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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pattanathu Mama

From Thaai Pasam(1974) · 1974

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Thaai Pasam(1974)1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Pattanaththu mama puthi kedalaamaCity uncle, should your mind lose its sense?
Pattanaththu mama puthi kedalaamaCity uncle, should your mind lose its sense?
Podava melae kobamaaAre you angry at the saree?
Ponnu senja paavamaaWhat sin did the girl commit?
Chorus
BramachaariBachelor!
Female :Chaari chaari chaariFemale: Chari, chari, chari
Chorus :BramachaariChorus: Bachelor!
Female :Chaari chaari chaariFemale: Chari, chari, chari
Female
Kalyaanam aagaatha kattaigalaaYou unmarried logs of wood!
Kannirunthu kaanaatha pottaigalaaYou blind fools who cannot see despite having eyes!
Female
Pattanaththu mama puthi kedalaamaCity uncle, should your mind lose its sense?
Pattanaththu mama puthi kedalaamCity uncle, can your mind lose its sense?
Podava melae kobamaaAre you angry at the saree?
Ponnu senja paavamaaWhat sin did the girl commit?
Podava melae kobamaaAre you angry at the saree?
Ponnu senja paavamaaWhat sin did the girl commit?
Female
Mayilaerum muruganukku rendu pondattiLord Murugan who rides the peacock has two wives.
Maayavanaam kannanukku rendu pondattiLord Krishna, the illusory one, has two wives.
Mayilaerum muruganukku rendu pondattiLord Murugan who rides the peacock has two wives.
Maayavanaam kannanukku rendu pondattiLord Krishna, the illusory one, has two wives.
Saamikkellaam samsaaram rend irukkuAll the gods have two wives or families.
Aasaamigalae ungalukku enna irukkuO worldly men, what do you have?
Female
Pillaiyaara pola neeg irukkalaamaaShould you stay single like Lord Ganesha?
Pombalaiya paarththaalae verukkalaamaaShould you hate women the moment you see them?
Chorus
BramachaariBachelor!
Female :Chaari chaari chaariFemale: Chari, chari, chari
Chorus :BramachaariChorus: Bachelor!
Female :Chaari chaari chaariFemale: Chari, chari, chari
Female
Pattanaththu mama puthi kedalaamaCity uncle, should your mind lose its sense?
Pattanaththu mama puthi kedalaamCity uncle, can your mind lose its sense?
Podava melae kobamaaAre you angry at the saree?
Ponnu senja paavamaaWhat sin did the girl commit?
Podava melae kobamaaAre you angry at the saree?
Ponnu senja paavamaaWhat sin did the girl commit?
Female
Thaayillaama poranthavanga yaar irukaangaWho in this world is born without a mother?
Thaaikulamthaan dheivamendru per eduththaangaWomankind earned the reputation of being divine!
Thaayillaama poranthavanga yaar irukaangaWho in this world is born without a mother?
Thaaikulamthaan dheivamendru per eduththaangaWomankind earned the reputation of being divine!
Pongi aakki soru ootta ponnu venumaeYou need a woman to cook and feed you rice!
Thakka thunai aambalaikku onnu venumaeA man needs a suitable companion by his side!
Female
Pillaikutti paaramendru ennividaathaeDo not view having children and family as a burden!
Pillaikutti paaramendru ennividaathaeDo not view having children and family as a burden!
Nee bramachaari saettaiyellaam pannividaathaeDon't play these bachelor pranks!
Chorus
BramachaariBachelor!
Female :Chaari chaari chaariFemale: Chari, chari, chari
Chorus :BramachaariChorus: Bachelor!
Female :Chaari chaari chaariFemale: Chari, chari, chari
Female
Pattanaththu mama puthi kedalaamaCity uncle, should your mind lose its sense?
Pattanaththu mama puthi kedalaamCity uncle, can your mind lose its sense?
Podava melae kobamaaAre you angry at the saree?
Ponnu senja paavamaaWhat sin did the girl commit?
Podava melae kobamaaAre you angry at the saree?
Ponnu senja paavamaaWhat sin did the girl commit?
Chorus
Kalyaanam aagaatha kattaigalaaYou unmarried logs of wood!
Kannirunthu kaanaatha pottaigalaaYou blind fools who cannot see despite having eyes!
Kalyaanam aagaatha kattaigalaaYou unmarried logs of wood!
Kannirunthu kaanaatha pottaigalaaYou blind fools who cannot see despite having eyes!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Pattanaththu Mama Puthi Kedalaama is a playful and satirical song from the 1974 film 'Thaai Pasam'. Sung by P. Susheela, the song teasingly reprimands eligible bachelors who avoid marriage and express disdain toward women. Using humorous references to Hindu deities like Lord Murugan, Lord Krishna, and Lord Ganesha, the lyrics question why mortal men avoid marriage when even divine beings embraced married life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Pattanaththu mama puthi kedalaama

Repetition of the 'P' consonant at the start of adjacent words.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Podava melae kobamaa / Ponnu senja paavamaa

Rhyming scheme present in pairing lines.

Metaphor

Kalyaanam aagaatha kattaigalaa

Comparing stubborn unmarried men to lifeless wooden logs ('kattaigalaa').

Mythological Allusion

Mayilaerum muruganukku rendu pondatti / Maayavanaam kannanukku rendu pondatti

Referencing deities Murugan, Krishna, and Ganesha to present a satirical argument on marriage.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by V. Kumar and written by Vaali, this track showcases Vaali's knack for blending local folk slang with classical mythology in a catchy, comedic format. Sung by P. Susheela, the song became a popular comedic track in Tamil cinema radio broadcasts during the mid-1970s.

Keep listening

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