Oru Aalampoovu
From Punniyavathi · 1997
- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singers
- Ilayaraja, K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Punniyavathi1997
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Melamaasi veedhiyila | In the West Masi Street, |
| Mela chatham kekkudhadi | The sound of wedding drums can be heard, my girl! |
| Meenu kannu meenaatchiyin | Goddess Meenakshi with fish-like eyes, |
| Muthumani maala onnu | Has a pearl necklace, |
| Om meniyilae soodi kondu | Adorning your body, |
| Sodi onnu thedi vandha | It came searching for its match! |
| Muthammaa muthammaa muthammaa | Muthamma, Muthamma, Muthamma! |
| Ada muthammaa muthammaa muthammaa | Oh, Muthamma, Muthamma, Muthamma! |
| Chorus | |
| Dham dham dham dham | Dham dham dham dham, |
| Dhamdham dhamdham dham | Dhamdham dhamdham dham, |
| Dham dham dham dham | Dham dham dham dham! |
| Male | |
| Oru aalam poovu | Has a banyan flower, |
| Aththi poova paathadhundaa | Ever seen a fig flower? |
| Oru yelam poovu | Has a cardamom flower, |
| Yelandham poova chaethadhundaa | Ever joined with a jujube flower? |
| Male | |
| Mogam kodukkum | Infusing desire, |
| Maargazhi poo | It is the flower of Margazhi season! |
| Dhaagam thanikkum | Quenching the thirst, |
| Dhaavani poo | It is the flower adorned in a half-sari! |
| Mottu thaan mottu | It is indeed a tender bud, |
| Hoi thulludhadi ila mottu | Hey, this young bud is leaping with joy! |
| Chittu thaan chittu | It is indeed a little bird, |
| Hoi sinungudhadi kai pattu | Hey, she purrs softly at the touch of hands! |
| Female | |
| {Oru aalam poovu | {Has a banyan flower, |
| Aththi poova paathadhundaa | Ever seen a fig flower? |
| Oru yelam poovu | Has a cardamom flower, |
| Yelandham poova chaethadhundaa} (2) | Ever joined with a jujube flower?} (2) |
| Female | |
| Punna vanathu poonguruvi | The songbird of the Punnai forest, |
| Sonnadhingae om paeru | Spoke your name right here! |
| Oodha kaathu adikkudhaiyaa | The chilly northern wind is blowing, my love, |
| Ora paarva nee paaru | Cast a side-glance at me! |
| Male | |
| Thanimai enna vazhi marichu | Loneliness blocked my path, |
| Thaalam pottu sirikkudhadi | And laughs keeping beat, my girl! |
| Dhaagam enna aravanachu | Thirst embraced me tightly, |
| Thazhuvi kolla cholludhadi | And tells us to hold each other close! |
| Female | |
| Naendhukkitta saamikku | To the deity I prayed to, |
| Naethi kadan seiyiren | I am fulfilling my sacred vow! |
| Vaa mani kuyilae | Come, my sweet songbird! |
| Male | |
| Oru aalam poovu | Has a banyan flower, |
| Aththi poova paathadhundaa | Ever seen a fig flower? |
| Oru yelam poovu | Has a cardamom flower, |
| Yelandham poova chaethadhundaa | Ever joined with a jujube flower? |
| Male | |
| Mogam kodukkum | Infusing desire, |
| Maargazhi poo | It is the flower of Margazhi season! |
| Dhaagam thanikkum | Quenching the thirst, |
| Dhaavani poo | It is the flower adorned in a half-sari! |
| Mottu thaan mottu | It is indeed a tender bud, |
| Hoi thulludhadi ila mottu | Hey, this young bud is leaping with joy! |
| Chittu thaan chittu | It is indeed a little bird, |
| Hoi sinungudhadi kai pattu | Hey, she purrs softly at the touch of hands! |
| Female | |
