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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Manjakulikira

From Manasukketha Maharasa · 1989

Lyricist
Kalidasan
Singer
Uma Ramanan
Music director
Deva
Details
Manasukketha Maharasa1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Malaiellam saamandhi pooChrysanthemum flowers bloom all over the mountains
Malarndhirukkudhu malarndhirukkudhuThey are blooming, blooming
Manasellaam aasaiyilaeInside the heart, filled with desire
Kulirnthirukkudhu kulirnthirukkudhuIt feels cool and refreshed, feels refreshed
Pooparikka ponnugalae odi vangadiRun and come, girls, to pluck flowers!
Female
Manja kulikkura pinju kuruvikkuFor the tender little bird taking a turmeric bath
Nenjil oru thaagamThere is a longing in her heart
Oru mangala punnagai pongi vazhiyudhuAn auspicious smile overflows
Kanni idhazh ooramAt the corner of the maiden's lips
Female
Manja kulikkura pinju kuruvikkuFor the tender little bird taking a turmeric bath
Nenjil oru thaagamThere is a longing in her heart
Oru mangala punnagai pongi vazhiyudhuAn auspicious smile overflows
Kanni idhazh ooramAt the corner of the maiden's lips
Female
Ava minnaladikkira kannukkul irukkuInside her eyes that flash like lightning
Innoru kuthaalamThere is another Courtallam waterfall
Pudhu metti aninthida kotti muzhangidumTo wear the new toe-rings, beaten and sounded loud
Mangala mathaalamThe auspicious wedding drum beats
Female
Manja kulikkura pinju kuruvikkuFor the tender little bird taking a turmeric bath
Nenjil oru thaagamThere is a longing in her heart
Oru mangala punnagai pongi vazhiyudhuAn auspicious smile overflows
Kanni idhazh ooramAt the corner of the maiden's lips
Chorus
…………………………...
Female
{Manmadha raasathaan vandhuThe king of love Cupid himself will come
Oru maalaiyida poraanHe is going to place a garland around her
Adi indhira thaer melaeHey friend, atop Lord Indra's chariot
Ivala yettri vara poraan} (2)He is going to carry her away (Repeated)
Female
Velligalai parichuPlucking the stars from the night sky
Saram thoduthu tharuvaanaeHe will string them into a necklace for her
Vennilavae ketta adha eduthu varuvaanaeIf she asks for the full moon, he will bring that too
Kannirainja purushan avanThat husband who fills her heart and eyes
Enga irukkaan thaeduGo search where he is
Chorus :Poo maalai onnu poduChorus: Put on a flower garland
Female
Manja kulikkura pinju kuruvikkuFor the tender little bird taking a turmeric bath
Nenjil oru thaagamThere is a longing in her heart
Oru mangala punnagai pongi vazhiyudhuAn auspicious smile overflows
Kanni idhazh ooramAt the corner of the maiden's lips
Chorus
Maamano machaanoWhether he is her maternal uncle or cousin brother
Magaraasi vaazhanumMay she live like a blessed queen
Maargazhi maasam polLike the cool, serene month of Margazhi
Manam kulirndhu vaazhanumMay she live with a joyful and cool heart
Female
{Kalli chedi melaeUpon the prickly cactus plant
Vellichara mullaiyum poothirukkuThe silver-garlanded jasmine flower has bloomed
Adi kokku onnuthaaneHey friend, a single heron
Ingu indha meenukku kaathirukku} (2)Is waiting right here for this fish (Repeated)
Female
Kallathanam kaattumShowing cunning and playfulness
Dhisa maathum indha koziThis hen changes its direction
Thullum nada seval vidumadi adi thozhiHey friend, it leaves behind the prancing cock
Achaaram vacha machaam thaali poda nenachaanThe cousin who gave token gifts wished to tie the sacred wedding thread
Chorus :Oru veliya pottu irukaanChorus: He has laid out a protective boundary
Female
Manja kulikkura pinju kuruvikkuFor the tender little bird taking a turmeric bath
Nenjil oru thaagamThere is a longing in her heart
Oru mangala punnagai pongi vazhiyudhuAn auspicious smile overflows
Kanni idhazh ooramAt the corner of the maiden's lips
Female
Ava minnaladikkira kannukkul irukkuInside her eyes that flash like lightning
Innoru kuthaalamThere is another Courtallam waterfall
Pudhu metti aninthida kotti muzhangidumTo wear the new toe-rings, beaten and sounded loud
Mangala mathaalamThe auspicious wedding drum beats
Female
Manja kulikkura pinju kuruvikkuFor the tender little bird taking a turmeric bath
Nenjil oru thaagamThere is a longing in her heart
Oru mangala punnagai pongi vazhiyudhuAn auspicious smile overflows
Kanni idhazh ooramAt the corner of the maiden's lips

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Manja kulikkura pinju kuruvikku is a joyous, celebratory Tamil folk song centered on a young village maiden who has come of age and is preparing for marriage. Her close companions playfully tease her about her blossoming romantic desires, her glowing beauty during traditional turmeric baths, and the dream of her future groom—a prince-like 'Manmadhan' (Cupid) who will sweep her off her feet in a grand chariot.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Manja kulikkura pinju kuruvikku

Compares the young, innocent bride undergoing traditional turmeric purification baths to a tender little bird (pinju kuruvi).

Hyperbole (Ushiyarkkai)

Ava minnaladikkira kannukkul irukku innoru kuthaalam

Exaggerates the sparkling depth and freshness of her eyes by asserting that a entire cascading waterfall (Kuthaalam) resides within them.

Simile (Uvamai)

Maargazhi maasam pol manam kulirndhu vaazhanum

Compares the peace and joy wished for her married life to the soothing, cool atmosphere of the sacred month of Margazhi.

Initial Rhyme (Monai)

Malaiellam saamandhi poo malarndhirukkudhu

Repetition of the initial 'M' sound across adjacent words created melodic harmony in classical Tamil verse.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track is from the 1989 village drama film Manasukketha Maharasa starring Ramarajan and Seetha. The soundtrack marked one of the early acclaimed compositions by music director Deva, showcasing his signature authentic rural folk rhythms and melody structures.

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