Manja Kuruvi
From Pick Pocket · 1989
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Pick Pocket1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| : {Manja kuruvi manja kuruvi | The yellow sparrow, the yellow sparrow, tries to fondle me. |
| Konja paakkudhadi | It tries to fondle me, girl. |
| Konji kulavi konji kulavi | Caressing and cozying up, caressing and cozying up, |
| Minja paakkudhadi} (2) | It tries to dominate me, girl. |
| Male | |
| Ada sari thaan sarasammaa | Ah, it's alright Sarasamma! |
| Nee sariyaa orasammaa | Rub against me properly, my dear! |
| Idhu alaiyum manasammaa | This is a wandering heart, my dear! |
| Nee aamaan jollammaa | Say yes to it, my dear! |
| Naan valanjaa valanju nelinjaa nelinju | If I bend, I bend; if I twist, I twist, |
| Kuduthaal kuduppen | If you give, I shall give! |
| Male | |
| {Manja kuruvi manja kuruvi | The yellow sparrow, the yellow sparrow, tries to fondle me. |
| Konja paakkudhadi | It tries to fondle me, girl. |
| Konji kulavi konji kulavi | Caressing and cozying up, caressing and cozying up, |
| Minja paakkudhadi} (2) | It tries to dominate me, girl. |
| Chorus | |
| Jugujumjum jumjugujum | Jugujumjum jumjugujum |
| Jugujumjum jumjugujum | Jugujumjum jumjugujum |
| Jugujumjum jumjugujum | Jugujumjum jumjugujum |
| Jugujumjum jumjugujum | Jugujumjum jumjugujum |
| Jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga jumjaa | Jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga jumjaa |
| Jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga jumjaa | Jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga jumjaa |
| Jumjagajaa jumjagajaa | Jumjagajaa jumjagajaa |
| Jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga | Jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga |
| Jumjagajaa jumjagajaa | Jumjagajaa jumjagajaa |
| Jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga | Jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga |
| Female | |
| Koodu vittuk koodu vandhu | Why did you jump from nest to nest? |
| Paanjadhenna | What made you leap? |
| Ippodhu veli vittu thottam vandhu | Now leaving the fence and entering the garden, |
| Maenjadhenna | Why did you graze there? |
| Male | |
| Paadu pattu chaethu vecha | What is this desire worked hard and accumulated? |
| Aasai enna | In this world today, |
| Ippodhu paarukkullae | What is this mustache that I grew? |
| Naan valartha meesai enna | Red sugarcane... |
| Female | |
| Sengarumba…aa… | Biting ant... |
| Katterumbu …uu… | It fondles, sir... |
| Konjudhaiyaa…aa… | Coming close... |
| Kitta vandhu…uuu.. | Like a thread, a boundary fence, |
| Male | |
| Oru noola pola veli onnu | I am going to lay down. |
| Poda poren | I'll even lay a mat on a bridge, |
| Oru paala kooda paaya pottu | And give it to you. |
| Naanum thaaren | When a proper time and moment, |
| Female | |
| Oru neram kaalam | Comes together, |
| Koodum podhu | I too will come along! |
| Naanum kooda vaarenga | The yellow sparrow, the yellow sparrow tries to fondle me. |
| Male | |
| Manja kuruvi manja kuruvi | It tries to fondle me, girl. |
| Konja paakkudhadi | Caressing and cozying up, caressing and cozying up, |
| Konji kulavi konji kulavi | It tries to dominate me, girl. |
| Minja paakkudhadi | Ah, it's alright Sarasamma! |
| Male | |
| Ada sari thaan sarasammaa | Rub against me properly, my dear! |
| Nee sariyaa orasammaa | This is a wandering heart, my dear! |
| Idhu alaiyum manasammaa | Say yes to it, my dear! |
| Nee aamaan jollammaa | If I bend, I bend; if I twist, I twist, |
| Naan valanjaa valanju nelinjaa nelinju | If you give, I shall give! |
| Kuduthaal kuduppen | The yellow sparrow, the yellow sparrow, |
| Male | |
| Manja kuruvi manja kuruvi | Tries to fondle me, girl. |