| Oru aalam poovu | Has a banyan flower, |
| Aththi poova paathadhundaa | Ever seen a fig flower? |
| Oru yelam poovu | Has a cardamom flower, |
| Yelandham poova chaethadhundaa | Ever joined with a jujube flower? |
| Chorus | |
| Nanananaa naanaa naanana | Nanananaa naanaa naanana |
| Nanananaa naanaa naanaa | Nanananaa naanaa naanaa |
| Nanananaa naanaa naanana | Nanananaa naanaa naanana |
| Nanananaa naanaa naanaa aa… | Nanananaa naanaa naanaa aa… |
| Male | |
| Paarvaiyaalae odambukkullae | With just a single look, |
| Padhiyam potta vedala pulla | The young girl planted roots inside my heart! |
| Nammai pirikka yaarum illa | There is no one left to separate us, |
| Naduvil endha oorum illa | There is no village standing between us! |
| Female | |
| Pazhagi pochu acham illa | We have grown close, there is no fear, |
| Pesa edhuvum micham illa | There are no words left unspoken! |
| Nenjukkulla kaathadichu | A breeze blew inside my heart, |
| Neram paathu serthiduchu | And united us at the perfect moment! |
| Male | |
| Muthu mani kattavaa | Shall I string pearl beads for you? |
| Katti kondu ottavaa | Shall I embrace you and stick close? |
| Vaa mani kuyilae | Come, my sweet songbird! |
| Male | |
| Oru aalam poovu | Has a banyan flower, |
| Aththi poova paathadhundaa | Ever seen a fig flower? |
| Oru yelam poovu | Has a cardamom flower, |
| Yelandham poova chaethadhundaa | Ever joined with a jujube flower? |
| Male | |
| Mogam kodukkum | Infusing desire, |
| Maargazhi poo | It is the flower of Margazhi season! |
| Dhaagam thanikkum | Quenching the thirst, |
| Dhaavani poo | It is the flower adorned in a half-sari! |
| Female | |
| Mottu thaan mottu | It is indeed a tender bud, |
| Male :Hae thulludhadi ila mottu | Male: Hey, this young bud is leaping with joy! |
| Female :Chittu thaan chittu | Female: It is indeed a little bird, |
| Male :Hoi sinungudhadi kai pattu | Male: Hey, she purrs softly at the touch of hands! |
| Female | |
| {Oru aalam poovu | {Has a banyan flower, |
| Aththi poova paathadhundaa | Ever seen a fig flower? |
| Oru yelam poovu | Has a cardamom flower, |
| Yelandham poova chaethadhundaa} (2) | Ever joined with a jujube flower?} (2) |
மேலமாசி வீதியில
மேளச் சத்தம் கேக்குதடி
மீனுக் கண்ணு மீனாட்சியின்
முத்துமணி மாலை ஒண்ணு
ஓம் மேனியிலே சூடிக் கொண்டு
சோடி ஒண்ணு தேடி வந்த
முத்தம்மா முத்தம்மா முத்தம்மா
அட முத்தம்மா முத்தம்மா முத்தம்மா
In the West Masi Street,
The sound of wedding drums can be heard, my girl!
Goddess Meenakshi with fish-like eyes,
Has a pearl necklace,
Adorning your body,
It came searching for its match!
Muthamma, Muthamma, Muthamma!
Oh, Muthamma, Muthamma, Muthamma!
தம் தம் தம்
தம் தம் தம்ம்ம்ம்........
Dham dham dham dham,
Dhamdham dhamdham dham,
Dham dham dham dham!
ஒரு ஆலம் பூவு
அத்திப்பூவப் பார்த்ததுண்டா
ஒரு ஏலம் பூவு
எலந்தம்பூவச் சேர்த்ததுண்டா
Has a banyan flower,
Ever seen a fig flower?
Has a cardamom flower,
Ever joined with a jujube flower?
மோகம் கொடுக்கும்
மார்கழிப் பூ
தாகம் தணிக்கும் தாவணிப் பூ
மொட்டுத்தான் மொட்டு ஹோய்
துள்ளுதடி இள மொட்டு
சிட்டுத்தான் சிட்டு ஹோய்
சிணுங்குதடி கைபட்டு
Infusing desire,
It is the flower of Margazhi season!
Quenching the thirst,
It is the flower adorned in a half-sari!
It is indeed a tender bud,
Hey, this young bud is leaping with joy!
