Kunguma Pottu Kulunguthadi
From Idhu Sathiyam · 1963
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- S. Janaki, P. Susheela
- Music directors
- Vishwanathan, Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Idhu Sathiyam1963
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kunguma pottu kulungudhadi | The vermilion bindi sways with grace, my dear. |
| Nalla komala manjal vilangudhadi | The fine, tender turmeric shines bright, my dear. |
| Chorus | |
| Kunguma pottu kulungudhadi | The vermilion bindi sways with grace, my dear. |
| Nalla komala manjal vilangudhadi | The fine, tender turmeric shines bright, my dear. |
| Female | |
| Kunguma pottu kulungudhadi | The vermilion bindi sways with grace, my dear. |
| Nalla komala manjal vilangudhadi | The fine, tender turmeric shines bright, my dear. |
| Female | |
| Mangala thotram pongi ezhundhu | An auspicious aura surges and rises up, |
| Magan varuvadhai koorudhadi | Foretelling the arrival of a son, my dear. |
| Chorus | |
| Mangala thotram pongi ezhundhu | An auspicious aura surges and rises up, |
| Magan varuvadhai koorudhadi | Foretelling the arrival of a son, my dear. |
| Female | |
| Aaha magan varuvadhai koorudhadi | Ah, foretelling the arrival of a son, my dear! |
| Female | |
| Kannagi vandhu pirappaalo | Will a daughter like Kannagi be born? |
| Karpu kavidhai padippaalo | Will she recite poetry on chastity? |
| Chorus | |
| Nalla karpu kavidhai padippaalo | Will she recite fine poetry on chastity? |
| Female | |
| Kannagi vandhu pirappaalo | Will a daughter like Kannagi be born? |
| Karpu kavidhai padippaalo | Will she recite poetry on chastity? |
| Female | |
| Gangai kondavan kaaviri chozhan | The Chola monarch who conquered the Ganges and Kaveri, |
| Mangai vayitril udhippaano | Will he be born from this young woman's womb? |
| Mangai vayitril udhippaano | Will he be born from this young woman's womb? |
| Chorus | |
| Aaha mangai vayitril udhippaano | Ah, will he be born from this young woman's womb? |
| Female | |
| Singathai vellum baradhano | Will he be Bharata who conquers lions? |
| Saedhu naattu maravano | Or a brave warrior of the Sethu land? |
| Chorus | |
| Singathai vellum baradhano | Will he be Bharata who conquers lions? |
| Saedhu naattu maravano | Or a brave warrior of the Sethu land? |
| Female | |
| Paeridum paattan uruvamo | Is he the incarnation of the renowned grandfather? |
| Endhan paeran kuzhandhai azhagano | Or is he the beautiful child, my grandson? |
| Paeridum paattan uruvamo | Is he the incarnation of the renowned grandfather? |
| Endhan paeran kuzhandhai azhagano | Or is he the beautiful child, my grandson? |
| Female | |
| Aa… aaa… | Vocalizing music notes... |
| Female | |
| Aa… aaa… | Vocalizing music notes... |
| Female | |
| Aa… aaa… | Vocalizing music notes... |
| Female | |
| Aa… aaa… | Vocalizing music notes... |
| Female | |
| Paeridum paattan uruvamo | Is he the incarnation of the renowned grandfather? |
| Paeran kuzhandhai azhagano | Or the handsome grandson child? |
| Chorus | |
| Endhan paeran kuzhandhai azhagano | Or is he the beautiful child, my grandson? |
| Female | |
| Marudha naattu thalaivan pola | Like the leader of the fertile Marudham land, |
| Panbu nirandha thalaivano | Will he be a leader filled with noble virtues? |
| Panbu nirandha thalaivano | Will he be a leader filled with noble virtues? |
| Chorus | |
| Aaha panbu nirandha thalaivano | Ah, will he be a leader filled with noble virtues? |
| Female | |
| Bakthi nirandha njaaniyo | Will he be a sage filled with devotion? |
| Paadi thiriyum thaeneeyo | Or a wandering honeybee singing tunes? |
| Chorus | |
| Paadi thiriyum thaeneeyo | Or a wandering honeybee singing tunes? |
