Oru Gundu Mani Kulunguthadi
From Avatharam · 1995
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Oru gundumani | A red abrus seed bead |
| Thana thanna nanna………. | Thana thanna nanna... |
| Annaen enna naen | Oh brother, my dear brother |
| Akka munnaadi ellaam | Right in front of sister and everyone |
| Paada solluringa | You are asking me to sing |
| Ada thaalam vera pottuteenga | Oh, you have even set the beat! |
| Male | |
| Oru gundumani kulungudhadi | A red bead jingles |
| Kannamma kaadhula kaadhula | In Kannamma's ear, in her ear |
| Konjam sindhaamani sindhudhadi | A bit of precious gem spills over |
| Chinnamma sollula sollula | In the young woman's words, in her words |
| Nallairukka | Is it good? |
| Oru gundumani kulungudhadi | A red bead jingles |
| Kannamma kaadhula kaadhula | In Kannamma's ear, in her ear |
| Konjam sindhaamani sindhudhadi | A bit of precious gem spills over |
| Chinnamma sollula sollula | In the young woman's words, in her words |
| Male | |
| En chottu ponnu | My little darling girl |
| Konnuputta kannaalae | Killed me with her eyes |
| En vaetti kattu vittu pochu | My waistcloth knot loosened |
| Thannaalae thannaalae | All by itself, automatically |
| Male | |
| {Oru gundumani kulungudhadi | {A red bead jingles |
| Kannamma kaadhula kaadhula | In Kannamma's ear, in her ear |
| Konjam sindhaamani sindhudhadi | A bit of precious gem spills over |
| Chinnamma sollula sollula} (2) | In the young woman's words, in her words} (2) |
| Male | |
| Heyy thadharinathom | Hey, Thadharinathom! |
| Paraloagam vittu vandha | Descending from the heavenly realm |
| Paramasivam petha pulla | The son born to Lord Paramasiva |
| Valliya kura valliya | Valli, the hill tribe maiden |
| Avan veratti veratti pudichaan | He chased her continuously and caught her |
| Male | |
| Sabash | Bravo! |
| Paraloagam vittu vandha | Descending from the heavenly realm |
| Paramasivam petha pulla | The son born to Lord Paramasiva |
| Valliya kura valliya | Valli, the hill tribe maiden |
| Avan veratti veratti pudichaan | He chased her continuously and caught her |
| Veratti veratti pudichaan | Chased her continuously and caught her |
| Male | |
| Kaayaadha kaanagathae …ae… | In the lush, evergreen forest... |
| Kaayaadha kaanagathae | In the lush, evergreen forest |
| Nindrulavum kaarigaiyae | Oh maiden wandering within |
| {Paattukalai eduthuvuttaan | {He unleashed his melodious songs |
| Baanangalai thoduthuvuttaan} (2) | He aimed his love arrows} (2) |
| Male | |
| Velai vetti vittuputtu | Leaving behind all work and duties |
| Vesham moonu katti vandhaan | He arrived wearing three disguises |
| Muruganukku innaathukku | For Lord Murugan right now |
| Adavu kattum poyappu | A life sustained by performing rhythmic dance steps |
| Namma muruganukku innaathukku | For our Lord Murugan right now |
| Adavu kattum poyappu | A life sustained by performing rhythmic dance steps |
| Appanukku guru suppannaen | He became the teacher to his own father |
| Idha kuppannaen | If this Kuppan |
| Sonnaakka thappannaen | Says this, is it wrong? |
| Male | |
| Oru gundumani kulungudhadi | A red bead jingles |
| Kannamma kaadhula kaadhula | In Kannamma's ear, in her ear |
| Konjam sindhaamani sindhudhadi | A bit of precious gem spills over |
| Chinnamma sollula sollula | In the young woman's words, in her words |
