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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maan Kanden

From Raja Rishi · 1985

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, Vani Jairam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Raja Rishi1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Maan kanden maan kandenI saw a deer, I saw a deer
Maanae thaan naan kandenIt is indeed a deer that I saw
Naan pennai kaanenI do not see a woman
Female
Naan kanden naan kandenI saw, I saw
Naan unnai thaan kandenI saw only you
Naan ennai kaanenI do not see myself
Male
Pulli maanaa maanida maanaeAre you a spotted deer, or a human deer?
Female
Palli maanaai vandhaval naanaeI am the one who came as your royal consort deer
Male
Maan kanden maan kandenI saw a deer, I saw a deer
Maanae thaan naan kandenIt is indeed a deer that I saw
Naan pennai kaanenI do not see a woman
Male
Aadai kattum rojaavaeO rose draped in attire
Kannil ambu veesaadhaeDo not shoot arrows with your eyes
Koondhal enna naaga sarppamo oo…Is your hair a hooded cobra snake?
Female
Ennai aalum raajaavaeO king who rules over me
Unnai ennil moodaadhaeDo not conceal yourself within me
Angam undhan thanga vaaganam mm…Your body is a golden chariot
Male
Koondhalil nee paai viriSpread your mat within your long tresses
Female
Koodalil nee aadhariSupport me during our intimate union
Male
Kaaichaadha paal unnum pen annamThe female swan that consumes unboiled milk
Kaamathu paal unna yaengumYearns to taste the milk of passion
Female
Kaiyodu nee endhan mai saerkkaWhen you merge your kohl-lined beauty with my hands
Kaatrukkum ulmoochu vaangumEven the wind holds its breath in gasps
Male
Aa… aa… aa…Ah... ah... ah...
Female
Aa… aa… aa…Ah... ah... ah...
Male
Maan kanden maan kandenI saw a deer, I saw a deer
Maanae thaan naan kandenIt is indeed a deer that I saw
Naan pennai kaanenI do not see a woman
Female
Naan kanden naan kandenI saw, I saw
Naan unnai thaan kandenI saw only you
Naan ennai kaanenI do not see myself
Male
Pulli maanaa maanida maanaeAre you a spotted deer, or a human deer?
Female
Palli maanaai vandhaval naanaeI am the one who came as your royal consort deer
Male
Maan kanden maan kandenI saw a deer, I saw a deer
Maanae thaan naan kandenIt is indeed a deer that I saw
Naan pennai kaanenI do not see a woman
Male
Haa….aa…aa….aa…aa…Haa... aa... aa... aa... aa...
Haa….aa…aa…aa….(2)Haa... aa... aa... aa... (2)
Chorus
{Laalee laalee laa laalee laalee laa{ Laalee laalee laa laalee laalee laa
Laalee laalee laalee laalee aa…aa…aa…aa…aa…} (2)Laalee laalee laalee laalee aa... aa... aa... aa... aa... } (2)
Male
Thaenil oorum theevukkulInside an island soaked in honey
Naagalinga poovukkulInside the Nagalinga flower
Moga vandu paada vandhadhuThe bee of desire came to sing
Female
Thaana thandha sandhathilIn the rhythm created on its own
Kaadhal thandha sondhathilIn the relationship granted by love
Bogam ennum raagam vandhadhuThe melody named pleasure arrived
Male
Boomiyil or vaanavilA rainbow on the earth
Female
Aadidum un tholgalilDances upon your shoulders
Male
Vaanukkum boomikkum or paadhaiA path connecting the sky and the earth
Pen endru naan indru paarthaenToday I witnessed what a true woman is
Female
Gandharva logathai naam kaanumThe realm of Gandharvas that we shall witness
Naal endha naal endru paarthaenI looked forward to which day that would be
Male
Aa…aa…aa…Aa... aa... aa...
Female
Aa…aa…aa…Aa... aa... aa...
Male
Maan kanden maan kandenI saw a deer, I saw a deer
Maanae thaan naan kandenIt is indeed a deer that I saw
Naan pennai kaanenI do not see a woman
Female
Naan kanden naan kandenI saw, I saw
Naan unnai thaan kandenI saw only you
Naan ennai kaanenI do not see myself
Male
Pulli maanaa maanida maanaeAre you a spotted deer, or a human deer?
Female
Palli maanaai vandhaval naanaeI am the one who came as your royal consort deer

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic sensual track from the movie 'Raja Rishi' (1985) captures a romantic exchange between Sage Vishwamitra and the celestial nymph Menaka. The male protagonist speaks of being captivated by her deer-like innocent beauty, losing his self-awareness in her presence, while the female protagonist responds with deep devotion and affection, playing on poetic comparisons of deer, flowers, and cosmic realms.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagamb (Metaphor)

Pulli maanaa maanida maanae

Comparing the female protagonist to a deer ('Pulli maanaa maanida maanae') and comparing her hair to a cobra ('Koondhal enna naaga sarppamo').

Yamakam / Sol Nayam (Wordplay)

Maan kanden maan kanden

Repetition of the word 'Maan' with varying contextual shades (spotted deer, human deer, royal consort deer).

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is set in a mythological period context from 'Raja Rishi', a film centered on Sage Vishwamitra played by Sivaji Ganesan, with music composed by Ilaiyaraaja.

Keep listening

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