- Lyricist
- Panchu Arunachalam
- Singer
- Vani Jairam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Aalukkoru Aasai
- Movie release year
- 1977
- Lyrics added on
- 1 Nov 2018
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Manjal Araikkum Podhu is a sensual, folk-based romantic song from the 1977 Tamil movie 'Aalukkoru Aasai', composed by Ilaiyaraaja, written by Panchu Arunachalam, and sung by S. Janaki. The protagonist reminisces about her lover peeping over the wall while she was performing her daily routine of grinding turmeric. She describes her restless, sleepless nights filled with yearning. She details how she prepares herself for her beloved—chewing betel leaves to make her lips crimson red and applying fragrant civet (javvaadhu) on her gold-like body. She laments the cruel fate that keeps them apart despite the overwhelming heat of passion, eagerly awaiting the moment he comes near to embrace her.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Dhaegathil vegam vechu / Vegathil bodhai vechu”
Matching second consonants across consecutive lines, creating a rhythmic cadence (e.g., 'Manjal' and 'Madhil', 'Dhaegathil' and 'Vegathil').
Upamai (Simile)
“Thangam pol maeni engum”
Comparing the heroine's glowing complexion directly to pure gold using 'pol'.
Monae (Alliteration / Initial Consonants)
“Udhadellaam chekka chevakka”
Repetition of initial phonetic sound 'Ch' across adjacent words to emphasize color and vibrancy.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung by S. Janaki for the film 'Aalukkoru Aasai' (1977), this track became popular for its rustic tune and evocative expression of female desire, blending traditional village imagery (like grinding turmeric and chewing paan) with sensual melody.
Keep listening
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From the same album
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