En Mana Vaanil
From Kasi · 2001
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| En mana vaanil siragai virikkum | O colorful birds spreading wings |
| Vanna paravaigalae | In the sky of my mind, |
| En kadhaiyai kettaal | If you listen to my story, |
| Ungal siragugal thannaal moodikkollum | Your wings will fold on their own. |
| Male | |
| En mana vaanil siragai virikkum | O colorful birds spreading wings |
| Vanna paravaigalae | In the sky of my mind, |
| En kadhaiyai kettaal | If you listen to my story, |
| Ungal siragugal thannaal moodikkollum | Your wings will fold on their own. |
| Male | |
| Kalakala kalavena thulli kudhiththidum | O tiny little wave |
| Chinnanjiru alaiyae | Leaping and dancing with joyful sound, |
| En nilaiyai kettaal | If you hear of my plight, |
| Ungal thullalum thaanaai adangividum | Your playful bounces will automatically subside. |
| Male | |
| Ungalai pola siragugal virikka | To spread my wings like you, |
| Naanum aasai kondaen | I too harbored a desire. |
| Siragugal indri vaanaththil paranthu | Flying in the sky without wings, |
| Dhinam dhinam thirumbi vanathaen | I returned day after day. |
| Male | |
| Oru paattu pothumo eduththu kooravae | Is one song enough to tell my tale? |
| Idhayam thaangumo nee kooru | Will your heart bear it? You tell me. |
| Male | |
| En mana vaanil siragai virikkum | O colorful birds spreading wings |
| Vanna paravaigalae | In the sky of my mind, |
| En kadhaiyai kettaal | If you listen to my story, |
| Ungal siragugal thannaal moodikkollum | Your wings will fold on their own. |
| Male | |
| Kalakala kalavena thulli kudhiththidum | O tiny little wave |
| Chinnanjiru alaiyae | Leaping and dancing with joyful sound, |
| En nilaiyai kettaal | If you hear of my plight, |
| Ungal thullalum thaanaai adangividum | Your playful bounces will automatically subside. |
| Male | |
| Iraivanidam varangal kettaen | I asked God for boons, |
| Swarangalai avanae koduththaan | He himself gave me musical notes. |
| Manitharil…..idhai yaarum arivaaro | Will any among humans know this? |
| Naan paadum paadal ellaam | All the songs that I sing, |
| Naan patta paadae andro | Are they not the struggles I have endured? |
| Bhoomiyil…idhai yaarum unarvaaro | Will anyone on this earth realize this? |
| Male | |
| Manathilae maaligai vaasam | A desire for a palace in my mind, |
| Kidaiththatho mara nizhal nesam | Yet what I received was love under the shadow of a tree. |
| Edharkkum naan kalangiyathillai | I have never lost heart for anything. |
| Male | |
| Ingae raagam undu thaalam undu | Here there is melody, here there is rhythm, |
| Ennai naanae thattikolvaen | I will pat myself on the back, |
| En nenjil unmaiyundu | There is truth in my heart, |
| Verenna vendum | What else is needed? |
| Male | |
| En mana vaanil siragai virikkum | O colorful birds spreading wings |
| Vanna paravaigalae | In the sky of my mind, |
| En kadhaiyai kettaal | If you listen to my story, |
| Ungal siragugal thannaal moodikkollum | Your wings will fold on their own. |
| Male | |
| Kalakala kalavena thulli kudhiththidum | O tiny little wave |
| Chinnanjiru alaiyae | Leaping and dancing with joyful sound, |
| En nilaiyai kettaal | If you hear of my plight, |
| Ungal thullalum thaanaai adangividum | Your playful bounces will automatically subside. |
| Male | |
| Porulukkaai paattai sonnaal | If a song is sung merely for money, |
| Porulattra paattae aagum | It becomes a song devoid of meaning. |
| Paadinaen adhai naalum naalum | I sang day after day, |
