Gongura Gongura Gundooru Gonguraa
From Viswanath · 1996
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Mano, Swarnalatha
- Music director
- Deva
- Details
- Viswanath1996
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| {Gongura gongura | {Sorrel leaves, sorrel leaves |
| Gundooru gonguraa | Guntur sorrel leaves! |
| Yenguraa yenguraa | Longing, yearning, |
| Ennaalum yenguraa} (2) | Longing every single day} (2) |
| Male | |
| En godhavari krishna nadhi | My Godavari and Krishna river, |
| Velakku vechaa elachu ninnaalaa | Did she grow slender when dusk fell? |
| En panganapalli pangajavalli | My Banganapalle mango, Pangajavalli, |
| Elachu ninnu vevaram sonnaalaa | Did she stand slender and explain the details? |
| Ichu koduthaa kuchuppudithaan | If a kiss is given, it is like the Kuchipudi dance! |
| Matha vishayam athuppadithaan | All other matters are thoroughly mastered! |
| Female | |
| Gongura gongura | Sorrel leaves, sorrel leaves, |
| Gundooru gonguraa | Guntur sorrel leaves! |
| Yenguraa yenguraa | Longing, yearning, |
| Ennaalum yenguraa | Longing every single day! |
| Male | |
| Kokkarako nu koovum | Crying out 'cock-a-doodle-doo', |
| Potta kozhi en mel thaavum | The hen leaps upon me! |
| Vakkanaiyaana seval | Oh stylish rooster, |
| Itha vachukka unakku kaaval hoi | Keep this as a guard for you, hey! |
| Female | |
| Aaluthaan karuppu | The man is dark in complexion, |
| Nenjuthaan veluppu | But his heart is pure white! |
| Nalla manasum irukku | He has a good heart, |
| Vayasum irukku vaayaa.. | And youth on his side, come on man! |
| Male | |
| Ammammaa ilasu | Oh my, so young and fresh, |
| Angange urasu | Rub against me here and there! |
| Intha odambu muzhukka | This entire body |
| Kothichu pochu theeyaa | Has boiled up like fire! |
| Female | |
| Ippo nee kick yeri | Now that you are high on excitement, |
| Vaikkaathe kacheri | Don't put on a grand show! |
| Ippo nee kick yeri | Now that you are high on excitement, |
| Vaikkaathe kacheri | Don't put on a grand show! |
| Oru paattu kattavum | To compose a song |
| Thaalam kottavum | And beat the rhythm, |
| Neram vanthidum kaalam vanthidum | The right time and season will arrive! |
| Female | |
| Gongura gongura | Sorrel leaves, sorrel leaves, |
| Gundooru gonguraa | Guntur sorrel leaves! |
| Yenguraa yenguraa | Longing, yearning, |
| Ennaalum yenguraa | Longing every single day! |
| Female | |
| Panguni maasa veyyilu | In the scorching heat of Panguni month, |
| Naan pandiya naattu kuyilu | I am the cuckoo bird of the Pandya land! |
| Pothura thogai mayilu | A peacock fanning its grand feathers, |
| Nee oattura kaathal rayilu | You are driving the train of love! |
| Male | |
| Thattinaa thavilu | If struck, it is a drum, |
| Kuthinaa oralu | If pounded, it is a mortar, |
| Ithu therinja kanakku | This is a known calculation, |
| Purinja vazhakku vaa ma | An understood tradition, come on dear! |
| Female | |
| Ennai nee gavani | Pay attention to me, |
| Thithikkum pathani | Sweet palm nectar |
| Intha udhattil irukku | Is right here on these lips, |
| Eduthu unakku thaaren | I shall take it and give it to you! |
| Male | |
| Kannaalam kattaathu | Without tying the wedding knot, |
