Maanguyile Poonguyile (Duet)
From Karagattakaran · 1989
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Karagattakaran1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Maanguyilae poonguyilae | Oh mango cuckoo, oh flower cuckoo, |
| Sethi onnu kelu | Listen to a piece of news. |
| Unnai maalaiyida thedi varum | Searching for the day to place a garland on you, |
| Naalu endha naalu | Which day is that day? |
| Female | |
| Maanguyilae poonguyilae | Oh mango cuckoo, oh flower cuckoo, |
| Sethi onnu kelu | Listen to a piece of news. |
| Unnai maalaiyida thedi varum | Searching for the day to place a garland on you, |
| Naalu endha naalu | Which day is that day? |
| Male | |
| Muthu muthu kannaala | Oh my dear with pearl-like eyes, |
| Naan suththi vandhen pinaala | I followed behind you. |
| Female | |
| Muthu muthu kannaala | Oh my dear with pearl-like eyes, |
| Naan suththi vandhen pinaala | I followed behind you. |
| Male | |
| Maanguyilae poonguyilae | Oh mango cuckoo, oh flower cuckoo, |
| Sethi onnu kelu | Listen to a piece of news. |
| Female :Unnai maalaiyida thedi varum | Female: Searching for the day to place a garland on you, |
| Naalu endha naalu | Which day is that day? |
| Male | |
| Kaalai thazhuvi nikkum | Hugging the ankle softly, |
| Kanaga mani kolusu yamma | Stands the golden anklet, my dear. |
| Naanaaga maara ippo | To become like that anklet now, |
| Nenaikkudhamma manasu | My heart desires, my dear. |
| Female | |
| Ullae irukureega | You are resting inside, |
| Veliya enna pechchu aiyaa | What is this chatter outside, sir? |
| Onnum puriyavillai | I do not understand anything, |
| Manasu enga pochchu | Where has my heart vanished? |
| Male | |
| Indha manasu nanjai nelandhaan | This heart is like wet fertile land, |
| Vandhu vizhundha nalla vidhaidhaan | Where a good seed has fallen. |
| Chandhiranathaan saatchiyum vachchu | Keeping the moon as a witness, |
| Sonna kadhai thaan sondha kadhaidhaan | The story told is our very own story. |
| Female | |
| Thola thottu aala aiyaa | To touch my shoulders and rule over me, sir, |
| Sorgaththila sera | To unite in heavenly bliss, |
| Maalai vandhu yera ponnu | As the wedding garland ascends, the maiden |
| Sammadhaththa koora | Gives her heartfelt consent. |
| Male | |
| Sandhanam karachchi | Dissolving sandalwood paste, |
| Poosanum ennaku | Apply it gently on me. |
| Muthaiyan kanakku | Just like Muthaiyan's accounting, |
| Moththamum unakku | Everything now belongs to you. |
| Female | |
| Maanguyilae poonguyilae | Oh mango cuckoo, oh flower cuckoo, |
| Sethi onnu kelu | Listen to a piece of news. |
| Male :Unnai maalaiyida thedi varum | Male: Searching for the day to place a garland on you, |
| Naalu endha naalu | Which day is that day? |
| Female | |
| Maamaraththu keezhae ninnu | Standing beneath the mango tree, |
| Mangai ava paada | As the young maiden sang, |
| Andha mangai kuralil | By the voice of that maiden, |
| Manam mayangiyadhu yaaru | Whose heart was captivated? |
| Male | |
| Poomaraththu keezhirundhu | From beneath the flowering tree, |
| Ponnu ava kulikka | As that girl bathed, |
| Andha poomaraththu melirundhu | From atop that flowering tree, |
| Pulambiyadhu yaaru | Who was the one pining away? |
| Female | |
| Kanni manasu unnai ninaichu | Thinking of you, the maiden's heart |
| Thannanthaniyae enni thavikum | Suffers and pines all alone. |
