Vambula Maattividatheengo
From Sugamana Sumaigal · 1992
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Chandrabose
- Details
- Sugamana Sumaigal1992
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Vambula maatti vidaatheengo en chinnannae | Don't get me into trouble, my dear elder brother |
| Ennae paattellaam paada sollaatheengo | Don't ask me to sing all these songs |
| Naan yaaru kazhuvura meenla nazhuvura meenaachae | Who am I? I am like a slippery fish that escapes while being washed |
| Thaananaa thaanananaanaa | Thaananaa thaanananaanaa |
| Thaananaa ennai paadda sollaatheengo oo oo oo | Thaananaa, don't ask me to sing songs, oh oh oh |
| Thiru vaayai naan thoranthaa aaa….aa….aa….aaa…. | If I open my holy mouth... ah ah ah |
| Male | |
| Vambula maatti vidaatheengo en chinnannae | Don't get me into trouble, my dear elder brother |
| Ennae paattellaam paada sollaatheengo | Don't ask me to sing all these songs |
| Thiruvaayai naan thoranthaa theru naayum odum… | If I open my holy mouth, even street dogs will run away... |
| Thiruvaayai naan thoranthaa theru naayum odum… | If I open my holy mouth, even street dogs will run away... |
| Male | |
| Katcheri naan paada oppaari kanneer vidum | If I perform a music concert, even funeral dirges will weep tears |
| Ho ho ho hoi | Ho ho ho hoi |
| Male | |
| Vambula maatti vidaatheengo en chinnannae | Don't get me into trouble, my dear elder brother |
| Ennae paattellaam paada sollaatheengo….oo… | Don't ask me to sing all these songs... |
| Male | |
| Paadiyathillai ozhungaa naan pallavi paattu | I have never sung a proper opening stanza song |
| Paaduvathellaam eppothum panjappaattu | Whatever I sing is always a tale of hardship |
| Thappu thappaa naan paadi vechchaalum | Even if I sing completely wrong notes |
| Ennai thandikka aalae yaedhu | Who is there to punish me? |
| Male | |
| Jesudass-yum spb-yum oorula kidaiyaathu | Jesudas and SPB are not in this town anyway |
| Mettu pottu paada sonnaa dullaa paaduvaen | If you ask me to sing to a tune, I will sing dully |
| Thuttu pottu paada sonnaa nallaa paaduvaen | If you throw money and ask me to sing, I will sing well |
| Aanathu aagattum abashwaram koodattum | Whatever happens happen, let off-key notes pile up |
| Sammaangudi kunnakkudi | May masters Semmangudi and Kunnakkudi |
| Ennai konjam mannikkattumae | Forgive me just a little |
| Male | |
| Vambula maatti vidaatheengo en chinnannae | Don't get me into trouble, my dear elder brother |
| Ennae paattellaam paada sollaatheengo….oo… | Don't ask me to sing all these songs... |
| Male | |
| Kavanichchu paaru naan kaattum oliyum oliyum | Watch closely the light and sound show I put on |
| Karpanaiyellaam ennoda ozhiyum izhiyum | All imagination shrinks and perishes with me |
| Podura paatta paarththu tholaikkanum | You have to get lost watching the song being broadcast |
| Adhuthaan tholaikkaatchi | That is why it is called television |
| Super hit-tu paattaiyum sothappi paaduvaen | I will ruin and sing even super hit songs |
| Idhu en arasaatchi | This is my reign |
| Male | |
| Aalukkoru paadal poda thadaiyum illaiyae | There is no restriction for everyone to play a song |
| Aiyaavoda chanal-lil endrum thadankalilaiyae | In sir's channel, there are never any technical glitches |
| Raagamum theriyala thaalamum theriyala | I don't know ragas, nor do I know rhythm |
| Jana gana manakooda sarivara theriyallaiye | I don't even properly know 'Jana Gana Mana' |
| Male | |
| Appuram yaenyaa paadarae | Then why on earth are you singing, man? |
| Ponaa povuthu pazhaiya paattai | Let it be, I will sing an old song |
| Onna paadi thollai | And bother you with it |
| Male | |
| Ambaal manam kaninthu urugi kadai kann paar | Oh Goddess, melt your heart and grant a glance from the corner of your eye |
| Anbaal ennai pada sonnathu | Asking me to sing out of affection |
| Unthan vambaa ha ha ha | Is that your mischief? Ha ha ha |
| Male | |
| Vambula maatti vidaatheengo en chinnannae | Don't get me into trouble, my dear elder brother |
| Ennae paattellaam paada sollaatheengo…. | Don't ask me to sing all these songs... |
| Male | |
| Thiruvaayai naan thoranthaa theru naayum odum… | If I open my holy mouth, even street dogs will run away... |
| Thiruvaayai naan thoranthaa theru naayum odum… | If I open my holy mouth, even street dogs will run away... |
| Katcheri naan paada oppaari kanneer vidum | If I perform a music concert, even funeral dirges will weep tears |
| Ho ho haha ho ho | Ho ho haha ho ho |
| Male | |
| Vambula maatti vidaatheengo en chinnannae | Don't get me into trouble, my dear elder brother |
| Ennae paattellaam paada sollaatheengo….oo…ooo | Don't ask me to sing all these songs... |
வம்புல மாட்டிவிடாதீங்கோ என் சின்னண்ணே
என்னே பாட்டெல்லாம் பாடச்சொல்லாதீங்கோ
நான் யாரு கழுவுற மீன்ல நழுவற மீனாச்சே
தானனா தானனன்னானா
தானனா என்னை பாட சொல்லாதீங்கோ ஒ ஒ ஒ
திருவாயை நான் தொறந்தா ஆஅ......ஆ.....ஆ......ஆஅ....
