Manakkum Sandhaname
From Dharma · 1998
- Lyricist
- Pulamaipithan
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sujatha Mohan
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Dharma1998
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Manakkum sandhanamae | Oh fragrant sandalwood, |
| Kungumamae nilladiyo | Oh vermillion, stop for a moment, |
| Inikkum senthamizhil | In sweet classical Tamil, |
| Sandham onnu solladiyo | Sing a poetic rhythm! |
| Male | |
| Manakkum sandhanamae | Oh fragrant sandalwood, |
| Kungumamae nilladiyo | Oh vermillion, stop for a moment, |
| Inikkum senthamizhil | In sweet classical Tamil, |
| Sandham onnu solladiyo | Sing a poetic rhythm! |
| Female | |
| Chinna mani kiliyo | Oh tiny gem-like parrot, |
| Sirikkum nitthhila maniyo | Oh smiling pearl-like jewel, |
| Manjal vanna nilavo | Oh yellow-hued moon, |
| Manasil ethanai kanavo | How many dreams reside in the heart? |
| Andha naal mangala naal | That day is an auspicious day, |
| Nenjinil thaen sindhudhadi | Honey spills forth in my heart! |
| Male | |
| Manakkum sandhanamae | Oh fragrant sandalwood, |
| Kungumamae nilladiyo | Oh vermillion, stop for a moment, |
| Inikkum senthamizhil | In sweet classical Tamil, |
| Sandham onnu solladiyo | Sing a poetic rhythm! |
| Male | |
| Nandhana vana kuyilae | Oh cuckoo of the pleasure garden, |
| Chorus :Nadakkum sithira mayilae | Chorus: Oh walking picturesque peacock, |
| Male :Chinna mani kiliyae | Male: Oh tiny gem-like parrot, |
| Chorus :Sirikkum nitthhila maniyae | Chorus: Oh smiling pearl-like jewel, |
| Male :Andha naal mangala naal | Male: That day is an auspicious day, |
| Nenjinil thaen sindhudhadi | Honey spills forth in my heart! |
| Chorus | |
| Manakkum sandhanamae | Oh fragrant sandalwood, |
| Kungumamae nilladiyo | Oh vermillion, stop for a moment, |
| Inikkum senthamizhil | In sweet classical Tamil, |
| Sandham onnu solladiyo | Sing a poetic rhythm! |
| Female | |
| Thenmadhurai veeranukku | For the hero of Southern Madurai, |
| Ennudaiya maamanukku | For my beloved maternal uncle, |
| Thaekkumara dhaegamadi | He has a body built like teakwood, |
| Yammaa yammaa | Oh my, oh my! |
| Male | |
| Maaman konda pen unakku | For the girl who belongs to the uncle, |
| Mai ezhudhum kan edhukku | Why do you need kohl-drawn eyes? |
| Ennai vandhu kolludhadi | It comes and captivates/kills me, |
| Yammaa yammaa | Oh my, oh my! |
| Female | |
| Aathula naan kulichaen | When I bathed in the river, |
| Aasaiyaa nee pudicha | Desirously, you held onto me, |
| Thola thaan nee pudicha | You held my shoulder, |
| Sorgatha naan pudichaen | And I found heaven! |
| Male | |
| Adadaa oru angulam angulamaaga | Oh my, inch by inch, |
| Nee aasaiyil muthangal poda | As you shower kisses out of desire, |
| Adhai ennannu solluven | How do I describe it? |
| Eppadi solluven naanae | How can I say it myself? |
| Chorus | |
| Manakkum sandhanamae | Oh fragrant sandalwood, |
| Kungumamae nilladiyo | Oh vermillion, stop for a moment, |
| Inikkum senthamizhil | In sweet classical Tamil, |
| Sandham onnu solladiyo | Sing a poetic rhythm! |
| Female | |
| Oooo…. chinna mani kiliyo | Oooo... Oh tiny gem-like parrot, |
| Sirikkum niththila maniyo | Oh smiling pearl-like jewel, |
| Manjal vanna nilavo | Oh yellow-hued moon, |
