Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mancholai Kilithano

From Kizhakke Pogum Rail · 1978

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singer
Jayachandran
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kizhakke Pogum Rail1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Maanjolai kili thaano… maan thaano…Is she a parrot from the mango grove? Or a deer?
Vaeppanthoppu kuyilum nee thaano…Are you the cuckoo from the neem grove?
Male
Maanjolai kili thaano maan thaano…Is she a parrot from the mango grove? Or a deer?
Vaeppanthoppu kuyilum nee thaano…Are you the cuckoo from the neem grove?
Ival aavaaram poo thaano nadai thaer thaanoIs she an Aavaaram flower? Is her walk like a chariot?
Salangaigal tharum isai thaen thaano… oo…Is the music from her anklets pure honey?
Male
Maanjolai kili thaano maan thaano…Is she a parrot from the mango grove? Or a deer?
Vaeppanthoppu kuyilum nee thaano…Are you the cuckoo from the neem grove?
Ival aavaaram poo thaano nadai thaer thaanoIs she an Aavaaram flower? Is her walk like a chariot?
Salangaigal tharum isai thaen thaano… oo…Is the music from her anklets pure honey?
Male
Neerodai polavae sirithaadi odinaalShe ran, laughing and dancing like a stream of water
Neerodai polavae sirithaadi odinaalShe ran, laughing and dancing like a stream of water
Valaiyosaiyae kaadhilae sindhu paadudhaeThe sound of her bangles sings a melody in my ears
Palingu chilaiyae pavala kodiyaeO marble statue! O coral vine!
Kulungi varum idaiyil puralumSwagging waist, cascading down
Sadaiyil mayakkum malar kodiEntwined in her braided hair, she is an intoxicating flowering vine
Male
Maanjolai kili thaano maan thaano…Is she a parrot from the mango grove? Or a deer?
Vaeppanthoppu kuyilum nee thaano…Are you the cuckoo from the neem grove?
Ival aavaaram poo thaano nadai thaer thaanoIs she an Aavaaram flower? Is her walk like a chariot?
Salangaigal tharum isai thaen thaano… oo…Is the music from her anklets pure honey?
Male
Minnal oli ena kannai parithidum azhagoIs her beauty like a lightning flash that dazzles the eyes?
DhaevadhaiyoOr is she a goddess?
Minnal oli ena kannai parithidum azhagoIs her beauty like a lightning flash that dazzles the eyes?
DhaevadhaiyoOr is she a goddess?
Angam oru thanga kudam azhaginilHer body is a golden pot of beauty
Mangai oru gangai nadhi ulaginilIn this world, this maiden is like the River Ganges
Thullum isai thaen thaan allum karam naan thaanShe is leaping sweet music, and I am the holding hand
Manjam adhil vanji kodi varuvaal sugamaeOn the bed, the tender vine maiden will arrive in bliss
Varuvaal sugamae tharuvaal magizhvaenShe will arrive in bliss, she will give and I shall rejoice
Kan kaaviyam pan paadidum pen oviyam senthaamaraiyaeAn epic in her eyes, a musical song, a female portrait, a red lotus!
Male
Maelaadai maangani asaindhaadum vaelaiyilWhen her upper garment and mango-like form gently sway
Pala kodigal aasaiyae vandhu modhudhaeMillions of desires come rushing in and collide
Karumbu vayalae kurumbu mozhiyaeO sugarcane field! O mischievous speech!
Ilamai enum thanimai neruppaiUpon the fire of lonely youth
Anaikkum paruva mazhai mugilShe is the seasonal raincloud that extinguishes it
Male
Maanjolai kili thaano maan thaano…Is she a parrot from the mango grove? Or a deer?
Vaeppanthoppu kuyilum nee thaano…Are you the cuckoo from the neem grove?
Ival aavaaram poo thaano nadai thaer thaanoIs she an Aavaaram flower? Is her walk like a chariot?
Salangaigal tharum isai thaen thaano… oo…Is the music from her anklets pure honey?
Male
Maanjolai kili thaano maan thaano…Is she a parrot from the mango grove? Or a deer?
Vaeppanthoppu kuyilum nee thaano…Are you the cuckoo from the neem grove?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Maanjolai Kili Thaano is a classic Tamil romantic song from the 1978 film Kizhakke Pogum Rail. The protagonist expresses his mesmerizing adoration for his beloved through vivid pastoral and natural imagery, wondering whether she is a parrot, a cuckoo, a deer, or a divine nymph. He compares her beauty to pristine nature, including golden pots, flowing streams, lotus blossoms, and rainclouds that soothe the fires of loneliness. The song captures the innocence, passion, and poetic romanticism characteristic of rural Tamil cinema.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uwamai)

Neerodai polavae sirithaadi odinaal

Compares the heroine's joyful movement and laughter to a flowing stream.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Angam oru thanga kudam azhaginil

Directly identifies her body as a golden pot and a marble statue.

Rhetorical Question (Iyya Alangaaram)

Maanjolai kili thaano maan thaano…

Poetic expression of doubt questioning whether she is a parrot, a deer, or a cuckoo.

Alliteration & Rhyme (Monai and Ethukai)

Palingu chilaiyae pavala kodiyae

Rhythmic sound harmony produced by matching consonants across lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kizhakke Pogum Rail (1978) was directed by Bharathiraja and marked the film debut of lead actors Sudhakar and Radhika Sarathkumar. The iconic soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Muthulingam and vocal performance by P. Jayachandran.

Keep listening

More from Kizhakke Pogum Rail