Meenu Meenu Meenu
From Ondru Engal Jadhiye · 1987
- Lyricist
- Muthulingam
- Singer
- S. Janaki
- Music director
- Gangai Amaran
- Details
- Ondru Engal Jadhiye1987
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Meenu meenu… meenu meenu.. meenu | Fish, fish... fish, fish... fish |
| Kooda neriaya meenu ..kondu vandhen naanu | I have brought a basket full of fish |
| Kooda neriaya meenu kondu vandhen naanu | I have brought a basket full of fish |
| Oru thuniya pottu moodi vechen koodaiyilae | I covered it with a cloth in the basket |
| Adhu thoranthu vacha vaadi pogum veyililae | If left open, it will wither in the heat |
| Female | |
| Thuniya pottu moodi vechen koodaiyilae | I covered it with a cloth in the basket |
| Adhu thoranthu vacha vaadi pogum veyililae | If left open, it will wither in the heat |
| Kooda neriaya meenu kondu vandhen naanu | I have brought a basket full of fish |
| Aaha kooda neriaya meenu kondu vandhen naanu | Aaha, I have brought a basket full of fish |
| Female | |
| Naan thekku seemai aalu | I am a person from the southern region |
| En sarakku eppavum joru | My goods are always top quality |
| Idha vithu pogum munnae oru velaya solli kelu | Before I sell this off, ask and listen to the price |
| Female | |
| Naan thekku seemai aalu | I am a person from the southern region |
| En sarakku eppavum joru | My goods are always top quality |
| Idha vithu pogum munnae oru velaya solli kelu | Before I sell this off, ask and listen to the price |
| Female | |
| Ippa idha vuttuputtaa..aa..aa.. | Now if you miss this... ah... ah... |
| Ippa idha vuttuputtaa | Now if you miss this |
| Appuram thirumbhi vandhurumaa | Will it ever come back again? |
| Vaaikki rusi venumunna | If you want tasty food for your mouth |
| Vanjira meenaiyum vangungamma | Buy Vanjaram (king fish) too, ma'am |
| Mamanukku vaayila varuthu ootungamma | Fry it and feed it to your husband, ma'am |
| Female | |
| Kooda neriaya meenu …mm mm mm | A basket full of fish... mm mm mm |
| Kondu vandhen naanu..mm..mm..mm | I have brought... mm mm mm |
| Kooda neriaya meenu kondu vandhen naanu | I have brought a basket full of fish |
| Oru thuniya pottu moodi vechen koodaiyilae | I covered it with a cloth in the basket |
| Adhu thoranthu vacha vaadi pogum veyililae | If left open, it will wither in the heat |
| Thuniya pottu moodi vechen koodaiyilae | I covered it with a cloth in the basket |
| Adhu thoranthu vacha vaadi pogum veyililae | If left open, it will wither in the heat |
| Kooda neriaya meenu …mm mm mm | A basket full of fish... mm mm mm |
| Kondu vandhen naanu..mm..mm..mm | I have brought... mm mm mm |
| Female | |
| Yei ingae paaru thaara idhu | Hey look here, this is Thaara fish |
| Inniki pudicha aara | Today's fresh catch of Aara fish |
| Nee kannula kandaa podhum | Just looking at it with your eyes is enough |
| Un naakula etchiyum oorum | Your mouth will start watering |
| Female | |
| Yei ingae paaru thaara idhu | Hey look here, this is Thaara fish |
| Inniki pudicha aara | Today's fresh catch of Aara fish |
| Nee kannula kandaa podhum | Just looking at it with your eyes is enough |
| Un naakula etchiyum oorum | Your mouth will start watering |
| Female | |
| Sathu ketta aambalaikku | For men who lack stamina |
| Sathu ketta aamabalaikku | For men who lack stamina |
| Nethili kolambhu vaiyungamma | Make anchovy curry, ma'am |
| Pulla petha pombalainga | Women who have given birth |
| Suraa puttaiyum thinungammaa | Eat shark stir-fry (sura puttu), ma'am |
| Raasiyulla kaiyila vaangi paarungamma | Buy from my lucky hands and see, ma'am |
| Female | |
| Kooda neriaya meenu kondu vandhen naanu | I have brought a basket full of fish |
| Ada kooda neriaya meenu kondu vandhen naanu | Aha, I have brought a basket full of fish |
| Oru thuniya pottu moodi vechen koodaiyilae | I covered it with a cloth in the basket |
| Adhu thoranthu vacha vaadi pogum veyililae | If left open, it will wither in the heat |
| Female | |
| Thuniya pottu moodi vechen koodaiyilae | I covered it with a cloth in the basket |
| Adhu thoranthu vacha vaadi pogum veyililae | If left open, it will wither in the heat |
| Kooda neriaya meenu kondu vandhen naanu | I have brought a basket full of fish |
| Aaha kooda neriaya meenu kondu vandhen naanu | Aaha, I have brought a basket full of fish |
மீனு மீனு மீனு மீனு மீனு...
