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Lyrics & meaning

Kunguma Poove Konjum Puraave

From Maragatham · 1959

Lyricist
Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam
Singers
J. P. Chandrababu, Jamuna Rani
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Maragatham1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kunguma poove konjum puraavaeOh saffron flower, cooing dove!
Kunguma poovae konjum puraavaeOh saffron flower, cooing dove!
Thangamae unnai kandadhumOh golden one, upon seeing you,
Inbam pongudhu thannalaeJoy overflows on its own.
Female
Pokkiri raajaa podhumae thaajaaOh rogue king, enough of coaxing!
Pokkiri raajaa podhumae thaajaaOh rogue king, enough of coaxing!
Pomabalai kitta jambamaa vandhuComing proudly near a woman,
Vambugal pannaadhayDo not create trouble!
Female
Santhula thaanaa sindhugal paaadiSing songs spontaneously in narrow alleys,
Thandhiram pannaadhayDo not play tricks!
Santhula thaanaa sindhugal paaadiSing songs spontaneously in narrow alleys,
Thandhiram pannaadhayDo not play tricks!
Nee mandhirathaalay maangaayathaanayBy using magical incantations, a mango,
Parikka ennaadhayDo not think of plucking!
Mandhirathaalay maangaayathaanayBy using magical incantations, a mango,
Parikka ennaadhayDo not think of plucking!
Female
Pokkiri pokkiri pokkiriRogue, rogue, rogue,
Pokkiri raajaaRogue king!
Podhumay podhumay podhumayEnough, enough, enough,
Podhumay ThaajaaEnough of coaxing!
Male
Kunguma kunguma kungumaSaffron, saffron, saffron,
Kunguma poovaySaffron flower!
Konjum konjum konjumCooing, cooing, cooing,
Konjum PuraavayCooing dove!
Male
Jambar pattum dhaavani kattumSilk blouse and tied half-saree,
Sala salakkayilayMaking a rustling sound...
Jambar pattum dhaavani kattumSilk blouse and tied half-saree,
Sala salakkayilayMaking a rustling sound...
En manam kettu yaekkamum pattuMy mind gets ruined, yearning takes over,
Ennamo pannudhadiSomething strange happens to me, my girl!
En manam kettu yaekkamum pattuMy mind gets ruined, yearning takes over,
Ennamo pannudhadiSomething strange happens to me, my girl!
Male
Kunguma kunguma kungumaSaffron, saffron, saffron,
Kunguma poovaySaffron flower!
Konjum konjum konjumCooing, cooing, cooing,
Konjum PuraavayCooing dove!
Female
Chithira pattu selayai kanduSeeing the picture-patterned silk saree,
Unakku PiriyamaaIs it love for you?
Chithira pattu selayai kanduSeeing the picture-patterned silk saree,
Unakku PiriyamaaIs it love for you?
Nee pithu pidichipPesuradhellaamSpeaking as if you have gone mad,
Enakku puriyumaaWill I understand it?
Nee pithu pidichipPesuradhellaamSpeaking as if you have gone mad,
Enakku puriyumaaWill I understand it?
Female
Pokkiri pokkiri pokkiriRogue, rogue, rogue,
Pokkiri raajaaRogue king!
Podhumay podhumay podhumayEnough, enough, enough,
Podhumay ThaajaaEnough of coaxing!
Female
Senbaga mottum Ssandhana pottumChampak bud and sandalwood dot,
Sammadha pattukkanumMust give their consent!
Senbaga mottum Ssandhana pottumChampak bud and sandalwood dot,
Sammadha pattukkanumMust give their consent!
Thaalamum thatti maelamum kottiBeating the rhythm and playing the drums,
Thaaliya kattikkanumMust tie the sacred thali!
Thaalamum thatti maelamum kottiBeating the rhythm and playing the drums,
Thaaliya kattikkanumMust tie the sacred thali!
Male
Kunguma poovae konjum puraavaeOh saffron flower, cooing dove!
Thangamae unnai kandadhumOh golden one, upon seeing you,
Inbam pongudhu thannalaeJoy overflows on its own.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kunguma Poove Konjum Puraave is a playful romantic duet between lovers engaging in lighthearted banter. The male lead affectionately addresses his beloved using poetic imagery like a saffron flower and a gentle dove, expressing how seeing her fills his heart with spontaneous joy. The female lead playfully reprimands him, calling him a rogue and warning him not to try foolish shortcuts or clever tricks to win her heart. As the song unfolds, the hero expresses how her graceful appearance in traditional attire stirs deep longing within him. The heroine responds by reminding him that mere sweet talk is not enough; genuine love requires traditional consent and formal commitment through marriage with music, drums, and tying the sacred thali.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Kunguma poove konjum puraavae

The heroine is poetically compared to 'Kunguma poovu' (saffron flower) representing radiant beauty, and 'konjum puraa' (cooing dove) symbolizing gentleness.

Idiomatic Metaphor

Nee mandhirathaalay maangaayathaanay Parikka ennaadhay

The phrase 'plucking a mango with magic' is used as a metaphor for attempting to win love effortlessly through shortcuts rather than sincere effort.

Repetition / Adukkuthodar

Pokkiri pokkiri pokkiri Pokkiri raajaa

Words are repeated consecutively ('Pokkiri pokkiri', 'Podhumay podhumay') to emphasize playful exasperation and enhance the rhythmic cadence.

Rhyme / Ethukai & Monai

Jambar pattum dhaavani kattum Sala salakkayilay

The usage of internal rhyming words like 'pattum' and 'kattum' creates a natural bounce and musicality.

Did you know?

Trivia

This classic melody from Maragatham (1959) features music by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu with lyrics written by Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam, memorably sung by J. P. Chandrababu and K. Jamuna Rani.

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