| Porulillaa paattaanaalum | Even if it is a song without material wealth, |
| Porulaiyae pottu selvaar | They will shower me with true meaning and respect, |
| Pottrumae en nenjam nenjam | And my heart will cherish it. |
| Male | |
| Manamullor ennai paarpaar | Those with a good heart will look at me, |
| Manathinil avarai parppaen | And I will see them inside my mind. |
| Maranthidaa raagam idhu thaanae | Is this not an unforgettable melody? |
| Vaazhkkai enum maedaithanil | On this stage called life, |
| Nadagangal ooraayiram | There are a thousand dramas. |
| Paarkka vaathaen naanum paarvai indri…ee… | I too came to watch, yet without vision... |
| Male | |
| En mana vaanil siragai virikkum | O colorful birds spreading wings |
| Vanna paravaigalae | In the sky of my mind, |
| En kadhaiyai kettaal | If you listen to my story, |
| Ungal siragugal thannaal moodikkollum | Your wings will fold on their own. |
| Male | |
| Kalakala kalavena thulli kudhiththidum | O tiny little wave |
| Chinnanjiru alaiyae | Leaping and dancing with joyful sound, |
| En nilaiyai kettaal | If you hear of my plight, |
| Ungal thullalum thaanaai adangividum.. | Your playful bounces will automatically subside.. |
என் மன வானில் சிறகை விரிக்கும்
வண்ணப் பறவைகளே
என் கதையை கேட்டால்
உங்கள் சிறகுகள் தன்னால் மூடிக்கொள்ளும்
O colorful birds spreading wings
In the sky of my mind,
If you listen to my story,
Your wings will fold on their own.
என் மன வானில் சிறகை விரிக்கும்
வண்ணப் பறவைகளே
என் கதையை கேட்டால்
உங்கள் சிறகுகள் தன்னால் மூடிக்கொள்ளும்
O colorful birds spreading wings
In the sky of my mind,
If you listen to my story,
Your wings will fold on their own.
கலகல கலவென துள்ளி குதித்திடும்
சின்னஞ்சிறு அலையே
என் நிலையை கேட்டால்
உங்கள் துள்ளலும் தானாய் அடங்கிவிடும்
O tiny little wave
Leaping and dancing with joyful sound,
If you hear of my plight,
Your playful bounces will automatically subside.
உங்களைப் போல சிறகுகள் விரிக்க
நானும் ஆசை கொண்டேன்
சிறகுகள் இன்றி வானத்தில் பறந்து
தினம் தினம் திரும்பி வந்தேன்
To spread my wings like you,
I too harbored a desire.
Flying in the sky without wings,
I returned day after day.
ஒரு பாட்டு போதுமோ எடுத்து கூறவே
இதயம் தாங்குமோ நீ கூறு.........
Is one song enough to tell my tale?
Will your heart bear it? You tell me.
என் மன வானில் சிறகை விரிக்கும்
வண்ணப் பறவைகளே
என் கதையை கேட்டால்
உங்கள் சிறகுகள் தன்னால் மூடிக்கொள்ளும்
O colorful birds spreading wings
In the sky of my mind,
If you listen to my story,
Your wings will fold on their own.
கலகல கலவென துள்ளி குதித்திடும்
சின்னஞ்சிறு அலையே
என் நிலையை கேட்டால்
உங்கள் துள்ளலும் தானாய் அடங்கிவிடும்
O tiny little wave
Leaping and dancing with joyful sound,
If you hear of my plight,
Your playful bounces will automatically subside.
இறைவனிடம் வரங்கள் கேட்டேன்
ஸ்வரங்களை அவனே கொடுத்தான்
மனிதரில்.....இதை யாரும் அறிவாரோ
நான் பாடும் பாடல் எல்லாம்
நான் பட்டபாடே அன்றோ
பூமியில்......இதை யாரும் உணர்வாரோ
I asked God for boons,
He himself gave me musical notes.
Will any among humans know this?
All the songs that I sing,
Are they not the struggles I have endured?
Will anyone on this earth realize this?
மனதிலே மாளிகை வாசம்
கிடைத்ததோ மர நிழல் நேசம்
எதற்கும் நான் கலங்கியதில்லை
A desire for a palace in my mind,
Yet what I received was love under the shadow of a tree.
I have never lost heart for anything.
இங்கே ராகம் உண்டு தாளம் உண்டு
என்னை நானே தட்டிக்கொள்வேன்
என் நெஞ்சில் உண்மையுண்டு
வேறென்ன வேண்டும்
Here there is melody, here there is rhythm,
I will pat myself on the back,
There is truth in my heart,
What else is needed?
