Thoondaa Mani Vilakku
From Vaazhga Valarga · 1987
- Lyricist
- Na. Kamarasan
- Singer
- K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Vaazhga Valarga1987
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Thoondaa mani vilakku | An unceasing, self-burning lamp |
| Thoondaama ninneriyum | It burns continuously without needing to be stoked |
| Female | |
| Thoondaa mani vilakku | An unceasing, self-burning lamp |
| Thoondaama ninneriyum | It burns continuously without needing to be stoked |
| Thoondaa mani vilakku | An unceasing, self-burning lamp |
| Thoondaama ninneriyum | It burns continuously without needing to be stoked |
| Dhoosi pattum mangaadhu | It does not dim even when covered in dust |
| Pugai padinjum karukkaadhu | It does not blacken even when soot settles on it |
| En dhukkam adha veliyil sonnaa | If I express my sorrow outward |
| Mangi vidum mangi vidum | It will fade away, it will diminish |
| Dhukkam adha veliyil sonnaa | If I express that sorrow outward |
| Mangi vidum mangi vidum | It will fade away, it will diminish |
| Female | |
| Thoondaa mani vilakku | An unceasing, self-burning lamp |
| Thoondaama ninneriyum | It burns continuously without needing to be stoked |
| Thoondaa mani vilakku | An unceasing, self-burning lamp |
| Chorus | |
| Lulululu…. lulululu…. | Lulululu…. lulululu…. |
| Andhi maariyamman koyililae | In the evening at the Mariamman temple |
| Nall kanni ponnuga kummigalaam | Virtuous young maidens dance the Kummi |
| Chinna chindhu mani pooveduthu | Taking small, beautiful flower buds |
| Adha pinni pinni vecha maalaigalaam | They weave garlands by knotting them together |
| Maala soodi konda ammanukku | For the Goddess adorned with the garland |
| Dhinam kaalai maalai nalla poosaigalaam | Daily morning and evening, grand worship takes place |
| Poosaiyilae mani osaigalaam | During worship, the sound of temple bells ring |
| Andha osaiyum kummikku thaalangalaam | That sound becomes the rhythmic beat for the Kummi dance |
| Ooo… oo… lulululu…. lulululu…. | Ooo… oo… lulululu…. lulululu…. |
| Female | |
| Muttai ida kozhi onnu | A hen ready to lay eggs |
| Kuppaiyilae maenju varum | Comes foraging in the rubbish heap |
| Gundu mani saeval vandhu | A stout rooster arrives |
| Kootti vandha kadhai ariyum | And knows the story that brought them together |
| Naetharutha vayalukkullae | Inside the field harvested yesterday |
| Nel porukka pogaiylae | When going to glean scattered grain |
| Kaathadicha velaiyilae | At a time when the wind blew |
| Kalanjiyatha kandeduthaen | I discovered a treasure trove |
| Kollaiyilae marikkozhundhu | Marikolundu (marjoram) in the backyard |
| Kodi padarndha malliga poo | And jasmine blossoms spreading on vines |
| Parippaaru illaama thaniyaaga poothadhammaa | Bloomed all alone without anyone to pluck them |
| Parichadhu yaaru vaangi thoduthadhu yaaru | Who plucked them, who received and strung them? |
| Thaliyilae mudichum thavikkudhu paaru | Look how it suffers tied to the hair knot! |
| Aa haa… aa… aa… aa… aa… | Aa haa… aa… aa… aa… aa… |
| Male | |
| Thoondaa mani vilakku | An unceasing, self-burning lamp |
| Thoondaama ninneriyum | It burns continuously without needing to be stoked |
| Thoondaa mani vilakku | An unceasing, self-burning lamp |
| Chorus | |
| Kaattu vazhi pogum vandi | A cart travelling along the forest path |
| Vandiyilae maadu rendu | With two oxen attached to the cart |
