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Puthumai Pithan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Karumbum Erumbum

From Puthumai Pithan · 1957

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
C. S. Jayaraman
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Movie name
Puthumai Pithan
Movie release year
1957
Lyrics added on
24 Jul 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Karumbum erumbum polae
Kaaviyam thiruvodum polae
Irumbum kaandham polae
Irukkalam marakkamalae
Manae un mel maiyal aanen
Nillu nillu
Manae un mel maiyal aanen
Nillu nillu
Thaenae undhan istam enna
Sollu sollu
Thaenae undhan istam enna
Sollu sollu
Manae un mel maiyal aanen
Nillu nillu
Dhegam ellam unnale
Thaelaaga kottudhadi
Indha baagam ellam thannale
Paambaaga kadikkudhadi
Dhegam ellam unnale
Thaelaaga kottudhadi
Baagam ellam thannale
Paambaaga kadikkudhadi
Mogathaal ennai meeri
Mel moochu vaanguthadi
Kannae endhan
Raaja petha rojaapoovae
Kanal jaadai kaati vittaal naane poven
Manae un mel maiyal aanen
Nillu nillu
Yaaradi nee ingu vandhaval yaaradi nee
Korathanamaai kaaval meeriyae
Sollaamal yen vandhaai sollu
Korathanamaai kaaval meeriyae
Sollaamal yen vandhaai sollu sollu
Korathanamaai kaaval meeriyae
Sollaamal yen vandhaai sollu sollu sollu sollu
Yaaradi nee ingu vandhaval yaaradi nee
Pitham theliya marunthondrikkudhu
Per inbam adhukullae
Pitham theliya marunthondrikkudhu
Per inbam adhukullae
Mattra marundhugal thindraalum ullukku
Mattra marundhugal thindraalum ullukku
Valle vallae aiyaen adimai
Pitham theliya marunthondrikkudhu
Per inbam adhukullae
Mattra marundhugal
Mattra marundhugal thindraalum ullukku
Valle vallae aiyaen adimai
Pitham theliya marunthondrikkudhu
Per inbam adhukullae
Like sugarcane and an ant...
Like saffron robes and a begging bowl...
Like iron and a magnet,
we can stay together, never forgetting each other...
My gentle deer, I have fallen in love with you!
Stop, stop!
My gentle deer, I have fallen in love with you!
Stop, stop!
My sweet honey, what is your wish?
Tell me, tell me...
My sweet honey, what is your wish?
Tell me, tell me...
My gentle deer, I have fallen in love with you!
Stop, stop!
Because of you, all over my body,
it stings like a scorpion!
All over my limbs, on their own,
it bites like a snake!
Because of you, all over my body,
it stings like a scorpion!
All over my limbs, on their own,
it bites like a snake!
Overwhelmed beyond control with desire,
I am panting for breath!
My darling, my...
king's precious rose flower,
if you just give me a hint with your eyes, I will leave on my own!
My gentle deer, I have fallen in love with you!
Stop, stop!
Who are you, girl? Who are you that came here?
Brazenly defying the heavy guard,
why did you come without a word? Tell me!
Brazenly defying the heavy guard,
why did you come without a word? Tell me, tell me!
Brazenly defying the heavy guard,
why did you come without a word? Tell me, tell me, tell me, tell me!
Who are you, girl? Who are you that came here?
There is a medicine to cure this madness,
and supreme bliss lies within it!
There is a medicine to cure this madness,
and supreme bliss lies within it!
Even if you swallow other medicines inside,
Even if you swallow other medicines inside,
they will not work, my lord, I am your humble servant!
There is a medicine to cure this madness,
and supreme bliss lies within it!
Other medicines...
Even if you swallow other medicines inside,
they will not work, my lord, I am your humble servant!
There is a medicine to cure this madness,
and supreme bliss lies within it!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song from 'Puthumai Pithan' (1957) is a theatrical and dramatic expression of intense romantic longing. The protagonist playfully addresses his beloved using evocative similes—comparing their connection to an ant attracted to sugarcane and iron drawn to a magnet. He confesses how love-sickness has overwhelmed his senses, describing his physical restless state as if being stung by scorpions and bitten by snakes. Demanding to know the identity of the mysterious beauty who bypassed security to enter his presence, he asserts that no ordinary medicine can cure his romantic madness ('pitham'). The only true remedy and ultimate bliss lie in her love, declaring himself forever devoted as her humble servant.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Karumbum erumbum polae / Irumbum kaandham polae

Compares the inseparable bond between the lovers to ants on sugarcane and iron to a magnet using 'polae' (like).

Uyarvu Navitchi Ani (Hyperbole)

Thaelaaga kottudhadi / Paambaaga kadikkudhadi

Exaggerates the feverish physical pangs of lovesickness to scorpion stings and snake bites.

Adukku Thodar (Repetition / Anaphora)

Nillu nillu / Sollu sollu

Repeats imperative words like 'Nillu' (Stop) and 'Sollu' (Tell) for dramatic musical rhythm and emotional urgency.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Raaja petha rojaapoovae

Directly addresses the beloved as a royal rose bloom, enhancing the romantic imagery.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by G. Ramanathan with lyrics by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, this song features the high-pitched, classical theatrical vocal style of legendary singer C. S. Jayaraman. The film 'Puthumai Pithan' (1957) starred M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and was a major musical hit of its era.

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