| Ponnai eduththu alli kodukkum | Gathering precious gold to give, |
| Vanna kanavu alli thelikkum | Sprinkling colorful dreams everywhere. |
| Male | |
| Koora pattu selai amma | A fine silk wedding saree, my dear, |
| Kooda oru maalai | Along with a sacred garland, |
| Vaangi varum velai ponnu | When the time comes to fetch them, the girl |
| Vaasamulla solai | Becomes a fragrant garden. |
| Female | |
| Thaaliyai mudikkum | Thinking of the sacred moment |
| Velaiya ninaichu | When the wedding lock (thaali) is tied, |
| Thedudhu manasu | My heart searches endlessly, |
| Padudhu vayasu | My youthful heart feels the longing. |
| Male | |
| Maanguyilae poonguyilae | Oh mango cuckoo, oh flower cuckoo, |
| Sethi onnu kelu | Listen to a piece of news. |
| Female :Unnai maalaiyida thedi varum | Female: Searching for the day to place a garland on you, |
| Naalu endha naalu | Which day is that day? |
| Male | |
| Muthu muthu kannaala | Oh my dear with pearl-like eyes, |
| Naan suththi vandhen pinaala | I followed behind you. |
| Female | |
| Muthu muthu kannaala | Oh my dear with pearl-like eyes, |
| Naan suththi vandhen pinaala | I followed behind you. |
| Male | |
| Maanguyilae poonguyilae | Oh mango cuckoo, oh flower cuckoo, |
| Sethi onnu kelu | Listen to a piece of news. |
| Female :Unnai maalaiyida thedi varum | Female: Searching for the day to place a garland on you, |
| Naalu endha naalu | Which day is that day? |
மாங்குயிலே பூங்குயிலே
சேதி ஒண்ணு கேளு
உன்ன மாலையிடத் தேடி வரும்
நாளு எந்த நாளு
Oh mango cuckoo, oh flower cuckoo,
Listen to a piece of news.
Searching for the day to place a garland on you,
Which day is that day?
மாங்குயிலே பூங்குயிலே
சேதி ஒண்ணு கேளு
உன்ன மாலையிடத் தேடி வரும்
நாளு எந்த நாளு
Oh mango cuckoo, oh flower cuckoo,
Listen to a piece of news.
Searching for the day to place a garland on you,
Which day is that day?
முத்து முத்துக் கண்ணால
நான் சுத்தி வந்தேன் பின்னால
முத்து முத்துக் கண்ணால
நான் சுத்தி வந்தேன் பின்னால
Oh my dear with pearl-like eyes,
I followed behind you.
மாங்குயிலே பூங்குயிலே
சேதி ஒண்ணு கேளு
உன்ன மாலையிடத் தேடி வரும்
நாளு எந்த நாளு
Oh my dear with pearl-like eyes,
I followed behind you.
காலைத் தழுவி நிக்கும்
கனகமணிக் கொலுசு யம்மா
நானாக மாற இப்போ
நெனைக்குதம்மா மனசு
Oh mango cuckoo, oh flower cuckoo,
Listen to a piece of news.
Female: Searching for the day to place a garland on you,
Which day is that day?
உள்ளே இருக்குறீக
வெளிய என்ன பேச்சு ஐயா
ஒன்னும் புரியவில்ல
மனசு எங்கே போச்சு
Hugging the ankle softly,
Stands the golden anklet, my dear.
To become like that anklet now,
My heart desires, my dear.
இந்த மனசு நஞ்ச நெலந்தான்
வந்து விழுந்த நல்ல வெத தான்
சந்திரனத்தான் சாட்சியும் வெச்சு
சொன்ன கத தான் நல்ல கத தான்
You are resting inside,
What is this chatter outside, sir?
I do not understand anything,
Where has my heart vanished?
தோல தொட்டு ஆள ஐயா
சொர்க்கத்துல சேர
மால வந்து ஏற பொண்ணு
சம்மதத்தக் கூற
This heart is like wet fertile land,
Where a good seed has fallen.
Keeping the moon as a witness,
The story told is our very own story.
சந்தனங்கரச்சுப்
பூசணும் எனக்கு
முத்தையன் கணக்கு
மொத்தமும் உனக்கு
To touch my shoulders and rule over me, sir,
To unite in heavenly bliss,
As the wedding garland ascends, the maiden
Gives her heartfelt consent.
மாங்குயிலே பூங்குயிலே
சேதி ஒண்ணு கேளு
உன்ன மாலையிடத் தேடி வரும்
நாளு எந்த நாளு
Dissolving sandalwood paste,
Apply it gently on me.
Just like Muthaiyan's accounting,
Everything now belongs to you.
