Naan Oru Thani
From Ponvandu · 1973
- Lyricist
- Aalangudi Somu
- Singers
- L. R. Eswari, T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- V. Kumar
- Details
- Ponvandu1973
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Naan oru thani ragam | I am a unique melody, |
| Neeyoru pudhu mugam | You are a new face. |
| Naan oru thani ragam | I am a unique melody, |
| Neeyoru pudhu mugam | You are a new face. |
| Nadukkam edharkku nerukkam varattum | Why tremble? Let closeness bloom, |
| Ennodu nee konjalaam | You can talk sweetly and coax me. |
| Female | |
| Naan oru thani ragam | I am a unique melody, |
| Neeyoru pudhu mugam | You are a new face. |
| Female | |
| Kangal pattaalum kaigal thodaatha | Untouched by hands even if eyes gaze upon me, |
| Mullai mottaaga naan illaiyaa | Am I not like a pristine jasmine bud? |
| Thevai sonnaalum thaanae vanthaalum | Whether prompted by need or approaching on my own, |
| Aanmai illaatha aambalaiyaa | Are you a man lacking manhood? |
| Neeyoru aambalaiyaa | Are you really a man? |
| Male | |
| Sangali karupanum madurai veeranum | Sangili Karuppan and Madurai Veeran, |
| Sangali karupanum madurai veeranum | Sangili Karuppan and Madurai Veeran, |
| Enakku sonthamadi | Are my guardian deities, my girl! |
| Singatha paarththaa | Looking at a lion, |
| Intha singatha parththa ambuttu perum | Everyone who beholds this lion, |
| Kumbittu vizhuvaandi kaalil | Will fall at its feet in respect, |
| Kumbittu vizhuvaandi | Will bow down worshipfully! |
| Male | |
| Sivangangai seemaiyilae | In the lands of Sivagangai, |
| Chinnamaruthu kooththilae | In the street play festival of Chinna Maruthu, |
| Sivangangai seemaiyilae | In the lands of Sivagangai, |
| Chinnamaruthu kooththilae | In the street play festival of Chinna Maruthu, |
| Sippaai velai senjendi | I served as a soldier, girl, |
| Thuppaakkiyaal suttavandi adi | And shot with a rifle, hey girl! |
| Male | |
| Kattazhagu chittu patta pagal neraththil | Gorgeous maiden, in broad daylight, |
| thottizhuththu kattililae podavaa unnai | Shall I pull you close onto the bed? |
| Thottilukku sonthakkaari aakkavaa | Shall I make you the owner of a cradle? |
| Sambo sambo sambo kalakkuthaan | Sambo sambo sambo, what a splash! |
| Orae kalakkuthaan | What an absolute sensation! |
| Female | |
| Kannaiyyaa panjaanga | Kannaiya, update your traditional almanac, |
| Kottai konjam maaththu | Change your outdated mindset a bit. |
| Ada mookkaiyaa | Hey Mookkaiya, |
| Uchi kudumi thannai vettu | Cut off your old-fashioned top-knot! |
| Nadai udai maari naagareegam maari | Changing gait and attire, embracing modern culture, |
| Nadai udai maari naagareegam maari | Changing gait and attire, embracing modern culture, |
| Paavai ennai thottu thottu | Touching me, this maiden, again and again, |
| Paada vendum paattu pattu paattu | You must sing a song, a silky song! |
| Male | |
| Kodanaattu saelaikatti | Draping a saree from Kodanad, |
| Kondaiyilae poo mudichchi | Adorning flowers in your bun, |
| Therkaththi pombalaiyaa nadakkanum | You must walk like a true southern woman. |
| Unakku themmaangu | For you, the folk style of 'Themmaangu', |
| Paattu paada theriyanum | You must know how to sing a song. |
| Unakku themmaangu | For you, the folk style of 'Themmaangu', |
| Paattu paada theriyanum | You must know how to sing a song. |
| Female | |
| Aada theriyanum sasasasasachchaa | You must know how to dance, cha-cha-cha, |
| Paada theriyanum lalalallaa | You must know how to sing, la-la-la! |
| Female | |
| ……………… | ... |
| Male | |
| Adadadadadaa…. | Aha... |
| Male | |
| Mayilaattam oyilaattam | Peacock dance, Oyil dance, |
| Mannarkudi karakaattam | The Karakaattam of Mannargudi, |
| Sathiraattam kuyilaattam | Sathiraattam, Cuckoo dance, |
| Silampaattam kavadiyaattam | Silambaattam, Kavadi dance, |
| Ha hae ha hae | Ha hae ha hae! |
| Male | |
| Pudhukottai puraviyaattam | The Dummy Horse dance of Pudukkottai, |
| Aadikaatta theriyumaa | Do you know how to perform these dances? |
| Antha arumaiyellaam | All that glorious art, |
| Unakku puriyumaa | Do you even understand? |
| Male | |
| Naan oru thani ragam | I am a unique melody, |
| Female :Ohho…naan ini un vasam | Oh... I am now under your spell! |
| Ilamai kaninthu madiyil vizhunthaal | When youth ripens and falls into your lap, |
| Inbangal nooraayiram | Pleasures will be in the hundreds of thousands, |
| Ingu inbangal nooraayiram | Here, pleasures will be in the hundreds of thousands! |
மற்றும் டி. எம். சௌந்தரராஜன்
I am a unique melody,
You are a new face.