என் மன வானில் சிறகை விரிக்கும்
வண்ணப் பறவைகளே
என் கதையை கேட்டால்
உங்கள் சிறகுகள் தன்னால் மூடிக்கொள்ளும்
O colorful birds spreading wings
In the sky of my mind,
If you listen to my story,
Your wings will fold on their own.
கலகல கலவென துள்ளி குதித்திடும்
சின்னஞ்சிறு அலையே
என் நிலையை கேட்டால்
உங்கள் துள்ளலும் தானாய் அடங்கிவிடும்
O tiny little wave
Leaping and dancing with joyful sound,
If you hear of my plight,
Your playful bounces will automatically subside.
பொருளுக்காய் பாட்டை சொன்னால்
பொருளற்ற பாட்டே ஆகும்
பாடினேன் அதை நாளும் நாளும்
பொருளில்லா பாட்டானாலும்
பொருளையே போட்டு செல்வார்
போற்றுமே என் நெஞ்சம் நெஞ்சம்
If a song is sung merely for money,
It becomes a song devoid of meaning.
I sang day after day,
Even if it is a song without material wealth,
They will shower me with true meaning and respect,
And my heart will cherish it.
மனமுள்ளோர் என்னை பார்ப்பார்
மனதினால் அவரை பார்ப்பேன்
மறந்திடா ராகம் இது தானே.....
வாழ்க்கை எனும் மேடைதனில்
நாடகங்கள் ஓராயிரம்
பார்க்க வந்தேன் நானும் பார்வை இன்றி...ஈ....
Those with a good heart will look at me,
And I will see them inside my mind.
Is this not an unforgettable melody?
On this stage called life,
There are a thousand dramas.
I too came to watch, yet without vision...
என் மன வானில் சிறகை விரிக்கும்
வண்ணப் பறவைகளே
என் கதையை கேட்டால்
உங்கள் சிறகுகள் தன்னால் மூடிக்கொள்ளும்
O colorful birds spreading wings
In the sky of my mind,
If you listen to my story,
Your wings will fold on their own.
கலகல கலவென துள்ளி குதித்திடும்
சின்னஞ்சிறு அலையே
என் நிலையை கேட்டால்
உங்கள் துள்ளலும் தானாய் அடங்கிவிடும்
O tiny little wave
Leaping and dancing with joyful sound,
If you hear of my plight,
Your playful bounces will automatically subside..
En mana vaanil siragai virikkum
O colorful birds spreading wings
Vanna paravaigalae
In the sky of my mind,
En kadhaiyai kettaal
If you listen to my story,
Ungal siragugal thannaal moodikkollum
Your wings will fold on their own.
En mana vaanil siragai virikkum
O colorful birds spreading wings
Vanna paravaigalae
In the sky of my mind,
En kadhaiyai kettaal
If you listen to my story,
Ungal siragugal thannaal moodikkollum
Your wings will fold on their own.
Kalakala kalavena thulli kudhiththidum
O tiny little wave
Chinnanjiru alaiyae
Leaping and dancing with joyful sound,
En nilaiyai kettaal
If you hear of my plight,
Ungal thullalum thaanaai adangividum
Your playful bounces will automatically subside.
Ungalai pola siragugal virikka
To spread my wings like you,
Naanum aasai kondaen
I too harbored a desire.
Siragugal indri vaanaththil paranthu
Flying in the sky without wings,
Dhinam dhinam thirumbi vanathaen
I returned day after day.
Oru paattu pothumo eduththu kooravae
Is one song enough to tell my tale?
Idhayam thaangumo nee kooru
Will your heart bear it? You tell me.
En mana vaanil siragai virikkum
O colorful birds spreading wings
Vanna paravaigalae
In the sky of my mind,
En kadhaiyai kettaal
If you listen to my story,
Ungal siragugal thannaal moodikkollum
Your wings will fold on their own.
Kalakala kalavena thulli kudhiththidum
O tiny little wave
Chinnanjiru alaiyae
Leaping and dancing with joyful sound,
En nilaiyai kettaal
If you hear of my plight,
Ungal thullalum thaanaai adangividum
Your playful bounces will automatically subside.
