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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Manja Kuruvi

From Naan Petha Magane · 1995

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Padma
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Naan Petha Magane1995

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Thanthaanae thanthaanae thanthaanaenaaRhythm syllables (Thanthaanae thanthaanae thanthaanaenaa)
Thantha thanae thantha thaanae thanthaanaenaaRhythm syllables (Thantha thanae thantha thaanae thanthaanaenaa)
Thanthanaa thanthanaa thanthanaaRhythm syllables (Thanthanaa thanthanaa thanthanaa)
Male
Manja kuruvi en nenja thazhuvuvathuWhy is the yellow sparrow embracing my heart?
Edhukkaaga edhukkaagaFor what reason, for what reason?
Female Chorus :Thanthanaanaa thanthanaanaaFemale Chorus: Rhythm syllables (Thanthanaanaa thanthanaanaa)
Female :Thanjam adaintha pin konji kuzhavuvathuFemale: Caressing affectionately after taking refuge,
Adhukkaaga adhukkaagaFor that reason, for that reason!
Male Chorus :Thanthanaanaa thanthanaanaaMale Chorus: Rhythm syllables (Thanthanaanaa thanthanaanaa)
Male
Ponga paanaiyil pudhu soruFresh rice cooking in the Pongal pot,
Paala pongura thirunaaluA festive day overflowing like milk!
Female :Pattu selaiya pudhu vettiFemale: Silk saree and a brand new dhoti,
Thottu pesura thirunaaluA festive day to touch and talk!
Male :Jodi….serum….Male: A pair... unites...
Female
Manja kuruvi en nenja thazhuvuvathuWhy is the yellow sparrow embracing my heart?
Edhukkaaga edhukkaagaFor what reason, for what reason?
Female Chorus :Thanthanaanaa thanthanaanaaFemale Chorus: Rhythm syllables (Thanthanaanaa thanthanaanaa)
Male :Thanjam adaintha pin konji kuzhavuvathuMale: Caressing affectionately after taking refuge,
Adhukkaaga adhukkaagaFor that reason, for that reason!
Male Chorus :Thanthanaanaa thanthanaanaaMale Chorus: Rhythm syllables (Thanthanaanaa thanthanaanaa)
Male
Karuththa megam neer vaarkkaAs dark clouds pour down rain,
Karisal kaadu poopookka….ooo….oo….And the black soil land blooms with flowers... ooo... oo...
Female :Paruththi pooththa naal paarththuFemale: Seeing the day cotton bloomed,
Parisam podum poongaaththuThe gentle breeze presents the dowry!
Male :Thoppum kaaththum sera thethi paakkumaaMale: Do the grove and the breeze look for a date to unite?
Male
Manja kuruvi en nenja thazhuvuvathuWhy is the yellow sparrow embracing my heart?
Edhukkaaga edhukkaagaFor what reason, for what reason?
Female :Thanjam adaintha pin konji kuzhavuvathuFemale: Caressing affectionately after taking refuge,
Adhukkaaga adhukkaagaFor that reason, for that reason!
Female
Uravai paarththa poo maathuThe flower-like woman, seeing her partner,
Mugaththa paaththu pesaathu….ooo…oo….Does not speak looking straight at his face... ooo... oo...
Male :Vizhigal pesi kettaachchuMale: Eyes have spoken and listened,
Mounam kooda paattachchuEven silence has turned into a song!
Female :Paarvai pesumpothu vaarththai venumaaFemale: When glances speak, are words required?
Male
Ada manja kuruvi en nenja thazhuvuvathuAh, why is the yellow sparrow embracing my heart?
Edhukkaaga edhukkaagaFor what reason, for what reason?
Chorus :Thanthanaanaa thanthanaanaaChorus: Rhythm syllables (Thanthanaanaa thanthanaanaa)
Female :Thanjam adaintha pin konji kuzhavuvathuFemale: Caressing affectionately after taking refuge,
Adhukkaaga adhukkaagaFor that reason, for that reason!
Chorus :Thanthanaanaa thanthanaanaaChorus: Rhythm syllables (Thanthanaanaa thanthanaanaa)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Manja Kuruvi from Naan Petha Magane (1995) is a cheerful folk romantic duet that uses rustic village imagery to express the budding love between two soulmates. Using natural elements such as rain clouds, blooming cotton in black soil, and gentle breezes as backdrop metaphors, the lovers celebrate their togetherness during festive occasions like Pongal. The lyrics highlight how silent glances and subtle gestures often express deeper romantic feelings than spoken words ever could.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaanam)

Manja kuruvi en nenja thazhuvuvathu

'Manja kuruvi' (Yellow sparrow) is used as a metaphor for the lover/beloved caressing the heart.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Paruththi pooththa naal paarththu / Parisam podum poongaaththu

Repetition of the initial sound 'Pa' in Paruththi and Parisam creates melodic rhythm.

Second-letter Rhyme (Edukai)

Karuththa megam neer vaarkka / Karisal kaadu poopookka

Matching of the second consonant sound 'ru'/'ri' across adjacent lines.

Rhetorical Question

Paarvai pesumpothu vaarththai venumaa

A poetical question used to emphasize that deep love requires no verbal expression.

Did you know?

Trivia

Naan Petha Magane (1995) features a soundtrack composed by Chandrabose with lyrics written by the prolific Vaali. Sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Padma, 'Manja Kuruvi' stands out as a joyful rural duet infused with traditional Tamil folk rhythms.

Keep listening

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