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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maanguyile Poonguyile (Solo)

From Karagattakaran · 1989

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Karagattakaran1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{ Maanguyilae poonguyilae seidhi onnu keluOh cuckoo of the mango grove, oh flower-like cuckoo, listen to a piece of news,
Unnai maalaiyida thedi varum naalu yendha naalu } (2)Which day is that day searching for you to place the wedding garland? (Repeated)
Muthu muthu kannalaBecause of your pearl-like eyes,
Naan suthi vandhen pinnalaI came circling around behind you.
Male
Maanguyilae poonguyilae seidhi onnu keluOh cuckoo of the mango grove, oh flower-like cuckoo, listen to a piece of news,
Unnai maalaiyida thedi varum naalu yendha naaluWhich day is that day searching for you to place the wedding garland?
Male
Thottu thottu vilaki vacha vengalathu sembu adhaThat bronze pot polished bright by continuous touch,
Thoteduthu thalaiyil vacha pongudhadi thembuWhen lifted and placed upon the head, courage and vigor surge forth!
Patteduthu uduthi vandha paandiyaru theru ippoDraped in fine silk, the street of the Pandiyas now,
Kitta vandhu kilarudhadi yenna padu joruComes near and excites with such immense vigor!
Male
Kannukazhaga ponnu sirichaThe beautiful girl smiled softly,
Ponnu manasa thottu parichaShe touched and plucked my heart away,
Thannandhaniya enni rasichaSitting all alone, I admired her thoughts,
Kannu valai dhaan vittu virichaShe cast wide the net of her eyes!
Yereduthu paathu yemmaa neereduthu oothuLook up at me, my lady, and pour water,
Seereduthu varen yemmaa serthu yennai serthuI will return with auspicious gifts, take me in and embrace me!
Male
Muthaiyan padikum muthirai kavikuFor the signature poem recited by Muthaiyan,
Nichayam badhil sollanum mayiluOh peacock, you must definitely give an answer!
Maanguyilae poonguyilae seidhi onnu keluOh cuckoo of the mango grove, oh flower-like cuckoo, listen to a piece of news,
Unnai maalaiyida thedi varum naalu yendha naaluWhich day is that day searching for you to place the wedding garland?
Male
Unna marandhiruka oru pozhudhum ariyen yemmaI do not know even a single moment when I have forgotten you, my lady,
Kanni mugatha vittu veredhaiyum theriyaApart from your maiden face, nothing else is visible to me.
Vangathula vilanja manjal kizhangeduthu urasi yemmaRubbing the turmeric root grown in fertile soil, my lady,
Ingum angum poosi varum yezhilirukum arasiOh queen of beauty, who applies it here and there!
Male
Koodi irupom koondu kiliyaeLet us live together, oh caged parrot,
Konji kidapom vaadi veliyaeLet us cuddle together, come out my girl!
Jaadai sollithaan paadi azhaichenGiving subtle hints, I sang and called out to you,
Sammadhamunnu sollu kiliyaeSay your consent, my parrot!
Male
Saamathila varen yemmaa saamanthipoo thaarenI will come at midnight, my lady, and give you chrysanthemum flowers,
Kovapattu paatha yemma vandha vazhi porenIf you look at me in anger, my lady, I will leave the way I came.
Sandhanam karachi poosanum enakuSandalwood paste should be dissolved and applied on me,
Muthaiyan kanaku mothamum unakuAll of Muthaiyan's accounts and affections belong entirely to you!
Male
{ Maanguyilae poonguyilae seidhi onnu keluOh cuckoo of the mango grove, oh flower-like cuckoo, listen to a piece of news,
Unnai maalaiyida thedi varum naalu yendha naalu } (2)Which day is that day searching for you to place the wedding garland? (Repeated)
Muthu muthu kannalaBecause of your pearl-like eyes,
Naan suthi vandhen pinnalaI came circling around behind you.
Male
Maanguyilae poonguyilae seidhi onnu keluOh cuckoo of the mango grove, oh flower-like cuckoo, listen to a piece of news,
Unnai maalaiyida thedi varum naalu yendha naaluWhich day is that day searching for you to place the wedding garland?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Maanguyilae Poonguyilae is an iconic Tamil folk-pop track from the movie Karagattakaran (1989). In the song, the male protagonist (Muthaiyan, a Karagattam folk dancer) playfully woos his beloved by comparing her beauty to nature's elements like cuckoos, peacocks, and parrots. He expresses his deep romantic devotion, recalling how her radiant eyes and charming smile completely captured his heart while dancing.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor & Metonymy (உவமை / உருவகம்)

Maanguyilae poonguyilae seidhi onnu kelu

Addressing the beloved as 'Maanguyil' (mango grove cuckoo) and 'Poonguyil' (flower cuckoo) metaphorically attributes sweetness and grace to her.

Metaphor (உவமை)

Muthu muthu kannala

Comparing her shiny, beautiful eyes to pearls ('Muthu muthu kannala').

Rhyme / Monotheism (எதுகை - Second Letter Rhyming)

Thottu thottu vilaki vacha / Thoteduthu thalaiyil vacha

The second consonant 'த்' (th) rhymes across successive lines: Thottu, Thoteduthu.

Iyaibu (இயைபு - End Rhyme)

Kannukazhaga ponnu siricha / Ponnu manasa thottu paricha

The lines end with rhyming verbs ('siricha', 'paricha', 'rasicha', 'viricha').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Gangai Amaran, 'Maanguyilae Poonguyilae' became one of the biggest blockbusters in Tamil cinema history. Karagattakaran ran for over 400 days in theatres, largely propelled by this evergreen song and its vibrant Karagattam dance choreography featuring Ramarajan and Kanaka.

Keep listening

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