| Male | |
| Haan appadi podu | Yes, keep it going! |
| Ahaaa..haaa | Aha... haa |
| Paandavar anju peru | The Pandavas were five brothers |
| Minor adhil arjunar | Arjuna among them was a flamboyant prince |
| Pombalai thotta pombalai | Every woman he met and pursued |
| Endha numberilum vandhu nikkala | The numbers were beyond count |
| Male | |
| Oorukkoru arjunaru | There is an Arjuna in every town |
| Kaadhalila virpanaru | An expert in matters of love |
| Pagaluladhaan sri raamaru | Lord Rama by daytime |
| Raathiriyil raavanaru | Ravana by night |
| Pagaluladhaan raamaru | Lord Rama by daytime |
| Raathiriyil raavanaru | Ravana by night |
| Male | |
| Vesham potta nambiyaru | Disguised as the honorable character |
| Kalaichuputta thambiyaru | Exposed by his younger brother |
| Nadavadikkai nallaalaatti | If one's conduct is not good |
| Kurainchu pogum madhippu | Respect will diminish |
| Thambhi nadavadikkai nallaalaatti | Brother, if conduct is not good |
| Kurainchu pogum madhippu | Respect will diminish |
| Gupunnu naarudhu veppennai | Neem oil reeks strongly |
| Adhai kuppannaen | If Kuppan |
| Sonnaakka thappannaen | Points it out, is it wrong? |
| Male | |
| Oru gundumani kulungudhadi | A red bead jingles |
| Kannamma kaadhula kaadhula | In Kannamma's ear, in her ear |
| Konjam sindhaamani sindhudhadi | A bit of precious gem spills over |
| Chinnamma sollula sollula | In the young woman's words, in her words |
| Male | |
| En chottu ponnu | My little darling girl |
| Konnuputta kannaalae…ae…. | Killed me with her eyes... |
| En vaetti kattu vittu pochu | My waistcloth knot loosened |
| Thannaalae thannaalae | All by itself, automatically |
| Male | |
| Oru gundumani kulungudhadi | A red bead jingles |
| Kannamma kaadhula kaadhula | In Kannamma's ear, in her ear |
| Konjam sindhaamani sindhudhadi | A bit of precious gem spills over |
| Chinnamma sollula sollula | In the young woman's words, in her words |
| Male | |
| ……………………………… | [Instrumental outro] |
ஒரு குண்டுமணி
தான தன்ன நானா......
அண்ணேன் என்னனேன்
அக்கா முன்னாடி எல்லாம்
பாட சொல்லுறிங்க
அட தாளம் வேற போட்டுடீங்க
A red abrus seed bead
Thana thanna nanna...
Oh brother, my dear brother
Right in front of sister and everyone
You are asking me to sing
Oh, you have even set the beat!
ஒரு குண்டுமணி குலுங்குதடி
கண்ணம்மா காதுல காதுல
கொஞ்சம் சிந்தாமணி சிந்துதடி
சின்னம்மா சொல்லுல சொல்லுல
நல்லாருக்கா
ஒரு குண்டுமணி குலுங்குதடி
கண்ணம்மா காதுல காதுல
கொஞ்சம் சிந்தாமணி சிந்துதடி
சின்னம்மா சொல்லுல சொல்லுல
A red bead jingles
In Kannamma's ear, in her ear
A bit of precious gem spills over
In the young woman's words, in her words
Is it good?
A red bead jingles
In Kannamma's ear, in her ear
A bit of precious gem spills over
In the young woman's words, in her words
என் சோட்டு பொண்ணு
கொன்னுபுட்டா கண்ணாலே
என் வேட்டி கட்டு விட்டு போச்சு
தன்னாலே தன்னாலே
My little darling girl
Killed me with her eyes
My waistcloth knot loosened
All by itself, automatically
{ஒரு குண்டுமணி குலுங்குதடி
கண்ணம்மா காதுல காதுல
கொஞ்சம் சிந்தாமணி சிந்துதடி
சின்னம்மா சொல்லுல சொல்லுல} (2)
{A red bead jingles
In Kannamma's ear, in her ear
A bit of precious gem spills over
In the young woman's words, in her words} (2)
ஹே ததரினதோம்
பரலோகம் விட்டு வந்த
பரமசிவம் பெத்த புள்ள
வள்ளிய குற வள்ளிய
அவன் வெரட்டி வெரட்டி புடிச்சான்
Hey, Thadharinathom!
