Naattamai Ponnu
From Paattali Magan · 1990
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- Sangeetha Rajan
- Details
- Paattali Magan1990
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Thaamtha theemtha theemtha thaanaam | Rhythmic vocalization (Thaamtha theemtha theemtha thaanaam) |
| Thandhanna thandhanna | Rhythmic vocalization (Thandhanna thandhanna) |
| Female | |
| Haa haang | Haa haang |
| Nattaamai ponnu | I am the village head's daughter |
| Naandhaanda kannaa | Yes I am, my dear! |
| Chorus :Theemtha thagathimithom | Chorus: Rhythmic syllables (Theemtha thagathimithom) |
| Female :Ennai naiyaandi panna | Female: To mock or tease me |
| Nee yaru ingae | Who are you here? |
| Chorus :Theemtha thagathimithaam | Chorus: Rhythmic syllables (Theemtha thagathimithaam) |
| Female | |
| Ennoda modhathae | Don't clash with me |
| Naan kaasaala jayipenadaa | I will win with my wealth, man! |
| Nee veenaaga muraikkadhae | Don't glare at me in vain |
| Un veeraappa kuraippenada | I will curb your arrogance, man! |
| Female | |
| Thennatula porandhu | Born in the southern land |
| Naan naadu vittu naadu paranthu | Flying from country to country |
| Naagarigam kattru vandhava | I have returned having learned modern culture |
| Female | |
| Nattaamai ponnu | The village head's daughter |
| Naandhaanda kannaa | Yes I am, my dear! |
| Chorus :Theemtha thagathimithom | Chorus: Rhythmic syllables (Theemtha thagathimithom) |
| Female :Ennai naiyaandi panna | Female: To mock or tease me |
| Nee yaru ingae | Who are you here? |
| Chorus :Theemtha thagathimithaam | Chorus: Rhythmic syllables (Theemtha thagathimithaam) |
| Female | |
| ………………………. | [Instrumental Interlude] |
| Female | |
| Yaetham thoruttula aa aa aa aa aa | On the water-picottah pole, ah ah ah ah ah |
| Yaetham thoruttula yaeri parikalaam | Climbing the picottah pole, one can pluck... |
| Aatta maeikkuravan | The goat-herder... |
| Chorus :Lalalalalaa | Chorus: Lalalalalaa |
| Female :Enga oorula erumai kulikkala | Female: Even the buffaloes in our village do not bathe |
| Ivana paarththillae | Without looking at him! |
| Chorus :Lalalalalaa | Chorus: Lalalalalaa |
| Female | |
| Eppodhum naan thaan hoi | I am always the one, hey! |
| Eppodhum naan thaan raani ingae | I am always the queen here |
| Ennaalum nee vandhu vaelai seiya | You will always end up working for me |
| Ammadi kaalam enga pakkam | Girl, time is on our side! |
| Aiyaav paaru aiyooo paavam | Look at the master, oh poor thing! |
| Chorus | |
| Theemthathagatheemthaa | Rhythmic syllables (Theemthathagatheemthaa) |
| Theemthathagatheemthaa | Rhythmic syllables (Theemthathagatheemthaa) |
| Male | |
| Pongadi | Get lost, you girls! |
| Male | |
| Kondaiyillaa kozhigalae | Hens without crests, |
| Kokkarichu vandheegalae | You came around clucking! |
| Jallikattu kaalai naanga | We are Jallikattu (bull-taming) bulls, |
| Mallukkatti paakaathinga | Don't try to wrestle with us! |
| Chorus | |
| …………………….. | [Instrumental Interlude] |
| Male | |
| ………………………….. | [Instrumental Interlude] |
| Male | |
| Oola kudisaiyila ye ye ye ye | In a thatched palm-leaf hut, ye ye ye ye |
| Oola kudisaiyila koozha kudikkaravan | The one who drinks simple porridge in a thatched hut |
| Naadaalum kaalamadi | Will rule the country one day, girl! |
| Chorus :Lalalalalaa | Chorus: Lalalalalaa |
| Male :Yaedho padichadhila koondhal kuraindhadhadi | Male: Studying modern education made your hair short, |
| Pen dhaana sandhegam | I doubt if you are even a woman! |
| Chorus :Lalalalalaa | Chorus: Lalalalalaa |
| Male | |
| Maarappu engae adi maaraappu engae | Where is your saree end? Hey, where is your upper garment cover? |
| En mainaakalae | My myna birds... |
| Kaapatha ingae yaarumillae | There is no one here to save you! |
| Melnaatu padippu ennachudi adi | What happened to Western education, girl? |
| Thenaattu panpaadu ponnaanadhu | The culture of the southern land is golden! |
| Chorus | |
| Theemthathagatheemthaa | Rhythmic syllables (Theemthathagatheemthaa) |
| Male :Tharigidathom | Male: Rhythm beat (Tharigidathom) |
| Chorus :Theemthathagatheemthaa | Chorus: Rhythmic syllables (Theemthathagatheemthaa) |
| Male :Dhigu dhigu dhigu | Male: Rhythm beat (Dhigu dhigu dhigu) |
| Male | |
| Pattaali magan thaan | I am the son of a working laborer, |
| Naanthaandi pulla | Yes I am, girl! |
| Chorus :Theemthathagatheemthaa aama | Chorus: Rhythmic syllables (Theemthathagatheemthaa aama) |
| Male :Hoi enna naattaama panna | Male: Hey, to boss me around like a village head, |
| Nee yaaru inga | Who are you here? |
| Chorus :Theemthathagatheemthaam | Chorus: Rhythmic syllables (Theemthathagatheemthaam) |
| Male :Adi ponaana poomaeni punnaagi povaenaa | Male: Hey, will this golden body turn into a wound? |
| Veen vambhu izhukaadhae adivaan kozhi parakkadhae | Don't pick unnecessary fights, you high-flying turkey! |
தாம்த தீம்த தீம்த தானாம்
தந்தனனா தந்தனனா...ஹா ஹாங்...
