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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aanukkoru Pen

From Kumari · 1952

Lyricist
T. K. Sundara Vadhyar
Singer
K. V. Mahadevan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kumari1952

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aanukkoru penn venumaeA man needs a woman
Avasiyam pennukoru aan venumaeNecessarily, a woman needs a man
Aanukkoru penn venumaeA man needs a woman
Avasiyam pennukoru aan venumaeNecessarily, a woman needs a man
Male
Arasan mudhal aandi varaiFrom a king to a beggar
Yaanai mudhal erumbhu varaiFrom an elephant to an ant
Arasan mudhal aandi varaiFrom a king to a beggar
Yaanai mudhal erumbhu varaiFrom an elephant to an ant
Sarasamaaga vaazhvadharkkuTo live in harmony and joy
Jaadiyum moodiyum polaeLike a jar and its matching lid
Aanukkoru penn venumaeA man needs a woman
Avasiyam pennukoru aan venumaeNecessarily, a woman needs a man
Male
Vaeppamaram pennukkoruFor the female neem tree
Maappillaiyaam arasamaramThe groom is the peepal tree
Vaeppamaram pennukkoruFor the female neem tree
Maappillaiyaam arasamaramThe groom is the peepal tree
Vaerum chediyum kodiyum koodaEven roots, plants, and vines
Venumengudhae kalyaana varamSeek the blessing of marriage
Aanukkoru penn venumaeA man needs a woman
Avasiyam pennukoru aan venumaeNecessarily, a woman needs a man
Male
Chinnanchiru kanniyargalIf young maidens
Thannanthani vaazhvu kondaalLead a completely solitary life
Sirustiyilae virthiyellaam kuraiyumaeThe progress of creation itself will decline
Chinnanchiru kanniyargalIf young maidens
Thannanthani vaazhvu kondaalLead a completely solitary life
Sristiyilae virthiyellaam kuraiyumaeThe progress of creation itself will decline
Adiyen piriyamae unakkum theriyumaeMy dear love, you know my affection too
Un manadhum en manadhum orr manadhaanaalIf your heart and my heart become one
Rathiyum madhanum kaanum inbam niraiyumaeThe bliss experienced by Rathi and Manmatha will overflow
Un manadhum en manadhum orr manadhaanaalIf your heart and my heart become one
Rathiyum madhanum kaanum inbam niraiyumThe bliss experienced by Rathi and Manmatha will overflow
Male
Aanukkoru penn venumaeA man needs a woman
Avasiyam pennukoru aan venumaeNecessarily, a woman needs a man
Aanukkoru penn venumaeA man needs a woman
Avasiyam pennukoru aan venumaeNecessarily, a woman needs a man

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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