Oru Kunguma Chengamalam
From Aaradhanai · 1981
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Aaradhanai1981
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Oru kunguma chengamalam | A red saffron lotus, |
| Ila mangaiyin thanga mugam | The golden face of a young maiden. |
| Oru kunguma chengamalam | A red saffron lotus, |
| Ila mangaiyin thanga mugam | The golden face of a young maiden. |
| Pasi thoondum amudham | Nectar that triggers hunger, |
| Thara vendum kamalam | Lotus, you must bestow it upon me, |
| Un koondhal poo vanam mm… | Your hair is a flower garden, mm... |
| Male | |
| Oru kunguma chengamalam | A red saffron lotus, |
| Ila mangaiyin thanga mugam | The golden face of a young maiden. |
| Oru kunguma chengamalam | A red saffron lotus, |
| Female | |
| Haaa…aaa….. haaa…aa.. | Haaa…aaa….. haaa…aa.. |
| Male | |
| Thiruvaai malarvaai | Open your precious lips and blossom, |
| Tharuvaai en paavaai | Bestow yourself, my doll, |
| Varuvaai viraivaai | Come quickly, |
| Naan soodum poovaai | As the flower that I adorn. |
| Saambal rusikka thaniyaavaai | Become so unique as to relish even ashes, |
| Female :Aaaa… | Female: Aaaa… |
| Male :Kaayai pusikkum kaniyaavaai | Male: Become the fruit eaten raw like an unripe fruit, |
| Female :Aaaa… | Female: Aaaa… |
| Male | |
| Poovaikku naangal | For this flower-like woman, |
| Poo vaikka vendum | We must place flowers. |
| Boologam yaavum | From all across the world, |
| Poo koiya vendum | We must pluck flowers. |
| Male | |
| Minnalilae | From the lightning, |
| Female :Laa lalalaa… | Female: Laa lalalaa… |
| Male :Oru kayiru edu | Male: Take a rope, |
| Female :Laa lalalaa… | Female: Laa lalalaa… |
| Male | |
| Megangalaal oru thooli idu | Male: Hang a cradle made of clouds! |
| Kadhiro thaliro | Is it a sunbeam or a tender leaf sprout, |
| Ila magaladhu thirumugam | The divine face of this young maiden? |
| Female | |
| Laalalal laalala | Laalalal laalala |
| Laa lala laalalal laalala laa | Laa lala laalalal laalala laa |
| Lala laalalal laalala laa… | Lala laalalal laalala laa… |
| Female | |
| Laallala laallala laallala laallaa… | Laallala laallala laallala laallaa… |
| Laallala laallala laallala laallaa… | Laallala laallala laallala laallaa… |
| Aahaa aahaa laallalaa laallaa | Aahaa aahaa laallalaa laallaa |
| Aaaa aaaa laa laalaa… | Aaaa aaaa laa laalaa… |
| Male | |
| Mudhumai oru naal | Old age, one day, |
| Nammai vandhu theendum | Will come and touch us. |
| Moondraam kaalil | On a third leg (walking stick), |
| Naam nirkka vendum | We will have to stand. |
| Mudiyai paarthaal muzhu vellai | Looking at the hair, it will be completely white, |
| Female :Aaaa… | Female: Aaaa… |
| Male :Madiyil thavazhum magan pillai | Male: A infant son crawling on our lap, |
| Female :Aaaaa… | Female: Aaaaa… |
| Male | |
| Nee yendhi konja | As you lift and pamper him, |
| Naan konjam kenja | As I plead slightly with you, |
| Female :Hahaha | Female: Hahaha |
