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Karagattakaran album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Maanguyile Poonguyile (Solo)

From Karagattakaran · 1989

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Karagattakaran
Movie release year
1989
Lyrics added on
5 Feb 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
{ Maanguyilae poonguyilae seidhi onnu kelu
Unnai maalaiyida thedi varum naalu yendha naalu } (2)
Muthu muthu kannala
Naan suthi vandhen pinnala
Maanguyilae poonguyilae seidhi onnu kelu
Unnai maalaiyida thedi varum naalu yendha naalu
Thottu thottu vilaki vacha vengalathu sembu adha
Thoteduthu thalaiyil vacha pongudhadi thembu
Patteduthu uduthi vandha paandiyaru theru ippo
Kitta vandhu kilarudhadi yenna padu joru
Kannukazhaga ponnu siricha
Ponnu manasa thottu paricha
Thannandhaniya enni rasicha
Kannu valai dhaan vittu viricha
Yereduthu paathu yemmaa neereduthu oothu
Seereduthu varen yemmaa serthu yennai serthu
Muthaiyan padikum muthirai kaviku
Nichayam badhil sollanum mayilu
Maanguyilae poonguyilae seidhi onnu kelu
Unnai maalaiyida thedi varum naalu yendha naalu
Unna marandhiruka oru pozhudhum ariyen yemma
Kanni mugatha vittu veredhaiyum theriya
Vangathula vilanja manjal kizhangeduthu urasi yemma
Ingum angum poosi varum yezhilirukum arasi
Koodi irupom koondu kiliyae
Konji kidapom vaadi veliyae
Jaadai sollithaan paadi azhaichen
Sammadhamunnu sollu kiliyae
Saamathila varen yemmaa saamanthipoo thaaren
Kovapattu paatha yemma vandha vazhi poren
Sandhanam karachi poosanum enaku
Muthaiyan kanaku mothamum unaku
{ Maanguyilae poonguyilae seidhi onnu kelu
Unnai maalaiyida thedi varum naalu yendha naalu } (2)
Muthu muthu kannala
Naan suthi vandhen pinnala
Maanguyilae poonguyilae seidhi onnu kelu
Unnai maalaiyida thedi varum naalu yendha naalu
Oh mango cuckoo, flower cuckoo, listen to some news,
Which is the day that will come searching to garland you?
Drawn by your pearl-like eyes,
I kept wandering right behind you!
Oh mango cuckoo, flower cuckoo, listen to some news,
Which is the day that will come searching to garland you?
That bronze pot, touched and set aside,
When lifted onto my head, my energy surges!
The street of the Pandyas came dressed in fine silk,
Now it draws close and stirs up excitement—what lively energy!
When the girl with pretty eyes smiled,
She touched and stole my heart away!
All by myself, I thought of her and savored the feeling,
While she cast wide the net of her eyes!
Look up at me, my girl, and pour some water,
I will bring the wedding gifts, my girl, so embrace me and take me in!
For this hallmark poem that Muthaiyan recites,
You must surely give an answer, my peacock!
Oh mango cuckoo, flower cuckoo, listen to some news,
Which is the day that will come searching to garland you?
I do not know how to forget you even for a moment, my girl,
Beyond your sweet face, I know nothing else!
Rubbing the turmeric root grown in Bengal, my girl,
You are the queen of beauty, applying it all over!
Let us be together, my caged parrot,
Come out into the open, let us cuddle and speak of love!
Dropping gentle hints, I sang and called for you,
Say yes to me, my sweet parrot!
I will come at midnight, my girl, and bring chrysanthemums,
If you look at me in anger, my girl, I will head right back the way I came!
You must mix sandalwood paste and rub it on me,
All that belongs to Muthaiyan is entirely yours!
Oh mango cuckoo, flower cuckoo, listen to some news,
Which is the day that will come searching to garland you?
Drawn by your pearl-like eyes,
I kept wandering right behind you!
Oh mango cuckoo, flower cuckoo, listen to some news,
Which is the day that will come searching to garland you?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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From the same album

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