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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Onnu Rendu Moonu

From Kalyani (1952) · 1952

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
K. Jamunarani, Chorus
Music directors
S. Dakshinamurthi, G. Ramanathan
Movie name
Kalyani (1952)
Movie release year
1952
Lyrics added on
17 Oct 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Onnu rendu moonu
Ogadi rendu moodu one two threee
Chorus :Onnu rendu moonu
Ogadi rendu moodu one two threee…
Brahmachchariyaa irunthu vazhumpothu onnu
Pennai katti vaazhvil
Inbam kaanumpothu rendu
Pillai pettru kayileduththu
Pogum pothu moonu
Thaalaelo thaalaelalo….
Onnu rendu moonu
Ogadi rendu moodu one two threee
Manaiviyai anbaai nadaththonum
Maru maatharai ninaiyaathirukkonum
Nermaiyaai selvam thaedonum
Nermaiyaai selvam thaedonum
Idhai nidhamum kanavan unaronum…oo…oo…
Onnu rendu moonu
Ogadi rendu moodu one two threee…
Kanavan pechai ketkkonum
Kanavan pechai ketkkonum
Avan karuththai arinthu nadakkonum
Sikkana vaazhvae vaazhonum
Sikkana vaazhvae vaazhonum
Idhai dhinamum manaivi unaronum…oo..oo…
Onnu rendu moonu
Ogadi rendu moodu one two threee…
Brahmmachaariyaa irunthu vaazhumpothu onnu
Pennai katti vaazhvil
Inbam kaanumpothu rendu
Pillai pettru kayileduththu
Pogumpothu moonu
Thaalaelo thaalaelalo….
Onnu rendu moonu
Ogadi rendu moodu one two threee
One, two, three
Okati, rendu, moodu, one, two, three
Chorus: One, two, three
Okati, rendu, moodu, one, two, three...
Living life as a bachelor is stage one,
Marrying a woman
And finding joy in life is stage two,
Having a child, carrying them in your arms,
And walking along is stage three!
Lullaby, sweet lullaby...
One, two, three
Okati, rendu, moodu, one, two, three
A man must treat his wife with love,
He must never think of other women,
He must earn his wealth honestly,
He must earn his wealth honestly,
Every husband must realize this daily... ooh... ooh...
One, two, three
Okati, rendu, moodu, one, two, three...
A woman must listen to her husband,
A woman must listen to her husband,
She must understand his thoughts and act accordingly,
She must lead a simple, thrifty life,
She must lead a simple, thrifty life,
Every wife must realize this daily... ooh... ooh...
One, two, three
Okati, rendu, moodu, one, two, three...
Living life as a bachelor is stage one,
Marrying a woman
And finding joy in life is stage two,
Having a child, carrying them in your arms,
And walking along is stage three!
Lullaby, sweet lullaby...
One, two, three
Okati, rendu, moodu, one, two, three
Female
Female
Female
Female
Chorus
Female
Chorus
Chorus
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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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.

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