Muthu Charam
From Ponnoonjal · 1973
- Lyricist
- Nellai Arulmani
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, B. Vasantha
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Ponnoonjal1973
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Muthucharam soodi varum | For the golden girl coming with a pearl garland |
| Valli ponnukku | For Valli, the golden girl |
| Naan moganama patteduppen | I will buy enchanting silk |
| Chella kannukku | For my darling beloved |
| Male | |
| Sithirathil pottu | Drawing in a picture |
| Vaitha kolam edharkku | Why set a Rangoli pattern? |
| En aththai mava mutham thara | For my cousin to give a kiss |
| Kaalam edharkku | Why wait for an auspicious time? |
| Female | |
| Humming ……………….. | (Humming) |
| Male | |
| Muthucharam soodi varum | For the golden girl coming with a pearl garland |
| Valli ponnukku | For Valli, the golden girl |
| Naan moganama patteduppen | I will buy enchanting silk |
| Chella kannukku | For my darling beloved |
| Male | |
| Sithirathil pottu | Drawing in a picture |
| Vaitha kolam edharkku | Why set a Rangoli pattern? |
| En aththai mava mutham thara | For my cousin to give a kiss |
| Kaalam edharkku | Why wait for an auspicious time? |
| Female | |
| Humming ……………….. | (Humming) |
| Male | |
| Vanna mayil anna nadai | A colorful peacock with a swan's gait |
| Pinni kidakku | Lies intertwined |
| Aasai onnodu onnu | Desires one with another |
| Vandhu otti kidakku | Come and stick together |
| Female | |
| Humming ……………….. | (Humming) |
| Male | |
| Vanna mayil anna nadai | A colorful peacock with a swan's gait |
| Pinni kidakku | Lies intertwined |
| Aasai onnodu onnu | Desires one with another |
| Vandhu otti kidakku | Come and stick together |
| Male | |
| Sengarumbhu manja kothu | Red sugarcane and bunch of turmeric |
| Konjam vayalil | A bit in the fields |
| Nalla singaaram poothirukku | Fine beauty has bloomed |
| Vanji kodiyil | On the slender vine-like woman |
| Nalla singaaram poothirukku | Fine beauty has bloomed |
| Vanji kodiyil | On the slender vine-like woman |
| Female :O o o o ho ho | (Vocalization: O o o o ho ho) |
| Aa aa aahaa | (Vocalization: Aa aa aahaa) |
| Male | |
| Muthucharam soodi varum | For the golden girl coming with a pearl garland |
| Valli ponnukku | For Valli, the golden girl |
| Naan moganama patteduppen | I will buy enchanting silk |
| Chella kannukku | For my darling beloved |
| Male | |
| Sithirathil pottu | Drawing in a picture |
| Vaitha kolam edharkku | Why set a Rangoli pattern? |
| En aththai mava mutham thara | For my cousin to give a kiss |
| Kaalam edharkku | Why wait for an auspicious time? |
| Female | |
| Aa aa aahaa…. | (Vocalization: Aa aa aahaa) |
| Male | |
| Paal surakkum nel manikku | Like paddy grains filling with milk |
| Mangai paruvam endhan | Is the maidenhood stage of my |
| Kanmanikku thaen surakkum | Sweetheart, where honey overflows in her |
| Kanni paruvam | Youthful maidenhood |
| Female | |
| Aa aa aahaa…. | (Vocalization: Aa aa aahaa) |
| Male | |
| Paal surakkum nel manikku | Like paddy grains filling with milk |
| Mangai paruvam endhan | Is the maidenhood stage of my |
