Oru Chinna Manikuyilu
From Katta Panchayathu · 1996
- Lyricist
- Ponnadiyan
- Singers
- Jolly Abraham, Bhavatharani
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Katta Panchayathu1996
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Aa…..aa….aaa…..aa…..aa…. | Aa…..aa….aaa…..aa…..aa…. |
| Aa…..aa….aaa…..aa…..aa…. | Aa…..aa….aaa…..aa…..aa…. |
| Male | |
| Oru chinna manikuyilu sinthu padikkuthadi | A little cuckoo is singing a sweet song |
| Nenjukkullae nenjukkullae | Deep inside the heart, inside the heart |
| Nenjukkullae nenjukkullae | Deep inside the heart, inside the heart |
| Male | |
| Oru paakku veththilaiyaam | They say betel leaf and betel nut are ready |
| Adha maaththi kollanumaam | They must be exchanged for the betrothal |
| Nalla naal kurikkanumaam | An auspicious date needs to be fixed |
| Adha nichchayam seiyanumaam | The wedding engagement must be confirmed |
| Ada thakkidathaththom thakkidathaththom | Hey, beat to the rhythm (thakkidathaththom thakkidathaththom) |
| Kottu muzhanganumaam | The celebration drums must sound loud |
| Female | |
| Oru chinna manikuyilu sinthu padikkuthadi | A little cuckoo is singing a sweet song |
| Nenjukkullae nenjukkullae | Deep inside the heart, inside the heart |
| Nenjukkullae nenjukkullae | Deep inside the heart, inside the heart |
| Chorus | |
| Kukkukku kukkukku koo kukku kukku koo…. | Kukkukku kukkukku koo kukku kukku koo…. |
| Kukkukku kukkukku koo kukku kukku koo…. | Kukkukku kukkukku koo kukku kukku koo…. |
| Female | |
| Karpoora vaasam vanthu kaatrodu kalappathu pol | Just as the scent of camphor blends into the breeze |
| Unnodu kalanthirukka saami sonnathaiyyaa | God has destined me to merge with you, my dear |
| Kaattraaga naan kalanthu moochchaaga ullirunthu | Merging like the wind, dwelling inside as breath |
| Unnodu vaazhnthirukka vaazhththu solluthaiyyaa | It bestows blessings for us to live together |
| Male | |
| Kallaana em manasa karaichchi vitta kattazhagi | Oh handsome one who melted my stone-like heart |
| Kanneera thodachchi antha saamithaanae pottazhagi | Wiping away my tears, God made me a beautiful bride |
| Sollaalae ambu eduththu kannaala kuri paarththathum | Aiming with eyes like arrows using mere words |
| Pollaatha saami munnae solli ennai izhuththathum | Confessing before the divine and drawing me close |
| Female | |
| Sariyaa thavaraa adha nadaththidum dheivam | Be it right or wrong, God is the one guiding it all |
| Thakkidathaththom thakkidathaththom | Thakkidathaththom thakkidathaththom |
| Kottu muzhanganumaam | The celebration drums must sound loud |
| Male | |
| Siru sinthu sumanthu vantha kaatrum | Even the breeze carrying a gentle song |
| Inikkuthadi nenjukkullae nenjukkullae | Tastes so sweet inside the heart, inside the heart |
| Female | |
| Oru chinna manikuyilu sinthu padikkuthadi | A little cuckoo is singing a sweet song |
| Nenjukkullae nenjukkullae | Deep inside the heart, inside the heart |
| Chorus | |
| ………………. | ... |
| Male | |
| Poovaana poovazhagi pooppola thaer varumaa | Oh flower-like beauty, will a floral chariot arrive? |
| Seerana oorvalamaa seer kondu varumaa | Will a grand procession bring the traditional wedding gifts? |
| Velli mani kulunga vilaiyaadum poonkiliyaam | Like a sweet parrot playing as silver bells chime |
| Thanga manisaramumthaan kondu varumaam | Will it bring a golden necklace of beads? |
| Female | |
| Muththaana nilavoliyil | Under the bright, pearl-like moonlight |
| Anbu kudisai podalaam | We can build a humble hut of love |
| Kaattraaga kavithai paadi naamum angu veesalaam | Blowing softly like the breeze while singing poetry |
| Illaatha sugangal thedi alaiyum intha ulagilae | In this world where people wander searching for elusive pleasures |
| Nillatha paravai pola pothum endru vaazhalaam | Like a bird that never stops, let us live contentedly saying 'this is enough' |
| Male | |
| Anbae anbae adhai nadaththidum dheivam | Love, oh love, God will make it all come true |
| Thakkidathaththom thakkidathaththom | Thakkidathaththom thakkidathaththom |
| Kottu muzhanganumaam | The celebration drums must sound loud |
| Female | |
| Oru chinna manikuyilu sinthu padikkuthadi | A little cuckoo is singing a sweet song |
| Nenjukkullae nenjukkullae | Deep inside the heart, inside the heart |
| Nenjukkullae nenjukkullae | Deep inside the heart, inside the heart |
| Male | |
| Oru paakku veththilaiyaam | They say betel leaf and betel nut are ready |
| Adha maaththi kollanumaam | They must be exchanged for the betrothal |
| Nalla naal kurikkanumaam | An auspicious date needs to be fixed |
| Adha nichchayam seiyanumaam | The wedding engagement must be confirmed |
| Female | |
| Ada thakkidathaththom thakkidathaththom | Hey, beat to the rhythm (thakkidathaththom thakkidathaththom) |
| Kottu muzhanganumaam | The celebration drums must sound loud |
| Female | |
| Oru chinna manikuyilu sinthu padikkuthadi | A little cuckoo is singing a sweet song |
| Nenjukkullae nenjukkullae | Deep inside the heart, inside the heart |
| Nenjukkullae nenjukkullae | Deep inside the heart, inside the heart |
ஆ.......ஆ......ஆஅ......ஆ......ஆ......
