- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Ganga Sitharasu, Febi Mani
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Movie name
- Taj Mahal
- Movie release year
- 1999
- Lyrics added on
- 8 Aug 2018
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This playful Tamil folk-style song portrays young village maidens gathering at a riverbank to take a bath, a traditional setting rich in cultural imagery. The lyrics tease the young woman, affectionately addressing her as 'Manja Kilangae' (yellow turmeric root) and 'Thanga Kilangae' (golden root), praising her radiant skin enhanced by traditional turmeric paste. The friends playfully tell the river fish to close their eyes and the riverbank birds to fly away to afford her privacy, while lightheartedly teasing her about love, betel-nut rituals, and her feelings toward her beloved.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamaani / Metaphor
“Adi manjakilangae ... Thanga kilangae”
Comparing the young girl's golden complexioned beauty to 'Manja kilangae' (turmeric root) and 'Thanga kilangae' (golden root).
Personification
“Aathu kulla athana meenum Kanna moodunga”
Addressing the river fish and birds as sentient beings and asking them to close their eyes or fly away for privacy.
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Kumaripulla / Paruvapulla”
Rhyming of second consonants in folk phrasing like 'Kumaripulla' and 'Paruvapulla'.
Did you know?
Trivia
This track is from the 1999 Tamil film 'Taj Mahal', directed by Bharathiraja, which marked the debut of his son Manoj Bharathiraja. The soundtrack was composed by A. R. Rahman, featuring lyrics by Vairamuthu, blending rich rural folk melodies with contemporary orchestral arrangements.
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