Thannananna Pattu Paadanum
From Mahadevi · 1957
- Lyricist
- Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
- Singers
- J. P. Chandrababu, A. G. Rathnamala
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Mahadevi1957
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kolamaam madha yaanaiyai nambalaam | One can trust even a majestic wild elephant in rut |
| Kodum vengai puliyaiyum nambalaam | One can also trust a fierce, cruel tiger |
| Aanaal | But |
| Female :Swami | Female: My Lord |
| Male :Yemma saelai kattiya | Male: Hey woman, if one trusts women |
| Maadharai nambinaal | Who wear sarees |
| Thannananna pattu paadanum | One will end up singing 'Thannananna' folk songs |
| Thundananna thaalam podanum | And beating the rhythm of 'Thundananna' |
| Thannananna pattu paadanum | One will end up singing 'Thannananna' folk songs |
| Thundananna thaalam podanum | And beating the rhythm of 'Thundananna' |
| Male | |
| Adi kinnkini kinnkini kinnkini | Hey tinkling little one, tinkling little one |
| Sutha mangani maangani thava maniyae | Pure ripe mango, precious jewel of penance |
| Thannananna pattu paadanum | One will end up singing 'Thannananna' folk songs |
| Thundananna thaalam podanum | And beating the rhythm of 'Thundananna' |
| Male | |
| Adi kinnkini kinnkini kinnkini | Hey tinkling little one, tinkling little one |
| Sutha mangani maangani thava maniyae | Pure ripe mango, precious jewel of penance |
| Thannananna pattu paadanum | One will end up singing 'Thannananna' folk songs |
| Thundananna thaalam podanum | And beating the rhythm of 'Thundananna' |
| Female | |
| Paambai kooda nambidalaam | One can even trust a snake |
| Adhan pasanthaiyum nambidalaam | And trust its bright green youthfulness |
| Male :Ahaa | Male: Aha! |
| Female :Paambai kooda nambidalaam | Female: One can even trust a snake |
| Adhan pasanthaiyum nambidalaam | And trust its bright green youthfulness |
| Indha pattalathu veerarai nambinaal | If one trusts this soldier of the army |
| Kattaayama ottai yendhi | One will definitely end up holding a broken begging bowl |
| Male :Haiyoo | Male: Oh no! |
| Female :Thannananna pattu paadanum | Female: One will end up singing 'Thannananna' folk songs |
| Thundananna thaalam podanum | And beating the rhythm of 'Thundananna' |
| Thannananna pattu paadanum | One will end up singing 'Thannananna' folk songs |
| Thundananna thaalam podanum | And beating the rhythm of 'Thundananna' |
| Male | |
| Hey ey yemma hey appa | Hey woman, hey father |
| Pathini vesham podathae | Don't pretend to be a virtuous woman |
| Summa pagattu kaatti aadadhae | Don't dance around showing off in vain |
| Pathini vesham podathae | Don't pretend to be a virtuous woman |
| Summa pagattu kaatti aadadhae | Don't dance around showing off in vain |
| Sathiyama nee uthamiya | Are you truly a virtuous woman? |
| Sathiyama nee uthamiya | Are you truly a virtuous woman? |
| Indha kathi munaiyilae thulli kittu | Leaping on the tip of this knife |
| Ennai vethu paya pola ennathae | Don't treat me like a useless fellow |
| Indha kathi munaiyilae thulli kittu | Leaping on the tip of this knife |
| Ennai vethu paya pola ennathae | Don't treat me like a useless fellow |
| Adi kinkini kinkini kinkini | Hey tinkling little one, tinkling little one |
| Thannananna pattu paadanum | One will end up singing 'Thannananna' folk songs |
| Thundananna thaalam podanum | And beating the rhythm of 'Thundananna' |
| Male | |
| Ahaaa | Ahaaa |
| Female | |
| Angae ingae suthi alainthittaalam | Even if one wanders around here and there |
| Ammanai sevikka vandhidanum | One must come to worship the Goddess |
| Male :Ennadhu | Male: What? |
| Female :Angae ingae suthi alainthittaalam | Female: Even if one wanders around here and there |
| Ammanai sevikka vandhidanum | One must come to worship the Goddess |
| Indha ammanai sevikka vandhidanum | One must come to worship this Goddess |
