“Mappillai Paar” by P. Leela and K. V. Janaki is from the album Digambara Samiyar. Lyricist Kannadasan and composer G. Ramanathan created this competitive exchange. It opens with insults, labeling the groom a “dancing clown” and a “bandit from the woods.”
Mappillai Paar
K. V. Janaki | P. Leela • From “Digambara Samiyar”
Mappillai Paar Lyrics Translation (from “Digambara Samiyar”)
The lyrical battle continues as families trade criticisms. The groom’s side says their “lion cub” is paired with a “crying-face girl.” The bride is then criticized for wearing undesirable vellerukkam flowers instead of fragrant jasmine.
Mapillai ParLook at the groom
Mapillai Par Asal Solai KollaiLook at the groom, a real bandit from the woods
Bommai Marriyai Vanthu VachareThey’ve set him up just like a puppet
Vanthu Vachare Vanthu VachareThey’ve set him up, they’ve set him up
Koothadum Komaliyai InthaThis dancing clown
Mapillai Par Asal Solai KollaiLook at the groom, a real bandit from the woods
Bommai Marriyai Vanthu VachareThey’ve set him up just like a puppet
Koothadum Komaliyai InthaThis dancing clown
Mapillai ParLook at the groom
Ah Ha Ah HaAh ha, ah ha
Devaram Padu Endru SonnalIf you tell him to sing a ‘Devaram’ hymn
Thavaram PovarHe’ll wander off to see a plant
Devaram Padu Endru SonnalIf you tell him to sing a ‘Devaram’ hymn
Thavaram PovarHe’ll wander off to see a plant
Thennaiyai Par Endru SonnalIf you tell him to look at the coconut tree
Dhonnaiyai ParparHe’ll just stare at a leaf cup
Thennaiyai Par Endru SonnalIf you tell him to look at the coconut tree
Dhonnaiyai ParparHe’ll just stare at a leaf cup
Thinnaikku Thinnai ThoonguvarHe sleeps on every single porch
Thinnaikku Thinnai ThoonguvarHe sleeps on every single porch
Nandraga ThoonguvarAnd he sleeps so very well
Ohoh OhohOhoh, ohoh
Kakkai Poal Ora KannithaneWith a sideways glance just like a crow
Par Ungal PenneLook at your girl
Kakkai Poal Ora KannithaneWith a sideways glance just like a crow
Par Ungal PenneLook at your girl
Karunaga Pazham PoleLike a dark ‘jamun’ fruit
Niram Ungal PenneThat’s the color of your girl
Karunaga Pazham PoleLike a dark ‘jamun’ fruit
Niram Ungal PenneThat’s the color of your girl
Veene Sandai PoduvalShe’ll pick a fight for no reason at all
Veene Sandai PoduvalShe’ll pick a fight for no reason at all
Andradam PoduvaalShe’ll do it every single day
Vayadi Ivalai Kondu VanthargaleThey brought this loudmouth here
Pattikattaiye PattikattaiyeThis village bumpkin, this village bumpkin
KonduvanthargaleThey brought her here
Pattikattaiye PattikattaiyeThis village bumpkin, this village bumpkin
Goiyapazham Enga PonnuOur girl is a sweet guava
Konangi Mapillai Vachudhe EaBut she got stuck with a foolish groom
Goiyapazham Enga PonnuOur girl is a sweet guava
Konangi Mapillai Vachudhe EaBut she got stuck with a foolish groom
Singakutti MapillaikkuFor our groom, who’s a lion cub
Intha Azhumoonju Ponnu Vachudhe EaHe got stuck with this crying-face girl
Singakutti MapillaikkuFor our groom, who’s a lion cub
Intha Azhumoonju Ponnu Vachudhe EaHe got stuck with this crying-face girl
Ellorum Pogum Vandi GoodsuvandiThe train that everyone rides is a goods train
Ellorum Pogum Vandi GoodsuvandiThe train that everyone rides is a goods train
Azhagu Cycle VandiThere are beautiful bicycles
Arumai Motar VandiAnd wonderful motor cars
Azhagu Cycle VandiThere are beautiful bicycles
Arumai Motar VandiAnd wonderful motor cars
Inthe Pillai Podum VandiBut the vehicle this boy will ride
Pazhaya Kuppai VandiyeIs just an old garbage cart
Inthe Pillai Podum VandiBut the vehicle this boy will ride
Pazhaya Kuppai VandiyeIs just an old garbage cart
Ellorukkum Sooduvathu Azhagu Roja PooveEveryone adorns themselves with beautiful roses
Ellorukkum Sooduvathu Azhagu Roja PooveEveryone adorns themselves with beautiful roses
Iniya Vasam Tharum Maruvudam MalligaiyeAnd fragrant jasmine with sweet ‘marjoram’
Iniya Vasam Tharum Maruvudam MalligaiyeAnd fragrant jasmine with sweet ‘marjoram’
Inthe Pennu SooduvathuBut this girl wears
Vellerukkam PoovaithanOnly the ‘vellerukkam’ flower
Inthe Pennu SooduvathuBut this girl wears
Vellerukkam PoovaithanOnly the ‘vellerukkam’ flower
Rajathi Pola PonnukethaneFor our girl who’s like a queen
Goojavai Thookidum Mapilai VachudheShe got a groom who just carries a water pot
Rajathi Pola PonnukethaneFor our girl who’s like a queen
Goojavai Thookidum Mapilai VachudheShe got a groom who just carries a water pot
Rajvai Pole Pillaikku ThaneAnd for our boy who’s like a king
Moonjooru Polave Pen Vanthu VaithatheHe got a girl who looks just like a mongoose
Rajvai Pole Pillaikku ThaneAnd for our boy who’s like a king
Moonjooru Polave Pen Vanthu VaithatheHe got a girl who looks just like a mongoose
Goiyapazham Enga PonnuOur girl is a sweet guava
Konangi Mapillai Vachudhe YeBut she got stuck with a foolish groom
Mappillai Paar Music Video
The track takes the form of a call-and-response argument. Each side voices a complaint, which prompts a counter-insult from the opposing family. This structure roots the performance in the nalangu pattu folk tradition of ceremonial roasting.