| Onnaaga ottaathu | Don't cling together as one! |
| Kannaalam kattaathu | Without tying the wedding knot, |
| Onnaaga ottaathu | Don't cling together as one! |
| Adi sela kattura… | Oh girl wearing the saree… |
| Raavil enakku thookkam varalaye | I cannot catch any sleep at night! |
| Male | |
| {Gongura gongura | {Sorrel leaves, sorrel leaves |
| Gundooru gonguraa | Guntur sorrel leaves! |
| Yenguraa yenguraa | Longing, yearning, |
| Ennaalum yenguraa} (2) | Longing every single day} (2) |
| Female | |
| Un godhavari krishna nadhi | Your Godavari and Krishna river, |
| Velakku vechaa elachu ninnaalaa | Did she grow slender when dusk fell? |
| En panganapalli pangajavalli | My Banganapalle mango, Pangajavalli, |
| Elachu ninnu vevaram sonnaalaa | Did she stand slender and explain the details? |
| Ichu koduthaa kuchuppudithaan | If a kiss is given, it is like the Kuchipudi dance! |
| Matha vishayam athuppadithaan | All other matters are thoroughly mastered! |
| Male | |
| Gonguraa gonguraa | Sorrel leaves, sorrel leaves, |
| Gundooru gonguraa | Guntur sorrel leaves! |
| Female | |
| Yenguraa yenguraa | Longing, yearning, |
| Ennaalum yenguraa | Longing every single day! |
{கோங்குரா கோங்குரா
குண்டூரு கோங்குரா
ஏங்குறா ஏங்குறா
எந்நாளும் ஏங்குறா} (2)
{Sorrel leaves, sorrel leaves
Guntur sorrel leaves!
Longing, yearning,
Longing every single day} (2)
என் கோதாவரி கிருஷ்ணா நதி
வெளக்கு வெச்சா எளச்சுநின்னாளா
என் பங்கனபள்ளி பங்கஜவல்லி
எளச்சு நின்னு வெவரம் சொன்னாளா
இச்சு கொடுத்தா குச்சுப்புடிதான்
மத்த விஷயம் அத்துப்படிதான்
My Godavari and Krishna river,
Did she grow slender when dusk fell?
My Banganapalle mango, Pangajavalli,
Did she stand slender and explain the details?
If a kiss is given, it is like the Kuchipudi dance!
All other matters are thoroughly mastered!
கோங்குரா கோங்குரா
குண்டூரு கோங்குரா
ஏங்குறா ஏங்குறா
எந்நாளும் ஏங்குறா
Sorrel leaves, sorrel leaves,
Guntur sorrel leaves!
Longing, yearning,
Longing every single day!
கொக்கரகோ ன்னு கூவும்
பொட்ட கோழி என் மேல் தாவும்
வக்கணையான சேவல்
இத வச்சுக்க உனக்கு காவல் ஹோய்
Crying out 'cock-a-doodle-doo',
The hen leaps upon me!
Oh stylish rooster,
Keep this as a guard for you, hey!
ஆளுதான் கருப்பு
நெஞ்சுதான் வெளுப்பு
நல்ல மனசும் இருக்கு
வயசும் இருக்கு வாயா..
The man is dark in complexion,
But his heart is pure white!
He has a good heart,
And youth on his side, come on man!
அம்மம்மா இளசு
அங்கங்கே உரசு
இந்த உடம்பு முழுக்க
கொதிச்சு போச்சு தீயா
Oh my, so young and fresh,
Rub against me here and there!
This entire body
Has boiled up like fire!
இப்போ நீ கிக் ஏறி
வைக்காதே கச்சேரி
இப்போ நீ கிக் ஏறி
வைக்காதே கச்சேரி
ஒரு பாட்டு காட்டவும்
தாளம் கொட்டவும்
நேரம் வந்திடும் காலம் வந்திடும்
Now that you are high on excitement,
Don't put on a grand show!
Now that you are high on excitement,
Don't put on a grand show!
To compose a song
And beat the rhythm,
The right time and season will arrive!
கோங்குரா கோங்குரா
குண்டூரு கோங்குரா
ஏங்குறா ஏங்குறா
எந்நாளும் ஏங்குறா
Sorrel leaves, sorrel leaves,
Guntur sorrel leaves!
Longing, yearning,
Longing every single day!
பங்குனி மாச வெயிலு
நான் பாண்டிய நாட்டு குயிலு
போதுற தோகை மயிலு
நீ ஓட்டுற காதல் ரயிலு
In the scorching heat of Panguni month,
I am the cuckoo bird of the Pandya land!
