Mottugale Mottugale
From Roja Kootam · 2002
- Lyricist
- Pazhani Bharathi
- Singers
- Hariharan, Sadhana Sargam
- Music director
- Bharathwaj
- Details
- Roja Kootam2002
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Lalala lala … lalala lala … lalala … lalalalalala | Lalala lala … lalala lala … lalala … lalalalalala |
| Lalala lala … lalala lala … lalala … lalalalalalala | Lalala lala … lalala lala … lalala … lalalalalalala |
| Male | |
| Mottugalae mottugalae | Oh flower buds, oh flower buds, |
| Moochu vidaa mottugalae | Oh flower buds, hold your breath silently, |
| Kanmaniyaai thoongugiraal | My precious darling is fast asleep, |
| Kaalaiyil malarungal | Blossom only when morning comes. |
| Pon arumbugal malargayilae | When golden buds unfold into flowers, |
| Menn melliya saptham varum | A very gentle, soft sound is produced. |
| En kaadhali thuyil kalaindhaal | If my beloved's sleep is disturbed by it, |
| En idhayam thaangaadhu | My tender heart will not be able to bear it. |
| Female | |
| Mottugalae mottugalae | Oh flower buds, oh flower buds, |
| Moochu vidaa mottugalae | Oh flower buds, hold your breath silently, |
| Kaadhalan thaan thoongugiraan | My lover is sleeping peacefully, |
| Kaalaiyil malarungal | Blossom only when morning comes. |
| Pon arumbugal malargayilae | When golden buds unfold into flowers, |
| Menn melliya saptham varum | A very gentle, soft sound is produced. |
| En kaadhalan thuyil kalaindhaal | If my lover's sleep is disturbed by it, |
| En idhayam thaangaadhu | My tender heart will not be able to bear it. |
| Female | |
| Nee oru poo koduthaal adhai maarbukkul soodugiren | If you give me a single flower, I will cherish it upon my chest, |
| Vaadiya pookkalaiyum bank locker-il semikkiren | I even preserve faded flowers safely inside a bank locker. |
| Male | |
| Unveettu thottam kandu iravil vandhu serven | Gazing at your home garden, I will arrive at night, |
| Rojakkalai vittu vittu mutkal thirudi poven | Leaving the roses untouched, I will steal only the thorns for myself. |
| Female | |
| Nee aagattum endru sollividu | Just say 'yes' to me once, |
| Un sattayil poovaai pooppen | And I will bloom as a delicate flower on your shirt. |
| Male | |
| Mottugalae mottugalae | Oh flower buds, oh flower buds, |
| Moochu vidaa mottugalae | Oh flower buds, hold your breath silently, |
| Kanmaniyaai thoongugiraal | My precious darling is fast asleep, |
| Kaalaiyil malarungal | Blossom only when morning comes. |
| Pon arumbugal malargayilae | When golden buds unfold into flowers, |
| Menn melliya saptham varum | A very gentle, soft sound is produced. |
| En kaadhali thuyil kalaindhaal | If my beloved's sleep is disturbed by it, |
| En idhayam thaangaadhu | My tender heart will not be able to bear it. |
| Male | |
| Kaadhali moochu vidum kaatrayum segarippen | I will collect even the air exhaled by my beloved, |
| Kaadhali micham vaikkum thaeneer theertham enben | I will treat the leftover tea from my beloved as holy divine water. |
| Female | |
| Kadarkarai manalil namadhu pergal ezhudhi paarppen | I write our names on the beach sand and watch them intently, |
| Alai vandhu alli sella kadalai kolla paarppen | If a wave sweeps them away, I feel like destroying the entire ocean. |
| Male | |
| Un nettriyil vervai kandavudan naan | The moment I notice sweat glistening on your forehead, |
| Veyilai vetta paarppen… paarppen | I will attempt to chop down the sun's scorching heat... attempt to! |
| Female | |
| Mottugalae mottugalae | Oh flower buds, oh flower buds, |
| Moochu vidaa mottugalae | Oh flower buds, hold your breath silently, |
| Kaadhalan thaan thoongugiraan | My lover is sleeping peacefully, |
| Kaalaiyil malarungal | Blossom only when morning comes. |
| Pon arumbugal malargayilae | When golden buds unfold into flowers, |
| Menn melliya saptham varum | A very gentle, soft sound is produced. |
| En kaadhalan thuyil kalaindhaal | If my lover's sleep is disturbed by it, |
| En idhayam thaangaadhu…. | My tender heart will not be able to bear it.... |
..................................
Lalala lala … lalala lala … lalala … lalalalalala
Lalala lala … lalala lala … lalala … lalalalalalala
மொட்டுகளே
மொட்டுகளே மூச்சுவிடா
மொட்டுகளே கண்மணியாய்
தூங்குகிறாள் காலையில்
மலருங்கள் பொன்னரும்புகள்
மலர்கையிலே மென் மெல்லிய
சத்தம் வரும் என் காதலி துயில்
கலைந்தால் என் இதயம் தாங்காது
Oh flower buds, oh flower buds,
Oh flower buds, hold your breath silently,
My precious darling is fast asleep,
Blossom only when morning comes.
