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Manamulla Marutharam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kaayile Inippathenna Kaniyanal

From Manamulla Marutharam · 1958

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
A. M. Raja, Jikki
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Manamulla Marutharam
Movie release year
1958
Lyrics added on
21 Feb 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kaayilae inippathenna kaniyaanaal kasappathenna
Kaayilae inippathenna kaniyaanaal kasappathenna
Vaayaadi vambu pesum maane bathil sollu
Vaayaadi vambu pesum maanae bathil sollu
Kaalathin kolathinaal kattazhagu kulaivathanaal
Etti kaniyaaga aangal ennum penninanthaan
Kaalathin kolathinaal kattazhagu kulaivathanaal
Etti kaniyaaga aangal ennum penninanthaan
Neelamaai therivathenna neerveezhchi aavathenna
Neelamaai therivathenna neerveezhchi aavathenna
Nimirnthae ennai paarthu neraana bathil sollu
Nimirnthae ennai paarthu neraana bathil sollu
Nenjinilae anudhinamum konjum inbathunbamenum
Nilaiyai kaattukindra pengalin kangalthaan
Nenjinilae anudhinamum konjum inbathunbamenum
Nilaiyai kaattukindra pengalin kangalthaan
Pirinthaal kanalaagi nerungi nindraal paniyaagi
Pirinthaal kanalaagi nerungi nindraal paniyaagi
Karuthil vilaiyaada kaanum porulenna
Karuthil vilaiyaada kaanum porulenna
Irandu ithayangalai ivvulagil ondraakki
Endrum azhiyaamal vaazhum unmai kaathal thaan
Irandu ithayangalai ivvulagil ondraakki
Endrum azhiyaamal vaazhum unmai kaathal thaan
What is sweet when raw, but bitter once ripe?
What is sweet when raw, but bitter once ripe?
Answer me, you teasing, chatterbox deer!
Answer me, you teasing, chatterbox deer!
When youthful beauty fades with the passage of time,
It is womankind, whom men then treat like bitter fruit!
When youthful beauty fades with the passage of time,
It is womankind, whom men then treat like bitter fruit!
What looks deep blue and flows down like a waterfall?
What looks deep blue and flows down like a waterfall?
Look straight at me and give me a direct answer!
Look straight at me and give me a direct answer!
Showing the joys and sorrows that stir in the heart each day,
It is none other than a woman's eyes!
Showing the joys and sorrows that stir in the heart each day,
It is none other than a woman's eyes!
Burning like fire when parted, turning cool like dew when close,
Burning like fire when parted, turning cool like dew when close,
What is that wondrous thing playing in our thoughts?
What is that wondrous thing playing in our thoughts?
Uniting two hearts as one in this world,
It is true love that lives on forever!
Uniting two hearts as one in this world,
It is true love that lives on forever!
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a classic romantic riddle-and-answer duet between the lead pair. The male protagonist poses philosophical and poetic riddles questioning human nature, beauty, appearance, and emotion, while the female protagonist playfully answers each riddle with wit and deep insight.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagaimai)

“Etti kaniyaaga aangal ennum penninanthaan”

Comparing a woman whose physical beauty fades over time to an 'Etti kani' (strychnine fruit / bitter fruit) to describe changing perceptions in love.

Antithesis / Oxymoron (Maranpatta Sorkal)

“Pirinthaal kanalaagi nerungi nindraal paniyaagi”

Contrasting 'Kanal' (fire/heat) when separated with 'Pani' (ice/snow) when together to depict the emotional extremes of affection.

Emoni / Rhyme (Monai and Ethirai)

“Kaayilae inippathenna kaniyaanaal kasappathenna”

Usage of initial and second-letter rhyming across lines such as 'Kaayilae' and 'Kaalathin', as well as 'Nenjinilae' and 'Nilaiyai'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics by A. Maruthakasi, this song exemplifies the 'Vina-Vidai' (question-answer) song structure that was immensely popular in 1950s Tamil cinema duets.

Keep listening

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From the same album

More songs from Manamulla Marutharam

View album
Thiruvilakku Veettukku Alangaram1958
Manamulla MarutharamCelebratory
Nellukkulle Arisi Iruppathu1958
Manamulla MarutharamHopeful
Kaalile Thandai Kalakalakka1958
Manamulla MarutharamCelebratory
Inbamenge Inbamenge Endru1958
Manamulla MarutharamContemplative
Aasai Kanavugale Sathavum1958
Manamulla MarutharamConfident
Aadatha Aattamellam Aaduranga1958
Manamulla MarutharamHumorous

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