| Kanmanikku thaen surakkum | Sweetheart, where honey overflows in her |
| Kanni paruvam | Youthful maidenhood |
| Male | |
| Manmadhanum thottu vecha | Touched by Cupid himself |
| Macham irukku | There is a mole |
| Andha machathilae machanukkum | And in that mole, for her beloved cousin |
| Utcham irukku | Lies the pinnacle of joy |
| Andha machathilae machanukkum | And in that mole, for her beloved cousin |
| Utcham iruku | Lies the pinnacle of joy |
| Female :O o o o ho ho | (Vocalization: O o o o ho ho) |
| Aa aa aahaa | (Vocalization: Aa aa aahaa) |
| Male | |
| Muthucharam soodi varum | For the golden girl coming with a pearl garland |
| Valli ponnukku | For Valli, the golden girl |
| Naan moganama patteduppen | I will buy enchanting silk |
| Chella kannukku | For my darling beloved |
| Male | |
| Sithirathil pottu | Drawing in a picture |
| Vaitha kolam edharkku | Why set a Rangoli pattern? |
| En aththai mava mutham thara | For my cousin to give a kiss |
| Kaalam edharkku | Why wait for an auspicious time? |
| Female | |
| Aa aa aahaa…. | (Vocalization: Aa aa aahaa) |
முத்துச்சரம் சூடிவரும்
வள்ளி பொண்ணுக்கு
நான் மோகனமா பாட்டெடுப்பேன்
செல்லக்கண்ணுக்கு
For the golden girl coming with a pearl garland
For Valli, the golden girl
I will buy enchanting silk
For my darling beloved
சித்திரத்தில் போட்டு
வச்ச கோலம் எதற்கு
என் அத்த மவ
முத்தம் தர காலம் எதற்கு
Drawing in a picture
Why set a Rangoli pattern?
For my cousin to give a kiss
Why wait for an auspicious time?
ஓஹோ ஓஹோ
(Humming)
முத்துச்சரம் சூடிவரும்
வள்ளி பொண்ணுக்கு
நான் மோகனமா பாட்டெடுப்பேன்
செல்லக்கண்ணுக்கு
சித்திரத்தில் போட்டு
வச்ச கோலம் எதற்கு
என் அத்த மவ
முத்தம் தர காலம் எதற்கு
For the golden girl coming with a pearl garland
For Valli, the golden girl
I will buy enchanting silk
For my darling beloved
வண்ண மயில் அன்ன நடை
பின்னி கிடக்கு
ஆசை ஒன்னோட ஒன்னு
வந்து ஒட்டி கிடக்கு
ஓஹோ ஓஹோ ஓஹோ
வண்ண மயில் அன்ன நடை
பின்னி கிடக்கு
ஆசை ஒன்னோட ஒன்னு
வந்து ஒட்டி கிடக்கு
Drawing in a picture
Why set a Rangoli pattern?
For my cousin to give a kiss
Why wait for an auspicious time?
செங்கரும்பு மஞ்சக்கொத்து
கொஞ்சும் வயலில்
நல்ல சிங்காரம் பூத்திருக்கு வஞ்சி கொடியில்
நல்ல சிங்காரம் பூத்திருக்கு வஞ்சி கொடியில்
பெண் : ஓஹோ ஓஹோ ஆஹ
(Humming)
முத்துச்சரம் சூடிவரும்
வள்ளி பொண்ணுக்கு
நான் மோகனமா பாட்டெடுப்பேன்
செல்லக்கண்ணுக்கு
A colorful peacock with a swan's gait
Lies intertwined
Desires one with another
Come and stick together
சித்திரத்தில் போட்டு
வச்ச கோலம் எதற்கு
என் அத்த மவ
முத்தம் தர காலம் எதற்கு
(Humming)
ஓஹோ ஓஹோ
A colorful peacock with a swan's gait
Lies intertwined
Desires one with another
Come and stick together
பால் சுரக்கும் நல்மணிக்கு
மங்கை பருவம்
எந்தன் கண்மணிக்கு தேன் சுரக்கும்
கன்னி பருவம்
Red sugarcane and bunch of turmeric
A bit in the fields
Fine beauty has bloomed
On the slender vine-like woman
Fine beauty has bloomed
On the slender vine-like woman
(Vocalization: O o o o ho ho)
(Vocalization: Aa aa aahaa)
ஓஹோ ஓஹோ ஓஹோ
For the golden girl coming with a pearl garland
For Valli, the golden girl
I will buy enchanting silk
For my darling beloved
பால் சுரக்கும் நல்மணிக்கு
மங்கை பருவம்
எந்தன் கண்மணிக்கு தேன் சுரக்கும்
கன்னி பருவம்
Drawing in a picture
Why set a Rangoli pattern?