கூட நெறைய மீனு கொண்டு வந்தேன் நானு
கூட நெறைய மீனு கொண்டு வந்தேன் நானு
ஒரு துணிய போட்டு மூடி வச்சேன் கூடையிலே
அத தொறந்து வச்சா வாடிப் போகும் வெய்யிலிலே
Fish, fish... fish, fish... fish
I have brought a basket full of fish
I have brought a basket full of fish
I covered it with a cloth in the basket
If left open, it will wither in the heat
துணிய போட்டு மூடி வச்சேன் கூடையிலே
அத தொறந்து வச்சா வாடிப் போகும் வெய்யிலிலே
கூட நெறைய மீனு கொண்டு வந்தேன் நானு
ஆஹா கூட நெறைய மீனு கொண்டு வந்தேன் நானு
I covered it with a cloth in the basket
If left open, it will wither in the heat
I have brought a basket full of fish
Aaha, I have brought a basket full of fish
நான் தெக்கு சீமை ஆளு என் சரக்கு எப்பவும் ஜோரு
இது வித்து போகும் முன்னே ஒரு வெலைய சொல்லிக் கேளு
I am a person from the southern region
My goods are always top quality
Before I sell this off, ask and listen to the price
நான் தெக்கு சீமை ஆளு என் சரக்கு எப்பவும் ஜோரு
இது வித்து போகும் முன்னே ஒரு வெலைய சொல்லிக் கேளு
I am a person from the southern region
My goods are always top quality
Before I sell this off, ask and listen to the price
இப்ப இத வுட்டுப்புட்டா..ஆஆ..
இப்ப இத வுட்டுப்புட்டா
அப்புறம் திரும்பி வந்துருமா
வாய்க்கு ருசி வேணும்ன்னா
வஞ்சிர மீனையும் வாங்கணும்மா
மாமனுக்கு வாயில வறுத்து ஊட்டுங்கம்மா
Now if you miss this... ah... ah...
Now if you miss this
Will it ever come back again?
If you want tasty food for your mouth
Buy Vanjaram (king fish) too, ma'am
Fry it and feed it to your husband, ma'am
கூட நெறைய மீனு ம்ம்ம்
கொண்டு வந்தேன் நானு...ம்ம்ம்ம்
கூட நெறைய மீனு கொண்டு வந்தேன் நானு
ஒரு துணிய போட்டு மூடி வச்சேன் கூடையிலே
அத தொறந்து வச்சா வாடிப் போகும் வெய்யிலிலே
துணிய போட்டு மூடி வச்சேன் கூடையிலே
அத தொறந்து வச்சா வாடிப் போகும் வெய்யிலிலே
கூட நெறைய மீனு ம்ம்ம்
கொண்டு வந்தேன் நானு...ம்ம்ம்ம்..