| Male :Poo pondra pinju | Male: A flower-like delicate baby, |
| En nenjil thunja | Sleeping peacefully on my chest, |
| Paai adhanil | Upon the mat, |
| Female :Laa lalalaa… | Female: Laa lalalaa… |
| Male :Nee saaindhirukka | Male: As you lean back, |
| Female :Laa lalalaa… | Female: Laa lalalaa… |
| Male :Pasi adangi naan oindhirukka | Male: My hunger appeased, as I rest, |
| Irukkum varaikkum | As long as I live, |
| Ennai dhinasari anusari | Adjust with me and walk alongside me every single day. |
| Male | |
| Kunguma chengamalam | A red saffron lotus, |
| Female :Aaaa… | Female: Aaaa… |
| Male :Ila mangaiyin thanga mugam | Male: The golden face of a young maiden. |
| Female :Aaaa… | Female: Aaaa… |
| Male :Pasi thoondum amudham | Male: Nectar that triggers hunger, |
| Female :Aaaa… | Female: Aaaa… |
| Male :Thara vendum kamalam | Male: Lotus, you must bestow it upon me, |
| Un koondhal poo vanam mm… | Your hair is a flower garden, mm... |
| Male | |
| Kunguma chengamalam | A red saffron lotus, |
| Female :Aaaa… | Female: Aaaa… |
| Male :Ila mangaiyin thanga mugam | Male: The golden face of a young maiden. |
| Oru kunguma chengamalam | A red saffron lotus, |
| Female :Laalaalaalaa… | Female: Laalaalaalaa… |
ஒரு குங்கும செங்கமலம்
இள மங்கையின் தங்க முகம்
ஒரு குங்கும செங்கமலம்
இள மங்கையின் தங்க முகம்
பசி தூண்டும் அமுதம்
தர வேண்டும் கமலம்
உன் கூந்தல் பூவனம் ம்ம்.....
A red saffron lotus,
The golden face of a young maiden.
A red saffron lotus,
The golden face of a young maiden.
Nectar that triggers hunger,
Lotus, you must bestow it upon me,
Your hair is a flower garden, mm...
ஒரு குங்கும செங்கமலம்
இள மங்கையின் தங்க முகம்
ஒரு குங்கும செங்கமலம்
A red saffron lotus,
The golden face of a young maiden.
A red saffron lotus,
ஹா....ஆஅ....ஹா....ஆ....
Haaa…aaa….. haaa…aa..
திருவாய் மலர்வாய்
தருவாய் என் பாவாய்
வருவாய் விரைவாய்
நான் சூடும் பூவாய்
சாம்பல் ருசிக்க தனியாவாய்
ஆஅ.....
காயை புசிக்கும் கனியாவாய்
ஆஆ.....
Open your precious lips and blossom,
Bestow yourself, my doll,
Come quickly,
As the flower that I adorn.
Become so unique as to relish even ashes,
Female: Aaaa…
Male: Become the fruit eaten raw like an unripe fruit,
Female: Aaaa…
பூவைக்கு நாங்கள்
பூ வைக்க வேண்டும்
பூலோகம் யாவும்
பூ கொய்ய வேண்டும்
For this flower-like woman,
We must place flowers.
From all across the world,
We must pluck flowers.
மின்னலிலே
லா லலலா....
ஒரு கயிறு எடு
லா லலலா....
From the lightning,
Female: Laa lalalaa…
Male: Take a rope,
Female: Laa lalalaa…
மேகங்களால்
ஒரு தூளி இடு
கதிரோ தளிரோ
இள மகளது திருமுகம்
Male: Hang a cradle made of clouds!
Is it a sunbeam or a tender leaf sprout,
The divine face of this young maiden?
லால்லா லால்லா
லா லல லால்லால் லால்லல லா
லல லால்லால் லால்லல லா.....
Laalalal laalala
Laa lala laalalal laalala laa
Lala laalalal laalala laa…
..........................
Laallala laallala laallala laallaa…
Laallala laallala laallala laallaa…
Aahaa aahaa laallalaa laallaa
Aaaa aaaa laa laalaa…
முதுமை ஒரு நாள்
நம்மை வந்து தீண்டும்..
மூன்றாம் காலில்
நாம் நிற்க வேண்டும்..