| Maadu pora paadhai ellaam | All the paths traversed by the oxen |
| Roadugalaa aagi pochu | Have turned into paved roads |
| Oorukkooru povadharkku | To travel from town to town |
| Roadu ippa romba irukku | There are many roads now |
| Maanathilum roadu pottu | Laying roads even in the sky |
| Parandhu pogum kaalam aachu | The era of flying high has arrived |
| Paattan koottan kattuna vandi thaanae | Wasn't the cart built by our forefathers |
| Idhukku nalla moolam aachu durrr aehae po… | The true origin for all of this? Giddy up, go! |
| Female | |
| Orakka chadavula naan | In the heavy drowsiness of sleep |
| Uluppa vittaen kanneera | I let my tears spill over |
| Uluppi vitta kanneeru | The tears that spilled forth |
| Odudhammaa aaraaga | Flow like a running river |
| Kolli mala mela kuyilu chatham kekkayilae | When hearing the cuckoo's call atop Kolli Hills |
| Kotha malli poo pookkum | Coriander flowers bloom in bunches |
| Kodi murunga kaai kaaikkum | The vine-like drumstick tree bears fruit |
| Sandha thadatharugae | Near the market place |
| Saadhi linga marathadiyil | Under the cinnabar tree |
| Kanni kazhiyaadha kai kiliyaa naan irundhen | I lived like an innocent pet parrot, unwed |
| Annaandhu paathaa aagaasam pooraa | When looking up, across the entire sky |
| Allaadha poovu yaarum thallaadha poovu | Flowers ungathered, flowers rejected by no one |
| Aa haa… aa… aa… aa… aa… | Aa haa… aa… aa… aa… aa… |
| Male | |
| Thoondaa mani vilakku | An unceasing, self-burning lamp |
| Thoondaama ninneriyum | It burns continuously without needing to be stoked |
| Dhoosi pattum mangaadhu | It does not dim even when covered in dust |
| Pugai padinjum karukkaadhu | It does not blacken even when soot settles on it |
| En dhukkam adha veliyil sonnaa | If I express my sorrow outward |
| Mangi vidum mangi vidum | It will fade away, it will diminish |
| Dhukkam adha veliyil sonnaa | If I express that sorrow outward |
| Mangi vidum mangi vidum | It will fade away, it will diminish |
| Male | |
| Thoondaa mani vilakku | An unceasing, self-burning lamp |
| Thoondaama ninneriyum | It burns continuously without needing to be stoked |
| Thoondaa mani vilakku | An unceasing, self-burning lamp |
தூண்டா மணி விளக்கு
தூண்டாம நின்னெரியும்
An unceasing, self-burning lamp
It burns continuously without needing to be stoked
தூண்டா மணி விளக்கு
தூண்டாம நின்னெரியும்
தூண்டா மணி விளக்கு
தூண்டாம நின்னெரியும்
தூசி பட்டும் மங்காது
புகை படிஞ்சும் கருக்காது
என் துக்கம் அத வெளியில் சொன்னா
மங்கி விடும் மங்கி விடும்
துக்கம் அத வெளியில் சொன்னா
மங்கி விடும் மங்கி விடும்
An unceasing, self-burning lamp
It burns continuously without needing to be stoked
An unceasing, self-burning lamp
It burns continuously without needing to be stoked
It does not dim even when covered in dust
It does not blacken even when soot settles on it
If I express my sorrow outward
It will fade away, it will diminish
If I express that sorrow outward
It will fade away, it will diminish
தூண்டா மணி விளக்கு
தூண்டாம நின்னெரியும்
தூண்டா மணி விளக்கு
An unceasing, self-burning lamp
It burns continuously without needing to be stoked
An unceasing, self-burning lamp
லுலுலுலு........லுலுலுலு.......
அந்தி மாரியம்மன் கோயிலிலே
நல்ல கன்னிப் பொண்ணுக கும்மிகளாம்
சின்னச் சிந்து மணிப் பூவெடுத்து
அதப் பின்னிப் பின்னி வெச்ச மாலைகளாம்
மால சூடிக் கொண்ட அம்மனுக்கு
தினம் காலை மாலை நல்ல பூசைகளாம்
பூசையிலே மணி ஓசைகளாம்
அந்த ஓசையும் கும்மிக்குத் தாளங்களாம்
ஓ.......ஓ...... லுலுலுலு.......லுலுலுலு...
