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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naan Manjalukku

From Marudhani · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
P. Suseela, P. Jayachandran
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Details
Marudhani1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Naan manjalukku naaththu vachchaenI planted a seedling for turmeric,
Nallaa velanjuthuIt grew exceptionally well.
En kannammaa naan unna paaththenMy darling Kannamma, I looked at you,
Sonnaa inikkuthuJust saying it feels so sweet.
Male
Naan manjalukku naaththu vachchaenI planted a seedling for turmeric,
Nallaa velanjuthuIt grew exceptionally well.
En kannammaa naan unna paaththenMy darling Kannamma, I looked at you,
Sonnaa inikkuthuJust saying it feels so sweet.
Female
Naan pachcha nella kuththi vachchenI pounded raw rice,
Pongi vazhinjuthuIt boiled and overflowed with abundance.
En pattiyil vachcha pottumThe bindi I kept in my box,
Engum manakkuthuSpreads fragrance everywhere.
Male
Naan manjalukku naaththu vachchaenI planted a seedling for turmeric,
Nallaa velanjuthuIt grew exceptionally well.
Female :En kannaiyyaa naan unna paaththenMy dear sir, I looked at you,
Sonnaa inikkuthuJust saying it feels so sweet.
Male
Naan achchuvellam vaangi thaarenI will buy and give you jaggery blocks,
Vaayil pottukkoPut it in your mouth.
Naan anthiyila vaaraen pullaI will come in the evening, my girl,
Paaya pottukkoSpread out the mat for me.
Female
Un achchuvellam venumunnaaIf I want your jaggery blocks,
Naanae ketkuraenI will ask for them myself.
Hae yaarukitta vaelaiyellaamHey, with whom do you think,
Neeyum KaatturaYou are showing off these tricks?
Male
Naan aamai vadai vaangi thaaraenI will buy you a crispy lentil vadai,
Kannae KadichchukkoBite into it, my beloved.
Nee appadiyae enna konjamJust like that, hold me close,
Katti AnnaichchukkoAnd embrace me tight.
Female
Oru aamai vadai keerai vadaiA crispy vadai, a spinach vadai,
Ellaam edhukkungaWhat is all this for?
Nee aasai vachcha kannu rendumBoth your eyes full of desire,
Enna suduthungaAre scorching me softly.
Male
Naan malligappoo vaangi vanthuShall I buy and bring jasmine flowers,
Maanae kodukkavaaAnd give them to you, my deer?
En maaman pulla kondaiyilaIn my cousin's hair bun,
Naanae SorugavaaShall I tuck them in myself?
Female
Naan malligaippoo ketkarappoWhen I ask for jasmine flowers,
Vaangi kodungaiyaaPlease buy and give them to me then, sir.
Ippa ooru kannu paakkuthungaRight now, the eyes of the village are watching us,
Kaiya vidungaiyaaPlease let go of my hand, sir.
Male
Naan kaanji pattu vaangi vanthuShall I buy and bring Kanjeevaram silk,
Katti vidattumaaAnd drape it around you?
Un kannaththula kannam vachchuPlacing my cheek against your cheek,
Muththam idattumaaShall I give you a kiss?
Female
Nee paakku vachchu saedhi onnuPlease extend a formal invitation with betel nuts,
Paarththu sollaiyaaAnd tell me good news.
Un pakka thunai naan iruppenI will always stand by your side as a companion,
Innum ennaiyaaWhat more do you need?
Male
Aa haa aahaa yae haeAa haa aahaa yae hae
Aa haa haa aa…..Aa haa haa aa.....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Naan manjalukku naaththu vachchaen' is a playful and romantic rural duet where two lovers express their affection through rustic imagery and traditional cultural references. The male protagonist teases his sweetheart with promises of local delicacies, jasmine flowers, and Kanjeevaram silk, while hinting at physical closeness. The female lover playfully parries his advances, reminding him of social decorum in public while secretly reciprocating his feelings and guiding him toward formal marriage arrangements. Set against a backdrop of agricultural richness—symbolized by thriving turmeric and overflowing rice—the song weaves together themes of prosperity, fertility, and romantic courtship. Lyricist Vairamuthu captures the authentic flavor of rural Tamil Nadu's folk dialogue, using simple everyday treats and customs as metaphors for deep romantic devotion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Naan manjalukku naaththu vachchaen

Repetition of the initial 'Na' sound across words ('Naan', 'naaththu') to create rhythmic harmony standard in Tamil folk verse.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Naan achchuvellam vaangi thaaren

Jaggery (achchuvellam) is used as a metaphor for sweet, intimate words and affection between lovers.

Imagery & Cultural Symbolism

Naan pachcha nella kuththi vachchen / Pongi vazhinjuthu

Agricultural symbols such as turmeric seedlings and overflowing boiled rice serve as cultural allegories for fertility, auspiciousness, and growing love.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the 1985 Tamil film 'Marudhani', this song is a classic example of 1980s Tamil rural folk cinema duets. The lyrics by Vairamuthu showcase traditional village courtship rituals where sweet treats like vadai and achchuvellam are used by the male protagonist as playful tools of persuasion.

Keep listening

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