Maana Illa Mayila
From Naan Sootiya Malar · 1983
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- P. Susheela, Malaysia Vasudevan
- Music director
- Chandrabose
- Details
- Naan Sootiya Malar1983
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Maanaa illa mayilaa | Is she a deer or a peacock? |
| Malar poonthottamaa ezhil therottammaa | Is she a flower garden or a grand chariot procession? |
| Mugam kaanaamal kaangindra kalaikoodamaa | Is she an art gallery experienced without even seeing her face? |
| Female | |
| Raja udan rani | The King along with the Queen |
| Radhi naanallavo madhan neeyallavo | Am I not Rathi, and are you not Manmatha? |
| Pudhu raajaangam kondaadi arasaalavo | Shall we celebrate and rule a new kingdom? |
| Male | |
| Maanaa | Is she a deer? |
| Female :Aahaa | Female: Aahaa |
| Male :Illa mayilaa | Male: Or a peacock? |
| Female :Oho | Female: Oho |
| Male :Malar poonthottmaa ezhil therottamaa | Male: A flower garden or a grand chariot procession? |
| Mugam kaanaamal kaangindra kalaikoodamaa | An art gallery experienced without even seeing her face? |
| Male | |
| Maanaa | Is she a deer? |
| Female :Aahaa | Female: Aahaa |
| Male :Illa mayilaa | Male: Or a peacock? |
| Female | |
| {Nyaabagam oru aalayam adhil | Memory is a temple inside which |
| Vaazhum naalai pesum paarvaikalae | The looks speak of a future day to live |
| Vaazhalaam enum aasaiyil dhinam | Every day with the desire to live on |
| Yaengum enthan kadhal padalgalae} (2) | My love songs yearn deeply |
| Male | |
| Ponnaana vaelaiyilae pudhu raagangal | Memory is a temple inside which |
| Poochchoodum bothinilae kavi maegangal | The looks speak of a future day to live |
| Ponnaana vaelaiyilae pudhu raagangal | Every day with the desire to live on |
| Poochchoodum bothinilae kavi maegangal | My love songs yearn deeply |
| Female | |
| Raja… | In this golden time, new ragas emerge |
| Male :Aa…. | When flowers are adorned, poetic clouds gather |
| Female :Udan rani | In this golden time, new ragas emerge |
| Male :Aiyo | When flowers are adorned, poetic clouds gather |
| Female :Radhi naanallavo mathan neeyallavo | King... |
| Pudhu raajaangam kondaadi arasaalavo | Male: Aa.... |
| Male | |
| Maanaa illa mayilaa | Female: Along with the Queen |
| Malar poonthottamaa ezhil therottammaa | Male: Oh my! |
| Mugam kaanaamal kaangindra kalaikoodamaa | Female: Am I not Rathi, and are you not Manmatha? |
| Male | |
| Maanaa illa mayilaa | Shall we celebrate and rule a new kingdom? |
| Male | |
| {Aayiram kadhai pesuvom | Is she a deer or a peacock? |
| Mazhai saerum manal pola uravaaduvom | Is she a flower garden or a grand chariot procession? |
| Naalellaam vizhaa thoranam | Is she an art gallery experienced without even seeing her face? |
| Un naanamthaanae nindrae varaverkkumo} (2) | Is she a deer or a peacock? |
| Female | |
| Vaazh naalil nee irunthaal enakathu pothum | We shall speak a thousand stories |
| Vaasalilae kolamittaal kaayangal aarum | We shall bond like the sand uniting with rain |
| Vaazh naalil nee irunthaal enakathu pothum | Festive decorations all through the days |
| Vaasalilae kolamittaal kaayangal aarum | Will your shyness stand and welcome me? |
| Male | |
| Maanaa | We shall speak a thousand stories |
| Female :Aahaa | We shall bond like the sand uniting with rain |
| Male :Illa mayilaa | Festive decorations all through the days |
| Female :Ohho | Will your shyness stand and welcome me? |
| Male :Malar poonthottamaa ezhil therottammaa | If you are with me in my life, that is enough for me |
| Mugam kaanaamal kaangindra kalaikoodamaa | If you draw a kolam at the entrance, all wounds will heal |
| Female | |
| Raja | If you are with me in my life, that is enough for me |
| Male :Aa…. | If you draw a kolam at the entrance, all wounds will heal |
| Female :Udan rani | Is she a deer? |
| Male :Aha haa | Female: Aahaa |
| Female :Radhi naanallavo mathan neeyallavo | Male: Or a peacock? |
| Pudhu raajaangam kondaadi arasaalavo | Female: Ohho |
| Male | |
| Maanaa | Male: A flower garden or a grand chariot procession? |
| Female :Aahaa | An art gallery experienced without even seeing her face? |
| Male :Illa mayilaa | King |
| Female :Illa illa | Male: Aa.... |
| Raja udan raani | Female: Along with the Queen |
| Male :Nana nana maanaa illa mayilaa…. | Male: Aha haa |
மானா இல்ல மயிலா
மலர் பூந்தோட்டமா எழில் தேரோட்டமா
முகம் காணாமல் காண்கின்ற கலைக்கூடமா
Is she a deer or a peacock?
