Kungumame Kumudhame
From Viswanathan Velai Venum · 1985
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Viswanathan Velai Venum1985
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kungumamae kumudhamae | O vermillion, O night-lotus, |
| Mookuthiyae mutharamae | O nose-ring, O pearl garland, |
| Enga idhayam pesugindrathu | Our hearts are speaking, |
| Thaayae enga idhayam pesugindrathu | O mothers, our hearts are speaking, |
| Male | |
| Makkal kural edhiroli thaaan | The echo of the people's voice, |
| Engaladhu murasolidhaan | Is our loud drum, |
| Jeyichiduvom nanga mundhidhaan | We will win ahead of everyone, |
| Engalukku neengal ellam dhinathandhithan | To us, you all are daily news like Dina Thanthi, |
| Chorus :Thaayae neengal ellam dhinathandhithan | Chorus: O mothers, you all are daily news like Dina Thanthi, |
| Male | |
| Kungumamae kumudhamae | O vermillion, O night-lotus, |
| Mookuthiyae mutharamae | O nose-ring, O pearl garland, |
| Enga idhayam pesugindrathu | Our hearts are speaking, |
| Thaayae enga idhayam pesugindrathu | O mothers, our hearts are speaking, |
| Male | |
| Makkal kural edhiroli thaaan | The echo of the people's voice, |
| Engaladhu murasolidhaan | Is our loud drum, |
| Jeyichiduvom nanga mundhidhaan | We will win ahead of everyone, |
| Engalukku neengal ellam dhinathandhithan | To us, you all are daily news like Dina Thanthi, |
| Chorus :Thaayae neengal ellam dhinathandhithan | Chorus: O mothers, you all are daily news like Dina Thanthi, |
| Chorus | |
| ……………. | |
| Male | |
| Poovattam neenga irunga | May you stay delicate like a flower, |
| Ammadi aanai idunga | Dear mother, give us your command, |
| Chorus :Senju mudippom nalla perai eduppom | Chorus: We will accomplish it and earn a good name, |
| Male :Porattam gaandhi vizhi thaan | Male: Our struggle follows Gandhi's path, |
| Eppodhum saanthi vizhithaan | Always looking for peace, |
| Chorus :Unnaviradham naanga onna iruppom | Chorus: We will observe a hunger strike together, |
| Male :Engalukkae vaakkugal podunga motham | Male: Cast all your votes for us, |
| Neengalum thaan naangalum thaan | You and we, |
| Rathathin ratham | Are blood of the same blood, |
| Male | |
| Kungumamae kumudhamae | O vermillion, O night-lotus, |
| Mookuthiyae mutharamae | O nose-ring, O pearl garland, |
| Enga idhayam pesugindrathu | Our hearts are speaking, |
| Thaayae enga idhayam pesugindrathu | O mothers, our hearts are speaking, |
| Chorus | |
| ……………. | |
| Male | |
| Ladies hostelukkullae | Inside the ladies hostel, |
| Male | |
| Bathroomil thanniyae llae | There is no water in the bathroom, |
| Chorus | |
| Thanni varathaan naanga | To make water flow, |
| Paadupaduvom | We will strive hard, |
| Male | |
| College canteen irukku | There is a college canteen, |
| Ellamae oozhal sarakku | Where everything is corrupt goods, |
| Chorus :Kasu kodunga naanga dosa suduvom | Chorus: Give us money, we will make dosas, |
| Male :Eval seivom kaavl seivom ungalkukaaga | Male: We will serve and protect for your sake, |
| Otta mattum pod venum engalukkaga | You just need to vote for us, |
| Male | |
| Ada kungumamae kumudhamae | Ah, O vermillion, O night-lotus, |
| Mookuthiyae mutharamae | O nose-ring, O pearl garland, |
| Enga idhayam pesugindrathu | Our hearts are speaking, |
| Thaayae enga idhayam pesugindrathu | O mothers, our hearts are speaking, |
| Chorus | |
| ……………. | |
| Female | |