Rhythmic vocalization (Thaamtha theemtha theemtha thaanaam)
Rhythmic vocalization (Thandhanna thandhanna)
நாட்டமை பொண்ணு
நான்தான்டா கண்ணா.....
குழு :
தீம்த தகதிமிதாம்
என்னை நையாண்டி பண்ண
நீ யாரு இங்கே..... .....
குழு :
தீம்த தகதிமிதாம்
Haa haang
I am the village head's daughter
Yes I am, my dear!
Chorus: Rhythmic syllables (Theemtha thagathimithom)
Female: To mock or tease me
Who are you here?
Chorus: Rhythmic syllables (Theemtha thagathimithaam)
என்னோட மோதாதே
நான் காசால ஜெயிப்பேன்டா
நீ வீணாக மொறைக்காதே
உன் வீராப்ப குறைப்பேன்டா
Don't clash with me
I will win with my wealth, man!
Don't glare at me in vain
I will curb your arrogance, man!
தென்னாட்டுல பொறந்து
நான் நாடு விட்டு நாடு பறந்து
நாகரீகம் கற்று வந்தவ
Born in the southern land
Flying from country to country
I have returned having learned modern culture
நாட்டமை பொண்ணு
நான்தான்டா கண்ணா.....
குழு :
தீம்த தகதிமிதாம்
என்னை நையாண்டி பண்ண
நீ யாரு இங்கே..... .....
குழு :
தீம்த தகதிமிதாம்
The village head's daughter
Yes I am, my dear!
Chorus: Rhythmic syllables (Theemtha thagathimithom)
Female: To mock or tease me
Who are you here?
Chorus: Rhythmic syllables (Theemtha thagathimithaam)
.............................
[Instrumental Interlude]
ஏத்தம் எரைக்கலாம்....ஆஆஆஆஆ....
ஏத்தம் எரைக்கலாம் ஏறிப் பறிக்கலாம்
ஆட்ட மேய்க்கிறவன்
குழு :
லாலா லாலா
எங்க ஊருல எருமை குளிக்கல
இவன பார்த்ததிலே
குழு :
லாலா லாலா
On the water-picottah pole, ah ah ah ah ah
Climbing the picottah pole, one can pluck...
The goat-herder...
Chorus: Lalalalalaa
Female: Even the buffaloes in our village do not bathe
Without looking at him!
Chorus: Lalalalalaa
எப்போதும் நான்தான் அட
எப்போதும் நான்தான் ராணி இங்கே
எந்நாளும் நீ வந்து வேலை செய்ய
அம்மாடி காலம் எங்கப் பக்கம்
அய்யாவ பாரு....அய்யோ பாவம்
I am always the one, hey!
I am always the queen here
You will always end up working for me
Girl, time is on our side!
Look at the master, oh poor thing!
தீம்ததகதீம்தா
தீம்ததகதீம்தா...
Rhythmic syllables (Theemthathagatheemthaa)
Rhythmic syllables (Theemthathagatheemthaa)
போங்கடீ
Get lost, you girls!
கொண்டயில்லா கோழிகளே...
கொக்கரிச்சு வந்தீகளே
ஜல்லிக்கட்டு காளை நாங்க
மல்லுக்கட்டி பாக்காதீங்க
Hens without crests,
You came around clucking!
