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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pathampasali Mama

From Patham Pasali · 1970

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Patham Pasali1970

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Pathampasali mama maamooiOld-fashioned uncle, oh uncle!
Pathampasali mamaOld-fashioned uncle,
Andha paadam padikalamaShall we study that lesson?
Indha paruva ponnu nerungi vandhuShould this young woman come close
Padichu kodukklaamaAnd teach it to you?
Pathampasali mamaOld-fashioned uncle,
Andha paadam padikalamaShall we study that lesson?
Indha paruva ponnu nerungi vandhuShould this young woman come close
Padichu kodukklaamaAnd teach it to you?
Female
Pathampasali mama maamooiOld-fashioned uncle, oh uncle!
Female
Pottathaan paakku vethala nerakkudhuBetel leaf and nut give color only when chewed together,
Nee thottalae kannam rendum sivakudhu..haanWhen you touch me, both my cheeks turn red..haan
Pottathaan paakku vethala nerakkudhuBetel leaf and nut give color only when chewed together,
Nee thottalae kannam rendum sivakudhuWhen you touch me, both my cheeks turn red,
Orachaathaan sandhanakattai manakkudhu..ahaanSandalwood gives fragrance only when rubbed..ahaan
Orachaathaan sandhanakattai manakkudhuSandalwood gives fragrance only when rubbed,
Jodi serndhathaan kaadhalingae porakkudhuLove is born here only when two people pair up!
Female
Maama..kannadikka kathukkanumUncle.. you must learn to wink,
Kanakku panna theriyanumYou must know how to flirt/calculate,
Kanni ponna thoondi pottuYou must know how to cast a hook
Pudikka theriyanumAnd catch a young girl!
Ada pathampasali mama maamooiOh, old-fashioned uncle, oh uncle!
Female
Valli murugan kaadhalukkuFor the love of Valli and Murugan,
Naradhan paadupattaanNarada worked hard,
Alli archanan kadhalukkuFor the love of Alli and Arjuna,
Krishnan paadupattaanKrishna worked hard,
Valli murugan kaadhalukkuFor the love of Valli and Murugan,
Naradhan paadupattaanNarada worked hard,
Alli archanan kadhalukkuFor the love of Alli and Arjuna,
Krishnan paadupattaanKrishna worked hard,
Female
Naladhamayanthi sodi seraTo unite Nala and Damayanthi as a pair,
Annatha thoodhu vittaanHe sent the swan as a messenger,
Naladhamayanthi sodi seraTo unite Nala and Damayanthi as a pair,
Annatha thoodhu vittaanHe sent the swan as a messenger,
Naanum neeyum sodi seraFor you and me to pair up,
Koodaiya thookka vechaanHe made us carry a basket,
Saapaattu koodaiya thookka vechaanHe made us carry a food basket!
Female
Ada ennaiyaa aambala idhu unakkum puriyalaHey man, what kind of man are you, you don't even understand this?
Ada ennaiyaa aambala idhu unakkum puriyalaHey man, what kind of man are you, you don't even understand this?
Idhukku mela eduthu solla enakkum theriyalaBeyond this, I don't know how to explain it to you!
Female
Pathampasali mama maamooiOld-fashioned uncle, oh uncle!
Pathampasali mamaOld-fashioned uncle,
Andha paadam padikalamaShall we study that lesson?
Indha paruva ponnu nerungi vandhuShould this young woman come close
Padichu kodukklaamaAnd teach it to you?
Female
Pathampasali mama maamooiOld-fashioned uncle, oh uncle!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In 'Patham Pasali', the heroine playful teases her naive and old-fashioned lover (referred to affectionately as 'Pathampasali mama'). She urges him to learn the art of romance, comparing love to natural pairs that only reveal their beauty when combined, such as betel leaf with nut, or sandalwood when ground. She humorously references mythological matchmakers like Narada, Krishna, and the Swan messenger, teasing him about how fate has brought them together through simple everyday situations while encouraging him to be more romantic and proactive.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor / Simile (Uvamai)

Pottathaan paakku vethala nerakkudhu

Compares love and romantic pairing to the chewing of betel nut/leaves giving red color, and sandalwood yielding fragrance when rubbed.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Valli murugan kaadhalukku / Alli archanan kadhalukku

Rhyming of the second letter in consecutive lines: 'Valli' / 'Alli'.

Mythological Allusion

Naladhamayanthi sodi sera Annatha thoodhu vittaan

References divine/legendary romantic pairs and matchmakers (Valli-Murugan, Alli-Arjuna, Nala-Damayanthi).

Did you know?

Trivia

'Patham Pasali' (1970) stars Gemini Ganesan and Nagesh. The song, sung energetically by L. R. Eswari and composed by V. Kumar, became a famous playful romantic track of the 1970s.

Keep listening

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