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Lyrics & meaning

Oru Mugathil Yean

From Thulli Odum Pulliman · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Thulli Odum Pulliman1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oru mugaththil yaen intha onbathu paavamWhy are these nine emotions present on a single face?
Oru mugaththil yaen intha onbathu paavamWhy are these nine emotions present on a single face?
Adhai ovvondraai solluvathae pengal subaavamExpressing them one by one is the nature of women.
Male
Oru mugaththil yaen intha onbathu paavamWhy are these nine emotions present on a single face?
Adhai ovvondraai solluvathae pengal subaavamExpressing them one by one is the nature of women.
Male
Oru mugaththil yaen intha onbathu paavamWhy are these nine emotions present on a single face?
Male
Nilam paarkkum pothil adhil naanam naanamWhen looking down at the ground, it displays shyness, shyness.
Kangal mugam paarkkumpothu adhu kadhal kadhalWhen eyes meet the face, it becomes love, love.
Nilam paarkkum pothil adhil naanam naanamWhen looking down at the ground, it displays shyness, shyness.
Kangal mugam paarkkumpothu adhu kadhal kadhalWhen eyes meet the face, it becomes love, love.
Male
Ora kannaal paarppathuthaan azhaippuGlancing from the corner of the eye is an invitation.
Ora kannaal paarppathuthaan azhaippuGlancing from the corner of the eye is an invitation.
Aadai odhungumpothu thirunthuvathu ninaippu ninaippuWhen the dress slips, one's thoughts straighten up and correct themselves.
Male
Oru mugaththil yaen intha onbathu paavamWhy are these nine emotions present on a single face?
Adhai ovvondraai solluvathae pengal subaavamExpressing them one by one is the nature of women.
Male
Oru mugaththil yaen intha onbathu paavamWhy are these nine emotions present on a single face?
Male
Chellamaaga kaattuvathu kobamShowing anger playfully and lovingly.
Kannam killivittaal thondruvathu sogamIf the cheek is pinched, sadness appears.
Chellamaaga kaattuvathu kobamShowing anger playfully and lovingly.
Kannam killivittaal thondruvathu sogamIf the cheek is pinched, sadness appears.
Male
Mella vanthu anaikkumpothu thigaippuWhen embraced gently, there is astonishment and surprise.
Mella vanthu anaikkumpothu thigaippuWhen embraced gently, there is astonishment and surprise.
Neram sella sella nenjukkulae viyappuAs time passes, wonder grows deep within the heart.
Male
Oru mugaththil yaen intha onbathu paavamWhy are these nine emotions present on a single face?
Male
Anthiyilae santhippil aaval aavalIn the evening meeting, there is eager longing, longing.
Adhil ammammaa endru oru paadal paadalIn that, a song arises saying 'Ammammaa'.
Anthiyilae santhippil aaval aavalIn the evening meeting, there is eager longing, longing.
Adhil ammammaa endru oru paadal paadalIn that, a song arises saying 'Ammammaa'.
Male
Kann mayangi oodal seiyyum uravuA relationship that engages in a lovers' tiff with swooning eyes.
Kann mayangi oodal seiyyum uravuA relationship that engages in a lovers' tiff with swooning eyes.
Adhikaalaiyilae mugam muzhuthum amaithi amaithiIn the early morning, the entire face is filled with peace, peace.
Male
Oru mugaththil yaen intha onbathu paavamWhy are these nine emotions present on a single face?
Adhai ovvondraai solluvathae pengal subaavamExpressing them one by one is the nature of women.
Male
Oru mugaththil yaen intha onbathu paavam…Why are these nine emotions present on a single face…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic track celebrates the Indian aesthetic concept of 'Navarasa'—the nine fundamental human emotions (Shringara/Love, Naanam/Shyness, Kobam/Anger, Sogam/Sadness, Viyappu/Wonder, Aaval/Longing, Amaithi/Peace, etc.)—as manifested in a woman's expressions during romantic intimate moments across the day and night.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Oru mugaththil yaen intha onbathu paavam / Adhai ovvondraai solluvathae pengal subaavam

The lines end with rhyming sounds 'paavam' and 'subaavam'.

Adukku Thodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Nilam paarkkum pothil adhil naanam naanam

Repetition of words like 'naanam naanam', 'kadhal kadhal', 'aaval aaval', and 'amaithi amaithi' enhances both emotional intensity and musical cadence.

Conceptual Allusion (Navarasa Mapping)

Oru mugaththil yaen intha onbathu paavam

Kannadasan masterfully maps the classical aesthetic theory of nine emotions (Navarasa) onto the changing facial expressions and emotional beats of a lover.

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Trivia

Composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics by Kaviarasu Kannadasan and sung by K. J. Yesudas, this song from 'Thulli Odum Pulliman' (1971) is widely celebrated among Tamil music lovers for its clever thematic structure, systematically listing different facial expressions corresponding to the classical Navarasas.

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