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Lyrics & meaning

Muthu Kulippavare

From Sathiyam Thavarathe · 1968

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singers
S. V. Ponnusami, S. Prema
Music director
C. N. Pandurangan
Details
Sathiyam Thavarathe1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Muthu kulippavaraeOh pearl diver
Konjam pakkathilae vaangaPlease come a little closer
Muthu kulippavaraeOh pearl diver
Konjam pakkathilae vaangaPlease come a little closer
Female
Mukkani saareduthu nenjaExtracting juice from the three royal fruits, in the heart's
Kinnathilae thaangaCup, hold and offer it
Mukkani saareduthu nenjaExtracting juice from the three royal fruits, in the heart's
Kinnathilae thaangaCup, hold and offer it
Muthu kulippavaraeOh pearl diver
Konjam pakkathilae vaangaPlease come a little closer
Male
Moozhgi ezhundhuvittenI dived in and arose
Indha muthaiyum kandeduthen haaAnd I found this precious pearl too, ha!
Moozhgi ezhundhuvittenI dived in and arose
Indha muthaiyum kandeduthenAnd I found this precious pearl too
Manadhil pooti veithenI locked it inside my heart
En uyirai kaaval veithenI placed my very life as a guard over it
Manadhil pooti veithenI locked it inside my heart
En uyirai kaaval veithenI placed my very life as a guard over it
Male
Moozhgi ezhundhuvittenI dived in and arose
Indha muthaiyum kandeduthenAnd I found this precious pearl too
Female
Urakkam varamalWithout sleep arriving
Ennai thadupadhennaWhat is stopping me?
Urakkam varamalWithout sleep arriving
Ennai thadupadhennaWhat is stopping me?
Porukka vidaamalWithout letting me bear it
Ullam thavippadhennaWhy is my heart yearning?
Porukka vidaamalWithout letting me bear it
Ullam thavippadhennaWhy is my heart yearning?
Male
Kaatru vandhu muthamittaalWhen the breeze comes and kisses
Kaar megam neer poliyumThe dark raincloud showers water
Female :Aaa..aaa..aa..aa..aa…aa..aa..Female vocalization: Aaa..aaa..aa..aa..aa…aa..aa..
Male
Kaatru vandhu muthamittaalWhen the breeze comes and kisses
Kaar megam neer poliyumThe dark raincloud showers water
Kaadhal vellam pongi vandhaalWhen the flood of love surges forth
Kaaviyathil thaen paayumHoney flows into the epic poetry
Kaadhal vellam pongi vandhaalWhen the flood of love surges forth
Kaaviyathil thaen paayumHoney flows into the epic poetry
Moozhgi elunthu vittenI dived in and arose
Indha muthaiyum kandeduthenAnd I found this precious pearl too
Female
Ilamai vaanilaeIn the sky of youth
Ennam parappadhennaWhy do thoughts soar high?
Ilamai vaanilaeIn the sky of youth
Ennam parappadhennaWhy do thoughts soar high?
Inam puriyadhaAn inexplicable
Sugam pirappadhennaWhy is sweet pleasure born?
Inam puriyadhaAn inexplicable
Sugam pirappadhennaWhy is sweet pleasure born?
Male
Nerungi vandhu nindruvittalWhen you come close and stand
Ninaivum mayangi varumEven consciousness faints with delight
Nerungi vandhu nindruvittalWhen you come close and stand
Ninaivum mayangi varumEven consciousness faints with delight
Mayakkam vandhu theliyum munnaeBefore the intoxication clears up
Maru naalum vidinthu vidumThe next day dawns as well
Mayakkam vandhu theliyum munnaeBefore the intoxication clears up
Maru naalum vidinthu vidumThe next day dawns as well
Female
Muthu kulippavaraeOh pearl diver
Konjam pakkathilae vaangaPlease come a little closer
Mukkani saareduthu nenjaExtracting juice from the three royal fruits, in the heart's
Kinnathilae thaangaCup, hold and offer it
Male
Moozhgi ezhundhuvittenI dived in and arose
Indha muthaiyum kandeduthenAnd I found this precious pearl too

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Muthu Kulippavarae from Sathiyam Thavarathe (1968) is a romantic duet expressing deep romantic intimacy and playful poetic exchange between lovers. The female protagonist metaphorically addresses her lover as a pearl diver (muthu kulippavar), inviting him closer to share the sweet nectar of her love, symbolized by the juice of Mukkani (mango, banana, and jackfruit). In response, the male protagonist sings of diving into the ocean of love and finding his most cherished pearl—his beloved—whom he promises to guard with his life. The song vividly explores themes of sweet restlessness, youthful desire, and romantic ecstasy. Lyricist Aalangudi Somu utilizes rich imagery of rain-bearing clouds kissed by the breeze, surging floods of affection turning into sweet epic poetry, and an intoxicating romantic bliss that makes time slip away until a new day dawns.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Muthu kulippavarae / Indha muthaiyum kandeduthen

The lover is metaphorically addressed as a pearl diver (Muthu kulippavarae) and the beloved/love is portrayed as a rare pearl found from diving deep into the ocean.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Mukkani saareduthu nenja / Kinnathilae thaanga

The heart is metaphorically represented as a cup ('nenja kinnathilae') holding the sweet nectar of love.

Nature Imagery (Iyaakai Uvamai)

Kaatru vandhu muthamittaal / Kaar megam neer poliyum

The breeze kissing the cloud to produce rain is used as a natural parallel to physical and emotional intimacy triggering romantic bliss.

Monai and Etukai (Tamil Alliteration & Rhyming)

Ilamai vaanilae / Inam puriyadha

Use of initial consonant harmony (Monai) and second-letter rhyming (Etukai) across lines like 'Kaatru' / 'Kaadhal' and 'Ilamai' / 'Inam'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Sathiyam Thavarathe (1968) featured music by C. N. Pandurangan, a composer known for his melodic and classical compositions during the golden era of Tamil cinema. Lyricist Aalangudi Somu incorporated classical Tamil concepts like 'Mukkani' (the three sacred fruits: Mango, Jackfruit, and Banana) to weave a sensual and poetic narrative brought to life by legendary vocalists T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela.

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