Pombala Illama
From Maruthu Pandi · 1990
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Maruthu Pandi1990
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Pomabala illama needhan | Without a woman, you |
| Ingu enna seiya mudiyum maama | What can you even do here, uncle? |
| Pomabala illama needhan | Without a woman, you |
| Ingu enna seiya mudiyum maama | What can you even do here, uncle? |
| Female | |
| Sattai thuvaikkavum pottu thaeikkavum | To wash clothes and iron them, |
| Kattu podavum katti kaakkavum | To bandage wounds and hold you close, |
| Enna venum enni paaru maama | Think about what you need, uncle, |
| Kanni ponnu venum | You need a young girl, |
| Solliputten aama…. | I have said it, yes... |
| Male | |
| Pombala thunai enaku venaa | I do not need a woman's companionship, |
| Vaaya poththikkittu anthapakkam podi | Shut your mouth and go that way, girl! |
| Pombala thunai enaku venaa | I do not need a woman's companionship, |
| Vaaya poththikkittu anthapakkam podi | Shut your mouth and go that way, girl! |
| Male | |
| Kenda kaalaiyum konda poovaiyum | For shapely fish-like legs and flowers in hair, |
| Kadu mayangura kaala naanillai | I am not the kind to swoon completely, |
| Adi etti konjam thalli nillu maanae | Hey deer, step back and stand at a distance, |
| Illa ekkthappaa aagipogum venae… | Otherwise things will unnecessarily go wrong... |
| Female | |
| Aadi odi vaelai senjaa | If you run around doing hard work, |
| Kaalu kayi nogumae | Your legs and hands will ache, |
| Angae ingae naanum thottu | If I touch here and there, |
| Kaiya vachcha theerumae | And massage them, the pain will go away. |
| Male | |
| Haei thembirukku velai seiyaa | Hey, I have the stamina to work, |
| Oonjathillai naanamma | I am not weak or tired, girl! |
| Vanthu vanthu vambizhukkum | Coming again and again to pick a fight, |
| Vela ippa veenammaa | This job is useless right now. |
| Female | |
| Velakku yaeththavum konjam | To light the oil lamp and, |
| Koraikkavum veanum pombala | To dim it slightly, you need a woman. |
| Male | |
| Nanaeduththu yaeththi vachcha | If I pick it up and light it, |
| Velakku enna eriyaathaa | Won't the lamp burn just fine? |
| Yaeththi vachch ennoda kaithaan | The hand that lit the lamp, |
| Erakki vaikka mudiyaathaa | Can it not lower the flame too? |
| Female | |
| Antha kastama aambalaikethukku | Why should a man take on that trouble? |
| Adhuthaan pombalaikku | That duty belongs to a woman! |
| Male | |
| Pombala thunai enaku venaa | I do not need a woman's companionship, |
| Vaaya poththikkittu anthapakkam podi | Shut your mouth and go that way, girl! |
| Pombala thunai enaku venaa | I do not need a woman's companionship, |
| Vaaya poththikkittu anthapakkam podi….podi…. | Shut your mouth and go that way... go! |
| Male | |
| Ponnaasaiyaal saabam vaangi | By desiring women, receiving a curse, |
| Ponaanammaa indhiran | Indra lost his glory, girl. |
| Boomi maelae aasai vachchu | By desiring the earth, |
| Thaenjenamma chandhiran | The Moon waned away, girl. |
| Female | |
| Ellorukkum saabam theerkka | To lift the curse for everyone, |
| Ulla inam pombala | The species that exists is women. |
| Ungalukku yaedhumilla | You have no such power, |
| Aanalum nee aambala | Yet you act like a stubborn man. |
| Male | |
| Paruva kirukkula patta pagalula | In youthful madness, in broad daylight, |
| Kanvil mithakkura | You float in dreams. |
| Female | |
| Maruthupandi peraiyum solla | To carry forward the name of Maruthupandi, |
| Maganum porakka venaamaa | Shouldn't a son be born? |
| Oo…magana thaanga ammaa naanthaan | Oh... to bear that son, I am the mother, |
| Manasa konjam thaa mama | Give your heart a little, uncle. |
| Male | |
| Yammaa yammaa sonnathu sarithaan | Oh girl, oh girl, what you said is right, |
| Naalonnu paarppomaa | Shall we pick an auspicious day? |
| Female | |
| Pombala illaama needhaan ingu | Without a woman, you |
| Enna seiya mudiyum maamaa | What can you even do here, uncle? |
| Male :Pombala illaama needhaan ingu | Male: Without a woman, you |
| Enna seiya mudiyum maamaa | What can you even do here, uncle? |
| Female | |
| Sattai thuvaikkavum pottu theikkavum | To wash clothes and iron them, |
| Kattu podavum katti kaakkavum | To bandage wounds and hold you close, |
| Male :Ponnu onnu vaenumadi maanae | Male: You need a girl, my dear, |
| Nee sonnathella oththukittaen naanae | I accept everything you said! |
| Female | |
| Pombala illaama needhaan ingu | Without a woman, you |
| Enna seiya mudiyum maamaa | What can you even do here, uncle? |
பொம்பள இல்லாம நீதான்
இங்கு என்ன செய்ய முடியும் மாமா
பொம்பள இல்லாம நீதான் இங்கு
என்ன செய்ய முடியும் மாமா
Without a woman, you
What can you even do here, uncle?
