Naan Manthoppil
From Enga Veettu Pillai · 1965
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, L. R. Eswari
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Enga Veettu Pillai1965
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| { Naan maanthoppil | { I was in the mango grove |
| Nindrirunthen avan maampazham | Standing there, when he asked for |
| Vendumendran adhai koduthaalum | A mango, and even when I gave it, |
| Vaangavillai indha kannam vendumendran } (2) | He refused it, saying he wanted this cheek } (2) |
| Male | |
| { Naan thanneer | { I was standing |
| Panthalil nindrirunthen | At the water shed, |
| Aval thaagam endru sonnaal } (2) | She said she was thirsty } (2) |
| Male | |
| { Naan thannanthaniyaai | { I was standing |
| Nindrirunthen aval mogam | All alone, |
| Endru sonnaal } (2) hoi | She said she felt desire } (2) hoi |
| Male | |
| Naan thanneer | I was standing |
| Panthalil nindrirunthen | At the water shed, |
| Aval thaagam endru sonnaal | She said she was thirsty, |
| Male | |
| Naan thannanthaniyaai | I was standing |
| Nindrirunthen aval mogam | All alone, |
| Endru sonnaal | She said she felt desire. |
| Female | |
| { Ondru ketaal | { He asked, "If I ask for one thing, |
| Enna koduthaal enna | What is wrong with giving it? |
| Kurainja poi vidum endran } (2) | Will anything diminish?" } (2) |
| Male | |
| { Konjam paarthaal | { She replied, "If you look a little, |
| Enna poruthaal enna | And endure it a bit, |
| Marandha poividum endral } (2) | It will all be forgotten." } (2) |
| Female | |
| Naan maanthoppil | I was in the mango grove |
| Nindrirunthen avan maampazham | Standing there, when he asked for |
| Vendumendran adhai koduthaalum | A mango, and even when I gave it, |
| Vaangavillai indha kannam vendumendran | He refused it, saying he wanted this cheek. |
| Female | |
| Avan thaali | Before tying |
| Kattum munnalae | The sacred thread (thaali), |
| Thottalae pothum | He squirmingly yearned, |
| Endrae thudi thudichan | Saying it was enough just to touch. |
| Male | |
| ……………………… | ... |
| Female | |
| Avan thaali | Before tying |
| Kattum munnalae | The sacred thread (thaali), |
| Thottalae pothum | He squirmingly yearned, |
| Endrae thudi thudichan | Saying it was enough just to touch. |
| Male | |
| { Aval velikattum | { She narrated a story asking, |
| Munnalae vellaamai yethu | "How can there be harvest |
| Endrae kadhai padicha } (2) | Before putting up a fence?" } (2) |
| Female | |
| { Avan kaadhaluku | { He clapped his hands and asked, |
| Pinnalae kalyanam varuma | "Will marriage follow |
| Endrae kaiyadichan } (2) | After love?" } (2) |
| Male | |
| Aval aagatum | Saying "let it be so", |
| Endrae aasayil nindrae | Standing with longing, |
| Athanin kaadhai kadicha | She bit her cousin's ear playfully. |
| Female | |
| …………………. | ... |
| Female | |
| Naan maanthoppil | I was in the mango grove |
| Nindrirunthen avan maampazham | Standing there, when he asked for |
| Vendumendran adhai koduthaalum | A mango, and even when I gave it, |
| Vaangavillai indha kannam vendumendran | He refused it, saying he wanted this cheek. |
| Male | |
| Avan poovirukum | He came behind her like a bee |
| Theneduka pinnalae vanthu | Flapping its wings to extract honey |
