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Lyrics & meaning

Marutha Manjakezhange

From Nenjil Aadum Poo Ondru · 1978

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Vani Jairam, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Nenjil Aadum Poo Ondru1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thaanaa naanaa naanaa naanaa naaThaanaa naanaa naanaa naanaa naa
Thaanaa naanaa naanaa naaThaanaa naanaa naanaa naa
Naanaanaa naanaanaa naanaanaa haaNaanaanaa naanaanaa naanaanaa haa
Female
Marudha manja kezhanguMarudha yellow turmeric root,
Em maela thaan vaasamThe fragrance rests upon me,
Um maela thaan naesamThe affection rests upon you,
Machaan unna nenjoda thaanOh beloved, if this green parrot keeps you
Vechaal indha pacha kiliClose within its heart...
Female
Marudha manja kezhanguMarudha yellow turmeric root,
Em maela thaan vaasamThe fragrance rests upon me,
Um maela thaan naesamThe affection rests upon you,
Machaan unna nenjoda thaanOh beloved, if this green parrot keeps you
Vechaal indha pacha kiliClose within its heart...
Marudha manja kezhanguMarudha yellow turmeric root,
Male
Ae… ae… ae…Ae… ae… ae…
Thaanaanaa naanaanaa naanaa naanaaThaanaanaa naanaanaa naanaa naanaa
Thaanaanaa naanaa thaanaa naanaa naanaaThaanaanaa naanaa thaanaa naanaa naanaa
Male
Kilikkoru inai undu satham kodukkaA parrot has a companion to call out to,
Adhukkoru idhazh undu mutham kodukkaAnd it has lips to offer kisses,
Male
Kilikkoru inai undu satham kodukkaA parrot has a companion to call out to,
Adhukkoru idhazh undu mutham kodukkaAnd it has lips to offer kisses,
Moodaadhae mundhaanaiya pottu hoiDo not cover yourself up with your saree pallu, hey,
Muthaadum vithaigala kaattuShow the tricks of sweet kisses,
Female
Mudiyaadhaiyaa ippa padiyaadhaiyaaIt cannot happen now, it will not yield now,
Oru poo maala nee poda kaalam naeram paaruWait for the right time and hour to place a flower garland,
Male
Marudha manja kezhanguMarudha yellow turmeric root,
Um maela thaan vaasamThe fragrance rests upon you,
Em maela thaan naesamThe affection rests upon me,
Machaan enna nenjoda thaanOh beloved, if this green parrot keeps me
Vechaal indha pachak kiliClose within your heart...
Marudha manja kezhanguMarudha yellow turmeric root,
Female
Thazhuvura aasai thaan munnaal nadakkaThe desire to embrace steps forward,
Thadukkura naanam thaan pinnaal izhukkaWhile the restraining shyness pulls back,
Female
Thazhuvura aasai thaan munnaal nadakkaThe desire to embrace steps forward,
Thadukkura naanam thaan pinnaal izhukkaWhile the restraining shyness pulls back,
Thaanaaga thallaadudhu dhaegamThe body sways effortlessly on its own,
Thaalatta vittododumaa raagamWill the melody run away without singing a lullaby?
Male
Vilagaadhadhae vittu piriyaadhadhaeDo not pull away, do not leave and part,
Idhu naetralla indralla naalum vaazhum sondhamThis bond is not just from yesterday or today, but lives forever,
Female
Marudha manja kezhanguMarudha yellow turmeric root,
Em maela thaan vaasam um maela thaan naesamThe fragrance rests upon me, the affection rests upon you,
Machaan unna nenjoda thaanOh beloved, if this green parrot keeps you
Vechaal indha pacha kiliClose within its heart...
Male
Marudha manja kezhanguMarudha yellow turmeric root,
Um maela thaan vaasamThe fragrance rests upon you,
Em maela thaan naesamThe affection rests upon me,
Machaan enna nenjoda thaanOh beloved, if this green parrot keeps me
Vechaal indha pacha kiliClose within your heart...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This folk-infused romantic duet from the 1978 Tamil film 'Nenjil Aadum Poo Ondru' captures playful romantic banter between two lovers. Through lush imagery of turmeric (symbolizing auspicious purity and scent) and parrots, the song portrays mutual affection, physical attraction, and subtle restraint. The lyrics highlight the conflict between yearning desire pulling forward and traditional shyness pulling back, ultimately reassuring that their romantic bond is timeless, extending far beyond the present moment.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Vechaal indha pacha kili

The speaker refers to herself as a 'pacha kili' (green parrot) to symbolize innocence, beauty, and affection.

Antithesis / Contrast (Muran)

Thazhuvura aasai thaan munnaal nadakka / Thadukkura naanam thaan pinnaal izhukka

Contrasting 'munnaal nadakka' (stepping forward) with 'pinnaal izhukka' (pulling backward) captures the dual emotions of passion and modesty.

Second-letter Rhyme (Etukai)

Thazhuvura aasai thaan munnaal nadakka / Thadukkura naanam thaan pinnaal izhukka

The second consonant sound 'dh' repeats across consecutive lines ('Thazhuvura' / 'Thadukkura'), creating phonetic harmony.

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Trivia

Written by the iconic Vaali, 'Marudha Manja Kezhangu' features traditional Tamil rural folk idioms centered around turmeric root ('manja kezhangu') and floral garlands, which carry cultural significance regarding marriage and romance in Tamil Nadu.

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