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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oh Mittai Mittayi

From Mittai Mummy · 1976

Lyricist
‘Avinasi’ Mani
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Mittai Mummy1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Oo…mittaai mittaayi osathiyaana mittaayiOh... candy, candy, high-quality superior candy!
Vaadi pappa vaangi paarammaaCome on, little kid, buy and try it, my girl!
Unnai vattamidum katterumpammaaI am like a big black ant circling around you, my girl!
Female
Oo…mittaai mittaayi osathiyaana mittaayiOh... candy, candy, high-quality superior candy!
Vaadi pappa vaangi paarammaaCome on, little kid, buy and try it, my girl!
Unnai vattamidum katterumpammaaI am like a big black ant circling around you, my girl!
Female
Appa amma sandai pottaalIf your father and mother get into a fight,
Thanthu paarammaaGive them this candy and see, my girl!
Avanga vaazhvu idhanai polaeTheir life will become sweet, just like this candy,
Inikkum paarammaaIt will taste sweet, you'll see, my girl!
Female
Mangalamaana padhakkam onnuAn auspicious pendant medal,
Seivaen paarammaaI will make for you, see, my girl!
Adhai maatti kondaal azhagu melumIf you wear it, your beauty will shine,
Jolikkum paarammaaIt will dazzle even more, see, my girl!
Female
Oo…mittaai mittaayi osathiyaana mittaayiOh... candy, candy, high-quality superior candy!
Vaadi pappa vaangi paarammaaCome on, little kid, buy and try it, my girl!
Unnai vattamidum katterumpammaaI am like a big black ant circling around you, my girl!
Female
Paambu mittaai senju thaaraenI will make a snake-shaped candy for you,
Edhirikku kodukkammaaGive it to your enemy, my girl!
Idhu pakkuvamaana kaikadikaaramHere is a nicely made wristwatch,
Maniyai paarammaaLook at the time, my girl!
Female
Nheru mama roja polaeLike Uncle Nehru's iconic rose,
Mittaai paarammaaLook at this candy, my girl!
Nheru mama roja polaeLike Uncle Nehru's iconic rose,
Mittaai paarammaaLook at this candy, my girl!
Antha gandhi thatha kannaadi thaaraenI'll give you Grandpa Gandhi's spectacles,
Pottu kollammaaPut them on, my girl!
Female
Oo…mittaai mittaayi osathiyaana mittaayiOh... candy, candy, high-quality superior candy!
Vaadi pappa vaangi paarammaaCome on, little kid, buy and try it, my girl!
Unnai vattamidum katterumpammaaI am like a big black ant circling around you, my girl!
Female
Chinna chinna porulgalukkuOver tiny little matters,
Sandai podaathaeDo not pick a fight!
Nee sirithu kondae vaazha vendumYou should live your life always smiling,
Kanneer sinthaathaeDo not shed any tears!
Female
Chinna chinna porulgalukkuOver tiny little matters,
Sandai podaathaeDo not pick a fight!
Nee sirithu kondae vaazha vendumYou should live your life always smiling,
Kanneer sinthaathaeDo not shed any tears!
Female
Annai thanthai deivamMother and father are divine Gods,
Endrum maranthu vidaathaeNever ever forget this!
Annai thanthai deivamMother and father are divine Gods,
Endrum maranthu vidaathaeNever ever forget this!
Antha aandavanai thaviraExcept for the Almighty God above,
Edharkku bayanthu vidaathaeDo not be afraid of anything!
Female
Oo…mittaai mittaayi osathiyaana mittaayiOh... candy, candy, high-quality superior candy!
Vaadi pappa vaangi paarammaaCome on, little kid, buy and try it, my girl!
Unnai vattamidum katterumpammaaI am like a big black ant circling around you, my girl!
Naan vattamidum katterumpammaaI am the big black ant circling around you, my girl!
Mittaai…..mittaai……mittaai…..mittaai……Candy... candy... candy... candy...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and heartwarming song from 'Mittai Mummy' (1976) features a street candy-seller hawking delicious, artfully shaped candies to young children. The vendor draws in kids by comparing treats to familiar objects and famous historical figures—a snake, a wristwatch, Uncle Nehru's rose, and Grandpa Gandhi's glasses. Beyond selling candies, the song subtly delivers valuable life lessons to children. The vendor advises them to bring sweet harmony to their parents' squabbles, live happily without fighting over trivial matters, treat parents as divine beings, and live fearlessly with faith in God.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Vaadi pappa vaangi paarammaa / Unnai vattamidum katterumpammaa

The lines consistently end with the suffix '-ammaa' ('paarammaa', 'katterumpammaa'), giving the song a rhythmic, nursery-rhyme-like cadence.

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Nheru mama roja polae

Compares the candy's appearance to the iconic rose worn by Jawaharlal Nehru using the explicit comparison word 'polae' (like).

Metaphor (Urvagam)

Annai thanthai deivam

Directly equates parents to God without using comparative words, emphasizing filial respect.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Chinna chinna porulgalukku

Repetition of the initial sound 'Ch' across consecutive words creates a catchy rhythm suited for a children's song.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Mittai Mummy' (1976) featured music composed by V. Kumar, who was known for his memorable melodies and frequent collaborations with lyricist 'Avinasi' Mani. Playback singer P. Susheela brought a whimsical, energetic tone to this track, making it a hit among children during the 1970s.

Keep listening

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