Karagam Sumanthavale
From Tamizh Ponnu · 1992
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, K. S. Chitra
- Music director
- Deva
- Details
- Tamizh Ponnu1992
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| …………………… | ... |
| Male | |
| Karagam sumanthavalae | Oh girl carrying the sacred pot, |
| Kaarththigaiyil samainjavalae | Oh girl who attained puberty in the month of Kaarththigai, |
| Machcham therinjavalae | Oh girl whose birthmark is known, |
| Machchaanukku amainjavalae | Oh girl who was destined for her cousin, |
| Thaavanikku vayasu enadi | What is the age of your half-saree? |
| Un machchaanukku thakkathoru badhila solladi | Give an appropriate answer to your cousin! |
| Female | |
| Karagam sumanthavalthaan | I am indeed the one who carried the sacred pot, |
| Kaarththigaiyil samanjavalthaan | I am indeed the one who came of age in Kaarththigai, |
| Machcham thenrinjavathaan | I am indeed the one whose birthmark is known, |
| Machchaanukku amainjavathaan | I am indeed the one destined for my cousin. |
| Chorus | |
| …………………. | ... |
| Male | |
| Poththi padukkaiyilum | Even under a wrapped blanket, |
| Buththi unna theduthadi | My mind searches for you, girl. |
| Unna ninaikkaiyilae | When I think of you, |
| Ullangai arikkuthadi | The palm of my hand itches. |
| Female | |
| Madaiya thorakkum munnae | Before opening the sluice gate, |
| Machchaanukku thaagamenna | Why is your cousin so thirsty? |
| Manjal kulikkumunnae | Before taking a turmeric bath, |
| Maiyal vantha maayamenna | What magic brought on this infatuation? |
| Male | |
| Thaavanikku malea vanthu | Leaping over the half-saree, |
| Thaavuthadi en manasu | My heart pounces, girl! |
| Female :Aahaan | Female: Ah-haan |
| Male :Thaavanikku malea vanthu | Male: Leaping over the half-saree, |
| Thaavuthadi en manasu | My heart pounces, girl! |
| Female | |
| Thalli nikkuthu naaththu | The sapling stands at a distance, |
| Nee thanni ooththanum paaththu | Carefully pour water on it. |
| Thalli nikkuthu naaththu | The sapling stands at a distance, |
| Nee thanni ooththanum paaththu | Carefully pour water on it. |
| Male | |
| Karagam sumanthavalae | Oh girl carrying the sacred pot, |
| Kaarththigaiyil samainjavalae | Oh girl who attained puberty in Kaarththigai, |
| Machcham therinjavalae | Oh girl whose birthmark is known, |
| Machchaanukku amainjavalae | Oh girl who was destined for her cousin, |
| Thaavanikku vayasu enadi | What is the age of your half-saree? |
| Un machchaanukku thakkathoru badhila solladi | Give an appropriate answer to your cousin! |
| Female | |
| Haan karagam sumanthavalthaan | Aha, I am indeed the one who carried the sacred pot, |
| Kaarththigaiyil samanjavalthaan | I am indeed the one who came of age in Kaarththigai, |
| Machcham thenrinjavathaan | I am indeed the one whose birthmark is known, |
| Machchaanukku amainjavathaan | I am indeed the one destined for my cousin. |
| Male | |
| Oththa kolusu enna | Why does my lone anklet, |
| Uththu uththu paarpathenna | Stare so intently at you? |
| katti pidikka solli | Telling me to embrace you, |
| Kattalaithaan pottathenna | Why did it give such an order? |
| Female | |
| Kurukku siruththavarae | Oh man with a slender waist, |
| Kurumbu seiyum saamigalae | Oh playful lord, |
| Irukka idam koduththaa | If given a place to sit, |
