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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maamuniye Maathavame

From Ivan Avanethan · 1960

Lyricist
Kovai Sabapathy
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
M. Ranga Rao
Details
Ivan Avanethan1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Maamuniyae….mathavamaeOh great sage... oh embodiment of deep penance!
Manimudi thariththu mannanaai vaazhaamalInstead of living as a king wearing a jeweled crown,
Munivaraagi thavam seithal muraithaanoIs it right for you to become an ascetic and perform severe penance?
Female
Kann thiranthae paarum kanivodu vaarumOpen your eyes and look; come with compassion!
Kadunthavam pothum yaenintha mounamEnough of this harsh penance, why this silence?
Maamuniyae….mathavamaeOh great sage... oh embodiment of deep penance!
Female
Kann thiranthae paarum kanivodu vaarumOpen your eyes and look; come with compassion!
Female
En azhagu verum kaanalaagi povathaaWill my beauty turn into a mere mirage?
Ilamaiyum ponapin veenaaga novathaaIs it right to suffer in vain once youth has faded away?
En sathangaiyin thaalamum oomkaara isai naathamumThe rhythm of my anklets and the divine musical sound,
Inaivathae inbmaagum vaazhvilaeTheir union brings ultimate happiness in life!
Maamuniyae….mathavamaeOh great sage... oh embodiment of deep penance!
Female
Kann thiranthae paarum kanivodu vaarumOpen your eyes and look; come with compassion!
Kadunthavam pothum yaenintha mounamEnough of this harsh penance, why this silence?
Maamuniyae….mathavamae…Oh great sage... oh embodiment of deep penance...
Female
Kann thiranthaal perinbamingu kaanumaeIf you open your eyes, supreme bliss can be found right here!
Kann moodinaal adhu kanavaagi pogumaeIf you close your eyes, it will turn into a mere dream!
Indhira bogam enakkinai illaiNothing compares to the celestial pleasures I offer,
Iniyithu pola vera neramillaiThere is no better time than this sweet moment!
Maamuniyae….mathavamaeOh great sage... oh embodiment of deep penance!
Female
Kann thiranthae paarum kanivodu vaarumOpen your eyes and look; come with compassion!
Kadunthavam pothum yaenintha mounamEnough of this harsh penance, why this silence?
Maamuniyae….mathavamae…Oh great sage... oh embodiment of deep penance...
Female
Ilagaathathaeno….unaraathathaeno…Why does your heart not melt? Why do you not feel?
Enathaasai veeno sarithaanoIs my desire futile, is this right?
Muraithaano…nerithaano…Is it proper? Is it correct?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song from 'Ivan Avanethan' (1960) portrays a dancer attempting to seduce a royal prince turned sage away from his deep ascetic meditation. She questions why someone born to wear a crown would choose self-denial over earthly joys, warning him that youth and beauty are fleeting like a mirage. Through seductive words, rhythm, and melody, she entreats him to break his vow of silence and embrace sensory pleasure.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagaimai)

En azhagu verum kaanalaagi povathaa

Comparing fleeting physical beauty to a mirage ('kaanalaagi povathaa') to emphasize its transient nature.

Rhyme / Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Muraithaano…nerithaano…

The lines end with rhythmic, rhyming musical suffixes ('muraithaano', 'nerithaano') creating a persuasive lyrical cadence.

Antithesis / Contrast

Kann thiranthaal perinbamingu kaanumae / Kann moodinaal adhu kanavaagi pogumae

Contrasting the experience of supreme reality upon opening one's eyes versus losing it as a dream when closing them.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track features music composed by M. Ranga Rao, a legendary composer primarily celebrated in Kannada cinema, who worked on selective Tamil films in the early 1960s. The song showcases S. Janaki's classical rendition abilities early in her career.

Keep listening

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