When golden buds unfold into flowers,
A very gentle, soft sound is produced.
If my beloved's sleep is disturbed by it,
My tender heart will not be able to bear it.
மொட்டுகளே
மொட்டுகளே மூச்சுவிடா
மொட்டுகளே காதலன் தான்
தூங்குகிறான் காலையில்
மலருங்கள் பொன்னரும்புகள்
மலர்கையிலே மென் மெல்லிய
சத்தம் வரும் என் காதலன் துயில்
கலைந்தால் என் இதயம் தாங்காது
Oh flower buds, oh flower buds,
Oh flower buds, hold your breath silently,
My lover is sleeping peacefully,
Blossom only when morning comes.
When golden buds unfold into flowers,
A very gentle, soft sound is produced.
If my lover's sleep is disturbed by it,
My tender heart will not be able to bear it.
நீ ஒரு பூ கொடுத்தால்
அதை மார்புக்குள் சூடுகிறேன்
வாடிய பூக்களையும் பேங்க்
லாக்கரில் சேமிக்கிறேன்
If you give me a single flower, I will cherish it upon my chest,
I even preserve faded flowers safely inside a bank locker.
உன்வீட்டுத் தோட்டம்
கண்டு இரவில் வந்து சேர்வேன்
ரோஜாக்களை விட்டு விட்டு
முட்கள் திருடிப்போவேன்
Gazing at your home garden, I will arrive at night,
Leaving the roses untouched, I will steal only the thorns for myself.
நீ ஆகட்டும் என்று
சொல்லி விடு உன் சட்டையில்
பூவாய் பூப்பேன்
Just say 'yes' to me once,
And I will bloom as a delicate flower on your shirt.
மொட்டுகளே
மொட்டுகளே மூச்சுவிடா
மொட்டுகளே கண்மணியாய்
தூங்குகிறாள் காலையில்
மலருங்கள் பொன்னரும்புகள்
மலர்கையிலே மென் மெல்லிய
சத்தம் வரும் என் காதலி துயில்
கலைந்தால் என் இதயம் தாங்காது
Oh flower buds, oh flower buds,
Oh flower buds, hold your breath silently,
My precious darling is fast asleep,
Blossom only when morning comes.
When golden buds unfold into flowers,
A very gentle, soft sound is produced.
If my beloved's sleep is disturbed by it,
My tender heart will not be able to bear it.
காதலி மூச்சுவிடும்
காற்றையும் சேகரிப்பேன்
காதலி மிச்சம் வைக்கும்
தேனீர் தீர்த்தம் என்பேன்
I will collect even the air exhaled by my beloved,
I will treat the leftover tea from my beloved as holy divine water.
கடற் கரை மணலில்
நமது பேர்கள் எழுதி பார்ப்பேன்
அலை வந்து அள்ளிச் செல்ல
கடலை கொல்ல பார்ப்பேன்
I write our names on the beach sand and watch them intently,
If a wave sweeps them away, I feel like destroying the entire ocean.
உன் நெற்றியில்
வேர்வை கண்டவுடன்
நான் வெயிலை வெட்ட
பார்ப்பேன் பார்ப்பேன்
The moment I notice sweat glistening on your forehead,
I will attempt to chop down the sun's scorching heat... attempt to!
மொட்டுகளே
மொட்டுகளே மூச்சுவிடா
மொட்டுகளே காதலன் தான்
தூங்குகிறான் காலையில்
மலருங்கள் பொன்னரும்புகள்
மலர்கையிலே மென் மெல்லிய
சத்தம் வரும் என் காதலன் துயில்
கலைந்தால் என் இதயம் தாங்காது
Oh flower buds, oh flower buds,
Oh flower buds, hold your breath silently,
My lover is sleeping peacefully,
Blossom only when morning comes.
When golden buds unfold into flowers,
A very gentle, soft sound is produced.
If my lover's sleep is disturbed by it,
My tender heart will not be able to bear it....
Lalala lala … lalala lala … lalala … lalalalalala
Lalala lala … lalala lala … lalala … lalalalalala
Lalala lala … lalala lala … lalala … lalalalalalala
Lalala lala … lalala lala … lalala … lalalalalalala
Mottugalae mottugalae
Oh flower buds, oh flower buds,
Moochu vidaa mottugalae
Oh flower buds, hold your breath silently,
Kanmaniyaai thoongugiraal
My precious darling is fast asleep,
Kaalaiyil malarungal
Blossom only when morning comes.