Don't get me into trouble, my dear elder brother
Don't ask me to sing all these songs
Who am I? I am like a slippery fish that escapes while being washed
Thaananaa thaanananaanaa
Thaananaa, don't ask me to sing songs, oh oh oh
If I open my holy mouth... ah ah ah
வம்புல மாட்டிவிடாதீங்கோ என் சின்னண்ணே
என்னே பாட்டெல்லாம் பாடச் சொல்லாதீங்கோ
திருவாயை நான் தொறந்தா தெருநாயும் ஒடும்.....
திருவாயை நான் தொறந்தா தெருநாயும் ஒடும்......
Don't get me into trouble, my dear elder brother
Don't ask me to sing all these songs
If I open my holy mouth, even street dogs will run away...
If I open my holy mouth, even street dogs will run away...
கச்சேரி நான் பாட ஒப்பாரி கண்ணீர் விடும்
ஹொ ஹொ ஹொ ஹோய்..
If I perform a music concert, even funeral dirges will weep tears
Ho ho ho hoi
வம்புல மாட்டிவிடாதீங்கோ என் சின்னண்ணே
என்னே பாட்டெல்லாம் பாடச் சொல்லாதீங்கோ.....ஓ...
Don't get me into trouble, my dear elder brother
Don't ask me to sing all these songs...
பாடியதில்லை ஒழுங்கா நான் பல்லவி பாட்டு
பாடுவதெல்லாம் எப்போதும் பஞ்சப்பாட்டு
தப்பு தப்பா நான் பாடி வெச்சாலும்
என்னை தண்டிக்க ஆளே ஏது
I have never sung a proper opening stanza song
Whatever I sing is always a tale of hardship
Even if I sing completely wrong notes
Who is there to punish me?
ஜேசுதாசும் எஸ்பிபியும் ஊருல கிடையாது
மெட்டு போட்டு பாடச் சொன்னா டல்லா பாடுவேன்
துட்டு போட்டு பாடச் சொன்னா நல்லா பாடுவேன்
ஆனது ஆகட்டும் அபஸ்வரம் கூடட்டும்
செம்மங்குடி குன்னக்குடி
என்னை கொஞ்சம் மன்னிக்கட்டுமே
Jesudas and SPB are not in this town anyway
If you ask me to sing to a tune, I will sing dully
If you throw money and ask me to sing, I will sing well
Whatever happens happen, let off-key notes pile up
May masters Semmangudi and Kunnakkudi
Forgive me just a little
வம்புல மாட்டிவிடாதீங்கோ என் சின்னண்ணே
என்னே பாட்டெல்லாம் பாடச் சொல்லாதீங்கோ.....ஓ...
Don't get me into trouble, my dear elder brother
Don't ask me to sing all these songs...
