Oralukku Othapakkam
From Mananthal Mahadevan · 1989
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Mano, Malaysia Vasudevan
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Mananthal Mahadevan1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| ……………. | |
| Male | |
| Oralukku oththapakkam | A mortar has only one opening, |
| Thavulukku rendu pakkam | While a double-headed drum gets hit on both sides! |
| Male :Aahaa | Male: Aahaa! |
| Male :Aiyyaa un thittaththaalae | Male: Oh sir, because of your foolish plan, |
| Adi vaangu thavila polae | You are getting beaten on both sides like a drum! |
| Male | |
| Oho | Oho! |
| Male :Podaathe thappu kanakku | Male: Don't do the wrong calculations; |
| Un oruththanukingae | For a single man like you here, |
| Ponjaathi rendu edhukku | Why on earth do you need two wives? |
| Ada rosang ketta payalae | Hey, you shameless fellow! |
| Male | |
| Oralukku oththapakkam | A mortar has only one opening, |
| Thavulukku rendu pakkam | While a double-headed drum gets hit on both sides! |
| Aiyyaa un thittaththaalae | Oh sir, because of your foolish plan, |
| Adi vaangu thavila polae | You are getting beaten on both sides like a drum! |
| Male | |
| Podaathe thappu kanakku | Don't do the wrong calculations; |
| Un oruththanukingae | For a single man like you here, |
| Ponjaathi rendu edhukku | Why on earth do you need two wives? |
| Ada rosang ketta payalae | Hey, you shameless fellow! |
| Male | |
| Oralukku oththapakkam | A mortar has only one opening, |
| Thavulukku rendu pakkam | While a double-headed drum gets hit on both sides! |
| Male :Haei | Male: Hey! |
| Male :Aiyyaa un thittaththaalae | Male: Oh sir, because of your foolish plan, |
| Adi vaangu thavila polae | You are getting beaten on both sides like a drum! |
| Male | |
| Mappillae | Groom! |
| Male :Machchan | Male: Brother-in-law! |
| Male | |
| Thaenukkulla vaasam konda | Where is the sweet fragrance of honey, |
| Meenukkullae yaedhu | To be found inside a fish? |
| Thaaram konda nesam vanthu | The genuine love that comes with a wedded wife, |
| Serum thunaiyil yaedhu | Can never be found in any temporary companion! |
| Male | |
| Koolikku vantha ponnu | A woman hired for money, |
| Kaagitha poova polae | Is merely like an artificial paper flower; |
| Thaalikku vantha ponnu | A woman bound by the sacred wedding thread, |
| Thaamara poovapola | Is as pure and beautiful as a lotus flower! |
| Male | |
| Kovamum thaabamum | Anger and marital disputes, |
| Kudumbaththil irunthidanum | Should stay contained within the household; |
| Adadaa veedhikku yaen vanthu | Oh dear, why come out to the streets, |
| Vilambaram aagidanum | And turn it into a public spectacle? |
| Male | |
| Oralukku oththapakkam | A mortar has only one opening, |
| Thavulukku rendu pakkam | While a double-headed drum gets hit on both sides! |
| Male :Mappillae | Male: Groom! |
| Male :Aiyyaa un thittaththaalae | Male: Oh sir, because of your foolish plan, |
| Adi vaangu thavila polae | You are getting beaten on both sides like a drum! |
| Male | |
| Podaathe thappu kanakku | Don't do the wrong calculations; |
| Un oruththanukingae | For a single man like you here, |
| Ponjaathi rendu edhukku | Why on earth do you need two wives? |
| Ada rosang ketta payalae | Hey, you shameless fellow! |
| Male | |
| Oralukku oththapakkam | A mortar has only one opening, |
| Thavulukku rendu pakkam | While a double-headed drum gets hit on both sides! |
| Aiyyaa un thittaththaalae | Oh sir, because of your foolish plan, |
| Adi vaangu thavila polae | You are getting beaten on both sides like a drum! |
| Male | |
| Yaei….ennaachchu un potti ippa | Hey... what happened to your boastful competition now? |
| Edhukku unakku vetti hoi | Why display such empty bravado, hoi! |
| Yaendaa unakku veembu ippo | Why are you holding on to your stubborn pride now, |
| Kaala suththuthu paambu | When the snake of trouble is coiling around your legs? |
| Male | |
| Kattilthaan road-la pottu | Placing a bed right in the middle of the street, |
| Paadiyathenna paattu | What kind of song were you singing? |
| Ellaarkkum nallaa theriyum | Everyone knows very well, |
| Neeyoru veththuvettu | That you are just a useless, empty talker! |
| Male | |
| Mappillae…. | Groom...! |
| Male | |
| Mappilla manipilla | The groom turns out to be worthless, |
| Nenachchathu nadakkalaiyae | Nothing you planned ever worked out! |
| Male :Aiyyaa | Male: Oh sir! |
| Male :Oorenna uravenna | Male: Neither the townspeople nor your relatives, |
| Oruththanum madhikkallaiyae | Not a single soul gives you any respect! |
| Male | |
| Oralukku oththapakkam | A mortar has only one opening, |
| Thavulukku rendu pakkam | While a double-headed drum gets hit on both sides! |
| Aiyyaa un thittaththaalae | Oh sir, because of your foolish plan, |
| Adi vaangu thavila polae | You are getting beaten on both sides like a drum! |
| Male | |
| Oralukku oththapakkam | A mortar has only one opening, |
| Thavulukku rendu pakkam | While a double-headed drum gets hit on both sides! |
| Aiyyaa un thittaththaalae | Oh sir, because of your foolish plan, |
| Adi vaangu thavila polae | You are getting beaten on both sides like a drum! |
....................
