Seerkazhi Govindarajan, S. C. Krishnan, and M. S. Rajeswari perform ‘Maa Manakkuthu’ from the album ‘Panchali.’ A. Maruthakasi’s lyrics and K. V. Mahadevan’s composition create a vibrant celebration of nature and unity.
Maa Manakkuthu
S. C. Krishnan | Seerkazhi Govindarajan • From “Panchali”
Panchali’s Maa Manakkuthu Tamil Lyrics English Meaning
The song observes monkeys sharing fruit like humans, then shifts to villagers harvesting rice under a new land law. Maruthakasi compares human interactions to animal behavior with rhythmic simplicity.
All : Maamanakkudhu thaen manakkudhuThe mangoes and honey smell so sweet.
Malaiyaruvi karaiyilaeDown by the banks of the mountain stream.
Aruvi karaiyilaeRight by the waterfall’s edge.
Poo manakkudhuThe flowers are fragrant.
Poo manakkudhu pon kozhikkudhuThe flowers are fragrant and gold glitters.
Ponghi varum nuraiyilaeWithin the rising, bubbling foam.
Poo manakkudhu pon kozhikkudhuThe flowers are fragrant and gold glitters.
Ponghi varum nuraiyilaeWithin the rising, bubbling foam.
All : Thandhana thannaanaa thaiyaathaaThandhana thannaanaa, dance along!
Thandhana thannaanaaThandhana thannaanaa.
Thandhana thannaanaa thaiyaathaaThandhana thannaanaa, dance along!
Thaanae thannaanaaThaanae thannaanaa.
All : Kani eduthu vanarangalThe male monkeys pick the fruit.
Mandhi kaiyil kodukkumThey give it to the female monkeys.
Mandhi kadithu thindra meedhiAfter the female takes a bite and eats,
Kaniyai thinbatharkku thudikkumThe male’s eager to finish the rest.
Female and Chorus : Manidharai pol avaigalumaeJust like human beings do,
Jaadai seidhu nadikkumThey make gestures and act things out.
Manidharai pol avaigalumaeJust like human beings do,
Jaadai seidhu nadikkumThey make gestures and act things out.
All : Manangavarum kaatchi inbamWhere else can you find such joy,
Ver enghu kedaikkumIn a sight that captures the heart?
Indha manangavarum kaatchi inbamWhere else can you find such joy,
Ver enghu kedaikkumIn this sight that captures the heart?
All : Thandhana thannaanaa thaiyaathaaThandhana thannaanaa, dance along!
Thandhana thannaanaaThandhana thannaanaa.
Thandhana thannaanaa thaiyaathaaThandhana thannaanaa, dance along!
Thaanae thannaanaaThaanae thannaanaa.
Male : Sathiraadum pengalai polResembling women who dance with grace,
Thangha sambha thonudhuThe golden ‘samba rice’ stalks appear.
Chorus : Thangha sambha thonudhuThe golden ‘samba rice’ stalks appear.
Male : Kadhir aruthu adikkum bothuWhen we harvest and thresh the grain,
Kattu kalam kaanudhuThe threshing floor looks so full.
Chorus : Kattu kalam kaanudhuThe threshing floor looks so full.
Female : Pudhidhaaga vandha sattam arubadhu nappathuThe newly passed ‘sixty-forty share’ law,
Pudhidhaaga vandha sattam arubadhu nappathuThe newly passed ‘sixty-forty share’ law,
All : Boomiyilae ozhaichavanghaClears away all the hardships,
Kastangalai pokkudhuFor those who’ve toiled on this earth.
Boomiyilae ozhaichavanghaClears away all the hardships,
Kastangalai pokkudhuFor those who’ve toiled on this earth.
All : Thandhana thannaanaa thaiyaathaaThandhana thannaanaa, dance along!
Thandhana thannaanaaThandhana thannaanaa.
Thandhana thannaanaa thaiyaathaaThandhana thannaanaa, dance along!
Thaanae thannaanaaThaanae thannaanaa.
All : Maamanakkudhu thaen manakkudhuThe mangoes and honey smell so sweet.
Malaiyaruvi karaiyilaeDown by the banks of the mountain stream.
Aruvi karaiyilaeRight by the waterfall’s edge.
Poo manakkudhuThe flowers are fragrant.
Poo manakkudhu pon kozhikkudhuThe flowers are fragrant and gold glitters.
Ponghi varum nuraiyilaeWithin the rising, bubbling foam.
Poo manakkudhu pon kozhikkudhuThe flowers are fragrant and gold glitters.
Ponghi varum nuraiyilaeWithin the rising, bubbling foam.
Male : Palinghu pondra neeri polaJust like water as clear as crystal,
Manamum irukkanumOur hearts must also be pure.
Haa…aa…aa…aa…Haa…aa…aa…aa…
Palinghu pondra neeri polaJust like water as clear as crystal,
Manamum irukkanumOur hearts must also be pure.
Paayum kavari maanai polaLike the ‘noble kavari deer’ that guards its honor,
Maanam kakkanumWe must protect our dignity.
Paayum kavari maanai polaLike the ‘noble kavari deer’ that guards its honor,
Maanam kakkanumWe must protect our dignity.
Male : Panbum anbum armum konduWith character, love, and virtue,
Sevai seiyanumWe’ve got to serve others.
Panbum anbum armum konduWith character, love, and virtue,
Sevai seiyanumWe’ve got to serve others.
Ondrupattu makkal ellamAll the people must stand united,
Uyarndhu vaazhanumAnd live their lives with greatness.
Ondrupattu makkal ellamAll the people must stand united,
Uyarndhu vaazhanumAnd live their lives with greatness.
All : Thandhana thannaanaa thaiyaathaaThandhana thannaanaa, dance along!
Thandhana thannaanaaThandhana thannaanaa.
Thandhana thannaanaa thaiyaathaaThandhana thannaanaa, dance along!
Thaanae thannaanaaThaanae thannaanaa.
All : Maamanakkudhu thaen manakkudhuThe mangoes and honey smell so sweet.
Malaiyaruvi karaiyilaeDown by the banks of the mountain stream.
Aruvi karaiyilaeRight by the waterfall’s edge.
Poo manakkudhuThe flowers are fragrant.
Poo manakkudhu pon kozhikkudhuThe flowers are fragrant and gold glitters.
Ponghi varum nuraiyilaeWithin the rising, bubbling foam.
Poo manakkudhu pon kozhikkudhuThe flowers are fragrant and gold glitters.
Ponghi varum nuraiyilaeWithin the rising, bubbling foam.
Maa Manakkuthu Music Video
Understanding ‘Maa Manakkuthu’ lyrics in English reveals a call for purity, dignity, and collective progress. The track blends ecological imagery with social change references.