ஆ.......ஆ......ஆஅ......ஆ......ஆ......
Aa…..aa….aaa…..aa…..aa….
Aa…..aa….aaa…..aa…..aa….
ஒரு சின்ன மணிக்குயிலு சிந்து படிக்குதடி
நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே
நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே
A little cuckoo is singing a sweet song
Deep inside the heart, inside the heart
Deep inside the heart, inside the heart
ஒரு பாக்கு வெத்திலையாம்
அத மாத்திக் கொள்ளணுமாம்
நல்ல நாள் குறிக்கணுமாம்
அத நிச்சயம் செய்யணுமாம்
அட தக்கிடதத்தோம் தக்கிடதத்தோம்
கொட்டு முழங்கணுமாம்
They say betel leaf and betel nut are ready
They must be exchanged for the betrothal
An auspicious date needs to be fixed
The wedding engagement must be confirmed
Hey, beat to the rhythm (thakkidathaththom thakkidathaththom)
The celebration drums must sound loud
ஒரு சின்ன மணிக்குயிலு சிந்து படிக்குதடி
நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே
நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே
A little cuckoo is singing a sweet song
Deep inside the heart, inside the heart
Deep inside the heart, inside the heart
குக்குக்கு குக்குக்கு கூ குக்கு குக்கு கூ....
குக்குக்கு குக்குக்கு கூ குக்கு குக்கு கூ....
Kukkukku kukkukku koo kukku kukku koo….
Kukkukku kukkukku koo kukku kukku koo….
கற்பூர வாசம் வந்து காற்றோடு கலப்பது போல்
உன்னோடு கலந்திருக்க சாமி சொன்னதய்யா
காற்றாக நான் கலந்து மூச்சாக உள்ளிருந்து
உன்னோடு வாழ்ந்திருக்க வாழ்த்து சொல்லுதய்யா
Just as the scent of camphor blends into the breeze
God has destined me to merge with you, my dear
Merging like the wind, dwelling inside as breath
It bestows blessings for us to live together
கல்லான எம் மனச கரைச்சி விட்ட கட்டழகி
கண்ணீர தொடச்சி அந்த சாமி தானே பொட்டழகி
சொல்லாலே அம்பு எடுத்து கண்ணால குறி பார்த்ததும்
பொல்லாத சாமி முன்னே சொல்லி என்னை இழுத்ததும்
Oh handsome one who melted my stone-like heart
Wiping away my tears, God made me a beautiful bride
Aiming with eyes like arrows using mere words
Confessing before the divine and drawing me close
சரியா தவறா அத நடத்திடும் தெய்வம்
தக்கிடதத்தோம் தக்கிடதத்தோம்
கொட்டு முழங்கணுமாம்........
Be it right or wrong, God is the one guiding it all
Thakkidathaththom thakkidathaththom
The celebration drums must sound loud
சிறு சிந்து சுமந்து வந்த காற்றும்
இனிக்குதடி நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே
Even the breeze carrying a gentle song
Tastes so sweet inside the heart, inside the heart
ஒரு சின்ன மணிக்குயிலு சிந்து படிக்குதடி
நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே
A little cuckoo is singing a sweet song
Deep inside the heart, inside the heart
ஆ.......ஆ......ஆஅ......ஆ......ஆ......
ஆ.......ஆ......ஆஅ......ஆ......ஆ......
ஆஅ.......ஆ.....ஆ......
...