Descending from the heavenly realm
The son born to Lord Paramasiva
Valli, the hill tribe maiden
He chased her continuously and caught her
சபாஷ்
பரலோகம் விட்டு வந்த
பரமசிவம் பெத்த புள்ள
வள்ளிய குற வள்ளிய
அவன் வெரட்டி வெரட்டி புடிச்சான்
வெரட்டி வெரட்டி புடிச்சான்
Bravo!
Descending from the heavenly realm
The son born to Lord Paramasiva
Valli, the hill tribe maiden
He chased her continuously and caught her
Chased her continuously and caught her
காயாத கானகத்தே...ஏ
காயாத கானகத்தே
நின்றுலாவும் காரிகையே
{பாட்டுகளை எடுத்துவுட்டான்
பாடங்களை தொடுத்துவுட்டான்} (2)
In the lush, evergreen forest...
In the lush, evergreen forest
Oh maiden wandering within
{He unleashed his melodious songs
He aimed his love arrows} (2)
வேலை வெட்டி விட்டுபுட்டு
வேஷம் மூணு கட்டி வந்தான்
முருகனுக்கு இன்னாத்துக்கு
அடவு கட்டும் பொயப்பு
நம்ம முருகனுக்கு இன்னாத்துக்கு
அடவு கட்டும் பொயப்பு
அப்பனுக்கு குரு சுப்பண்ணன்
இத குப்பண்ணன்
சொன்னாக்க தப்பண்னே
Leaving behind all work and duties
He arrived wearing three disguises
For Lord Murugan right now
A life sustained by performing rhythmic dance steps
For our Lord Murugan right now
A life sustained by performing rhythmic dance steps
He became the teacher to his own father
If this Kuppan
Says this, is it wrong?
ஒரு குண்டுமணி குலுங்குதடி
கண்ணம்மா காதுல காதுல
கொஞ்சம் சிந்தாமணி சிந்துதடி
சின்னம்மா சொல்லுல சொல்லுல
A red bead jingles
In Kannamma's ear, in her ear
A bit of precious gem spills over
In the young woman's words, in her words
ஹான் அப்படி போடு
அஹா...ஹா
பாண்டவர் அஞ்சு பேரு
மைனர் அதில் அர்ஜூனர்
பொம்பளை தொட்ட பொம்பளை
எந்த நம்பரிலும் வந்து நிக்கல
Yes, keep it going!
Aha... haa
The Pandavas were five brothers
Arjuna among them was a flamboyant prince
Every woman he met and pursued
The numbers were beyond count
ஊருக்கொரு அர்ஜுனரு
காதலில விற்பனரு
பகலுலதான் ஸ்ரீ ராமரு
ராத்திரியில் ராவணரு
பகலுலதான் ராமரு
ராத்திரியில் ராவணரு
There is an Arjuna in every town
An expert in matters of love
Lord Rama by daytime
Ravana by night
Lord Rama by daytime
Ravana by night
வேஷம் போட்ட நம்பியாரு
கலச்சுப்புட்ட தம்பியாரு
நடவடிக்கை நல்லாலாட்டி
குறைஞ்சு போகும் மதிப்பு
தம்பி நடவடிக்கை நல்லாலாட்டி
குறைஞ்சு போகும் மதிப்பு
குப்புன்னு நாறுது வேப்பெண்ணை
அதை குப்பண்ணன்
சொன்னாக்க தப்பண்னே
Disguised as the honorable character
Exposed by his younger brother
If one's conduct is not good
Respect will diminish
Brother, if conduct is not good
Respect will diminish
Neem oil reeks strongly
If Kuppan
Points it out, is it wrong?