| Naal poora soru thingala haiyoo | Alas, didn't eat rice the whole day, |
| Nethellam kannurangala | Didn't sleep a wink all night, |
| Chorus :Unga kavala enga ullngalilae | Chorus: Your worries reside in our hearts, |
| Male :Thaayaalae vandhavanga thaan | Male: We are born of mothers, |
| Thangachi ullavanga thaan | We are those who have younger sisters, |
| Chorus :Pennin perumai indha mannin perumai | Chorus: The glory of woman is the pride of this land, |
| Male :Idhiyavum indhiravum onnuthaanga | Male: Both heart and Indira are the same, |
| Ena ennumpadi senjavangalum ponnudhanunga | Those who made us think that way are women, |
| Male | |
| Kungumamae kumudhamae | O vermillion, O night-lotus, |
| Mookuthiyae mutharamae | O nose-ring, O pearl garland, |
| Enga idhayam pesugindrathu | Our hearts are speaking, |
| Thaayae enga idhayam pesugindrathu | O mothers, our hearts are speaking, |
| Male | |
| Makkal kural edhiroli thaaan | The echo of the people's voice, |
| Engaladhu murasolidhaan | Is our loud drum, |
| Jeyichiduvom nanga mundhidhaan | We will win ahead of everyone, |
| Engalukku neengal ellam dhinathandhithan | To us, you all are daily news like Dina Thanthi, |
| Chorus :Thaayae neengal ellam dhinathandhithan | Chorus: O mothers, you all are daily news like Dina Thanthi, |
| Aamam thaaye | Yes, mother, |
| Thaayae neengal ellam dhinathandhithan | O mothers, you all are daily news like Dina Thanthi, |
| Neengal ellam dhinathandhithan | You all are daily news like Dina Thanthi |
குங்குமமே குமுதமே
மூக்குத்தியே முத்தாரமே
எங்க இதயம் பேசுகின்றது
தாயே .......எங்க இதயம் பேசுகின்றது
O vermillion, O night-lotus,
O nose-ring, O pearl garland,
Our hearts are speaking,
O mothers, our hearts are speaking,
மக்கள் குரல் எதிரொலிதான்
எங்களது முரசொலிதான்
ஜெயிச்சிடுவோம் நாங்க முந்திதான்
எங்களுக்கு நீங்களெல்லாம் தினத்தந்திதான்
குழு :
தாயே....நீங்களெல்லாம் தினத்தந்திதான்….
The echo of the people's voice,
Is our loud drum,
We will win ahead of everyone,
To us, you all are daily news like Dina Thanthi,
Chorus: O mothers, you all are daily news like Dina Thanthi,
குங்குமமே குமுதமே
மூக்குத்தியே முத்தாரமே
எங்க இதயம் பேசுகின்றது
தாயே .......எங்க இதயம் பேசுகின்றது
O vermillion, O night-lotus,
O nose-ring, O pearl garland,
Our hearts are speaking,
O mothers, our hearts are speaking,
மக்கள் குரல் எதிரொலிதான்
எங்களது முரசொலிதான்
ஜெயிச்சிடுவோம் நாங்க முந்திதான்
எங்களுக்கு நீங்களெல்லாம் தினத்தந்திதான்
குழு :
தாயே....நீங்களெல்லாம் தினத்தந்திதான்…
The echo of the people's voice,
Is our loud drum,
We will win ahead of everyone,
To us, you all are daily news like Dina Thanthi,
Chorus: O mothers, you all are daily news like Dina Thanthi,
...................
பூவாட்டம் நீங்க இருங்க
அம்மாடி ஆணை இடுங்க
குழு :
செஞ்சு முடிப்போம் நல்ல பேரை எடுப்போம்
போராட்டம் காந்தி வழிதான்
எப்போதும் சாந்தி வழிதான்
குழு :
உண்ணாவிரதம் நாங்க ஒண்ணா இருப்போம்
எங்களுக்கே வாக்குகள போடுங்க மொத்தம்
நீங்களும்தான் நாங்களும்தான்
ரத்தத்தின் ரத்தம்
May you stay delicate like a flower,
Dear mother, give us your command,
Chorus: We will accomplish it and earn a good name,
Male: Our struggle follows Gandhi's path,
Always looking for peace,
Chorus: We will observe a hunger strike together,
Male: Cast all your votes for us,
You and we,
Are blood of the same blood,
குங்குமமே குமுதமே
மூக்குத்தியே முத்தாரமே
எங்க இதயம் பேசுகின்றது
தாயே .......எங்க இதயம் பேசுகின்றது
O vermillion, O night-lotus,
O nose-ring, O pearl garland,
Our hearts are speaking,
O mothers, our hearts are speaking,
........................
