Thanjavooru Mannu Eduthu
From Porkkaalam · 1997
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Krishnaraj
- Music director
- Deva
- Details
- Porkkaalam1997
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Haaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa… | Haaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa… |
| Haaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa… | Haaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa… |
| Male | |
| Thanjaavooru mannu eduthu | Taking the clay of Tanjore |
| Thaamarabarani thanniya vittu | And pouring the water of Tamirabarani |
| Thanjaavooru mannu eduthu | Taking the clay of Tanjore |
| Thaamarabarani thanniya vittu | And pouring the water of Tamirabarani |
| Serthu serthu senjadhindha bomma | Combining them together, this doll was sculpted |
| Idhu bommayilla bommayilla unma | This is not just a doll, not just a doll, it is a living reality |
| Male | |
| Ethanaiyo bomma senjen | I have crafted so many dolls |
| Kannammaa… aaa…aaa…. | Oh Kannamma… aaa…aaa…. |
| Ethanaiyo bomma senjen | I have crafted so many dolls |
| Kannammaa… | Oh Kannamma… |
| Adi athanaiyum onnappola | Hey, will all of them shine like this one? |
| Minnumaa ..badhil sollumaa | Will they shine? Give me an answer! |
| Male | |
| {Thandhaanae thandhaanae | Thandhaanae thandhaanae |
| Thandhaana kuyilae saami | Oh rhythmic cuckoo, my deity |
| Thandhaanae thandhaanae | Thandhaanae thandhaanae |
| Ennoada mayilae} (2) | Oh my precious peacock (Repeated 2 times) |
| Female | |
| Haa…aa….aaa….aaa…. | Haa…aa….aaa….aaa…. |
| Haa…aa…aa… | Haa…aa…aa… |
| Haa….aaa…aa… | Haa….aaa…aa… |
| Haa….aaa…aaa….aaa…. | Haa….aaa…aaa….aaa…. |
| Haa…..aaa….aaa..aaa….aaa… | Haa…..aaa….aaa..aaa….aaa… |
| Male | |
| Mookku senja mannu | The clay used to craft her nose |
| Adhu moonaaru | That came from Munnar |
| Pattu kannam senja mannu | The clay used for her silky cheeks |
| Adhu ponnooru | That came from Ponnoor |
| Kaadhu senja mannu | The clay used to sculpt her ears |
| Adhu melooru | That came from Melur |
| Ava odhadu senja mannu | The clay used to craft her lips |
| Mattum thaenooru | Came uniquely from Thenoor |
| Male | |
| Karuppu koondhal senjadhu | Her dark black hair was made |
| Karisappatti mannunga | From the soil of Karisalpatti |
| Thanga kazhuthu senjadhu | Her golden neck was sculpted |
| Sangagiri mannunga | From the soil of Sangagiri |
| Male | |
| Vaayazhagu senjadhellam | Her beautiful mouth was sculpted |
| Vaigaiyaathu mannunga | From the soil of the Vaigai riverbed |
| Pallazhagu senjadhu | Her beautiful teeth were sculpted |
| Mullaiyooru mannunga | From the soil of Mullaiyoor |
| Male | |
| Neththi seiyum mannukku | To find the right clay for her forehead |
| Suththi suththi vandhenga | You searched all around everywhere |
| Nelaavil manneduthu | Taking soil directly from the moon |
| Neththi senjen paarunga | Look, I sculpted her forehead! |
| Male | |
| Thandhaanae thandhaanae | Thandhaanae thandhaanae |
| Thandhaana kuyilae saami | Oh rhythmic cuckoo, my deity |
| Thandhaanae thandhaanae | Thandhaanae thandhaanae |
| Ennoada mayilae | Oh my precious peacock |
| Male | |
| Thanjaavooru mannu eduthu | Taking the clay of Tanjore |
| Thaamarabarani thanniya vittu | And pouring the water of Tamirabarani |
| Serthu serthu senjadhindha bomma | Combining them together, this doll was sculpted |
| Idhu bommayilla bommayilla unma | This is not just a doll, not just a doll, it is a living reality |
| Male | |
| Thangavayal manneduthen | I gathered soil from Thangavayal |
| Thozhukku | To shape her shoulders |
| Naan thaamarappaadi manneduthen | I gathered soil from Thamarappaadi |