It is indeed a little bird,
Hey, she purrs softly at the touch of hands!
ஒரு ஆலம் பூவு
அத்திப்பூவப் பார்த்ததுண்டா
ஒரு ஏலம் பூவு
எலந்தம்பூவச் சேர்த்ததுண்டா
{Has a banyan flower,
Ever seen a fig flower?
Has a cardamom flower,
Ever joined with a jujube flower?} (2)
ஒரு ஆலம் பூவு
அத்திப்பூவப் பார்த்ததுண்டா
ஒரு ஏலம் பூவு
எலந்தம்பூவச் சேர்த்ததுண்டா
The songbird of the Punnai forest,
Spoke your name right here!
The chilly northern wind is blowing, my love,
Cast a side-glance at me!
புன்னவனத்துப் பூங்குருவி
சொன்னதிங்கே ஓம் பேரு
ஊதக்காத்து அடிக்குதையா
ஓரப் பார்வை நீ பாரு
Loneliness blocked my path,
And laughs keeping beat, my girl!
Thirst embraced me tightly,
And tells us to hold each other close!
தனிமை என்ன வழி மறிச்சு
தாளம் போட்டு சிரிக்குதடி
தாகம் என்ன அரவனைச்சு
தழுவிக் கொள்ளச் சொல்லுதடி
To the deity I prayed to,
I am fulfilling my sacred vow!
Come, my sweet songbird!
நேந்துக்கிட்ட சாமிக்கு
நேத்திக் கடன் செய்யிறேன்
வா மணிக்குயிலே......
Has a banyan flower,
Ever seen a fig flower?
Has a cardamom flower,
Ever joined with a jujube flower?
ஒரு ஆலம் பூவு
அத்திப்பூவப் பார்த்ததுண்டா
ஒரு ஏலம் பூவு
எலந்தம்பூவச் சேர்த்ததுண்டா
Infusing desire,
It is the flower of Margazhi season!
Quenching the thirst,
It is the flower adorned in a half-sari!
It is indeed a tender bud,
Hey, this young bud is leaping with joy!
It is indeed a little bird,
Hey, she purrs softly at the touch of hands!
மோகம் கொடுக்கும்
மார்கழிப் பூ
தாகம் தணிக்கும் தாவணிப் பூ
மொட்டுத்தான் மொட்டு ஹோய்
துள்ளுதடி இள மொட்டு
சிட்டுத்தான் சிட்டு ஹோய்
சிணுங்குதடி கைபட்டு
Has a banyan flower,
Ever seen a fig flower?
Has a cardamom flower,
Ever joined with a jujube flower?
ஒரு ஆலம் பூவு
அத்திப்பூவப் பார்த்ததுண்டா
ஒரு ஏலம் பூவு
எலந்தம்பூவச் சேர்த்ததுண்டா
Nanananaa naanaa naanana
Nanananaa naanaa naanaa
Nanananaa naanaa naanana
Nanananaa naanaa naanaa aa…
தனனானா னானனானா
தனனானா னானனானா
தனனானா னானனானா னா ஆ.......
With just a single look,
The young girl planted roots inside my heart!
There is no one left to separate us,
There is no village standing between us!
பார்வையாலே ஒடம்புக்குள்ளே
பதியம் போட்ட வெடலைப் புள்ள
நம்மைப் பிரிக்க யாரும் இல்ல
நடுவில் எந்த ஊரும் இல்ல
We have grown close, there is no fear,
There are no words left unspoken!
A breeze blew inside my heart,
And united us at the perfect moment!
பழகிப் போச்சு அச்சம் இல்ல
பேச எதுவும் மிச்சம் இல்ல
நெஞ்சுக்குள்ள காத்தடிச்சு
நேரம் பாத்து சேத்திடுச்சு
Shall I string pearl beads for you?
Shall I embrace you and stick close?
Come, my sweet songbird!
முத்துமணி கட்டவா
கட்டிக் கொண்டு ஒட்டவா
வா மணிக்குயிலே.......
Has a banyan flower,
Ever seen a fig flower?
Has a cardamom flower,
Ever joined with a jujube flower?
