Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mookuthi Poo Melae Sad

From Mouna Geethangal · 1981

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Details
Mouna Geethangal1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Mookkuthi poo melaeUpon the nose-stud flower,
Kaathu ukkaandhu pesudhammaaThe breeze sits and speaks, my dear.
Adhu ukkaandhu pesaiyilaeAs it sits and speaks,
Thaenu ulloora oorudhammaaHoney wells up deep within, my dear.
Adha naan thaan marakkaliyaeI haven't forgotten that at all,
Adha nee thaan nenakkaliyaeIt is you who haven't remembered it.
Andha kaalam anbu kolamThose old times and the pattern of love,
Innum nenjodu neengaamae nidraadudhuStill linger in my heart and sway in rhythm.
Male
Mookkuthi poo melaeUpon the nose-stud flower,
Kaathu ukkaandhu pesudhammaaThe breeze sits and speaks, my dear.
Male
Aanandham nam vaazhvilHappiness in our life,
Then pattadhuWas struck like sweet honey,
Adhil kan pattadhuAn evil eye fell upon it,
Manam pun pattadhuThe heart got wounded,
Indha baedhangal yerpattadhuAnd these differences arose.
Male
Aanandham nam vaazhvilHappiness in our life,
Then pattadhuWas struck like sweet honey,
Adhil kan pattadhuAn evil eye fell upon it,
Manam pun pattadhuThe heart got wounded,
Indha baedhangal yerpattadhuAnd these differences arose.
Male
Karai melae odum nadhiA river running between its banks,
Kilai paayum pogum vazhiBranches out on its path,
Kadal thaanae serum idamYet the sea is its ultimate destination.
Andha naalum naalai varumThat day too will arrive tomorrow.
Varum kaalam ponnaagattumMay the future time turn to gold,
Sondham onnaagattumMay our bond become one,
Adhu kannodu kannaagattum vaammaaMay our eyes meet in love, come my dear.
Male
Mookkuthi poo melaeUpon the nose-stud flower,
Kaathu ukkaandhu pesudhammaaThe breeze sits and speaks, my dear.
Male
Kalyaana nan naalilOn that auspicious wedding day,
Naan kandadhuWhat I witnessed,
Oru oorkolamaa verum neer kolamaaWas it a grand procession or just a pattern drawn on water?
Adhu poiyaana vaibogamaaWas that grand celebration false?
Male
Kalyaana nan naalilOn that auspicious wedding day,
Naan kandadhuWhat I witnessed,
Oru oorkolamaa verum neer kolamaaWas it a grand procession or just a pattern drawn on water?
Adhu poiyaana vaibogamaaWas that grand celebration false?
Male
Pidivaadham aagaadhammaaStubbornness is not good, my dear,
Bandha paasam pogaadhammaaThe bond of love will not fade away.
Vandha kobam aaraadhadhoWill the anger that arose not cool down?
Endha naalum theeraadhadhoWill it never ever end?
Siru oodal undaagalaamMinor lovers' tiffs may happen,
Sondham rendaagalaamRelations may seem divided,
Adhu thannaalae ondraagalaam vaammaaThey will naturally reunite, come my dear.
Male
Mookkuthi poo melaeUpon the nose-stud flower,
Kaathu ukkaandhu pesudhammaaThe breeze sits and speaks, my dear.
Adhu ukkaandhu pesaiyilaeAs it sits and speaks,
Thaenu ulloora oorudhammaaHoney wells up deep within, my dear.
Adha naan thaan marakkaliyaeI haven't forgotten that at all,
Adha nee thaan nenakkaliyaeIt is you who haven't remembered it.
Andha kaalam anbu kolamThose old times and the pattern of love,
Innum nenjodu neengaamae nidraadudhuStill linger in my heart and sway in rhythm.
Male
Mookkuthi poo melaeUpon the nose-stud flower,
Kaathu ukkaandhu pesudhammaaThe breeze sits and speaks, my dear.
Adhu ukkaandhu pesaiyilaeAs it sits and speaks,
Thaenu ulloora oorudhammaaHoney wells up deep within, my dear.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Mookkuthi Poo Melae' is a soulful romantic composition from the classic film 'Mouna Geethangal' (1981). The song expresses the deep pain, longing, and persistent hope of a protagonist trying to mend a fractured marital relationship. Using poetic imagery of nature, such as the breeze conversing with a tiny flower and rivers eventually reaching the sea, the lyrics plead with the loved one to let go of ego and temporary misunderstandings. Vaali's evocative words highlight how sweet memories of past affection still dance in the heart despite current misunderstandings and division.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor & Imagery

Mookkuthi poo melae / Kaathu ukkaandhu pesudhammaa

The image of a breeze sitting on a delicate flower ('Mookkuthi poo') and conversing creates an intimate, delicate sensory picture of gentle romantic memory.

Iyaibu (Rhyme / End Rhyme)

Then pattadhu / Adhil kan pattadhu / Manam pun pattadhu / Indha baedhangal yerpattadhu

Rhyming word endings ('pattadhu', 'pattadhu', 'yerpattadhu') create a rhythmic flow conveying cause and effect of tragic events.

Uvamai (Analogy)

Karai melae odum nadhi / Kilai paayum pogum vazhi / Kadal thaanae serum idam

The river splitting into branches yet ultimately merging into the sea serves as an analogy for separated lovers eventually reuniting.

Emona / Rhyming Contrast

Oru oorkolamaa verum neer kolamaa

Contrast between 'Oorkolam' (grand procession) and 'Neer kolam' (transient water drawing) highlights the disillusionment regarding marital celebrations.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Mouna Geethangal', directed by K. Bhagyaraj, features music composed by Gangai Amaran. Sung magnificently by S. Janaki and K. J. Yesudas in its respective versions, this song remains one of Tamil cinema's most revered melodies depicting marital reconciliation.

Keep listening

More from Mouna Geethangal