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Lyrics & meaning

Valaattum Oor Kuruvi

From Ennai Vittu Pogaathe · 1988

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singers
Mano, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ennai Vittu Pogaathe1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vaalaattum oor kuruviA tail-wagging sparrow of the village
Chinna thaalaattu ketkiradhuIs listening to a gentle lullaby
Vaalaattum oor kuruviA tail-wagging sparrow of the village
Chinna thaalaattu ketkiradhuIs listening to a gentle lullaby
Sindhu ondru vandhu sindhugiradhingaeA musical melody flows and pours here
Sindhu mani chindhu konjugiradhingaeThe precious musical tune coos affection here
Adhu sindhaadha or maniyaeThat is an unspilled, precious gem
Indha sindhaamani maniyaeOh this infallible Cintamani gem
Vaalaattum oor kuruvi….A tail-wagging sparrow of the village...
Female
Poothu kulungum nandhavanamA flower garden blooming in full vibrance
Idhu kaathu kedakkum poongaavanamThis is a flower park lying in wait
Poothu kulungum nandhavanamA flower garden blooming in full vibrance
Idhu kaathu kedakkum poongaavanamThis is a flower park lying in wait
Pakkathil vandhu parikka thaan solliTelling me to come near and pluck the flowers
Kaathula saedhi sollumWhispering news in the breeze
Male
Kaathadichu vaasam vandhuThe wind blows carrying the fragrance
Em manasa thaan kedukkaOnly to intoxicate my heart
Poo parichu poo parichuPlucking flowers, plucking flowers
Maala onnu naan thodukkaFor me to weave a garland
Kaathu thaan ingae nikkiren anbaeI stand here waiting in the wind, my beloved
Sindhaadha or maniyaeOh unspilled precious gem
Indha sindhaamani maniyaeOh this infallible Cintamani gem
Female
Vaalaattum oor kuruviA tail-wagging sparrow of the village
Chinna thaalaattu ketkiradhuIs listening to a gentle lullaby
Thaalattu ketkaiyilaeWhile listening to the lullaby
Konjam vaal aatta paarkiradhuIt tries to wag its tail a bit
Sindhu ondru vandhu sindhugiradhingaeA melody comes and flows here
Sindhu mani chindhu konjugiradhingaeThe precious tune coos affection here
Adhu sindhaadha or maniyaeThat is an unspilled, precious gem
Indha sindhaamani maniyaeOh this infallible Cintamani gem
Vaalaattum oor kuruvi….A tail-wagging sparrow of the village...
Male
Naethu irundhen aathoramaaYesterday I was by the riverbank
Vazhi paathu kedandhenWatching the path, lying in wait
Kaathaada naanJust to catch the breeze
Naethu irundhen aathoramaaYesterday I was by the riverbank
Vazhi paathu kedandhenWatching the path, lying in wait
Kaathaada naanJust to catch the breeze
Poothadhu en kannu poovu adhu illaMy eyes blossomed, but it was not a flower
Nambu idha pennae pennaeBelieve this, oh girl, oh girl
Female
Paduthu naanum mela paathaaWhen I lay down and looked up
Koora mela nee irukkaeYou were there on the thatched roof
Udutha thuni paatheduthuTaking the clothes I wore
Saela mela nee irukkaeYou were etched upon the saree
Kettu thaan ponen… manasula thaanaeI got completely ruined... in my heart alone
Sindhaadha or maniyaeOh unspilled precious gem
Indha sindhaamani maniyaeOh this infallible Cintamani gem
Male
Vaalaattum oor kuruviA tail-wagging sparrow of the village
Chinna thaalaattu ketkiradhuIs listening to a gentle lullaby
Female
Thaalattu ketkaiyilaeWhile listening to the lullaby
Konjam vaal aatta paarkiradhuIt tries to wag its tail a bit
Male
Sindhu ondru vandhu sindhugiradhingaeA melody comes and flows here
Female :Sindhu mani chindhu konjugiradhingaeFemale: The precious tune coos affection here
Male :Adhu sindhaadha or maniyaeMale: That is an unspilled, precious gem
Female :Indha sindhaamani maniyaeFemale: Oh this infallible Cintamani gem

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Vaalaattum oor kuruvi from the movie Ennai Vittu Pogaathe (1988) is a charming romantic folk song that uses vivid rural imagery to depict playful affection. The protagonist compares his beloved to a cheerful village sparrow responding to a lullaby and to a priceless, flawless gem (Sindhaamani). The verses capture the sweet intoxication of love, where nature, breezes, and fragrant flowers constantly remind him of his sweet heart.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Vaalaattum oor kuruvi

Compares the playful girl to a tail-wagging village sparrow ('oor kuruvi') listening to a lullaby.

Wordplay / Yamakam

Sindhu ondru vandhu sindhugiradhingae / Indha sindhaamani maniyae

Plays on the word 'Sindhu' (a folk musical meter / melody) and 'Sindhaamani' (a precious, flawless jewel).

Anaphora / Repetition

Poo parichu poo parichu

Repetition of words for rhythmic emphasis and emotional intensity.

Personification

Kaathula saedhi sollum

Attributing human qualities to the garden and wind, describing them as whispering messages.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track from Ennai Vittu Pogaathe (1988) features lyrics penned by Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja himself. Known primarily for his iconic musical compositions, Ilaiyaraaja has also written several poetic and folk-infused Tamil lyrics that capture the authentic essence of rural Tamil Nadu.

Keep listening

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