ஒரு ஆலம் பூவு
அத்திப்பூவப் பார்த்ததுண்டா
ஒரு ஏலம் பூவு
எலந்தம்பூவச் சேர்த்ததுண்டா
Infusing desire,
It is the flower of Margazhi season!
Quenching the thirst,
It is the flower adorned in a half-sari!
மோகம் கொடுக்கும்
மார்கழிப் பூ
தாகம் தணிக்கும் தாவணிப் பூ
மொட்டுத்தான் மொட்டு
ஹேய் துள்ளுதடி இளமொட்டு
ஹோய் சிட்டுத்தான் சிட்டு
ஹோய் சிணுங்குதடி கைபட்டு
It is indeed a tender bud,
Male: Hey, this young bud is leaping with joy!
Female: It is indeed a little bird,
Male: Hey, she purrs softly at the touch of hands!
ஒரு ஆலம் பூவு
அத்திப்பூவப் பார்த்ததுண்டா
ஒரு ஏலம் பூவு
எலந்தம்பூவச் சேர்த்ததுண்டா
{Has a banyan flower,
Ever seen a fig flower?
Has a cardamom flower,
Ever joined with a jujube flower?} (2)
ஒரு ஆலம் பூவு
அத்திப்பூவப் பார்த்ததுண்டா
ஒரு ஏலம் பூவு
எலந்தம்பூவச் சேர்த்ததுண்டா
Melamaasi veedhiyila
In the West Masi Street,
Mela chatham kekkudhadi
The sound of wedding drums can be heard, my girl!
Meenu kannu meenaatchiyin
Goddess Meenakshi with fish-like eyes,
Muthumani maala onnu
Has a pearl necklace,
Om meniyilae soodi kondu
Adorning your body,
Sodi onnu thedi vandha
It came searching for its match!
Muthammaa muthammaa muthammaa
Muthamma, Muthamma, Muthamma!
Ada muthammaa muthammaa muthammaa
Oh, Muthamma, Muthamma, Muthamma!
Dham dham dham dham
Dham dham dham dham,
Dhamdham dhamdham dham
Dhamdham dhamdham dham,
Dham dham dham dham
Dham dham dham dham!
Oru aalam poovu
Has a banyan flower,
Aththi poova paathadhundaa
Ever seen a fig flower?
Oru yelam poovu
Has a cardamom flower,
Yelandham poova chaethadhundaa
Ever joined with a jujube flower?
Mogam kodukkum
Infusing desire,
Maargazhi poo
It is the flower of Margazhi season!
Dhaagam thanikkum
Quenching the thirst,
Dhaavani poo
It is the flower adorned in a half-sari!
Mottu thaan mottu
It is indeed a tender bud,
Hoi thulludhadi ila mottu
Hey, this young bud is leaping with joy!
Chittu thaan chittu
It is indeed a little bird,
Hoi sinungudhadi kai pattu
Hey, she purrs softly at the touch of hands!
{Oru aalam poovu
{Has a banyan flower,
Aththi poova paathadhundaa
Ever seen a fig flower?
Oru yelam poovu
Has a cardamom flower,
Yelandham poova chaethadhundaa} (2)
Ever joined with a jujube flower?} (2)
Punna vanathu poonguruvi
The songbird of the Punnai forest,
Sonnadhingae om paeru
Spoke your name right here!
Oodha kaathu adikkudhaiyaa
The chilly northern wind is blowing, my love,
Ora paarva nee paaru
Cast a side-glance at me!
Thanimai enna vazhi marichu
Loneliness blocked my path,
Thaalam pottu sirikkudhadi
And laughs keeping beat, my girl!
Dhaagam enna aravanachu
Thirst embraced me tightly,
Thazhuvi kolla cholludhadi
And tells us to hold each other close!
Naendhukkitta saamikku
To the deity I prayed to,
Naethi kadan seiyiren
I am fulfilling my sacred vow!
Vaa mani kuyilae
Come, my sweet songbird!
Oru aalam poovu
Has a banyan flower,
Aththi poova paathadhundaa
Ever seen a fig flower?
Oru yelam poovu
Has a cardamom flower,
Yelandham poova chaethadhundaa
Ever joined with a jujube flower?
