Selvamellam Kodukkum
From Mamiyarum Oru Veettu Marumagale · 1961
- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Singer
- C. S. Jayaraman
- Music director
- Pendyala Nageswara Rao
- Details
- Mamiyarum Oru Veettu Marumagale1961
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Selvamellam kodukkum | Goddess Lakshmi, who bestows all wealth, |
| Thirumagalaam latchmiyum | The divine goddess Lakshmi, |
| Kalvi namakkalikkum | And Goddess Saraswati, who grants us education, |
| Kalai magalaam saraswathiyum | Saraswati, the goddess of fine arts, |
| Male | |
| Ullapadi maamiyum | In truth, because they are mother-in-law |
| Marumagalum aanadhinaal | And daughter-in-law to each other, |
| Oor idathil ottrumaiyaai | They never reside together in harmony |
| Ulagil iruppadhillai | Anywhere in this world. |
| Male | |
| Boodhalathor pottrum | If even the deities worshipped by the people of the world |
| Deivam idhu polendraal | Are like this towards each other, |
| Saadharana pengal | Regarding ordinary women, |
| Sangadhiyai enna solla | What is there left to say about their situation? |
| Sangadhiyai enna solla | What is there left to say about their situation? |
| Saadharana pengal | Regarding ordinary women, |
| Sangadhiyai enna solla | What is there left to say about their situation? |
| Male | |
| Aadhalaal maamiyaar | Therefore, living as a daughter-in-law |
| Illaa marumagalaai | Who does not have a mother-in-law, |
| Yedhum kavalai indri | Free from any worries, |
| Iruppadhae uthamaam..aaa.. | Is truly the best and happiest state to be in! |
செல்வமெல்லாம் கொடுக்கும்
திருமகளாம் லட்சுமியும்
கல்வி நமக்களிக்கும்
கலை மகளாம் சரஸ்வதியும்
Goddess Lakshmi, who bestows all wealth,
The divine goddess Lakshmi,
And Goddess Saraswati, who grants us education,
Saraswati, the goddess of fine arts,
உள்ளபடி மாமியும்
மருமகளும் ஆனதினால்
ஓரிடத்தில் ஒற்றுமையாய்
உலகில் இருப்பதில்லை
In truth, because they are mother-in-law
And daughter-in-law to each other,
They never reside together in harmony
Anywhere in this world.
பூதலத்தோர் போற்றும்
தெய்வம் இது போலென்றால்
சாதாரணப் பெண்கள்
சங்கதியை என்ன சொல்ல
சங்கதியை என்ன சொல்ல
சாதாரணப் பெண்கள்
சங்கதியை என்ன சொல்ல
If even the deities worshipped by the people of the world
Are like this towards each other,
Regarding ordinary women,
What is there left to say about their situation?
What is there left to say about their situation?
Regarding ordinary women,
What is there left to say about their situation?
ஆதலால் மாமியார்
இல்லா மருமகளாய்
ஏதும் கவலையின்றி
இருப்பதே உத்தமமாம்....!
Therefore, living as a daughter-in-law
Who does not have a mother-in-law,
Free from any worries,
Is truly the best and happiest state to be in!
Selvamellam kodukkum
Goddess Lakshmi, who bestows all wealth,
Thirumagalaam latchmiyum
The divine goddess Lakshmi,
Kalvi namakkalikkum
And Goddess Saraswati, who grants us education,
Kalai magalaam saraswathiyum
Saraswati, the goddess of fine arts,
Ullapadi maamiyum
In truth, because they are mother-in-law
Marumagalum aanadhinaal
And daughter-in-law to each other,
Oor idathil ottrumaiyaai
They never reside together in harmony
Ulagil iruppadhillai
Anywhere in this world.
Boodhalathor pottrum
If even the deities worshipped by the people of the world
Deivam idhu polendraal
Are like this towards each other,
Saadharana pengal
Regarding ordinary women,
Sangadhiyai enna solla
What is there left to say about their situation?
Sangadhiyai enna solla
What is there left to say about their situation?
Saadharana pengal
Regarding ordinary women,
Sangadhiyai enna solla
What is there left to say about their situation?
Aadhalaal maamiyaar
Therefore, living as a daughter-in-law
Illaa marumagalaai
Who does not have a mother-in-law,
Yedhum kavalai indri
Free from any worries,
Iruppadhae uthamaam..aaa..
Is truly the best and happiest state to be in!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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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