| Dhanathukku | To shape her bosom |
| Vaazhaiyoothu manneduthen | I gathered soil from Vaazhaiyoothu |
| Vayithukku | To shape her stomach |
| Ada kanjanooru manneduthen | Ah, I gathered soil from Kanjanoor |
| Iduppukku | To shape her waist |
| Male | |
| Kaanjipuram veedhiyila | From the streets of Kanchipuram |
| Manneduthen kaigalukku | I gathered soil for her hands |
| Srirangam manneduthen | I took soil from Srirangam |
| Chinnapponnu veralukku | For this young girl's fingers |
| Male | |
| Pattukkotta oadaiyila | From the streams of Pattukkottai |
| Manneduthen kaalukku | I gathered soil for her feet |
| Paanjaalanguruchiyila | From Panchalankurichi |
| Manneduthen negathukku | I gathered soil for her fingernails |
| Male | |
| Oorellaam manneduthu | Gathering clay from every town across the land |
| Uruvam thandhen odambukku | I gave form to her body |
| Ennusura naan koduthu | By offering my very own soul |
| Usuru thandhen kannukku | I gave life to her eyes! |
| Male | |
| Thandhaanae thandhaanae | Thandhaanae thandhaanae |
| Thandhaana kuyilae saami | Oh rhythmic cuckoo, my deity |
| Thandhaanae thandhaanae | Thandhaanae thandhaanae |
| Ennoada mayilae | Oh my precious peacock |
| Male | |
| Podu….. | Hit it!... |
| Thanjaavooru mannu eduthu | Taking the clay of Tanjore |
| Thaamarabarani thanniya vittu | And pouring the water of Tamirabarani |
| Serthu serthu senjadhindha bomma | Combining them together, this doll was sculpted |
| Idhu bommayilla bommayilla unma | This is not just a doll, not just a doll, it is a living reality |
| Male | |
| Ethanaiyo bomma senjen | I have crafted so many dolls |
| Kannammaa… aaa…aaa…. | Oh Kannamma… aaa…aaa…. |
| Ethanaiyo bomma senjen | I have crafted so many dolls |
| Kannammaa… | Oh Kannamma… |
| Adi athanaiyum onnappola | Hey, will all of them shine like this one? |
| Minnumaa ..badhil sollumaa | Will they shine? Give me an answer! |
| Male | |
| Thandhaanae thandhaanae | Thandhaanae thandhaanae |
| Thandhaana kuyilae saami | Oh rhythmic cuckoo, my deity |
| Thandhaanae thandhaanae | Thandhaanae thandhaanae |
| Ennoada mayilae | Oh my precious peacock |
| Podu…… | Hit it!... |
ஆஹா ம்ம்ம்ம்....ஆஹா.....ம்ம்ம்
ஆஆ....ஆஅ....ஆஅ....
ஆஹா ம்ம்ம்ம்....ஆஹா.....ம்ம்ம்
ஆஆ....ஆஅ....ஆஅ....
Haaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Haaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
ஆஆஆ.....ஆஆ....ஆஆ
ஆஆஆ.....ஆஆ....ஆஆ
Taking the clay of Tanjore
And pouring the water of Tamirabarani
Taking the clay of Tanjore
And pouring the water of Tamirabarani
Combining them together, this doll was sculpted
This is not just a doll, not just a doll, it is a living reality
தஞ்சாவூரு மண்ணு எடுத்து
தாமிரபரணித் தண்ணிய விட்டு
I have crafted so many dolls
Oh Kannamma… aaa…aaa….
I have crafted so many dolls
Oh Kannamma…
Hey, will all of them shine like this one?
Will they shine? Give me an answer!
தஞ்சாவூரு மண்ணு எடுத்து
தாமிரபரணித் தண்ணிய விட்டு
சேர்த்து சேர்த்து செஞ்சதிந்த பொம்மை
இது பொம்மையில்ல
பொம்மையில்ல உண்மை
Thandhaanae thandhaanae
Oh rhythmic cuckoo, my deity
Thandhaanae thandhaanae
Oh my precious peacock (Repeated 2 times)
எத்தனையோ பொம்மை
செஞ்சேன் கண்ணம்மா...ஆஆ.....
எத்தனையோ பொம்மை
செஞ்சேன் கண்ணம்மா
அடி அத்தனையும் உன்னப்போல
மின்னுமா பதில் சொல்லம்மா
Haa…aa….aaa….aaa….
Haa…aa…aa…
Haa….aaa…aa…
Haa….aaa…aaa….aaa….
Haa…..aaa….aaa..aaa….aaa…
தந்தானே தந்தானே
தந்தானக் குயிலே
சாமி தந்தானே தந்தானே
என்னோட மயிலே
தந்தானே தந்தானே
தந்தானக் குயிலே
சாமி தந்தானே தந்தானே
என்னோட மயிலே
The clay used to craft her nose
That came from Munnar
The clay used for her silky cheeks
That came from Ponnoor
The clay used to sculpt her ears
That came from Melur
The clay used to craft her lips
Came uniquely from Thenoor
ஆஅ....அஹா....ஆஆ....