ஒரலுக்கு ஒத்தப்பக்கம்
தவுலுக்கு ரெண்டு பக்கம்
ஆஹா
ஐயா உன் திட்டத்தாலே
அடி வாங்கு தவிலப் போலே
A mortar has only one opening,
While a double-headed drum gets hit on both sides!
Male: Aahaa!
Male: Oh sir, because of your foolish plan,
You are getting beaten on both sides like a drum!
ஓஹோ
போடாதே தப்புக் கணக்கு
உன் ஒருத்தனுக்கிங்கே
பொஞ்சாதி ரெண்டு எதுக்கு
அட ரோசங் கெட்ட பயலே...
Oho!
Male: Don't do the wrong calculations;
For a single man like you here,
Why on earth do you need two wives?
Hey, you shameless fellow!
ஒரலுக்கு ஒத்தப்பக்கம்
தவுலுக்கு ரெண்டு பக்கம்
ஐயா உன் திட்டத்தாலே
அடி வாங்கு தவிலப் போலே
A mortar has only one opening,
While a double-headed drum gets hit on both sides!
Oh sir, because of your foolish plan,
You are getting beaten on both sides like a drum!
போடாதே தப்புக் கணக்கு
உன் ஒருத்தனுக்கிங்கே
பொஞ்சாதி ரெண்டு எதுக்கு
அட ரோசங் கெட்ட பயலே...
Don't do the wrong calculations;
For a single man like you here,
Why on earth do you need two wives?
Hey, you shameless fellow!
ஒரலுக்கு ஒத்தப்பக்கம்
தவுலுக்கு ரெண்டு பக்கம்
ஹேய்
ஐயா உன் திட்டத்தாலே
அடி வாங்கு தவிலப் போலே
A mortar has only one opening,
While a double-headed drum gets hit on both sides!
Male: Hey!
Male: Oh sir, because of your foolish plan,
You are getting beaten on both sides like a drum!
மாப்பிள்ளே
மச்சான்
Groom!
Male: Brother-in-law!
தேனுக்குள்ள வாசம் கெண்ட
மீனுக்குள்ளே ஏது
தாரம் கொண்ட நேசம் வந்து
சேரும் துணையில் ஏது
Where is the sweet fragrance of honey,
To be found inside a fish?
The genuine love that comes with a wedded wife,
Can never be found in any temporary companion!
கூலிக்கு வந்தப் பொண்ணு
காகிதப் பூவப் போலே
தாலிக்கு வந்தப் பொண்ணு
தாமரப் பூவப்போல
A woman hired for money,
Is merely like an artificial paper flower;
A woman bound by the sacred wedding thread,
Is as pure and beautiful as a lotus flower!
கோவமும் தாபமும்
குடும்பத்தில் இருந்திடணும்
அடடா வீதிக்கு ஏன் வந்து
விளம்பரம் ஆகிடணும்.....
Anger and marital disputes,
Should stay contained within the household;
Oh dear, why come out to the streets,
And turn it into a public spectacle?
ஒரலுக்கு ஒத்தப்பக்கம்
தவுலுக்கு ரெண்டு பக்கம்
மாப்பிள்ளே
ஐயா உன் திட்டத்தாலே
அடி வாங்கு தவிலப் போலே
A mortar has only one opening,
While a double-headed drum gets hit on both sides!
Male: Groom!