| Manasil ethanai kanavo | How many dreams reside in the heart? |
| Andha naal mangala naal | That day is an auspicious day, |
| Nenjinil thaen sindhudhadi | Honey spills forth in my heart! |
| Male | |
| Manakkum sandhanamae | Oh fragrant sandalwood, |
| Kungumamae nilladiyo | Oh vermillion, stop for a moment, |
| Inikkum senthamizhil | In sweet classical Tamil, |
| Sandham onnu solladiyo | Sing a poetic rhythm! |
| Male | |
| Kaiyalavu chinna idai | A tiny waist just a hand's span wide, |
| Solli kodu enna vilai | Tell me, what is its price? |
| Ketta vilai naan koduppen | Whatever price you ask, I shall give, |
| Kannae kannae | Oh my dear, oh my dear! |
| Female | |
| Aasai adhu evvalavu | How much desire is there? |
| Alli kodu avvalavu | Give it all to me generously, |
| Un alavum en alavum | Your measure and my measure, |
| Onnae onnae | Are one and the same! |
| Male | |
| Vinnilae vennilavu | The white moon in the sky, |
| Veettilae pennilavu | The woman-moon in the house, |
| Indru thaan nalliravu | Tonight is the good night, |
| Naan sollavaa nal varavu | Shall I bid you a warm welcome? |
| Female | |
| Adadaa idhu thanneeril | Aha, this is not a lotus, |
| Thaamarai alla | In ordinary water, |
| Idhu panneer thaamaraiyammaa | This is a rosewater lotus, my dear! |
| Indha thaamarai mottukal | These lotus buds, |
| Pooppadhen maamanukkaaga | Bloom only for my uncle! |
| Male | |
| Manakkum sandhanamae | Oh fragrant sandalwood, |
| Kungumamae nilladiyo | Oh vermillion, stop for a moment, |
| Inikkum senthamizhil | In sweet classical Tamil, |
| Sandham onnu solladiyo | Sing a poetic rhythm! |
| Chorus | |
| Nandhavana kuyilae | Oh cuckoo of the pleasure garden, |
| Nadakkum sithira mayilae | Oh walking picturesque peacock, |
| Chinna mani kiliyae | Oh tiny gem-like parrot, |
| Sirikkum niththila maniyae | Oh smiling pearl-like jewel, |
| Male | |
| Andha naal mangala naal | That day is an auspicious day, |
| Nenjinil thaen sindhudhadi | Honey spills forth in my heart! |
| Manakkum sandhanamae | Oh fragrant sandalwood, |
| Kungumamae nilladiyo | Oh vermillion, stop for a moment, |
| Inikkum senthamizhil | In sweet classical Tamil, |
| Sandham onnu solladiyo | Sing a poetic rhythm! |
| Chorus | |
| Manakkum sandhanamae | Oh fragrant sandalwood, |
| Kungumamae nilladiyo | Oh vermillion, stop for a moment, |
| Inikkum senthamizhil | In sweet classical Tamil, |
| Sandham onnu solladiyo | Sing a poetic rhythm! |
மணக்கும் சந்தனமே
குங்குமமே நில்லடியோ
இனிக்கும் செந்தமிழில்
சந்தம் ஒன்னு சொல்லடியோ
Oh fragrant sandalwood,
Oh vermillion, stop for a moment,
In sweet classical Tamil,
Sing a poetic rhythm!
மணக்கும் சந்தனமே
குங்குமமே நில்லடியோ
இனிக்கும் செந்தமிழில்
சந்தம் ஒன்னு சொல்லடியோ
Oh fragrant sandalwood,
Oh vermillion, stop for a moment,
In sweet classical Tamil,
Sing a poetic rhythm!
சின்ன மணிக் கிளியோ
சிரிக்கும் நித்தில மணியோ
மஞ்சள் வண்ண நிலவோ
மனசில் எத்தனை கனவோ
அந்த நாள் மங்கல நாள்
நெஞ்சினில் தேன் சிந்துதடி
Oh tiny gem-like parrot,
Oh smiling pearl-like jewel,
Oh yellow-hued moon,
How many dreams reside in the heart?
That day is an auspicious day,
Honey spills forth in my heart!
மணக்கும் சந்தனமே
குங்குமமே நில்லடியோ
இனிக்கும் செந்தமிழில்
சந்தம் ஒன்னு சொல்லடியோ
Oh fragrant sandalwood,
Oh vermillion, stop for a moment,
In sweet classical Tamil,
Sing a poetic rhythm!