பூவான பூவழகி பூப்போல தேர் வருமா
சீரான ஊர்வலமா சீர் கொண்டு வருமா
வெள்ளி மணி குலுங்க விளையாடும் பூங்கிளியாம்
தங்க மணிச்சரமும் தான் கொண்டு வருமாம்
Oh flower-like beauty, will a floral chariot arrive?
Will a grand procession bring the traditional wedding gifts?
Like a sweet parrot playing as silver bells chime
Will it bring a golden necklace of beads?
முத்தான நிலவொளியில்
அன்பு குடிசை போடலாம்
காற்றாக கவிதை பாடி நாமும் அங்கு வீசலாம்
இல்லாத சுகங்கள் தேடி அலையும் இந்த உலகிலே
நில்லாத பறவை போல போதும் என்று வாழலாம்
Under the bright, pearl-like moonlight
We can build a humble hut of love
Blowing softly like the breeze while singing poetry
In this world where people wander searching for elusive pleasures
Like a bird that never stops, let us live contentedly saying 'this is enough'
அன்பே அன்பே அதை நடத்திடும் தெய்வம்
தக்கிடதத்தோம் தக்கிடதத்தோம்
கொட்டு முழங்கணுமாம்.........
Love, oh love, God will make it all come true
Thakkidathaththom thakkidathaththom
The celebration drums must sound loud
ஒரு சின்ன மணிக்குயிலு சிந்து படிக்குதடி
நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே
நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே
A little cuckoo is singing a sweet song
Deep inside the heart, inside the heart
Deep inside the heart, inside the heart
ஒரு பாக்கு வெத்திலையாம்
அத மாத்திக் கொள்ளணுமாம்
நல்ல நாள் குறிக்கணுமாம்
அத நிச்சயம் செய்யணுமாம்
They say betel leaf and betel nut are ready
They must be exchanged for the betrothal
An auspicious date needs to be fixed
The wedding engagement must be confirmed
அட தக்கிடதத்தோம் தக்கிடதத்தோம்
கொட்டு முழங்கணுமாம்
Hey, beat to the rhythm (thakkidathaththom thakkidathaththom)
The celebration drums must sound loud
ஒரு சின்ன மணிக்குயிலு சிந்து படிக்குதடி
நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே
நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே......
A little cuckoo is singing a sweet song
Deep inside the heart, inside the heart
Deep inside the heart, inside the heart
Aa…..aa….aaa…..aa…..aa….
Aa…..aa….aaa…..aa…..aa….
Aa…..aa….aaa…..aa…..aa….
Aa…..aa….aaa…..aa…..aa….
Oru chinna manikuyilu sinthu padikkuthadi
A little cuckoo is singing a sweet song
Nenjukkullae nenjukkullae
Deep inside the heart, inside the heart
Nenjukkullae nenjukkullae
Deep inside the heart, inside the heart
Oru paakku veththilaiyaam
They say betel leaf and betel nut are ready
Adha maaththi kollanumaam
They must be exchanged for the betrothal
Nalla naal kurikkanumaam
An auspicious date needs to be fixed
Adha nichchayam seiyanumaam
The wedding engagement must be confirmed
Ada thakkidathaththom thakkidathaththom
Hey, beat to the rhythm (thakkidathaththom thakkidathaththom)
Kottu muzhanganumaam
The celebration drums must sound loud
Oru chinna manikuyilu sinthu padikkuthadi
A little cuckoo is singing a sweet song
Nenjukkullae nenjukkullae
Deep inside the heart, inside the heart
Nenjukkullae nenjukkullae
Deep inside the heart, inside the heart
Kukkukku kukkukku koo kukku kukku koo….
Kukkukku kukkukku koo kukku kukku koo….
Kukkukku kukkukku koo kukku kukku koo….
Kukkukku kukkukku koo kukku kukku koo….
Karpoora vaasam vanthu kaatrodu kalappathu pol
Just as the scent of camphor blends into the breeze
Unnodu kalanthirukka saami sonnathaiyyaa
God has destined me to merge with you, my dear
Kaattraaga naan kalanthu moochchaaga ullirunthu
Merging like the wind, dwelling inside as breath
Unnodu vaazhnthirukka vaazhththu solluthaiyyaa
It bestows blessings for us to live together
Kallaana em manasa karaichchi vitta kattazhagi
Oh handsome one who melted my stone-like heart
Kanneera thodachchi antha saamithaanae pottazhagi
Wiping away my tears, God made me a beautiful bride
Sollaalae ambu eduththu kannaala kuri paarththathum
Aiming with eyes like arrows using mere words
Pollaatha saami munnae solli ennai izhuththathum
Confessing before the divine and drawing me close
Sariyaa thavaraa adha nadaththidum dheivam
Be it right or wrong, God is the one guiding it all
Thakkidathaththom thakkidathaththom
Thakkidathaththom thakkidathaththom
Kottu muzhanganumaam
The celebration drums must sound loud
Siru sinthu sumanthu vantha kaatrum
Even the breeze carrying a gentle song
Inikkuthadi nenjukkullae nenjukkullae
Tastes so sweet inside the heart, inside the heart
Oru chinna manikuyilu sinthu padikkuthadi
A little cuckoo is singing a sweet song
Nenjukkullae nenjukkullae
Deep inside the heart, inside the heart
……………….