ஒரு குண்டுமணி குலுங்குதடி
கண்ணம்மா காதுல காதுல
கொஞ்சம் சிந்தாமணி சிந்துதடி
சின்னம்மா சொல்லுல சொல்லுல
A red bead jingles
In Kannamma's ear, in her ear
A bit of precious gem spills over
In the young woman's words, in her words
என் சோட்டு பொண்ணு
கொன்னுபுட்டா கண்ணாலே
என் வேட்டி கட்டு விட்டு போச்சு
தன்னாலே தன்னாலே
My little darling girl
Killed me with her eyes...
My waistcloth knot loosened
All by itself, automatically
ஒரு குண்டுமணி குலுங்குதடி
கண்ணம்மா காதுல காதுல
கொஞ்சம் சிந்தாமணி சிந்துதடி
சின்னம்மா சொல்லுல சொல்லுல
A red bead jingles
In Kannamma's ear, in her ear
A bit of precious gem spills over
In the young woman's words, in her words
............................
[Instrumental outro]
Oru gundumani
A red abrus seed bead
Thana thanna nanna……….
Thana thanna nanna...
Annaen enna naen
Oh brother, my dear brother
Akka munnaadi ellaam
Right in front of sister and everyone
Paada solluringa
You are asking me to sing
Ada thaalam vera pottuteenga
Oh, you have even set the beat!
Oru gundumani kulungudhadi
A red bead jingles
Kannamma kaadhula kaadhula
In Kannamma's ear, in her ear
Konjam sindhaamani sindhudhadi
A bit of precious gem spills over
Chinnamma sollula sollula
In the young woman's words, in her words
Nallairukka
Is it good?
Oru gundumani kulungudhadi
A red bead jingles
Kannamma kaadhula kaadhula
In Kannamma's ear, in her ear
Konjam sindhaamani sindhudhadi
A bit of precious gem spills over
Chinnamma sollula sollula
In the young woman's words, in her words
En chottu ponnu
My little darling girl
Konnuputta kannaalae
Killed me with her eyes
En vaetti kattu vittu pochu
My waistcloth knot loosened
Thannaalae thannaalae
All by itself, automatically
{Oru gundumani kulungudhadi
{A red bead jingles
Kannamma kaadhula kaadhula
In Kannamma's ear, in her ear
Konjam sindhaamani sindhudhadi
A bit of precious gem spills over
Chinnamma sollula sollula} (2)
In the young woman's words, in her words} (2)
Heyy thadharinathom
Hey, Thadharinathom!
Paraloagam vittu vandha
Descending from the heavenly realm
Paramasivam petha pulla
The son born to Lord Paramasiva
Valliya kura valliya
Valli, the hill tribe maiden
Avan veratti veratti pudichaan
He chased her continuously and caught her
Sabash
Bravo!
Paraloagam vittu vandha
Descending from the heavenly realm
Paramasivam petha pulla
The son born to Lord Paramasiva
Valliya kura valliya
Valli, the hill tribe maiden
Avan veratti veratti pudichaan
He chased her continuously and caught her
Veratti veratti pudichaan
Chased her continuously and caught her
Kaayaadha kaanagathae …ae…
In the lush, evergreen forest...
Kaayaadha kaanagathae
In the lush, evergreen forest
Nindrulavum kaarigaiyae
Oh maiden wandering within
{Paattukalai eduthuvuttaan
{He unleashed his melodious songs
Baanangalai thoduthuvuttaan} (2)
He aimed his love arrows} (2)
Velai vetti vittuputtu
Leaving behind all work and duties
Vesham moonu katti vandhaan
He arrived wearing three disguises
Muruganukku innaathukku
For Lord Murugan right now
Adavu kattum poyappu
A life sustained by performing rhythmic dance steps
Namma muruganukku innaathukku
For our Lord Murugan right now
Adavu kattum poyappu
A life sustained by performing rhythmic dance steps
Appanukku guru suppannaen
He became the teacher to his own father
Idha kuppannaen
If this Kuppan
Sonnaakka thappannaen
Says this, is it wrong?
Oru gundumani kulungudhadi
A red bead jingles
Kannamma kaadhula kaadhula
In Kannamma's ear, in her ear
Konjam sindhaamani sindhudhadi
A bit of precious gem spills over
Chinnamma sollula sollula
In the young woman's words, in her words
Haan appadi podu
Yes, keep it going!
