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Lyrics & meaning

Konjum Puraave

From Thai Ullam · 1952

Lyricist
Kanakasurabhi
Singer
M. L. Vasanthakumari
Music directors
Chittor V. Nagaiah, A. Rama Rao
Details
Thai Ullam1952

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Mmmm mmm mmm[Humming]
Mmmm mmm mmm[Humming]
Hmmm mmm mmm[Humming]
Oh oh oh oh o[Vocalizing]
Ho ho ho ho hoooo[Vocalizing]
La la la la la[Vocalizing]
Hmm hmm mmm mmm mmm[Humming]
Hoo ooo ooo oo hoo ooo[Vocalizing]
Female
Konjum puraavaeO cooing dove!
Nenjodu nenjamHeart to heart,
Jegam enganumThroughout the world,
Uravaadidum jaalamidhaedhoWhat magic is this that creates bonds?
Female
Konjum puraavaeO cooing dove!
Nenjodu nenjamHeart to heart,
Jegam enganumThroughout the world,
Uravaadidum jaalamidhaedhoWhat magic is this that creates bonds?
Female
Konjum puraavaeO cooing dove!
Female
Pongum nilaavaeO rising moon,
Mangaiyai polaeLike a young maiden,
Pongum nilaavaeO rising moon,
Mangaiyai polaeLike a young maiden,
Puralum kadalWhy does the rolling ocean
Unai kandadhumUpon seeing you,
PurippadhaenoSwell with delight?
Female
Konjum puraavaeO cooing dove!
Female
Ven thaamaraiyaeO white lotus,
SengkadhironinAt the sun's
Kan veechilaeGlances,
Vin nokki neeLooking towards the sky,
Sirippadhum yenoWhy do you smile?
Female
Konjum puraavaeO cooing dove!
Female
Hmmm mmm mm mmm[Humming]
Hmmm mmm mmm mmm[Humming]
Hmmm mmmm[Humming]
Female
Solai kuyilae jodi kandaalaeO cuckoo in the grove, when you find your mate,
Pannodu kaadhal paaduvadhaenoWhy do you sing of love with melody?
Pannodu kaadhal paaduvadhaenoWhy do you sing of love with melody?
Manam seiyum sudho maaranin thudhoIs it a trick of the mind, or Cupid's message?
MaayamidhaedhoWhat kind of illusion is this?
Oh ho ho ho ho ooo[Vocalizing]
La la lal la lal hmm mmm hmm mmm mm[Vocalizing]
Hooo ooo ooo hoo ooo ooo ooo[Vocalizing]
Female
Konjum puraavaeO cooing dove!
Nenjodu nenjamHeart to heart,
Jegam enganumThroughout the world,
Uravaadidum jaalamidhaedhoWhat magic is this that creates bonds?
Konjum puraavaeO cooing dove!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Konjum Puraave is a poetic song from the 1952 Tamil film Thai Ullam. The song draws rich allegories from nature—a caressing dove, the rising moon, the blossoming lotus, and a singing cuckoo—to explore the mysterious spell that love casts over living beings. The singer addresses these natural elements, pondering how love brings delight, longing, and connection across the world. Through vivid imagery, the lyricist asks why the ocean swells upon seeing the moon, why the lotus blooms looking up at the sun, and why the cuckoo sings melodiously upon finding its partner. It attributes all these wondrous reactions to the magical illusion and divine trickery of Kamadeva (Cupid).

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Refrain

Konjum puraavae

The phrase 'Konjum puraavae' is repeated at the start and end of several stanzas to anchor the song's musical theme.

Simile (Upamai)

Mangaiyai polae

Comparing the full, rising moon to a beautiful young maiden using the word 'polae' (like).

Personification (Maantharudhal)

Vin nokki nee Sirippadhum yeno

Attributing human actions like smiling ('Sirippadhum yeno') to the lotus as it faces the sun's rays.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Pongum nilaavae / Mangaiyai polae

The second consonant 'n' matches in 'Pongum' and 'Mangaiyai', creating traditional Tamil second-letter rhyming.

Did you know?

Trivia

S. V. Sahasranamam starred in 'Thai Ullam' (1952), an adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel 'Great Expectations'. 'Konjum Puraave' was sung by the legendary Carnatic music exponent M. L. Vasanthakumari (MLV) and composed by V. Nagaiah and A. Rama Rao. MLV's exquisite classical vocal renditions and sangatis made this song one of the biggest hits of the early 1950s.

Keep listening

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