| padukka edam keppigalae | You will ask for a place to lie down! |
| Male | |
| Kuththa vachcha pachchakkili | Oh green parrot sitting squat, |
| Koottukkoru thaappaa enna | Why lock up the cage? |
| Female :Aahaan | Female: Ah-haan |
| Male :Kuththa vachcha pachchakkili | Male: Oh green parrot sitting squat, |
| Koottukkoru thaappaa enna | Why lock up the cage? |
| Female | |
| Vekkam pottathu veli | Shyness has built a fence, |
| Konjam velagi nikkuthu kozhi | The hen stands slightly away. |
| Vekkam pottathu veli | Shyness has built a fence, |
| Konjam velagi nikkuthu kozhi | The hen stands slightly away. |
| Male | |
| Karagam sumanthavalae | Oh girl carrying the sacred pot, |
| Kaarththigaiyil samainjavalae | Oh girl who attained puberty in Kaarththigai, |
| Machcham therinjavalae | Oh girl whose birthmark is known, |
| Machchaanukku amainjavalae | Oh girl who was destined for her cousin, |
| Thaavanikku vayasu enadi | What is the age of your half-saree? |
| Un machchaanukku thakkathoru badhila solladi | Give an appropriate answer to your cousin! |
| Aehaei | Ahey! |
| Female | |
| Karagam sumanthavalthaan | I am indeed the one who carried the sacred pot, |
| Kaarththigaiyil samanjavalthaan | I am indeed the one who came of age in Kaarththigai, |
| Thaavanikku vayasu solla | To tell you the age of my half-saree, |
| Thangaththula thaali kodu | Give me a mangalsutra made of gold! |
லுலுலுலுலுலு......
லுலுலுலுலுலு......
...
கரகம் சுமந்தவளே
கார்த்திகையில் சமைஞ்சவளே
மச்சம் தெரிஞ்சவளே
மச்சானுக்கு அமைஞ்சவளே
தாவணிக்கு வயசு என்னடி
உன் மச்சானுக்கு தக்கதொரு பதில சொல்லடி
Oh girl carrying the sacred pot,
Oh girl who attained puberty in the month of Kaarththigai,
Oh girl whose birthmark is known,
Oh girl who was destined for her cousin,
What is the age of your half-saree?
Give an appropriate answer to your cousin!
கரகம் சுமந்தவள்தான்
கார்த்திகையில் சமைஞ்சவள்தான்
மச்சம் தெரிஞ்சவதான்
மச்சானுக்கு அமைஞ்சவதான்...
I am indeed the one who carried the sacred pot,
I am indeed the one who came of age in Kaarththigai,
I am indeed the one whose birthmark is known,
I am indeed the one destined for my cousin.
..............................
...
பொத்தி படுக்கையிலும்
புத்தி உன்ன தேடுதடி
உன்ன நினைக்கையிலே
உள்ளங்கை அரிக்குதடி
Even under a wrapped blanket,
My mind searches for you, girl.
When I think of you,
The palm of my hand itches.
மடைய தொறக்கும் முன்னே
மச்சானுக்கு தாகமென்ன
மஞ்சள் குளிக்கும் முன்னே
மையல் வந்த மாயமென்ன
Before opening the sluice gate,
Why is your cousin so thirsty?
Before taking a turmeric bath,
What magic brought on this infatuation?
தாவணிக்கு மேலே வந்து
தாவுதடி என் மனசு
ஆஹான்
தாவணிக்கு மேலே வந்து
தாவுதடி என் மனசு
Leaping over the half-saree,
My heart pounces, girl!
Female: Ah-haan
Male: Leaping over the half-saree,
My heart pounces, girl!
தள்ளி நிக்குது நாத்து
நீ தண்ணி ஊத்தணும் பாத்து
தள்ளி நிக்குது நாத்து நீ
தண்ணி ஊத்தணும் பாத்து
The sapling stands at a distance,
Carefully pour water on it.
The sapling stands at a distance,
Carefully pour water on it.
கரகம் சுமந்தவளே
கார்த்திகையில் சமைஞ்சவளே
மச்சம் தெரிஞ்சவளே
மச்சானுக்கு அமைஞ்சவளே
தாவணிக்கு வயசு என்னடி
உன் மச்சானுக்கு தக்கதொரு பதில சொல்லடி
Oh girl carrying the sacred pot,
Oh girl who attained puberty in Kaarththigai,
Oh girl whose birthmark is known,
Oh girl who was destined for her cousin,
What is the age of your half-saree?
Give an appropriate answer to your cousin!
