Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Mella Thirandhathu Kadhavu album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Ooru Sanam Thoongiruchu

From Mella Thirandhathu Kadhavu · 1986

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Mella Thirandhathu Kadhavu
Movie release year
1986
Lyrics added on
19 Jan 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ooru sanam thoongiruchu oodha kaathum
Adichiruchchu
Paavi manam thoongalaiyae adhuvum ennoo puriyallaiyae
{Ooru sanam thoongiruchu oodha kaathum
Adichiruchchu
Paavi manam thoongalaiyae adhuvum ennoo puriyallaiyae} (2)
Kuyilu karunguyilu maaman manak kuyilu
Kolam podum paattaalae
Mayilu ila maayilu maaman kavi kuyilu
Raagam paadum kettaalae… sedhi sollum paattaalae
Onna enni naanae ullam vaadi ponen
Kanni ponnudhanae en maamanae… en maamanae
Othayilae athamaga onna nenachi rasicha maga
Kannu rendum moodallaiyae kaalam neram koodallaiyae
Ooru sanam thoongiruchu oodha kaathum
Adichiruchchu
Paavi manam thoongalaiyae adhuvum ennoo puriyallaiyae
Maaman odhadu pattu naadham tharum kuzhalu
Naanaa maara koodaadha
Naalum thavamirundhu naanum ketta varam
Koodum kaalam vaaraadhaa… maaman kaadhil yeeraadha
Nelaakaayum neram nenjukulla baaram
Melum melum yerum indha nerandhaan….
Indha nerandhaan
Onna enni pottu vechen ola paaya pottu vechen
Ishta patta aasa machchaan enna melum yengha vechann….
Ooru sanam thoongiruchu oodha kaathum
Adichiruchchu
Paavi manam thoongalaiyae adhuvum ennoo puriyallaiyae
The village folk have fallen asleep, and the chill wind
has started to blow.
But this poor heart of mine cannot sleep, and I don't even know why.
{The village folk have fallen asleep, and the chill wind
has started to blow.
But this poor heart of mine cannot sleep, and I don't even know why.} (2)
A cuckoo, a dark cuckoo, the cuckoo of my beloved's heart—
it draws beautiful patterns just with a look.
A peacock, a tender peacock, my beloved's poetic cuckoo—
it sings a melody to hear... and conveys a message with a glance.
Thinking of you, my heart has withered away;
I am only a young maiden, my beloved... oh, my beloved!
All alone, your cousin thinks of you and admires you;
my eyes will not close in sleep, and our time has not yet arrived.
The village folk have fallen asleep, and the chill wind
has started to blow.
But this poor heart of mine cannot sleep, and I don't even know why.
Touched by my beloved's lips, the flute that pours out sweet music—
could I not become that flute?
The blessing I prayed for every single day—
won't the time come for us to unite? Won't my plea reach my beloved's ears?
As the moonlight shines, the burden inside my heart
grows heavier and heavier at this hour...
at this very hour.
Thinking of you, I put on my bindi and laid out the palm mat;
yet the dear man I love has only left me longing even more...
The village folk have fallen asleep, and the chill wind
has started to blow.
But this poor heart of mine cannot sleep, and I don't even know why.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Ooru Sanam Thoongiruchu' is a soulful, melancholy song depicting a young woman's deep ache of love and separation late at night. As the rest of the village slumbers under the cool night breeze, she remains wide awake, consumed by thoughts of her beloved uncle/cousin (maaman). The quiet environment only intensifies her longing, making her heart heavy and restless. Through vivid imagery, she expresses her devotion—wishing she could become the very flute her lover plays, so she could touch his lips and be filled with his breath. The moonlight, usually a symbol of romance, only serves to magnify the burden in her heart as she waits fruitlessly for their union. The song vividly portrays innocence, tender desire, and the painful isolation of unfulfilled love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Ooru sanam thoongiruchu oodha kaathum

The initial vowel sound 'Oo' ('Ooru' and 'oodha') repeats at the beginning of phrases in the line.

Personification

Paavi manam thoongalaiyae adhuvum ennoo puriyallaiyae

The heart ('manam') is personified as a stubborn entity ('paavi') that refuses to sleep on its own.

Metaphor & Imagery

Maaman odhadu pattu naadham tharum kuzhalu Naanaa maara koodaadha

The protagonist wishes to transform into a flute touched by her lover's lips, symbolizing her desire for absolute closeness and complete surrender to him.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Othayilae athamaga onna nenachi rasicha maga / Kannu rendum moodallaiyae kaalam neram koodallaiyae

Endings like 'maga' and 'koodallaiyae' create a rhythmic, lyrical flow across the couplets.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

From the same album

More songs from Mella Thirandhathu Kadhavu

View album

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.