Mogam kodukkum
Infusing desire,
Maargazhi poo
It is the flower of Margazhi season!
Dhaagam thanikkum
Quenching the thirst,
Dhaavani poo
It is the flower adorned in a half-sari!
Mottu thaan mottu
It is indeed a tender bud,
Hoi thulludhadi ila mottu
Hey, this young bud is leaping with joy!
Chittu thaan chittu
It is indeed a little bird,
Hoi sinungudhadi kai pattu
Hey, she purrs softly at the touch of hands!
Oru aalam poovu
Has a banyan flower,
Aththi poova paathadhundaa
Ever seen a fig flower?
Oru yelam poovu
Has a cardamom flower,
Yelandham poova chaethadhundaa
Ever joined with a jujube flower?
Nanananaa naanaa naanana
Nanananaa naanaa naanana
Nanananaa naanaa naanaa
Nanananaa naanaa naanaa
Nanananaa naanaa naanana
Nanananaa naanaa naanana
Nanananaa naanaa naanaa aa…
Nanananaa naanaa naanaa aa…
Paarvaiyaalae odambukkullae
With just a single look,
Padhiyam potta vedala pulla
The young girl planted roots inside my heart!
Nammai pirikka yaarum illa
There is no one left to separate us,
Naduvil endha oorum illa
There is no village standing between us!
Pazhagi pochu acham illa
We have grown close, there is no fear,
Pesa edhuvum micham illa
There are no words left unspoken!
Nenjukkulla kaathadichu
A breeze blew inside my heart,
Neram paathu serthiduchu
And united us at the perfect moment!
Muthu mani kattavaa
Shall I string pearl beads for you?
Katti kondu ottavaa
Shall I embrace you and stick close?
Vaa mani kuyilae
Come, my sweet songbird!
Oru aalam poovu
Has a banyan flower,
Aththi poova paathadhundaa
Ever seen a fig flower?
Oru yelam poovu
Has a cardamom flower,
Yelandham poova chaethadhundaa
Ever joined with a jujube flower?
Mogam kodukkum
Infusing desire,
Maargazhi poo
It is the flower of Margazhi season!
Dhaagam thanikkum
Quenching the thirst,
Dhaavani poo
It is the flower adorned in a half-sari!
Mottu thaan mottu
It is indeed a tender bud,
Male :Hae thulludhadi ila mottu
Male: Hey, this young bud is leaping with joy!
Female :Chittu thaan chittu
Female: It is indeed a little bird,
Male :Hoi sinungudhadi kai pattu
Male: Hey, she purrs softly at the touch of hands!
{Oru aalam poovu
{Has a banyan flower,
Aththi poova paathadhundaa
Ever seen a fig flower?
Oru yelam poovu
Has a cardamom flower,
Yelandham poova chaethadhundaa} (2)
Ever joined with a jujube flower?} (2)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a lively and romantic Tamil folk duet where the lead characters express their affectionate attachment, longing, and joy of union. The lyrics draw heavily upon Madurai's cultural milieu, referencing 'Melamaasi Veedhi' (West Masi Street) and Goddess Meenakshi's divine beauty as a point of comparison for the heroine's grace.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Melamaasi veedhiyila / Mela chatham kekkudhadi / Meenu kannu meenaatchiyin”
Repetition of the 'M' sound at the beginning of consecutive lines creates a rhythmic musicality characteristic of folk songs.
Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Mogam kodukkum / Dhaagam thanikkum”
The second letter 'ga' (க) rhymes across lines 'Mogam' and 'Dhaagam'.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Dhaavani poo / Vedala pulla padhiyam potta”
The young heroine wearing a half-sari is poetically metaphorized as a blooming flower ('Dhaavani poo'), and her romantic look is metaphorized as planting roots ('padhiyam') in the hero's soul.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song incorporates references to Madurai's landmark street 'Melamaasi Veedhi' (West Masi Street), which is traditionally associated with festive temple processions of Goddess Meenakshi. The lyrics penned by Gangai Amaran utilize rare botanical comparisons (banyan flower, fig flower, cardamom, and jujube) as folk allegories for unlikely yet beautiful romantic pairings.
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