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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ye Maama Unakku

From Poovizhi Raja · 1988

Lyricist
Piraisoodan
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Vani Jairam
Music director
Yuvaraj
Details
Poovizhi Raja1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Hae mama haang….Hey uncle, haang....
Hae mama unakku meesai edhukkuHey uncle, why do you even have a mustache?
Yaeno theriyalaiyaeI don't know why!
Intha vaasanai mali pooththu kedakkuThis fragrant jasmine lies bloomed here,
Vaasam porukaalaiyaeCan't you endure its scent?
Female
Hae mama unakku meesai edhukkuHey uncle, why do you even have a mustache?
Yaeno theriyalaiyaeI don't know why!
Intha vaasanai mali pooththu kedakkuThis fragrant jasmine lies bloomed here,
Vaasam porukaalaiyaeCan't you endure its scent?
Female
Kaaththu kooda unna thottaaEven if the wind touches you,
Yaeno kalangi vittaenWhy did I get distressed?
Pera kooda idhazhaal sonnaalIf I speak your name with my lips,
Kaayam aagum endraenI thought it would leave a wound.
Thanthunaa thunthunaa paadiyae hae haeiSinging 'Thanthunaa thunthunaa'... hey hey!
Aambala enbathu unmaiyaaIs it true that you are a real man?
Male
Ammi mithiththu arunthathi paarththuWithout stepping on the grinding stone and viewing the Arundhati star,
Tholil seraamaWithout embracing on the shoulders,
Aambala vanthu unna thottaaIf a man comes and touches you,
Perumai illaiyadiThere is no pride in it, girl!
Male
Saelaiyai izhuththu sariya porththiPull your saree properly and cover yourself,
Ozhungaa nadanthukkadiBehave properly, girl!
Velaiyai kaattura saadai irukkuYour gestures reveal your sly motives,
Vevaram purinjukkadiUnderstand the reality of it, girl!
Male
Ammamma achchamum naanamumOh my, fear and shyness,
Konjamum illaiyae unnidamYou don't possess even a bit of them!
Seval thaan pettaiyai koopidumIt is always the rooster that calls the hen,
Saethithaan eppavum unmaiyaeThat truth remains forever valid!
Female
Hae mama unthan meesa murukkaHey uncle, twirling your mustache,
Ippa purunjukkittaen…hoiNow I finally understand... hoi!
Intha vaasanai malli poova parichchuPluck this fragrant jasmine flower,
Maarula anaichchukkoyaenAnd embrace it tightly to your chest!
Male :Ini naanthaango antha ullmoochchuMale: From now on, I am that inner breath,
Enakku ellam neeyaachchuEverything to me has become you!
Hahaah….hahahhaa…..aaa….Hahaah.... hahahhaa..... aaa....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a playful and romantic folk-style banter between a woman and her suitor (referred to as 'mama'). The female protagonist playfully teases the hero about his manhood and twirled mustache, enticing him with metaphors of blooming jasmine flowers. She questions his hesitation to initiate romance, teasingly asking why he is so reserved.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Hae mama unakku meesai edhukku / Intha vaasanai mali pooththu kedakku

The words 'edhukku' and 'kedakku' end with identical sounds, creating a rhythmic end-rhyme.

Cultural Allusion

Ammi mithiththu arunthathi paarththu

Refers to traditional Tamil Hindu wedding customs ('Ammi Mithithal' - stepping on a grinding stone and 'Arundhati Paarthal' - viewing the Arundhati star) representing fidelity and sacred marital bonds.

Metaphor

Seval thaan pettaiyai koopidum

The rooster calling the hen serves as a metaphor for traditional gender roles in romantic courtship.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by lyricist Piraisoodan, 'Poovizhi Raja' (1988) highlights traditional rural wedding rituals and playful romantic courtship traditions common in late 1980s Tamil cinema soundscapes.

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