Ahaaa..haaa
Aha... haa
Paandavar anju peru
The Pandavas were five brothers
Minor adhil arjunar
Arjuna among them was a flamboyant prince
Pombalai thotta pombalai
Every woman he met and pursued
Endha numberilum vandhu nikkala
The numbers were beyond count
Oorukkoru arjunaru
There is an Arjuna in every town
Kaadhalila virpanaru
An expert in matters of love
Pagaluladhaan sri raamaru
Lord Rama by daytime
Raathiriyil raavanaru
Ravana by night
Pagaluladhaan raamaru
Lord Rama by daytime
Raathiriyil raavanaru
Ravana by night
Vesham potta nambiyaru
Disguised as the honorable character
Kalaichuputta thambiyaru
Exposed by his younger brother
Nadavadikkai nallaalaatti
If one's conduct is not good
Kurainchu pogum madhippu
Respect will diminish
Thambhi nadavadikkai nallaalaatti
Brother, if conduct is not good
Kurainchu pogum madhippu
Respect will diminish
Gupunnu naarudhu veppennai
Neem oil reeks strongly
Adhai kuppannaen
If Kuppan
Sonnaakka thappannaen
Points it out, is it wrong?
Oru gundumani kulungudhadi
A red bead jingles
Kannamma kaadhula kaadhula
In Kannamma's ear, in her ear
Konjam sindhaamani sindhudhadi
A bit of precious gem spills over
Chinnamma sollula sollula
In the young woman's words, in her words
En chottu ponnu
My little darling girl
Konnuputta kannaalae…ae….
Killed me with her eyes...
En vaetti kattu vittu pochu
My waistcloth knot loosened
Thannaalae thannaalae
All by itself, automatically
Oru gundumani kulungudhadi
A red bead jingles
Kannamma kaadhula kaadhula
In Kannamma's ear, in her ear
Konjam sindhaamani sindhudhadi
A bit of precious gem spills over
Chinnamma sollula sollula
In the young woman's words, in her words
………………………………
[Instrumental outro]
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Oru Gundumani Kulungudhadi' from the 1995 film *Avatharam* is a lively, rhythmic composition modeled after traditional Tamil folk performance and street theatre (Therukoothu). Built around playfulness, romantic teasing, and sharp social commentary, the song begins with performers tuning up in front of an audience before diving into vivid folk imagery. It weaves stories of divine romance, referencing Lord Murugan pursuing the hill maiden Valli in disguise and Arjuna's legendary romantic encounters. Beyond mythological storytelling, the song serves as a witty critique of human hypocrisy and moral pretense. Vaali's lyrics draw humor from contrast, describing people who act like righteous Lord Rama by day but indulge in nocturnal trickery like Ravana. Through folk idioms and chorus refrains, the narrator Kuppan delivers timeless folk wisdom: superficial disguises and double standards eventually decay like foul neem oil, and only good conduct earns genuine respect.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Antithesis / Muran (Contrast)
“Pagaluladhaan sri raamaru / Raathiriyil raavanaru”
Contrasts Lord Rama (virtue and righteousness by day) with Ravana (deceit and wickedness by night) to mock hypocritical behavior.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Pagaluladhaan sri raamaru / Raathiriyil raavanaru”
The matching ending syllables ('raamaru' and 'raavanaru') create a rhythmic, memorable cadence typical of Therukoothu songs.
Ethugai (Second Letter Assonance)
“Paraloagam vittu vandha / Paramasivam petha pulla”
The second consonant 'ra' matches across adjacent lines, maintaining standard Tamil poetic structure.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Baanangalai thoduthuvuttaan”
Metaphorically compares persuasive romantic songs and flirtatious gazes to launching arrows.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Avatharam' (1995) was actor Nassar's directorial debut, focusing on the lives, struggles, and artistic heritage of traditional street theatre (Therukoothu) performers in Tamil Nadu. The soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, who masterfully blended authentic Tamil folk instrumentation and theatrical song formats to capture the authentic spirit of village performances.
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