| Female | |
| Kunguma pottu kulungudhadi | The vermilion bindi sways with grace, my dear. |
| Nalla komala manjal vilangudhadi | The fine, tender turmeric shines bright, my dear. |
| Female | |
| Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… | Vocalizing music notes... |
| Aa… aa… aa… aa… | Vocalizing music notes... |
| Female | |
| Kunguma pottu kulungudhadi | The vermilion bindi sways with grace, my dear. |
| Nalla komala manjal vilangudhadi | The fine, tender turmeric shines bright, my dear. |
| Female | |
| Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… | Vocalizing music notes... |
| Aa… aa… aa… aa… | Vocalizing music notes... |
| Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… | Vocalizing music notes... |
| Female | |
| Kunguma pottu kulungudhadi | The vermilion bindi sways with grace, my dear. |
| Nalla komala manjal vilangudhadi | The fine, tender turmeric shines bright, my dear. |
| Female | |
| {Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… | Vocalizing music notes... |
| Female | |
| Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… } (3) | Vocalizing music notes... |
| Female | |
| Kunguma pottu kulungudhadi | The vermilion bindi sways with grace, my dear. |
| Nalla komala manjal vilangudhadi | The fine, tender turmeric shines bright, my dear. |
| Female | |
| Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… | Vocalizing music notes... |
| Female | |
| Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… | Vocalizing music notes... |
| Female | |
| Aa… aa… aa… | Vocalizing music notes... |
| Female :Aa… aa… aa… | Female vocalizing music notes... |
ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...
ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...
The vermilion bindi sways with grace, my dear.
The fine, tender turmeric shines bright, my dear.
குங்குமப் பொட்டு குலுங்குதடி
நல்ல கோமள மஞ்சள் விளங்குதடி
The vermilion bindi sways with grace, my dear.
The fine, tender turmeric shines bright, my dear.
குங்குமப் பொட்டு குலுங்குதடி
நல்ல கோமள மஞ்சள் விளங்குதடி
The vermilion bindi sways with grace, my dear.
The fine, tender turmeric shines bright, my dear.
குங்குமப் பொட்டு குலுங்குதடி
நல்ல கோமள மஞ்சள் விளங்குதடி
An auspicious aura surges and rises up,
Foretelling the arrival of a son, my dear.
மங்கலத் தோற்றம் பொங்கி எழுந்து
மகன் வருவதைக் கூறுதடி
An auspicious aura surges and rises up,
Foretelling the arrival of a son, my dear.
மங்கலத் தோற்றம் பொங்கி எழுந்து
மகன் வருவதைக் கூறுதடி
Ah, foretelling the arrival of a son, my dear!
ஆஹ மகன் வருவதைக் கூறுதடி
Will a daughter like Kannagi be born?
Will she recite poetry on chastity?
குங்குமப் பொட்டு குலுங்குதடி
நல்ல கோமள மஞ்சள் விளங்குதடி
Will she recite fine poetry on chastity?
கண்ணகி வந்து பிறப்பாளோ
கற்புக் கவிதை படிப்பாளோ
Will a daughter like Kannagi be born?
Will she recite poetry on chastity?
நல்ல கற்புக் கவிதை படிப்பாளோ
The Chola monarch who conquered the Ganges and Kaveri,
Will he be born from this young woman's womb?
Will he be born from this young woman's womb?
கண்ணகி வந்து பிறப்பாளோ
கற்புக் கவிதை படிப்பாளோ
Ah, will he be born from this young woman's womb?
கங்கை கொண்டவன் காவிரிச் சோழன்
மங்கை வயிற்றில் உதிப்பானோ
மங்கை வயிற்றில் உதிப்பானோ
Will he be Bharata who conquers lions?
Or a brave warrior of the Sethu land?
ஆஹ மங்கை வயிற்றில் உதிப்பானோ
Will he be Bharata who conquers lions?
Or a brave warrior of the Sethu land?
சிங்கத்தை வெல்லும் பரதனோ
சேது நாட்டு மரவனோ
Is he the incarnation of the renowned grandfather?
Or is he the beautiful child, my grandson?
Is he the incarnation of the renowned grandfather?
Or is he the beautiful child, my grandson?
சிங்கத்தை வெல்லும் பரதனோ
சேது நாட்டு மரவனோ
Vocalizing music notes...