மாமரத்து கீழே நின்னு
மங்கையவ பாட
அந்த மங்கை குரலில்
மனம் மயங்கியது யாரு
Oh mango cuckoo, oh flower cuckoo,
Listen to a piece of news.
Male: Searching for the day to place a garland on you,
Which day is that day?
பூமரத்துக் கீழிருந்து
பொண்ணூ அவ குளிக்க
அந்த பூமரத்து மேலிருந்து
புலம்பியது யாரு
Standing beneath the mango tree,
As the young maiden sang,
By the voice of that maiden,
Whose heart was captivated?
கன்னி மனசு உன்ன நெனச்சு
தன்னந்தனியே எண்ணித் தவிக்கும்
பொன்னை எடுத்து அள்ளிக் கொடுக்கும்
வண்ணக் கனவு அள்ளித் தெளிக்கும்
From beneath the flowering tree,
As that girl bathed,
From atop that flowering tree,
Who was the one pining away?
கூரைப் பட்டுச் சேலை யம்மா
கூட ஒரு மால
வாங்கி வரும் வேள பொண்ணு
வாசமுள்ள சோல
Thinking of you, the maiden's heart
Suffers and pines all alone.
Gathering precious gold to give,
Sprinkling colorful dreams everywhere.
தாலிய முடிக்கும்
வேளைய நெனச்சு
தேடுது மனசு
பாடுது வயசு.....
A fine silk wedding saree, my dear,
Along with a sacred garland,
When the time comes to fetch them, the girl
Becomes a fragrant garden.
மாங்குயிலே பூங்குயிலே
சேதி ஒண்ணு கேளு
உன்ன மாலையிடத் தேடி வரும்
நாளு எந்த நாளு
Thinking of the sacred moment
When the wedding lock (thaali) is tied,
My heart searches endlessly,
My youthful heart feels the longing.
முத்து முத்துக் கண்ணால
நான் சுத்தி வந்தேன் பின்னால
முத்து முத்துக் கண்ணால
நான் சுத்தி வந்தேன் பின்னால
Oh mango cuckoo, oh flower cuckoo,
Listen to a piece of news.
Female: Searching for the day to place a garland on you,
Which day is that day?
மாங்குயிலே பூங்குயிலே
சேதி ஒண்ணு கேளு
உன்ன மாலையிடத் தேடி வரும்
நாளு எந்த நாளு
Oh my dear with pearl-like eyes,
I followed behind you.
Oh my dear with pearl-like eyes,
I followed behind you.
Oh mango cuckoo, oh flower cuckoo,
Listen to a piece of news.
Female: Searching for the day to place a garland on you,
Which day is that day?
Maanguyilae poonguyilae
Oh mango cuckoo, oh flower cuckoo,
Sethi onnu kelu
Listen to a piece of news.
Unnai maalaiyida thedi varum
Searching for the day to place a garland on you,
Naalu endha naalu
Which day is that day?
Maanguyilae poonguyilae
Oh mango cuckoo, oh flower cuckoo,
Sethi onnu kelu
Listen to a piece of news.
Unnai maalaiyida thedi varum
Searching for the day to place a garland on you,
Naalu endha naalu
Which day is that day?
Muthu muthu kannaala
Oh my dear with pearl-like eyes,
Naan suththi vandhen pinaala
I followed behind you.
Muthu muthu kannaala
Oh my dear with pearl-like eyes,
Naan suththi vandhen pinaala
I followed behind you.
Maanguyilae poonguyilae
Oh mango cuckoo, oh flower cuckoo,
Sethi onnu kelu
Listen to a piece of news.
Female :Unnai maalaiyida thedi varum
Female: Searching for the day to place a garland on you,
Naalu endha naalu
Which day is that day?
Kaalai thazhuvi nikkum
Hugging the ankle softly,
Kanaga mani kolusu yamma
Stands the golden anklet, my dear.
Naanaaga maara ippo
To become like that anklet now,
Nenaikkudhamma manasu
My heart desires, my dear.
Ullae irukureega
You are resting inside,
Veliya enna pechchu aiyaa
What is this chatter outside, sir?
Onnum puriyavillai
I do not understand anything,
Manasu enga pochchu
Where has my heart vanished?
Indha manasu nanjai nelandhaan
This heart is like wet fertile land,
Vandhu vizhundha nalla vidhaidhaan
Where a good seed has fallen.