Male: Oh sir, because of your foolish plan,
You are getting beaten on both sides like a drum!
போடாதே தப்புக் கணக்கு
உன் ஒருத்தனுக்கிங்கே
பொஞ்சாதி ரெண்டு எதுக்கு
அட ரோசங் கெட்ட பயலே...
Don't do the wrong calculations;
For a single man like you here,
Why on earth do you need two wives?
Hey, you shameless fellow!
ஒரலுக்கு ஒத்தப்பக்கம்
தவுலுக்கு ரெண்டு பக்கம்
ஐயா உன் திட்டத்தாலே
அடி வாங்கு தவிலப் போலே
A mortar has only one opening,
While a double-headed drum gets hit on both sides!
Oh sir, because of your foolish plan,
You are getting beaten on both sides like a drum!
ஏய்.....என்னாச்சு உன் போட்டி இப்ப
எதுக்கு உனக்கு வேட்டி ஹோய்..
ஏன்டா உனக்கு வீம்பு இப்போ
காலச் சுத்துது பாம்பு
Hey... what happened to your boastful competition now?
Why display such empty bravado, hoi!
Why are you holding on to your stubborn pride now,
When the snake of trouble is coiling around your legs?
கட்டில்தான் ரோட்டுலப் போட்டு
பாடியதென்ன பாட்டு
எல்லார்க்கும் நல்லாத் தெரியும்
நீயொரு வெத்துவேட்டு.....
Placing a bed right in the middle of the street,
What kind of song were you singing?
Everyone knows very well,
That you are just a useless, empty talker!
மாப்பிள்ள...
Groom...!
மாப்பிள்ள மணிப்பிள்ள
நெனச்சது நடக்கல்லையே
ஐயா.......
ஊரென்ன உறவென்ன
ஒருத்தனும் மதிக்கல்லையே.....
The groom turns out to be worthless,
Nothing you planned ever worked out!
Male: Oh sir!
Male: Neither the townspeople nor your relatives,
Not a single soul gives you any respect!
ஒரலுக்கு ஒத்தப்பக்கம்
தவுலுக்கு ரெண்டு பக்கம்
ஐயா உன் திட்டத்தாலே
அடி வாங்கு தவிலப் போலே
A mortar has only one opening,
While a double-headed drum gets hit on both sides!
Oh sir, because of your foolish plan,
You are getting beaten on both sides like a drum!
போடாதே தப்புக் கணக்கு
உன் ஒருத்தனுக்கிங்கே
பொஞ்சாதி ரெண்டு எதுக்கு
அட ரோசங் கெட்ட பயலே...
A mortar has only one opening,
While a double-headed drum gets hit on both sides!
Oh sir, because of your foolish plan,
You are getting beaten on both sides like a drum!
…………….
Oralukku oththapakkam
A mortar has only one opening,
Thavulukku rendu pakkam
While a double-headed drum gets hit on both sides!
Male :Aahaa
Male: Aahaa!
Male :Aiyyaa un thittaththaalae
Male: Oh sir, because of your foolish plan,
Adi vaangu thavila polae
You are getting beaten on both sides like a drum!
Oho
Oho!
Male :Podaathe thappu kanakku
Male: Don't do the wrong calculations;
Un oruththanukingae
For a single man like you here,
Ponjaathi rendu edhukku
Why on earth do you need two wives?
Ada rosang ketta payalae
Hey, you shameless fellow!
Oralukku oththapakkam
A mortar has only one opening,
Thavulukku rendu pakkam
While a double-headed drum gets hit on both sides!
Aiyyaa un thittaththaalae
Oh sir, because of your foolish plan,
Adi vaangu thavila polae
You are getting beaten on both sides like a drum!
Podaathe thappu kanakku
Don't do the wrong calculations;
Un oruththanukingae
For a single man like you here,
Ponjaathi rendu edhukku
Why on earth do you need two wives?
Ada rosang ketta payalae
Hey, you shameless fellow!
Oralukku oththapakkam
A mortar has only one opening,
Thavulukku rendu pakkam
While a double-headed drum gets hit on both sides!
Male :Haei
Male: Hey!
Male :Aiyyaa un thittaththaalae
Male: Oh sir, because of your foolish plan,
Adi vaangu thavila polae
You are getting beaten on both sides like a drum!
Mappillae
Groom!
Male :Machchan
Male: Brother-in-law!
Thaenukkulla vaasam konda
Where is the sweet fragrance of honey,
Meenukkullae yaedhu
To be found inside a fish?