I am a unique melody,
You are a new face.
Why tremble? Let closeness bloom,
You can talk sweetly and coax me.
நான் ஒரு தனி ரகம்
நீயொரு புது முகம்
நான் ஒரு தனி ரகம்
நீயொரு புது முகம்
நடுக்கம் எதற்கு நெருக்கம் வரட்டும்
என்னோடு நீ கொஞ்சலாம்......
I am a unique melody,
You are a new face.
நான் ஒரு தனி ரகம்
நீயொரு புது முகம்
Untouched by hands even if eyes gaze upon me,
Am I not like a pristine jasmine bud?
Whether prompted by need or approaching on my own,
Are you a man lacking manhood?
Are you really a man?
கண்கள் பட்டாலும் கைகள் தொடாத
முல்லை மொட்டாக நான் இல்லையா
தேவை சொன்னாலும் தானே வந்தாலும்
ஆண்மை இல்லாத ஆம்பளையா.....
நீயொரு ஆம்பளையா....
Sangili Karuppan and Madurai Veeran,
Sangili Karuppan and Madurai Veeran,
Are my guardian deities, my girl!
Looking at a lion,
Everyone who beholds this lion,
Will fall at its feet in respect,
Will bow down worshipfully!
சங்கலி கருப்பனும் மதுரை வீரனும்
சங்கலி கருப்பனும் மதுரை வீரனும்
எனக்கு சொந்தமடி
சிங்கத்த பார்த்தா
இந்த சிங்கத்த பார்த்தா அம்புட்டு பெரும்
கும்பிட்டு விழுவான்டி காலில்
கும்பிட்டு விழுவான்டி......
In the lands of Sivagangai,
In the street play festival of Chinna Maruthu,
In the lands of Sivagangai,
In the street play festival of Chinna Maruthu,
I served as a soldier, girl,
And shot with a rifle, hey girl!
சிவகங்கை சீமையிலே
சின்னமருது கூட்டத்திலே
சிவகங்கை சீமையிலே
சின்னமருது கூட்டத்திலே
சிப்பாய் வேளை செஞ்சேன்டி
துப்பாக்கியால் சுட்டவன்டி அடி
Gorgeous maiden, in broad daylight,
Shall I pull you close onto the bed?
Shall I make you the owner of a cradle?
Sambo sambo sambo, what a splash!
What an absolute sensation!
கட்டழகு சிட்டு பட்ட பகல் நேரத்திலே
தொட்டிழுத்து கட்டிலிலே போடவா உன்னை
தொட்டிலுக்கு சொந்தக்காரி ஆக்கவா
சம்போ சம்போ சம்போ கலக்குதான்
ஒரே கலக்குதான்...
Kannaiya, update your traditional almanac,
Change your outdated mindset a bit.
Hey Mookkaiya,
Cut off your old-fashioned top-knot!
Changing gait and attire, embracing modern culture,
Changing gait and attire, embracing modern culture,
Touching me, this maiden, again and again,
You must sing a song, a silky song!
கண்ணய்யா பஞ்சாங்க
கோட்டை கொஞ்சம் மாத்து
அட மூக்கையா
உச்சி குடுமி தன்னை வெட்டு
நடை உடை மாறி நாகரீகம் மாறி
நடை உடை மாறி நாகரீகம் மாறி
பாவை என்னைத் தொட்டு தொட்டு
பாடவேண்டும் பாட்டு...பாட்டு.......பாட்டு.......
