May you live well, brother!
Some paper flowers might catch your eye,
Do not go trusting them!
ரோஜா முல்லை சம்பங்கி செவ்வந்தி
தஞ்சாவூரு கதம்பம்......கதம்பம் கதம்பம்
Rose, jasmine, tuberose, chrysanthemum,
Thanjavur mixed garland... mixed garland, mixed garland!
வாடிக்கையா நான் பூ விக்கும்போது
வேடிக்கையா நீ பார்க்காதே
உன் பார்வை என்ன புரிஞ்சிக்கிட்டேண்டா
மூக்கு மொகற ஜாக்கிரதை
When I routinely sell flowers,
Do not gaze at me as if it were an entertainment!
I understood what your look means, fellow,
Beware, your nose and face will get smashed!
நான் பயப்பட மாட்டேன்டா
உனக்கு வசப்பட மாட்டேன்டா
நான் பயப்பட மாட்டேன்டா
உனக்கு வசப்பட மாட்டேன்டா
கைப்பட்டா டாப்பு எகிறி போகும்
தொட்டு பாரேன்டா
I will not be afraid,
I will not yield to you!
I will not be afraid,
I will not yield to you!
If my hand hits, your head will spin off,
Just try touching me and see!
லலலால்லால்லாலா
லலலால்லால்லாலா
லலலால்லால்லாலா
Lalalaallaallaalaa
Lalalaallaallaalaa
Lalalaallaallaalaa
முப்பது பைசா மூணு மொழம்
முல்லை மல்லிகை கனகாம்பரம்
கனகாம்பரம் ரோஜா முல்லை
சம்பங்கி செவ்வந்தி
தஞ்சாவூரு கதம்பம்......கதம்பம் கதம்பம்
Thirty paise for three cubits,
Jasmine, Arabian jasmine, and crossandra!
Crossandra, rose, jasmine,
Tuberose and chrysanthemum,
Thanjavur mixed garland... mixed garland, mixed garland!
Muppathu paisa moonu mozham
Thirty paise for three cubits,
Mullai malligai kanagaamparam
Jasmine, Arabian jasmine, and crossandra!
Ippathaanunga malarnthathunga
They have bloomed just now,
Naareduthuthu naanae thoduththathunga
I picked the fiber and strung them myself.
Ippathaanunga malarnthathunga
They have bloomed just now,
Naareduthuthu naanae thoduththathunga
I picked the fiber and strung them myself.
Muppathu paisa moonu mozham
Thirty paise for three cubits,
Mullai malligai kanagaamparam
Jasmine, Arabian jasmine, and crossandra!
Kanagaamparam roja mullai
Crossandra, rose, jasmine,
Sambangi sevvanthi
Tuberose and chrysanthemum,
Thanjavur-u kadhambam….kadhambam kadhambam
Thanjavur mixed garland... mixed garland, mixed garland!
Vellikkizhamai velakku vachchaa
When the lamp is lit on a Friday,
Veettilirukkum pendaatti
The wife at home,
Vellikkizhamai velakku vachchaa
When the lamp is lit on a Friday,
Veettilirukkum pendaatti
The wife at home,
Aval alli mudikka mallaigai poovai
To tie up her hair, buy her jasmine flowers,
Vaangithaaiyya kai neetti
Reach out your hand and buy them, sir!
Ava azhagaa iruppaa
She will look beautiful,
Un mel anbaaa iruppaa
She will be affectionate towards you.
Ava azhagaa iruppaa
She will look beautiful,
Un mel anbaaa iruppaa
She will be affectionate towards you.
Nee sonna ketpaa pinnagai pooppaa
She will listen to you, blossom with a smile,
Unnai anaippaa
And embrace you!
……………
...
Muppathu paisa moonu mozham
Thirty paise for three cubits,
Mullai malligai kanagaamparam
Jasmine, Arabian jasmine, and crossandra!
Kanagaamparam roja mullai
Crossandra, rose, jasmine,
Sambangi sevvanthi
Tuberose and chrysanthemum,
Thanjavur-u kadhambam….
Thanjavur mixed garland...
Inthaa thambi senthaamaraippoo
Here brother, take this red lotus flower,
Irukkira thutta nee podu
Pay whatever money you have.
Nam kannaa irunthu nenjil niraintha
Who was like our eyes and filled our hearts,
Annaa silaikku poo podu
Offer flowers to the statue of Anna!
Nam kannaa irunthu nenjil niraintha
Who was like our eyes and filled our hearts,
Annaa silaikku poo podu
Offer flowers to the statue of Anna!
Nee vaasanau poovaa
Like a fragrant flower,
Nallaa vaazhanum thambi
May you live well, brother!
Sila kaagithapoo kannai parikkum
Some paper flowers might catch your eye,
Pogaathae nambi
Do not go trusting them!
: Roja mullai sambangi sevvanthi
Rose, jasmine, tuberose, chrysanthemum,
Thanjavur-u kadhambam….kadhambam kadhambam
Thanjavur mixed garland... mixed garland, mixed garland!
Vaadikkaiyaa naan poo vikkumpothu
When I routinely sell flowers,
Vedikkaiyaa nee paarkkaathae
Do not gaze at me as if it were an entertainment!
Un paarvai enna purinjikkittaendaa
I understood what your look means, fellow,
Mookku mogara jaakkirathai
Beware, your nose and face will get smashed!
Naan bayapadamaattaendaa
I will not be afraid,
Unakku vasappadamaattaendaa
I will not yield to you!
Naan bayapadamaattaendaa
I will not be afraid,
Unakku vasappadamaattaendaa
I will not yield to you!
Kaippattaa taappu egiri pogum
If my hand hits, your head will spin off,
Thottu paaraendaa
Just try touching me and see!
Lalalaallaallaalaa
Lalalaallaallaalaa
Lalalaallaallaalaa
Lalalaallaallaalaa
Lalalaallaallaalaa
Lalalaallaallaalaa
Muppathu paisa moonu mozham
Thirty paise for three cubits,
Mullai malligai kanagaamparam
Jasmine, Arabian jasmine, and crossandra!
Kanagaamparam roja mullai
Crossandra, rose, jasmine,
Sambangi sevvanthi
Tuberose and chrysanthemum,
Thanjavur-u kadhambam….kadhambam kadhambam
Thanjavur mixed garland... mixed garland, mixed garland!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This lively street vendor song captures the vibrant life and fierce independence of a traditional Tamil flower-seller (Pookkari). She sings out rhythmic calls advertising her fresh garlands of jasmine, rose, and chrysanthemum, inviting husbands to buy flowers for their wives on auspicious Fridays to foster love and harmony in marriage.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monaip (Alliteration)
“Muppathu paisa moonu mozham / Mullai malligai kanagaamparam”
Repetition of the 'm' sound at the beginning of words creates a catchy, rhythmic street-vendor call rhythm.
Emonaip / Eyaibu (Rhyme & Assonance)
“Ippathaanunga malarnthathunga / Naareduthuthu naanae thoduththathunga”
Repetition of ending suffixes '-unga' creates a fluid, colloquial spoken rhythm.
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Sila kaagithapoo kannai parikkum / Pogaathae nambi”
Comparing fake or superficial allure to artificial paper flowers (kaagithapoo) that catch the eye but lack substance.
Did you know?
Trivia
This iconic track from the 1973 M.G. Ramachandran film 'Pookkari' features music composed by M. S. Viswanathan. Singer L. R. Eswari's energetic delivery turned the humble street vendor's rhythm into a timeless hit in Tamil popular culture, complete with a reference paying homage to DMK founder C. N. Annadurai ('Annaa silaikku poo podu').
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