Without a woman, you
What can you even do here, uncle?
சட்டை துவைக்கவும் போட்டு தேய்க்கவும்
கட்டு போடவும் கட்டிக் காக்கவும்
என்ன வேணும் எண்ணி பாரு மாமா
கன்னிப் பொண்ணு வேணும்
சொல்லிப்புட்டேன் ஆமா....
To wash clothes and iron them,
To bandage wounds and hold you close,
Think about what you need, uncle,
You need a young girl,
I have said it, yes...
பொம்பள துணை எனக்கு வேணா
வாயப் பொத்திக்கிட்டு அந்தப்பக்கம் போடி
பொம்பள துணை எனக்கு வேணா
வாயப் பொத்திக்கிட்டு அந்தப்பக்கம் போடி
I do not need a woman's companionship,
Shut your mouth and go that way, girl!
I do not need a woman's companionship,
Shut your mouth and go that way, girl!
கெண்டக் காலையும் கொண்டப் பூவையும்
கண்டு மயங்குற காள நானில்லை
அடி எட்டிக் கொஞ்சம் தள்ளி நில்லு மானே
இல்ல எக்குத்தப்பா ஆகிப்போகும் வீணே......
For shapely fish-like legs and flowers in hair,
I am not the kind to swoon completely,
Hey deer, step back and stand at a distance,
Otherwise things will unnecessarily go wrong...
ஆடி ஓடி வேலை செஞ்சா
காலு கையி நோகுமே
அங்கே இங்கே நானும் தொட்டு
கைய வச்சா தீருமே
If you run around doing hard work,
Your legs and hands will ache,
If I touch here and there,
And massage them, the pain will go away.
ஹேய் தெம்பிருக்கு வேலை செய்ய
ஒஞ்சதில்லை நானம்மா
வந்து வந்து வம்பிழுக்கும்
வேல இப்ப வீணம்மா
Hey, I have the stamina to work,
I am not weak or tired, girl!
Coming again and again to pick a fight,
This job is useless right now.
வெளக்கு ஏத்தவும் கொஞ்சம்
கொறைக்கவும் வேணும் பொம்பள......
To light the oil lamp and,
To dim it slightly, you need a woman.
நானெடுத்து ஏத்தி வச்சா
வெளக்கு என்ன எரியாதா
ஏத்தி வச்ச என்னோட கைதான்
எறக்கி வைக்க முடியாதா
If I pick it up and light it,
Won't the lamp burn just fine?
The hand that lit the lamp,
Can it not lower the flame too?
அந்த கஷ்டம் ஆம்பளைக்கெதுக்கு
அதுதான் பொம்பளைக்கு
Why should a man take on that trouble?
That duty belongs to a woman!
பொம்பள துணை எனக்கு வேணா
வாயப் பொத்திக்கிட்டு அந்தப்பக்கம் போடி
பொம்பள துணை எனக்கு வேணா
வாயப் பொத்திக்கிட்டு அந்தப்பக்கம் போடி.....போடி..
