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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Singalathu Chinnakuyile

From Punnagai Mannan · 1986

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Punnagai Mannan1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Jingala jingala jingala jingalaJingala jingala jingala jingala
Jingala jingala jingala jingalaJingala jingala jingala jingala
Female
Jingala jinga jeeboomba jingala jinga..Jingala jinga jeeboomba jingala jinga..
Kannam valikkum killathae kalluli manga..My cheek hurts, don't pinch it, you mischievous sly mango!
Male :Hooo…Male: Hooo...
Male
Singalathu chinna kuyilaeO little cuckoo from Sri Lanka,
Ennaku oru manthirathai sollu mayilae..Teach me a magical spell, my peacock..
Male
Singalathu chinna kuyilaeO little cuckoo from Sri Lanka,
Ennaku oru manthirathai sollu mayilae..Teach me a magical spell, my peacock..
Male
Jingala jinga jeeboomba jingala jinga.Jingala jinga jeeboomba jingala jinga.
Jingala jinga jeeboomba jingala jinga.Jingala jinga jeeboomba jingala jinga.
Male :Hooo….Male: Hooo....
Male
Anbae nee indri alaigal aadaathuMy love, without you, the ocean waves will not dance,
Kangal saainthaalum imaigal moodathuEven if the eyes close, eyelids cannot rest,
Poovae neeyindri pozhuthum pogaathuMy flower, without you, time will not pass,
Kaadhal illaamal kavithai vaazhathuWithout love, poetry cannot thrive.
Female
Aatharikka nalla ilaignanA fine young man to support you,
Manam vittu kaathalikka nalla kavignanA fine poet to love you with an open heart,
Male
Kaadhalikka vantha kalaignanAn artist who came seeking love,
Ivan endrum thaavanikku nalla thalaivanHe is forever a worthy leader for a maiden's heart.
Female
Thadai ethu thalaivaaWhat obstacle is there, my leader?
Idai melae udai neeyaeYou are like the garment draped over my waist,
Poomanjam nee poda vaa..Come to lay a bed of flowers..
Female
Enakkena singalathu chinna kuyil naanAm I not the little Sri Lankan cuckoo for you?
Unnakoru manthiratha sollum mayil naanI am the peacock who will recite a magical spell for you,
Female
Singalathu chinna kuyil naanI am the little Sri Lankan cuckoo,
Unnakoru manthiratha sollum mayil naanI am the peacock who will recite a magical spell for you.
Male
Jingala jinga jeeboomba jingala jinga.Jingala jinga jeeboomba jingala jinga.
Jingala jinga jeeboomba jingala jinga..Jingala jinga jeeboomba jingala jinga..
Male :Hooo…Male: Hooo...
Female
Nilavae naanthanaa nijamaa veen gaeliAm I really the moon, or is this idle teasing?
Unthan madithaanae nilavin naarkaaliYour lap alone is the throne of the moon.
Oru naal amarnthaalum ulagil naan raaniEven if I sit there for a day, I am the queen of the world.
Kaaman poochudum kalaiyil nee gnyaniIn the art of Cupid's floral adornment, you are a master.
Male
Aathirathil thottu vaikirenI touch you gently in my eager passion,
Irukkattum rathirikku vittuvaikiren..Let it be, I reserve the rest for the night..
Female
Vittuvidu thathalikkirenLet go, I am trembling and restless!
Ennai vittu etti nillu echarikkiren..Stay away from me, I warn you..
Male
Pidivaatham thagumaIs this stubbornness appropriate?
Kodi ondru kani rendu vaangaamal thaangathamma..Can a vine endure without embracing its two fruits?
Male
Singalathu chinna kuyilaeO little cuckoo from Sri Lanka,
Ennaku oru manthirathai sollu mayilae..Teach me a magical spell, my peacock..
Male
Singalathu chinna kuyilaeO little cuckoo from Sri Lanka,
Ennaku oru manthirathai sollu mayilae..Teach me a magical spell, my peacock..
Female
Jingala jinga jeeboomba jingala jinga..Jingala jinga jeeboomba jingala jinga..
Kannam valikkum killathae kalluli manga..My cheek hurts, don't pinch it, you mischievous sly mango!
Male :Hooo…Male: Hooo...
Male
Jingala jinga jeeboomba jingala jinga.Jingala jinga jeeboomba jingala jinga.
Jingala jinga jeeboomba jingala jinga.Jingala jinga jeeboomba jingala jinga.
Male :Hooo….Male: Hooo....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Singalathu Chinna Kuyilae is a vibrant romantic duet from the 1986 film Punnagai Mannan. The song portrays playful romance and teasing banter between the lead characters. The male lover affectionately addresses his beloved as a sweet Sri Lankan cuckoo and a peacock, asking her for the secret spell of her love. The female lover responds with equal wit, balancing playful resistance with genuine affection. Through poetic metaphors connecting nature, moonlight, and love, the song highlights the passionate connection and anticipation between the lovers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhyme / Iyaibu

Singalathu chinna kuyilae / Ennaku oru manthirathai sollu mayilae..

End-rhyming scheme with matching vowel-consonant sounds at the end of poetic lines.

Metaphor / Uruvagaim

Unthan madithaanae nilavin naarkaali

Comparing the lover's lap directly to a throne made for the moon.

Alliteration / Monai

Anbae nee indri alaigal aadaathu

Repetition of initial vowel sounds across words in the same line.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vairamuthu, this energetic song features playback singing by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and K. S. Chithra. The track incorporates rhythmic chant-like syllables ('Jingala jinga') and playful references to Sri Lanka, reflecting the setting and background of the characters in the film.

Keep listening

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