| Konja paakkudhadi | Caressing and cozying up, caressing and cozying up, |
| Konji kulavi konji kulavi | It tries to dominate me, girl. |
| Minja paakkudhadi | The two fish that I caught, |
| Male | |
| Thoondil ittu naan pudicha | By casting a fishing hook, |
| Meenu rendu | Are leaping around, oh dear! |
| Thullaattam podudhammaa | Coming in search of a embrace, |
| Maarukattu thedi vandhu | In the heat that was kept covered, |
| Female | |
| Moodi vecha veyililae | Fearing it might wither, |
| Vaaduminnu | Fearing someone might see, |
| Yaaraachum paathu puttaa | And a crowd might gather, |
| Koottam vandhu kooduminnu | What is the price... |
| Male | |
| Enna vela…aaa.. | Tell me... hoi! |
| Solli pudu..uu.. hoi | To me, you... |
| En kitta nee …ee… | Hand it over! |
| Thalli kudu…. | Ah, showing currency notes, |
| Female | |
| Ada note ah kaatti | And eyeing it won't get you caught, sir! |
| Nottam pottaa sikkaadhaiyaa | Ah, try limping and searching, try limping and searching, |
| Ada nondi paaru nondi paaru | You won't escape, sir! |
| Thappadhaiyaa | Ah no, young lady, |
| Male | |
| Ada vendaam pulla | You yourself now, |
| Nee thaan ippa | The rate you quote is unaffordable! |
| Sollum rate kattaadhu | The yellow sparrow, the yellow sparrow, tries to fondle me. |
| Female | |
| {Manja kuruvi manja kuruvi | It tries to fondle me, girl. |
| Konja paakkudhadi | Caressing and cozying up, caressing and cozying up, |
| Konji kulavi konji kulavi | It tries to dominate me, girl. |
| Minja paakkudhadi} (2) | Ah, it's alright Sarasamma! |
| Male | |
| Ada sari thaan sarasammaa | Rub against me properly, my dear! |
| Nee sariyaa orasammaa | This is a wandering heart, my dear! |
| Idhu alaiyum manasammaa | Say yes to it, my dear! |
| Nee aamaan jollammaa | If I bend, I bend; if I twist, I twist, |
| Naan valanjaa valanju nelinjaa nelinju | If you give, I shall give.. hae hoii! |
| Kuduthaal kuduppen..hae hoii | The yellow sparrow, the yellow sparrow, tries to fondle me. |
| Male | |
| {Manja kuruvi manja kuruvi | It tries to fondle me, girl. |
| Konja paakkudhadi | Caressing and cozying up, caressing and cozying up, |
| Konji kulavi konji kulavi | It tries to dominate me, girl... yeah! |
| Minja paakkudhadi} (2)..yeah | |
தத்தத் த்ரதத்தா தத்தத் த்ரதத்தா
தத்தத் த்ரதத்தா தத்தத் த்ரதத்தா
தத்தத் த்ரதத்தா தத்தத் த்ரதத்தா
தத்தத் த்ரதத்தா தத்தத் த்ரதத்தா
The yellow sparrow, the yellow sparrow, tries to fondle me.
It tries to fondle me, girl.
Caressing and cozying up, caressing and cozying up,
It tries to dominate me, girl.
மஞ்சக் குருவி மஞ்சக் குருவி
கொஞ்சப் பாக்குதடி
கொஞ்சிக் குலவி கொஞ்சிக் குலவி
மிஞ்சப் பாக்குதடி
Ah, it's alright Sarasamma!
Rub against me properly, my dear!
This is a wandering heart, my dear!
Say yes to it, my dear!
If I bend, I bend; if I twist, I twist,
If you give, I shall give!
அட சரிதான் சரசம்மா
நீ சரியா ஒரசம்மா
இது அலையும் மனசம்மா
நீ ஆமாஞ் சொல்லம்மா
நான் வளஞ்சா வளஞ்சு
நெளிஞ்சா நெளிஞ்சு
குடுத்தால் குடுப்பேன்……
The yellow sparrow, the yellow sparrow, tries to fondle me.
It tries to fondle me, girl.
Caressing and cozying up, caressing and cozying up,
It tries to dominate me, girl.
மஞ்சக் குருவி மஞ்சக் குருவி
கொஞ்சப் பாக்குதடி
கொஞ்சிக் குலவி கொஞ்சிக் குலவி
மிஞ்சப் பாக்குதடி
Jugujumjum jumjugujum
Jugujumjum jumjugujum
Jugujumjum jumjugujum
Jugujumjum jumjugujum
Jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga jumjaa
Jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga jumjaa
Jumjagajaa jumjagajaa
Jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga
Jumjagajaa jumjagajaa
Jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga
மஞ்சக் குருவி மஞ்சக் குருவி
கொஞ்சப் பாக்குதடி
கொஞ்சிக் குலவி கொஞ்சிக் குலவி
மிஞ்சப் பாக்குதடி
Why did you jump from nest to nest?