லேடீஸ் ஹாஸ்டலுக்குள்ளே
Inside the ladies hostel,
பாத்ரூமில் தண்ணியே இல்லே
There is no water in the bathroom,
தண்ணி வரத்தான் நாங்க பாடுபடுவோம்
காலேஜ் கேன்டீன் இருக்கு
எல்லாமே ஊழல் சரக்கு
குழு :
காச கொடுங்க நாங்க தோச சுடுவோம்
ஏவல் செய்வோம் காவல் செய்வோம்
உங்களுக்காக
ஓட்ட மட்டும் போட வேணும் எங்களுக்காக
To make water flow,
We will strive hard,
அட குங்குமமே குமுதமே
மூக்குத்தியே முத்தாரமே
எங்க இதயம் பேசுகின்றது
தாயே .......எங்க இதயம் பேசுகின்றது
There is a college canteen,
Where everything is corrupt goods,
Chorus: Give us money, we will make dosas,
Male: We will serve and protect for your sake,
You just need to vote for us,
நாள் பூரா சோறு திங்கல ஹயோ
நேத்தெல்லாம் கண்ணுறங்கல
குழு :
உங்க கவல எங்க உள்ளங்களிலே
தாயாலே வந்தவங்கதான்
தங்கச்சி உள்ளவங்கதான்
குழு :
பெண்ணின் பெருமை இந்த மண்ணின் பெருமை
இந்தியாவும் இந்திராவும் ஒண்ணுதானுங்க
என எண்ணும்படி செஞ்சவங்களும் பொண்ணுதானுங்க
Ah, O vermillion, O night-lotus,
O nose-ring, O pearl garland,
Our hearts are speaking,
O mothers, our hearts are speaking,
குங்குமமே குமுதமே
மூக்குத்தியே முத்தாரமே
எங்க இதயம் பேசுகின்றது
தாயே எங்க இதயம் பேசுகின்றது
மக்கள் குரல் எதிரொலிதான்
எங்களது முரசொலிதான்
ஜெயிச்சிடுவோம் நாங்க முந்திதான்
எங்களுக்கு நீங்களெல்லாம் தினத்தந்திதான்
குழு :
தாயே....நீங்களெல்லாம் தினத்தந்திதான்
ஆமாம் தாயே
தாயே ....நீங்களெல்லாம் தினத்தந்திதான்.....
நீங்களெல்லாம் தினத்தந்திதான்.....
Alas, didn't eat rice the whole day,
Didn't sleep a wink all night,
Chorus: Your worries reside in our hearts,
Male: We are born of mothers,
We are those who have younger sisters,
Chorus: The glory of woman is the pride of this land,
Male: Both heart and Indira are the same,
Those who made us think that way are women,
O vermillion, O night-lotus,
O nose-ring, O pearl garland,
Our hearts are speaking,
O mothers, our hearts are speaking,
The echo of the people's voice,
Is our loud drum,
We will win ahead of everyone,
To us, you all are daily news like Dina Thanthi,
Chorus: O mothers, you all are daily news like Dina Thanthi,
Yes, mother,
O mothers, you all are daily news like Dina Thanthi,
You all are daily news like Dina Thanthi
Kungumamae kumudhamae
O vermillion, O night-lotus,
Mookuthiyae mutharamae
O nose-ring, O pearl garland,
Enga idhayam pesugindrathu
Our hearts are speaking,
Thaayae enga idhayam pesugindrathu
O mothers, our hearts are speaking,
Makkal kural edhiroli thaaan
The echo of the people's voice,
Engaladhu murasolidhaan
Is our loud drum,
Jeyichiduvom nanga mundhidhaan
We will win ahead of everyone,
Engalukku neengal ellam dhinathandhithan
To us, you all are daily news like Dina Thanthi,
Chorus :Thaayae neengal ellam dhinathandhithan
Chorus: O mothers, you all are daily news like Dina Thanthi,
Kungumamae kumudhamae
O vermillion, O night-lotus,
Mookuthiyae mutharamae
O nose-ring, O pearl garland,
Enga idhayam pesugindrathu
Our hearts are speaking,
Thaayae enga idhayam pesugindrathu
O mothers, our hearts are speaking,
Makkal kural edhiroli thaaan
The echo of the people's voice,
Engaladhu murasolidhaan
Is our loud drum,
Jeyichiduvom nanga mundhidhaan
We will win ahead of everyone,
Engalukku neengal ellam dhinathandhithan
To us, you all are daily news like Dina Thanthi,
Chorus :Thaayae neengal ellam dhinathandhithan
Chorus: O mothers, you all are daily news like Dina Thanthi,
…………….
Poovattam neenga irunga
May you stay delicate like a flower,
Ammadi aanai idunga
Dear mother, give us your command,
Chorus :Senju mudippom nalla perai eduppom
Chorus: We will accomplish it and earn a good name,
Male :Porattam gaandhi vizhi thaan
Male: Our struggle follows Gandhi's path,
Eppodhum saanthi vizhithaan
Always looking for peace,
Chorus :Unnaviradham naanga onna iruppom
Chorus: We will observe a hunger strike together,
Male :Engalukkae vaakkugal podunga motham
Male: Cast all your votes for us,
Neengalum thaan naangalum thaan
You and we,
Rathathin ratham
Are blood of the same blood,
Kungumamae kumudhamae
O vermillion, O night-lotus,
Mookuthiyae mutharamae
O nose-ring, O pearl garland,
Enga idhayam pesugindrathu
Our hearts are speaking,
Thaayae enga idhayam pesugindrathu
O mothers, our hearts are speaking,
…………….
