Adho Adho Oru Sengottai
From Vayasu Ponnu · 1978
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, Vani Jairam
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Vayasu Ponnu1978
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Adho adho oru sengottai | There, there is a red fort |
| Idho idho oru thaean kottai | Here, here is a honey fort |
| Adho adho oru sengottai | There, there is a red fort |
| Idho idho oru thaean kottai | Here, here is a honey fort |
| Female | |
| Yedho yedho un mana kottai | Somewhere, somewhere is the fort of your mind |
| Endrum endrum naan un vaettai | Forever and ever, I am your prey |
| Yedho yedho un mana kottai | Somewhere, somewhere is the fort of your mind |
| Endrum endrum naan un vaettai | Forever and ever, I am your prey |
| Male | |
| Nee oru mumtaj | You are a Mumtaz |
| Naan oru shahjahaan | I am a Shah Jahan |
| Female :Naanoru mumtaj | Female: I am a Mumtaz |
| Nee oru shahjahaan | You are a Shah Jahan |
| Male | |
| Yamuna theeram maalai neram | On the banks of Yamuna in the evening time |
| Yavvana pen radhai vandhaal | The youthful maiden Radha came |
| Yamuna theeram maalai neram | On the banks of Yamuna in the evening time |
| Yavvana pen radhai vandhaal | The youthful maiden Radha came |
| Kangal paarkka kaigal serkka | As eyes look and hands meet |
| Kanni magal naanam kondaal | The young maiden felt shy |
| Female | |
| Kaniyin melae kiliyai polae | Like a parrot perched upon a fruit |
| Kotha vandh kaadhal mannaa | Oh king of love who came to peck |
| Kaniyin melae kiliyai polae | Like a parrot perched upon a fruit |
| Kotha vandh kaadhal mannaa | Oh king of love who came to peck |
| Thazhuvum velai nazhuvum saelai | At the moment of embrace, the saree slips |
| Vittu vidu aasai mannaa | Let go of it, my desirable king |
| Male | |
| Adi malligaiyae kodi mellidaiyae | Oh jasmine flower, with a vine-like slender waist |
| Female :Pugazh mandhiramoo | Female: Is this a chanting of praise? |
| Illai thandhiramoo | Or is it a trick? |
| Male :Aahaa pongudhadi kaadhal gangai | Male: Ah, the river Ganges of love is overflowing! |
| Male | |
| Adho adho oru sengottai | There, there is a red fort |
| Idho idho oru thaean kottai | Here, here is a honey fort |
| Female | |
| Yedho yedho un mana kottai | Somewhere, somewhere is the fort of your mind |
| Endrum endrum naan un vaettai | Forever and ever, I am your prey |
| Male | |
| Nee oru mumtaj | You are a Mumtaz |
| Naan oru shahjahaan | I am a Shah Jahan |
| Female :Naanoru mumtaj | Female: I am a Mumtaz |
| Nee oru shahjahaan | You are a Shah Jahan |
| Male | |
| Inikkum raagam paadum pennae | Oh girl singing a sweet melody |
| Unnai oru veenai enbaen | I shall call you a Veena |
| Kodhikkum maeni neeril aada | As your warm body bathes in water |
| Unnai oru odai enabaen | I shall call you a stream |
| Female | |
| Qutubminaarin uyaram polae | Like the height of Qutub Minar |
| Un manadhai naanum kanden | I discovered the stature of your heart |
| Nilavai thaedum poovai polae | Like a flower seeking the moon |
| Un azhagil naattam konden | I became drawn to your beauty |
| Female | |
| Ezhil mannavanae | Oh handsome king |
| Radhi manmadhanae | Oh lord of love, my Manmatha |
| Male :Kadhai sollidavoo kannam killidavo | Male: Shall I tell a story, or pinch your cheek? |
| Female :Aahaa katti idu thaali ondrai | Female: Ah, tie the sacred wedding thread (Thaali) |
| Male | |
| Adho adho oru sengottai | There, there is a red fort |
| Idho idho oru thaean kottai | Here, here is a honey fort |
| Female | |
| Yedho yedho un mana kottai | Somewhere, somewhere is the fort of your mind |
| Endrum endrum naan un vaettai | Forever and ever, I am your prey |
| Male | |
| Nee oru mumtaj | You are a Mumtaz |
| Naan oru shahjahaan | I am a Shah Jahan |
| Female :Naanoru mumtaj | Female: I am a Mumtaz |
| Nee oru shahjahaan | You are a Shah Jahan |
அதோ அதோ ஒரு செங்கோட்டை
இதோ இதோ ஒரு தேன் கோட்டை
அதோ அதோ ஒரு செங்கோட்டை
இதோ இதோ ஒரு தேன் கோட்டை
There, there is a red fort
Here, here is a honey fort
There, there is a red fort
Here, here is a honey fort
எதோ எதோ உன் மனக் கோட்டை
என்றும் என்றும் நான் உன் வேட்டை
எதோ எதோ உன் மனக் கோட்டை
என்றும் என்றும் நான் உன் வேட்டை