கவனிச்சுப் பாரு நான் காட்டும் ஒலியும் ஒளியும்
கற்பனையெல்லாம் என்னோட ஒழியும் ஒழியும்
போடுற பாட்ட பார்த்து தொலைக்கணும்
அதுதான் தொலைக்காட்சி
சூப்பர் ஹிட்டு பாட்டையும் சொதப்பி பாடுவேன்
இது என் அரசாட்சி
Watch closely the light and sound show I put on
All imagination shrinks and perishes with me
You have to get lost watching the song being broadcast
That is why it is called television
I will ruin and sing even super hit songs
This is my reign
ஆளுக்கொரு பாடல் போட தடையும் இல்லையே
அய்யாவோட சானலில் என்றும் தடங்கலில்லையே
ராகமும் தெரியல தாளமும் தெரியல
ஜன கன மனகூட சரிவர தெரியல்லையே
There is no restriction for everyone to play a song
In sir's channel, there are never any technical glitches
I don't know ragas, nor do I know rhythm
I don't even properly know 'Jana Gana Mana'
அப்புறம் ஏன்யா பாடறே
போனாப் போவுது பழைய பாட்டை
ஒண்ண பாடித் தொலை..
Then why on earth are you singing, man?
Let it be, I will sing an old song
And bother you with it
அம்பாள் மனம் கனிந்து உருகி கடை கண் பார்
அன்பால் என்னை பாடச் சொன்னது
உந்தன் வம்பா ஹ ஹ ஹ
Oh Goddess, melt your heart and grant a glance from the corner of your eye
Asking me to sing out of affection
Is that your mischief? Ha ha ha
வம்புல மாட்டிவிடாதீங்கோ என் சின்னண்ணே
என்னே பாட்டெல்லாம் பாடச் சொல்லாதீங்கோ
Don't get me into trouble, my dear elder brother
Don't ask me to sing all these songs...
திருவாயை நான் தொறந்தா தெருநாயும் ஒடும்..
திருவாயை நான் தொறந்தா தெருநாயும் ஒடும்..
கச்சேரி நான் பாட ஒப்பாரி கண்ணீர் விடும்
ஹொ ஹொ ஹஹ ஹொ ஹொ
If I open my holy mouth, even street dogs will run away...
If I open my holy mouth, even street dogs will run away...
If I perform a music concert, even funeral dirges will weep tears
Ho ho haha ho ho
வம்புல மாட்டிவிடாதீங்கோ என் சின்னண்ணே
என்னே பாட்டெல்லாம் பாடச் சொல்லாதீங்கோ.....ஓ...ஓஓ
Don't get me into trouble, my dear elder brother
Don't ask me to sing all these songs...
Vambula maatti vidaatheengo en chinnannae
Don't get me into trouble, my dear elder brother
Ennae paattellaam paada sollaatheengo
Don't ask me to sing all these songs
Naan yaaru kazhuvura meenla nazhuvura meenaachae
Who am I? I am like a slippery fish that escapes while being washed
Thaananaa thaanananaanaa
Thaananaa thaanananaanaa
Thaananaa ennai paadda sollaatheengo oo oo oo
Thaananaa, don't ask me to sing songs, oh oh oh
Thiru vaayai naan thoranthaa aaa….aa….aa….aaa….
If I open my holy mouth... ah ah ah
Vambula maatti vidaatheengo en chinnannae
Don't get me into trouble, my dear elder brother
Ennae paattellaam paada sollaatheengo
Don't ask me to sing all these songs
Thiruvaayai naan thoranthaa theru naayum odum…
If I open my holy mouth, even street dogs will run away...
Thiruvaayai naan thoranthaa theru naayum odum…
If I open my holy mouth, even street dogs will run away...
Katcheri naan paada oppaari kanneer vidum
If I perform a music concert, even funeral dirges will weep tears
Ho ho ho hoi
Ho ho ho hoi
Vambula maatti vidaatheengo en chinnannae
Don't get me into trouble, my dear elder brother
Ennae paattellaam paada sollaatheengo….oo…
Don't ask me to sing all these songs...
Paadiyathillai ozhungaa naan pallavi paattu
I have never sung a proper opening stanza song
Paaduvathellaam eppothum panjappaattu
Whatever I sing is always a tale of hardship
Thappu thappaa naan paadi vechchaalum
Even if I sing completely wrong notes
Ennai thandikka aalae yaedhu
Who is there to punish me?
