Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Samaiyalukkum Maiyalukkum

From Pennai Vazha Vidungal · 1969

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Pennai Vazha Vidungal1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Samaiyalukkum maiyalukkumBetween cooking and infatuation
Samaiyalukkum maiyalukkumBetween cooking and infatuation
Oorezhuththu BedhamThere is only a single letter difference
Oorezhuththu BedhamThere is only a single letter difference
Naam sarasamaaga pesikkittuWe will chat playfully
Samaichchiduvom saadham….And cook the rice...
Sarasamaaga pesikkittuChatting playfully
Samaichchiduvom saadham…..We will cook the rice...
Female
Samaikkum podhu konja vandhaaIf you come to cuddle while cooking
Samaikkum podhu konja vandhaaIf you come to cuddle while cooking
Samaiyal varaadhuCooking will not turn out right
Enakku samaiyal varaadhuI won't be able to cook
Pin Saambhaarilae inippirukkumThen the sambar will taste sweet
UrappirukkaadhuIt won't be spicy
Male
Kodhikkum munnae irakki vachchaalaeIf taken off the stove before boiling
Kodhikkum munnae irakki vachchaaIf taken off before boiling
Kuzhambu varaadhuThe curry won't turn out well
Purushan konjum podhu vilagi ninnaaIf a wife steps away when her husband tries to cuddle
Kudumbam iraadhu…..The family will not flourish...
Kudumbam iraadhu…..The family will not flourish...
Male
Aaraaro…..aariraro….Lullaby vocalization...
Aaraaro…..aariraro….Lullaby vocalization...
Female :Laallaala laa laalaalaaFemale: Laallaala laa laalaalaa
Aahaa mmm mm mmheem heeheemAahaa mmm mm mmheem heeheem
Male :……………..Male: (Instrumental pause / humming)
Female
Purushanukku manaividhaanaeTo a husband, his wife is indeed
Sarkkarai pongal…..Sweet pongal...
Purushanukku manaividhaanaeTo a husband, his wife is indeed
Sarkkarai pongal…..Sweet pongal...
Adhai pottu vaikkumThe plate on which it is served
Thattudhaanae pengalin kangalIs indeed the eyes of women
Adhai pottu vaikkumThe plate on which it is served
Thattudhaanae pengalin kangalIs indeed the eyes of women
Male
Pongal polae inikkum pengalWomen who are sweet like pongal
Pongal polae inikkum pengalWomen who are sweet like pongal
Eththanai peruHow many of them are there?
Ammaa eththanai peruOh my, how many of them are there?
Indha bhoomiyilae unnai polaOn this earth, like you
Inippavar yaaru….inippavar yaaru….Who is sweeter? Who is sweeter?
Male
So sweet you darlingSo sweet you darling
Female
Samaikkum podhu konja vandhaaIf you come to cuddle while cooking
Samaiyal varaadhuCooking will not turn out right
Ahaa haa Samaiyal varaadhuAha ha cooking will not turn out right
Male
Pirandha veettu ninaivillaadhaWithout thoughts of her birth home
Pirandha veettu ninaivillaadhaWithout thoughts of her birth home
Pengalai polaeLike some women
Sila pengalai polaeLike a few women
Thaan pugundha veettil pasiyai theerkkumWho satisfy hunger in their marital home
Kaaigalai PaaruLook at those hands / vegetables
Female
Pirandha veedu pengal vaazhvilA woman's birth home in her life
Saththiram dhaanaeIs merely a temporary inn
Pirandha veedu pengal vaazhvilA woman's birth home in her life
Saththiram dhaanaeIs merely a temporary inn
Endrum pugundha idam sondhamennumThat her marital home is her true place forever
Saaththiram dhaanaeIs the established law
Pugundha idam sondhamennumThat her marital home is her true place forever
Saaththiram dhaanaeIs the established law

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Samaiyalukkum Maiyalukkum' from 'Pennai Vazha Vidungal' (1969), penned by Kannadasan, playfully blends culinary metaphors with marital intimacy and romance. The lyricist establishes a clever wordplay between 'samaiyal' (cooking) and 'maiyal' (romance/infatuation), showing how playful affectionate interruptions during daily chores reflect the warmth and harmony of family life. As the song transitions, it highlights traditional cultural themes regarding marriage. Kannadasan compares a loving wife to 'sarkkarai pongal' (sweet rice) and contrasts her parental home ('saththiram' or temporary inn) with her marital home ('saaththiram' or sacred code/law), underscoring her devotion to building a life with her husband.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Wordplay / Rhyme (Edhugai & Phonetic Similarity)

Samaiyalukkum maiyalukkum

Kannadasan links 'Samaiyal' (cooking) and 'Maiyal' (infatuation), pointing out 'Oorezhuththu Bedham' (a single Tamil letter difference).

Simile (Upamai)

Purushanukku manaividhaanae Sarkkarai pongal

Compares a devoted wife to the sweet South Indian delicacy 'Sarkkarai Pongal'.

Pun / Contrast (Sledai)

Pirandha veedu pengal vaazhvil Saththiram dhaanae ... Endrum pugundha idam sondhamennum Saaththiram dhaanae

Plays on phonetically similar words 'Saththiram' (a temporary choultry/inn) and 'Saaththiram' (tradition/law) to differentiate between natal and marital homes.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kannadasan's clever contrast between 'Saththiram' (inn) and 'Saaththiram' (scriptural law) in this song became a celebrated linguistic example in Tamil cinema, illustrating how profound cultural commentary on marriage could be woven effortlessly into lighthearted romantic duets.

Keep listening

More from Pennai Vazha Vidungal