Caught In Translation

Reading Swati’s post, I learnt about Tulika’s search for kids’ rhymes in the vernacular. My family has some priceless stories and rhymes and I thought these could be saved from extinction since there aren’t too many babies…… or marriages, for that matter happening in the family. (I know that hint is as broad as a multi-lane national highway, but couldn’t resist ) But actually listing them made me realize that most were the ‘ugh’ variety. Hence the list has been reduced to just a few.
1. I don’t know if anyone knows that a Tamil transliteration of Goosie, Goosie Gander exists. It even caries the same tune. I learnt it in KG :

Vaathe, Vaathe, Vaathe ..........Goosie Goosie Gander
Engay poraen Vaathe? ...........Where do you wander?
Maelae, Keelae, .................Upstairs and Downstairs
Dorsaniamma araylei..............In (my ) the lady’s chamber

Angae oru kizhavan ..............There (I met) was an old man
Japam solla maattan .............Who wouldn’t say his prayers
Kaale pudichu izhuthinen ........I pulled his (left) leg and
DHOP enru veezhnthinaan .........He fell down.(Dhop : sound made as he fell)

A parallel of Simple Simon :

Maanga Thalai Murugan ..........Mango-headed( Stupid? Simpleton? ) Murugan
Manja sattai maatti ............Put on yellow clothes
Sendru Kadaykku poenaan ........And went to the shop

Vidha vidhamai mitthai .........Many varieties of sweets
Adukkadukkai kandaan ...........He saw, piled up neatly
Viranthodi poyi ................He ran fast
Laddu mitthai kaettaan..........And asked for a laddu

Laddu Mitthaikaaran ............The ladduwaalah
Thuttu engae enran .............Asked where the cash was
Maangaa Thalai Murugan .........Mango-headed Murugan
Thuttu illaeyenran .............Replied that he had no money
Laddu mitthaikaaran ............The ladduwaalah said
Laddu Illae enran ..............Then, there is no Laddu either

Rather a blunt lesson for kids, that.