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Isaimozhi
Manaivi Ready album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Jaan Pillai Aanalum

From Manaivi Ready · 1987

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Ilayaraja, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Manaivi Ready
Movie release year
1987
Lyrics added on
28 Apr 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Jaan pillai aanaalum
Nee aan pillathaanyaa
Nee chinnavan aanaalum
En mannavanthaanyaa
Kaalam ellaam unnodathaan
Kooda vara aasa pattaen
Kannaalamthaan katti vachchu
Thalli vachcha enna seiven
Jaan pillai aanaalum
Nee aan pillathaanyaa
Nee chinnavan aanaalum
En mannavanthaanyaa
Mookku muzhi paakkaamathathaan
Maalai itta thiyaagiyadi
Kaasu panam ketkkaamathaan
Kattikkitta machchaanadi
Panniya punniyamthaan
Un sodiyaa saenthukkittaen
Eppavum ippadiyae
Vaazha saamiya naenthukkittaen
Podi punniyam illaiyadi
Naan panniya paavamadi
Kattilum meththaiyumthaan
Enna keliyaa pesudhadi
Onna pola naanum thaanae
Ullukkulla vaaduraenae
Enna seiyya thottaa ippa
Thosam varum rasavae
Jaan pillai aanaalum
Nee aan pillathaanyaa
Nee chinnavan aanaalum
En mannavanthaanyaa
Pesi pesi jeyikkirathu
Pondaattinga vedikkathaan
Pechchu kettu mayangurathu
Aambalainga vaadikkathaan
Neththiyil vachchirukkum
Vatta pottla nee irukkae
Thala maththiyil vachchirukkum
Vaasa poovilum nee irukkae
Ice ice……manmathan polavaethaan
Ponnu maappila thediduvaa
Adi ennapol vaachchupputtaa
Unna polathaan reel uduvaa
Konjinaakkaa kondaattamthaan
Mama vanthaa thindaattamthaan
Konjam poru
Kaalam varum neram varum rasavae
Yae…..jaan pillai aanaalum
Nee aan pillathaandi
Nee chinnavan aanaalum
Un mannavanthaandi
Kaalam ellaam unnodathaan
Kooda vara aasapattaen
Kannaalamthaan katti vachchu
Thalli vechchaa enna seivaen
Jaan pillai aanaalum
Nee aan pillathaanyaa
Nee chinnavan aanaalum
En mannavanthaanyaa
Even if you are only a span tall,
you are still a true man!
Even if you are young,
you are still my king!
For all my life, with you,
I longed to walk beside you.
Having tied the knot in marriage,
if you keep me apart, what can I do?
Even if you are only a span tall,
you are still a true man!
Even if you are young,
you are still my king!
Without even checking your looks,
I am the selfless man who garlanded you!
Without asking for money or wealth,
I am the man who married you!
It is all because of good deeds
that I became your pair.
To always live together like this,
I prayed to the gods.
Get lost, it was no good deed,
it is the sin that I committed!
Even the cot and the mattress
are mocking me now!
Just like you, I too
am suffering deep inside.
What can I do? If you touch me now,
it will bring bad luck, my king!
Even if you are only a span tall,
you are still a true man!
Even if you are young,
you are still my king!
Winning every argument by talking
is just a wife's playful game.
Getting charmed by her sweet talk
is just a man's usual habit.
In the round bindi
placed on my forehead, you live.
In the fragrant flower
tucked in my hair, you live.
Butter me up! A girl looks for a groom
who is handsome like the god of love,
but if she gets stuck with someone like me,
she spins tall tales just like you do!
If we cuddle, it is pure joy,
but if uncle comes in, we are in trouble!
Just be a little patient,
our time will come, my king!
Hey, even if I am only a span tall,
I am still a true man!
Even if I am young,
I am still your king!
For all my life, with you,
I longed to walk beside you.
Having tied the knot in marriage,
if we are kept apart, what can I do?
Even if you are only a span tall,
you are still a true man!
Even if you are young,
you are still my king!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Jaan Pillai Aanaalum' from the film Manaivi Ready (1987) is a playful, romantic duet sung by Ilaiyaraaja and S. Janaki, featuring lyrics by Vaali. The narrative centers on a comedic yet affection-filled dynamic between a couple where the bride is older or taller than her young husband. Despite social oddities and playful teasing, both express their deep commitment, marital bond, and underlying passion while navigating boundary restrictions.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Proverbial Allusion / Idiomatic Expression (Pazhamozhi)

“Jaan pillai aanaalum / Nee aan pillathaanyaa”

The opening line uses the famous Tamil proverb 'Jaan pillai aanaalum aan pillai' (Even if a boy is only a span tall, he is still a man), emphasizing traditional male pride and marital status playfully.

Emona / Rhyme (Etaikku Etai)

“Pondaattinga vedikkathaan / Aambalainga vaadikkathaan”

Vaali uses structural end-rhymes (Anuprasam) like 'Vedikkathaan' and 'Vaadikkathaan' to give the song its rhythmic conversational banter.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

“Vatta pottla nee irukkae / Vaasa poovilum nee irukkae”

The heroine metaphorically places her husband in her forehead bindi and hair flowers, symbolizing how omnipresent he is in her traditional adornments.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Manaivi Ready' is a 1987 Tamil comedy film starring Pandiarajan. The song is notable because Ilaiyaraaja himself sang the male lead vocals alongside S. Janaki, lending a unique folk-pop charm and comedic delivery that perfectly matched Pandiarajan's onscreen persona.

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