For my cousin to give a kiss
Why wait for an auspicious time?
மன்னவனும் தொட்டு
வச்ச மச்சம் இருக்கு
அந்த மச்சத்தில மச்சானுக்கும் உச்சம் இருக்கு
அந்த மச்சத்தில மச்சானுக்கும் உச்சம் இருக்கு
(Vocalization: Aa aa aahaa)
ஓஹோ ஓஹோ ஆஹ
Like paddy grains filling with milk
Is the maidenhood stage of my
Sweetheart, where honey overflows in her
Youthful maidenhood
முத்துச்சரம் சூடிவரும்
வள்ளி பொண்ணுக்கு
நான் மோகனமா பாட்டெடுப்பேன்
செல்லக்கண்ணுக்கு
(Vocalization: Aa aa aahaa)
சித்திரத்தில் போட்டு
வச்ச கோலம் எதற்கு
என் அத்த மவ
முத்தம் தர காலம் எதற்கு
Like paddy grains filling with milk
Is the maidenhood stage of my
Sweetheart, where honey overflows in her
Youthful maidenhood
ஓஹோ ஓஹோ
Touched by Cupid himself
There is a mole
And in that mole, for her beloved cousin
Lies the pinnacle of joy
And in that mole, for her beloved cousin
Lies the pinnacle of joy
(Vocalization: O o o o ho ho)
(Vocalization: Aa aa aahaa)
For the golden girl coming with a pearl garland
For Valli, the golden girl
I will buy enchanting silk
For my darling beloved
Drawing in a picture
Why set a Rangoli pattern?
For my cousin to give a kiss
Why wait for an auspicious time?
(Vocalization: Aa aa aahaa)
Muthucharam soodi varum
For the golden girl coming with a pearl garland
Valli ponnukku
For Valli, the golden girl
Naan moganama patteduppen
I will buy enchanting silk
Chella kannukku
For my darling beloved
Sithirathil pottu
Drawing in a picture
Vaitha kolam edharkku
Why set a Rangoli pattern?
En aththai mava mutham thara
For my cousin to give a kiss
Kaalam edharkku
Why wait for an auspicious time?
Humming ………………..
(Humming)
Muthucharam soodi varum
For the golden girl coming with a pearl garland
Valli ponnukku
For Valli, the golden girl
Naan moganama patteduppen
I will buy enchanting silk
Chella kannukku
For my darling beloved
Sithirathil pottu
Drawing in a picture
Vaitha kolam edharkku
Why set a Rangoli pattern?
En aththai mava mutham thara
For my cousin to give a kiss
Kaalam edharkku
Why wait for an auspicious time?
Humming ………………..
(Humming)
Vanna mayil anna nadai
A colorful peacock with a swan's gait
Pinni kidakku
Lies intertwined
Aasai onnodu onnu
Desires one with another
Vandhu otti kidakku
Come and stick together
Humming ………………..