ஹான் கரகம் சுமந்தவள்தான்
கார்த்திகையில் சமைஞ்சவள்தான்
மச்சம் தெரிஞ்சவதான்
மச்சானுக்கு அமைஞ்சவதான்...
Aha, I am indeed the one who carried the sacred pot,
I am indeed the one who came of age in Kaarththigai,
I am indeed the one whose birthmark is known,
I am indeed the one destined for my cousin.
ஒத்த கொலுசு என்ன
உத்து உத்து பார்ப்பதென்ன
கட்டிப் பிடிக்க சொல்லி
கட்டளைதான் போட்டதென்ன
Why does my lone anklet,
Stare so intently at you?
Telling me to embrace you,
Why did it give such an order?
குறுக்கு சிறுத்தவரே
குறும்பு செய்யும் சாமிகளே
இருக்க இடம் கொடுத்தா
படுக்க எடம் கேப்பீகளே
Oh man with a slender waist,
Oh playful lord,
If given a place to sit,
You will ask for a place to lie down!
குத்த வச்ச பச்சக்கிளி
கூட்டுக்கொரு தாப்பா என்ன
ஆஹான்
குத்த வச்ச பச்சக்கிளி
கூட்டுக்கொரு தாப்பா என்ன
Oh green parrot sitting squat,
Why lock up the cage?
Female: Ah-haan
Male: Oh green parrot sitting squat,
Why lock up the cage?
வெக்கம் போட்டது வேலி
கொஞ்சம் வெலகி நிக்குது கோழி
வெக்கம் போட்டது வேலி
கொஞ்சம் வெலகி நிக்குது கோழி
Shyness has built a fence,
The hen stands slightly away.
Shyness has built a fence,
The hen stands slightly away.
கரகம் சுமந்தவளே
கார்த்திகையில் சமைஞ்சவளே
மச்சம் தெரிஞ்சவளே
மச்சானுக்கு அமைஞ்சவளே
தாவணிக்கு வயசு என்னடி
உன் மச்சானுக்கு தக்கதொரு பதில சொல்லடி
ஏஹேய்.......
Oh girl carrying the sacred pot,
Oh girl who attained puberty in Kaarththigai,
Oh girl whose birthmark is known,
Oh girl who was destined for her cousin,
What is the age of your half-saree?
Give an appropriate answer to your cousin!
Ahey!
கரகம் சுமந்தவள்தான்
கார்த்திகையில் சமைஞ்சவள்தான்
தாவணிக்கு வயசு சொல்ல
தங்கத்துல தாலி கொடு.....
I am indeed the one who carried the sacred pot,
I am indeed the one who came of age in Kaarththigai,
To tell you the age of my half-saree,
Give me a mangalsutra made of gold!
……………………
...
Karagam sumanthavalae
Oh girl carrying the sacred pot,
Kaarththigaiyil samainjavalae
Oh girl who attained puberty in the month of Kaarththigai,
Machcham therinjavalae
Oh girl whose birthmark is known,
Machchaanukku amainjavalae
Oh girl who was destined for her cousin,
Thaavanikku vayasu enadi
What is the age of your half-saree?
Un machchaanukku thakkathoru badhila solladi
Give an appropriate answer to your cousin!
Karagam sumanthavalthaan
I am indeed the one who carried the sacred pot,
Kaarththigaiyil samanjavalthaan
I am indeed the one who came of age in Kaarththigai,
Machcham thenrinjavathaan
I am indeed the one whose birthmark is known,
Machchaanukku amainjavathaan
I am indeed the one destined for my cousin.
………………….
...
Poththi padukkaiyilum
Even under a wrapped blanket,
Buththi unna theduthadi
My mind searches for you, girl.
Unna ninaikkaiyilae
When I think of you,
Ullangai arikkuthadi
The palm of my hand itches.
Madaiya thorakkum munnae
Before opening the sluice gate,
Machchaanukku thaagamenna
Why is your cousin so thirsty?
Manjal kulikkumunnae
Before taking a turmeric bath,
Maiyal vantha maayamenna
What magic brought on this infatuation?
Thaavanikku malea vanthu
Leaping over the half-saree,
Thaavuthadi en manasu
My heart pounces, girl!