Is she a flower garden or a grand chariot procession?
Is she an art gallery experienced without even seeing her face?
ராஜா உடன் ராணி
ரதி நானல்லவோ மதன் நீயல்லவோ
புது ராஜாங்கம் கொண்டாடி அரசாளவோ
The King along with the Queen
Am I not Rathi, and are you not Manmatha?
Shall we celebrate and rule a new kingdom?
மானா
ஆஹா
இல்ல மயிலா
ஓஹோ
மலர் பூந்தோட்டமா எழில் தேரோட்டமா
முகம் காணாமல் காண்கின்ற கலைக்கூடமா
Is she a deer?
Female: Aahaa
Male: Or a peacock?
Female: Oho
Male: A flower garden or a grand chariot procession?
An art gallery experienced without even seeing her face?
மானா
ஆஹா
இல்ல மயிலா
Is she a deer?
Female: Aahaa
Male: Or a peacock?
{ஞாபகம் ஒரு ஆலயம் அதில்
வாழும் நாளை பேசும் பார்வைகளே
வாழலாம் எனும் ஆசையில் தினம்
ஏங்கும் எந்தன் காதல் பாடல்களே} (2)
Memory is a temple inside which
The looks speak of a future day to live
Every day with the desire to live on
My love songs yearn deeply
பொன்னான வேளையிலே புது ராகங்கள்
பூச்சூட்டும் போதினிலே கவி மேகங்கள்...
பொன்னான வேளையிலே புது ராகங்கள்
பூச்சூட்டும் போதினிலே கவி மேகங்கள்...
Memory is a temple inside which
The looks speak of a future day to live
Every day with the desire to live on
My love songs yearn deeply
ராஜா
ஆ....
உடன் ராணி
அய்யோ
ரதி நானல்லவோ மதன் நீயல்லவோ
புது ராஜாங்கம் கொண்டாடி அரசாளவோ
In this golden time, new ragas emerge
When flowers are adorned, poetic clouds gather
In this golden time, new ragas emerge
When flowers are adorned, poetic clouds gather
King...
Male: Aa....
மானா இல்ல மயிலா
மலர் பூந்தோட்டமா எழில் தேரோட்டமா
முகம் காணாமல் காண்கின்ற கலைக்கூடமா
Female: Along with the Queen
Male: Oh my!
Female: Am I not Rathi, and are you not Manmatha?
மானா இல்ல மயிலா
Shall we celebrate and rule a new kingdom?
{ஆயிரம் கதை பேசுவோம்
மழை சேரும் மணல் போல உறவாடுவோம்
நாளெல்லாம் விழா தோரணம்
உன் நாணம் தானே நின்றே வரவேற்குமோ} (2)
Is she a deer or a peacock?
Is she a flower garden or a grand chariot procession?
Is she an art gallery experienced without even seeing her face?
Is she a deer or a peacock?
வாழ்நாளில் நீ இருந்தால் எனக்கது போதும்
வாசலிலே கோலமிட்டால் காயங்கள் ஆறும்
வாழ்நாளில் நீ இருந்தால் எனக்கது போதும்
வாசலிலே கோலமிட்டால் காயங்கள் ஆறும்
We shall speak a thousand stories
We shall bond like the sand uniting with rain
Festive decorations all through the days
Will your shyness stand and welcome me?
மானா
ஆஹா
இல்ல மயிலா
ஓஹோ
மலர் பூந்தோட்டமா எழில் தேரோட்டமா
முகம் காணாமல் காண்கின்ற கலைக்கூடமா
We shall speak a thousand stories
We shall bond like the sand uniting with rain
Festive decorations all through the days
Will your shyness stand and welcome me?
If you are with me in my life, that is enough for me
If you draw a kolam at the entrance, all wounds will heal
ராஜா
ஆ....
உடன் ராணி
அஹ ஹா
ரதி நானல்லவோ மதன் நீயல்லவோ
புது ராஜாங்கம் கொண்டாடி அரசாளவோ
If you are with me in my life, that is enough for me
If you draw a kolam at the entrance, all wounds will heal
Is she a deer?
Female: Aahaa
Male: Or a peacock?
Female: Ohho
மானா
ஆஹா
இல்ல மயிலா
இல்ல இல்ல
ராஜா உடன் ராணி
நன நன மானா இல்ல மயிலா......
Male: A flower garden or a grand chariot procession?
An art gallery experienced without even seeing her face?
King
Male: Aa....
Female: Along with the Queen
Male: Aha haa
Maanaa illa mayilaa
Is she a deer or a peacock?
Malar poonthottamaa ezhil therottammaa
Is she a flower garden or a grand chariot procession?
Mugam kaanaamal kaangindra kalaikoodamaa
Is she an art gallery experienced without even seeing her face?
Raja udan rani
The King along with the Queen
Radhi naanallavo madhan neeyallavo
Am I not Rathi, and are you not Manmatha?
Pudhu raajaangam kondaadi arasaalavo
Shall we celebrate and rule a new kingdom?
Maanaa
Is she a deer?