A basket full of fish... mm mm mm
I have brought... mm mm mm
I have brought a basket full of fish
I covered it with a cloth in the basket
If left open, it will wither in the heat
I covered it with a cloth in the basket
If left open, it will wither in the heat
A basket full of fish... mm mm mm
I have brought... mm mm mm
ஏய் இங்கே பாரு தாரா இது
இன்னிக்கு புடிச்ச ஆறா
நீ கண்ணுல கண்டா போதும்
உன் நாக்குல எச்சியும் ஊறும்
Hey look here, this is Thaara fish
Today's fresh catch of Aara fish
Just looking at it with your eyes is enough
Your mouth will start watering
ஏய் இங்கே பாரு தாரா இது
இன்னிக்கு புடிச்ச ஆறா
நீ கண்ணுல கண்டா போதும்
உன் நாக்குல எச்சியும் ஊறும்
Hey look here, this is Thaara fish
Today's fresh catch of Aara fish
Just looking at it with your eyes is enough
Your mouth will start watering
சத்துக் கெட்ட ஆம்பளைக்கு...
சத்துக் கெட்ட ஆம்பளைக்கு
நெத்திலி கொழம்பு வயுங்கம்மா
புள்ளப் பெத்த பொம்பளைங்க
சுறா புட்டையும் தின்னுங்கம்மா
ராசியுள்ள கையில வாங்கி பாருங்கம்மா
For men who lack stamina
For men who lack stamina
Make anchovy curry, ma'am
Women who have given birth
Eat shark stir-fry (sura puttu), ma'am
Buy from my lucky hands and see, ma'am
கூட நெறைய மீனு கொண்டு வந்தேன் நானு
கூட நெறைய மீனு கொண்டு வந்தேன் நானு
ஒரு துணிய போட்டு மூடி வச்சேன் கூடையிலே
அத தொறந்து வச்சா வாடிப் போகும் வெய்யிலிலே
I have brought a basket full of fish
Aha, I have brought a basket full of fish
I covered it with a cloth in the basket
If left open, it will wither in the heat
துணிய போட்டு மூடி வச்சேன் கூடையிலே
அத தொறந்து வச்சா வாடிப் போகும் வெய்யிலிலே
கூட நெறைய மீனு ம்ம்ம்ம் கொண்டு வந்தேன் நானு..ம்ம்ம்
ஆஹா கூட நெறைய மீனு கொண்டு வந்தேன் நானு....
I covered it with a cloth in the basket
If left open, it will wither in the heat
I have brought a basket full of fish
Aaha, I have brought a basket full of fish
Meenu meenu… meenu meenu.. meenu
Fish, fish... fish, fish... fish
Kooda neriaya meenu ..kondu vandhen naanu
I have brought a basket full of fish
Kooda neriaya meenu kondu vandhen naanu
I have brought a basket full of fish
Oru thuniya pottu moodi vechen koodaiyilae
I covered it with a cloth in the basket
Adhu thoranthu vacha vaadi pogum veyililae
If left open, it will wither in the heat
Thuniya pottu moodi vechen koodaiyilae
I covered it with a cloth in the basket
Adhu thoranthu vacha vaadi pogum veyililae
If left open, it will wither in the heat
Kooda neriaya meenu kondu vandhen naanu
I have brought a basket full of fish
Aaha kooda neriaya meenu kondu vandhen naanu
Aaha, I have brought a basket full of fish
Naan thekku seemai aalu
I am a person from the southern region
En sarakku eppavum joru
My goods are always top quality
Idha vithu pogum munnae oru velaya solli kelu
Before I sell this off, ask and listen to the price
Naan thekku seemai aalu
I am a person from the southern region
En sarakku eppavum joru
My goods are always top quality
Idha vithu pogum munnae oru velaya solli kelu
Before I sell this off, ask and listen to the price
Ippa idha vuttuputtaa..aa..aa..
Now if you miss this... ah... ah...
Ippa idha vuttuputtaa
Now if you miss this
Appuram thirumbhi vandhurumaa
Will it ever come back again?
