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Lyrics & meaning

Thanga Mohana Thaamaraiye

From Pudhaiyal · 1957

Lyricist
M. K. Aathmanathan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Pudhaiyal1957

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thanga mogana thaamaraiyaeO golden enchanting lotus,
Nee sengathir kandu sirippadhanaalaeBecause you blossom with a smile upon seeing the red rays of the sun,
Mangaiyar vadhanam vaadudhae..The faces of women wither in envy,
Ila mangaiyar vadhanam vaadudhaeThe faces of young women wither.
Chorus
Thanga mogana thaamaraiyaeO golden enchanting lotus,
Nee sengathir kandu sirippadhanaalaeBecause you blossom with a smile upon seeing the red rays of the sun,
Mangaiyar vadhanam vaadudhae..The faces of women wither in envy,
Ila mangaiyar vadhanam vaadudhaeThe faces of young women wither.
Female
Pongum alli nilavai kanduWhen the overflowing night lily beholds the moon,
Sondham kondapothuAnd claims it as its very own,
Engal nenjam inbam kanduWhen will our hearts witness joy,
Magizhum neram yaedhu.. hoi..oooAnd find time to rejoice? Hoi... ooo...
Chorus
Pongum alli nilavai kanduWhen the overflowing night lily beholds the moon,
Sondham kondapothuAnd claims it as its very own,
Engal nenjam inbam kanduWhen will our hearts witness joy,
Magizhum neram yaedhuAnd find time to rejoice?
Chorus
Thanga mogana thaamaraiyaeO golden enchanting lotus,
Nee sengathir kandu sirippadhanaalaeBecause you blossom with a smile upon seeing the red rays of the sun,
Mangaiyar vadhanam vaadudhae..The faces of women wither in envy,
Ila mangaiyar vadhanam vaadudhaeThe faces of young women wither.
Female
Gaanam paadi varumComing while singing a sweet song,
Kaadhal vandu thanaiSeeking the loving beetle,
Thaedum mullai malaraeO jasmine flower,
Yengi vaadum mullai malaraeO jasmine flower longing and wilting,
Chorus :Yengi vaadum mullai malaraeChorus: O jasmine flower longing and wilting,
Chorus
Gaanam paadi varumComing while singing a sweet song,
Kaadhal vandu thanaiSeeking the loving beetle,
Thaedum mullai malaraeO jasmine flower,
Yengi vaadum mullai malaraeO jasmine flower longing and wilting,
Yengi vaadum mullai malaraeO jasmine flower longing and wilting,
Female
Aanandhamaaga unaiyae kaanaTo joyfully gaze upon you,
Anbaay odi varudhaeIt comes running with love,
Aanandhamaaga unaiyae kaanaTo joyfully gaze upon you,
Anbaay odi varudhaeIt comes running with love,
Vandu anbaai odi varudhaeThe beetle comes running with love,
Female
O… kaniyum ilamaithanilaeOh... in this sweet, ripening youth,
Valarum inimai kaadhalaalaeThrough the sweetness of growing love,
Kannum kannum kavidhai paadaAs eyes meet and recite poetry,
Ennum indha velaiyilae..At this moment of contemplation...
Female
O… kaniyum ilamaithanilaeOh... in this sweet, ripening youth,
Valarum inimai kaadhalaalaeThrough the sweetness of growing love,
Chorus
Kannum kannum kavidhai paadaAs eyes meet and recite poetry,
Ennum indha velaiyilae..At this moment of contemplation...
Chorus
Aa…thanga mogana thaamaraiyaeAh... O golden enchanting lotus,
Nee sengathir kandu sirippadhanaalaeBecause you blossom with a smile upon seeing the red rays of the sun,
Mangaiyar vadhanam vaadudhae..The faces of women wither in envy,
Ila mangaiyar vadhanam vaadudhaeThe faces of young women wither.
Aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…aaa….Aaa... aaa... aaa... aaa... aaa... aaa...
Aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…aaa….Aaa... aaa... aaa... aaa... aaa... aaa...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song uses rich nature imagery—specifically comparing flowers like the lotus, lily, and jasmine alongside elements like the sun, moon, and beetles—to metaphorically convey romantic longing and natural beauty. The lotus smiling at the morning sun causes young maidens to feel envious, serving as a poetic comparison for incomparable charm. Similarly, the relationship between the longing jasmine flower and the hovering beetle reflects the eager anticipation and devotion in romantic courtship. As youth ripens, silent glances between lovers express deep romantic poetry without words. Rooted in classical Tamil literary motifs (Sangam symbolism), the lyricist uses flora and fauna to mirror human affection, desire, and the transformative joy of falling in love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Nee sengathir kandu sirippadhanaalae

Attributing human emotions and actions like smiling ('sirippadhanaalae') to the lotus blooming upon seeing the sun.

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Kannum kannum kavidhai paada

Comparing silent, affectionate glances between lovers to the composition of poetry.

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

Kannum kannum kavidhai paada

Repetition of the initial consonant/vowel sound sound 'Ka' across 'Kannum' and 'Kavidhai'.

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Trivia

Pudhaiyal (1957) is a classic Tamil movie starring Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini, directed by D. Yoganand. Although listed as unknown in some song databases, the film's musical score was composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy with lyrics written by M. K. Aathmanathan.

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