We are Jallikattu (bull-taming) bulls,
Don't try to wrestle with us!
ஆண் குழு :
அடிங்கடி தொடுங்கடி
கிட்ட வந்து பாருங்கடி
முட்ட வரும் காளை நாங்க
தொட்டு தொட்டு பாடுங்கடி...
[Instrumental Interlude]
..............................
[Instrumental Interlude]
...................................
In a thatched palm-leaf hut, ye ye ye ye
The one who drinks simple porridge in a thatched hut
Will rule the country one day, girl!
Chorus: Lalalalalaa
Male: Studying modern education made your hair short,
I doubt if you are even a woman!
Chorus: Lalalalalaa
ஓலக் குடிசையிலே...ஏ ஏ ஏ ஏ ஏ....
ஓலக் குடிசையில கூழக் குடிக்கிறவன்
நாடாளும் காலமடி...
குழு :
லாலாலா
ஏதோ படிச்சதில கூந்தல் குறைந்தடி
பெண் தானா சந்தேகம்....
குழு :
லாலாலாலா
Where is your saree end? Hey, where is your upper garment cover?
My myna birds...
There is no one here to save you!
What happened to Western education, girl?
The culture of the southern land is golden!
மாராப்பு எங்கே....அடி மாராப்பு எங்கே
என் மைனாக்களே
காப்பாத்த இங்கே யாருமில்ல
மேல்நாட்டு படிப்பு என்னாச்சுடி அடி
தென்னாட்டு பண்பாடு பொன்னானது
Rhythmic syllables (Theemthathagatheemthaa)
Male: Rhythm beat (Tharigidathom)
Chorus: Rhythmic syllables (Theemthathagatheemthaa)
Male: Rhythm beat (Dhigu dhigu dhigu)
தீம்ததகதீம்தாம்....
தகிடதோம்.....
குழு :
தீம்ததகதீம்தாம்....
திகு திகு திகு திகு
I am the son of a working laborer,
Yes I am, girl!
Chorus: Rhythmic syllables (Theemthathagatheemthaa aama)
Male: Hey, to boss me around like a village head,
Who are you here?
Chorus: Rhythmic syllables (Theemthathagatheemthaam)
Male: Hey, will this golden body turn into a wound?
Don't pick unnecessary fights, you high-flying turkey!
பாட்டாளி மகன்தான்
நான்தான்டி புள்ள
குழு :
தீம்ததகதீம்தா..ஆமா
ஹோய் என்ன நாட்டாம பண்ண
நீ யாரு இங்க.....
குழு :
தீம்ததகதீம்தாம்
அடி பொன்னான பூமேனி புண்ணாகி போவேணா
வீண் வம்பு இழுக்காதே அடி வான்கோழி பறக்காதே
Thaamtha theemtha theemtha thaanaam
Rhythmic vocalization (Thaamtha theemtha theemtha thaanaam)
Thandhanna thandhanna
Rhythmic vocalization (Thandhanna thandhanna)
Haa haang
Haa haang
Nattaamai ponnu
I am the village head's daughter
Naandhaanda kannaa
Yes I am, my dear!
Chorus :Theemtha thagathimithom
Chorus: Rhythmic syllables (Theemtha thagathimithom)
Female :Ennai naiyaandi panna
Female: To mock or tease me
Nee yaru ingae
Who are you here?
Chorus :Theemtha thagathimithaam
Chorus: Rhythmic syllables (Theemtha thagathimithaam)
Ennoda modhathae
Don't clash with me
Naan kaasaala jayipenadaa
I will win with my wealth, man!
Nee veenaaga muraikkadhae
Don't glare at me in vain
Un veeraappa kuraippenada
I will curb your arrogance, man!
Thennatula porandhu
Born in the southern land
Naan naadu vittu naadu paranthu
Flying from country to country
Naagarigam kattru vandhava
I have returned having learned modern culture
Nattaamai ponnu
The village head's daughter
Naandhaanda kannaa
Yes I am, my dear!
Chorus :Theemtha thagathimithom
Chorus: Rhythmic syllables (Theemtha thagathimithom)
Female :Ennai naiyaandi panna
Female: To mock or tease me
Nee yaru ingae
Who are you here?
Chorus :Theemtha thagathimithaam
Chorus: Rhythmic syllables (Theemtha thagathimithaam)
……………………….
[Instrumental Interlude]
Yaetham thoruttula aa aa aa aa aa
On the water-picottah pole, ah ah ah ah ah
Yaetham thoruttula yaeri parikalaam
Climbing the picottah pole, one can pluck...
Aatta maeikkuravan
The goat-herder...
