- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Kadal Meengal
- Movie release year
- 1981
- Lyrics added on
- 11 Jun 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
'Maanae Oru Mangala Sippi' from Kadal Meengal (1981) is a soulful parental ballad written by Kannadasan. A loving father sings to his young child, describing the child as a rare pearl birthed by an auspicious mother oyster. The song captures the father's tender reflections on grief, hope, and his devotion to his son in the absence of a complete family unit. As the child grows and learns to walk, the father expresses hope that their future will be illuminated with happiness, respect, and reunion. He draws beautiful analogies to nature, comparing the bond of mother and child to that between the sky and the glowing moon.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagham)
“Maanae oru mangala sippi / Un thaayae”
The mother is metaphorically described as an auspicious oyster ('mangala sippi') that houses the child.
Simile (Uvamaani)
“Mani muthena vandhavan neeyae”
The child's birth is compared to a precious gem pearl ('Mani muthena vandhavan neeyae').
Parallelism & Monai (Alliteration)
“Vaanathai nambi vanna nilavu / Pillaiyai nambi annai uravu”
Parallel structural poetic reasoning contrasting sky/moon and child/mother relationships.
Did you know?
Trivia
Kadal Meengal (1981) stars Kamal Haasan in a dual role as father and son. The film's music was composed by K. Chakravarthy, and the lyrics were penned by the legendary poet Kannadasan.
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