| Vandaai siragadichan | From the flowers. |
| Female | |
| ………………….. | ... |
| Male | |
| Avan poovirukum | He came behind her like a bee |
| Theneduka pinnalae vanthu | Flapping its wings to extract honey |
| Vandaai siragadichan | From the flowers. |
| Female | |
| { Aval theneduka | { To catch the suitor circling around |
| Vattamidum machanai pidika | To extract honey, |
| Kannalae valaiviricha } (2) | She cast a net with her eyes } (2) |
| Male | |
| { Avan jodikuyil | { Saying without words like |
| Paaduvathai sollamal solli | A pair of cuckoos singing, |
| Medhuva anaichukittan } (2) | He gently embraced her } (2) |
| Female | |
| Aval aadiyilae | Having matured into womanhood in the month of Aadi, |
| Pennagi anjaaru maasathula | Within five or six months, |
| Azhaga therinju kitta | She came to understand her own beauty. |
| Female | |
| Naan maanthoppil | I was in the mango grove |
| Nindrirunthen avan maampazham | Standing there, when he asked for |
| Vendumendran adhai koduthaalum | A mango, and even when I gave it, |
| Vaangavillai indha kannam vendumendran | He refused it, saying he wanted this cheek. |
{ நான் மாந்தோப்பில்
நின்றிருந்தேன் அவன்
மாம்பழம் வேண்டுமென்றான்
அதை கொடுத்தாலும்
வாங்கவில்லை இந்த கன்னம்
வேண்டுமென்றான் } (2)
{ I was in the mango grove
Standing there, when he asked for
A mango, and even when I gave it,
He refused it, saying he wanted this cheek } (2)
{ நான் தண்ணீர்
பந்தலில் நின்றிருந்தேன்
அவள் தாகம் என்று
சொன்னாள் } (2)
{ I was standing
At the water shed,
She said she was thirsty } (2)
{ நான் தன்னந்தனியாய்
நின்றிருந்தேன் அவள் மோகம்
என்று சொன்னாள் } (2) ஹோய்
{ I was standing
All alone,
She said she felt desire } (2) hoi
நான் தண்ணீர்
பந்தலில் நின்றிருந்தேன்
அவள் தாகம் என்று
சொன்னாள்
I was standing
At the water shed,
She said she was thirsty,
நான் தன்னந்தனியாய்
நின்றிருந்தேன் அவள் மோகம்
என்று சொன்னாள்
I was standing
All alone,
She said she felt desire.
{ ஒன்று கேட்டால்
என்ன கொடுத்தால் என்ன
குறைஞ்சா போய் விடும்
என்றான் } (2)
{ He asked, "If I ask for one thing,
What is wrong with giving it?
Will anything diminish?" } (2)
{ கொஞ்சம்
பார்த்தால் என்ன
பொறுத்தால் என்ன
மறந்தா போய்விடும்
என்றாள் } (2)
{ She replied, "If you look a little,
And endure it a bit,
It will all be forgotten." } (2)
நான் மாந்தோப்பில்
நின்றிருந்தேன் அவன்
மாம்பழம் வேண்டுமென்றான்
அதை கொடுத்தாலும்
வாங்கவில்லை இந்த கன்னம்
வேண்டுமென்றான்
I was in the mango grove
Standing there, when he asked for
A mango, and even when I gave it,
He refused it, saying he wanted this cheek.
அவன் தாலி
கட்டும் முன்னாலே
தொட்டாலே போதும்
என்றே துடி துடிச்சான்
Before tying
The sacred thread (thaali),
He squirmingly yearned,
Saying it was enough just to touch.
.........................
...
அவன் தாலி
கட்டும் முன்னாலே
தொட்டாலே போதும்
என்றே துடி துடிச்சான்
Before tying
The sacred thread (thaali),
He squirmingly yearned,
Saying it was enough just to touch.
{ அவள் வேலி
கட்டும் முன்னாலே
வெள்ளாமை ஏது
என்றே கதை படிச்சா } (2)
{ She narrated a story asking,
"How can there be harvest
Before putting up a fence?" } (2)
{ அவன் காதலுக்கு
பின்னாலே கல்யாணம்
வருமா என்றே கையடிச்சான் } (2)
{ He clapped his hands and asked,
"Will marriage follow
After love?" } (2)
அவள் ஆகட்டும்
என்றே ஆசையில் நின்றே
அத்தானின் காதைக் கடிச்சா
Saying "let it be so",
Standing with longing,
She bit her cousin's ear playfully.
