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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Avanum Avalum Manathum

From Oh Manju · 1976

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Oh Manju1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Avanum avalum manadhum manadhumHim and her, mind and mind
Inaiyum uravu malarum iravuA relationship that unites, a night that blossoms
Kaadhal endraal adhu thaanaIs that what love truly is?
Female
Kangal asaiyum kaigal inaiyumEyes glance, hands join together
Penmai miralum udanae thalarumFemininity gets startled, then immediately yields
Mogam endraal idhuthaanaIs this what passion truly is?
Female
Thottaal podhum thullum maeniJust a touch is enough for the body to bound with joy
Adhai sollum bothu inbam thondrumJust describing it brings pleasure
Female
Avanum avalum manadhum manadhumHim and her, mind and mind
Inaiyum uravu malarum iravuA relationship that unites, a night that blossoms
Kaadhal endraal adhu thaanaIs that what love truly is?
Female
Oru maedai irukkum pen aada thodangumThere will be a stage, a woman begins to dance
Adhu naanam illamal aadai edukkumWithout any shame, she sheds her clothes
Andha dhegam kulungum adhil vegam pirakkumThat body shivers, passion accelerates from it
Angu thaaladha aasai aalai mayakkumThere, unbearable desire intoxicates a person
Female
Nadanam valarum palarum thodarumThe dance grows, many follow along
Mudiyum pozhudhil pozhuthu vidiyumBy the time it ends, dawn breaks
Aadal endraal adhu thaanaIs that what dancing truly is?
Female
Avanum avalum manadhum manadhumHim and her, mind and mind
Inaiyum uravu malarum iravuA relationship that unites, a night that blossoms
Kaadhal endraal adhu thaanaIs that what love truly is?
Female
Avan kootil adaippaan pinbu vaatti eduppaanHe traps her in a cage, then torments her
Alangolam kondaadi aadai parippaanCelebrating chaotic disarray, he snatches her clothes away
Aval kaiyai murippaan ilam kannam kadippaanHe twists her hand, bites her tender cheek
Aval kanneeril neendhi karpai keduppaanSwimming in her tears, he violates her chastity
Female
Manadhil thelivu udalil uravuClarity in the mind, intimacy in the body
Mudhalil manidhan mudivil mirugamHuman at first, a beast at the end
Kaadhal veriyin kadhai idhu thaanThis is the tale of love's primal madness
Female
Avanum avalum manadhum manadhumHim and her, mind and mind
Inaiyum uravu malarum iravuA relationship that unites, a night that blossoms
Kaadhal endraal adhu thaanaIs that what love truly is?
Female
Kangal asaiyum kaigal inaiyumEyes glance, hands join together
Penmai miralum udanae thalarumFemininity gets startled, then immediately yields
Mogam endraal idhuthaanaIs this what passion truly is?
Female
Thottaal podhum thullum maeniJust a touch is enough for the body to bound with joy
Adhai sollum bothu inbam thondrumJust describing it brings pleasure
Female
Avanum avalum manadhum manadhumHim and her, mind and mind
Inaiyum uravu malarum iravuA relationship that unites, a night that blossoms
Kaadhal endraal adhu thaanaIs that what love truly is?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Avanum Avalum' from the 1976 film 'Oh Manju' explores the dark, intense, and primal spectrum of romantic attraction and physical passion. Written by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan, the song begins by questioning the sweet union of minds in love before delving deeper into the overwhelming madness of lust and raw desire. Kannadasan masterfully portrays how unrestrained passion can transform a gentle romantic relationship into a predatory act, highlighting the fine line between human emotion and animalistic drive. The recurring refrain serves as a philosophical query, asking whether true love is merely this physical dance or something far deeper.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis / Contrast

Mudhalil manidhan mudivil mirugam

Striking contrast between humanity and savagery within love and lust.

Edhukai (Second letter rhyme)

Aadal endraal adhu thaana

Rhyming of the second character 'da' in 'Aadal' and 'Kaadhal'.

Moonaai (Initial letter rhyming)

Avan kootil adaippaan pinbu vaatti eduppaan

Repetition of initial vowel sounds creating rhythm across lines.

Metaphor

Nadanam valarum palarum thodarum

Depicting intense lust as a wild dance ('Nadanam') and an enslaving cage ('Kootil').

Did you know?

Trivia

The 1976 movie 'Oh Manju' was directed by CV Sridhar, starring Master Sekhar and Vidhubala. The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan (MSV) with lyrics penned by Kannadasan, who was known for embedding deep philosophical commentary on human psychology even within seductive or provocative track situations.

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