நந்தன வன குயிலே
குழு :
நடக்கும் சித்திர மயிலே
சின்ன மணி கிளியே
குழு :
சிரிக்கும் நித்தில மணியே
அந்த நாள் மங்கள் நாள்
நெஞ்சினில் தேன் சிந்துதடி
Oh cuckoo of the pleasure garden,
Chorus: Oh walking picturesque peacock,
Male: Oh tiny gem-like parrot,
Chorus: Oh smiling pearl-like jewel,
Male: That day is an auspicious day,
Honey spills forth in my heart!
மணக்கும் சந்தனமே
குங்குமமே நில்லடியோ
இனிக்கும் செந்தமிழில்
சந்தம் ஒன்னு சொல்லடியோ
Oh fragrant sandalwood,
Oh vermillion, stop for a moment,
In sweet classical Tamil,
Sing a poetic rhythm!
தென்மதுரை வீரனுக்கு
என்னுடைய மாமனுக்கு
தேக்குமர தேகமடி
யம்மா யம்மா
For the hero of Southern Madurai,
For my beloved maternal uncle,
He has a body built like teakwood,
Oh my, oh my!
மாமன் கொண்ட பெண் உனக்கு
மை எழுதும் கண் எதுக்கு
என்னை வந்து கொல்லுதடி
யம்மா யம்மா
For the girl who belongs to the uncle,
Why do you need kohl-drawn eyes?
It comes and captivates/kills me,
Oh my, oh my!
ஆத்துல நான் குளிச்சேன்
ஆசையா நீ புடிச்சே
தோளத்தான் நீ புடிச்ச
சொர்க்கத்த நான் புடிச்சேன்
When I bathed in the river,
Desirously, you held onto me,
You held my shoulder,
And I found heaven!
அடடா ஒரு அங்குலம் அங்குலமாக
நீ ஆசையில் முத்தங்கள் போட
அதை என்னன்னு சொல்லுவேன்
எப்படி சொல்லுவேன் நானே
Oh my, inch by inch,
As you shower kisses out of desire,
How do I describe it?
How can I say it myself?
மணக்கும் சந்தனமே
குங்குமமே நில்லடியோ
இனிக்கும் செந்தமிழில்
சந்தம் ஒன்னு சொல்லடியோ
Oh fragrant sandalwood,
Oh vermillion, stop for a moment,
In sweet classical Tamil,
Sing a poetic rhythm!
ஓஓ......சின்ன மணிக் கிளியோ
சிரிக்கும் நித்தில மணியோ
மஞ்சள் வண்ண நிலவோ
மனசில் எத்தனை கனவோ
அந்த நாள் மங்கல நாள்
நெஞ்சினில் தேன் சிந்துதடி
Oooo... Oh tiny gem-like parrot,
Oh smiling pearl-like jewel,
Oh yellow-hued moon,
How many dreams reside in the heart?
That day is an auspicious day,
Honey spills forth in my heart!
மணக்கும் சந்தனமே
குங்குமமே நில்லடியோ
இனிக்கும் செந்தமிழில்
சந்தம் ஒன்னு சொல்லடியோ
Oh fragrant sandalwood,
Oh vermillion, stop for a moment,
In sweet classical Tamil,
Sing a poetic rhythm!
கையளவு சின்ன இடை
சொல்லிக் கொடு என்ன விலை
கேட்ட விலை நான் கொடுப்பேன்
கண்ணே கண்ணே
A tiny waist just a hand's span wide,
Tell me, what is its price?
Whatever price you ask, I shall give,
Oh my dear, oh my dear!
ஆசை அது எவ்வளவு
அள்ளிக் கொடு அவ்வளவு
உன் அளவும் என் அளவும்
ஒன்னே ஒன்னே
How much desire is there?
Give it all to me generously,
Your measure and my measure,
Are one and the same!
விண்ணிலே வெண்ணிலவு
வீட்டிலே பெண்ணிலவு
இன்றுதான் நள்ளிரவு
நான் சொல்லவா நல்வரவு
The white moon in the sky,
The woman-moon in the house,
Tonight is the good night,
Shall I bid you a warm welcome?
அடடா இது தண்ணீரில்
தாமரை அல்ல
இது பன்னீர் தாமரையம்மா
இந்த தாமரை மொட்டுகள்
பூப்பதென்ன மாமனுக்காக
Aha, this is not a lotus,
In ordinary water,
This is a rosewater lotus, my dear!
These lotus buds,
Bloom only for my uncle!