வள்ளி மங்கை தங்கும் நெஞ்சம் பொங்கும்
மாமயில் கொண்ட முருகனோ
ஆஹ மாமயில் கொண்ட முருகனோ
Vocalizing music notes...
குங்குமப் பொட்டு குலுங்குதடி
நல்ல கோமள மஞ்சள் விளங்குதடி
Vocalizing music notes...
பேரிடும் பாட்டன் உருவமோ
எந்தன் பேரன் குழந்தை அழகனோ
பேரிடும் பாட்டன் உருவமோ
எந்தன் பேரன் குழந்தை அழகனோ
Vocalizing music notes...
ஆ......ஆ.....
Is he the incarnation of the renowned grandfather?
Or the handsome grandson child?
ஆ......ஆ.....
Or is he the beautiful child, my grandson?
ஆ......ஆ.....
Like the leader of the fertile Marudham land,
Will he be a leader filled with noble virtues?
Will he be a leader filled with noble virtues?
ஆ......ஆ.....
Ah, will he be a leader filled with noble virtues?
ஆ... ஆ... ஆ... ஆ...
Will he be a sage filled with devotion?
Or a wandering honeybee singing tunes?
பேரிடும் பாட்டன் உருவமோ
பேரன் குழந்தை அழகனோ
Or a wandering honeybee singing tunes?
எந்தன் பேரன் குழந்தை அழகனோ
The vermilion bindi sways with grace, my dear.
The fine, tender turmeric shines bright, my dear.
மருத நாட்டு தலைவன் போல
பண்பு நிறைந்த தலைவனோ
பண்பு நிறைந்த தலைவனோ
Vocalizing music notes...
Vocalizing music notes...
ஆஹ பண்பு நிறைந்த தலைவனோ
The vermilion bindi sways with grace, my dear.
The fine, tender turmeric shines bright, my dear.
பக்தி நிறைந்த ஞானியோ
பாடித் திரியும் தேனீயோ
Vocalizing music notes...
Vocalizing music notes...
Vocalizing music notes...
பக்தி நிறைந்த ஞானியோ
பாடித் திரியும் தேனீயோ
The vermilion bindi sways with grace, my dear.
The fine, tender turmeric shines bright, my dear.
நல்ல குட்டி தெய்வம் எங்கள் வீட்டில்
தாவிப் பிறந்து தவழுமோ
ஆஹ தாவிப் பிறந்து தவழுமோ
Vocalizing music notes...
குங்குமப் பொட்டு குலுங்குதடி
நல்ல கோமள மஞ்சள் விளங்குதடி
Vocalizing music notes...
ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...
ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...
The vermilion bindi sways with grace, my dear.
The fine, tender turmeric shines bright, my dear.
குங்குமப் பொட்டு குலுங்குதடி
நல்ல கோமள மஞ்சள் விளங்குதடி
Vocalizing music notes...
ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...
ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...
ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ......ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...
Vocalizing music notes...
குங்குமப் பொட்டு குலுங்குதடி
நல்ல கோமள மஞ்சள் விளங்குதடி
Vocalizing music notes...
Female vocalizing music notes...
{ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...
ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...} (3)
ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...
ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...
குங்குமப் பொட்டு குலுங்குதடி
நல்ல கோமள மஞ்சள் விளங்குதடி
ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...
ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...ஆ...
ஆ... ஆ... ஆ...
ஆ... ஆ... ஆ...
ஆ... ஆ... ஆ... ஆ... ஆ... ஆ...
ஆ... ஆ... ஆ... ஆ... ஆ... ஆ...ஆ... ஆ... ஆ...
குங்குமப் பொட்டு குலுங்குதடி
நல்ல கோமள மஞ்சள் விளங்குதடி
குங்குமப் பொட்டு குலுங்குதடி
நல்ல கோமள மஞ்சள் விளங்குதடி
Kunguma pottu kulungudhadi
The vermilion bindi sways with grace, my dear.
Nalla komala manjal vilangudhadi
The fine, tender turmeric shines bright, my dear.
Kunguma pottu kulungudhadi
The vermilion bindi sways with grace, my dear.
Nalla komala manjal vilangudhadi
The fine, tender turmeric shines bright, my dear.