...
Poovaana poovazhagi pooppola thaer varumaa
Oh flower-like beauty, will a floral chariot arrive?
Seerana oorvalamaa seer kondu varumaa
Will a grand procession bring the traditional wedding gifts?
Velli mani kulunga vilaiyaadum poonkiliyaam
Like a sweet parrot playing as silver bells chime
Thanga manisaramumthaan kondu varumaam
Will it bring a golden necklace of beads?
Muththaana nilavoliyil
Under the bright, pearl-like moonlight
Anbu kudisai podalaam
We can build a humble hut of love
Kaattraaga kavithai paadi naamum angu veesalaam
Blowing softly like the breeze while singing poetry
Illaatha sugangal thedi alaiyum intha ulagilae
In this world where people wander searching for elusive pleasures
Nillatha paravai pola pothum endru vaazhalaam
Like a bird that never stops, let us live contentedly saying 'this is enough'
Anbae anbae adhai nadaththidum dheivam
Love, oh love, God will make it all come true
Thakkidathaththom thakkidathaththom
Thakkidathaththom thakkidathaththom
Kottu muzhanganumaam
The celebration drums must sound loud
Oru chinna manikuyilu sinthu padikkuthadi
A little cuckoo is singing a sweet song
Nenjukkullae nenjukkullae
Deep inside the heart, inside the heart
Nenjukkullae nenjukkullae
Deep inside the heart, inside the heart
Oru paakku veththilaiyaam
They say betel leaf and betel nut are ready
Adha maaththi kollanumaam
They must be exchanged for the betrothal
Nalla naal kurikkanumaam
An auspicious date needs to be fixed
Adha nichchayam seiyanumaam
The wedding engagement must be confirmed
Ada thakkidathaththom thakkidathaththom
Hey, beat to the rhythm (thakkidathaththom thakkidathaththom)
Kottu muzhanganumaam
The celebration drums must sound loud
Oru chinna manikuyilu sinthu padikkuthadi
A little cuckoo is singing a sweet song
Nenjukkullae nenjukkullae
Deep inside the heart, inside the heart
Nenjukkullae nenjukkullae
Deep inside the heart, inside the heart
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a joyful and romantic Tamil folk-inspired melody expressing the deep excitement and anticipation of union, engagement, and marriage. The narrator compares the feelings of love to a cuckoo singing inside the heart, describing traditional Tamil marriage customs such as exchanging betel leaves ('paakku veththilai'), setting an auspicious date, and sounding celebration drums ('kottu muzhanganumaam'). It reflects a profound spiritual belief that true love and marriage are pre-destined by God, seamlessly blending into life like camphor in the air or breath in the body. The song further captures a sense of humble contentedness in love—dreaming of building a simple hut under the moonlight and living happily without chasing superficial worldly pleasures. The rhythmic folk beats and vocalizations evoke a lively festive atmosphere typical of rural Tamil celebrations.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Karpoora vaasam vanthu kaatrodu kalappathu pol”
Compares the seamless blending of two lovers to the natural way the fragrance of camphor dissolves into the breeze.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Kallaana em manasa karaichchi vitta kattazhagi”
Refers to a hardened heart as 'stone' ('kallaana manasu') that melts in the presence of love.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Muththaana nilavoliyil / Anbu kudisai podalaam”
Uses 'pearl-like moonlight' and 'hut of love' metaphorically to illustrate a romantic and simple life.
Rhyme / Iyaipu
“Adha maaththi kollanumaam / Nalla naal kurikkanumaam / Adha nichchayam seiyanumaam”
End-rhyming structure using the suffix '-anumaam' across multiple consecutive lines to create a rhythmic, conversational folk cadence.
Onomatopoeia (Oliyinipudhanmai)
“Ada thakkidathaththom thakkidathaththom / Kottu muzhanganumaam”
Imitates the rhythmic sound of traditional Tamil percussion instruments (mredhangam/tavil) to enhance the musical quality.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song comes from the 1996 Tamil film 'Katta Panchayathu', with lyrics written by the renowned poet Ponnadiyan. The song vividly captures rural Tamil wedding rituals like betel leaf exchange ('paakku veththilai maathuthal') and traditional panchayath/village festive settings.
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