What made you leap?
Now leaving the fence and entering the garden,
Why did you graze there?
.....................
What is this desire worked hard and accumulated?
In this world today,
What is this mustache that I grew?
Red sugarcane...
கூடு விட்டுக் கூடு வந்து
பாஞ்சதென்ன
இப்போது வேலி விட்டு
தோட்டம் வந்து மேஞ்சதென்ன
Biting ant...
It fondles, sir...
Coming close...
Like a thread, a boundary fence,
பாடு பட்டுச் சேத்து வெச்ச
ஆசை என்ன
இப்போது பாருக்குள்ளே
நான் வளர்த்த மீசை என்ன
I am going to lay down.
I'll even lay a mat on a bridge,
And give it to you.
When a proper time and moment,
செங்கரும்ப கட்டெறும்பு
கொஞ்சுதையா கிட்ட வந்து
ஒரு நூலப் போல
வேலி ஒண்ணு போடப் போறேன்
ஒரு பாலக் கூட பாயப்
போட்டு நானும் தாரேன்
ஒரு நேரம் காலம் கூடும் போது
நானும் கூட வாரேங்க
Comes together,
I too will come along!
The yellow sparrow, the yellow sparrow tries to fondle me.
மஞ்சக் குருவி மஞ்சக் குருவி
கொஞ்சப் பாக்குதடி
கொஞ்சிக் குலவி கொஞ்சிக் குலவி
மிஞ்சப் பாக்குதடி
It tries to fondle me, girl.
Caressing and cozying up, caressing and cozying up,
It tries to dominate me, girl.
Ah, it's alright Sarasamma!
அட சரிதான் சரசம்மா
நீ சரியா ஒரசம்மா
இது அலையும் மனசம்மா
நீ ஆமாஞ் சொல்லம்மா
நான் வளஞ்சா வளஞ்சு
நெளிஞ்சா நெளிஞ்சு
குடுத்தால் குடுப்பேன்……
Rub against me properly, my dear!
This is a wandering heart, my dear!
Say yes to it, my dear!
If I bend, I bend; if I twist, I twist,
If you give, I shall give!
The yellow sparrow, the yellow sparrow,
மஞ்சக் குருவி மஞ்சக் குருவி
கொஞ்சப் பாக்குதடி
கொஞ்சிக் குலவி கொஞ்சிக் குலவி
மிஞ்சப் பாக்குதடி
Tries to fondle me, girl.
Caressing and cozying up, caressing and cozying up,
It tries to dominate me, girl.
The two fish that I caught,
ஓ ஓஒ.......ஓஓ.......ஓஓ......
ஓ ஓஒ.......ஓஓ.......ஓஓ......
By casting a fishing hook,
Are leaping around, oh dear!
Coming in search of a embrace,
In the heat that was kept covered,
தூண்டில் இட்டு
நான் புடிச்ச மீனு ரெண்டு
துள்ளாட்டம் போடுதம்மா
மாருகட்டு தேடி வந்து
மூடி வெச்சா
வெயிலிலே வாடுமின்னு
யாராச்சும் பாத்து புட்டா
கூட்டம் வந்து கூடுமின்னு
Fearing it might wither,
Fearing someone might see,
And a crowd might gather,
What is the price...
என்ன வெல சொல்லிப் புடு
ஹோய் என் கிட்ட நீ தள்ளிக் குடு
அட நோட்டக் காட்டி
நோட்டம் போட்டா சிக்காதையா
அட நோண்டிப் பாரு
நோண்டிப் பாரு தப்பாதையா
அட வேண்டாம் புள்ள நீதான்
இப்ப சொல்லும் ரேட்டுக் கட்டாது(மஞ்சக்)
Tell me... hoi!
To me, you...
Hand it over!
Ah, showing currency notes,
மஞ்சக் குருவி மஞ்சக் குருவி
கொஞ்சப் பாக்குதடி
கொஞ்சிக் குலவி கொஞ்சிக் குலவி
மிஞ்சப் பாக்குதடி
And eyeing it won't get you caught, sir!
Ah, try limping and searching, try limping and searching,
You won't escape, sir!
Ah no, young lady,
அட சரிதான் சரசம்மா
நீ சரியா ஒரசம்மா
இது அலையும் மனசம்மா
நீ ஆமாஞ் சொல்லம்மா
நான் வளஞ்சா வளஞ்சு
நெளிஞ்சா நெளிஞ்சு
குடுத்தால் குடுப்பேன்……ஓஹே.....