Draping a saree from Kodanad,
Adorning flowers in your bun,
You must walk like a true southern woman.
For you, the folk style of 'Themmaangu',
You must know how to sing a song.
For you, the folk style of 'Themmaangu',
You must know how to sing a song.
கொடநாட்டு சேலைக்கட்டி
கொண்டையிலே பூ முடிச்சி
தெற்கத்தி பொம்பளையா நடக்கணும்
உனக்கு தெம்மாங்கு
பாட்டு பாட தெரியணும்
உனக்கு தெம்மாங்கு
பாட்டு பாட தெரியணும்
You must know how to dance, cha-cha-cha,
You must know how to sing, la-la-la!
ஆட தெரியணும் சசசசசச்சா
பாட தெரியணும் லலலல்லா
...
..............................
Aha...
அடடடடடா
Peacock dance, Oyil dance,
The Karakaattam of Mannargudi,
Sathiraattam, Cuckoo dance,
Silambaattam, Kavadi dance,
Ha hae ha hae!
மயிலாட்டம் ஒயிலாட்டம்
மன்னார்குடி கரகாட்டம்
சதிராட்டம் குயிலாட்டம்
சிலம்பாட்டம் காவடியாட்டம்
ஹ ஹே ஹ ஹே
The Dummy Horse dance of Pudukkottai,
Do you know how to perform these dances?
All that glorious art,
Do you even understand?
புதுக்கோட்டை புரவியாட்டம்
ஆடிக்காட்ட தெரியுமா
அந்த அருமையெல்லாம்
உனக்கு புரியுமா.....
I am a unique melody,
Oh... I am now under your spell!
When youth ripens and falls into your lap,
Pleasures will be in the hundreds of thousands,
Here, pleasures will be in the hundreds of thousands!
நான் ஒரு தனி ரகம்
ஓஹோ......நான் இனி உன் வசம்
இளமை கனிந்து மடியில் விழுந்தால்
இன்பங்கள் நூறாயிரம்
இங்கு இன்பங்கள் நூறாயிரம்......
Naan oru thani ragam
I am a unique melody,
Neeyoru pudhu mugam
You are a new face.
Naan oru thani ragam
I am a unique melody,
Neeyoru pudhu mugam
You are a new face.
Nadukkam edharkku nerukkam varattum
Why tremble? Let closeness bloom,
Ennodu nee konjalaam
You can talk sweetly and coax me.
Naan oru thani ragam
I am a unique melody,
Neeyoru pudhu mugam
You are a new face.
Kangal pattaalum kaigal thodaatha
Untouched by hands even if eyes gaze upon me,
Mullai mottaaga naan illaiyaa
Am I not like a pristine jasmine bud?
Thevai sonnaalum thaanae vanthaalum
Whether prompted by need or approaching on my own,
Aanmai illaatha aambalaiyaa
Are you a man lacking manhood?
Neeyoru aambalaiyaa
Are you really a man?
Sangali karupanum madurai veeranum
Sangili Karuppan and Madurai Veeran,
Sangali karupanum madurai veeranum
Sangili Karuppan and Madurai Veeran,
Enakku sonthamadi
Are my guardian deities, my girl!
Singatha paarththaa
Looking at a lion,
Intha singatha parththa ambuttu perum
Everyone who beholds this lion,
Kumbittu vizhuvaandi kaalil
Will fall at its feet in respect,
Kumbittu vizhuvaandi
Will bow down worshipfully!
Sivangangai seemaiyilae
In the lands of Sivagangai,
Chinnamaruthu kooththilae
In the street play festival of Chinna Maruthu,
Sivangangai seemaiyilae
In the lands of Sivagangai,
Chinnamaruthu kooththilae
In the street play festival of Chinna Maruthu,
Sippaai velai senjendi
I served as a soldier, girl,
Thuppaakkiyaal suttavandi adi
And shot with a rifle, hey girl!
Kattazhagu chittu patta pagal neraththil
Gorgeous maiden, in broad daylight,
thottizhuththu kattililae podavaa unnai
Shall I pull you close onto the bed?
Thottilukku sonthakkaari aakkavaa
Shall I make you the owner of a cradle?
Sambo sambo sambo kalakkuthaan
Sambo sambo sambo, what a splash!
Orae kalakkuthaan
What an absolute sensation!
Kannaiyyaa panjaanga
Kannaiya, update your traditional almanac,
Kottai konjam maaththu
Change your outdated mindset a bit.
