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Lyrics & meaning

Oru Manjakuruvi

From Ponnu Oorukku Pudhusu · 1979

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ponnu Oorukku Pudhusu1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oru manjakuruvi en nenja thazhuviA yellow sparrow caressed my heart
Oru manjakuruvi en nenja thazhuviA yellow sparrow caressed my heart
Hara hoi oru ullaasa kadhaiya sollaama solliHara hoi, silently telling a tale of joyful delight
Panpaadudhu enna kondaadudhuSinging a tune, celebrating me
Oru manjakuruvi en nenja thazhuviA yellow sparrow caressed my heart
Male
Vellarikkaa kodi aattamSwaying like a cucumber vine
Oru kanni ponnu vekkathula thadumaaraAs a young maiden stumbles in shyness
Thulli varum ilang kandraaiLike a young calf prancing around
Oru chinna paiyan pakkathula vilaiyaadaAs a small boy plays nearby
Idhu oru naalil mudivaanaIs this love that ends in a single day?
Pudhumai kaadhallidhuThis is a new kind of love
Inikkum ilamai modhal idhuThis is the sweet clash of youth
Hara ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho hoiHara ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho hoi
Ho hoi ho ho ho ho ho hoiHo hoi ho ho ho ho ho hoi
Male
Ilam paruvathilae vandha dhevadhaiyaeO goddess who came in my youth
Nee oru varam tharuvaayo hoiWill you grant me a boon? Hoi!
Oru manjakuruvi en nenja thazhuviA yellow sparrow caressed my heart
Male
Munnum pinnum sarivaagaProportioned perfectly front and back
Siru vannam kondu minnal ena vandhaalaeShe arrived like lightning adorned in vibrant colors
Ennam engum suvaiyaagaMaking thoughts sweet everywhere
En sindhai kolla virundhenna nindraalaeShe stood like a feast to captivate my mind
Ini uravaada thadaiyaedhu valarum mogammadiWhat barrier remains to intimacy now? Passion is growing, my dear
Anaippil adangum thaegammadiA body that fits snugly in an embrace, my dear
Hara ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho hoiHara ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho hoi
Ho hoi ho ho ho ho ho hoiHo hoi ho ho ho ho ho hoi
Male
Theruvorathilae vandha dhevadhaiyaeO goddess who appeared by the street side
Nee oru varam tharuvaayo hoiWill you grant me a boon? Hoi!
Oru manjakuruvi en nenja thazhuviA yellow sparrow caressed my heart
Male
Oru manjakuruvi en nenja thazhuviA yellow sparrow caressed my heart
Hara hoi oru ullaasa kadhaiya sollaama solliHara hoi, silently telling a tale of joyful delight
Panpaadudhu enna kondaadudhuSinging a tune, celebrating me
Oru manjakuruvi en nenja thazhuviA yellow sparrow caressed my heart
Oru manjakuruvi en nenja thazhuviA yellow sparrow caressed my heart

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Oru Manja Kuruvi' captures the effervescent joy and playful excitement of newfound romance in a rustic, rural setting. The protagonist compares his beloved—and the feeling of falling in love—to a yellow sparrow gently touching his heart, conveying happiness and affection without needing explicit words. Rich with nature-based imagery like swaying vines and playful calves, the lyrics paint a picture of youthful desire and sweet bashfulness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Oru manjakuruvi en nenja thazhuvi

The beloved or the flutter of budding romance is metaphorically portrayed as a 'yellow sparrow' gently caressing the heart.

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Siru vannam kondu minnal ena vandhaalae

The arrival of the maiden is compared using 'ena' (like) to a sudden streak of lightning filled with bright colors.

Imagery

Vellarikkaa kodi aattam... Thulli varum ilang kandraai

Evokes vivid rural imagery of swaying cucumber vines and a lively prancing calf to describe youth, innocence, and romantic playfulness.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyming)

Munnum pinnum sarivaaga / Ennam engum suvaiyaaga

The second letter 'n' (ன/ண்) rhymes between 'Munnum' and 'Ennam', creating a rhythmic flow in the verse.

Did you know?

Trivia

From the 1979 film 'Ponnu Oorukku Pudhusu', this classic song features music composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Panchu Arunachalam. The song is famed for its catchy, upbeat folk rhythm and rustic charm, which helped establish the film as a memorable village-centric hit of the late 1970s.

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