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Lyrics & meaning

Selvamellam Kodukkum

From Mamiyarum Oru Veettu Marumagale · 1961

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
C. S. Jayaraman
Music director
Pendyala Nageswara Rao
Movie name
Mamiyarum Oru Veettu Marumagale
Movie release year
1961
Lyrics added on
22 Sept 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Selvamellam kodukkum
Thirumagalaam latchmiyum
Kalvi namakkalikkum
Kalai magalaam saraswathiyum
Ullapadi maamiyum
Marumagalum aanadhinaal
Oor idathil ottrumaiyaai
Ulagil iruppadhillai
Boodhalathor pottrum
Deivam idhu polendraal
Saadharana pengal
Sangadhiyai enna solla
Sangadhiyai enna solla
Saadharana pengal
Sangadhiyai enna solla
Aadhalaal maamiyaar
Illaa marumagalaai
Yedhum kavalai indri
Iruppadhae uthamaam..aaa..
She who gives all wealth,
Goddess Lakshmi,
and she who gives us learning,
Goddess Saraswati of the arts—
because in truth, as mother-in-law
and daughter-in-law,
they never live in harmony
together anywhere in this world!
If the deities worshipped
by the people of earth are like this,
then about ordinary women,
what more can be said?
What more can be said?
About ordinary women,
what more can be said?
Therefore, as a daughter-in-law
with no mother-in-law,
living free from any worry,
is truly the best thing of all...!
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This satirical Tamil song explores the timeless friction between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law through a witty mythological analogy. The singer highlights that Goddess Lakshmi (bestower of wealth) and Goddess Saraswati (bestower of knowledge), who are metaphorically viewed as mother-in-law and daughter-in-law in folklore, are famously said to never inhabit the same place at once. The argument follows that if even divine goddesses cannot coexist peacefully under one roof, ordinary women stand little chance of living in harmony. Ultimately, the song lightheartedly concludes that a bride enjoys the ultimate peace of mind when she marries into a home without a mother-in-law.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Satire and Irony (Uvamai / Angadham)

Boodhalathor pottrum Deivam idhu polendraal Saadharana pengal Sangadhiyai enna solla

The lyricist uses divine deities (Lakshmi and Saraswati) to satirize everyday human domestic disputes between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law.

Anaphora / Repetition (Sol Pinvaru Nilai Ani)

Sangadhiyai enna solla

The phrase 'Sangadhiyai enna solla' is repeated multiple times to emphasize the tragicomic dilemma of family relationships.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Selvamellam / Kalvi namakkalikkum

The second consonant sound matches across lines to create a rhythmic cadence in Tamil poetry.

Did you know?

Trivia

Rendered by the veteran singer C. S. Jayaraman, known for his unique high-pitched theatrical style, this song reflects the popular social comedy tropes in 1960s Tamil cinema. Penned by A. Maruthakasi, it uses ancient Tamil cultural folk wisdom—that wealth and wisdom rarely stay together—to craft a humorous commentary on domestic in-law dynamics.

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