Meenamma Meenamma
From Rajadhi Raja · 1989
- Lyricist
- Piraisoodan
- Singers
- Mano, K. S. Chithra, Chorus
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Rajadhi Raja1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Hmmmm…mmmmmmmmm…mmmm | Humming sounds... |
| Ahaaa…haaaaaa.haaaaaaaaaa…………….. | Vocalizations... |
| Male | |
| Meenammaa meenammaa kangal meenammaa | Oh girl with eyes like fish, your eyes are fish-like, my dear! |
| Thaenammaa thaenammaa naanam yen ammaa… | Oh sweet girl, your heart is honey; why this shyness, my dear? |
| Sugamaana pudhu raagam uruvaagum velai naanamo | At a time when a pleasant new melody is being created, why be shy? |
| Idhamaaga sugam kaana thunai vendaamoo…ooohh.. | To comfortably experience bliss, don't you need a companion? |
| Female | |
| Meenammaa meenammaa kangal meenammaa | Oh girl with eyes like fish, your eyes are fish-like, my dear! |
| Thaenammaa thaenammaa nenjam thaenamma… | Oh sweet girl, your heart is honey, my dear! |
| Female | |
| Singam ondru neril vanthu raaja nadai poduthae | A lion comes directly, taking majestic royal strides! |
| Thanga magan theril vandhal kodi minnal soozhuthae | When the golden son arrives on a chariot, a million lightnings surround him! |
| Male | |
| Muthai alli veesi inghu vithai seiyum poongodi | Throwing pearls around, the flowering creeper girl performs magic tricks here! |
| Thathi thathi thaavi vandhu kayil ennai yendhadi | Pouncing and leaping softly, come lift me up in your arms, my girl! |
| Female | |
| Mogam konda manmadhanum pookanaigal podavae | As Cupid, overcome with passion, shoots his flower arrows... |
| Kaayam patta kaalai nenjum kaaman kanai mooduthae | The heart of this wounded young man is overwhelmed by Cupid's arrows! |
| Male | |
| Mandhirangal kaadhil sollum indhiranin jaalamoo | Is it Indra's magic trick that whispers secret chants into the ear? |
| Chandhirargal sooriyargal povathenna mayamoo | What illusion is it that causes moons and suns to move around? |
| Female | |
| Idhamaga sugam kaana thunai neeyum inghu vendumae | To comfortably experience bliss, you too are required here as a companion! |
| Sugamaana pudhu raagam ini ketka thaan…aaaannn… | Just to listen to a pleasant new melody from now on... |
| Male | |
| Meenammaa meenammaa kangal meenammaa | Oh girl with eyes like fish, your eyes are fish-like, my dear! |
| Female :Aaha thaenammaa thaenammaa nenjam thaenamma | Aha, sweet girl, your heart is honey, my dear! |
| Chorus | |
| Nana nana nana nana nana nanaaaaaa | Vocalizing rhythms (Nana nana...) |
| Nana nana nana nana nana nanaaaaaa | Vocalizing rhythms (Nana nana...) |
| Nanan nana nan nan naaa nan naaa nan naaa.. | Vocalizing rhythms (Nanan nana...) |
| Male | |
| Itta adi nogumamma poovai alli thoovungal | Even stepping down will hurt her feet; shower handfuls of flowers! |
| Mottu udal vadumamma pattu methai podungal | Her bud-like body will wither; lay out a soft silk bed! |
| Female | |
| Sangathamiz kaalai ivan pillai thamiz pesungal | He is a hero of pure Sangam Tamil; speak sweet infant Tamil to him! |
| Sandhanathai thaan thudaithu nenjil konjam poosungal | Wipe the sandalwood paste and rub a little on his chest! |
| Male | |
| Poonjarathil oonjal katti laali lalli koorungal | Hang a swing made of flower garlands and sing a soothing lullaby! |