.............................
...
நான் மாந்தோப்பில்
நின்றிருந்தேன் அவன்
மாம்பழம் வேண்டுமென்றான்
அதை கொடுத்தாலும்
வாங்கவில்லை இந்த கன்னம்
வேண்டுமென்றான்
I was in the mango grove
Standing there, when he asked for
A mango, and even when I gave it,
He refused it, saying he wanted this cheek.
அவன் பூவிருக்கும்
தேனெடுக்க பின்னாலே
வந்து வண்டாய் சிறகடிச்சான்
He came behind her like a bee
Flapping its wings to extract honey
From the flowers.
.........................
...
அவன் பூவிருக்கும்
தேனெடுக்க பின்னாலே
வந்து வண்டாய் சிறகடிச்சான்
He came behind her like a bee
Flapping its wings to extract honey
From the flowers.
{ அவள் தேனெடுக்க
வட்டமிடும் மச்சானை
பிடிக்க கண்ணாலே வலை
விரிச்சா } (2)
{ To catch the suitor circling around
To extract honey,
She cast a net with her eyes } (2)
{ அவன் ஜோடி
குயில் பாடுவதை
சொல்லாமல் சொல்லி
மெதுவா அணைச்சுக்கிட்டான் } (2)
{ Saying without words like
A pair of cuckoos singing,
He gently embraced her } (2)
அவள் ஆடியிலே
பெண்ணாகி அஞ்சாறு
மாசத்துல அழகா
தெரிஞ்சுக்கிட்டா
Having matured into womanhood in the month of Aadi,
Within five or six months,
She came to understand her own beauty.
ஆண் & பெண் :
.......................
I was in the mango grove
Standing there, when he asked for
A mango, and even when I gave it,
He refused it, saying he wanted this cheek.
நான் மாந்தோப்பில்
நின்றிருந்தேன் அவன்
மாம்பழம் வேண்டுமென்றான்
அதை கொடுத்தாலும்
வாங்கவில்லை இந்த கன்னம்
வேண்டுமென்றான்
{ Naan maanthoppil
{ I was in the mango grove
Nindrirunthen avan maampazham
Standing there, when he asked for
Vendumendran adhai koduthaalum
A mango, and even when I gave it,
Vaangavillai indha kannam vendumendran } (2)
He refused it, saying he wanted this cheek } (2)
{ Naan thanneer
{ I was standing
Panthalil nindrirunthen
At the water shed,
Aval thaagam endru sonnaal } (2)
She said she was thirsty } (2)
{ Naan thannanthaniyaai
{ I was standing
Nindrirunthen aval mogam
All alone,
Endru sonnaal } (2) hoi
She said she felt desire } (2) hoi
Naan thanneer
I was standing
Panthalil nindrirunthen
At the water shed,
Aval thaagam endru sonnaal
She said she was thirsty,
Naan thannanthaniyaai
I was standing
Nindrirunthen aval mogam
All alone,
Endru sonnaal
She said she felt desire.
{ Ondru ketaal
{ He asked, "If I ask for one thing,
Enna koduthaal enna
What is wrong with giving it?
Kurainja poi vidum endran } (2)
Will anything diminish?" } (2)
{ Konjam paarthaal
{ She replied, "If you look a little,
Enna poruthaal enna
And endure it a bit,
Marandha poividum endral } (2)
It will all be forgotten." } (2)
Naan maanthoppil
I was in the mango grove
Nindrirunthen avan maampazham
Standing there, when he asked for
Vendumendran adhai koduthaalum
A mango, and even when I gave it,
Vaangavillai indha kannam vendumendran
He refused it, saying he wanted this cheek.
