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Lyrics & meaning

Oruvan Oruthi Thunai

From Veettukku Vandha Marumagal · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
A. M. Raja, Jikki
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Veettukku Vandha Marumagal1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oruvan oruththi thunai saernthu vittaalIf a man and a woman unite as companions,
Tamil oorvalam pogaathoWon't Tamil go on a grand procession?
Oruvan oruththi thunai saernthu vittaalIf a man and a woman unite as companions,
Tamil oorvalam pogaathoWon't Tamil go on a grand procession?
Female
Ondrai ondru alli eduththaalWhen they embrace each other closely,
Ulagam muzhuvathum mayangaatho….Won't the entire world be mesmerized?
Ondrai ondru alli eduththaalWhen they embrace each other closely,
Ulagam muzhuvathum mayangaatho…Won't the entire world be mesmerized?
Female
Ponnoonjal podum kannoonjal meedhuUpon the eye-swing that rocks like a golden swing,
Neeyaadum aattamennaWhat is this dance that you perform?
Male :En poojai melangal aasai raagangalMale: The drums of my worship and the ragas of desire,
Paadum paadalenna…aa….What is this song that they sing?
Female
Manthaara megam vanthaadum koondhalYour dark hair where rain-bearing clouds come to dance,
Panthaada ketpathennaWhy does it ask to play like a ball?
Male :Poomaalai polen maarbil soodaMale: To adorn my chest like a flower garland,
Naan pogum vegamennaWhat is this speed at which I am rushing?
Female
Udal maari maari aadi vizhunthuBodies swaying and falling rhythmically,
Male :Varum maayam pola kadhal virunthuMale: Like magic comes this grand feast of love!
Female
Oruvan oruththi thunai saernthu vittaalIf a man and a woman unite as companions,
Tamil oorvalam pogaathoWon't Tamil go on a grand procession?
Male :Ondrai ondru alli eduththaalMale: When they embrace each other closely,
Ulagam muzhuvathum mayangaatho….Won't the entire world be mesmerized?
Male
Senthoora vaayil sinthaatha thenaiThe un-spilled honey from your vermilion lips,
Undaalum bodhai tharumEven without tasting, it intoxicates!
Female :En pookkal naangaiyum eekkal pola neeFemale: Like flies buzzing around my four flowers,
Paarkka mbodhai varumWhen you look at me, intoxication sets in!
Male
Thenpaangu selai kaipottu moodumDraped in a southern style saree,
Ponmaeni bodhai tharumYour golden body brings intoxication!
Female :Nee thedi paarkkalaam odi paarkkalaamFemale: You can search and see, or run and see,
En maeni paadhai tharumMy body will pave the pathway for you!
Male
Idhu aandu nooru vaazhum uravuThis is a relationship that will live for a hundred years,
Female :Intha aandu thorum kadhal iravuFemale: Every passing year will have nights of love!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic duet, 'Oruvan Oruththi Thunai Saernthu Vittaal', celebrates marital union, intimacy, and eternal companionship. The song sets a poetically rich tone by comparing the joyful togetherness of lovers to a magnificent cultural procession of the Tamil language itself. The lovers engage in a playful yet passionate dialogue, describing how their gaze, touch, and physical closeness create an intoxicating feeling of romance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Tamil oorvalam pogaatho

Compares the grand, divine, and harmonious union of lovers to a majestic procession of the rich Tamil language.

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Male :Poomaalai polen maarbil sooda

Compares embracing the lover against one's chest to wearing a fragrant flower garland.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Senthoora vaayil sinthaatha thenai

The initial 'S' sound is repeated in 'Senthoora' and 'sinthaatha'.

Metaphor

Manthaara megam vanthaadum koondhal

Directly compares thick, flowing dark hair to dense rain-clouds coming to dance.

Did you know?

Trivia

This iconic duet was sung by the real-life husband-and-wife duo A. M. Raja and Jikki, two of the most celebrated voices of classic Tamil cinema. The song was composed by the duo Shankar-Ganesh with poetic lyrics penned by Kannadasan, who masterfully infused Tamil literary aesthetics into romantic cinema lyrics.

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