You yourself now,
The rate you quote is unaffordable!
The yellow sparrow, the yellow sparrow, tries to fondle me.
மஞ்சக் குருவி மஞ்சக் குருவி
கொஞ்சப் பாக்குதடி
கொஞ்சிக் குலவி கொஞ்சிக் குலவி
மிஞ்சப் பாக்குதடி
It tries to fondle me, girl.
Caressing and cozying up, caressing and cozying up,
It tries to dominate me, girl.
Ah, it's alright Sarasamma!
அட மஞ்சக் குருவி மஞ்சக் குருவி
கொஞ்சப் பாக்குதடி
கொஞ்சிக் குலவி கொஞ்சிக் குலவி
மிஞ்சப் பாக்குதடி யா........
Rub against me properly, my dear!
This is a wandering heart, my dear!
Say yes to it, my dear!
If I bend, I bend; if I twist, I twist,
If you give, I shall give.. hae hoii!
The yellow sparrow, the yellow sparrow, tries to fondle me.
It tries to fondle me, girl.
Caressing and cozying up, caressing and cozying up,
It tries to dominate me, girl... yeah!
: {Manja kuruvi manja kuruvi
The yellow sparrow, the yellow sparrow, tries to fondle me.
Konja paakkudhadi
It tries to fondle me, girl.
Konji kulavi konji kulavi
Caressing and cozying up, caressing and cozying up,
Minja paakkudhadi} (2)
It tries to dominate me, girl.
Ada sari thaan sarasammaa
Ah, it's alright Sarasamma!
Nee sariyaa orasammaa
Rub against me properly, my dear!
Idhu alaiyum manasammaa
This is a wandering heart, my dear!
Nee aamaan jollammaa
Say yes to it, my dear!
Naan valanjaa valanju nelinjaa nelinju
If I bend, I bend; if I twist, I twist,
Kuduthaal kuduppen
If you give, I shall give!
{Manja kuruvi manja kuruvi
The yellow sparrow, the yellow sparrow, tries to fondle me.
Konja paakkudhadi
It tries to fondle me, girl.
Konji kulavi konji kulavi
Caressing and cozying up, caressing and cozying up,
Minja paakkudhadi} (2)
It tries to dominate me, girl.
Jugujumjum jumjugujum
Jugujumjum jumjugujum
Jugujumjum jumjugujum
Jugujumjum jumjugujum
Jugujumjum jumjugujum
Jugujumjum jumjugujum
Jugujumjum jumjugujum
Jugujumjum jumjugujum
Jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga jumjaa
Jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga jumjaa
Jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga jumjaa
Jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga jumjaa
Jumjagajaa jumjagajaa
Jumjagajaa jumjagajaa
Jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga
Jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga
Jumjagajaa jumjagajaa
Jumjagajaa jumjagajaa
Jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga
Jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga jumjaga
Koodu vittuk koodu vandhu
Why did you jump from nest to nest?
Paanjadhenna
What made you leap?
Ippodhu veli vittu thottam vandhu
Now leaving the fence and entering the garden,
Maenjadhenna
Why did you graze there?
Paadu pattu chaethu vecha
What is this desire worked hard and accumulated?
Aasai enna
In this world today,
Ippodhu paarukkullae
What is this mustache that I grew?
Naan valartha meesai enna
Red sugarcane...
Sengarumba…aa…
Biting ant...
Katterumbu …uu…
It fondles, sir...
Konjudhaiyaa…aa…
Coming close...
Kitta vandhu…uuu..
Like a thread, a boundary fence,
Oru noola pola veli onnu
I am going to lay down.
Poda poren
I'll even lay a mat on a bridge,
Oru paala kooda paaya pottu
And give it to you.
Naanum thaaren
When a proper time and moment,
Oru neram kaalam
Comes together,
Koodum podhu
I too will come along!
Naanum kooda vaarenga
The yellow sparrow, the yellow sparrow tries to fondle me.
Manja kuruvi manja kuruvi
It tries to fondle me, girl.
Konja paakkudhadi
Caressing and cozying up, caressing and cozying up,
Konji kulavi konji kulavi
It tries to dominate me, girl.
Minja paakkudhadi
Ah, it's alright Sarasamma!
Ada sari thaan sarasammaa
Rub against me properly, my dear!