Chorus :Lalalalalaa
Chorus: Lalalalalaa
Female :Enga oorula erumai kulikkala
Female: Even the buffaloes in our village do not bathe
Ivana paarththillae
Without looking at him!
Chorus :Lalalalalaa
Chorus: Lalalalalaa
Eppodhum naan thaan hoi
I am always the one, hey!
Eppodhum naan thaan raani ingae
I am always the queen here
Ennaalum nee vandhu vaelai seiya
You will always end up working for me
Ammadi kaalam enga pakkam
Girl, time is on our side!
Aiyaav paaru aiyooo paavam
Look at the master, oh poor thing!
Theemthathagatheemthaa
Rhythmic syllables (Theemthathagatheemthaa)
Theemthathagatheemthaa
Rhythmic syllables (Theemthathagatheemthaa)
Pongadi
Get lost, you girls!
Kondaiyillaa kozhigalae
Hens without crests,
Kokkarichu vandheegalae
You came around clucking!
Jallikattu kaalai naanga
We are Jallikattu (bull-taming) bulls,
Mallukkatti paakaathinga
Don't try to wrestle with us!
……………………..
[Instrumental Interlude]
…………………………..
[Instrumental Interlude]
Oola kudisaiyila ye ye ye ye
In a thatched palm-leaf hut, ye ye ye ye
Oola kudisaiyila koozha kudikkaravan
The one who drinks simple porridge in a thatched hut
Naadaalum kaalamadi
Will rule the country one day, girl!
Chorus :Lalalalalaa
Chorus: Lalalalalaa
Male :Yaedho padichadhila koondhal kuraindhadhadi
Male: Studying modern education made your hair short,
Pen dhaana sandhegam
I doubt if you are even a woman!
Chorus :Lalalalalaa
Chorus: Lalalalalaa
Maarappu engae adi maaraappu engae
Where is your saree end? Hey, where is your upper garment cover?
En mainaakalae
My myna birds...
Kaapatha ingae yaarumillae
There is no one here to save you!
Melnaatu padippu ennachudi adi
What happened to Western education, girl?
Thenaattu panpaadu ponnaanadhu
The culture of the southern land is golden!
Theemthathagatheemthaa
Rhythmic syllables (Theemthathagatheemthaa)
Male :Tharigidathom
Male: Rhythm beat (Tharigidathom)
Chorus :Theemthathagatheemthaa
Chorus: Rhythmic syllables (Theemthathagatheemthaa)
Male :Dhigu dhigu dhigu
Male: Rhythm beat (Dhigu dhigu dhigu)
Pattaali magan thaan
I am the son of a working laborer,
Naanthaandi pulla
Yes I am, girl!
Chorus :Theemthathagatheemthaa aama
Chorus: Rhythmic syllables (Theemthathagatheemthaa aama)
Male :Hoi enna naattaama panna
Male: Hey, to boss me around like a village head,
Nee yaaru inga
Who are you here?
Chorus :Theemthathagatheemthaam
Chorus: Rhythmic syllables (Theemthathagatheemthaam)
Male :Adi ponaana poomaeni punnaagi povaenaa
Male: Hey, will this golden body turn into a wound?
Veen vambhu izhukaadhae adivaan kozhi parakkadhae
Don't pick unnecessary fights, you high-flying turkey!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a playful and aggressive duet showcasing a clash of egos between a wealthy, Western-educated village head's daughter ('Nattaamai ponnu') and a proud, working-class local young man ('Paattali magan'). The female protagonist boasts about her riches, foreign travels, modern lifestyle, and authority over the village, mocking the working man's humble life. In response, the male protagonist defends his working-class roots and native Tamil heritage. He criticizes Western influence for eroding traditional clothing and values, warning her that labor and native culture will ultimately prevail over empty arrogance.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Alliteration)
“Nattaamai ponnu / Naandhaanda kannaa”
Matching initial consonant/vowel sounds in lines like 'Nattaamai ponnu' and 'Naandhaanda kannaa' creates a rhythmic cadence.
Metaphor
“Jallikattu kaalai naanga”
The male protagonist compares working-class men to fierce Jallikattu bulls ('Jallikattu kaalai naanga') to represent untameable strength and dignity.
Cultural Contrast & Anthesis
“Melnaatu padippu ennachudi adi / Thenaattu panpaadu ponnaanadhu”
The lyricist contrasts Western education ('Melnaatu padippu') with native southern heritage ('Thenaattu panpaadu') to emphasize traditional pride.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by renowned lyricist Vaali, this track embodies a classic Tamil cinema trope from the late 80s and 90s where native culture and working-class pride triumph over modern Westernized arrogance.
Keep listening
More from Paattali Magan
Paattali Magan
Paattali Magan
Paattali Magan