| Male | |
| Yemma yemma | Hey woman, hey woman |
| Indha ammanum kimmanum | Once this Goddess and everything else |
| nimmadhiyaanathum | Attain peace and quiet |
| Indha saamiya sevikka vandhidanum | One must come to worship this Lord |
| Indha ammanum kimmanum | Once this Goddess and everything else |
| nimmadhiyaanathum | Attain peace and quiet |
| Indha saamiya sevikka vandhidanum | One must come to worship this Lord |
| Saamiya sevikka vandhidanum | One must come to worship the Lord |
| Indha saamiya sevikka vandhidanum | One must come to worship this Lord |
| Female | |
| Amman thaan ulagil siranthathu | Goddess is the greatest in the world |
| Male :Saami thaan saala siranthathu | Male: Lord is by far the greatest |
| Female :Amman thaan ulagil siranthathu | Female: Goddess is the greatest in the world |
| Male :Saami thaan saala siranthathu | Male: Lord is by far the greatest |
| Both :Aaga ammanum saamiyum sammandhapatta | Both: So if the Goddess and the Lord are united together |
| Adhai vida saala siranthathu yedhu | What could be far greater than that? |
| Thannananna Thannananna | Thannananna Thannananna |
| Thannananna | Thannananna |
| Thannananna thaalamum vendam | No need for the 'Thannananna' rhythm anymore |
| Thundananna paadavum vendam | No need to sing 'Thundananna' songs anymore |
| Thannananna thaalamum vendam | No need for the 'Thannananna' rhythm anymore |
| Thundananna paadavum vendam | No need to sing 'Thundananna' songs anymore |
கொளமாம் மத யானையை நம்பலாம்
கொடும் வேங்கை புலியையும் நம்பலாம்
ஆனால்
ஸ்வாமி
எம்மா சேலை கட்டிய
மாதரை நம்பினால்
தந்தன்னா பாட்டு பாடணும்
துந்தன்ன தாளம் போடணும்
தந்தன்னா பாட்டு பாடணும்
துந்தன்ன தாளம் போடணும்
One can trust even a majestic wild elephant in rut
One can also trust a fierce, cruel tiger
But
Female: My Lord
Male: Hey woman, if one trusts women
Who wear sarees
One will end up singing 'Thannananna' folk songs
And beating the rhythm of 'Thundananna'
One will end up singing 'Thannananna' folk songs
And beating the rhythm of 'Thundananna'
அடி கிண்கிணி கிண்கிணி கிண்கிணி
சுத மாங்கனி மாங்கனி தவமணியே
தந்தன்னா பாட்டு பாடணும்
துந்தன்ன தாளம் போடணும்
Hey tinkling little one, tinkling little one
Pure ripe mango, precious jewel of penance
One will end up singing 'Thannananna' folk songs
And beating the rhythm of 'Thundananna'
பாம்பை கூட நம்பிடலாம்
அதின் பாசானத்தையும் நம்பிடலாம்
ஆஹா
பாம்பைக்கூட நம்பிடலாம்
அதின் பாசானத்தையும் நம்பிடலாம்
இந்த பட்டாளத்து வீரரை நம்பினால்
கட்டாயமா ஓட்டை ஏந்தி..
ஹையோ
தந்தன்னா பாட்டு பாடணும்
துந்தன்ன தாளம் போடணும்
தந்தன்னா பாட்டு பாடணும்
துந்தன்ன தாளம் போடணும்
Hey tinkling little one, tinkling little one
Pure ripe mango, precious jewel of penance
One will end up singing 'Thannananna' folk songs
And beating the rhythm of 'Thundananna'
ஹே ஏ எம்மா ஹே அப்பா
பத்தினி வேஷம் போடாதே
சும்மா பகட்டு காட்டி ஆடாதே
பத்தினி வேஷம் போடாதே
சும்மா பகட்டு காட்டி ஆடாதே
சத்தியமா நீ உத்தமியா
சத்தியமா நீ உத்தமியா
இந்த கத்தி முனையிலே
என்னை வெத்து பய போல எண்ணாதே
இந்த கத்தி முனையிலே
என்னை வெத்து பய போல எண்ணாதே
அடி கிண்கிணி கிண்கிணி கிண்கிணி
தந்தன்னா பாட்டு பாடணும்
துந்தன்ன தாளம் போடணும்
One can even trust a snake
And trust its bright green youthfulness
Male: Aha!
Female: One can even trust a snake
And trust its bright green youthfulness
If one trusts this soldier of the army
One will definitely end up holding a broken begging bowl
Male: Oh no!
Female: One will end up singing 'Thannananna' folk songs
And beating the rhythm of 'Thundananna'
One will end up singing 'Thannananna' folk songs
And beating the rhythm of 'Thundananna'
ஆஹா ..
அங்கே இங்கே சுத்தி அலைந்திட்டாலும்
அம்மனை சேவிக்க வந்திடணும்
என்னது
அங்கே இங்கே சுத்தி அலைந்திட்டாலும்
அம்மனை சேவிக்க வந்திடணும்
இந்த அம்மனை சேவிக்க வந்திடணும்
Hey woman, hey father
Don't pretend to be a virtuous woman
Don't dance around showing off in vain
Don't pretend to be a virtuous woman
Don't dance around showing off in vain
Are you truly a virtuous woman?
