- Lyricist
- Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
- Singers
- P. Susheela, Chorus
- Music director
- P. Aadhinarayana Rao
- Movie name
- Manalane Mangaiyin Bakkiam
- Movie release year
- 1957
- Lyrics added on
- 5 Sept 2024
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song is a grand devotional panegyric addressed to Lord Shiva in His cosmic dancer form, Nataraja. The devotee glorifies Shiva's divine attributes, calling Him the Lord of the Universe (Jagadheeswara), bearer of the Ganges (Gangadhara), and consort of Goddess Parvati (Sivakamasundari). The lyrics vividly capture the imagery of Shiva's Ananda Tandava—where his holy attributes such as the deer, battle-axe, crescent moon, and serpent appear to dance along with Him to the rhythm of Nandi's mridangam percussion. The verse structure incorporates classical dance syllables (solkattu) and references to scripture, establishing the cosmic dance as an act celebrated by devas, praised by the four Vedas, and revered by all earthly beings. Through melodic invocation, the singer surrenders at the divine feet of Nataraja, seeking perpetual protection and grace.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Solkattu / Onomatopoeia (Rhythmic Syllables)
“Thathimidhimidhathimi thaithaithaiyena”
Use of rhythmic dance syllables ('Thathimidhimidhathimi thaithaithaiyena') to evoke the actual footwork and drum patterns of Lord Shiva's Tandava dance.
Metaphor (Rupaka Alankaram)
“Anbin arul saagara”
Directly comparing Lord Shiva's grace and love to an infinite ocean ('Anbin arul saagara').
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Maan mazhuvaada madhiyaravaada”
Repetition of ending rhyming sounds '-aada' across consecutive lines ('Maan mazhuvaada', 'madhiyaravaada', 'sernthada', 'magizhndhada') creating a rhythmic cadence matching a dance pace.
Etukai (Second Letter Rhyming)
“Indha maanilamum pugazh kavi paada”
Assonance of the second letter 'n' sound between 'Maan' and 'Vaanavarum' / 'maanilamum'.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Manalane Mangaiyin Bakkiam' (1957) was the Tamil remake of the legendary Telugu hit 'Suvarna Sundari' produced by Anjali Pictures. Music director P. Adinarayana Rao composed the music for both versions, retaining the classical Telugu/Tamil ragas. Sung masterfully by P. Susheela, this dance sequence was filmed on classical dancer and actress Vyjayanthimala, becoming one of the benchmark classical dance compositions in South Indian cinema.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Manalane Mangaiyin Bakkiam
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.