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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oru Mantharapoo

From Chinna Jameen · 1993

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Mano, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Chinna Jameen1993

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oru manthara pooA Hibiscus flower
Vantha manthiramaa…oh..Is it magic that has arrived... oh..
Ava mutham onnuA single kiss from her
Thantha thanthiramaa..Is it a trick she performed..
Female
Oru manthara pooA Hibiscus flower
Vantha manthiramaa…oh..Is it magic that has arrived... oh..
Ava mutham onnuA single kiss from her
Thantha thanthiramaa..Is it a trick she performed..
Male
Malayooram maanthoppu..The mango grove near the mountain slope..
Maanthoppil poongathu..The pleasant breeze in that mango grove..
Sugamaaga veesum..Blows delightfully..
Saayangaala velaiyil..In the quiet evening time..
Female
Oru manthara pooA Hibiscus flower
Vantha manthiramaa…oh..Is it magic that has arrived... oh..
Ava mutham onnuA single kiss from her
Thantha thanthiramaa..Is it a trick she performed..
Female
Nitham nithamEvery single day
Na kulikkum manjalukkuFor the turmeric paste I bathe with
Onna vittaa..Except for you..
Yarumilla kaavalukku..There is no one to protect it..
Male
Nenjikullaa..Inside my heart..
Unna vechen pathiramaa..I have kept you safely..
Na rasikkaa..For me to admire..
Theeti vecha chithiramaa..Like a finely painted portrait..
Female
Unnaala rathirii..Because of you, at night..
Thookam kettu poguthuMy sleep is completely ruined
Male
Oththaiyila thogunaa..When I sleep all alone..
En udambu novuthuMy body aches
Female
Unna vittu anju nimisamLeaving you even for five minutes
Ennaal vazha aavathu..I cannot bear to live..
Male
Oru manthara pooA Hibiscus flower
Vantha manthiramaa…oh..Is it magic that has arrived... oh..
Ava mutham onnuA single kiss from her
Thantha thanthiramaa..Is it a trick she performed..
Female
Malayooram maanthoppu..The mango grove near the mountain slope..
Maanthoppil poongathu..The pleasant breeze in that mango grove..
Sugamaaga veesum..Blows delightfully..
Saayangaala velaiyil..In the quiet evening time..
Male
Oru manthara pooA Hibiscus flower
Vantha manthiramaa…oh..Is it magic that has arrived... oh..
Ava mutham onnuA single kiss from her
Thantha thanthiramaa..Is it a trick she performed..
Male
Veththalaiyaaa paaku vechiFolding betel leaf and betel nut
Na koduppen..I will offer it to you..
Ne suvachi..After you savor it..
Mithcham meedhi na eduppen..I will take the rest and eat it..
Female
Sembeduthu..Taking a copper vessel..
Paal nirappi na koduppen..Filling it with milk, I will offer it..
Nee kudikkaa..When you drink it..
Mithcham meedhi na kudippen.I will drink whatever is left over.
Male
Onnaaga sernthudhaanJoining together as one
Chandhirana paakanumWe must gaze at the moon
Female
Undaana yekkathaThe intense longing that has arisen
Renduperum theerkanumBoth of us must fulfill together
Male
Nalliravil naama kalanthaWhen we unite in the deep night
Kozhi koova koodathu….The rooster should not crow to mark the dawn….
Female
Oru manthara pooA Hibiscus flower
Vantha manthiramaa…oh..Is it magic that has arrived... oh..
Ava mutham onnuA single kiss from her
Thantha thanthiramaa..Is it a trick she performed..
Male
Malayooram maanthoppu..The mango grove near the mountain slope..
Maanthoppil poongathu..The pleasant breeze in that mango grove..
Sugamaaga veesum..Blows delightfully..
Saayangaala velaiyil..In the quiet evening time..
Female
Oru manthara pooA Hibiscus flower
Vantha manthiramaa…oh..Is it magic that has arrived... oh..
Male :Ava mutham onnuMale: A single kiss from her
Thantha thanthiramaa..Is it a trick she performed..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Oru Manthara Poo' is a romantic duet from the 1993 Tamil film Chinna Jameen, featuring lyrics written by Vaali set to a vibrant composition by Ilaiyaraaja. Set against a serene rural backdrop of a mountain mango grove in the evening, the song captures the sweet intimacy and intense romantic longing shared between two lovers. They describe each other's affection as magical and spellbinding, expressing how even five minutes apart feels unbearable. The lyricist weaves traditional village imagery and romantic customs into the song—sharing betel leaves, drinking leftover milk from a copper vessel, and guarding one another inside their hearts like a cherished artwork. As night falls, the couple yearns for an unbroken union, playfully wishing that dawn would never arrive so their night of togetherness could last forever.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Vantha manthiramaa…oh.. / Thantha thanthiramaa..

The lines end with matching rhyming words 'manthiramaa' and 'thanthiramaa', creating a musical rhythm in the refrain.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Malayooram maanthoppu.. / Maanthoppil poongathu..

Repetition of the 'Ma' sound at the start of consecutive lines creates melodic flow.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Theeti vecha chithiramaa..

The lover is metaphorically described as a carefully drawn, exquisite portrait kept safe inside the heart.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Onnaaga sernthudhaan / Undaana yekkatha

The second consonant sound 'n' ('ன்') rhymes across consecutive lines 'Onnaaga' and 'Undaana'.

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Trivia

'Oru Manthara Poo' from Chinna Jameen (1993) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with vocals rendered by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Swarnalatha. The film stars Karthik, Sukanya, and Vineetha. Vaali's lyrics stand out for their blend of playful rural innocence and sensual romance, making it one of the popular duet tracks from early 90s Tamil cinema.

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