ஆஆ.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....அஹா.....ஆஅ...
ஆஆ.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ.....அஹா.....ஆஅ...
Her dark black hair was made
From the soil of Karisalpatti
Her golden neck was sculpted
From the soil of Sangagiri
மூக்கு செஞ்ச
மண்ணு அது மூணாரு
பட்டுக் கன்னம் செஞ்ச
மண்ணு அது பொன்னூரு
Her beautiful mouth was sculpted
From the soil of the Vaigai riverbed
Her beautiful teeth were sculpted
From the soil of Mullaiyoor
காது செஞ்ச
மண்ணு அது மேலூரு
அவ உதடு செஞ்ச மண்ணு
மட்டும் தேனூரு
To find the right clay for her forehead
You searched all around everywhere
Taking soil directly from the moon
Look, I sculpted her forehead!
கருப்புக் கூந்தல் செஞ்சது
கரிசப்பட்டி மண்ணுங்க
தங்கக் கழுத்து செஞ்சது
சங்ககிரி மண்ணுங்க
Thandhaanae thandhaanae
Oh rhythmic cuckoo, my deity
Thandhaanae thandhaanae
Oh my precious peacock
வாயழகு செஞ்சதெல்லம்
வைகையாத்து மண்ணுங்க
பல்லழகு செஞ்சது
முல்லையூரு மண்ணுங்க
Taking the clay of Tanjore
And pouring the water of Tamirabarani
Combining them together, this doll was sculpted
This is not just a doll, not just a doll, it is a living reality
நெத்தி செய்யும் மண்ணுக்கு
சுத்தி சுத்தி வந்தேங்க
நிலாவில் மண்ணெடுத்து
நெத்தி செஞ்சேன் பாருங்க
I gathered soil from Thangavayal
To shape her shoulders
I gathered soil from Thamarappaadi
To shape her bosom
I gathered soil from Vaazhaiyoothu
To shape her stomach
Ah, I gathered soil from Kanjanoor
To shape her waist
தந்தானே தந்தானே
தந்தானக் குயிலே
சாமி தந்தானே தந்தானே
என்னோட மயிலே
From the streets of Kanchipuram
I gathered soil for her hands
I took soil from Srirangam
For this young girl's fingers
தஞ்சாவூரு மண்ணு எடுத்து
தாமிரபரணித் தண்ணிய விட்டு
சேர்த்து சேர்த்து செஞ்சதிந்த பொம்மை
இது பொம்மையில்ல
பொம்மையில்ல உண்மை
From the streams of Pattukkottai
I gathered soil for her feet
From Panchalankurichi
I gathered soil for her fingernails
தங்கவயல்
மண்ணெடுத்தேன் தோளுக்கு
நான் தாமரப்பாடி
மண்ணெடுத்தேன் தனத்துக்கு
Gathering clay from every town across the land
I gave form to her body
By offering my very own soul
I gave life to her eyes!
வாழையூத்து
மண்ணெடுத்தேன் வயித்துக்கு
அட கஞ்சனூரு
மண்ணெடுத்தேன் இடுப்புக்கு
Thandhaanae thandhaanae
Oh rhythmic cuckoo, my deity
Thandhaanae thandhaanae
Oh my precious peacock
காஞ்சிபுரம் வீதியில
மண்ணெடுத்தேன் கைகளுக்கு
ஸ்ரீரங்கம் மண்ணெடுத்தேன்
சின்னப்பொண்ணு வெரலுக்கு
Hit it!...
Taking the clay of Tanjore
And pouring the water of Tamirabarani
Combining them together, this doll was sculpted
This is not just a doll, not just a doll, it is a living reality
பட்டுக்கோட்டை ஓடையில
மண்ணெடுத்தேன் காலுக்கு
பாஞ்சாலங்குறிச்சியில
மண்ணெடுத்தேன் நகத்துக்கு
I have crafted so many dolls
Oh Kannamma… aaa…aaa….
I have crafted so many dolls
Oh Kannamma…
Hey, will all of them shine like this one?
Will they shine? Give me an answer!
ஊரெல்லாம் மண்ணெடுத்து
உருவம் தந்தேன் உடம்புக்கு
என் உசுர நான் கொடுத்து
உசுரு தந்தேன் கண்ணுக்கு
Thandhaanae thandhaanae
Oh rhythmic cuckoo, my deity
Thandhaanae thandhaanae
Oh my precious peacock
Hit it!...