Are you truly a virtuous woman?
Leaping on the tip of this knife
Don't treat me like a useless fellow
Leaping on the tip of this knife
Don't treat me like a useless fellow
Hey tinkling little one, tinkling little one
One will end up singing 'Thannananna' folk songs
And beating the rhythm of 'Thundananna'
எம்மா எம்மா
இந்த அம்மனும் கிம்மனும் நிம்மதியாக
இந்த சாமிய சேவிக்க வந்திடணும்
இந்த அம்மனும் கிம்மனும் நிம்மதியாக
இந்த சாமிய சேவிக்க வந்திடணும்
சாமிய சேவிக்க வந்திடணும்
இந்த சாமிய சேவிக்க வந்திடணும்
Ahaaa
அம்மன் தான் உலகில் சிறந்தது..
சாமி தான் சால சிறந்தது
அம்மன் தான் உலகில் சிறந்தது..
சாமி தான் சால சிறந்தது
இருவர் :
ஆக அம்மனும் சாமியும் சம்மந்தபட்ட
அதைவிட சால சிறந்தது ஏது?
தந்தன்னா தந்தன்னா தந்தன்னா
தந்தன்னா பாட்டு பாடணும்
துந்தன்ன தாளம் போடணு
தந்தன்னா பாட்டு பாடணும்
துந்தன்ன தாளம் போடணு
Even if one wanders around here and there
One must come to worship the Goddess
Male: What?
Female: Even if one wanders around here and there
One must come to worship the Goddess
One must come to worship this Goddess
Hey woman, hey woman
Once this Goddess and everything else
Attain peace and quiet
One must come to worship this Lord
Once this Goddess and everything else
Attain peace and quiet
One must come to worship this Lord
One must come to worship the Lord
One must come to worship this Lord
Goddess is the greatest in the world
Male: Lord is by far the greatest
Female: Goddess is the greatest in the world
Male: Lord is by far the greatest
Both: So if the Goddess and the Lord are united together
What could be far greater than that?
Thannananna Thannananna
Thannananna
No need for the 'Thannananna' rhythm anymore
No need to sing 'Thundananna' songs anymore
No need for the 'Thannananna' rhythm anymore
No need to sing 'Thundananna' songs anymore
Kolamaam madha yaanaiyai nambalaam
One can trust even a majestic wild elephant in rut
Kodum vengai puliyaiyum nambalaam
One can also trust a fierce, cruel tiger
Aanaal
But
Female :Swami
Female: My Lord
Male :Yemma saelai kattiya
Male: Hey woman, if one trusts women
Maadharai nambinaal
Who wear sarees
Thannananna pattu paadanum
One will end up singing 'Thannananna' folk songs
Thundananna thaalam podanum
And beating the rhythm of 'Thundananna'
Thannananna pattu paadanum
One will end up singing 'Thannananna' folk songs
Thundananna thaalam podanum
And beating the rhythm of 'Thundananna'
Adi kinnkini kinnkini kinnkini
Hey tinkling little one, tinkling little one
Sutha mangani maangani thava maniyae
Pure ripe mango, precious jewel of penance
Thannananna pattu paadanum
One will end up singing 'Thannananna' folk songs
Thundananna thaalam podanum
And beating the rhythm of 'Thundananna'
Adi kinnkini kinnkini kinnkini
Hey tinkling little one, tinkling little one
Sutha mangani maangani thava maniyae
Pure ripe mango, precious jewel of penance
Thannananna pattu paadanum
One will end up singing 'Thannananna' folk songs
Thundananna thaalam podanum
And beating the rhythm of 'Thundananna'
Paambai kooda nambidalaam
One can even trust a snake
Adhan pasanthaiyum nambidalaam
And trust its bright green youthfulness
Male :Ahaa
Male: Aha!
Female :Paambai kooda nambidalaam
Female: One can even trust a snake
Adhan pasanthaiyum nambidalaam
And trust its bright green youthfulness
Indha pattalathu veerarai nambinaal
If one trusts this soldier of the army
Kattaayama ottai yendhi
One will definitely end up holding a broken begging bowl
Male :Haiyoo
Male: Oh no!
Female :Thannananna pattu paadanum
Female: One will end up singing 'Thannananna' folk songs
Thundananna thaalam podanum
And beating the rhythm of 'Thundananna'
Thannananna pattu paadanum
One will end up singing 'Thannananna' folk songs
Thundananna thaalam podanum
And beating the rhythm of 'Thundananna'
Hey ey yemma hey appa
Hey woman, hey father
Pathini vesham podathae
Don't pretend to be a virtuous woman
Summa pagattu kaatti aadadhae
Don't dance around showing off in vain
Pathini vesham podathae
Don't pretend to be a virtuous woman
Summa pagattu kaatti aadadhae
Don't dance around showing off in vain
Sathiyama nee uthamiya
Are you truly a virtuous woman?