Vaaikki rusi venumunna
If you want tasty food for your mouth
Vanjira meenaiyum vangungamma
Buy Vanjaram (king fish) too, ma'am
Mamanukku vaayila varuthu ootungamma
Fry it and feed it to your husband, ma'am
Kooda neriaya meenu …mm mm mm
A basket full of fish... mm mm mm
Kondu vandhen naanu..mm..mm..mm
I have brought... mm mm mm
Kooda neriaya meenu kondu vandhen naanu
I have brought a basket full of fish
Oru thuniya pottu moodi vechen koodaiyilae
I covered it with a cloth in the basket
Adhu thoranthu vacha vaadi pogum veyililae
If left open, it will wither in the heat
Thuniya pottu moodi vechen koodaiyilae
I covered it with a cloth in the basket
Adhu thoranthu vacha vaadi pogum veyililae
If left open, it will wither in the heat
Kooda neriaya meenu …mm mm mm
A basket full of fish... mm mm mm
Kondu vandhen naanu..mm..mm..mm
I have brought... mm mm mm
Yei ingae paaru thaara idhu
Hey look here, this is Thaara fish
Inniki pudicha aara
Today's fresh catch of Aara fish
Nee kannula kandaa podhum
Just looking at it with your eyes is enough
Un naakula etchiyum oorum
Your mouth will start watering
Yei ingae paaru thaara idhu
Hey look here, this is Thaara fish
Inniki pudicha aara
Today's fresh catch of Aara fish
Nee kannula kandaa podhum
Just looking at it with your eyes is enough
Un naakula etchiyum oorum
Your mouth will start watering
Sathu ketta aambalaikku
For men who lack stamina
Sathu ketta aamabalaikku
For men who lack stamina
Nethili kolambhu vaiyungamma
Make anchovy curry, ma'am
Pulla petha pombalainga
Women who have given birth
Suraa puttaiyum thinungammaa
Eat shark stir-fry (sura puttu), ma'am
Raasiyulla kaiyila vaangi paarungamma
Buy from my lucky hands and see, ma'am
Kooda neriaya meenu kondu vandhen naanu
I have brought a basket full of fish
Ada kooda neriaya meenu kondu vandhen naanu
Aha, I have brought a basket full of fish
Oru thuniya pottu moodi vechen koodaiyilae
I covered it with a cloth in the basket
Adhu thoranthu vacha vaadi pogum veyililae
If left open, it will wither in the heat
Thuniya pottu moodi vechen koodaiyilae
I covered it with a cloth in the basket
Adhu thoranthu vacha vaadi pogum veyililae
If left open, it will wither in the heat
Kooda neriaya meenu kondu vandhen naanu
I have brought a basket full of fish
Aaha kooda neriaya meenu kondu vandhen naanu
Aaha, I have brought a basket full of fish
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Meenu Meenu is a lively folk hawker song from the 1987 Tamil film Ondru Engal Jadhiye, composed by Gangai Amaran and sung dynamically by S. Janaki. The song captures the playful street-vibe of a female fishmonger hailing from southern Tamil Nadu as she calls out to customers in a rural neighborhood to sell her daily fresh catch.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Sathu ketta aambalaikku / Nethili kolambhu vaiyungamma”
The second consonant sound matches across consecutive lines, creating rhythmic cadence typical of Tamil folk songs.
Anaphora (Refrain)
“Kooda neriaya meenu kondu vandhen naanu”
Repetition of the main refrain throughout the song to simulate authentic street hawking.
Sensory Imagery
“Nee kannula kandaa podhum / Un naakula etchiyum oorum”
Evokes visual and taste sensations to describe fresh fish watering the mouth.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song incorporates traditional Tamil folk beliefs regarding the nutritional and medicinal values of various fish species, such as shark scrambles (sura puttu) recommended for lactating mothers and anchovy gravy (nethili) for physical vitality.
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