Iraivanidam varangal kettaen
I asked God for boons,
Swarangalai avanae koduththaan
He himself gave me musical notes.
Manitharil…..idhai yaarum arivaaro
Will any among humans know this?
Naan paadum paadal ellaam
All the songs that I sing,
Naan patta paadae andro
Are they not the struggles I have endured?
Bhoomiyil…idhai yaarum unarvaaro
Will anyone on this earth realize this?
Manathilae maaligai vaasam
A desire for a palace in my mind,
Kidaiththatho mara nizhal nesam
Yet what I received was love under the shadow of a tree.
Edharkkum naan kalangiyathillai
I have never lost heart for anything.
Ingae raagam undu thaalam undu
Here there is melody, here there is rhythm,
Ennai naanae thattikolvaen
I will pat myself on the back,
En nenjil unmaiyundu
There is truth in my heart,
Verenna vendum
What else is needed?
En mana vaanil siragai virikkum
O colorful birds spreading wings
Vanna paravaigalae
In the sky of my mind,
En kadhaiyai kettaal
If you listen to my story,
Ungal siragugal thannaal moodikkollum
Your wings will fold on their own.
Kalakala kalavena thulli kudhiththidum
O tiny little wave
Chinnanjiru alaiyae
Leaping and dancing with joyful sound,
En nilaiyai kettaal
If you hear of my plight,
Ungal thullalum thaanaai adangividum
Your playful bounces will automatically subside.
Porulukkaai paattai sonnaal
If a song is sung merely for money,
Porulattra paattae aagum
It becomes a song devoid of meaning.
Paadinaen adhai naalum naalum
I sang day after day,
Porulillaa paattaanaalum
Even if it is a song without material wealth,
Porulaiyae pottu selvaar
They will shower me with true meaning and respect,
Pottrumae en nenjam nenjam
And my heart will cherish it.
Manamullor ennai paarpaar
Those with a good heart will look at me,
Manathinil avarai parppaen
And I will see them inside my mind.
Maranthidaa raagam idhu thaanae
Is this not an unforgettable melody?
Vaazhkkai enum maedaithanil
On this stage called life,
Nadagangal ooraayiram
There are a thousand dramas.
Paarkka vaathaen naanum paarvai indri…ee…
I too came to watch, yet without vision...
En mana vaanil siragai virikkum
O colorful birds spreading wings
Vanna paravaigalae
In the sky of my mind,
En kadhaiyai kettaal
If you listen to my story,
Ungal siragugal thannaal moodikkollum
Your wings will fold on their own.
Kalakala kalavena thulli kudhiththidum
O tiny little wave
Chinnanjiru alaiyae
Leaping and dancing with joyful sound,
En nilaiyai kettaal
If you hear of my plight,
Ungal thullalum thaanaai adangividum..
Your playful bounces will automatically subside..
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This poignant song expresses the inner anguish and resilient spirit of a visually impaired singer who addresses nature—birds and ocean waves—to share his deeply moving life story. He reflects on how his painful life experiences translate directly into his soulful music, viewing his artistic gift as a divine response to his prayers despite his physical blindness.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamanai/Uvamai)
“En mana vaanil siragai virikkum”
'Mana vaanil' compares the speaker's mind to a vast sky where colorful birds fly.
Personification
“Ungal siragugal thannaal moodikkollum”
Addressing birds and waves as empathetic listeners who would fold their wings or cease bouncing upon hearing his grief.
Onomatopoeia (Erattai Kilavi)
“Kalakala kalavena thulli kudhiththidum”
'Kalakala kalavena' captures the rhythmic, joyful sound of rippling waves.
Wordplay / Polysemy (Sledai)
“Naan paadum paadal ellaam / Naan patta paadae andro”
Playing with 'paadal' (song) and 'patta paadu' (sufferings endured).
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Mu. Metha, 'En Mana Vaanil' is a landmark track from the film 'Kasi' (2001), starring Vikram as a blind village singer. The song features male and female renditions, notably sung by Hariharan and K.J. Yesudas in different album versions, and won critical acclaim for its deep emotional depth and poetic lyrical imagery.
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