மணக்கும் சந்தனமே
குங்குமமே நில்லடியோ
இனிக்கும் செந்தமிழில்
சந்தம் ஒன்னு சொல்லடியோ
Oh fragrant sandalwood,
Oh vermillion, stop for a moment,
In sweet classical Tamil,
Sing a poetic rhythm!
நந்தன வன குயிலே
நடக்கும் சித்திர மயிலே
சின்ன மணி கிளியே
சிரிக்கும் நித்தில மணியே
Oh cuckoo of the pleasure garden,
Oh walking picturesque peacock,
Oh tiny gem-like parrot,
Oh smiling pearl-like jewel,
அந்த நாள் மங்கல நாள்
நெஞ்சினில் தேன் சிந்துதடி
மணக்கும் சந்தனமே
குங்குமமே நில்லடியோ
இனிக்கும் செந்தமிழில்
சந்தம் ஒன்னு சொல்லடியோ
That day is an auspicious day,
Honey spills forth in my heart!
Oh fragrant sandalwood,
Oh vermillion, stop for a moment,
In sweet classical Tamil,
Sing a poetic rhythm!
மணக்கும் சந்தனமே
குங்குமமே நில்லடியோ
இனிக்கும் செந்தமிழில்
சந்தம் ஒன்னு சொல்லடியோ
Oh fragrant sandalwood,
Oh vermillion, stop for a moment,
In sweet classical Tamil,
Sing a poetic rhythm!
Manakkum sandhanamae
Oh fragrant sandalwood,
Kungumamae nilladiyo
Oh vermillion, stop for a moment,
Inikkum senthamizhil
In sweet classical Tamil,
Sandham onnu solladiyo
Sing a poetic rhythm!
Manakkum sandhanamae
Oh fragrant sandalwood,
Kungumamae nilladiyo
Oh vermillion, stop for a moment,
Inikkum senthamizhil
In sweet classical Tamil,
Sandham onnu solladiyo
Sing a poetic rhythm!
Chinna mani kiliyo
Oh tiny gem-like parrot,
Sirikkum nitthhila maniyo
Oh smiling pearl-like jewel,
Manjal vanna nilavo
Oh yellow-hued moon,
Manasil ethanai kanavo
How many dreams reside in the heart?
Andha naal mangala naal
That day is an auspicious day,
Nenjinil thaen sindhudhadi
Honey spills forth in my heart!
Manakkum sandhanamae
Oh fragrant sandalwood,
Kungumamae nilladiyo
Oh vermillion, stop for a moment,
Inikkum senthamizhil
In sweet classical Tamil,
Sandham onnu solladiyo
Sing a poetic rhythm!
Nandhana vana kuyilae
Oh cuckoo of the pleasure garden,
Chorus :Nadakkum sithira mayilae
Chorus: Oh walking picturesque peacock,
Male :Chinna mani kiliyae
Male: Oh tiny gem-like parrot,
Chorus :Sirikkum nitthhila maniyae
Chorus: Oh smiling pearl-like jewel,
Male :Andha naal mangala naal
Male: That day is an auspicious day,
Nenjinil thaen sindhudhadi
Honey spills forth in my heart!
Manakkum sandhanamae
Oh fragrant sandalwood,
Kungumamae nilladiyo
Oh vermillion, stop for a moment,
Inikkum senthamizhil
In sweet classical Tamil,
Sandham onnu solladiyo
Sing a poetic rhythm!
Thenmadhurai veeranukku
For the hero of Southern Madurai,
Ennudaiya maamanukku
For my beloved maternal uncle,
Thaekkumara dhaegamadi
He has a body built like teakwood,
Yammaa yammaa
Oh my, oh my!
Maaman konda pen unakku
For the girl who belongs to the uncle,
Mai ezhudhum kan edhukku
Why do you need kohl-drawn eyes?
Ennai vandhu kolludhadi
It comes and captivates/kills me,
Yammaa yammaa
Oh my, oh my!
Aathula naan kulichaen
When I bathed in the river,
Aasaiyaa nee pudicha
Desirously, you held onto me,
Thola thaan nee pudicha
You held my shoulder,
Sorgatha naan pudichaen
And I found heaven!
Adadaa oru angulam angulamaaga
Oh my, inch by inch,
Nee aasaiyil muthangal poda
As you shower kisses out of desire,
Adhai ennannu solluven
How do I describe it?
Eppadi solluven naanae
How can I say it myself?
