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Lyrics & meaning

Oru Pakkam Neruppu

From Vandikkaran Magan · 1978

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Vandikkaran Magan1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Oru pakkam neruppuOn one side, fire
Maru pakkam nilavuOn the other side, the moon
Iru pakkam kondathuPossessing both these sides
Ilamaiyin azhago azhaguThe beauty of youth is stunningly gorgeous
Azhago azhagu azhago azhaguSuch beauty, sheer beauty, beauty, beauty!
Female
Oru pakkam neruppuOn one side, fire
Maru pakkam nilavuOn the other side, the moon
Iru pakkam kondathuPossessing both these sides
Ilamaiyin azhago azhaguThe beauty of youth is stunningly gorgeous
Azhago azhagu azhago azhaguSuch beauty, sheer beauty, beauty, beauty!
Female
Vallinam mellinam irandum thiranduHard and soft consonants blending together
Kalanthu purandu valarntha pennaanathuMerging and rolling to form a fully bloomed woman
Villinam velinam irandu NelinthuThe bow's curve and spear's edge bending together
Valainthu kuzhainthu malarntha kannaanathuCurving and softening into fully bloomed eyes
Female
Idaiyinam oru kodi polaeThe middle class (waist) is like a slender creeper vine
Padanthida varum madi melaeComing to spread across your lap
Idaiyinam oru kodi polaeThe middle class (waist) is like a slender creeper vine
Padanthida varum madi melaeComing to spread across your lap
Madhukkudam allavo pennaagiIs she not a pot of honey turned into a woman?
Kannaa un munnaadi thallaaduthu….aa….aa…Oh beloved, she staggers right before you!
Female
Oru pakkam neruppuOn one side, fire
Maru pakkam nilavuOn the other side, the moon
Iru pakkam kondathuPossessing both these sides
Ilamaiyin azhago azhaguThe beauty of youth is stunningly gorgeous
Azhago azhagu azhago azhaguSuch beauty, sheer beauty, beauty, beauty!
Female
kaalaiyil sooriyan kizhakkilUntil the morning sun in the east
Uthikkum varaikkumRises once again
Namakku inikkum ullaasameSweet pleasure awaits us!
Kaamanin saasthiram udhattil varainthuDrawing the scriptures of Kama on the lips
Iruttil virainthu padikkum oiyyaarameReading them hastily and stylishly in the dark
Female
Azhagiya malar ival maeniHer body is a beautiful flower
Aruginil oru isai thaeneeBeside it is a musical honeybee
Azhagiya malar ival maeniHer body is a beautiful flower
Aruginil oru isai thaeneeBeside it is a musical honeybee
Arimugam illaiyo….andraadamIs there no daily introduction?
Mannaa un pon maadam vanthaadavaa aa…aa…Oh King, shall I come dance in your golden palace?
Female
Oru pakkam neruppuOn one side, fire
Maru pakkam nilavuOn the other side, the moon
Iru pakkam kondathuPossessing both these sides
Ilamaiyin azhago azhaguThe beauty of youth is stunningly gorgeous
Azhago azhagu azhago azhaguSuch beauty, sheer beauty, beauty, beauty!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Oru Pakkam Neruppu' is a sensuous and vibrant song from the 1978 film 'Vandikkaran Magan', sung by L. R. Eswari and composed by M. S. Viswanathan. The song celebrates the intoxicating beauty and passionate nature of youth, comparing it to two contrasting elements: fire (representing heat, desire, and passion) and the moon (representing coolness, grace, and tranquility). Lyricist Vaali brilliantly incorporates Tamil grammatical classifications—Vallinam (hard consonants), Mellinam (soft consonants), and Idaiyinam (medium consonants)—as clever double entendres to describe a woman's physical form and waist ('idai'). Sung with sultry elegance by L. R. Eswari, the track captures the romantic anticipation and night-long allure between lovers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Tamil Grammar Metaphor / Double Entendre

Vallinam mellinam irandum thirandu... Idaiyinam oru kodi polae

Vaali uses Tamil grammatical terms (Vallinam, Mellinam, Idaiyinam) to metaphorically describe a woman's body parts and attributes. 'Idaiyinam' specifically plays on 'Idai' meaning waist.

Muran (Oxymoron / Contrast)

Oru pakkam neruppu / Maru pakkam nilavu

Contrasts two opposing elements—fire (heat, desire) and moon (coolness, serenity)—to highlight the duality of youth and feminine beauty.

Upamai (Simile)

Idaiyinam oru kodi polae

Compares the slender waist of a woman to a creeper vine ('kodi') using the explicit comparative word 'polae' (like).

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Azhagiya malar ival maeni / Aruginil oru isai thaenee

The words 'maeni' and 'thaenee' rhyme at the end of consecutive lines, giving the lyrics a pleasant lyrical flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Vandikkaran Magan' (1978) stars Jaishankar and Jayachitra. The song 'Oru Pakkam Neruppu' is renowned among Tamil music enthusiasts for lyricist Vaali's ingenious linguistic wordplay, where he adapted traditional Tamil grammar classifications (Vallinam, Mellinam, Idaiyinam) into sensual poetic metaphors. Composer M. S. Viswanathan crafted a distinctive cabaret-style rhythm tailored for L. R. Eswari's iconic voice.

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