Chandhiranathaan saatchiyum vachchu
Keeping the moon as a witness,
Sonna kadhai thaan sondha kadhaidhaan
The story told is our very own story.
Thola thottu aala aiyaa
To touch my shoulders and rule over me, sir,
Sorgaththila sera
To unite in heavenly bliss,
Maalai vandhu yera ponnu
As the wedding garland ascends, the maiden
Sammadhaththa koora
Gives her heartfelt consent.
Sandhanam karachchi
Dissolving sandalwood paste,
Poosanum ennaku
Apply it gently on me.
Muthaiyan kanakku
Just like Muthaiyan's accounting,
Moththamum unakku
Everything now belongs to you.
Maanguyilae poonguyilae
Oh mango cuckoo, oh flower cuckoo,
Sethi onnu kelu
Listen to a piece of news.
Male :Unnai maalaiyida thedi varum
Male: Searching for the day to place a garland on you,
Naalu endha naalu
Which day is that day?
Maamaraththu keezhae ninnu
Standing beneath the mango tree,
Mangai ava paada
As the young maiden sang,
Andha mangai kuralil
By the voice of that maiden,
Manam mayangiyadhu yaaru
Whose heart was captivated?
Poomaraththu keezhirundhu
From beneath the flowering tree,
Ponnu ava kulikka
As that girl bathed,
Andha poomaraththu melirundhu
From atop that flowering tree,
Pulambiyadhu yaaru
Who was the one pining away?
Kanni manasu unnai ninaichu
Thinking of you, the maiden's heart
Thannanthaniyae enni thavikum
Suffers and pines all alone.
Ponnai eduththu alli kodukkum
Gathering precious gold to give,
Vanna kanavu alli thelikkum
Sprinkling colorful dreams everywhere.
Koora pattu selai amma
A fine silk wedding saree, my dear,
Kooda oru maalai
Along with a sacred garland,
Vaangi varum velai ponnu
When the time comes to fetch them, the girl
Vaasamulla solai
Becomes a fragrant garden.
Thaaliyai mudikkum
Thinking of the sacred moment
Velaiya ninaichu
When the wedding lock (thaali) is tied,
Thedudhu manasu
My heart searches endlessly,
Padudhu vayasu
My youthful heart feels the longing.
Maanguyilae poonguyilae
Oh mango cuckoo, oh flower cuckoo,
Sethi onnu kelu
Listen to a piece of news.
Female :Unnai maalaiyida thedi varum
Female: Searching for the day to place a garland on you,
Naalu endha naalu
Which day is that day?
Muthu muthu kannaala
Oh my dear with pearl-like eyes,
Naan suththi vandhen pinaala
I followed behind you.
Muthu muthu kannaala
Oh my dear with pearl-like eyes,
Naan suththi vandhen pinaala
I followed behind you.
Maanguyilae poonguyilae
Oh mango cuckoo, oh flower cuckoo,
Sethi onnu kelu
Listen to a piece of news.
Female :Unnai maalaiyida thedi varum
Female: Searching for the day to place a garland on you,
Naalu endha naalu
Which day is that day?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Maanguyilae Poonguyilae' is a celebrated romantic duet from the blockbuster Tamil film Karagattakaran (1989). Set in a rustic, traditional backdrop, the song captures a playful, affectionate dialogue between the two lead lovers. They express their deep longing for marriage, eagerly asking when the auspicious day will arrive for them to exchange garlands and unite as husband and wife. The lyrics blend folk charm with tender expressions of love, romanticizing moments under trees, fragrant sandalwood, anklets, and wedding rituals.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagamdhan)
“Indha manasu nanjai nelandhaan”
Comparing the heart to fertile wet land ('nanjai nelam') where the seed of love has been planted.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Muthu muthu kannaala / Naan suththi vandhen pinaala”
Repetition of the second consonant sound 'th' across adjacent lines ('Muthu', 'Suththi').
Alliteration (Monaai)
“Maanguyilae poonguyilae”
Repetition of the 'm' sound at the beginning of words in the phrase ('Maanguyilae poonguyilae').
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki, this song became an iconic mega-hit in Tamil cinema history. Karagattakaran ran for over a year in several theaters across Tamil Nadu, and its soundtrack remains one of the highest-selling Tamil film albums of all time.
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