முடியை பார்த்தால் முழு வெள்ளை
ஆஆஅ.....
மடியில் தவழும் மகன் பிள்ளை
ஆஆ.....
Old age, one day,
Will come and touch us.
On a third leg (walking stick),
We will have to stand.
Looking at the hair, it will be completely white,
Female: Aaaa…
Male: A infant son crawling on our lap,
Female: Aaaaa…
நீ ஏந்தி கொஞ்ச
நான் கொஞ்சம் கெஞ்ச
ஹாஹஹா
பூ போன்ற பிஞ்சு
என் நெஞ்சில் துஞ்ச
பாய் அதனில்
லா லலலா
நீ சாய்ந்திருக்க
லா லலலா
பசி அடங்கி நான் ஓய்ந்திருக்க..
இருக்கும் வரைக்கும்
எனை தினசரி அனுசரி
As you lift and pamper him,
As I plead slightly with you,
Female: Hahaha
Male: A flower-like delicate baby,
Sleeping peacefully on my chest,
Upon the mat,
Female: Laa lalalaa…
Male: As you lean back,
Female: Laa lalalaa…
Male: My hunger appeased, as I rest,
As long as I live,
Adjust with me and walk alongside me every single day.
குங்கும செங்கமலம்
ஆஅ.....
இள மங்கையின் தங்க முகம்
ஆஅ.....
பசி தூண்டும் அமுதம்
ஆஅ.....
தர வேண்டும் கமலம்
உன் கூந்தல் பூவனம் ம்ம்
A red saffron lotus,
Female: Aaaa…
Male: The golden face of a young maiden.
Female: Aaaa…
Male: Nectar that triggers hunger,
Female: Aaaa…
Male: Lotus, you must bestow it upon me,
Your hair is a flower garden, mm...
ஒரு குங்கும செங்கமலம்
ஆஅ.....
இள மங்கையின் தங்க முகம்
ஒரு குங்கும செங்கமலம்..
லாலாலாலா......
A red saffron lotus,
Female: Aaaa…
Male: The golden face of a young maiden.
A red saffron lotus,
Female: Laalaalaalaa…
Oru kunguma chengamalam
A red saffron lotus,
Ila mangaiyin thanga mugam
The golden face of a young maiden.
Oru kunguma chengamalam
A red saffron lotus,
Ila mangaiyin thanga mugam
The golden face of a young maiden.
Pasi thoondum amudham
Nectar that triggers hunger,
Thara vendum kamalam
Lotus, you must bestow it upon me,
Un koondhal poo vanam mm…
Your hair is a flower garden, mm...
Oru kunguma chengamalam
A red saffron lotus,
Ila mangaiyin thanga mugam
The golden face of a young maiden.
Oru kunguma chengamalam
A red saffron lotus,
Haaa…aaa….. haaa…aa..
Haaa…aaa….. haaa…aa..
Thiruvaai malarvaai
Open your precious lips and blossom,
Tharuvaai en paavaai
Bestow yourself, my doll,
Varuvaai viraivaai
Come quickly,
Naan soodum poovaai
As the flower that I adorn.
Saambal rusikka thaniyaavaai
Become so unique as to relish even ashes,
Female :Aaaa…
Female: Aaaa…
Male :Kaayai pusikkum kaniyaavaai
Male: Become the fruit eaten raw like an unripe fruit,
Female :Aaaa…
Female: Aaaa…
Poovaikku naangal
For this flower-like woman,
Poo vaikka vendum
We must place flowers.
Boologam yaavum
From all across the world,
Poo koiya vendum
We must pluck flowers.
Minnalilae
From the lightning,
Female :Laa lalalaa…
Female: Laa lalalaa…
Male :Oru kayiru edu
Male: Take a rope,
Female :Laa lalalaa…
Female: Laa lalalaa…
Megangalaal oru thooli idu
Male: Hang a cradle made of clouds!