| Nenjamennum manjamathil naan inaiya vaazhthungal | Bless us so that I may unite upon the bed of the heart! |
| Female | |
| Palliyarai neramidhu thalli nindru paadungal | It is time for the bedchamber; stand at a distance and sing! |
| Solli thara thevai illai poongathavai moodungal | There is no need to instruct us; close the flower-decorated door! |
| Male | |
| Sugamaana pudhu raagam uruvaagum velai naanamo | At a time when a pleasant new melody is being created, why be shy? |
| Female :Idhamaaga sugam kaana thunai vendamoo..ooohho | To comfortably experience bliss, don't you need a companion? |
| Male | |
| Meenammaa meenammaa kangal meenammaa | Oh girl with eyes like fish, your eyes are fish-like, my dear! |
| Thaenammaa thaenammaa naanam yen ammaa… | Oh sweet girl, your heart is honey; why this shyness, my dear? |
| Female | |
| Sugamaana pudhu raagam uruvaagum velai naanumae | At a time when a pleasant new melody is being created, I am here! |
| Idhamaaga sugam kaana thunai vendaamoo…ooohh.. | To comfortably experience bliss, don't you need a companion? |
| Male | |
| Meenammaa meenammaa kangal meenammaa | Oh girl with eyes like fish, your eyes are fish-like, my dear! |
| Female :Thaenammaa thaenammaa nenjam thaenamma | Oh sweet girl, your heart is honey, my dear! |
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்ம்ம்ம்ம்ம்
ம்ம்ம்ம் ஆஹா ஹா ஹா....
Humming sounds...
Vocalizations...
மீனம்மா மீனம்மா
கண்கள் மீனம்மா தேனம்மா
தேனம்மா நாணம் ஏனம்மா
சுகமான புது ராகம் உருவாகும்
வேளை நாணமோ இதமாக சுகம்
காண துணை வேண்டாமோ ஓஓ
Oh girl with eyes like fish, your eyes are fish-like, my dear!
Oh sweet girl, your heart is honey; why this shyness, my dear?
At a time when a pleasant new melody is being created, why be shy?
To comfortably experience bliss, don't you need a companion?
மீனம்மா மீனம்மா
கண்கள் மீனம்மா தேனம்மா
தேனம்மா நெஞ்சம் தேனம்மா
Oh girl with eyes like fish, your eyes are fish-like, my dear!
Oh sweet girl, your heart is honey, my dear!
சிங்கம் ஒன்று நேரில்
வந்து ராஜ நடை போடுதே
தங்க மகன் தேரில் வந்தால்
கோடி மின்னல் சூழுதே
A lion comes directly, taking majestic royal strides!
When the golden son arrives on a chariot, a million lightnings surround him!
முத்தை அள்ளி
வீசி இங்கு வித்தை
செய்யும் பூங்கொடி
தத்தி தத்தி தாவி வந்து
கையில் என்னை ஏந்தடி
Throwing pearls around, the flowering creeper girl performs magic tricks here!
Pouncing and leaping softly, come lift me up in your arms, my girl!
மோகம் கொண்ட
மன்மதனும் பூக்கணைகள்
போடவே காயம் பட்ட காளை
நெஞ்சும் காமன் கணை மூடுதே
As Cupid, overcome with passion, shoots his flower arrows...
The heart of this wounded young man is overwhelmed by Cupid's arrows!
மந்திரங்கள் காதில்
சொல்லும் இந்திரனின்
ஜாலமோ சந்திரர்கள்
சூரியர்கள் போவதென்ன
மாயமோ
Is it Indra's magic trick that whispers secret chants into the ear?
What illusion is it that causes moons and suns to move around?
இதமாக சுகம்
காண துணை நீயும் இங்கு
வேண்டுமே சுகமான புது
ராகம் இனி கேட்கத்தான்....
To comfortably experience bliss, you too are required here as a companion!
Just to listen to a pleasant new melody from now on...
மீனம்மா மீனம்மா
கண்கள் மீனம்மா
ஆஹா தேனம்மா
தேனம்மா நெஞ்சம்
தேனம்மா
Oh girl with eyes like fish, your eyes are fish-like, my dear!
Aha, sweet girl, your heart is honey, my dear!
......................
Vocalizing rhythms (Nana nana...)
Vocalizing rhythms (Nana nana...)
Vocalizing rhythms (Nanan nana...)