Ladies hostelukkullae
Inside the ladies hostel,
Bathroomil thanniyae llae
There is no water in the bathroom,
Thanni varathaan naanga
To make water flow,
Paadupaduvom
We will strive hard,
College canteen irukku
There is a college canteen,
Ellamae oozhal sarakku
Where everything is corrupt goods,
Chorus :Kasu kodunga naanga dosa suduvom
Chorus: Give us money, we will make dosas,
Male :Eval seivom kaavl seivom ungalkukaaga
Male: We will serve and protect for your sake,
Otta mattum pod venum engalukkaga
You just need to vote for us,
Ada kungumamae kumudhamae
Ah, O vermillion, O night-lotus,
Mookuthiyae mutharamae
O nose-ring, O pearl garland,
Enga idhayam pesugindrathu
Our hearts are speaking,
Thaayae enga idhayam pesugindrathu
O mothers, our hearts are speaking,
…………….
Naal poora soru thingala haiyoo
Alas, didn't eat rice the whole day,
Nethellam kannurangala
Didn't sleep a wink all night,
Chorus :Unga kavala enga ullngalilae
Chorus: Your worries reside in our hearts,
Male :Thaayaalae vandhavanga thaan
Male: We are born of mothers,
Thangachi ullavanga thaan
We are those who have younger sisters,
Chorus :Pennin perumai indha mannin perumai
Chorus: The glory of woman is the pride of this land,
Male :Idhiyavum indhiravum onnuthaanga
Male: Both heart and Indira are the same,
Ena ennumpadi senjavangalum ponnudhanunga
Those who made us think that way are women,
Kungumamae kumudhamae
O vermillion, O night-lotus,
Mookuthiyae mutharamae
O nose-ring, O pearl garland,
Enga idhayam pesugindrathu
Our hearts are speaking,
Thaayae enga idhayam pesugindrathu
O mothers, our hearts are speaking,
Makkal kural edhiroli thaaan
The echo of the people's voice,
Engaladhu murasolidhaan
Is our loud drum,
Jeyichiduvom nanga mundhidhaan
We will win ahead of everyone,
Engalukku neengal ellam dhinathandhithan
To us, you all are daily news like Dina Thanthi,
Chorus :Thaayae neengal ellam dhinathandhithan
Chorus: O mothers, you all are daily news like Dina Thanthi,
Aamam thaaye
Yes, mother,
Thaayae neengal ellam dhinathandhithan
O mothers, you all are daily news like Dina Thanthi,
Neengal ellam dhinathandhithan
You all are daily news like Dina Thanthi
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This humorous election campaign song from Viswanathan Velai Venum (1985) features student leaders campaigning for women's votes. By flatteringly addressing women with traditional metaphors of grace and ornament (kumkuma, lotus, nose-ring, pearls), the callers appeal to female voters as mothers and sisters. The song humorously touches upon campus concerns such as water shortages in women's hostels and poor food quality in college canteens, promising peace, Gandhian non-violent protests, and dedicated service in exchange for votes. Through lively rhythm and witty lyrics, lyricist Vaali blends political satire with affectionate cultural references.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Kungumamae kumudhamae / Mookuthiyae mutharamae”
Compares women to culturally revered items such as Kumkum, Kumudham (lotus), Mookuthi (nose-ring), and Mutharam (pearl necklace) to show respect and win their favor.
Simile
“Poovattam neenga irunga”
Uses 'poovattam' (flower-like) to describe how gentle and cherished women should remain.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Makkal kural edhiroli thaaan / Engaladhu murasolidhaan”
Rhyming ending words 'edhiroli thaaan' and 'murasolidhaan' to create a rhythmic, catchy cadence suitable for campaign chanting.
Allusion
“Engalukku neengal ellam dhinathandhithan”
References 'Dina Thanthi', a widely popular Tamil daily newspaper, symbolizing how women are indispensable daily presences.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Viswanathan Velai Venum' (1985) is a comedy film featuring music by the duo Shankar-Ganesh. Lyricist Vaali crafted this parody of election campaigning, brilliantly rendered by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, highlighting 1980s Tamil college politics and popular social references.
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