தந்தானே தந்தானே
தந்தானக் குயிலே
சாமி தந்தானே தந்தானே
என்னோட மயிலே
போடு
தஞ்சாவூரு மண்ணு எடுத்து
தாமிரபரணித் தண்ணிய விட்டு
சேர்த்து சேர்த்து செஞ்சதிந்த பொம்மை
இது பொம்மையில்ல
பொம்மையில்ல உண்மை
எத்தனையோ பொம்மை
செஞ்சேன் கண்ணம்மா ஆஆ.....
எத்தனையோ பொம்மை
செஞ்சேன் கண்ணம்மா
அடி அத்தனையும் உன்னப்போல
மின்னுமா பதில் சொல்லம்மா
தந்தானே தந்தானே
தந்தானக் குயிலே
சாமி தந்தானே தந்தானே
என்னோட மயிலே
போடு......
ஆஆஆ.....ஆஆ....ஆஆ
ஆஆஆ.....ஆஆ....ஆஆ
Haaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Haaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Haaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Haaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Thanjaavooru mannu eduthu
Taking the clay of Tanjore
Thaamarabarani thanniya vittu
And pouring the water of Tamirabarani
Thanjaavooru mannu eduthu
Taking the clay of Tanjore
Thaamarabarani thanniya vittu
And pouring the water of Tamirabarani
Serthu serthu senjadhindha bomma
Combining them together, this doll was sculpted
Idhu bommayilla bommayilla unma
This is not just a doll, not just a doll, it is a living reality
Ethanaiyo bomma senjen
I have crafted so many dolls
Kannammaa… aaa…aaa….
Oh Kannamma… aaa…aaa….
Ethanaiyo bomma senjen
I have crafted so many dolls
Kannammaa…
Oh Kannamma…
Adi athanaiyum onnappola
Hey, will all of them shine like this one?
Minnumaa ..badhil sollumaa
Will they shine? Give me an answer!
{Thandhaanae thandhaanae
Thandhaanae thandhaanae
Thandhaana kuyilae saami
Oh rhythmic cuckoo, my deity
Thandhaanae thandhaanae
Thandhaanae thandhaanae
Ennoada mayilae} (2)
Oh my precious peacock (Repeated 2 times)
Haa…aa….aaa….aaa….
Haa…aa….aaa….aaa….
Haa…aa…aa…
Haa…aa…aa…
Haa….aaa…aa…
Haa….aaa…aa…
Haa….aaa…aaa….aaa….
Haa….aaa…aaa….aaa….
Haa…..aaa….aaa..aaa….aaa…
Haa…..aaa….aaa..aaa….aaa…
Mookku senja mannu
The clay used to craft her nose
Adhu moonaaru
That came from Munnar
Pattu kannam senja mannu
The clay used for her silky cheeks
Adhu ponnooru
That came from Ponnoor
Kaadhu senja mannu
The clay used to sculpt her ears
Adhu melooru
That came from Melur
Ava odhadu senja mannu
The clay used to craft her lips
Mattum thaenooru
Came uniquely from Thenoor
Karuppu koondhal senjadhu
Her dark black hair was made
Karisappatti mannunga
From the soil of Karisalpatti
Thanga kazhuthu senjadhu
Her golden neck was sculpted
Sangagiri mannunga
From the soil of Sangagiri
Vaayazhagu senjadhellam
Her beautiful mouth was sculpted
Vaigaiyaathu mannunga
From the soil of the Vaigai riverbed
Pallazhagu senjadhu
Her beautiful teeth were sculpted
Mullaiyooru mannunga
From the soil of Mullaiyoor
Neththi seiyum mannukku
To find the right clay for her forehead
Suththi suththi vandhenga
You searched all around everywhere
Nelaavil manneduthu
Taking soil directly from the moon
Neththi senjen paarunga
Look, I sculpted her forehead!