A peacock fanning its grand feathers,
You are driving the train of love!
தட்டினா தவிலு
குத்தினா ஒரலு
இது தெரிஞ்ச கணக்கு
புரிஞ்ச வழக்கு வா மா
If struck, it is a drum,
If pounded, it is a mortar,
This is a known calculation,
An understood tradition, come on dear!
என்னை நீ கவனி
தித்திக்கும் பதனி
இந்த உதட்டில் இருக்கு
எடுத்து உனக்கு தாரேன்
Pay attention to me,
Sweet palm nectar
Is right here on these lips,
I shall take it and give it to you!
கண்ணாலம் கட்டாது
ஒன்னாக ஒட்டாது
கண்ணாலம் கட்டாது
ஒன்னாக ஒட்டாது
அடி சேல கட்டுற...
ராவில் எனக்கு தூக்கம் வரலையே
Without tying the wedding knot,
Don't cling together as one!
Without tying the wedding knot,
Don't cling together as one!
Oh girl wearing the saree…
I cannot catch any sleep at night!
{கோங்குரா கோங்குரா
குண்டூரு கோங்குரா
ஏங்குறா ஏங்குறா
எந்நாளும் ஏங்குறா} (2)
{Sorrel leaves, sorrel leaves
Guntur sorrel leaves!
Longing, yearning,
Longing every single day} (2)
உன் கோதாவரி கிருஷ்ணா நதி
வெளக்கு வெச்சா எளச்சு நின்னாளா
என் பங்கனபள்ளி பங்கஜவல்லி
எளச்சு நின்னு வெவரம் சொன்னாளா
இச்சு கொடுத்தா குச்சுப்புடிதான்
மத்த விஷயம் அத்துப்படிதான்
Your Godavari and Krishna river,
Did she grow slender when dusk fell?
My Banganapalle mango, Pangajavalli,
Did she stand slender and explain the details?
If a kiss is given, it is like the Kuchipudi dance!
All other matters are thoroughly mastered!
கோங்குரா கோங்குரா
குண்டூரு கோங்குரா
Sorrel leaves, sorrel leaves,
Guntur sorrel leaves!
ஏங்குறா ஏங்குறா
எந்நாளும் ஏங்குறா
Longing, yearning,
Longing every single day!
{Gongura gongura
{Sorrel leaves, sorrel leaves
Gundooru gonguraa
Guntur sorrel leaves!
Yenguraa yenguraa
Longing, yearning,
Ennaalum yenguraa} (2)
Longing every single day} (2)
En godhavari krishna nadhi
My Godavari and Krishna river,
Velakku vechaa elachu ninnaalaa
Did she grow slender when dusk fell?
En panganapalli pangajavalli
My Banganapalle mango, Pangajavalli,
Elachu ninnu vevaram sonnaalaa
Did she stand slender and explain the details?
Ichu koduthaa kuchuppudithaan
If a kiss is given, it is like the Kuchipudi dance!
Matha vishayam athuppadithaan
All other matters are thoroughly mastered!
Gongura gongura
Sorrel leaves, sorrel leaves,
Gundooru gonguraa
Guntur sorrel leaves!
Yenguraa yenguraa
Longing, yearning,
Ennaalum yenguraa
Longing every single day!
Kokkarako nu koovum
Crying out 'cock-a-doodle-doo',
Potta kozhi en mel thaavum
The hen leaps upon me!
Vakkanaiyaana seval
Oh stylish rooster,
Itha vachukka unakku kaaval hoi
Keep this as a guard for you, hey!
Aaluthaan karuppu
The man is dark in complexion,
Nenjuthaan veluppu
But his heart is pure white!
Nalla manasum irukku
He has a good heart,
Vayasum irukku vaayaa..
And youth on his side, come on man!
Ammammaa ilasu
Oh my, so young and fresh,
Angange urasu
Rub against me here and there!
Intha odambu muzhukka
This entire body
Kothichu pochu theeyaa
Has boiled up like fire!
Ippo nee kick yeri
Now that you are high on excitement,
Vaikkaathe kacheri
Don't put on a grand show!