Kadhiro thaliro
Is it a sunbeam or a tender leaf sprout,
Ila magaladhu thirumugam
The divine face of this young maiden?
Laalalal laalala
Laalalal laalala
Laa lala laalalal laalala laa
Laa lala laalalal laalala laa
Lala laalalal laalala laa…
Lala laalalal laalala laa…
Laallala laallala laallala laallaa…
Laallala laallala laallala laallaa…
Laallala laallala laallala laallaa…
Laallala laallala laallala laallaa…
Aahaa aahaa laallalaa laallaa
Aahaa aahaa laallalaa laallaa
Aaaa aaaa laa laalaa…
Aaaa aaaa laa laalaa…
Mudhumai oru naal
Old age, one day,
Nammai vandhu theendum
Will come and touch us.
Moondraam kaalil
On a third leg (walking stick),
Naam nirkka vendum
We will have to stand.
Mudiyai paarthaal muzhu vellai
Looking at the hair, it will be completely white,
Female :Aaaa…
Female: Aaaa…
Male :Madiyil thavazhum magan pillai
Male: A infant son crawling on our lap,
Female :Aaaaa…
Female: Aaaaa…
Nee yendhi konja
As you lift and pamper him,
Naan konjam kenja
As I plead slightly with you,
Female :Hahaha
Female: Hahaha
Male :Poo pondra pinju
Male: A flower-like delicate baby,
En nenjil thunja
Sleeping peacefully on my chest,
Paai adhanil
Upon the mat,
Female :Laa lalalaa…
Female: Laa lalalaa…
Male :Nee saaindhirukka
Male: As you lean back,
Female :Laa lalalaa…
Female: Laa lalalaa…
Male :Pasi adangi naan oindhirukka
Male: My hunger appeased, as I rest,
Irukkum varaikkum
As long as I live,
Ennai dhinasari anusari
Adjust with me and walk alongside me every single day.
Kunguma chengamalam
A red saffron lotus,
Female :Aaaa…
Female: Aaaa…
Male :Ila mangaiyin thanga mugam
Male: The golden face of a young maiden.
Female :Aaaa…
Female: Aaaa…
Male :Pasi thoondum amudham
Male: Nectar that triggers hunger,
Female :Aaaa…
Female: Aaaa…
Male :Thara vendum kamalam
Male: Lotus, you must bestow it upon me,
Un koondhal poo vanam mm…
Your hair is a flower garden, mm...
Kunguma chengamalam
A red saffron lotus,
Female :Aaaa…
Female: Aaaa…
Male :Ila mangaiyin thanga mugam
Male: The golden face of a young maiden.
Oru kunguma chengamalam
A red saffron lotus,
Female :Laalaalaalaa…
Female: Laalaalaalaa…
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic romantic track 'Oru Kunguma Chengamalam' from the film Aaradhanai (1981) paints a poetic portrait of deep romantic passion, marital intimacy, and lifelong devotion. The song opens with rich sensory imagery, describing the heroine's delicate beauty through floral and celestial metaphors—comparing her face to a golden red lotus and her hair to a fragrant garden.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Ila mangaiyin thanga mugam”
Compares the face of the young maiden directly to gold ('thanga mugam'), highlighting her radiant radiance.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Un koondhal poo vanam”
Compares the heroine's long hair to a flower garden ('poo vanam').
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Thiruvaai malarvaai / Tharuvaai en paavaai / Varuvaai viraivaai”
Multiple consecutive words end with the rhyming sound 'vaai' and 'paavaai', creating a melodious rhythm.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Moondraam kaalil naam nirkka vendum”
'Third leg' ('moondraam kaal') is a Tamil poetic metaphor referring to a walking stick used in old age.
Did you know?
Trivia
Although listed with unknown credits in the query, 'Oru Kunguma Chengamalam' is a classic romantic duet composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja for the 1981 film 'Aaradhanai' (starring Suman and Sumalatha). The song was rendered by legendary singers S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki, featuring lyrics by Vairamuthu.
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