Somewhere, somewhere is the fort of your mind
Forever and ever, I am your prey
Somewhere, somewhere is the fort of your mind
Forever and ever, I am your prey
நீ ஒரு மும்தாஜ்
நானொரு ஷாஜகான்
பெண் : நானொரு மும்தாஜ்
நீயொரு ஷாஜகான்
You are a Mumtaz
I am a Shah Jahan
Female: I am a Mumtaz
You are a Shah Jahan
யமுனா தீரம் மாலை நேரம்
யவ்வன பெண் ராதை வந்தாள்
யமுனா தீரம் மாலை நேரம்
யவ்வன பெண் ராதை வந்தாள்
கண்கள் பார்க்க கைகள் சேர்க்க
கன்னி மகள் நாணம் கொண்டாள்
On the banks of Yamuna in the evening time
The youthful maiden Radha came
On the banks of Yamuna in the evening time
The youthful maiden Radha came
As eyes look and hands meet
The young maiden felt shy
கனியின் மேலே கிளியைப் போலே
கொத்த வந்த காதல் மன்னா
கனியின் மேலே கிளியைப் போலே
கொத்த வந்த காதல் மன்னா
தழுவும் வேளை நழுவும் சேலை
விட்டு விடு ஆசை மன்னா
Like a parrot perched upon a fruit
Oh king of love who came to peck
Like a parrot perched upon a fruit
Oh king of love who came to peck
At the moment of embrace, the saree slips
Let go of it, my desirable king
அடி மல்லிகையே கொடி மெல்லிடையே
புகழ் மந்திரமோ
இல்லை தந்திரமோ
ஆஹா பொங்குதடி காதல் கங்கை......
Oh jasmine flower, with a vine-like slender waist
Female: Is this a chanting of praise?
Or is it a trick?
Male: Ah, the river Ganges of love is overflowing!
அதோ அதோ ஒரு செங்கோட்டை
இதோ இதோ ஒரு தேன் கோட்டை
There, there is a red fort
Here, here is a honey fort
எதோ எதோ உன் மனக் கோட்டை
என்றும் என்றும் நான் உன் வேட்டை
Somewhere, somewhere is the fort of your mind
Forever and ever, I am your prey
நீ ஒரு மும்தாஜ்
நானொரு ஷாஜகான்
நானொரு மும்தாஜ்
நீயொரு ஷாஜகான்
You are a Mumtaz
I am a Shah Jahan
Female: I am a Mumtaz
You are a Shah Jahan
இனிக்கும் ராகம் பாடும் பெண்ணே
உன்னை ஒரு வீணை என்பேன்
கொதிக்கும் மேனி நீரில் ஆட
உன்னை ஓடை என்பேன்
Oh girl singing a sweet melody
I shall call you a Veena
As your warm body bathes in water
I shall call you a stream
குதுப்மினாரின் உயரம் போலே
உன் மனது நானும் கண்டேன்
நிலவை தேடும் பூவை போலே
உன் அழகில் நாட்டம் கொண்டேன்
Like the height of Qutub Minar
I discovered the stature of your heart
Like a flower seeking the moon
I became drawn to your beauty
எழில் மன்னவனே
ரதி மன்மதனே
கதை சொல்லிடவோ கன்னம் கிள்ளிடவோ
ஆஹா கட்டி விடு தாலி ஒன்றை
Oh handsome king
Oh lord of love, my Manmatha
Male: Shall I tell a story, or pinch your cheek?
Female: Ah, tie the sacred wedding thread (Thaali)
அதோ அதோ ஒரு செங்கோட்டை
இதோ இதோ ஒரு தேன் கோட்டை
There, there is a red fort
Here, here is a honey fort
எதோ எதோ உன் மனக் கோட்டை
என்றும் என்றும் நான் உன் வேட்டை
Somewhere, somewhere is the fort of your mind
Forever and ever, I am your prey
நீ ஒரு மும்தாஜ்
நானொரு ஷாஜகான்
நானொரு மும்தாஜ்
நீயொரு ஷாஜகான்
You are a Mumtaz
I am a Shah Jahan
Female: I am a Mumtaz
You are a Shah Jahan
Adho adho oru sengottai
There, there is a red fort
Idho idho oru thaean kottai
Here, here is a honey fort
Adho adho oru sengottai
There, there is a red fort
Idho idho oru thaean kottai
Here, here is a honey fort
Yedho yedho un mana kottai
Somewhere, somewhere is the fort of your mind
Endrum endrum naan un vaettai
Forever and ever, I am your prey
Yedho yedho un mana kottai
Somewhere, somewhere is the fort of your mind
Endrum endrum naan un vaettai
Forever and ever, I am your prey
Nee oru mumtaj
You are a Mumtaz
Naan oru shahjahaan
I am a Shah Jahan
Female :Naanoru mumtaj
Female: I am a Mumtaz
Nee oru shahjahaan
You are a Shah Jahan
Yamuna theeram maalai neram
On the banks of Yamuna in the evening time
Yavvana pen radhai vandhaal
The youthful maiden Radha came
Yamuna theeram maalai neram
On the banks of Yamuna in the evening time
Yavvana pen radhai vandhaal
The youthful maiden Radha came
Kangal paarkka kaigal serkka
As eyes look and hands meet
Kanni magal naanam kondaal
The young maiden felt shy
Kaniyin melae kiliyai polae
Like a parrot perched upon a fruit
Kotha vandh kaadhal mannaa
Oh king of love who came to peck
Kaniyin melae kiliyai polae
Like a parrot perched upon a fruit
Kotha vandh kaadhal mannaa
Oh king of love who came to peck
Thazhuvum velai nazhuvum saelai
At the moment of embrace, the saree slips
Vittu vidu aasai mannaa
Let go of it, my desirable king
Adi malligaiyae kodi mellidaiyae
Oh jasmine flower, with a vine-like slender waist
Female :Pugazh mandhiramoo
Female: Is this a chanting of praise?
