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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Gowri Manohariyai

From Mazhalai Pattalam · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Mazhalai Pattalam
Movie release year
1980
Lyrics added on
25 May 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Gowri manogariyai kandaen
Oru aadavan vadivaththilae
Gowri manogariyai kandaen
Oru aadavan vadivaththilae
Paruangal sendraalum kannan
Avan kaviraja sangeetha mannan
Avan kaviraja sangeetha mannan
En peril sugamaana raagam
Oru sridevi santhikkum yogam
En peril sugamaana raagam
Oru sridevi santhikkum yogam
Nee mazhai naalil vilaiyaadum megam
Enna vayathendr thondraatha vegam
Gowri manogariyai kandaen
Oru aadavan vadivaththilae
Paruangal sendraalum kannan
Avan kaviraja sangeetha mannan
Thaaraatha selvangal thaaimai
Avaiyaanaalum en ullam oomai
Kann munbu azhagaana aanmai
Naan kallalla kanivaana penmai
Panpaadu enbaargal silarae
Idhil pennpaadu kandorgal evarae
En paadu naanthaanae ariven
Uyar anbodu manam pola inaiven
Gowri manogariyai kandaen
Oru aadavan vadivaththilae
Malai meedhu adiththaalum kaattru
Adhu kadal meedhu thavazhnthaalum kaattru
Vayathodu vanthaalum kadhal
Adhu vayathaagi vanthaalum kadhal
Ulagaththil sila nooru ezhuththu
Aanaal uravukku palakodi karuththu
Un vaazhvai neeyaaga nadaththu
Idhil oorenna sonnaalum thiruththu
Gowri manogariyai kandaen
Oru aadavan vadivaththilae
Paruangal sendraalum kannan
Avan kaviraja sangeetha mannan
I saw Gowri Manohari
In the form of a man
I saw Gowri Manohari
In the form of a man
Though the years of youth have passed, he is Krishna
He is the king of poetry and music
He is the king of poetry and music
There is a sweet melody in my name
And the blessing of meeting a woman like Sridevi
There is a sweet melody in my name
And the blessing of meeting a woman like Sridevi
You are a cloud dancing on a rainy day
With an energy that makes one forget your age
I saw Gowri Manohari
In the form of a man
Though the years of youth have passed, he is Krishna
He is the king of poetry and music
Motherhood brought me priceless blessings
Yet through it all, my heart remained silent
Before my eyes stands handsome manhood
I am not made of stone, but tender womanhood
Some will speak of tradition
Yet who among them understands a woman's struggles?
Only I know what my heart goes through
With deep love, I will follow my heart and unite
I saw Gowri Manohari
In the form of a man
Whether it blows over a mountain, it is the wind
Whether it drifts across the sea, it is still the wind
Whether it comes in the days of youth, it is love
Even if it arrives in later years, it is still love
There are only a few hundred letters in the world
Yet relationships hold millions of meanings
Live your life on your own terms
Whatever the world may say, set things right
I saw Gowri Manohari
In the form of a man
Though the years of youth have passed, he is Krishna
He is the king of poetry and music
Female
Male
Male
Female
Female
Female
Male
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Gowri Manogariyai Kandaen' is a poignant composition expressing love, emotional maturity, and personal freedom beyond age constraints. The protagonist perceives her lover as a living embodiment of the classical raga Gowri Manohari and likens his charm to Lord Krishna. Despite having fulfilled societal roles like motherhood, she asserts that her emotional heart is not made of stone and still longs for true companionship.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rupaka Alankar (Metaphor)

“Gowri manogariyai kandaen / Oru aadavan vadivaththilae”

Personifies the Carnatic raga Gowri Manohari into a handsome man, metaphorically blending art and human form.

Yamakam / Polysemy (Wordplay)

“Panpaadu enbaargal silarae / Idhil pennpaadu kandorgal evarae / En paadu naanthaanae ariven”

Clever play on the Tamil root word 'Paadu' used in three different contexts: 'Panpaadu' (culture), 'pennpaadu' (a woman's condition/struggle), and 'En paadu' (my own plight/song).

Analogy / Metaphor

“Malai meedhu adiththaalum kaattru / Adhu kadal meedhu thavazhnthaalum kaattru”

Compares love to the wind, asserting that just as wind remains wind regardless of terrain (mountain or sea), love remains pure love regardless of when or where it blossoms.

Iyaipu (Refrain / End Rhyme)

“Vayathodu vanthaalum kadhal / Adhu vayathaagi vanthaalum kadhal”

Repetition of the ending word 'kadhal' to emphasize the unchanging nature of love across different stages of life.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Mazhalai Pattalam' (1980) marked the directorial debut of renowned actress Lakshmi, under the supervision and production of Legendary director K. Balachander. The song features music composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics written by Kannadasan, cleverly referencing classical musical ragas like Gowri Manohari within the lyric structure.

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