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Kizhakke Pogum Rail album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kovil Mani Osai

From Kizhakke Pogum Rail · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Kizhakke Pogum Rail
Movie release year
1978
Lyrics added on
1 Jun 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kovil mani osai thannai… kaettadhaaro…
Ingu vandhadhaaro…
Female :Paanjaali paanjaali
Kovil mani osai thannai… seidhadhaaro…
Avar yenna paero…
Female :Paranjothi paranjothi
Kovil mani osai thannai kaettadhaaro
Ingu vandhadhaaro kanni poovo pinju poovo
Ezhai kuyil geetham tharum naadham
Adhu kaatraanadho thoodhaanadho
Kovil mani osai thannai seidhadhaaro
Avar yenna paero paattu paadum koottatthaaro
Ezhai kuyil geetham tharum naadham
Adhu kondaandhadho ennai ingu
Kovil mani osai thannai kaettadhaaro…
Paadal oru kodi seidhaen
Kaettavarkku njaanam illai
Aasai kiliyae vandhaayae pannodu
Naan pirandha naalil idhu nalla naalae
Chinna chinna mulla kili pillai ennai vendraalamma
Kovil mani osai thannai kaettadhaaro…
Oorukku pona ponnu
Ullooru chella kannu
Kovil mani osai kaettaalae vandhaalae
Paavam undhan kachaerikku ponnu naanaa
Paadum varai paadu thaalam podu adhai neeyae kaelu
Kovil mani osai thannai seidhadhaaro…
En manadhu thaamarai poo
Un manadhu mullai mottu
Kaalam varumae nee kooda pennaaga
Ooril oru pennaa illai thaedi paaru
Nalla pennai kandaal konjam sollu
Adhu nee thaanammaa
Kovil mani osai thannai kaettadhaaro
Ingu vandhadhaaro
Paattu paadum koottatthaaro
Ezhai kuyil geetham tharum naadham
Adhu kondaandhadho ennai ingu
Kovil mani osai thannai seidhadhaaro…
Who was it that heard the sound of the temple bell?
Who was it that came here?
Panchali, Panchali...
Who was it that rang the temple bell?
What might his name be?
Paranjothi, Paranjothi...
Who was it that heard the sound of the temple bell?
Who came here? A fresh blossom or a tender bud?
The sweet melody sung by a simple cuckoo,
did it turn into the breeze, or did it become a messenger?
Who was it that rang the temple bell?
What might his name be? Is he one of those wandering singers?
The sweet melody sung by a simple cuckoo,
did it bring me all the way here?
Who was it that heard the sound of the temple bell?
I composed millions of songs,
yet none who heard had the wisdom to appreciate them.
O beloved parrot of mine, you have arrived with music!
Of all the days since I was born, this is the finest day.
With her tiny playful pricks, this sweet little parrot has won my heart!
Who was it that heard the sound of the temple bell?
Ponnu, who had gone away to town,
the darling sweetheart of our village...
She heard the sound of the temple bell and came right here!
Poor thing, am I, Ponnu, supposed to be the audience for your concert?
Sing as long as you want, keep your own beat, and listen to it yourself!
Who was it that rang the temple bell?
My heart is a blooming lotus,
and your heart is a jasmine bud.
The time will come when you too blossom into a woman.
Is there only one girl in this whole village? Go search and see!
If you happen to find a good girl, do let me know.
Why, that girl is you!
Who was it that heard the sound of the temple bell?
Who was it that came here?
Is he one of those wandering singers?
The sweet melody sung by a simple cuckoo,
did it bring me all the way here?
Who was it that rang the temple bell?
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Kovil Mani Osai from the movie Kizhakke Pogum Rail is a charming, playful duet between the primary lead characters, Paranjothi and Panchali. Set against a rural backdrop, the song uses the resonant ringing of a temple bell as a motif to symbolize the awakening of romantic feelings and mutual curiosity. The male lead sings about his artistic soul and his fond affection for the heroine, comparing her innocence to a tender bud and himself to a lotus. In response, the female lead coyly deflects his praise with witty retorts, questioning whether she is truly the one he seeks. Through metaphorical references to cuckoos, flowers, and gentle breezes, the lyrical exchange captures the innocence, teasing dynamics, and unspoken attraction of village romance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

“En manadhu thaamarai poo / Un manadhu mullai mottu”

Comparing the human hearts directly to flowers ('My heart is a lotus flower, your heart is a jasmine bud') to reflect emotional purity and growth.

Rhetorical Question

“Kovil mani osai thannai… kaettadhaaro…”

Repeatedly asking who heard the bell or who made the sound as a stylistic device to introduce curiosity and narrative dialogue.

Rhyme and Alliteration (Edhugai and Monai)

“Oorukku pona ponnu / Ullooru chella kannu”

Matching initial and secondary consonants in adjacent lines ('Oorukku' / 'Ullooru' and 'ponnu' / 'kannu') creating a rhythmic folk cadence.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Sengamalam Sirikuthu1984
Dhavani KanavugalLongingPlayful Romance
Vethala Madichi Kodukka1988
Paatti Sollai ThattathePlayful RomanceDevotion
Orey Kelvi1961
PanithiraiPlayful RomanceInnocence
Chithirai Sevvanam1978
Kaatrinile Varum GeethamPlayful RomanceLonging
Vasamulla1990
Amman Kovil ThiruvizhaPlayful RomanceLonging
Mannulagellam Ponnulagaga1958
Uthama Puthiran – 1958 FilmPlayful RomanceNature

From the same album

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Mancholai Kilithano1978
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Edho Paattu Edho Raagam1978
Kizhakke Pogum RailMelancholic
Neeyum Naanum Onnu Endra1978
Kizhakke Pogum RailContemplative

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