(Humming)
Vanna mayil anna nadai
A colorful peacock with a swan's gait
Pinni kidakku
Lies intertwined
Aasai onnodu onnu
Desires one with another
Vandhu otti kidakku
Come and stick together
Sengarumbhu manja kothu
Red sugarcane and bunch of turmeric
Konjam vayalil
A bit in the fields
Nalla singaaram poothirukku
Fine beauty has bloomed
Vanji kodiyil
On the slender vine-like woman
Nalla singaaram poothirukku
Fine beauty has bloomed
Vanji kodiyil
On the slender vine-like woman
Female :O o o o ho ho
(Vocalization: O o o o ho ho)
Aa aa aahaa
(Vocalization: Aa aa aahaa)
Muthucharam soodi varum
For the golden girl coming with a pearl garland
Valli ponnukku
For Valli, the golden girl
Naan moganama patteduppen
I will buy enchanting silk
Chella kannukku
For my darling beloved
Sithirathil pottu
Drawing in a picture
Vaitha kolam edharkku
Why set a Rangoli pattern?
En aththai mava mutham thara
For my cousin to give a kiss
Kaalam edharkku
Why wait for an auspicious time?
Aa aa aahaa….
(Vocalization: Aa aa aahaa)
Paal surakkum nel manikku
Like paddy grains filling with milk
Mangai paruvam endhan
Is the maidenhood stage of my
Kanmanikku thaen surakkum
Sweetheart, where honey overflows in her
Kanni paruvam
Youthful maidenhood
Aa aa aahaa….
(Vocalization: Aa aa aahaa)
Paal surakkum nel manikku
Like paddy grains filling with milk
Mangai paruvam endhan
Is the maidenhood stage of my
Kanmanikku thaen surakkum
Sweetheart, where honey overflows in her
Kanni paruvam
Youthful maidenhood
Manmadhanum thottu vecha
Touched by Cupid himself
Macham irukku
There is a mole
Andha machathilae machanukkum
And in that mole, for her beloved cousin
Utcham irukku
Lies the pinnacle of joy
Andha machathilae machanukkum
And in that mole, for her beloved cousin
Utcham iruku
Lies the pinnacle of joy
Female :O o o o ho ho
(Vocalization: O o o o ho ho)
Aa aa aahaa
(Vocalization: Aa aa aahaa)
Muthucharam soodi varum
For the golden girl coming with a pearl garland
Valli ponnukku
For Valli, the golden girl
Naan moganama patteduppen
I will buy enchanting silk
Chella kannukku
For my darling beloved
Sithirathil pottu
Drawing in a picture
Vaitha kolam edharkku
Why set a Rangoli pattern?
En aththai mava mutham thara
For my cousin to give a kiss
Kaalam edharkku
Why wait for an auspicious time?
Aa aa aahaa….
(Vocalization: Aa aa aahaa)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This romantic song from 'Ponnoonjal' (1973) is a joyful rural duet expressing mutual love, intimacy, and affection between cross-cousins (aththai magan / aththai magal). The hero admires his beloved Valli, praising her delicate beauty and comparing her graceful presence to nature—blooming vines, fertile crops, and peacocks. In response, the couple playful dismisses formal auspicious timing or ritualistic barriers, celebrating the natural closeness and passion they share.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Upamai (Metaphor / Simile)
“Vanna mayil anna nadai”
Compares the heroine's graceful walk and beauty to a colorful peacock and a swan ('Vanna mayil anna nadai').
Agricultural Imagery
“Paal surakkum nel manikku”
Uses metaphors of ripening paddy crops ('Paal surakkum nel manikku') and sugarcane ('Sengarumbhu') to symbolize youthful maturity and flowering romance.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Vaitha kolam edharkku / Kaalam edharkku”
Matching end sounds in lines like 'edharkku' and 'edharkku' create a rhythmic, catchy folk refrain.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Muthucharam soodi varum' is a classic rural romantic track composed by legendary music director M. S. Vishwanathan for the film 'Ponnoonjal' (1973), starring Sivaji Ganesan and Uphasri. Lyricist Nellai Arulmani infused rich traditional South Indian agrarian metaphors and cross-cousin courtship motifs popular in Tamil cinema of the 1970s.
Keep listening
More from Ponnoonjal
Ponnoonjal
Ponnoonjal
Ponnoonjal
Ponnoonjal