Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maana Illa Mayila

From Naan Sootiya Malar · 1983

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
P. Susheela, Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Chandrabose
Movie name
Naan Sootiya Malar
Movie release year
1983
Lyrics added on
22 Nov 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Maanaa illa mayilaa
Malar poonthottamaa ezhil therottammaa
Mugam kaanaamal kaangindra kalaikoodamaa
Raja udan rani
Radhi naanallavo madhan neeyallavo
Pudhu raajaangam kondaadi arasaalavo
Maanaa
Female :Aahaa
Male :Illa mayilaa
Female :Oho
Male :Malar poonthottmaa ezhil therottamaa
Mugam kaanaamal kaangindra kalaikoodamaa
Maanaa
Female :Aahaa
Male :Illa mayilaa
{Nyaabagam oru aalayam adhil
Vaazhum naalai pesum paarvaikalae
Vaazhalaam enum aasaiyil dhinam
Yaengum enthan kadhal padalgalae} (2)
Ponnaana vaelaiyilae pudhu raagangal
Poochchoodum bothinilae kavi maegangal
Ponnaana vaelaiyilae pudhu raagangal
Poochchoodum bothinilae kavi maegangal
Raja…
Male :Aa….
Female :Udan rani
Male :Aiyo
Female :Radhi naanallavo mathan neeyallavo
Pudhu raajaangam kondaadi arasaalavo
Maanaa illa mayilaa
Malar poonthottamaa ezhil therottammaa
Mugam kaanaamal kaangindra kalaikoodamaa
Maanaa illa mayilaa
{Aayiram kadhai pesuvom
Mazhai saerum manal pola uravaaduvom
Naalellaam vizhaa thoranam
Un naanamthaanae nindrae varaverkkumo} (2)
Vaazh naalil nee irunthaal enakathu pothum
Vaasalilae kolamittaal kaayangal aarum
Vaazh naalil nee irunthaal enakathu pothum
Vaasalilae kolamittaal kaayangal aarum
Maanaa
Female :Aahaa
Male :Illa mayilaa
Female :Ohho
Male :Malar poonthottamaa ezhil therottammaa
Mugam kaanaamal kaangindra kalaikoodamaa
Raja
Male :Aa….
Female :Udan rani
Male :Aha haa
Female :Radhi naanallavo mathan neeyallavo
Pudhu raajaangam kondaadi arasaalavo
Maanaa
Female :Aahaa
Male :Illa mayilaa
Female :Illa illa
Raja udan raani
Male :Nana nana maanaa illa mayilaa….
Is she a deer, or is she a peacock?
Is she a flower garden, or a graceful chariot procession?
Is she an art gallery to behold without even seeing her face?
The king and his queen...
Am I not Rathi (goddess of love), and are you not Manmatha (god of love)?
Shall we celebrate a new kingdom and rule over it?
A deer?
Female: Aahaa!
Male: Or a peacock?
Female: Oho!
Male: Is she a flower garden, or a graceful chariot procession?
An art gallery to behold without even seeing her face?
A deer?
Female: Aahaa!
Male: Or a peacock?
Memory is a temple, and inside it,
our glances speak of the days yet to come.
With the yearning to live together,
my love songs long for you every day.
New melodies in this golden hour,
clouds of poetry in this moment of adorning flowers.
New melodies in this golden hour,
clouds of poetry in this moment of adorning flowers.
King...
Male: Aa...
Female: ...and with him, the queen!
Male: Aiyo!
Female: Am I not Rathi (goddess of love), and are you not Manmatha (god of love)?
Shall we celebrate a new kingdom and rule over it?
Is she a deer, or is she a peacock?
Is she a flower garden, or a graceful chariot procession?
An art gallery to behold without even seeing her face?
Is she a deer, or is she a peacock?
We shall talk of a thousand stories,
and blend together like sand embracing the rain.
Festive decorations all through the days,
will your shyness stand and welcome me?
If I have you in my lifetime, that is enough for me.
If a kolam (flour pattern) is drawn at our doorstep, all wounds will heal.
If I have you in my lifetime, that is enough for me.
If a kolam (flour pattern) is drawn at our doorstep, all wounds will heal.
A deer?
Female: Aahaa!
Male: Or a peacock?
Female: Oho!
Male: Is she a flower garden, or a graceful chariot procession?
An art gallery to behold without even seeing her face?
King...
Male: Aa...
Female: ...and with him, the queen!
Male: Aha ha!
Female: Am I not Rathi (goddess of love), and are you not Manmatha (god of love)?
Shall we celebrate a new kingdom and rule over it?
A deer?
Female: Aahaa!
Male: Or a peacock?
Female: No, no!
The king and his queen!
Male: Na na na na, is she a deer, or is she a peacock...?
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

From the same album

More songs from Naan Sootiya Malar

View album

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.