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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannin Maniyae

From Manathil Urudhi Vendum · 1987

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. S. Chitra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Manathil Urudhi Vendum1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannin maniyae kannin maniyae poraattamaaOh apple of my eye, oh apple of my eye, is life a struggle?
Un kangalil enna kangalil enna neerottamaaWhy is there a stream of tears flowing in your eyes?
Penn munnettram ellaam verum pechchoduthaanaaIs women's empowerment merely talk?
Pazham paattoduthaanaa adhu yaettoduthaanaaIs it confined only to old songs and written books?
Naalthorum paadu oomaigal thaanaaAre women destined to suffer every day like mute beings?
Female
Kannin maniyae kannin maniyae poraattamaaOh apple of my eye, oh apple of my eye, is life a struggle?
Un kangalil enna kangalil enna neerottamaaWhy is there a stream of tears flowing in your eyes?
Female
Saaththirangal penn inaththai moodi maraiththathammaaDogmatic traditions suppressed and hid womankind, my dear.
Antha aaththiraththil bharathikkum meesai thudiththathammaaSeeing that injustice, even poet Bharathi's mustache twitched in rage!
Saaththirangal penn inaththai moodi maraiththathammaaDogmatic traditions suppressed and hid womankind, my dear.
Antha aaththiraththil bharathikkum meesai thudiththathammaaSeeing that injustice, even poet Bharathi's mustache twitched in rage!
Female
Veedaalum penmai ingae naadaalum kaalam vanthuEven when the time has arrived for women who rule homes to rule nations,
Oomaigal polave endrum oyaamal kanneer sinthumThey continuously shed tears without stopping, like mute people.
Female
Yaenendru ketkaththaan ippothu aal illaiThere is no one present now to question why this happens.
Sama needhi serginda sattangal yaen illaiWhy are there no laws that bring equal justice?
Ulagamellaam vidintha pinnumEven after dawn has broken for the entire world,
Ungalin iravugal vidiyavillaiThe dark night of women's lives has not yet seen its morning.
Female
Kannin maniyae kannin maniyae poraattamaaOh apple of my eye, oh apple of my eye, is life a struggle?
Un kangalil enna kangalil enna neerottamaaWhy is there a stream of tears flowing in your eyes?
Penn munnettram ellaam verum pechchoduthaanaaIs women's empowerment merely talk?
Pazham paattoduthaanaa adhu yaettoduthaanaaIs it confined only to old songs and written books?
Naalthorum paadu oomaigal thaanaaAre women destined to suffer every day like mute beings?
Female
Kannin maniyae kannin maniyae poraattamaaOh apple of my eye, oh apple of my eye, is life a struggle?
Un kangalil enna kangalil enna neerottamaaWhy is there a stream of tears flowing in your eyes?
Female
Paai virikkum paavai enna kadhal padhumaigalaaAre women who make the bed merely decorative love dolls?
Dhinam yaeval seiyya aadavarkku kaval adimaigalaaAre they bonded slaves kept to carry out men's orders daily?
Ponnalli vaiththaalthaanae poomaalai tholol yaerumOnly if showered with gold does the wedding garland reach the shoulder.
Illaatha yaezhaiyarkellaam pollaatha thanimai kolamFor poor women without wealth, cruel solitude becomes their plight.
Female
Erigindra neraththil anaikkindra kaiyillaiWhen they burn in suffering, there is no hand to extinguish the fire.
Solgindra vaarththaigal ovvondrum poi illaiNot a single word spoken here is a lie.
Kanavugalil midhanthapadiWhile floating in their innocent dreams,
Kalanguthu mayanguthu paruvakkodiThe young maiden's spirit shrinks and faints in sorrow.
Female
Kannin maniyae kannin maniyae poraattamaaOh apple of my eye, oh apple of my eye, is life a struggle?
Un kangalil enna kangalil enna neerottamaaWhy is there a stream of tears flowing in your eyes?
Penn munnettram ellaam verum pechchoduthaanaaIs women's empowerment merely talk?
Pazham paattoduthaanaa adhu yaettoduthaanaaIs it confined only to old songs and written books?
Naalthorum paadu oomaigal thaanaaAre women destined to suffer every day like mute beings?
Female
Kannin maniyae kannin maniyae poraattamaaOh apple of my eye, oh apple of my eye, is life a struggle?
Un kangalil enna kangalil enna neerottamaaWhy is there a stream of tears flowing in your eyes?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant track from the film 'Manathil Urudhi Vendum' serves as a powerful feminist anthem questioning society's double standards and systemic oppression of women. The lyricist Vaali highlights how real-world progress for women remains an illusion confined to empty speeches, old literature, and legal promises while daily reality offers dowry cruelty, objectification, and silent suffering.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagandhal)

Un kangalil enna kangalil enna neerottamaa

'Neerottamaa' compares continuous tears in eyes to a flowing stream of water.

Allusion (Kurippeedum Santharpam)

Antha aaththiraththil bharathikkum meesai thudiththathammaa

Refers to Subramania Bharati, the pioneering Tamil poet who famously championed women's rights.

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Ani)

Penn munnettram ellaam verum pechchoduthaanaa

Questions whether female empowerment exists only on paper or speeches.

Etukai (Second letter rhyming)

Erigindra neraththil anaikkindra kaiyillai / Solgindra vaarththaigal ovvondrum poi illai

Rhyming of second letters across adjacent lines ('Er...' and 'So...').

Did you know?

Trivia

The movie 'Manathil Urudhi Vendum' (1987), directed by K. Balachander, derives its title from Mahakavi Bharathiyar's iconic poem emphasizing mental fortitude. The song's composer Ilaiyaraaja and lyricist Vaali created several songs for the film reflecting women's independence and societal challenges.

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