Jesudass-yum spb-yum oorula kidaiyaathu
Jesudas and SPB are not in this town anyway
Mettu pottu paada sonnaa dullaa paaduvaen
If you ask me to sing to a tune, I will sing dully
Thuttu pottu paada sonnaa nallaa paaduvaen
If you throw money and ask me to sing, I will sing well
Aanathu aagattum abashwaram koodattum
Whatever happens happen, let off-key notes pile up
Sammaangudi kunnakkudi
May masters Semmangudi and Kunnakkudi
Ennai konjam mannikkattumae
Forgive me just a little
Vambula maatti vidaatheengo en chinnannae
Don't get me into trouble, my dear elder brother
Ennae paattellaam paada sollaatheengo….oo…
Don't ask me to sing all these songs...
Kavanichchu paaru naan kaattum oliyum oliyum
Watch closely the light and sound show I put on
Karpanaiyellaam ennoda ozhiyum izhiyum
All imagination shrinks and perishes with me
Podura paatta paarththu tholaikkanum
You have to get lost watching the song being broadcast
Adhuthaan tholaikkaatchi
That is why it is called television
Super hit-tu paattaiyum sothappi paaduvaen
I will ruin and sing even super hit songs
Idhu en arasaatchi
This is my reign
Aalukkoru paadal poda thadaiyum illaiyae
There is no restriction for everyone to play a song
Aiyaavoda chanal-lil endrum thadankalilaiyae
In sir's channel, there are never any technical glitches
Raagamum theriyala thaalamum theriyala
I don't know ragas, nor do I know rhythm
Jana gana manakooda sarivara theriyallaiye
I don't even properly know 'Jana Gana Mana'
Appuram yaenyaa paadarae
Then why on earth are you singing, man?
Ponaa povuthu pazhaiya paattai
Let it be, I will sing an old song
Onna paadi thollai
And bother you with it
Ambaal manam kaninthu urugi kadai kann paar
Oh Goddess, melt your heart and grant a glance from the corner of your eye
Anbaal ennai pada sonnathu
Asking me to sing out of affection
Unthan vambaa ha ha ha
Is that your mischief? Ha ha ha
Vambula maatti vidaatheengo en chinnannae
Don't get me into trouble, my dear elder brother
Ennae paattellaam paada sollaatheengo….
Don't ask me to sing all these songs...
Thiruvaayai naan thoranthaa theru naayum odum…
If I open my holy mouth, even street dogs will run away...
Thiruvaayai naan thoranthaa theru naayum odum…
If I open my holy mouth, even street dogs will run away...
Katcheri naan paada oppaari kanneer vidum
If I perform a music concert, even funeral dirges will weep tears
Ho ho haha ho ho
Ho ho haha ho ho
Vambula maatti vidaatheengo en chinnannae
Don't get me into trouble, my dear elder brother
Ennae paattellaam paada sollaatheengo….oo…ooo
Don't ask me to sing all these songs...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This lighthearted, comedic track features a character pleading playfully with his elder brother ('chinnannae') not to force him to sing. He warns everyone about his notoriously terrible singing voice, humorously claiming that his singing is so awful that street dogs run away and even mournful dirges weep. Self-deprecating throughout, he admits to lacking knowledge of scales, ragas, or rhythm, apologizing in advance to classical Carnatic music legends like Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer and Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan. The song relies heavily on wordplay, witty puns (such as twisting 'Tholaikkaatchi' / television), and pop culture references to legendary playback singers Yesudas and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. It portrays a non-singer being dragged into performance, turning utter incompetence into a hilarious celebration of musical self-awareness.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor / Proverbial Idiom
“Naan yaaru kazhuvura meenla nazhuvura meenaachae”
Compares his slippery nature or evasiveness to a slippery fish escaping while being washed ('kazhuvura meenla nazhuvura meen').
Irony & Hyperbole
“Thiruvaayai naan thoranthaa theru naayum odum…”
Uses 'Thiru vaayai' (revered/holy mouth) sarcastically before stating that even street dogs flee upon hearing him sing.
Wordplay / Pun
“Adhuthaan tholaikkaatchi”
Puns on 'tholaikkanum' (get lost/be ruined) and 'Tholaikkaatchi' (television).
Monorhyme / Emonai (Initial Rhyme)
“Mettu pottu paada sonnaa dullaa paaduvaen / Thuttu pottu paada sonnaa nallaa paaduvaen”
Rhyming structure and cadence between 'Mettu' (tune) and 'Thuttu' (money).
Did you know?
Trivia
The track from 'Sugamana Sumaigal' (1992) showcases Vairamuthu's ability to craft playful, slang-filled comedic lyrics distinct from his usual poetic and romantic verses. It explicitly name-checks legendary Carnatic maestros Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer and Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan, alongside playback legends K. J. Yesudas and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam.
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