Lulululu…. lulululu….
In the evening at the Mariamman temple
Virtuous young maidens dance the Kummi
Taking small, beautiful flower buds
They weave garlands by knotting them together
For the Goddess adorned with the garland
Daily morning and evening, grand worship takes place
During worship, the sound of temple bells ring
That sound becomes the rhythmic beat for the Kummi dance
Ooo… oo… lulululu…. lulululu….
முட்டை இடக் கோழி ஒண்ணு
குப்பையிலே மேஞ்சு வரும்
குண்டு மணிச் சேவல் வந்து
கூட்டி வந்த கதை அறியும்
நேத்தறுத்த வயலுக்குள்ளே
நெல் பொறுக்கப் போகையிலே
காத்தடிச்ச வேளையிலே
களஞ்சியத்தக் கண்டெடுத்தேன்
கொல்லையிலே மரிக்கொழுந்து
கொடி படர்ந்த மல்லிகப் பூ
பறிப்பாரு இல்லாம தனியாகப் பூத்ததம்மா
பறிச்சது யாரு வாங்கித் தொடுத்தது யாரு
தலையிலே முடிச்சும் தவிக்குது பாரு
ஆ ஹா... ஆ... ஆ... ஆ... ஆ...
A hen ready to lay eggs
Comes foraging in the rubbish heap
A stout rooster arrives
And knows the story that brought them together
Inside the field harvested yesterday
When going to glean scattered grain
At a time when the wind blew
I discovered a treasure trove
Marikolundu (marjoram) in the backyard
And jasmine blossoms spreading on vines
Bloomed all alone without anyone to pluck them
Who plucked them, who received and strung them?
Look how it suffers tied to the hair knot!
Aa haa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
தூண்டா மணி விளக்கு
தூண்டாம நின்னெரியும்
தூண்டா மணி விளக்கு
An unceasing, self-burning lamp
It burns continuously without needing to be stoked
An unceasing, self-burning lamp
காட்டு வழி போகும் வண்டி
வண்டியிலே மாடு ரெண்டு
மாடு போறப் பாதை எல்லாம்
ரோடுகளா ஆகிப் போச்சு
ஊருக்கூரு போவதற்கு
ரோடு இப்ப ரொம்ப இருக்கு
மானத்திலும் ரோடு போட்டு
பறந்து போகும் காலம் ஆச்சு
பாட்டன் பூட்டன் கட்டுன வண்டி தானே
இதுக்கு நல்ல மூலம் ஆச்சு டுர்ர் ஏஹே போ...
A cart travelling along the forest path
With two oxen attached to the cart
All the paths traversed by the oxen
Have turned into paved roads
To travel from town to town
There are many roads now
Laying roads even in the sky
The era of flying high has arrived
Wasn't the cart built by our forefathers
The true origin for all of this? Giddy up, go!
ஒறக்கச் சடவுல
நான் உலுப்பி விட்டேன் கண்ணீர
உலுப்பி விட்ட கண்ணீரு
ஓடுதம்மா ஆறாக
கொல்லி மல மேல குயிலுச் சத்தம் கேக்கயிலே
கொத்த மல்லிப் பூப் பூக்கும்
கொடி முருங்கக் காய் காய்க்கும்
சந்தத் தடத்தருகே
சாதிலிங்க மரத்தடியில்
கன்னி கழியாத கைக் கிளியா நான் இருந்தேன்
அண்ணாந்து பாத்தா ஆகாசம் பூரா
அள்ளாத பூவு யாரும் தள்ளாத பூவு
ஆ ஹா... ஆ... ஆ... ஆ... ஆ...
