Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaa Mama Vasamathan

From Paayum Puli – 1983 · 1983

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Paayum Puli – 19831983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vaa vaavaa vaa vaa vaa vaavaaCome, come, come, come, come!
Vaa maamaa vasamathaan mattikitta vaa maamaCome uncle, you are trapped comfortably, come uncle!
Mottuvitta poovu odambellam novvuThe blooming flower bud has pain all over its body.
Thottu thottu paartha theraathuMerely touching and feeling won't heal it.
Hei vaa vaa maama vasamathaan mattikitta vaaHey come, come uncle, trapped right where you belong, come!
Female
Bodhai konjam yerudhuThe intoxication is rising a little.
Boomi keezhae aadudhuThe ground beneath is swaying.
Potta thanni vegam poraadhuThe strength of the liquor consumed isn't enough.
Bodhai konjam yerudhuThe intoxication is rising a little.
Boomi keezhae aadudhuThe ground beneath is swaying.
Potta thanni vegam poraadhuThe strength of the liquor consumed isn't enough.
Kaiyum kaalum pinni kollaAs hands and legs entwine together,
Munnum pinnum ennai thallaPushing me back and forth,
Yekkam theeradhuThe intense longing won't end.
Female
Oru kulukku oru thalukkuA gentle sway, a playful bend,
Udal muzhukka oru sulukkuA sprain all over the body,
Adha kettka needhaan vaa vaa maamaaYou are the one to ask for it, come, come uncle!
Vasamathaan mattikitta vaaTrapped right where you belong, come!
Vaa vaa maama vasamathaan mattikitta vaa maamaCome, come uncle, trapped comfortably, come uncle!
Female
Koodu onnu theduthuIt is searching for a nest,
Kuruvi kunju vaadudhuThe little sparrow chick is wilting,
Kottathaandi pogakudathuOne must not cross the boundary line.
Koodu onnu theduthuIt is searching for a nest,
Kuruvi kunju vaadudhuThe little sparrow chick is wilting,
Kottathaandi pogakudathuOne must not cross the boundary line.
Chinnachittu unna thottuThe little bird touches you,
Aasa thaena alli kottuPour out the sweet honey of desire,
Tholil thaalattuSing a lullaby on the shoulder!
Female
Onna koduthu onna edukkaGiving one thing to take another,
Ennam thudikka endru thavikkaMind throbbing with excitement, yearning every day,
Adha ketkka nee dhaan vaa vaa maamaaTo ask about that, only you must come, come uncle!
Vasamathaan mattikitta vaa maamaaTrapped comfortably, come uncle!
Mottuvitta poovu odambellam novvuThe blooming flower bud has pain all over its body,
Thottu thottu paartha theraathuMerely touching and feeling won't heal it.
Hei vaa vaa maama vasamathaan mattikitta vaaHey come, come uncle, trapped right where you belong, come!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Vaa Vaa Maama from the 1983 movie Paayum Puli is a playful and alluring dance track set in a tavern/cabaret sequence. Sung by S. Janaki with composition by Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics by Vaali, the song portrays a heroine teasing her partner, boasting that he has fallen into her romantic trap. She describes the intoxicating effect of love and wine, conveying how external drinks cannot satisfy the inner passion and physical longing she feels. Through vivid imagery of blooming flowers and restless birds searching for a nest, she playfully invites him to embrace her, abandon hesitation, and fulfill their desires.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Mottuvitta poovu odambellam novvu

Comparing the female protagonist to a blooming flower bud ('Mottuvitta poovu') experiencing the sweet 'pain' of passion.

Anaphora / Repetition (Epanalepsis)

Thottu thottu paartha theraathu

Repetition of words like 'Vaa' (come) and 'Thottu thottu' (touching again and again) to heighten seductive rhythm and urgency.

Initial Rhyme (Monai)

Koodu onnu theduthu / Kuruvi kunju vaadudhu

Matching initial consonant sounds in 'Koodu' and 'Kuruvi' to create a rhythmic flow in the verse.

Second-Letter Rhyme (Ethirai)

Bodhai konjam yerudhu / Boomi keezhae aadudhu

The second letters of 'Bodhai' and 'Boomi' share harmonious vocal resonance across consecutive lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

This iconic track from Paayum Puli (1983) features Silk Smitha dancing alongside Rajinikanth. S. Janaki's vocal performance is widely praised for its expressive giggles, hums, and sensual improvisations, which became a trademark for Ilaiyaraaja's club and cabaret compositions in 1980s Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

More from Paayum Puli – 1983