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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pulli Maane Pulli Maane

From Jagathalaprathapan · 1990

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
K. S. Chithra, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Jagathalaprathapan1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pulli maane pulli maaneSpotted deer, spotted deer
Un jodi naan thaanaeI am your partner, am I not?
Pulli maane pulli maaneSpotted deer, spotted deer
Un jodi naan thaanaeI am your partner, am I not?
Maanu pogum paadhaiyellamWherever the deer goes
Machaan pogum paadhaiyammaIs the path that the beloved takes, my dear
Maanu pogum paadhaiyellamWherever the deer goes
Machaan pogum paadhaiyammaIs the path that the beloved takes, my dear
Nee engae ada naan angaeWherever you are, look, I am there
Female
Pulli maane pulli maaneSpotted deer, spotted deer
Un jodi naan thaanaeI am your partner, am I not?
Maanu pogum paadhaiyellamWherever the deer goes
Machaan pogum paadhaiyammaIs the path that the beloved takes, my dear
Nee engae ada naan angaeWherever you are, look, I am there
Male
Pulli maane pulli maaneSpotted deer, spotted deer
Un jodi naan thaanaeI am your partner, am I not?
Male
Thoppukkulla kaavalillaThere is no guard in the grove
Suthhi muthi yaarumillaThere is no one around
Medhuva vandhu thodavaShall I come slowly and touch you?
Female
Kaanji pona kaalai idhuThis is a parched bull
Kattuthari meeri vidumIt will break free from its post
Allava innum sollavaIs that so? Should I say more?
Male
Ethana kaalam innum thavikkaHow long must I keep longing?
Pen poovaeOh female flower!
Eppadi innum ennai adakkaHow can I keep controlling myself?
Ethana kaalam innum thavikkaHow long must I keep longing?
Pen poovaeOh female flower!
Eppadi innum ennai adakkaHow can I keep controlling myself?
Female :Aadura maatta aadura padiyumFemale: Milking the dancing cow as it dances
Paadura maatta paadura padiyumMilking the singing cow as it sings
Odura maatta odiya padiyum neeyum karakkaMilking the running cow as it runs, you milk them all
Male
Pulli maane pulli maaneSpotted deer, spotted deer
Un jodi naan thaanaeI am your partner, am I not?
Female :Maanu pogum paadhaiyellamFemale: Wherever the deer goes
Machaan pogum paadhaiyammaIs the path that the beloved takes, my dear
Male :Nee engae ada naan angaeMale: Wherever you are, look, I am there
Female
Pulli maane pulli maaneSpotted deer, spotted deer
Un jodi naan thaanaeI am your partner, am I not?
Female
Aathukkulla neen kulikkaWhile you were bathing in the river
Akkam pakkam vandhadhennaWhy did you come nearby?
Kannaiyaa ilam ponnaiyaaMy dear man, young golden man
Male
Thangathukku manja pooTurmeric flower for golden beauty
Aasapattu vandhirukkenI have come with deep desire
Kannamma ilam ponnammaMy dear girl, young golden girl
Female
Manmadha manjam katti kodungaBuild a bed of love
En kannilaeIn my eyes
Sangathi konjam kathu kodungaTeach me a few secrets of love
Male :AahaaMale: Aha!
Female :Manmadha manjam katti kodungaFemale: Build a bed of love
En kannilaeIn my eyes
Sangathi konjam kathu kodungaTeach me a few secrets of love
Male
Paingili undhan kappam kattaOh parrot, to pay tribute to you
Mohanarajan vandha pinnumEven after the charming king has arrived
Kanni pennae nenjukkullae naanam yaenoOh young maiden, why is there shyness inside your heart?
Female
Pulli maaneMale :HoiSpotted deer... Male: Hoi!
Female :Pulli maaneMale :HaaFemale: Spotted deer... Male: Haa!
Female :Un jodi naan thaanaeFemale: I am your partner, am I not?
Male :Ho maanu pogum paadhaiyellamMale: Wherever the deer goes
Machaan pogum paadhaiyammaIs the path that the beloved takes, my dear
Female :Nee engae ada naan angaeFemale: Wherever you are, look, I am there
Male
Pulli maane pulli maaneSpotted deer, spotted deer
Un jodi naan thaanaeI am your partner, am I not?
Female
Pulli maane pulli maaneSpotted deer, spotted deer
Un jodi naan thaanaeI am your partner, am I not?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful duet features a hero and heroine expressing their mutual romantic affection and playful teasing through pastoral, nature-themed metaphors. The lovers refer to each other affectionately using imagery of deer, bulls, flowers, and rural life, affirming that wherever one goes, the other will follow. As the song progresses, they express their passionate longing, overcoming hesitation and shyness to embrace love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor & Imagery

Pulli maane pulli maane

Comparing the heroine to a 'Pulli maane' (spotted deer) and 'Pen poove' (female flower), and the hero to 'Kaanji pona kaalai' (parched bull) conveys rural romance and rustic vitality.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Aadura maatta aadura padiyum

The second consonant 'du' is repeated across successive lines (Aadura, Paadura, Odura), creating a rhythmic folk cadence.

Anaphora / Repetition

Pulli maane pulli maane

Repetition of the phrase 'Pulli maane' establishes the central hook and rhythm of the song.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Jagathalaprathapan' (1990) stars Mohan, Raadhika, and Lakshmi, with music composed by Mahesh-Suresh. The lyrics penned by Vairamuthu evoke traditional Tamil folk romantic conventions.

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