Ippo nee kick yeri
Now that you are high on excitement,
Vaikkaathe kacheri
Don't put on a grand show!
Oru paattu kattavum
To compose a song
Thaalam kottavum
And beat the rhythm,
Neram vanthidum kaalam vanthidum
The right time and season will arrive!
Gongura gongura
Sorrel leaves, sorrel leaves,
Gundooru gonguraa
Guntur sorrel leaves!
Yenguraa yenguraa
Longing, yearning,
Ennaalum yenguraa
Longing every single day!
Panguni maasa veyyilu
In the scorching heat of Panguni month,
Naan pandiya naattu kuyilu
I am the cuckoo bird of the Pandya land!
Pothura thogai mayilu
A peacock fanning its grand feathers,
Nee oattura kaathal rayilu
You are driving the train of love!
Thattinaa thavilu
If struck, it is a drum,
Kuthinaa oralu
If pounded, it is a mortar,
Ithu therinja kanakku
This is a known calculation,
Purinja vazhakku vaa ma
An understood tradition, come on dear!
Ennai nee gavani
Pay attention to me,
Thithikkum pathani
Sweet palm nectar
Intha udhattil irukku
Is right here on these lips,
Eduthu unakku thaaren
I shall take it and give it to you!
Kannaalam kattaathu
Without tying the wedding knot,
Onnaaga ottaathu
Don't cling together as one!
Kannaalam kattaathu
Without tying the wedding knot,
Onnaaga ottaathu
Don't cling together as one!
Adi sela kattura…
Oh girl wearing the saree…
Raavil enakku thookkam varalaye
I cannot catch any sleep at night!
{Gongura gongura
{Sorrel leaves, sorrel leaves
Gundooru gonguraa
Guntur sorrel leaves!
Yenguraa yenguraa
Longing, yearning,
Ennaalum yenguraa} (2)
Longing every single day} (2)
Un godhavari krishna nadhi
Your Godavari and Krishna river,
Velakku vechaa elachu ninnaalaa
Did she grow slender when dusk fell?
En panganapalli pangajavalli
My Banganapalle mango, Pangajavalli,
Elachu ninnu vevaram sonnaalaa
Did she stand slender and explain the details?
Ichu koduthaa kuchuppudithaan
If a kiss is given, it is like the Kuchipudi dance!
Matha vishayam athuppadithaan
All other matters are thoroughly mastered!
Gonguraa gonguraa
Sorrel leaves, sorrel leaves,
Gundooru gonguraa
Guntur sorrel leaves!
Yenguraa yenguraa
Longing, yearning,
Ennaalum yenguraa
Longing every single day!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Gongura Gongura' is an energetic folk duet from the 1996 Tamil film 'Viswanath', featuring music composed by Deva with lyrics by Vaali. The song captures a high-spirited, playful exchange between two lovers filled with teasing courtship and romantic yearning. Vaali ingeniously mixes cultural metaphors from Andhra Pradesh—such as Guntur Gongura (sorrel leaves), the Godavari and Krishna rivers, Kuchipudi dance, and Banganapalle mangoes—with Tamil folk imagery like the Panguni summer heat and the Pandya cuckoo.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Gundooru gonguraa / En panganapalli pangajavalli”
Comparing the heroine's allure and sweetness to popular regional delicacies like Guntur Gongura (sour sorrel leaves) and Banganapalle mangoes.
Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Thattinaa thavilu / Kuthinaa oralu”
The second consonant sound ('t/th') rhymes between 'Thattinaa' and 'Kuthinaa'.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Ippo nee kick yeri / Vaikkaathe kacheri”
Both lines end with the matching rhyming sound '-eri'.
Monai (First Letter Rhyme)
“Panguni maasa veyyilu / Naan pandiya naattu kuyilu”
The first letter 'Pa' is repeated in 'Panguni' and 'Pandiya' across consecutive lines.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Deva and written by the legendary Vaali, the song prominently incorporates Telugu regional references (Gongura, Guntur, Kuchipudi, Krishna, Godavari) blended into Tamil folk beats. Sung by Mano and Swarnalatha, who were one of the most prolific playback duos for energetic folk and dance numbers in 1990s Tamil cinema.
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