In the heavy drowsiness of sleep
I let my tears spill over
The tears that spilled forth
Flow like a running river
When hearing the cuckoo's call atop Kolli Hills
Coriander flowers bloom in bunches
The vine-like drumstick tree bears fruit
Near the market place
Under the cinnabar tree
I lived like an innocent pet parrot, unwed
When looking up, across the entire sky
Flowers ungathered, flowers rejected by no one
Aa haa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
தூண்டா மணி விளக்கு
தூண்டாம நின்னெரியும்
தூசி பட்டும் மங்காது
புகை படிஞ்சும் கருக்காது
என் துக்கம் அத வெளியில் சொன்னா
மங்கி விடும் மங்கி விடும்
துக்கம் அத வெளியில் சொன்னா
மங்கி விடும் மங்கி விடும்
An unceasing, self-burning lamp
It burns continuously without needing to be stoked
It does not dim even when covered in dust
It does not blacken even when soot settles on it
If I express my sorrow outward
It will fade away, it will diminish
If I express that sorrow outward
It will fade away, it will diminish
தூண்டா மணி விளக்கு
தூண்டாம நின்னெரியும்
தூண்டா மணி விளக்கு
An unceasing, self-burning lamp
It burns continuously without needing to be stoked
An unceasing, self-burning lamp
Thoondaa mani vilakku
An unceasing, self-burning lamp
Thoondaama ninneriyum
It burns continuously without needing to be stoked
Thoondaa mani vilakku
An unceasing, self-burning lamp
Thoondaama ninneriyum
It burns continuously without needing to be stoked
Thoondaa mani vilakku
An unceasing, self-burning lamp
Thoondaama ninneriyum
It burns continuously without needing to be stoked
Dhoosi pattum mangaadhu
It does not dim even when covered in dust
Pugai padinjum karukkaadhu
It does not blacken even when soot settles on it
En dhukkam adha veliyil sonnaa
If I express my sorrow outward
Mangi vidum mangi vidum
It will fade away, it will diminish
Dhukkam adha veliyil sonnaa
If I express that sorrow outward
Mangi vidum mangi vidum
It will fade away, it will diminish
Thoondaa mani vilakku
An unceasing, self-burning lamp
Thoondaama ninneriyum
It burns continuously without needing to be stoked
Thoondaa mani vilakku
An unceasing, self-burning lamp
Lulululu…. lulululu….
Lulululu…. lulululu….
Andhi maariyamman koyililae
In the evening at the Mariamman temple
Nall kanni ponnuga kummigalaam
Virtuous young maidens dance the Kummi
Chinna chindhu mani pooveduthu
Taking small, beautiful flower buds
Adha pinni pinni vecha maalaigalaam
They weave garlands by knotting them together
Maala soodi konda ammanukku
For the Goddess adorned with the garland
Dhinam kaalai maalai nalla poosaigalaam
Daily morning and evening, grand worship takes place
Poosaiyilae mani osaigalaam
During worship, the sound of temple bells ring
Andha osaiyum kummikku thaalangalaam
That sound becomes the rhythmic beat for the Kummi dance
Ooo… oo… lulululu…. lulululu….
Ooo… oo… lulululu…. lulululu….
Muttai ida kozhi onnu
A hen ready to lay eggs
Kuppaiyilae maenju varum
Comes foraging in the rubbish heap
Gundu mani saeval vandhu
A stout rooster arrives
Kootti vandha kadhai ariyum
And knows the story that brought them together
Naetharutha vayalukkullae
Inside the field harvested yesterday
Nel porukka pogaiylae
When going to glean scattered grain
Kaathadicha velaiyilae
At a time when the wind blew
Kalanjiyatha kandeduthaen
I discovered a treasure trove
Kollaiyilae marikkozhundhu
Marikolundu (marjoram) in the backyard
Kodi padarndha malliga poo
And jasmine blossoms spreading on vines
Parippaaru illaama thaniyaaga poothadhammaa
Bloomed all alone without anyone to pluck them
Parichadhu yaaru vaangi thoduthadhu yaaru
Who plucked them, who received and strung them?
Thaliyilae mudichum thavikkudhu paaru
Look how it suffers tied to the hair knot!
