Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Onnu Rendu Moonu

From Kalyani (1952) · 1952

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
K. Jamunarani, Chorus
Music directors
S. Dakshinamurthi, G. Ramanathan
Details
Kalyani (1952)1952

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Onnu rendu moonuOne, two, three
Ogadi rendu moodu one two threeeOne, two, three, one, two, three (in Telugu & English)
Chorus :Onnu rendu moonuChorus: One, two, three
Ogadi rendu moodu one two threee…One, two, three, one, two, three…
Female
Brahmachchariyaa irunthu vazhumpothu onnuLiving life as a bachelor is step one
Pennai katti vaazhvilMarrying a woman and in life
Inbam kaanumpothu renduFinding happiness is step two
Pillai pettru kayileduththuHaving a child and holding them in your arms
Pogum pothu moonuWhile walking along is step three
Thaalaelo thaalaelalo….Lullaby tones (Thalaelo thalaelalo…)
Female
Onnu rendu moonuOne, two, three
Ogadi rendu moodu one two threeeOne, two, three, one, two, three
Female
Manaiviyai anbaai nadaththonumOne must treat their wife with love
Maru maatharai ninaiyaathirukkonumOne must not think of another woman
Nermaiyaai selvam thaedonumOne must earn wealth through honest means
Nermaiyaai selvam thaedonumOne must earn wealth through honest means
Idhai nidhamum kanavan unaronum…oo…oo…A husband must realize this every day… oh… oh…
Chorus
Onnu rendu moonuOne, two, three
Ogadi rendu moodu one two threee…One, two, three, one, two, three…
Female
Kanavan pechai ketkkonumOne must listen to the husband's words
Kanavan pechai ketkkonumOne must listen to the husband's words
Avan karuththai arinthu nadakkonumOne must understand his thoughts and act accordingly
Sikkana vaazhvae vaazhonumOne must lead a frugal, economical life
Sikkana vaazhvae vaazhonumOne must lead a frugal, economical life
Idhai dhinamum manaivi unaronum…oo..oo…A wife must realize this every day… oh… oh…
Chorus
Onnu rendu moonuOne, two, three
Ogadi rendu moodu one two threee…One, two, three, one, two, three…
Chorus
Brahmmachaariyaa irunthu vaazhumpothu onnuLiving life as a bachelor is step one
Pennai katti vaazhvilMarrying a woman and in life
Inbam kaanumpothu renduFinding happiness is step two
Pillai pettru kayileduththuHaving a child and holding them in your arms
Pogumpothu moonuWhile walking along is step three
Thaalaelo thaalaelalo….Lullaby tones (Thalaelo thalaelalo…)
Female
Onnu rendu moonuOne, two, three
Ogadi rendu moodu one two threeeOne, two, three, one, two, three

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful, instructional song from the 1952 film Kalyani categorizes human domestic life into three key milestones: living as a bachelor, getting married to experience conjugal happiness, and raising a child. With a lighthearted and catchy rhythm, the song offers practical wisdom for a harmonious marriage.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Polyglot Refrain / Code-switching

Ogadi rendu moodu one two threee

The song creatively blends counting in Tamil (Onnu, rendu, moonu), Telugu (Ogadi/Okati, rendu, moodu), and English (One, two, three) to create a catchy, rhythmic hook.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Manaiviyai anbaai nadaththonum / Maru maatharai ninaiyaathirukkonum / Nermaiyaai selvam thaedonum

The lines end with similar phonemes ('...onum'), giving a rhythmic cadence characteristic of didactic Tamil lyrics.

Monai (Initial Rhyme)

Manaiviyai anbaai nadaththonum / Maru maatharai ninaiyaathirukkonum

Alliteration on the initial letter sound 'Ma-' (Manaiviyai / Maru) creates musical flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

The 1952 film 'Kalyani' starred Sivaji Ganesan and M. V. Rajamma, with music composed jointly by S. Dakshinamoorthi and G. Ramanathan. Legendary lyricist Kannadasan wrote the song's lyrics early in his career, showcasing his trademark ability to distill moral and life advice into accessible, catchy folk tunes. K. Jamunarani's energetic playback singing made this multilingual counting song memorable.

Keep listening

More from Kalyani (1952)