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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaai Vittu Siricha

From Poikkal Kudhirai · 1983

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Poikkal Kudhirai1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vaai vittu sirichchaa noivittu pogumIf you laugh out loud, disease will leave you.
Sirichchaa enna selavaa aagumDoes it cost anything to laugh?
Chorus
Maamaamiyaa maamaamiyaaMamma Mia, Mamma Mia!
Maamomiyaa maamaa….Mamma Mia, Mamma...
Male
Vaai vittu sirichchaa noivittu pogumIf you laugh out loud, disease will leave you.
Sirichchaa enna selavaa aagumDoes it cost anything to laugh?
Male
Pokkai vaayaal sirichchaakkoodaEven if someone with a toothless mouth laughs,
Azhgaa irukkumungoIt looks beautiful, sir.
Gandhi padaththai paarththaaIf you look at the picture of Mahatma Gandhi,
Intha unmai vilangumungoYou will understand this truth, sir.
Gandhi padaththai paarththaaIf you look at the picture of Mahatma Gandhi,
Intha unmai vilangumungoYou will understand this truth, sir.
Chorus
Maamaamiyaa maamaamiyaaMamma Mia, Mamma Mia!
Maamomiyaa maamaa….Mamma Mia, Mamma...
Male
Vaai vittu sirichchaa noivittu pogumIf you laugh out loud, disease will leave you.
Sirichchaa enna selavaa aagumDoes it cost anything to laugh?
Male
Azhumoonjigalai kalavaanaruthaanIt was Kalaivanar who made the crybabies
Sirichchida pannaaruLaugh out loud.
Adhanaalathaanga seththa pinnaalumThat is why even after his death,
Manasula ninnaaruHe lives on in our hearts.
Adhanaalathaanga seththa pinnaalumThat is why even after his death,
Manasula ninnaaruHe lives on in our hearts.
Chorus
Maamaamiyaa maamaamiyaaMamma Mia, Mamma Mia!
Maamomiyaa maamaa….Mamma Mia, Mamma...
Male
yaezhaiyin sirippil iraivan irukkaan'God resides in the smile of the poor,'
Annaa sonnathungoIs what Anna said, sir.
Soththukku azhuvura yaezhai sirichchaaIf the poor who cry for basic sustenance laugh,
Naattukku nallathungoIt is good for the nation, sir.
Soththukku azhuvura yaezhai sirichchaaIf the poor who cry for basic sustenance laugh,
Naattukku nallathungoIt is good for the nation, sir.
Male
Vaai vittu sirichchaa noivittu pogumIf you laugh out loud, disease will leave you.
Sirichchaa enna selavaa aagumDoes it cost anything to laugh?
Chorus
Maamaamiyaa maamaamiyaaMamma Mia, Mamma Mia!
Maamomiyaa maamaa….Mamma Mia, Mamma...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This cheerful, comedic track from 'Poikkal Kudhirai' (1983) celebrates the therapeutic power of laughter. Lyricist Vaali underscores that smiling costs nothing yet cures illnesses, making even a toothless smile radiant. The song pays homage to legendary figures such as Mahatma Gandhi for his candid toothless smile, comedy pioneer Kalaivanar N. S. Krishnan for spreading joy, and statesman C. N. Annadurai for his famous maxim that God dwells in the smiles of the poor. Through lively music by M. S. Viswanathan and energetic vocals by Malaysia Vasudevan, the song promotes positivity and health.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhyme / Edhugai

Vaai vittu sirichchaa noivittu pogum

Second-letter rhyming between 'Vaai' and 'Noi' (Vaai vittu / Noivittu) creating a rhythmic bounce.

Allusion

Gandhi padaththai paarththaa

References historic leaders and cultural icons like Mahatma Gandhi, Kalaivanar N. S. Krishnan, and C. N. Annadurai (Anna) to reinforce the social value of laughter.

Rhetorical Question

Sirichchaa enna selavaa aagum

Asking whether laughing incurs any financial expense to humorously urge people to laugh freely.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Poikkal Kudhirai' (1983) was directed by K. Balachander and marked the film debut of acclaimed playwright Crazy Mohan, based on his hit play 'Oru Sontha Veedu Vaadagai Veedu'. The song uniquely blends Tamil folk humor with modern pop refrains like 'Mamma Mia'.

Keep listening

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