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Lyrics & meaning

Onnu Rendu Moonu Naalu

From Dharma Durai · 1991

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Dharma Durai1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Onnu rendu moonu naalu anju aaruOne, two, three, four, five, six
Entha ooru sontha ooru enna peruWhich town? Native town? What is your name?
Ha..neram vanthaachuHa.. the time has arrived
Maalai thanthaachuThe garland has been given
Kenjum ennai minjalaamaCan you overpower me who is begging?
Konja neram konjalaamaCan we cuddle for a little while?
Female
Onnu rendu moonu naalu anju aaruOne, two, three, four, five, six
Entha ooru sontha ooru enna peruWhich town? Native town? What is your name?
Neram vanthaachuThe time has arrived
Maalai thanthaachuThe garland has been given
Kenjum ennai minjalaamaCan you overpower me who is begging?
Konja neram konjalaamaCan we cuddle for a little while?
Male
Onnu rendu moonu naalu anju aaruOne, two, three, four, five, six
Female :Entha ooru sontha ooru enna peruFemale: Which town? Native town? What is your name?
Chorus
…………………………
Male
Muthaaram soodiAdorned with a pearl necklace
Mogarasam thaedi poopola vaaSeeking the essence of passion, come like a flower
Oyyaara thaeril ullasam kaanaTo experience joy in a stylish chariot
Nee odi vaaYou come running
Female
Thaevaaram paadiSinging holy hymns
Deva sugam thaediSeeking divine bliss
Kanna nee vaaOh my darling, you come
Aavaram poovil aadugindra thaenilIn the honey dancing within the Aavaram flower
Vandaaga vaaCome as a honeybee
Male
{Mella vandhu alli kodu{Come softly and gather it up for me,
En selvamaeMy precious treasure,
Female :Andha sugam solli koduFemale: Teach me that pleasure,
En sonthamae} (2)My beloved} (2)
Male
Aasai ullaadum podhuWhen desire sways inside
Bodhai thallaadum deviOh goddess, swaying in intoxication
Ippo kenjum ennai minjalaamaNow, can you overpower me who is begging?
Kenjum ennai minjalaamaCan you overpower me who is begging?
Female
Onnu rendu moonu naalu anju aaruOne, two, three, four, five, six
Entha ooru sontha ooru enna peruWhich town? Native town? What is your name?
Male :Ah neram vanthaachuMale: Ah, the time has arrived
Maalai thanthaachuThe garland has been given
Kenjum ennai minjalaamaCan you overpower me who is begging?
Konja neram konjalaamaCan we cuddle for a little while?
Female
Onnu rendu moonu naalu anju aaruOne, two, three, four, five, six
Male :Entha ooru sontha ooru enna peruMale: Which town? Native town? What is your name?
Male
Hei akkam pakkam paarthuHey, looking around nearby
Yakka yakka vaakkaYakka yakka vaakka
Chorus :Ya ya ya ya ya ya yayaChorus: Ya ya ya ya ya ya yaya
Male :Vikkatha oru poovaMale: A flower that hasn't been sold
Mukka muzham thaakkaGive me three cubits length of it
Chorus :Ya ya ya ya ya ya yayaChorus: Ya ya ya ya ya ya yaya
Male
Akkam pakkam paathuLooking around nearby
Yakka yakka vaakkaYakka yakka vaakka
Vikkatha oru poovaA flower that hasn't been sold
Mukka muzham thaakkaGive me three cubits length of it
Suthuthadi aasaDesire is spinning my mind
Piththu manam aachuMy heart has gone crazy
Ithanaikkum melaAbove all of this
Puththi kettu pochuMy mind and senses have gone astray
Hoyyarae hoyyarae hoyyaraeHoyyarae hoyyarae hoyyarae
Hoyyara hoyyara hoyyaHoyyara hoyyara hoyya
Female
Kalyana maalaiA wedding garland
Soodikolla aasai nee odi vaaI long to wear it, you come running
Ponnana maeniYour golden body
Nee alandhu paarkka ododi vaaCome running for you to measure and see
Male
Kannala jaadai kaattukindraMaking playful glances with your eyes
Bodhai yeraalamaeIntoxication is in abundance
Unnala paadhi mogamBecause of you, half the infatuation
Thanthathenna thaaralamaaWhy did you give it so generously?
Female
{Kanni ennai chera vendum{You must join me, a maiden,
PakkathilaeClose beside me,
Male :Anbuthanthu aala vendumMale: You must rule over me with love
Sorgathilae } (2)In heaven} (2)
Male
Naalum unnodu naanaeEvery day, I myself with you
Kaadhal kondaduvenaeWill celebrate love
Ippo kenjum ennai minjalaamaNow, can you overpower me who is begging?
Kenjum ennai minjalaamaCan you overpower me who is begging?
Female
Onnu rendu moonu naalu anju aaruOne, two, three, four, five, six
Male :Entha ooru sontha ooru enna peruMale: Which town? Native town? What is your name?
Female :Neram vanthaachuFemale: The time has arrived
Maalai thanthaachuThe garland has been given
Kenjum ennai minjalaamaCan you overpower me who is begging?
Male :Konja neram konjalaamaMale: Can we cuddle for a little while?
Female
Onnu rendu moonu naalu anju aaruOne, two, three, four, five, six
Male :Entha ooru sontha ooru enna peruMale: Which town? Native town? What is your name?
Both :Lalla laalaa lalla laalaa lalla laalaaBoth: Lalla laalaa lalla laalaa lalla laalaa
Lalla laalaa lalla laalaa lalla laalaa haa….Lalla laalaa lalla laalaa lalla laalaa haa….

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and energetic duet from 'Dharma Durai' (1991) captures a flirtatious romantic banter between lovers. The song starts with rhythmic counting ('Onnu rendu moonu naalu') and playful inquiry into each other's identity and hometown, setting a lighthearted, folk-infused tone. As the song progresses, the lovers express their deep romantic longing, comparing their attraction to honeybees drawn to nectar and praising each other's beauty.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (Rhyming end words)

Neram vanthaachu / Maalai thanthaachu

Both lines end with the rhyming suffix '-aachu', creating a rhythmic flow.

Ethugai (Second letter assonance)

Muthaaram soodi / Oyyaara thaeril

The second consonant sound ('th' / 'y') matches structural patterns across musical couplets.

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Aavaram poovil aadugindra thaenil / Vandaaga vaa

The lover is metaphorically invited to act as a bee ('Vandhu') drawn to the sweet nectar of an Aavaram flower.

Repetition / Alliteration (Anaphora)

Onnu rendu moonu naalu anju aaru

The sequential counting creates a catchy rhythmic hook used repeatedly as the chorus structure.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed as Unknown in the context prompt, the music for 'Dharma Durai' (1991) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by his brother Gangai Amaran. The film starring Superstar Rajinikanth and Gautami was a major box-office hit, and this energetic song performed by Mano and S. Janaki remains a classic commercial dance hit.

Keep listening

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