Nee sariyaa orasammaa
This is a wandering heart, my dear!
Idhu alaiyum manasammaa
Say yes to it, my dear!
Nee aamaan jollammaa
If I bend, I bend; if I twist, I twist,
Naan valanjaa valanju nelinjaa nelinju
If you give, I shall give!
Kuduthaal kuduppen
The yellow sparrow, the yellow sparrow,
Manja kuruvi manja kuruvi
Tries to fondle me, girl.
Konja paakkudhadi
Caressing and cozying up, caressing and cozying up,
Konji kulavi konji kulavi
It tries to dominate me, girl.
Minja paakkudhadi
The two fish that I caught,
Thoondil ittu naan pudicha
By casting a fishing hook,
Meenu rendu
Are leaping around, oh dear!
Thullaattam podudhammaa
Coming in search of a embrace,
Maarukattu thedi vandhu
In the heat that was kept covered,
Moodi vecha veyililae
Fearing it might wither,
Vaaduminnu
Fearing someone might see,
Yaaraachum paathu puttaa
And a crowd might gather,
Koottam vandhu kooduminnu
What is the price...
Enna vela…aaa..
Tell me... hoi!
Solli pudu..uu.. hoi
To me, you...
En kitta nee …ee…
Hand it over!
Thalli kudu….
Ah, showing currency notes,
Ada note ah kaatti
And eyeing it won't get you caught, sir!
Nottam pottaa sikkaadhaiyaa
Ah, try limping and searching, try limping and searching,
Ada nondi paaru nondi paaru
You won't escape, sir!
Thappadhaiyaa
Ah no, young lady,
Ada vendaam pulla
You yourself now,
Nee thaan ippa
The rate you quote is unaffordable!
Sollum rate kattaadhu
The yellow sparrow, the yellow sparrow, tries to fondle me.
{Manja kuruvi manja kuruvi
It tries to fondle me, girl.
Konja paakkudhadi
Caressing and cozying up, caressing and cozying up,
Konji kulavi konji kulavi
It tries to dominate me, girl.
Minja paakkudhadi} (2)
Ah, it's alright Sarasamma!
Ada sari thaan sarasammaa
Rub against me properly, my dear!
Nee sariyaa orasammaa
This is a wandering heart, my dear!
Idhu alaiyum manasammaa
Say yes to it, my dear!
Nee aamaan jollammaa
If I bend, I bend; if I twist, I twist,
Naan valanjaa valanju nelinjaa nelinju
If you give, I shall give.. hae hoii!
Kuduthaal kuduppen..hae hoii
The yellow sparrow, the yellow sparrow, tries to fondle me.
{Manja kuruvi manja kuruvi
It tries to fondle me, girl.
Konja paakkudhadi
Caressing and cozying up, caressing and cozying up,
Konji kulavi konji kulavi
It tries to dominate me, girl... yeah!
Minja paakkudhadi} (2)..yeah
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Manja Kuruvi' is a playful, upbeat duet from the 1989 movie Pick Pocket. The song features lively folk-infused flirtation where the lovers tease each other using rich, playful metaphors of birds, sugarcane, fishing, and market bartering. The heroine metaphorically refers to her suitor as a 'yellow bird' (manja kuruvi) trying to win her affection, while the hero responds in kind with energetic romantic banter. Throughout the track, the lyrics build an atmosphere of youthful romance, clever retorts, and folk rhythm. Gangai Amaran weaves together colloquial terms, rhythmic vocal scatting ('jugujumjum'), and double entendres to create a catchy, humorous, and flirtatious dance number typical of late 1980s Tamil commercial cinema.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhai (Second letter rhyming / Assonance)
“Manja kuruvi manja kuruvi / Konja paakkudhadi”
The second consonant 'n' (ன / ஞ்) rhymes across adjacent lines ('Manja' and 'Konja').
Metaphor (Uruvagaim)
“Manja kuruvi manja kuruvi”
Comparing the lover to a 'Manja Kuruvi' (Yellow bird) that flutters around trying to affectionally dominate.
Repetition / Rhythm (Adukku Thodar)
“Konji kulavi konji kulavi”
Rhythmic repetition of 'Konji kulavi' and 'Jumjaga' to create a lively folk beat.
Did you know?
Trivia
Pick Pocket (1989) stars Prashanth's father Thiagarajan alongside Radha. The film's music score was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by his brother Gangai Amaran. The song is well regarded for its catchy, upbeat folk rhythm and playful lyrical exchanges.
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