Alli Pookalle
From Mannukketha Ponnu · 1985
- Lyricist
- Muthulingam
- Singer
- Vani Jairam
- Music director
- Gangai Amaran
- Details
- Mannukketha Ponnu1985
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| ……………… | ... |
| Female | |
| Alli pookkalae | O water lily flowers! |
| Poovai killum meengalae | O fish that nibble at the flowers! |
| Unmai solli pongalaen | Won't you speak the truth and tell me? |
| Mannan evano ooho…. | Who is my king? Ooho... |
| Mannan evano….. | Who is my king... |
| Female | |
| Alli pookkalae | O water lily flowers! |
| Poovai killum meengalae | O fish that nibble at the flowers! |
| Unmai solli pongalaen | Won't you speak the truth and tell me? |
| Mannan evano ooho…. | Who is my king? Ooho... |
| Mannan evano….. | Who is my king... |
| Female | |
| Thaen surakkum idzhalil irunthu | From lips that secrete sweet honey, |
| Paal pazhangal vazhngum virunhu | A lavish feast of milk and fruits is served. |
| Mazhai sinthi viriyaatho | Will not rain shower and bloom open |
| Pon vaazhai kuruththu | The golden, tender banana shoot? |
| Adhai theendum vaadai kaatru | The chilly northern wind touches it, |
| Ival aadum thennang keettru | She is like a coconut frond swaying gracefully. |
| Female | |
| Alli pookkalae | O water lily flowers! |
| Poovai killum meengalae | O fish that nibble at the flowers! |
| Unmai solli pongalaen | Won't you speak the truth and tell me? |
| Mannan evano ooho…. | Who is my king? Ooho... |
| Mannan evano….. | Who is my king... |
| Female | |
| Poo manakkum varaikkum mayakkam | An intoxication lingers as long as the flower stays fragrant, |
| Poo mudiththaal varumaa urakkam | If one decks flowers in her hair, will sleep ever arrive? |
| Pen sonnaal kan munnaal | When a woman speaks, before her eyes, |
| Kan vaasal thirakkum | The gateway of vision opens up. |
| Female | |
| Alli pookkalae | O water lily flowers! |
| Poovai killum meengalae | O fish that nibble at the flowers! |
| Unmai solli pongalaen | Won't you speak the truth and tell me? |
| Mannan evano ooho…. | Who is my king? Ooho... |
| Mannan evano….. | Who is my king... |
| Female | |
| Alli pookkalae | O water lily flowers! |
| Poovai killum meengalae | O fish that nibble at the flowers! |
| Unmai solli pongalaen | Won't you speak the truth and tell me? |
| Mannan evano ooho…. | Who is my king? Ooho... |
| Mannan evano….. | Who is my king... |
| Ooho….laala lalalaa….mmm….. | Ooho... laala lalalaa... mmm... |
ஆஹா ஹா ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....ஆ.....
ஆஹா ஹா ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....ஆ.....
ஆஹா ஆ......ஆஹா.....ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ....
...
அல்லிப் பூக்களே
பூவைக் கிள்ளும் மீன்களே
உண்மை சொல்லி போங்களேன்
மன்னன் எவனோ ஓஹோ.....
மன்னன் எவனோ....
O water lily flowers!
O fish that nibble at the flowers!
Won't you speak the truth and tell me?
Who is my king? Ooho...
Who is my king...
அல்லிப் பூக்களே
பூவைக் கிள்ளும் மீன்களே
உண்மை சொல்லி போங்களேன்
மன்னன் எவனோ ஓஹோ.....
மன்னன் எவனோ....
O water lily flowers!
O fish that nibble at the flowers!
Won't you speak the truth and tell me?
Who is my king? Ooho...
Who is my king...
தேன் சுரக்கும் இதழில் இருந்து
பால் பழங்கள் வழங்கும் விருந்து
மழை சிந்தி விரியாதோ
பொன் வாழை குருத்து
அதை தீண்டும் வாடைக் காற்று
இவள் ஆடும் தென்னங்கீற்று....
From lips that secrete sweet honey,
A lavish feast of milk and fruits is served.
Will not rain shower and bloom open
The golden, tender banana shoot?
The chilly northern wind touches it,
She is like a coconut frond swaying gracefully.
அல்லிப் பூக்களே
பூவைக் கிள்ளும் மீன்களே
உண்மை சொல்லி போங்களேன்
மன்னன் எவனோ ஓஹோ.....
மன்னன் எவனோ....
O water lily flowers!
O fish that nibble at the flowers!
Won't you speak the truth and tell me?
Who is my king? Ooho...
Who is my king...
பூ மணக்கும் வரைக்கும் மயக்கம்
பூ முடித்தால் வருமா உறக்கம்
பெண் சொன்னால் கண் முன்னால்
கண் வாசல் திறக்கும்
அதை வாயில் சொன்னால் கூசும்
இனி நாணம் தானே பேசும்.....