Thandhaanae thandhaanae
Thandhaanae thandhaanae
Thandhaana kuyilae saami
Oh rhythmic cuckoo, my deity
Thandhaanae thandhaanae
Thandhaanae thandhaanae
Ennoada mayilae
Oh my precious peacock
Thanjaavooru mannu eduthu
Taking the clay of Tanjore
Thaamarabarani thanniya vittu
And pouring the water of Tamirabarani
Serthu serthu senjadhindha bomma
Combining them together, this doll was sculpted
Idhu bommayilla bommayilla unma
This is not just a doll, not just a doll, it is a living reality
Thangavayal manneduthen
I gathered soil from Thangavayal
Thozhukku
To shape her shoulders
Naan thaamarappaadi manneduthen
I gathered soil from Thamarappaadi
Dhanathukku
To shape her bosom
Vaazhaiyoothu manneduthen
I gathered soil from Vaazhaiyoothu
Vayithukku
To shape her stomach
Ada kanjanooru manneduthen
Ah, I gathered soil from Kanjanoor
Iduppukku
To shape her waist
Kaanjipuram veedhiyila
From the streets of Kanchipuram
Manneduthen kaigalukku
I gathered soil for her hands
Srirangam manneduthen
I took soil from Srirangam
Chinnapponnu veralukku
For this young girl's fingers
Pattukkotta oadaiyila
From the streams of Pattukkottai
Manneduthen kaalukku
I gathered soil for her feet
Paanjaalanguruchiyila
From Panchalankurichi
Manneduthen negathukku
I gathered soil for her fingernails
Oorellaam manneduthu
Gathering clay from every town across the land
Uruvam thandhen odambukku
I gave form to her body
Ennusura naan koduthu
By offering my very own soul
Usuru thandhen kannukku
I gave life to her eyes!
Thandhaanae thandhaanae
Thandhaanae thandhaanae
Thandhaana kuyilae saami
Oh rhythmic cuckoo, my deity
Thandhaanae thandhaanae
Thandhaanae thandhaanae
Ennoada mayilae
Oh my precious peacock
Podu…..
Hit it!...
Thanjaavooru mannu eduthu
Taking the clay of Tanjore
Thaamarabarani thanniya vittu
And pouring the water of Tamirabarani
Serthu serthu senjadhindha bomma
Combining them together, this doll was sculpted
Idhu bommayilla bommayilla unma
This is not just a doll, not just a doll, it is a living reality
Ethanaiyo bomma senjen
I have crafted so many dolls
Kannammaa… aaa…aaa….
Oh Kannamma… aaa…aaa….
Ethanaiyo bomma senjen
I have crafted so many dolls
Kannammaa…
Oh Kannamma…
Adi athanaiyum onnappola
Hey, will all of them shine like this one?
Minnumaa ..badhil sollumaa
Will they shine? Give me an answer!
Thandhaanae thandhaanae
Thandhaanae thandhaanae
Thandhaana kuyilae saami
Oh rhythmic cuckoo, my deity
Thandhaanae thandhaanae
Thandhaanae thandhaanae
Ennoada mayilae
Oh my precious peacock
Podu……
Hit it!...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This celebratory folk-pop song from the 1997 Tamil movie 'Porkkaalam' celebrates the master craftsmanship of a sculptor creating a doll of extraordinary beauty. Lyricist Vairamuthu ingeniously uses a geography-based poetic motif, attributing each feature and body part of the doll/woman to rich soil gathered from different iconic towns and riverbanks across Tamil Nadu—such as Tanjore for clay, Tamirabarani for water, Munnar for the nose, Srirangam for fingers, and the Moon for the forehead. Ultimately, the artisan breathes his own soul into the sculpture to bring her eyes to life, symbolizing the ultimate dedication of a creator to his art.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Place-Name Wordplay / Geographic Metaphor (Slesha / Place Puns)
“Mookku senja mannu / Adhu moonaaru”
Vairamuthu cleverly links body parts to towns in Tamil Nadu whose names pun on or evoke physical traits, such as 'Thenoor' (honey town) for sweet lips, 'Sangagiri' (conch/shell hill) for a shell-like neck, and 'Karisalpatti' (black soil land) for black hair.
Adukku Thodar (Repetition for Emphasis)
“Serthu serthu senjadhindha bomma”
Words like 'serthu serthu' (joining together) and 'suththi suththi' (turning around repeatedly) are repeated consecutively to enhance rhythmic cadence and emphasize painstaking effort.
Hyperbole (Atisayokti)
“Nelaavil manneduthu / Neththi senjen paarunga”
The lyricist uses extreme exaggeration by claiming the sculptor gathered soil from the moon to craft her glowing forehead, and surrendered his own soul to grant vision to her eyes.
Monal / Rhyme Scheme (Edhugai & Moonaa)
“Thanjaavooru mannu eduthu / Thaamarabarani thanniya vittu”
Consistent second-letter rhyming (Edhugai) across couplets, e.g., 'Thanjaavooru' and 'Thaamarabarani' sharing the 'i'/'aa' consonant-vowel flow.
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Trivia
Composed by Deva for Cheran's critically acclaimed drama 'Porkkaalam' (1997), this song won widespread praise for Vairamuthu's poetic creativity in mapping Tamil Nadu geography to human anatomy. Singer Krishnaraj won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for his energetic performance of this folk classic.
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