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Karisakattu Poove album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Mamarathula Oonjal

From Karisakattu Poove · 2000

Lyricist
Kasthuri Raja
Singers
P. Unnikrishnan, Bhavatharani
Music director
Ilaiyaraja
Movie name
Karisakattu Poove
Movie release year
2000
Lyrics added on
16 Sept 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Maamarathula oonjal kattanum
Maamaara kiliyae
Oonjalil oru aattam podanum
Maamarak kiliyae
Maamarathula oonjal kattanum
Maamaara kiliyae
Oonjalil oru aattam podanum
Maamarak kiliyae
Aathu manna saethu vachu
Veedaakkalaam
Female :Andha veettukullae koottaanjchoru
Naam aakkalaam
Ada oyaaramaaga rendu
Kaikorthu aadi paadalaam
Maalai naerathula…..
Maamarathula oonjal kattanum
Maamaara kiliyae
Female :Oonjalil oru aattam podanum
Maamarak kiliyae
Kathaazha pazham thinnum aasai kondaen
Male :Kai ellaam mullaagum thaangi kolvaen
Female :Azhagaana ponvandu enakku vaenum
Male :Vandodu naan parandhu kondu varuvaen
Muthina maampazham
Eththana thongudhu echil oorudhae
Male :Moithidum erumbugal
Kadithidum appavum achcham illayae
Vaeli mael oru vaasanai poo
Vaendum endru thondrudhu
Male :Vaasanai poo nee rasikka naan
Pariththu choodida
Nee sirikayil poo sirikkudhadi
En ullam thulludhu….
Maamarathula oonjal kattanum
Maamaara kiliyae
Oonjalil oru aattam podanum
Maamarak kiliyae
Maamarathula oonjal kattanum
Maamaara kiliyae
Oonjalil oru aattam podanum
Maamarak kiliyae
Veyilaanaa manal maelae kaalum sududhae
Male :Sedi ellaam meththai pol pottu tharuvaen
Female :Mazhai endraal eppodhum ennakku bayamae
Male :Kudai pola en sattai kazhatri pidippaen
Kanakila mark illa
Vaathiyaar adichida kai ongida
Male :Unakadi vizhum munnae
Enakadhu valithidum naan vaanguvaen
Naan sirithida
Nee muzhikira thaangala
Male :Naan urangida paattu sollura
Naan muzhikiraen thoongala
Thookkam ingu kaathirukkudhadi
Female :Vidiyum naerathula….
Maamarathula oonjal kattanum
Maamaara kiliyae
Oonjalil oru aattam podanum
Maamarak kiliyae
Aathu manna saethu vachu
Veedaakkalaam
Female :Andha veettukullae koottaanjchoru
Naam aakkalaam
Ada oyaaramaaga rendu
Kaikorthu aadi paadalaam
Maalai naerathula…..
Maamarathula oonjal kattanum
Maamaara kiliyae
Female :Oonjalil oru aattam podanum
Maamarak kiliyae
Maamarathula oonjal kattanum
Maamaara kiliyae
Female :Oonjalil oru aattam podanum
Maamarak kiliyae
We must tie a swing on the mango tree,
oh parrot of the mango tree!
We must swing back and forth on it,
oh parrot of the mango tree!
We must tie a swing on the mango tree,
oh parrot of the mango tree!
We must swing back and forth on it,
oh parrot of the mango tree!
Gathering sand from the river,
we can build a little house.
Female: Inside that house, a picnic meal
we can cook together.
Ah, with playful grace,
we can hold hands, sing, and dance
in the evening time...
We must tie a swing on the mango tree,
oh parrot of the mango tree!
Female: We must swing back and forth on it,
oh parrot of the mango tree!
I have a craving to eat a cactus fruit!
Male: My hands will be pierced with thorns, but I will bear it!
Female: I want a beautiful golden beetle!
Male: I will fly along with the beetle and bring it to you!
Sweet, ripe mangoes—
so many are hanging, making my mouth water!
Male: Even if swarming ants
bite me, I won't have any fear!
A fragrant flower on top of the fence,
I feel like having it!
Male: For you to enjoy that fragrant flower,
I will pluck it and tuck it in your hair!
When you smile, the flower itself smiles,
and my heart leaps with joy...
We must tie a swing on the mango tree,
oh parrot of the mango tree!
We must swing back and forth on it,
oh parrot of the mango tree!
We must tie a swing on the mango tree,
oh parrot of the mango tree!
We must swing back and forth on it,
oh parrot of the mango tree!
In the blazing sun, the sand burns my feet!
Male: I will lay down soft leafy plants like a bed for you!
Female: Whenever it rains, I am always scared!
Male: I will take off my shirt and hold it over you like an umbrella!
If you don't get good marks in math,
and the teacher raises his hand to strike you,
Male: Before a single blow falls on you,
it will hurt me inside, so I will take the hits!
When I laugh,
you stare wide-eyed—I can hardly handle it!
Male: You sing lullabies for me to fall asleep,
but I stay wide awake, not sleeping!
Sleep keeps waiting here for us,
Female: until the break of dawn...
We must tie a swing on the mango tree,
oh parrot of the mango tree!
We must swing back and forth on it,
oh parrot of the mango tree!
Gathering sand from the river,
we can build a little house.
Female: Inside that house, a picnic meal
we can cook together.
Ah, with playful grace,
we can hold hands, sing, and dance
in the evening time...
We must tie a swing on the mango tree,
oh parrot of the mango tree!
Female: We must swing back and forth on it,
oh parrot of the mango tree!
We must tie a swing on the mango tree,
oh parrot of the mango tree!
Female: We must swing back and forth on it,
oh parrot of the mango tree!
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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