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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
Details
Mazhalai Pattalam1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Gowri manogariyai kandaenI saw the raga Gowri Manohari
Oru aadavan vadivaththilaeIn the form of a man.
Gowri manogariyai kandaenI saw the raga Gowri Manohari
Oru aadavan vadivaththilaeIn the form of a man.
Paruangal sendraalum kannanEven as years pass, he is Krishna,
Avan kaviraja sangeetha mannanHe is the king of poets, the king of music.
Avan kaviraja sangeetha mannanHe is the king of poets, the king of music.
Male
En peril sugamaana raagamIn my name lies a sweet melody,
Oru sridevi santhikkum yogamA fortunate grace where a goddess meets.
En peril sugamaana raagamIn my name lies a sweet melody,
Oru sridevi santhikkum yogamA fortunate grace where a goddess meets.
Nee mazhai naalil vilaiyaadum megamYou are a cloud playing on a rainy day,
Enna vayathendr thondraatha vegamWith a boundless spirit uninhibited by age.
Male
Gowri manogariyai kandaenI saw the raga Gowri Manohari
Oru aadavan vadivaththilaeIn the form of a man.
Paruangal sendraalum kannanEven as years pass, he is Krishna,
Avan kaviraja sangeetha mannanHe is the king of poets, the king of music.
Female
Thaaraatha selvangal thaaimaiMotherhood brings unmatched treasures,
Avaiyaanaalum en ullam oomaiYet despite them, my heart remains silent and mute.
Kann munbu azhagaana aanmaiBefore my eyes stands handsome masculinity,
Naan kallalla kanivaana penmaiAnd I am no stone, but tender womanhood.
Female
Panpaadu enbaargal silaraeSome people talk about tradition and culture,
Idhil pennpaadu kandorgal evaraeBut who among them understands a woman's struggle?
En paadu naanthaanae arivenMy own struggle, I alone know best,
Uyar anbodu manam pola inaivenWith deep love, I will unite as my heart desires.
Female
Gowri manogariyai kandaenI saw the raga Gowri Manohari
Oru aadavan vadivaththilaeIn the form of a man.
Male
Malai meedhu adiththaalum kaattruWhether it sweeps over the mountains, it is wind,
Adhu kadal meedhu thavazhnthaalum kaattruEven if it glides over the sea, it remains wind.
Vayathodu vanthaalum kadhalLove is love when it arrives in youth,
Adhu vayathaagi vanthaalum kadhalAnd love remains love even when it arrives in old age.
Male
Ulagaththil sila nooru ezhuththuThere are only a few hundred letters in this world,
Aanaal uravukku palakodi karuththuYet relationships hold millions of meanings.
Un vaazhvai neeyaaga nadaththuLive your life as your true self,
Idhil oorenna sonnaalum thiruththuAnd correct or ignore whatever the world says about it.
Female
Gowri manogariyai kandaenI saw the raga Gowri Manohari
Oru aadavan vadivaththilaeIn the form of a man.
Paruangal sendraalum kannanEven as years pass, he is Krishna,
Avan kaviraja sangeetha mannanHe is the king of poets, the king of music.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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