Ada mookkaiyaa
Hey Mookkaiya,
Uchi kudumi thannai vettu
Cut off your old-fashioned top-knot!
Nadai udai maari naagareegam maari
Changing gait and attire, embracing modern culture,
Nadai udai maari naagareegam maari
Changing gait and attire, embracing modern culture,
Paavai ennai thottu thottu
Touching me, this maiden, again and again,
Paada vendum paattu pattu paattu
You must sing a song, a silky song!
Kodanaattu saelaikatti
Draping a saree from Kodanad,
Kondaiyilae poo mudichchi
Adorning flowers in your bun,
Therkaththi pombalaiyaa nadakkanum
You must walk like a true southern woman.
Unakku themmaangu
For you, the folk style of 'Themmaangu',
Paattu paada theriyanum
You must know how to sing a song.
Unakku themmaangu
For you, the folk style of 'Themmaangu',
Paattu paada theriyanum
You must know how to sing a song.
Aada theriyanum sasasasasachchaa
You must know how to dance, cha-cha-cha,
Paada theriyanum lalalallaa
You must know how to sing, la-la-la!
………………
...
Adadadadadaa….
Aha...
Mayilaattam oyilaattam
Peacock dance, Oyil dance,
Mannarkudi karakaattam
The Karakaattam of Mannargudi,
Sathiraattam kuyilaattam
Sathiraattam, Cuckoo dance,
Silampaattam kavadiyaattam
Silambaattam, Kavadi dance,
Ha hae ha hae
Ha hae ha hae!
Pudhukottai puraviyaattam
The Dummy Horse dance of Pudukkottai,
Aadikaatta theriyumaa
Do you know how to perform these dances?
Antha arumaiyellaam
All that glorious art,
Unakku puriyumaa
Do you even understand?
Naan oru thani ragam
I am a unique melody,
Female :Ohho…naan ini un vasam
Oh... I am now under your spell!
Ilamai kaninthu madiyil vizhunthaal
When youth ripens and falls into your lap,
Inbangal nooraayiram
Pleasures will be in the hundreds of thousands,
Ingu inbangal nooraayiram
Here, pleasures will be in the hundreds of thousands!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Naan Oru Thani Ragam' from the 1973 film Ponvandu is a lively duet featuring playful bantering and romantic teasing between two lovers. The female lead challenges the male lead's manhood, rustic demeanor, and lack of modern sophistication, comparing herself to a untouched jasmine bud. In response, the male lead boastfully asserts his brave heritage, invoking powerful guardian deities like Sangili Karuppan and historical heroes like Chinna Maruthu, while declaring his masculine charm and military prowess. The song evolves into a rich celebration of Tamil folk traditions, referencing classical and folk dance forms (Mayilaattam, Karakaattam, Silambaattam, Puraviyaattam) and regional attire. Through playful taunts and rhythmically vibrant exchanges, the female protagonist eventually surrenders to his charm, culminating in a joyful celebration of romance and shared passion.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Mullai mottaaga naan illaiyaa”
The heroine compares herself to a untouched jasmine bud ('Mullai mottaaga naan illaiyaa') and a rare melody ('Naan oru thani ragam').
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming in Tamil poetry)
“Nadukkam edharkku nerukkam varattum”
The second consonant 'da' matches in 'Nadukkam' and 'Ennodu', creating rhythm across consecutive lines.
Monai (Initial letter alliteration)
“Kangal pattaalum kaigal thodaatha”
Repetition of the 'Ka' sound across words ('Kangal', 'Kaigal') creates internal musical harmony.
Allusion / Cultural Imagery
“Sangali karupanum madurai veeranum”
Direct references to Tamil folk deities (Sangili Karuppan, Madurai Veeran) and historical figures (Chinna Maruthu) to evoke rustic bravery.
Anaphora / Enumeration
“Mayilaattam oyilaattam”
Repeated listing of classical and folk art forms ending in '-aattam' (Mayilaattam, Oyilaattam, Karakaattam, Sathiraattam, Silampaattam, Kavadiyaattam, Puraviyaattam) to build rhythmic momentum.
Did you know?
Trivia
This high-energy duet composed by V. Kumar features legendary singers L. R. Eswari and T. M. Soundararajan. The song stands out for its unique blend of Western swing beats with traditional Tamil folk dance references (such as Karakaattam and Puraviyaattam) and regional historical lore from the Sivagangai region.
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