Pon arumbugal malargayilae
When golden buds unfold into flowers,
Menn melliya saptham varum
A very gentle, soft sound is produced.
En kaadhali thuyil kalaindhaal
If my beloved's sleep is disturbed by it,
En idhayam thaangaadhu
My tender heart will not be able to bear it.
Mottugalae mottugalae
Oh flower buds, oh flower buds,
Moochu vidaa mottugalae
Oh flower buds, hold your breath silently,
Kaadhalan thaan thoongugiraan
My lover is sleeping peacefully,
Kaalaiyil malarungal
Blossom only when morning comes.
Pon arumbugal malargayilae
When golden buds unfold into flowers,
Menn melliya saptham varum
A very gentle, soft sound is produced.
En kaadhalan thuyil kalaindhaal
If my lover's sleep is disturbed by it,
En idhayam thaangaadhu
My tender heart will not be able to bear it.
Nee oru poo koduthaal adhai maarbukkul soodugiren
If you give me a single flower, I will cherish it upon my chest,
Vaadiya pookkalaiyum bank locker-il semikkiren
I even preserve faded flowers safely inside a bank locker.
Unveettu thottam kandu iravil vandhu serven
Gazing at your home garden, I will arrive at night,
Rojakkalai vittu vittu mutkal thirudi poven
Leaving the roses untouched, I will steal only the thorns for myself.
Nee aagattum endru sollividu
Just say 'yes' to me once,
Un sattayil poovaai pooppen
And I will bloom as a delicate flower on your shirt.
Mottugalae mottugalae
Oh flower buds, oh flower buds,
Moochu vidaa mottugalae
Oh flower buds, hold your breath silently,
Kanmaniyaai thoongugiraal
My precious darling is fast asleep,
Kaalaiyil malarungal
Blossom only when morning comes.
Pon arumbugal malargayilae
When golden buds unfold into flowers,
Menn melliya saptham varum
A very gentle, soft sound is produced.
En kaadhali thuyil kalaindhaal
If my beloved's sleep is disturbed by it,
En idhayam thaangaadhu
My tender heart will not be able to bear it.
Kaadhali moochu vidum kaatrayum segarippen
I will collect even the air exhaled by my beloved,
Kaadhali micham vaikkum thaeneer theertham enben
I will treat the leftover tea from my beloved as holy divine water.
Kadarkarai manalil namadhu pergal ezhudhi paarppen
I write our names on the beach sand and watch them intently,
Alai vandhu alli sella kadalai kolla paarppen
If a wave sweeps them away, I feel like destroying the entire ocean.
Un nettriyil vervai kandavudan naan
The moment I notice sweat glistening on your forehead,
Veyilai vetta paarppen… paarppen
I will attempt to chop down the sun's scorching heat... attempt to!
Mottugalae mottugalae
Oh flower buds, oh flower buds,
Moochu vidaa mottugalae
Oh flower buds, hold your breath silently,
Kaadhalan thaan thoongugiraan
My lover is sleeping peacefully,
Kaalaiyil malarungal
Blossom only when morning comes.
Pon arumbugal malargayilae
When golden buds unfold into flowers,
Menn melliya saptham varum
A very gentle, soft sound is produced.
En kaadhalan thuyil kalaindhaal
If my lover's sleep is disturbed by it,
En idhayam thaangaadhu….
My tender heart will not be able to bear it....
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Mottugalae Mottugalae' is an exquisitely tender romantic duet from the 2002 Tamil movie 'Roja Kootam'. The song features two lovers expressing the depth and hyper-sensitivity of their affection. They gently address the sleeping flower buds in the garden, pleading with them to hold their breath and refrain from blooming until morning, fearing that even the faint sound of a flower opening might wake their sleeping partner. The lyrics are filled with sweet, whimsical exaggerations of love—such as storing wilted flowers in a bank locker, collecting the breath of the lover, regarding leftover tea as holy water, and wanting to fight the sun to protect the beloved from sweating. Through these imaginative metaphors, the song paints a picture of pure, selfless, and innocent devotion where even the quietest disturbance to the partner's peace is unbearable.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Apostrophe / Personification
“Mottugalae mottugalae / Moochu vidaa mottugalae”
Addressing flower buds as living beings that can consciously hold their breath and delay blooming so as not to wake the sleeping lover.
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi Ani)
“Vaadiya pookkalaiyum bank locker-il semikkiren”
Exaggerating romantic devotion by claiming to store withered flowers in a bank locker and wishing to fight or cut down the sun's heat.
Monaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Mottugalae mottugalae / Moochu vidaa mottugalae”
Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'M' across consecutive lines for rhythmic harmony.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Bharadwaj with lyrics by Pazhani Bharathi, 'Mottugalae Mottugalae' was sung by Hariharan and Sadhana Sargam. The song became an instant chartbuster upon release in 2002 and remains one of the most iconic romantic melodies of early 2000s Tamil cinema.
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