Avan thaali
Before tying
Kattum munnalae
The sacred thread (thaali),
Thottalae pothum
He squirmingly yearned,
Endrae thudi thudichan
Saying it was enough just to touch.
………………………
...
Avan thaali
Before tying
Kattum munnalae
The sacred thread (thaali),
Thottalae pothum
He squirmingly yearned,
Endrae thudi thudichan
Saying it was enough just to touch.
{ Aval velikattum
{ She narrated a story asking,
Munnalae vellaamai yethu
"How can there be harvest
Endrae kadhai padicha } (2)
Before putting up a fence?" } (2)
{ Avan kaadhaluku
{ He clapped his hands and asked,
Pinnalae kalyanam varuma
"Will marriage follow
Endrae kaiyadichan } (2)
After love?" } (2)
Aval aagatum
Saying "let it be so",
Endrae aasayil nindrae
Standing with longing,
Athanin kaadhai kadicha
She bit her cousin's ear playfully.
………………….
...
Naan maanthoppil
I was in the mango grove
Nindrirunthen avan maampazham
Standing there, when he asked for
Vendumendran adhai koduthaalum
A mango, and even when I gave it,
Vaangavillai indha kannam vendumendran
He refused it, saying he wanted this cheek.
Avan poovirukum
He came behind her like a bee
Theneduka pinnalae vanthu
Flapping its wings to extract honey
Vandaai siragadichan
From the flowers.
…………………..
...
Avan poovirukum
He came behind her like a bee
Theneduka pinnalae vanthu
Flapping its wings to extract honey
Vandaai siragadichan
From the flowers.
{ Aval theneduka
{ To catch the suitor circling around
Vattamidum machanai pidika
To extract honey,
Kannalae valaiviricha } (2)
She cast a net with her eyes } (2)
{ Avan jodikuyil
{ Saying without words like
Paaduvathai sollamal solli
A pair of cuckoos singing,
Medhuva anaichukittan } (2)
He gently embraced her } (2)
Aval aadiyilae
Having matured into womanhood in the month of Aadi,
Pennagi anjaaru maasathula
Within five or six months,
Azhaga therinju kitta
She came to understand her own beauty.
Naan maanthoppil
I was in the mango grove
Nindrirunthen avan maampazham
Standing there, when he asked for
Vendumendran adhai koduthaalum
A mango, and even when I gave it,
Vaangavillai indha kannam vendumendran
He refused it, saying he wanted this cheek.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Naan Maanthoppil' is a celebrated romantic duet from the 1965 Tamil blockbuster 'Enga Veettu Pillai'. The song features playful banter between two lovers in a rural setting. The heroine teasingly narrates how the hero approached her in a mango grove asking for fruit, only to demand a kiss on her cheek instead, while the hero responds with playful grievances about his own yearning and her bashful resistance. Vaali's lyrics weave agricultural and nature metaphors—such as building fences before harvesting crops and bees gathering honey from flowers—to depict youthful romance, modest boundaries, and affectionate flirtation before marriage. The song captures rural charm, courtship rituals, and romantic teasing with lively, rhythmic music by Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagam)
“Avan poovirukum / Theneduka pinnalae vanthu / Vandaai siragadichan”
Comparing the hero's romantic pursuit to a bee fluttering its wings around flowers to extract honey.
Allegory / Cultural Metaphor
“Aval velikattum / Munnalae vellaamai yethu”
Comparing marital boundaries to putting up a fence ('velikattum') before harvesting crops ('vellaamai').
Metaphor (Visual Imagery)
“Kannalae valaiviricha”
Comparing captivating romantic glances to casting a net ('kannalae valaiviricha') to catch a lover.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Naan Maanthoppil' is an iconic duet from the 1965 hit movie 'Enga Veettu Pillai' starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and B. Saroja Devi. Sung by T. M. Soundararajan and L. R. Eswari, the music was composed by Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy with lyrics penned by Vaali.
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