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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naanthane Mama

From Kalyana Kalam · 1982

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Kalyana Kalam1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naanthaanae mama vittu pogaathae paamaIt is me, Uncle, do not leave me, Paama
Naanthaanae mama vittu pogaathae paamaIt is me, Uncle, do not leave me, Paama
Veththalai kozhunthaattam vilaiyaattu sirippuPlayful laughter like tender betel leaves
Kannaththil vetkkam vanthu tharugindra vanappuThe beauty added by shy blushes on cheeks
Male
Penn pillai thinanthorumA female child, every day
Valargindra vilakkuIs a growing lamp
Penn pillai thinanthorumA female child, every day
Valargindra vilakkuIs a growing lamp
Male
Naanthaanae mama vittu pogaathae paamaIt is me, Uncle, do not leave me, Paama
Naanthaanae mama vittu pogaathae paamaIt is me, Uncle, do not leave me, Paama
Male
Salavai seitha nilavugalaeOh moons that are freshly washed!
Pazhaga vantha paravaigalaeOh birds that have come to mingle!
Vetkaththai vittu vidungalShed your shyness
Ini ennaalum achchaththai suttu vidungalBurn away fear forever from today
Male
Salavai seitha nilavugalaeOh moons that are freshly washed!
Pazhaga vantha paravaigalaeOh birds that have come to mingle!
Vetkaththai vittu vidungalShed your shyness
Ini ennaalum achchaththai suttu vidungalBurn away fear forever from today
Male
Paarvaigal poomazhai kannangal maadhulaiGlances like a shower of flowers, cheeks like pomegranates
Sittraadai kattappogumWearing half-sarees,
Senbagappoo koottangalCrowds of champak flowers,
Samuthaaya veenaigalin thanthigalai meettungalPluck the strings of society's veenas
Male
Sittraadai kattappogumWearing half-sarees,
Senbagappoo koottangalCrowds of champak flowers,
Samuthaaya veenaigalin thanthigalai meettungalPluck the strings of society's veenas
Male
Naanthaanae mama vittu pogaathae paamaIt is me, Uncle, do not leave me, Paama
Veththalai kozhunthaattam vilaiyaattu sirippuPlayful laughter like tender betel leaves
Kannaththil vetkkam vanthu tharugindra vanappuThe beauty added by shy blushes on cheeks
Male
Penn pillai thinanthorumA female child, every day
Valargindra vilakkuIs a growing lamp
Penn pillai thinanthorumA female child, every day
Valargindra vilakkuIs a growing lamp
Male
Naanthaanae mama vittu pogaathae paamaIt is me, Uncle, do not leave me, Paama
Naanthaanae mama vittu pogaathae paamaIt is me, Uncle, do not leave me, Paama
Male
Thanga nagai pootivittuAdorning with gold jewelry,
Mangaiyarai maattivittuTransforming into young women,
Nashtaththil vittru viduvaarThey sell them off at a loss,
Kannai katti kaattukkul vittuviduvaarLeaving them blindfolded in a dense forest
Male
Thanga nagai pootivittuAdorning with gold jewelry,
Mangaiyarai maattivittuTransforming into young women,
Nashtaththil vittru viduvaarThey sell them off at a loss,
Kannai katti kaattukkul vittuviduvaarLeaving them blindfolded in a dense forest
Male
Maappillai panthiyil mamanaar santhiyilAt the groom's feast, at the father-in-law's gathering,
Neengalum oomai pola maarivida koodaathuYou must not become mute like a silent spectator
Paarngal koodivittaal odam karai yaeraathuIf heavy loads accumulate, the boat will not reach the shore
Neengalum oomai pola maarivida koodaathuYou must not become mute like a silent spectator
Paarngal koodivittaal odam karai yaeraathuIf heavy loads accumulate, the boat will not reach the shore
Male
Naanthaanae mama vittu pogaathae paamaIt is me, Uncle, do not leave me, Paama
Veththalai kozhunthaattam vilaiyaattu sirippuPlayful laughter like tender betel leaves
Kannaththil vetkkam vanthu tharugindra vanappuThe beauty added by shy blushes on cheeks
Male
Penn pillai thinanthorumA female child, every day
Valargindra vilakkuIs a growing lamp
Penn pillai thinanthorumA female child, every day
Valargindra vilakkuIs a growing lamp

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Naanthaanae mama' from the movie 'Kalyana Kalam' (1982) blends playful familial warmth with poignant social commentary on young women, marriage, and societal burdens. It compares a growing girl to a bright lamp and fresh betel leaves, encouraging young women to shed their inhibitions and fears while urging society not to treat them as economic liabilities or mute spectators in marriage negotiations.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani (Simile)

Veththalai kozhunthaattam vilaiyaattu sirippu

Comparing the playful laughter of young girls to tender betel leaves ('Veththalai kozhunthaattam vilaiyaattu sirippu').

Uruvagamy (Metaphor)

Valargindra vilakku

Describing young women as growing lamps ('Valargindra vilakku') and champak flowers ('Senbagappoo koottangal').

Emona / Rhyme (Monai and Ethirai)

Thanga nagai pootivittu / Mangaiyarai maattivittu

Use of matching consonants and rhyming vowel patterns such as 'Salavai' / 'Pazhaga' and 'Thanga' / 'Mangaiyarai'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the legendary duo Shankar-Ganesh and sung by Malaysia Vasudevan with lyrics by Vairamuthu, this song highlights Vairamuthu's signature style of integrating reformist social messaging subtly inside cinematic songs during the early 1980s.

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