Female :Aahaan
Female: Ah-haan
Male :Thaavanikku malea vanthu
Male: Leaping over the half-saree,
Thaavuthadi en manasu
My heart pounces, girl!
Thalli nikkuthu naaththu
The sapling stands at a distance,
Nee thanni ooththanum paaththu
Carefully pour water on it.
Thalli nikkuthu naaththu
The sapling stands at a distance,
Nee thanni ooththanum paaththu
Carefully pour water on it.
Karagam sumanthavalae
Oh girl carrying the sacred pot,
Kaarththigaiyil samainjavalae
Oh girl who attained puberty in Kaarththigai,
Machcham therinjavalae
Oh girl whose birthmark is known,
Machchaanukku amainjavalae
Oh girl who was destined for her cousin,
Thaavanikku vayasu enadi
What is the age of your half-saree?
Un machchaanukku thakkathoru badhila solladi
Give an appropriate answer to your cousin!
Haan karagam sumanthavalthaan
Aha, I am indeed the one who carried the sacred pot,
Kaarththigaiyil samanjavalthaan
I am indeed the one who came of age in Kaarththigai,
Machcham thenrinjavathaan
I am indeed the one whose birthmark is known,
Machchaanukku amainjavathaan
I am indeed the one destined for my cousin.
Oththa kolusu enna
Why does my lone anklet,
Uththu uththu paarpathenna
Stare so intently at you?
katti pidikka solli
Telling me to embrace you,
Kattalaithaan pottathenna
Why did it give such an order?
Kurukku siruththavarae
Oh man with a slender waist,
Kurumbu seiyum saamigalae
Oh playful lord,
Irukka idam koduththaa
If given a place to sit,
padukka edam keppigalae
You will ask for a place to lie down!
Kuththa vachcha pachchakkili
Oh green parrot sitting squat,
Koottukkoru thaappaa enna
Why lock up the cage?
Female :Aahaan
Female: Ah-haan
Male :Kuththa vachcha pachchakkili
Male: Oh green parrot sitting squat,
Koottukkoru thaappaa enna
Why lock up the cage?
Vekkam pottathu veli
Shyness has built a fence,
Konjam velagi nikkuthu kozhi
The hen stands slightly away.
Vekkam pottathu veli
Shyness has built a fence,
Konjam velagi nikkuthu kozhi
The hen stands slightly away.
Karagam sumanthavalae
Oh girl carrying the sacred pot,
Kaarththigaiyil samainjavalae
Oh girl who attained puberty in Kaarththigai,
Machcham therinjavalae
Oh girl whose birthmark is known,
Machchaanukku amainjavalae
Oh girl who was destined for her cousin,
Thaavanikku vayasu enadi
What is the age of your half-saree?
Un machchaanukku thakkathoru badhila solladi
Give an appropriate answer to your cousin!
Aehaei
Ahey!
Karagam sumanthavalthaan
I am indeed the one who carried the sacred pot,
Kaarththigaiyil samanjavalthaan
I am indeed the one who came of age in Kaarththigai,
Thaavanikku vayasu solla
To tell you the age of my half-saree,
Thangaththula thaali kodu
Give me a mangalsutra made of gold!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This playful and romantic duet from the film features a teasing dialogue between a young man and his maternal cousin (machaan and machal). The man flirts with her, admiring her traditional grace, her maturity marked since the month of Kaarththigai, and expressing his deep romantic longing and impatience to be with her.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)
“Poththi padukkaiyilum / Buththi unna theduthadi”
Matching second consonants across lines, e.g., 'Karagam' and 'Kaarththigaiyil', 'Poththi' and 'Buththi'.
Monaai (Alliteration)
“Thalli nikkuthu naaththu / Nee thanni ooththanum paaththu”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds within a line or across adjacent lines, such as 'Thalli' and 'Thanni'.
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Vekkam pottathu veli”
Comparing shyness to a fence standing in the way of intimacy ('Vekkam pottathu veli').
Did you know?
Trivia
The lyrics by Vairamuthu capture the authentic rural flavor of Tamil Nadu's village folk traditions, incorporating ritual references like carrying the Karagam pot and customary village courtship tropes.
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