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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Unna Maathi Paakkaamal

From Uthama Raasa · 1993

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Uthama Raasa1993

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Onna maathi kaattaamaWithout changing you and showing it off
Machaanae naan thoonga maattenOh cousin, I will not sleep
Mela yaethi pakkaamaWithout elevating you and watching
Machaanae pin vaanga maattenOh cousin, I will not step back
Onna vaetti illaama paakkonumI must see you without your traditional veshti
Mahaa prabu pol tip top ah aakkonumI must make you tip-top like a great lord
Pattikkaattu vaeshatha maathonumMust change this rustic village look
Pudhu suit coat ellaam maattonumMust dress you up in new suits and coats
Onna maathi…Without changing you...
Male
Apdiyaa… enna maathi kaatta thaanIs that so? Just to change me
Onnaala aagaadhu maanaeOh my dear, it is not possible for you
Adi aathi romba thaan aattaadhaeOh my, do not dance around too much
En kitta thaanaeOnly with me
Oru potti en kitta vekkaadhaeDo not hold a competition with me
En vaetti saelaikku thokkaadhaeMy veshti won't lose to a saree
Thalaiyaatti bomma pol aadaadhaeDo not dance like a nodding doll
Veli naattu paattellaam paadaadhaeDo not sing foreign songs
Male
Enna maathi kaatta thaanJust to change me
Onnaala aagaadhu maanaeOh my dear, it is not possible for you
Female
Star TV yilaeOn Star TV
Onna star aaga naan paakkanumI want to see you become a star
Sir yaarunnu thaanAsking who this sir is
Indha oorae enna thaan kekkanumThis entire town should ask about me
Male
Soppanathu TV yilaLook at the star
Star ah paaruOn dream television
Ippa indha thondharavu venaammaaIs this trouble necessary now, girl?
Female
Kuppanukkum suppanukkumFor Kuppan and Suppan
Aattam pottuDancing around
Un azhaga kaattidalaam vaa maamaaCome uncle, let's show off your charm
Male
Venna vekka adi naanaa kokkuAm I a crane to fall for butter?
Enna chuthum nee enna chekkuAre you an oil press to circle around me?
Ungoppuraanae maaridavae maattenEven for your father, I won't change
Female
Onna maathi kaattaamaWithout changing you and showing it off
Machaanae naan thoonga maattenOh cousin, I will not sleep
Mela yaethi pakkaamaWithout elevating you and watching
Machaanae pin vaanga maattenOh cousin, I will not step back
Male
Oru potti en kitta vekkaadhaeDo not hold a competition with me
En vaetti saelaikku thokkaadhaeMy veshti won't lose to a saree
Thalaiyaatti bomma pol aadaadhaeDo not dance like a nodding doll
Veli naattu paattellaam paadaadhaeDo not sing foreign songs
Female
Onna maathi kaattaamaWithout changing you and showing it off
Machaanae naan thoonga maattenOh cousin, I will not sleep
Male
Vaetti uduthurappoWhen wearing a veshti
Oru man vaasam irukkudhadiThere is the scent of the soil, my girl
Kodi panam irundhumEven with crores of money
Naan maaraadha manusanadiI am an unchanging man, my girl
Female
Pattikkaadu onnaWhich girl will look at you
Endha ponnu paappaaBeing a village bumpkin?
Pattanam nee vandhaa yaerkkaadhuThe city won't accept you if you go
Male
Pattikkaadu illaiyinnaaIf there is no countryside
Yaedhu soruWhere does food come from?
Anga thaan yaer otta aal yaedhuWho else will plow the fields there?
Female
Poyaa nee thaan suthaGo away, you are pure
Vaeppam ennaNeem oil
Kettaa sollum namma ooru thinnaThe verandas of our village will tell if asked
Male
Eppavumae ippadi thaan naanaeI am always like this
Female
Onna maathi kaattaamaWithout changing you and showing it off
Machaanae naan thoonga maattenOh cousin, I will not sleep
Mela yaethi pakkaamaWithout elevating you and watching
Machaanae pin vaanga maattenOh cousin, I will not step back
HhahahahahaHhahahahaha
Male
Oru potti en kitta vekkaadhae..haanDo not hold a competition with me..haan
En vaetti saelaikku thokkaadhae…ahaa..My veshti won't lose to a saree…ahaa..
Thalaiyaatti bomma pol aadaadhae…heiiDo not dance like a nodding doll…heii
Veli naattu paattellaam paadaadhaeDo not sing foreign songs
Female
Onna maathi kaattaamaWithout changing you and showing it off
Machaanae naan thoonga maattenOh cousin, I will not sleep

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Onna maathi kaattaama is a playful, upbeat duet from the 1993 Tamil movie Uthama Raasa. The song depicts a lighthearted battle of ideals between a modern-aspiring heroine and a proud, traditional hero. The female protagonist dreams of modernizing her partner, wishing to see him dressed in suits like a high-society star on television. In contrast, the hero firmly defends his rooted, rural lifestyle, arguing that tradition, hard work in the fields, and the authentic fragrance of the soil hold far more value than modern urban appearances. Through witty banter and clever rhymes, lyricist Vaali highlights the classic theme of rural simplicity versus modern sophistication.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (Rhyme)

Onna maathi kaattaama / Machaanae naan thoonga maatten

The song uses repetitive end-rhymes (maatten, kaattaama, pakkaama) to give a rhythmic and playful tone suited for a banter song.

Upamai (Simile / Metaphor)

Thalaiyaatti bomma pol aadaadhae

Compares mindless adoption of western style or foolish dancing to a traditional Tanjore nodding doll.

Edhugai (Second letter agreement / Rhyme)

Kuppanukkum suppanukkum

Pairs colloquial names with matching second-letter rhythm to denote common everyday villagers.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics refer to 'Star TV', capturing the cultural wave in early 1990s South India when satellite cable television was newly introduced and represented modern global exposure to rural audiences.

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