Kunguma pottu kulungudhadi
The vermilion bindi sways with grace, my dear.
Nalla komala manjal vilangudhadi
The fine, tender turmeric shines bright, my dear.
Mangala thotram pongi ezhundhu
An auspicious aura surges and rises up,
Magan varuvadhai koorudhadi
Foretelling the arrival of a son, my dear.
Mangala thotram pongi ezhundhu
An auspicious aura surges and rises up,
Magan varuvadhai koorudhadi
Foretelling the arrival of a son, my dear.
Aaha magan varuvadhai koorudhadi
Ah, foretelling the arrival of a son, my dear!
Kannagi vandhu pirappaalo
Will a daughter like Kannagi be born?
Karpu kavidhai padippaalo
Will she recite poetry on chastity?
Nalla karpu kavidhai padippaalo
Will she recite fine poetry on chastity?
Kannagi vandhu pirappaalo
Will a daughter like Kannagi be born?
Karpu kavidhai padippaalo
Will she recite poetry on chastity?
Gangai kondavan kaaviri chozhan
The Chola monarch who conquered the Ganges and Kaveri,
Mangai vayitril udhippaano
Will he be born from this young woman's womb?
Mangai vayitril udhippaano
Will he be born from this young woman's womb?
Aaha mangai vayitril udhippaano
Ah, will he be born from this young woman's womb?
Singathai vellum baradhano
Will he be Bharata who conquers lions?
Saedhu naattu maravano
Or a brave warrior of the Sethu land?
Singathai vellum baradhano
Will he be Bharata who conquers lions?
Saedhu naattu maravano
Or a brave warrior of the Sethu land?
Paeridum paattan uruvamo
Is he the incarnation of the renowned grandfather?
Endhan paeran kuzhandhai azhagano
Or is he the beautiful child, my grandson?
Paeridum paattan uruvamo
Is he the incarnation of the renowned grandfather?
Endhan paeran kuzhandhai azhagano
Or is he the beautiful child, my grandson?
Aa… aaa…
Vocalizing music notes...
Aa… aaa…
Vocalizing music notes...
Aa… aaa…
Vocalizing music notes...
Aa… aaa…
Vocalizing music notes...
Paeridum paattan uruvamo
Is he the incarnation of the renowned grandfather?
Paeran kuzhandhai azhagano
Or the handsome grandson child?
Endhan paeran kuzhandhai azhagano
Or is he the beautiful child, my grandson?
Marudha naattu thalaivan pola
Like the leader of the fertile Marudham land,
Panbu nirandha thalaivano
Will he be a leader filled with noble virtues?
Panbu nirandha thalaivano
Will he be a leader filled with noble virtues?
Aaha panbu nirandha thalaivano
Ah, will he be a leader filled with noble virtues?
Bakthi nirandha njaaniyo
Will he be a sage filled with devotion?
Paadi thiriyum thaeneeyo
Or a wandering honeybee singing tunes?
Paadi thiriyum thaeneeyo
Or a wandering honeybee singing tunes?
Kunguma pottu kulungudhadi
The vermilion bindi sways with grace, my dear.
Nalla komala manjal vilangudhadi
The fine, tender turmeric shines bright, my dear.
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Vocalizing music notes...
Aa… aa… aa… aa…
Vocalizing music notes...
Kunguma pottu kulungudhadi
The vermilion bindi sways with grace, my dear.
Nalla komala manjal vilangudhadi
The fine, tender turmeric shines bright, my dear.
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Vocalizing music notes...
Aa… aa… aa… aa…
Vocalizing music notes...
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Vocalizing music notes...
Kunguma pottu kulungudhadi
The vermilion bindi sways with grace, my dear.
Nalla komala manjal vilangudhadi
The fine, tender turmeric shines bright, my dear.
{Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Vocalizing music notes...
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… } (3)
Vocalizing music notes...
Kunguma pottu kulungudhadi
The vermilion bindi sways with grace, my dear.
Nalla komala manjal vilangudhadi
The fine, tender turmeric shines bright, my dear.
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Vocalizing music notes...
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Vocalizing music notes...
Aa… aa… aa…
Vocalizing music notes...
Female :Aa… aa… aa…
Female vocalizing music notes...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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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