Aa haa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa haa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Thoondaa mani vilakku
An unceasing, self-burning lamp
Thoondaama ninneriyum
It burns continuously without needing to be stoked
Thoondaa mani vilakku
An unceasing, self-burning lamp
Kaattu vazhi pogum vandi
A cart travelling along the forest path
Vandiyilae maadu rendu
With two oxen attached to the cart
Maadu pora paadhai ellaam
All the paths traversed by the oxen
Roadugalaa aagi pochu
Have turned into paved roads
Oorukkooru povadharkku
To travel from town to town
Roadu ippa romba irukku
There are many roads now
Maanathilum roadu pottu
Laying roads even in the sky
Parandhu pogum kaalam aachu
The era of flying high has arrived
Paattan koottan kattuna vandi thaanae
Wasn't the cart built by our forefathers
Idhukku nalla moolam aachu durrr aehae po…
The true origin for all of this? Giddy up, go!
Orakka chadavula naan
In the heavy drowsiness of sleep
Uluppa vittaen kanneera
I let my tears spill over
Uluppi vitta kanneeru
The tears that spilled forth
Odudhammaa aaraaga
Flow like a running river
Kolli mala mela kuyilu chatham kekkayilae
When hearing the cuckoo's call atop Kolli Hills
Kotha malli poo pookkum
Coriander flowers bloom in bunches
Kodi murunga kaai kaaikkum
The vine-like drumstick tree bears fruit
Sandha thadatharugae
Near the market place
Saadhi linga marathadiyil
Under the cinnabar tree
Kanni kazhiyaadha kai kiliyaa naan irundhen
I lived like an innocent pet parrot, unwed
Annaandhu paathaa aagaasam pooraa
When looking up, across the entire sky
Allaadha poovu yaarum thallaadha poovu
Flowers ungathered, flowers rejected by no one
Aa haa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa haa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Thoondaa mani vilakku
An unceasing, self-burning lamp
Thoondaama ninneriyum
It burns continuously without needing to be stoked
Dhoosi pattum mangaadhu
It does not dim even when covered in dust
Pugai padinjum karukkaadhu
It does not blacken even when soot settles on it
En dhukkam adha veliyil sonnaa
If I express my sorrow outward
Mangi vidum mangi vidum
It will fade away, it will diminish
Dhukkam adha veliyil sonnaa
If I express that sorrow outward
Mangi vidum mangi vidum
It will fade away, it will diminish
Thoondaa mani vilakku
An unceasing, self-burning lamp
Thoondaama ninneriyum
It burns continuously without needing to be stoked
Thoondaa mani vilakku
An unceasing, self-burning lamp
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Thoondaa Mani Vilakku' uses rich rural folk imagery to portray deep emotional resilience and the inner light of a woman's soul. By comparing her spirit and sorrow to an eternal lamp that needs no stoking, the lyrics reflect how inner grief and strength remain unblemished despite external dust, soot, or worldly struggles. The verse narrative moves through traditional village rituals, temple Kummi dances, agricultural life, and reflections on societal evolution from bullock carts to modern aviation, contrasting technological progress with eternal human emotions.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamaani / Metaphor (உவமை / உருவகம்)
“Thoondaa mani vilakku / Thoondaama ninneriyum”
The inner soul and enduring pain are metaphorically represented as 'Thoondaa Mani Vilakku' (an unceasing lamp that burns without tending).
Edhugai / Second Letter Rhyme (எதுகை)
“Maala soodi konda ammanukku / Dhinam kaalai maalai nalla poosaigalaam”
Rhyming of the second letter across consecutive lines ('soodi' and 'kaalai').
Monaai / Initial Alliteration (மோனை)
“Parichadhu yaaru vaangi thoduthadhu yaaru / Parichadhu...”
Repetition of the initial sound 'Pa' across line starts.
Anaphora / Repetition
“Mangi vidum mangi vidum”
Repetition of key refrain phrases to build lyrical rhythm and emotional resonance.
Did you know?
Trivia
The lyricist Na. Kamarasan was a pioneer of the 'Pudhu Kavidhai' (modern Tamil poetry) movement who seamlessly integrated traditional folk rhythm ('Nattupura Paattu') with poignant modern philosophical allegories in Tamil cinema music during the 1970s and 1980s.
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