I do not need a woman's companionship,
Shut your mouth and go that way, girl!
I do not need a woman's companionship,
Shut your mouth and go that way... go!
பெண்ணாசையால் சாபம் வாங்கி
போனானம்மா இந்திரன்
பூமி மேலே ஆசை வச்சு
தேஞ்சானம்மா சந்திரன்
By desiring women, receiving a curse,
Indra lost his glory, girl.
By desiring the earth,
The Moon waned away, girl.
எல்லோருக்கும் சாபம் தீர்க்க
உள்ள இனம் பொம்பள
உங்களுக்கு ஏதுமில்ல
ஆனாலும் நீ ஆம்பள
To lift the curse for everyone,
The species that exists is women.
You have no such power,
Yet you act like a stubborn man.
பருவக் கிறுக்குல பட்டப் பகலுல
கனவில் மிதக்குற......
In youthful madness, in broad daylight,
You float in dreams.
மருதுபாண்டி பேரையும் சொல்ல
மகனும் பொறக்க வேணாமா
ஓ......மகன தாங்க அம்மா நான்தான்
மனச கொஞ்சம் தா மாமா
To carry forward the name of Maruthupandi,
Shouldn't a son be born?
Oh... to bear that son, I am the mother,
Give your heart a little, uncle.
யம்மா யம்மா சொன்னது சரிதான்
நாளொண்ணு பார்ப்போமா
Oh girl, oh girl, what you said is right,
Shall we pick an auspicious day?
பொம்பள இல்லாம நீதான் இங்கு
என்ன செய்ய முடியும் மாமா
பொம்பள இல்லாம யாரும் இங்கு
என்ன செய்ய முடியும் வாம்மா
Without a woman, you
What can you even do here, uncle?
Male: Without a woman, you
What can you even do here, uncle?
சட்டை துவைக்கவும் போட்டு தேய்க்கவும்
கட்டு போடவும் கட்டிக் காக்கவும்
பொண்ணு ஒண்ணு வேணுமடி மானே
நீ சொன்னதெல்லாம் ஒத்துக்கிட்டேன் நானே
To wash clothes and iron them,
To bandage wounds and hold you close,
Male: You need a girl, my dear,
I accept everything you said!
பொம்பள இல்லாம நீதான்
இங்கு என்ன செய்ய முடியும் மாமா.....
Without a woman, you
What can you even do here, uncle?
Pomabala illama needhan
Without a woman, you
Ingu enna seiya mudiyum maama
What can you even do here, uncle?
Pomabala illama needhan
Without a woman, you
Ingu enna seiya mudiyum maama
What can you even do here, uncle?
Sattai thuvaikkavum pottu thaeikkavum
To wash clothes and iron them,
Kattu podavum katti kaakkavum
To bandage wounds and hold you close,
Enna venum enni paaru maama
Think about what you need, uncle,
Kanni ponnu venum
You need a young girl,
Solliputten aama….
I have said it, yes...
Pombala thunai enaku venaa
I do not need a woman's companionship,
Vaaya poththikkittu anthapakkam podi
Shut your mouth and go that way, girl!
Pombala thunai enaku venaa
I do not need a woman's companionship,
Vaaya poththikkittu anthapakkam podi
Shut your mouth and go that way, girl!
Kenda kaalaiyum konda poovaiyum
For shapely fish-like legs and flowers in hair,
Kadu mayangura kaala naanillai
I am not the kind to swoon completely,
Adi etti konjam thalli nillu maanae
Hey deer, step back and stand at a distance,
Illa ekkthappaa aagipogum venae…
Otherwise things will unnecessarily go wrong...
Aadi odi vaelai senjaa
If you run around doing hard work,
Kaalu kayi nogumae
Your legs and hands will ache,
Angae ingae naanum thottu
If I touch here and there,
Kaiya vachcha theerumae
And massage them, the pain will go away.
Haei thembirukku velai seiyaa
Hey, I have the stamina to work,
Oonjathillai naanamma
I am not weak or tired, girl!
Vanthu vanthu vambizhukkum
Coming again and again to pick a fight,
Vela ippa veenammaa
This job is useless right now.
Velakku yaeththavum konjam
To light the oil lamp and,
Koraikkavum veanum pombala
To dim it slightly, you need a woman.