Sathiyama nee uthamiya
Are you truly a virtuous woman?
Indha kathi munaiyilae thulli kittu
Leaping on the tip of this knife
Ennai vethu paya pola ennathae
Don't treat me like a useless fellow
Indha kathi munaiyilae thulli kittu
Leaping on the tip of this knife
Ennai vethu paya pola ennathae
Don't treat me like a useless fellow
Adi kinkini kinkini kinkini
Hey tinkling little one, tinkling little one
Thannananna pattu paadanum
One will end up singing 'Thannananna' folk songs
Thundananna thaalam podanum
And beating the rhythm of 'Thundananna'
Ahaaa
Ahaaa
Angae ingae suthi alainthittaalam
Even if one wanders around here and there
Ammanai sevikka vandhidanum
One must come to worship the Goddess
Male :Ennadhu
Male: What?
Female :Angae ingae suthi alainthittaalam
Female: Even if one wanders around here and there
Ammanai sevikka vandhidanum
One must come to worship the Goddess
Indha ammanai sevikka vandhidanum
One must come to worship this Goddess
Yemma yemma
Hey woman, hey woman
Indha ammanum kimmanum
Once this Goddess and everything else
nimmadhiyaanathum
Attain peace and quiet
Indha saamiya sevikka vandhidanum
One must come to worship this Lord
Indha ammanum kimmanum
Once this Goddess and everything else
nimmadhiyaanathum
Attain peace and quiet
Indha saamiya sevikka vandhidanum
One must come to worship this Lord
Saamiya sevikka vandhidanum
One must come to worship the Lord
Indha saamiya sevikka vandhidanum
One must come to worship this Lord
Amman thaan ulagil siranthathu
Goddess is the greatest in the world
Male :Saami thaan saala siranthathu
Male: Lord is by far the greatest
Female :Amman thaan ulagil siranthathu
Female: Goddess is the greatest in the world
Male :Saami thaan saala siranthathu
Male: Lord is by far the greatest
Both :Aaga ammanum saamiyum sammandhapatta
Both: So if the Goddess and the Lord are united together
Adhai vida saala siranthathu yedhu
What could be far greater than that?
Thannananna Thannananna
Thannananna Thannananna
Thannananna
Thannananna
Thannananna thaalamum vendam
No need for the 'Thannananna' rhythm anymore
Thundananna paadavum vendam
No need to sing 'Thundananna' songs anymore
Thannananna thaalamum vendam
No need for the 'Thannananna' rhythm anymore
Thundananna paadavum vendam
No need to sing 'Thundananna' songs anymore
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This humorous folk song from Mahadevi (1957) depicts a lively battle of wits between a man and a woman. The male singer begins by claiming that while wild animals like rutting elephants and fierce tigers can be trusted, saree-clad women cannot be trusted, as doing so leads a man to destitution and wandering as a folk singer. The female singer retorts that while even venomous snakes can be trusted, trusting an army soldier leads to holding a begging bowl. They playfully exchange taunts questioning each other's virtue and capability. The debate escalates to a philosophical argument about divine superiority—whether the Goddess (representing women) or the Lord (representing men) is supreme. Ultimately, they reach a sweet, harmonious conclusion: when the Goddess and the Lord unite, nothing in the world surpasses that oneness, rendering all their previous arguments and sorrowful folk chants completely unnecessary.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor / Extreme Comparison
“Kolamaam madha yaanaiyai nambalaam”
Compares trusting women or soldiers to trusting wild elephants, tigers, or venomous snakes to highlight extreme skepticism in a comedic fashion.
Folk Refrain (Solkattu)
“Thannananna pattu paadanum”
Uses rhythmic nonsense syllables ('Thannananna', 'Thundananna') characteristic of traditional Tamil street plays (Therukoothu) and folk songs to symbolize wandering minstrelsy.
Onomatopoeia (Anukaranam)
“Adi kinnkini kinnkini kinnkini”
'Kinnkini' mimics the tinkling sound of traditional anklets or small bells worn by dancers.
Iyaibu (Rhyme / Parallel Structure)
“Kodum vengai puliyaiyum nambalaam”
Parallel sentence structures ending with 'nambalaam' create a rhythmic, catchy cadence across stanzas.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by the renowned duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy with lyrics by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, this iconic comedy track features the vocal talents of J. P. Chandrababu and A. G. Rathinamala. Chandrababu, an accomplished actor, singer, and dancer, brought his unique energetic folk and western-infused theatrical vocal style to this track.
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