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Idhu Sathiyam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kunguma Pottu Kulunguthadi

From Idhu Sathiyam · 1963

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. Janaki, P. Susheela
Music directors
Vishwanathan, Ramamoorthy
Movie name
Idhu Sathiyam
Movie release year
1963
Lyrics added on
13 Mar 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kunguma pottu kulungudhadi
Nalla komala manjal vilangudhadi
Kunguma pottu kulungudhadi
Nalla komala manjal vilangudhadi
Kunguma pottu kulungudhadi
Nalla komala manjal vilangudhadi
Mangala thotram pongi ezhundhu
Magan varuvadhai koorudhadi
Mangala thotram pongi ezhundhu
Magan varuvadhai koorudhadi
Aaha magan varuvadhai koorudhadi
Kannagi vandhu pirappaalo
Karpu kavidhai padippaalo
Nalla karpu kavidhai padippaalo
Kannagi vandhu pirappaalo
Karpu kavidhai padippaalo
Gangai kondavan kaaviri chozhan
Mangai vayitril udhippaano
Mangai vayitril udhippaano
Aaha mangai vayitril udhippaano
Singathai vellum baradhano
Saedhu naattu maravano
Singathai vellum baradhano
Saedhu naattu maravano
Paeridum paattan uruvamo
Endhan paeran kuzhandhai azhagano
Paeridum paattan uruvamo
Endhan paeran kuzhandhai azhagano
Aa… aaa…
Aa… aaa…
Aa… aaa…
Aa… aaa…
Paeridum paattan uruvamo
Paeran kuzhandhai azhagano
Endhan paeran kuzhandhai azhagano
Marudha naattu thalaivan pola
Panbu nirandha thalaivano
Panbu nirandha thalaivano
Aaha panbu nirandha thalaivano
Bakthi nirandha njaaniyo
Paadi thiriyum thaeneeyo
Paadi thiriyum thaeneeyo
Kunguma pottu kulungudhadi
Nalla komala manjal vilangudhadi
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa… aa… aa… aa…
Kunguma pottu kulungudhadi
Nalla komala manjal vilangudhadi
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Kunguma pottu kulungudhadi
Nalla komala manjal vilangudhadi
{Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… } (3)
Kunguma pottu kulungudhadi
Nalla komala manjal vilangudhadi
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa… aa… aa…
Female :Aa… aa… aa…
The red kumkum mark shines gracefully, my friend,
and the soft turmeric glows bright on her face!
The red kumkum mark shines gracefully, my friend,
and the soft turmeric glows bright on her face!
The red kumkum mark shines gracefully, my friend,
and the soft turmeric glows bright on her face!
An auspicious glow rises and overflows,
telling us that a baby is on the way!
An auspicious glow rises and overflows,
telling us that a baby is on the way!
Aha, telling us that a baby is on the way!
Will a girl like Kannagi (legend of chastity) be born?
Will she recite the poetry of pure devotion?
Will she recite the sweet poetry of pure devotion?
Will a girl like Kannagi be born?
Will she recite the poetry of pure devotion?
Or will a mighty Chola king who conquered the Ganges
be born from this young woman's womb?
Be born from this young woman's womb?
Aha, be born from this young woman's womb?
Will he be like Bharata who tames wild lions?
Or a brave warrior from the land of Sethu?
Will he be like Bharata who tames wild lions?
Or a brave warrior from the land of Sethu?
Will he take after the grandfather who names him?
Will he be my handsome little grandson?
Will he take after the grandfather who names him?
Will he be my handsome little grandson?
Aa... aa...
Aa... aa...
Aa... aa...
Aa... aa...
Will he take after the grandfather who names him?
A handsome little grandson?
My handsome little grandson?
Like the noble chief of the fertile river plains,
will he be a leader filled with goodness?
Will he be a leader filled with goodness?
Aha, will he be a leader filled with goodness?
Will he be a wise sage filled with devotion,
or a cheerful honeybee singing as it wanders?
Or a cheerful honeybee singing as it wanders?
The red kumkum mark shines gracefully, my friend,
and the soft turmeric glows bright on her face!
Aa... aa... aa... aa... aa...
Aa... aa... aa... aa...
The red kumkum mark shines gracefully, my friend,
and the soft turmeric glows bright on her face!
Aa... aa... aa... aa... aa...
Aa... aa... aa... aa...
Aa... aa... aa... aa... aa... aa... aa... aa... aa...
The red kumkum mark shines gracefully, my friend,
and the soft turmeric glows bright on her face!
{ Aa... aa... aa... aa... aa...
Aa... aa... aa... aa... aa... } (3)
The red kumkum mark shines gracefully, my friend,
and the soft turmeric glows bright on her face!
Aa... aa... aa... aa... aa...
Aa... aa... aa... aa... aa...
Aa... aa... aa...
Female: Aa... aa... aa...
Female
Chorus
Female
Female
Chorus
Female
Female
Chorus
Female
Female
Chorus
Female
Chorus
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Chorus
Female
Chorus
Female
Chorus
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song from Idhu Sathiyam (1963) portrays a joyous, auspicious domestic atmosphere celebrating pregnancy and the anticipation of a new life. Through traditional Tamil cultural symbols like vermilion (kungumam) and turmeric (manjal), the song conveys maternal radiance, purity, and family pride. Lyricist Kannadasan weaves literary and historical references—ranging from the legendary Kannagi, representing righteousness, to Chola kings, brave warriors, and wise sages—wondering what virtuous qualities and greatness the unborn child will possess.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Kunguma pottu kulungudhadi / Mangala thotram pongi ezhundhu

The second consonant 'ng' rhymes across consecutive lines (Kunguma / Mangala), creating a rhythmic musical flow.

Allusion (Ilakkiya Kurippu)

Kannagi vandhu pirappaalo / Gangai kondavan kaaviri chozhan

References historical and epic figures like Kannagi (the heroine of Silappatikaram) and Chola emperors to glorify virtue and heroism.

Metaphor & Imagery

Paadi thiriyum thaeneeyo

Uses 'Paadi thiriyum thaeneeyo' (a singing, wandering honeybee) as a poetic metaphor for a joyful, active life.

Did you know?

Trivia

The movie 'Idhu Sathiyam' (1963) featured music composed by K. V. Mahadevan, with lyrics penned by the legendary poet Kannadasan. The film starred S. A. Ashokan and K. A. Thangavelu, showcasing classic 1960s Tamil cinema melody compositions.

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