An intoxication lingers as long as the flower stays fragrant,
If one decks flowers in her hair, will sleep ever arrive?
When a woman speaks, before her eyes,
The gateway of vision opens up.
அல்லிப் பூக்களே
பூவைக் கிள்ளும் மீன்களே
உண்மை சொல்லி போங்களேன்
மன்னன் எவனோ ஓஹோ.....
மன்னன் எவனோ....
O water lily flowers!
O fish that nibble at the flowers!
Won't you speak the truth and tell me?
Who is my king? Ooho...
Who is my king...
அல்லிப் பூக்களே
பூவைக் கிள்ளும் மீன்களே
உண்மை சொல்லி போங்களேன்
மன்னன் எவனோ ஓஹோ.....
மன்னன் எவனோ...
ஓஹோ......லால லலலா.....ம்ம்ம்....
O water lily flowers!
O fish that nibble at the flowers!
Won't you speak the truth and tell me?
Who is my king? Ooho...
Who is my king...
Ooho... laala lalalaa... mmm...
………………
...
Alli pookkalae
O water lily flowers!
Poovai killum meengalae
O fish that nibble at the flowers!
Unmai solli pongalaen
Won't you speak the truth and tell me?
Mannan evano ooho….
Who is my king? Ooho...
Mannan evano…..
Who is my king...
Alli pookkalae
O water lily flowers!
Poovai killum meengalae
O fish that nibble at the flowers!
Unmai solli pongalaen
Won't you speak the truth and tell me?
Mannan evano ooho….
Who is my king? Ooho...
Mannan evano…..
Who is my king...
Thaen surakkum idzhalil irunthu
From lips that secrete sweet honey,
Paal pazhangal vazhngum virunhu
A lavish feast of milk and fruits is served.
Mazhai sinthi viriyaatho
Will not rain shower and bloom open
Pon vaazhai kuruththu
The golden, tender banana shoot?
Adhai theendum vaadai kaatru
The chilly northern wind touches it,
Ival aadum thennang keettru
She is like a coconut frond swaying gracefully.
Alli pookkalae
O water lily flowers!
Poovai killum meengalae
O fish that nibble at the flowers!
Unmai solli pongalaen
Won't you speak the truth and tell me?
Mannan evano ooho….
Who is my king? Ooho...
Mannan evano…..
Who is my king...
Poo manakkum varaikkum mayakkam
An intoxication lingers as long as the flower stays fragrant,
Poo mudiththaal varumaa urakkam
If one decks flowers in her hair, will sleep ever arrive?
Pen sonnaal kan munnaal
When a woman speaks, before her eyes,
Kan vaasal thirakkum
The gateway of vision opens up.
Alli pookkalae
O water lily flowers!
Poovai killum meengalae
O fish that nibble at the flowers!
Unmai solli pongalaen
Won't you speak the truth and tell me?
Mannan evano ooho….
Who is my king? Ooho...
Mannan evano…..
Who is my king...
Alli pookkalae
O water lily flowers!
Poovai killum meengalae
O fish that nibble at the flowers!
Unmai solli pongalaen
Won't you speak the truth and tell me?
Mannan evano ooho….
Who is my king? Ooho...
Mannan evano…..
Who is my king...
Ooho….laala lalalaa….mmm…..
Ooho... laala lalalaa... mmm...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song captures a young woman's longing, curiosity, and romantic innocence as she wonders about her future lover. Speaking directly to nature—the lilies blooming in the pond and the fish swimming among them—she asks them to reveal the identity of her ideal 'king'. The lyrics use evocative rustic imagery such as sweet honeyed lips, tender banana leaves, chilly northern winds, and coconut fronds to convey her burgeoning passion and youthful beauty.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Personification
“Alli pookkalae / Poovai killum meengalae”
The singer treats elements of nature (lily flowers and fish in the pond) as conscious confidantes who can tell her secrets about her future lover.
Metaphor
“Thaen surakkum idzhalil irunthu / Paal pazhangal vazhngum virunhu”
Describing sweet lips as a feast of milk and fruits secreting honey, highlighting innocence and youthful sweetness.
Imagery
“Mazhai sinthi viriyaatho / Pon vaazhai kuruththu”
Uses vivid sensory depictions of nature—tender banana leaves opening in the rain and coconut fronds swaying in the wind—to reflect the heroine's emotional state.
Monai (Initial Alliteration / Rhyme)
“Poo manakkum varaikkum mayakkam / Poo mudiththaal varumaa urakkam”
Repetition of initial phonetic sounds ('Poo') across consecutive lines to create a melodic rhythm.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Mannukketha Ponnu' (1985) is a rural drama directed by actor-director Ramarajan before his major breakthrough as a lead hero. Lyricist Muthulingam's folk-infused penmanship shines in this song, using classic Tamil poetic tropes of nature symbolism to portray pastoral romance.
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