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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mamarathula Oonjal

From Karisakattu Poove · 2000

Lyricist
Kasthuri Raja
Singers
P. Unnikrishnan, Bhavatharani
Music director
Ilaiyaraja
Details
Karisakattu Poove2000

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Maamarathula oonjal kattanumWe must tie a swing on the mango tree
Maamaara kiliyaeOh parrot of the mango tree
Oonjalil oru aattam podanumWe must swing on it back and forth
Maamarak kiliyaeOh parrot of the mango tree
Female
Maamarathula oonjal kattanumWe must tie a swing on the mango tree
Maamaara kiliyaeOh parrot of the mango tree
Oonjalil oru aattam podanumWe must swing on it back and forth
Maamarak kiliyaeOh parrot of the mango tree
Male
Aathu manna saethu vachuGathering river sand together
VeedaakkalaamWe can build a toy house
Female :Andha veettukullae koottaanjchoruFemale: Inside that house, a meal of mixed rice
Naam aakkalaamWe can cook and share together
Male
Ada oyaaramaaga renduOh, with graceful charm
Kaikorthu aadi paadalaamHolding hands, we can dance and sing
Maalai naerathula…..In the evening time...
Male
Maamarathula oonjal kattanumWe must tie a swing on the mango tree
Maamaara kiliyaeOh parrot of the mango tree
Female :Oonjalil oru aattam podanumFemale: We must swing on it back and forth
Maamarak kiliyaeOh parrot of the mango tree
Female
Kathaazha pazham thinnum aasai kondaenI have a desire to eat cactus fruit
Male :Kai ellaam mullaagum thaangi kolvaenMale: Even if my hands get pierced by thorns, I will bear it for you
Female :Azhagaana ponvandu enakku vaenumFemale: I want a beautiful golden beetle
Male :Vandodu naan parandhu kondu varuvaenMale: I will fly along with the beetle and bring it to you
Female
Muthina maampazhamFully ripened mangoes
Eththana thongudhu echil oorudhaeSo many hanging there, making my mouth water
Male :Moithidum erumbugalMale: The swarming ants
Kadithidum appavum achcham illayaeEven if they bite me while taking them, I have no fear
Female
Vaeli mael oru vaasanai pooA fragrant flower upon the fence
Vaendum endru thondrudhuI feel like wanting it
Male :Vaasanai poo nee rasikka naanMale: For you to admire that fragrant flower
Pariththu choodidaI will pluck it and adorn your hair
Nee sirikayil poo sirikkudhadiWhen you smile, the flower smiles as well
En ullam thulludhu….My heart leaps with joy...
Male
Maamarathula oonjal kattanumWe must tie a swing on the mango tree
Maamaara kiliyaeOh parrot of the mango tree
Oonjalil oru aattam podanumWe must swing on it back and forth
Maamarak kiliyaeOh parrot of the mango tree
Female
Maamarathula oonjal kattanumWe must tie a swing on the mango tree
Maamaara kiliyaeOh parrot of the mango tree
Oonjalil oru aattam podanumWe must swing on it back and forth
Maamarak kiliyaeOh parrot of the mango tree
Female
Veyilaanaa manal maelae kaalum sududhaeWhen it gets sunny, the sand burns my feet
Male :Sedi ellaam meththai pol pottu tharuvaenMale: I will spread plants like a soft mattress for you
Female :Mazhai endraal eppodhum ennakku bayamaeFemale: Whenever it rains, I am always afraid
Male :Kudai pola en sattai kazhatri pidippaenMale: Like an umbrella, I will take off my shirt and hold it over you
Female
Kanakila mark illaNo marks in mathematics
Vaathiyaar adichida kai ongidaAs the teacher raises his hand to strike
Male :Unakadi vizhum munnaeMale: Before the blow falls upon you
Enakadhu valithidum naan vaanguvaenI will feel that pain and take the strike myself
Female
Naan sirithidaWhen I smile
Nee muzhikira thaangalaI cannot bear the way you stare innocently
Male :Naan urangida paattu solluraMale: You sing a song for me to sleep
Naan muzhikiraen thoongalaI stay awake and do not sleep
Thookkam ingu kaathirukkudhadiSleep is waiting right here, my girl
Female :Vidiyum naerathula….Female: At the break of dawn...
Female
Maamarathula oonjal kattanumWe must tie a swing on the mango tree
Maamaara kiliyaeOh parrot of the mango tree
Oonjalil oru aattam podanumWe must swing on it back and forth
Maamarak kiliyaeOh parrot of the mango tree
Male
Aathu manna saethu vachuGathering river sand together
VeedaakkalaamWe can build a toy house
Female :Andha veettukullae koottaanjchoruFemale: Inside that house, a meal of mixed rice
Naam aakkalaamWe can cook and share together
Male
Ada oyaaramaaga renduOh, with graceful charm
Kaikorthu aadi paadalaamHolding hands, we can dance and sing
Maalai naerathula…..In the evening time...
Male
Maamarathula oonjal kattanumWe must tie a swing on the mango tree
Maamaara kiliyaeOh parrot of the mango tree
Female :Oonjalil oru aattam podanumFemale: We must swing on it back and forth
Maamarak kiliyaeOh parrot of the mango tree
Male
Maamarathula oonjal kattanumWe must tie a swing on the mango tree
Maamaara kiliyaeOh parrot of the mango tree
Female :Oonjalil oru aattam podanumFemale: We must swing on it back and forth
Maamarak kiliyaeOh parrot of the mango tree

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Maamarathula Oonjal Kattanum is a sweet, nostalgic folk duet from Karisakattu Poove (2000) that celebrates innocent romance and tender companionship growing from childhood. Set against a traditional rural backdrop, the song portrays two sweethearts sharing simple village dreams: building sand houses, cooking play-food, plucking cactus fruits and fence flowers, and looking out for one another against the sun, rain, and school beatings.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Maamaara kiliyae

The beloved is affectionately addressed as 'Maamarak kiliyae' (mango tree parrot), symbolizing sweetness and innocence.

Personification (Uruvagam)

Nee sirikayil poo sirikkudhadi

The flower is given the human action of smiling in response to the girl's laughter ('Nee sirikayil poo sirikkudhadi').

Rhyme / Alliteration (Monai and Ethirai)

Maamarathula oonjal kattanum

Usage of matching initial sounds such as 'Maamarathula' / 'Maamaara' and 'Oonjalil' / 'Oonjal' to establish a rhythmic folk cadence.

Repetition (Adukku Thodar)

Maamarathula oonjal kattanum

Iterative refrain lines ('Maamarathula oonjal kattanum...') emphasize playful folk traditions and musical symmetry.

Did you know?

Trivia

The soundtrack of Karisakattu Poove (2000) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by the film's director, Kasthuri Raja. This duet is sung by P. Unnikrishnan and Swarnalatha, showcasing their signature folk-melodic charm.

Keep listening

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