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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Manjal Poosi

From Ungal Viruppam · 1974

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
Kovai Soundararajan, L. R. Anjali
Music director
K. Vijaya Baskar
Details
Ungal Viruppam1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Manjal poosi manjam konda rama ramaOh Rama, who smeared turmeric and took to the couch,
Manthiraththai solli vidu rama ramaSpeak the mantra, Oh Rama.
Mayangiya seetha varavazhaiththaalaaDid the enamored Sita invite you over?
Madiyinil unnai anumaththaalaaDid she allow you onto her lap?
Male
Manjal poosi manjam konda seetha seethaOh Sita, who smeared turmeric and took to the couch,
Manthiraththai solli vidu seetha seethaSpeak the mantra, Oh Sita.
Mayangiya raman varavazhaiththaanaaDid the enamored Rama invite you over?
Madiyinil unnai anumathithaanaaDid he allow you onto his lap?
Female
Manjal poosi manjam konda rama ramaOh Rama, who smeared turmeric and took to the couch,
Male :Manthiraththai solli vidu rama ramaMale: Speak the mantra, Oh Rama.
Male
Dhasarathan magan naan janaganin magal neeI am the son of Dasharatha, and you are the daughter of Janaka.
Mamanin veettil indru virunthukku vanthaenToday I have come as a guest to my uncle's home.
Female :Adhisaya varavu anantha uravuFemale: A miraculous arrival, a blissful bond.
Aranmanai kaavakalkaaran thoongivittaanaHas the palace guard fallen asleep?
Male :Naayagan ingae kaavalan angaeMale: The hero is here, while the guard is over there.
Nalla neram poojai seiyaa….It is an auspicious time to offer worship...
Female
Manjal poosi manjam konda rama ramaOh Rama, who smeared turmeric and took to the couch,
Male :Manthiraththai solli vidu rama ramaMale: Speak the mantra, Oh Rama.
Female
Gopura kalasam kovilin azhaguThe temple tower finial is the beauty of the temple.
Yaavaiyum unthan sonthan azhagiya ramaAll of this is yours, handsome Rama.
Male :Maalaiyum illai manavarai illaiMale: There is no garland, nor a wedding canopy.
Manathinil sontham undu azhagiya seethaYet there is a true connection in our hearts, beautiful Sita.
Female :Naanoru paathi neeyoru paathiFemale: I am one half, and you are the other half.
Nalla neram poojai seiyya..It is an auspicious time to offer worship...
Female
Manjal poosi manjam konda rama ramaOh Rama, who smeared turmeric and took to the couch,
Male :Manthiraththai solli vidu rama ramaMale: Speak the mantra, Oh Rama.
Male
Neram kuraivu nerungattum uravuTime is short, let our closeness grow.
Aaraththi kondu vanthu deepaththai kaattuBring the aarathi and show the holy flame.
Female :Thazhaiththathu ninaivu paliththathu kanavuFemale: Memories flourished, and dreams came true.
Thanthaikku bakthi ennum thiraiyinai pottuDraping a curtain of devotion toward the father.
Male :Ini enna velai inaiththathu selaiMale: What task is left now that our garments are tied together?
Nalla neram poojai seiyyaIt is an auspicious time to offer worship.
Female
Manjal poosi manjam konda rama ramaOh Rama, who smeared turmeric and took to the couch,
Manthiraththai solli vidu rama ramaSpeak the mantra, Oh Rama.
Mayangiya seetha varavazhaiththaalaaDid the enamored Sita invite you over?
Madiyinil unnai anumaththaalaaDid she allow you onto her lap?
Male
Manjal poosi manjam konda seetha seethaOh Sita, who smeared turmeric and took to the couch,
Manthiraththai solli vidu seetha seethaSpeak the mantra, Oh Sita.
Mayangiya raman varavazhaiththaanaaDid the enamored Rama invite you over?
Madiyinil unnai anumathithaanaaDid he allow you onto his lap?
Female
Manjal poosi manjam konda rama ramaOh Rama, who smeared turmeric and took to the couch,
Male :Manthiraththai solli vidu rama ramaMale: Speak the mantra, Oh Rama.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic duet from the movie 'Ungal Viruppam' portrays two lovers playfully casting themselves in the roles of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. Through lyrical references to epic lore—such as Dasharatha, Janaka, and uncle's hospitality—the couple weaves an atmosphere of intimacy and marital bliss. By framing their lovemaking and devotion as sacred ritual ('poojai') and mantra reciting, lyricist Kannadasan infuses sensuality with poetic dignity and traditional imagery.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Manjal poosi manjam konda rama rama

Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Ma' across lines creates a melodic cadence (Manjal, Manthiraththai, Mayangiya, Madiyinil).

Edugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Neram kuraivu nerungattum uravu

Matching of the second consonant 'ra' / 'rin' in adjacent lines (Neram / Aaraththi) for musical rhythm.

Allegory / Metaphor

Nalla neram poojai seiyaa….

Intimate romantic union is elevated using sacred metaphors such as performing a temple ritual ('poojai') and lighting a sacred lamp ('deepam').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by K. Vijaya Bhaskar with lyrics by the legendary Kannadasan, this song stands out for using epic mythological figures (Rama and Sita) to subtly express romantic passion while conforming to the strict censorship norms of 1970s Tamil cinema.

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