Nanaeduththu yaeththi vachcha
If I pick it up and light it,
Velakku enna eriyaathaa
Won't the lamp burn just fine?
Yaeththi vachch ennoda kaithaan
The hand that lit the lamp,
Erakki vaikka mudiyaathaa
Can it not lower the flame too?
Antha kastama aambalaikethukku
Why should a man take on that trouble?
Adhuthaan pombalaikku
That duty belongs to a woman!
Pombala thunai enaku venaa
I do not need a woman's companionship,
Vaaya poththikkittu anthapakkam podi
Shut your mouth and go that way, girl!
Pombala thunai enaku venaa
I do not need a woman's companionship,
Vaaya poththikkittu anthapakkam podi….podi….
Shut your mouth and go that way... go!
Ponnaasaiyaal saabam vaangi
By desiring women, receiving a curse,
Ponaanammaa indhiran
Indra lost his glory, girl.
Boomi maelae aasai vachchu
By desiring the earth,
Thaenjenamma chandhiran
The Moon waned away, girl.
Ellorukkum saabam theerkka
To lift the curse for everyone,
Ulla inam pombala
The species that exists is women.
Ungalukku yaedhumilla
You have no such power,
Aanalum nee aambala
Yet you act like a stubborn man.
Paruva kirukkula patta pagalula
In youthful madness, in broad daylight,
Kanvil mithakkura
You float in dreams.
Maruthupandi peraiyum solla
To carry forward the name of Maruthupandi,
Maganum porakka venaamaa
Shouldn't a son be born?
Oo…magana thaanga ammaa naanthaan
Oh... to bear that son, I am the mother,
Manasa konjam thaa mama
Give your heart a little, uncle.
Yammaa yammaa sonnathu sarithaan
Oh girl, oh girl, what you said is right,
Naalonnu paarppomaa
Shall we pick an auspicious day?
Pombala illaama needhaan ingu
Without a woman, you
Enna seiya mudiyum maamaa
What can you even do here, uncle?
Male :Pombala illaama needhaan ingu
Male: Without a woman, you
Enna seiya mudiyum maamaa
What can you even do here, uncle?
Sattai thuvaikkavum pottu theikkavum
To wash clothes and iron them,
Kattu podavum katti kaakkavum
To bandage wounds and hold you close,
Male :Ponnu onnu vaenumadi maanae
Male: You need a girl, my dear,
Nee sonnathella oththukittaen naanae
I accept everything you said!
Pombala illaama needhaan ingu
Without a woman, you
Enna seiya mudiyum maamaa
What can you even do here, uncle?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Pombala Illama Needhan' is a lively folk duet from the film 'Maruthu Pandi' (1990), structured as a playful battle of sexes between a persistent young woman and a stubborn man. The heroine asserts that a man cannot survive without a woman to manage household duties, provide romantic care, and carry forward his lineage. The hero initial resists, boasting about his self-sufficiency, strength, and immunity to female charm while warning her to stay away.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rhyme / Ethirai (Second Letter Agreement)
“Sattai thuvaikkavum pottu thaeikkavum / Kattu podavum katti kaakkavum”
The second letters of 'Sattai' and 'Kattu' match the Tamil rhyming pattern (Ethirai).
Metaphor (Kenda Kaal)
“Kenda kaalaiyum konda poovaiyum”
Comparing a woman's beautiful calves to the sleek shape of a 'Kenda' (carp) fish.
Mythological Allusion
“Ponnaasaiyaal saabam vaangi / Ponaanammaa indhiran / Boomi maelae aasai vachchu / Thaenjenamma chandhiran”
References the Hindu myth of Lord Indra being cursed due to lust, and Chandran (the Moon) waning due to a curse.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Maruthu Pandi' (1990) features music composed by Ilaiyaraaja, starring Ramki and Seetha in lead roles. Lyricist Gangai Amaran wrote this song as a humorous rural dialogue duet showcasing traditional folk lyric patterns and gender banter common in 1990s Tamil village drama films.
Keep listening
More from Maruthu Pandi
Maruthu Pandi
Maruthu Pandi
Maruthu Pandi
Maruthu Pandi