Illai thandhiramoo
Or is it a trick?
Male :Aahaa pongudhadi kaadhal gangai
Male: Ah, the river Ganges of love is overflowing!
Adho adho oru sengottai
There, there is a red fort
Idho idho oru thaean kottai
Here, here is a honey fort
Yedho yedho un mana kottai
Somewhere, somewhere is the fort of your mind
Endrum endrum naan un vaettai
Forever and ever, I am your prey
Nee oru mumtaj
You are a Mumtaz
Naan oru shahjahaan
I am a Shah Jahan
Female :Naanoru mumtaj
Female: I am a Mumtaz
Nee oru shahjahaan
You are a Shah Jahan
Inikkum raagam paadum pennae
Oh girl singing a sweet melody
Unnai oru veenai enbaen
I shall call you a Veena
Kodhikkum maeni neeril aada
As your warm body bathes in water
Unnai oru odai enabaen
I shall call you a stream
Qutubminaarin uyaram polae
Like the height of Qutub Minar
Un manadhai naanum kanden
I discovered the stature of your heart
Nilavai thaedum poovai polae
Like a flower seeking the moon
Un azhagil naattam konden
I became drawn to your beauty
Ezhil mannavanae
Oh handsome king
Radhi manmadhanae
Oh lord of love, my Manmatha
Male :Kadhai sollidavoo kannam killidavo
Male: Shall I tell a story, or pinch your cheek?
Female :Aahaa katti idu thaali ondrai
Female: Ah, tie the sacred wedding thread (Thaali)
Adho adho oru sengottai
There, there is a red fort
Idho idho oru thaean kottai
Here, here is a honey fort
Yedho yedho un mana kottai
Somewhere, somewhere is the fort of your mind
Endrum endrum naan un vaettai
Forever and ever, I am your prey
Nee oru mumtaj
You are a Mumtaz
Naan oru shahjahaan
I am a Shah Jahan
Female :Naanoru mumtaj
Female: I am a Mumtaz
Nee oru shahjahaan
You are a Shah Jahan
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Adho Adho Oru Sengottai is a romantic duet from the 1978 Tamil film Vayasu Ponnu, written by Vaali. The lovers playfully exchange poetic praises, comparing their affection and bond to iconic historical and mythological lovers such as Shah Jahan & Mumtaz and Radha & Krishna. The male protagonist admires her beauty and elegance, comparing her mind's grandeur to the Qutub Minar and her grace to a musical Veena, while the female lover responds with coy playfulness, eventually asking him to bind their love eternally through marriage.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagaim)
“Yedho yedho un mana kottai”
Comparing the lover's mind to a grand fort (mana kottai) and the woman to a Veena (veenai) and stream (odai).
Simile (Upamai)
“Qutubminaarin uyaram polae”
Comparing the lover's heart height to the Qutub Minar (Qutubminaarin uyaram polae) and lover's affection to a parrot pecking fruit (Kaniyin melae kiliyai polae).
Rhyme (Edhukai & Monai)
“Adho adho oru sengottai / Idho idho oru thaean kottai”
Use of initial and secondary consonant matching across poetic lines like Sengottai / Thaean kottai / Mana kottai.
Allusion
“Nee oru mumtaj / Naan oru shahjahaan”
Referencing iconic historical and mythological figures like Shah Jahan, Mumtaz, Radha, Krishna, and Manmatha to elevate the romantic motif.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song is composed with historical and mythological imagery typical of Vaali's playful romantic songwriting style in late 70s Tamil cinema, blending Hindi architectural symbols like Sengottai (Red Fort) and Qutub Minar with classical Tamil metaphors.
Keep listening
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