Manakkum sandhanamae
Oh fragrant sandalwood,
Kungumamae nilladiyo
Oh vermillion, stop for a moment,
Inikkum senthamizhil
In sweet classical Tamil,
Sandham onnu solladiyo
Sing a poetic rhythm!
Oooo…. chinna mani kiliyo
Oooo... Oh tiny gem-like parrot,
Sirikkum niththila maniyo
Oh smiling pearl-like jewel,
Manjal vanna nilavo
Oh yellow-hued moon,
Manasil ethanai kanavo
How many dreams reside in the heart?
Andha naal mangala naal
That day is an auspicious day,
Nenjinil thaen sindhudhadi
Honey spills forth in my heart!
Manakkum sandhanamae
Oh fragrant sandalwood,
Kungumamae nilladiyo
Oh vermillion, stop for a moment,
Inikkum senthamizhil
In sweet classical Tamil,
Sandham onnu solladiyo
Sing a poetic rhythm!
Kaiyalavu chinna idai
A tiny waist just a hand's span wide,
Solli kodu enna vilai
Tell me, what is its price?
Ketta vilai naan koduppen
Whatever price you ask, I shall give,
Kannae kannae
Oh my dear, oh my dear!
Aasai adhu evvalavu
How much desire is there?
Alli kodu avvalavu
Give it all to me generously,
Un alavum en alavum
Your measure and my measure,
Onnae onnae
Are one and the same!
Vinnilae vennilavu
The white moon in the sky,
Veettilae pennilavu
The woman-moon in the house,
Indru thaan nalliravu
Tonight is the good night,
Naan sollavaa nal varavu
Shall I bid you a warm welcome?
Adadaa idhu thanneeril
Aha, this is not a lotus,
Thaamarai alla
In ordinary water,
Idhu panneer thaamaraiyammaa
This is a rosewater lotus, my dear!
Indha thaamarai mottukal
These lotus buds,
Pooppadhen maamanukkaaga
Bloom only for my uncle!
Manakkum sandhanamae
Oh fragrant sandalwood,
Kungumamae nilladiyo
Oh vermillion, stop for a moment,
Inikkum senthamizhil
In sweet classical Tamil,
Sandham onnu solladiyo
Sing a poetic rhythm!
Nandhavana kuyilae
Oh cuckoo of the pleasure garden,
Nadakkum sithira mayilae
Oh walking picturesque peacock,
Chinna mani kiliyae
Oh tiny gem-like parrot,
Sirikkum niththila maniyae
Oh smiling pearl-like jewel,
Andha naal mangala naal
That day is an auspicious day,
Nenjinil thaen sindhudhadi
Honey spills forth in my heart!
Manakkum sandhanamae
Oh fragrant sandalwood,
Kungumamae nilladiyo
Oh vermillion, stop for a moment,
Inikkum senthamizhil
In sweet classical Tamil,
Sandham onnu solladiyo
Sing a poetic rhythm!
Manakkum sandhanamae
Oh fragrant sandalwood,
Kungumamae nilladiyo
Oh vermillion, stop for a moment,
Inikkum senthamizhil
In sweet classical Tamil,
Sandham onnu solladiyo
Sing a poetic rhythm!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Manakkum Sandhanamae' from the 1998 movie Dharma is a romantic duet expressing the deep affection and playful intimacy between two lovers. The lyrics draw upon traditional Tamil poetic imagery, comparing the heroine to precious jewels, sandalwood, vermillion, and a garden peacock, while praising the hero's strength and stature. The lovers express their longing, fond memories of affectionate moments, and anticipation of a joyful union.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamaani / Metaphor (உவமை / உருவகம்)
“Manakkum sandhanamae”
Comparing the heroine to 'Manakkum Sandhanam' (fragrant sandalwood), 'Chinna mani kili' (tiny gem parrot), and 'Pennilavu' (woman-moon).
Emona / Rhyme (எதுகை)
“Inikkum senthamizhil / Sandham onnu solladiyo”
Second-letter rhyming across lines: 'Inikkum' and 'Sandham', 'Vinnilae' and 'Veettilae'.
Anaphora / Repetition (அடுக்குத் தொடர்)
“Kannae kannae”
Repetition of terms like 'Kannae kannae' and 'Yammaa yammaa' for poetic rhythm and emotional emphasis.
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Trivia
The track 'Manakkum Sandhanamae' features music composed by Ilaiyaraaja for the Vijayakanth-starrer film Dharma (1998), with lyrics penned by the veteran Tamil poet Pulamaipithan.
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