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Isaimozhi
Michael Raj album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Thenna Mara Thoppukulle

From Michael Raj · 1987

Lyricist
Mu. Metha
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Vani Jairam
Music director
Chandrabose
Movie name
Michael Raj
Movie release year
1987
Lyrics added on
10 Feb 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thenna mara thoppukulla varuvaa varuvaa
Thenpandi muththu onnu tharuvaa
Thenna mara thoppukulla varuvaa varuvaa
Thenpandi muththu onnu tharuvaa
Intha oorukkulla ava oru azhagi
Intha rani kitta kachchithama pazhgi
Ava ponnaana manasula pugunthukkuvaen
Thenna mara thoppukulla varuvaen varuvae
Thenpandi muththu onnu tharuvaen
Thenna mara thoppukulla varuvaen varuvae
Thenpandi muththu onnu tharuvaen
Namma oorukulla naan oru azhagi
Enna vachhcirukka kachchithamma pazhagi
Intha ponnaana manasula pugunthukkuvaen
Thenna mara thoppukulla varuvaa varuvaa
Thenpandi muththu onnu tharuvaa
Pachchakili koththunathu sevanthirukku
Sembavala odhattula siripedhukku….aa…
Female :Thottathula manmathanin kaaththadichchu
Neththu vachcha ottuch chedi pooththiruchchi
Panju meththai enakkangu virichchaachu
Paai virikka vera edam kedachchaachu
Female :Thanni kodam thookkiyittu nadanthaalae
Thalumbuthu en manasu mama
Male :Ada naanirukken paaththukkiraen
Aaththu pakkam vaammaa
Thenna mara thoppukulla varuvaen varuvae
Thenpandi muththu onnu tharuvaen
Male :Thenna mara thoppukulla varuvaa varuvaa
Thenpandi muththu onnu tharuvaa
Macchu veedu onnu angu unakkirukku
Mannu veedu kattikkira nenappedhukku haa
Male :Mannu veedu katturathu sarithaammaa
Chinna veedu enakkonnu venaammaa
Pakkaththula paththu peru irukkaiyilae
Pakkuvamaa eppadi nee kooppuduve
Male :Veththalaiyil sunnaamba thadavi kittu
Veralaala jaadai seiyallaamaa
Female :Ada kammaangara ooraththila kaaththiruppaen aamaa
Thenna mara thoppukulla varuvaa varuvaa
Thenpandi muththu onnu tharuvaa
Female :Thenna mara thoppukulla varuvaen varuvae
Thenpandi muththu onnu tharuvaen
Intha oorukulla ava oru azhagi
Female :Enna vachchirukka kachchithammaa pazhagi
Male :Ava ponnaana manasula pugunthukkuvaen
Thenna mara thoppukulla varuvaen varuvae
Thenpandi muththu onnu tharuvaen
Male :Thenna mara thoppukulla varuvaa varuvaa
Thenpandi muththu onnu tharuvaa……
She will come into the coconut grove, she will come,
She will give me a pearl from the southern land.
She will come into the coconut grove, she will come,
She will give me a pearl from the southern land.
In this town, she is the ultimate beauty.
Moving closely and fitting just right with this queen,
I will step into her golden heart.
I will come into the coconut grove, I will come,
I will give you a pearl from the southern land.
I will come into the coconut grove, I will come,
I will give you a pearl from the southern land.
In our town, I am the beauty.
You have bonded with me so closely and well,
I will step into this golden heart.
She will come into the coconut grove, she will come,
She will give me a pearl from the southern land.
Where the green parrot pecked, it has turned red,
Why this smile on those coral-red lips? Ah...
Female: As the breeze of Manmathan (god of love) blew in the garden,
The grafted plant we set yesterday has bloomed.
A soft cotton bed has been spread for me here,
And a new place has been found to lay out our mat.
Female: Whenever I walk carrying the water pot,
My heart spills over, my dear!
Male: Hey, I am here to take care of you,
Just come by the riverbank, girl!
I will come into the coconut grove, I will come,
I will give you a pearl from the southern land.
Male: She will come into the coconut grove, she will come,
She will give me a pearl from the southern land.
You have a multi-story house over there,
Why do you still think of building a mud hut? Ha!
Male: Building a mud house is fine indeed, girl,
Don't I need a cozy little home of my own?
When ten people are standing right around us,
How discreetly will you call out to me?
Male: While smearing lime on betel leaf,
Can't I give you a secret sign with my fingers?
Female: Ah, I will be waiting by the lake bank, yes!
She will come into the coconut grove, she will come,
She will give me a pearl from the southern land.
Female: I will come into the coconut grove, I will come,
I will give you a pearl from the southern land.
In this town, she is the ultimate beauty.
Female: You have bonded with me so closely and well,
Male: I will step into her golden heart.
I will come into the coconut grove, I will come,
I will give you a pearl from the southern land.
Male: She will come into the coconut grove, she will come,
She will give me a pearl from the southern land...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a classic romantic folk-style duet between two lovers expressing their affection and playful banter. The lovers exchange promises to meet secretly in a quiet coconut grove, where they compare their affection to precious pearls from the Pandyan region. Through rural metaphors—such as blooming grafted plants, carrying water pots, and secret signals using betel leaves—the couple teases each other about marriage, social propriety, and secret rendezvouses by the riverbank and lake bund. The song captures the playful charm and innocence of rural romance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Thenpandi muththu onnu tharuvaa

'Thenpandi muththu' (Pearl of the Southern Pandyan kingdom) is used metaphorically to symbolize a precious kiss or a sweet loving gesture.

Emoni / Anaphora

Thenna mara thoppukulla varuvaa varuvaa

Repetition of the phrase 'varuvaa varuvaa' and 'varuvaen varuvae' at the end of lines creates rhythmic cadence and heightens anticipation.

Imagery

Veththalaiyil sunnaamba thadavi kittu

Visual imagery of rural life like betel leaves, water pots, mud houses, and coconut groves evokes a strong sensory setting.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Michael Raj' (1987) stars Raghuvaran in the lead role, featuring music composed by Chandrabose with lyrics crafted by the renowned Tamil poet Mu. Metha.

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