இட்ட அடி நோகுமம்மா
பூவை அள்ளி தூவுங்கள் மொட்டு
உடல் வாடுமம்மா பட்டு மெத்தை
போடுங்கள்
Even stepping down will hurt her feet; shower handfuls of flowers!
Her bud-like body will wither; lay out a soft silk bed!
சங்கத்தமிழ் காளை
இவன் பிள்ளை தமிழ் பேசுங்கள்
சந்தனத்தை தான் துடைத்து
நெஞ்சில் கொஞ்சம் பூசுங்கள்
He is a hero of pure Sangam Tamil; speak sweet infant Tamil to him!
Wipe the sandalwood paste and rub a little on his chest!
பூஞ்சரத்தில் ஊஞ்சல்
கட்டி லாலி லல்லி கூறுங்கள்
நெஞ்சமென்னும் மஞ்சமதில்
நான் இணைய வாழ்த்துங்கள்
Hang a swing made of flower garlands and sing a soothing lullaby!
Bless us so that I may unite upon the bed of the heart!
பள்ளியறை நேரமிது
தள்ளி நின்று பாடுங்கள்
சொல்லி தர தேவை இல்லை
பூங்கதவை மூடுங்கள்
It is time for the bedchamber; stand at a distance and sing!
There is no need to instruct us; close the flower-decorated door!
சுகமான புது ராகம்
உருவாகும் வேலை நாணமோ
இதமாக சுகம் காண
துணை வேண்டாமோ....ஓஹோ
At a time when a pleasant new melody is being created, why be shy?
To comfortably experience bliss, don't you need a companion?
மீனம்மா மீனம்மா
கண்கள் மீனம்மா தேனம்மா
தேனம்மா நாணம் ஏனம்மா
Oh girl with eyes like fish, your eyes are fish-like, my dear!
Oh sweet girl, your heart is honey; why this shyness, my dear?
சுகமான புது ராகம்
உருவாகும் வேளை நாணுமே
இதமாக சுகம் காண துணை
வேண்டாமோ ஓஓ
At a time when a pleasant new melody is being created, I am here!
To comfortably experience bliss, don't you need a companion?
மீனம்மா மீனம்மா
கண்கள் மீனம்மா
தேனம்மா
தேனம்மா நெஞ்சம்
தேனம்மா
Oh girl with eyes like fish, your eyes are fish-like, my dear!
Oh sweet girl, your heart is honey, my dear!
Hmmmm…mmmmmmmmm…mmmm
Humming sounds...
Ahaaa…haaaaaa.haaaaaaaaaa……………..
Vocalizations...
Meenammaa meenammaa kangal meenammaa
Oh girl with eyes like fish, your eyes are fish-like, my dear!
Thaenammaa thaenammaa naanam yen ammaa…
Oh sweet girl, your heart is honey; why this shyness, my dear?
Sugamaana pudhu raagam uruvaagum velai naanamo
At a time when a pleasant new melody is being created, why be shy?
Idhamaaga sugam kaana thunai vendaamoo…ooohh..
To comfortably experience bliss, don't you need a companion?
Meenammaa meenammaa kangal meenammaa
Oh girl with eyes like fish, your eyes are fish-like, my dear!
Thaenammaa thaenammaa nenjam thaenamma…
Oh sweet girl, your heart is honey, my dear!
Singam ondru neril vanthu raaja nadai poduthae
A lion comes directly, taking majestic royal strides!
Thanga magan theril vandhal kodi minnal soozhuthae
When the golden son arrives on a chariot, a million lightnings surround him!
Muthai alli veesi inghu vithai seiyum poongodi
Throwing pearls around, the flowering creeper girl performs magic tricks here!
Thathi thathi thaavi vandhu kayil ennai yendhadi
Pouncing and leaping softly, come lift me up in your arms, my girl!
Mogam konda manmadhanum pookanaigal podavae
As Cupid, overcome with passion, shoots his flower arrows...
Kaayam patta kaalai nenjum kaaman kanai mooduthae
The heart of this wounded young man is overwhelmed by Cupid's arrows!
Mandhirangal kaadhil sollum indhiranin jaalamoo
Is it Indra's magic trick that whispers secret chants into the ear?