Thaaram konda nesam vanthu
The genuine love that comes with a wedded wife,
Serum thunaiyil yaedhu
Can never be found in any temporary companion!
Koolikku vantha ponnu
A woman hired for money,
Kaagitha poova polae
Is merely like an artificial paper flower;
Thaalikku vantha ponnu
A woman bound by the sacred wedding thread,
Thaamara poovapola
Is as pure and beautiful as a lotus flower!
Kovamum thaabamum
Anger and marital disputes,
Kudumbaththil irunthidanum
Should stay contained within the household;
Adadaa veedhikku yaen vanthu
Oh dear, why come out to the streets,
Vilambaram aagidanum
And turn it into a public spectacle?
Oralukku oththapakkam
A mortar has only one opening,
Thavulukku rendu pakkam
While a double-headed drum gets hit on both sides!
Male :Mappillae
Male: Groom!
Male :Aiyyaa un thittaththaalae
Male: Oh sir, because of your foolish plan,
Adi vaangu thavila polae
You are getting beaten on both sides like a drum!
Podaathe thappu kanakku
Don't do the wrong calculations;
Un oruththanukingae
For a single man like you here,
Ponjaathi rendu edhukku
Why on earth do you need two wives?
Ada rosang ketta payalae
Hey, you shameless fellow!
Oralukku oththapakkam
A mortar has only one opening,
Thavulukku rendu pakkam
While a double-headed drum gets hit on both sides!
Aiyyaa un thittaththaalae
Oh sir, because of your foolish plan,
Adi vaangu thavila polae
You are getting beaten on both sides like a drum!
Yaei….ennaachchu un potti ippa
Hey... what happened to your boastful competition now?
Edhukku unakku vetti hoi
Why display such empty bravado, hoi!
Yaendaa unakku veembu ippo
Why are you holding on to your stubborn pride now,
Kaala suththuthu paambu
When the snake of trouble is coiling around your legs?
Kattilthaan road-la pottu
Placing a bed right in the middle of the street,
Paadiyathenna paattu
What kind of song were you singing?
Ellaarkkum nallaa theriyum
Everyone knows very well,
Neeyoru veththuvettu
That you are just a useless, empty talker!
Mappillae….
Groom...!
Mappilla manipilla
The groom turns out to be worthless,
Nenachchathu nadakkalaiyae
Nothing you planned ever worked out!
Male :Aiyyaa
Male: Oh sir!
Male :Oorenna uravenna
Male: Neither the townspeople nor your relatives,
Oruththanum madhikkallaiyae
Not a single soul gives you any respect!
Oralukku oththapakkam
A mortar has only one opening,
Thavulukku rendu pakkam
While a double-headed drum gets hit on both sides!
Aiyyaa un thittaththaalae
Oh sir, because of your foolish plan,
Adi vaangu thavila polae
You are getting beaten on both sides like a drum!
Oralukku oththapakkam
A mortar has only one opening,
Thavulukku rendu pakkam
While a double-headed drum gets hit on both sides!
Aiyyaa un thittaththaalae
Oh sir, because of your foolish plan,
Adi vaangu thavila polae
You are getting beaten on both sides like a drum!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Oralukku Oththapakkam' from the 1989 Tamil film 'Mananthal Mahadevan' is a comedic, satirical commentary on a man suffering the self-inflicted consequences of bigamy and reckless marital schemes. Using sharp Tamil folk proverbs, the lyricist Vaali compares a man with two wives to a 'thavil' (a traditional percussion instrument beaten on both heads), in contrast to an 'oral' (a grinding mortar with only one opening). The protagonist's folly in trying to manage two wives results in constant conflict from both sides.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uvamai Ani)
“Adi vaangu thavila polae”
Compares the protagonist getting caught between two opposing forces to a thavil drum being struck from both sides.
Metaphor / Contrast
“Kaagitha poova polae ... Thaamara poovapola”
Contrasts a superficial, money-driven companion (paper flower) with a devoted wedded wife (blooming lotus flower).
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Koolikku vantha ponnu / Thaalikku vantha ponnu”
The second letter 'li' (லி) rhymes in both lines, creating a rhythmic folk flow.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Mananthal Mahadevan' (1989) features music by the duo Shankar-Ganesh and lyrics by legendary poet Vaali. Known for its rural comedy elements, the song relies heavily on traditional Tamil folk metaphors and proverbs to deliver moral advice through lighthearted satire.
Keep listening
More from Mananthal Mahadevan
Mananthal Mahadevan
Mananthal Mahadevan
Mananthal Mahadevan
Mananthal Mahadevan