Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mohana Punnagai

From Vanangamudi – 1957 Film · 1957

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Vanangamudi – 1957 Film1957

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Mohana punnagaiOh moon who smiles
Seidhidum nilavaeWith captivating charm,
Meghathilae nee maraiyaadhaeDo not hide behind the clouds!
Paagudan thaenumae kalanthidum neramAt this moment when sweet syrup mixes with honey,
Sagasamae nee puriyaadhaeDo not play elusive games!
Female
Mohana punnagaiOh moon who smiles
Seidhidum nilavaeWith captivating charm,
Meghathilae nee maraiyaadhaeDo not hide behind the clouds!
Paagudan thaenumae kalanthidum neramAt this moment when sweet syrup mixes with honey,
Sagasamae nee puriyaadhaeDo not play elusive games!
Male
Thiyagamum yoghamum serndhadhunaalaeBecause sacrifice and divine fortune have united,
Thendral neeyum piriyaadhaeOh gentle breeze, do not part away!
Thaen malar thoovum neramidhaeThis is the time when honey-laden flowers shower,
En selvamae neeyum maraiyaadhaeMy precious treasure, do not vanish!
Female
Thaen idhazh melaeUpon the honeyed lips,
Sindhidum madhuvaiThe nectar that spills over,
Thaediyae vaaraai innaalae…ye…Come seeking it on this very day...
Thaen idhazh melaeUpon the honeyed lips,
Sindhidum madhuvaiThe nectar that spills over,
Thaediyae vaaraai innaalae…..Come seeking it on this very day...
Male
Maan vizhiyaalaeOh sharp arrow shot
Veesidum kanaiyaeFrom deer-like eyes,
Maaranum maraindhaan unnaalae…Even Manmatha (god of love) hid because of you...
Female
Hoo o o o o haa..hoo oHoo o o o o haa..hoo o
Male :Maan vizhiyaalaeMale: Oh arrow shot from deer-like eyes,
Veesidum kanaiyaeCast by your gentle gaze,
Maaranum maraindhaan unnaalae…Even Manmatha hid because of you...
Female
Haa….aaa…aaa…aa…aa…Haa....aaa...aaa...aa...aa...
Female
Kaavinilae yaarumaeIn this garden grove, someone
Thaediyae varuvaarWill come seeking us out,
Kannaa neeyum paadaathaeOh Krishna, do not sing now!
Male
Kaadhalin velaiyilAt this moment of love,
Sodhanai purivaarThey will subject us to tests,
Kannae neeyum aadathaeMy dear, do not dance!
Female
Hoo o o o o haa..hoo oHoo o o o o haa..hoo o
Male :Kaadhalin velaiyilMale: At this moment of love,
Sodhanai purivaarThey will subject us to tests,
Kannae neeyum aadathaeMy dear, do not dance!
Female :Haa….aaa…aaa…aa…aa…Female: Haa....aaa...aaa...aa...aa...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic duet from the 1957 Tamil film Vanangamudi expresses tender passion, playful teasing, and deep affection between two lovers. The male singer addresses his beloved as a glowing moon hiding behind clouds and a sharp arrow shot from deer-like eyes, comparing their sweet union to honey blended with sugar syrup. The female singer affectionately cautions her lover not to sing or dance too openly in the garden grove, fearing that outsiders might intrude upon or test their tender love. Together, the song paints a rich picture of secret rendezvous, poetic beauty, and classic romantic devotion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Mohana punnagai seidhidum nilavae

Compares the beloved's radiant face to the glowing moon ('nilavae') and her captivating gaze to a sharp arrow ('kanaiyae').

Ethirukaai / Monai (Initial Alliteration & Rhyme)

Thiyagamum yoghamum serndhadhunaalae

Use of matching initial consonants 'Thiyagamum' and 'Thendral' across successive thoughts to create a rhythmic flow.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

Maaranum maraindhaan unnaalae…

Exaggerates the beauty of her eyes by stating that even Kamadeva (Maaran), the god of love, hid in envy/defeat.

Did you know?

Trivia

Vanangamudi (1957) was a major hit starring Sivaji Ganesan and Savitri, directed by P. Pullaiah. The music score composed by maestro G. Ramanathan remains celebrated for blending classical Carnatic nuances with rich orchestration, featuring vocal dynamics by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela.

Keep listening

More from Vanangamudi – 1957 Film