Chandhirargal sooriyargal povathenna mayamoo
What illusion is it that causes moons and suns to move around?
Idhamaga sugam kaana thunai neeyum inghu vendumae
To comfortably experience bliss, you too are required here as a companion!
Sugamaana pudhu raagam ini ketka thaan…aaaannn…
Just to listen to a pleasant new melody from now on...
Meenammaa meenammaa kangal meenammaa
Oh girl with eyes like fish, your eyes are fish-like, my dear!
Female :Aaha thaenammaa thaenammaa nenjam thaenamma
Aha, sweet girl, your heart is honey, my dear!
Nana nana nana nana nana nanaaaaaa
Vocalizing rhythms (Nana nana...)
Nana nana nana nana nana nanaaaaaa
Vocalizing rhythms (Nana nana...)
Nanan nana nan nan naaa nan naaa nan naaa..
Vocalizing rhythms (Nanan nana...)
Itta adi nogumamma poovai alli thoovungal
Even stepping down will hurt her feet; shower handfuls of flowers!
Mottu udal vadumamma pattu methai podungal
Her bud-like body will wither; lay out a soft silk bed!
Sangathamiz kaalai ivan pillai thamiz pesungal
He is a hero of pure Sangam Tamil; speak sweet infant Tamil to him!
Sandhanathai thaan thudaithu nenjil konjam poosungal
Wipe the sandalwood paste and rub a little on his chest!
Poonjarathil oonjal katti laali lalli koorungal
Hang a swing made of flower garlands and sing a soothing lullaby!
Nenjamennum manjamathil naan inaiya vaazhthungal
Bless us so that I may unite upon the bed of the heart!
Palliyarai neramidhu thalli nindru paadungal
It is time for the bedchamber; stand at a distance and sing!
Solli thara thevai illai poongathavai moodungal
There is no need to instruct us; close the flower-decorated door!
Sugamaana pudhu raagam uruvaagum velai naanamo
At a time when a pleasant new melody is being created, why be shy?
Female :Idhamaaga sugam kaana thunai vendamoo..ooohho
To comfortably experience bliss, don't you need a companion?
Meenammaa meenammaa kangal meenammaa
Oh girl with eyes like fish, your eyes are fish-like, my dear!
Thaenammaa thaenammaa naanam yen ammaa…
Oh sweet girl, your heart is honey; why this shyness, my dear?
Sugamaana pudhu raagam uruvaagum velai naanumae
At a time when a pleasant new melody is being created, I am here!
Idhamaaga sugam kaana thunai vendaamoo…ooohh..
To comfortably experience bliss, don't you need a companion?
Meenammaa meenammaa kangal meenammaa
Oh girl with eyes like fish, your eyes are fish-like, my dear!
Female :Thaenammaa thaenammaa nenjam thaenamma
Oh sweet girl, your heart is honey, my dear!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Meenamma Meenamma is a celebrated romantic duet from the 1989 Tamil film 'Rajadhi Raja'. The song captures the playful banter and deep passion between two lovers anticipating their union. The hero praises his beloved's tender beauty, comparing her eyes to fish and her heart to honey, while teasing her for her shyness. The heroine, in turn, praises his majestic presence, describing him as a lion-like hero worthy of divine love.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamaani (Simile)
“Meenammaa meenammaa kangal meenammaa”
Comparing the heroine's eyes to fish ('kangal meenammaa') and her heart to sweet honey ('nenjam thaenamma').
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Singam ondru neril vanthu raaja nadai poduthae”
Describing the hero as a majestic lion ('Singam ondru') and a golden prince ('Thanga magan').
Emona / Rhyme (Monai)
“Itta adi nogumamma poovai alli thoovungal”
Alliteration of starting sounds in consecutive phrases such as 'Itta' and 'Mottu' across romantic couplets.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Ilaiyaraaja and written by Piraisoodan, 'Meenamma Meenamma' became one of Rajinikanth's most famous romantic songs from the late 80s, rendered melodiously by Mano and K. S. Chithra.
Keep listening
More from Rajadhi Raja
Rajadhi Raja
Rajadhi Raja
Rajadhi Raja
Rajadhi Raja
Rajadhi Raja
Rajadhi Raja