Female :Aahaa
Female: Aahaa
Male :Illa mayilaa
Male: Or a peacock?
Female :Oho
Female: Oho
Male :Malar poonthottmaa ezhil therottamaa
Male: A flower garden or a grand chariot procession?
Mugam kaanaamal kaangindra kalaikoodamaa
An art gallery experienced without even seeing her face?
Maanaa
Is she a deer?
Female :Aahaa
Female: Aahaa
Male :Illa mayilaa
Male: Or a peacock?
{Nyaabagam oru aalayam adhil
Memory is a temple inside which
Vaazhum naalai pesum paarvaikalae
The looks speak of a future day to live
Vaazhalaam enum aasaiyil dhinam
Every day with the desire to live on
Yaengum enthan kadhal padalgalae} (2)
My love songs yearn deeply
Ponnaana vaelaiyilae pudhu raagangal
Memory is a temple inside which
Poochchoodum bothinilae kavi maegangal
The looks speak of a future day to live
Ponnaana vaelaiyilae pudhu raagangal
Every day with the desire to live on
Poochchoodum bothinilae kavi maegangal
My love songs yearn deeply
Raja…
In this golden time, new ragas emerge
Male :Aa….
When flowers are adorned, poetic clouds gather
Female :Udan rani
In this golden time, new ragas emerge
Male :Aiyo
When flowers are adorned, poetic clouds gather
Female :Radhi naanallavo mathan neeyallavo
King...
Pudhu raajaangam kondaadi arasaalavo
Male: Aa....
Maanaa illa mayilaa
Female: Along with the Queen
Malar poonthottamaa ezhil therottammaa
Male: Oh my!
Mugam kaanaamal kaangindra kalaikoodamaa
Female: Am I not Rathi, and are you not Manmatha?
Maanaa illa mayilaa
Shall we celebrate and rule a new kingdom?
{Aayiram kadhai pesuvom
Is she a deer or a peacock?
Mazhai saerum manal pola uravaaduvom
Is she a flower garden or a grand chariot procession?
Naalellaam vizhaa thoranam
Is she an art gallery experienced without even seeing her face?
Un naanamthaanae nindrae varaverkkumo} (2)
Is she a deer or a peacock?
Vaazh naalil nee irunthaal enakathu pothum
We shall speak a thousand stories
Vaasalilae kolamittaal kaayangal aarum
We shall bond like the sand uniting with rain
Vaazh naalil nee irunthaal enakathu pothum
Festive decorations all through the days
Vaasalilae kolamittaal kaayangal aarum
Will your shyness stand and welcome me?
Maanaa
We shall speak a thousand stories
Female :Aahaa
We shall bond like the sand uniting with rain
Male :Illa mayilaa
Festive decorations all through the days
Female :Ohho
Will your shyness stand and welcome me?
Male :Malar poonthottamaa ezhil therottammaa
If you are with me in my life, that is enough for me
Mugam kaanaamal kaangindra kalaikoodamaa
If you draw a kolam at the entrance, all wounds will heal
Raja
If you are with me in my life, that is enough for me
Male :Aa….
If you draw a kolam at the entrance, all wounds will heal
Female :Udan rani
Is she a deer?
Male :Aha haa
Female: Aahaa
Female :Radhi naanallavo mathan neeyallavo
Male: Or a peacock?
Pudhu raajaangam kondaadi arasaalavo
Female: Ohho
Maanaa
Male: A flower garden or a grand chariot procession?
Female :Aahaa
An art gallery experienced without even seeing her face?
Male :Illa mayilaa
King
Female :Illa illa
Male: Aa....
Raja udan raani
Female: Along with the Queen
Male :Nana nana maanaa illa mayilaa….
Male: Aha haa
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This romantic duet from 'Naan Sootiya Malar' (1983) captures an affectionate playful exchange between two lovers expressing their deep devotion and admiration. The male lover marvels at her beauty using poetic imagery, questioning whether she is a deer, a peacock, a blooming garden, or an unseen art gallery. In response, the female lover compares their bond to the celestial couple Rathi and Manmatha, envisioning a life of shared joy and romance. The song evokes memories as sacred sanctuaries and portrays love as a comforting force that heals past wounds and turns everyday life into an ongoing celebration.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Nyaabagam oru aalayam adhil”
Memory is directly metaphorized as a temple where romantic hopes reside.
Simile (Uvamaani)
“Mazhai saerum manal pola uravaaduvom”
The bonding between the lovers is explicitly compared to sand soaking up and uniting with rain.
Aiya Ani (Doubt/Rhetorical Query)
“Maanaa illa mayilaa”
The hero expresses overwhelming poetic wonder by questioning if she is a deer or a peacock.
Edhukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Ponnaana vaelaiyilae pudhu raagangal / Poochchoodum bothinilae kavi maegangal”
The second letters 'n' (naa) in Ponnaana and Poochchoodum create a rhythmic phonetic harmony.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song features lyrics written by Vairamuthu for the 1983 film 'Naan Sootiya Malar'. The film's soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, showcasing his classic early-80s orchestral melody style with playful vocal interactions.
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