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Isaimozhi
Kumari album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Aanukkoru Pen

From Kumari · 1952

Lyricist
T. K. Sundara Vadhyar
Singer
K. V. Mahadevan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Kumari
Movie release year
1952
Lyrics added on
9 Jan 2026

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aanukkoru penn venumae
Avasiyam pennukoru aan venumae
Aanukkoru penn venumae
Avasiyam pennukoru aan venumae
Arasan mudhal aandi varai
Yaanai mudhal erumbhu varai
Arasan mudhal aandi varai
Yaanai mudhal erumbhu varai
Sarasamaaga vaazhvadharkku
Jaadiyum moodiyum polae
Aanukkoru penn venumae
Avasiyam pennukoru aan venumae
Vaeppamaram pennukkoru
Maappillaiyaam arasamaram
Vaeppamaram pennukkoru
Maappillaiyaam arasamaram
Vaerum chediyum kodiyum kooda
Venumengudhae kalyaana varam
Aanukkoru penn venumae
Avasiyam pennukoru aan venumae
Chinnanchiru kanniyargal
Thannanthani vaazhvu kondaal
Sirustiyilae virthiyellaam kuraiyumae
Chinnanchiru kanniyargal
Thannanthani vaazhvu kondaal
Sristiyilae virthiyellaam kuraiyumae
Adiyen piriyamae unakkum theriyumae
Un manadhum en manadhum orr manadhaanaal
Rathiyum madhanum kaanum inbam niraiyumae
Un manadhum en manadhum orr manadhaanaal
Rathiyum madhanum kaanum inbam niraiyum
Aanukkoru penn venumae
Avasiyam pennukoru aan venumae
Aanukkoru penn venumae
Avasiyam pennukoru aan venumae
A man needs a woman,
And a woman surely needs a man!
A man needs a woman,
And a woman surely needs a man!
From a king to a beggar,
From an elephant to an ant,
From a king to a beggar,
From an elephant to an ant,
To live happily in love together,
Fitting like a jar and its lid...
A man needs a woman,
And a woman surely needs a man!
For the bride, the neem tree,
The peepal tree is the groom!
For the bride, the neem tree,
The peepal tree is the groom!
Even roots, plants, and climbing vines
Ask for the blessing of marriage!
A man needs a woman,
And a woman surely needs a man!
If young women
Live all alone by themselves,
The growth of this creation will fade away!
If young women
Live all alone by themselves,
The growth of this creation will fade away!
Oh my darling, you know this too!
If your heart and my heart unite as one,
Joy will overflow like that of Rathi and Madana (goddess and god of love)!
If your heart and my heart unite as one,
Joy will overflow like that of Rathi and Madana (goddess and god of love)!
A man needs a woman,
And a woman surely needs a man!
A man needs a woman,
And a woman surely needs a man!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Aanukkoru Penn Venumae is a lighthearted yet philosophical song emphasizing the universal law of companionship between male and female entities in nature. The lyricist highlights that whether it is human beings (from a king to a beggar), living creatures (from an elephant to an ant), or nature itself (the neem and peepal trees), union is necessary for life to thrive and continue. The song concludes with a romantic plea, stating that when two minds unite in love, they experience supreme bliss comparable to that of divine lovers Rathi and Madhana.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Jaadiyum moodiyum polae

Compares a male-female couple to a jar and its perfectly fitted lid ('Jaadiyum moodiyum polae').

Antithesis / Contrast

Arasan mudhal aandi varai / Yaanai mudhal erumbhu varai

Uses extreme opposites ('King to beggar' and 'Elephant to ant') to express that the law of companionship applies universally to all living beings without exception.

Personification / Metaphor

Vaeppamaram pennukkoru / Maappillaiyaam arasamaram

Personifies trees and plants by framing the traditional pairing of Neem and Peepal trees as a bride and groom seeking marriage blessings.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kumari (1952) featured early musical works by legendary composer K. V. Mahadevan, who also sang this song. The imagery of marrying the Neem tree (traditionally considered feminine/Amman) and Peepal tree (Arasa maram, associated with Vishnu/masculine) refers to a widespread South Indian ritual sacred tree marriage (Arasa-Vembu Kalyanam).

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