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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maana Porantha

From Kanni Thaai · 1965

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kanni Thaai1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Maanaa porandhaa kaattukku raaniIf born as a deer, it is the queen of the forest
Malaraa porandhaa thottatthu raaniIf born as a flower, it is the queen of the garden
Female
Aanaa ponnaa boomiyil pirandhaaBut if born as a woman on this earth
Allum pagalum sodhanai thaandiLife is a continuous trial day and night
Male
Maanaa porandhaa kaattukku raaniIf born as a deer, it is the queen of the forest
Malaraa porandhaa thottatthu raaniIf born as a flower, it is the queen of the garden
Female
Aanaa ponnaa boomiyil pirandhaaBut if born as a woman on this earth
Allum pagalum sodhanai thaandiLife is a continuous trial day and night
Male
Aangalukkullae maangalum unduAmong men, there are gentle deer-like souls
Adithu thinnum puligalum unduAnd there are preying tiger-like souls who hunt and consume
Female
Yahu…yahu…yahu…yahu…Yahu…yahu…yahu…yahu…
Yahu…yahu…yahu…yahu…Yahu…yahu…yahu…yahu…
Male
Aangalukkullae maangalum unduAmong men, there are gentle deer-like souls
Adithu thinnum puligalum unduAnd there are preying tiger-like souls who hunt and consume
Male
Yahu…yahu…yahu…yahu…Yahu…yahu…yahu…yahu…
Yahu…yahu…yahu…yahu…Yahu…yahu…yahu…yahu…
Female
Pengalukkullae kiligalum unduAmong women, there are sweet parrot-like women
Pen ena pirandha peigalum undu unduAnd there are evil demon-like women born in female form
Male
Maanaa porandhaa kaattukku raaniIf born as a deer, it is the queen of the forest
Malaraa porandhaa thottatthu raaniIf born as a flower, it is the queen of the garden
Female
Aanaa ponnaa boomiyil pirandhaaBut if born as a woman on this earth
Allum pagalum sodhanai thaandiLife is a continuous trial day and night
Female
Makkalai oruvan madhippadhu kadamai…Respecting fellow people is one's duty...
Makkal oruvanai madhippadhu perumai…Being respected by the people is one's pride...
Thunai irundhaal thaan valimaiyum ongum…mmmOnly when supported does strength truly flourish...
Thunai illaavidil thiramaiyumWithout support, even great talent
Thoongum… thoongum…Lies dormant... slumbers...
Male
Maanaa porandhaa kaattukku raaniIf born as a deer, it is the queen of the forest
Malaraa porandhaa thottatthu raaniIf born as a flower, it is the queen of the garden
Female
Aanaa ponnaa boomiyil pirandhaaBut if born as a woman on this earth
Allum pagalum sodhanai thaandiLife is a continuous trial day and night
Female
Yahu…yahu…yahu…yahu…Yahu…yahu…yahu…yahu…
Yahu…yahu…yahu…yahu…Yahu…yahu…yahu…yahu…
Male
Aangalukkullae maangalum unduAmong men, there are gentle deer-like souls
Adithu thinnum puligalum unduAnd there are preying tiger-like souls who hunt and consume
Male
Thoonghi vizhundhavanOne who slumbers in laziness and stumbles
Naattukku baaramIs a burden to the nation
Summaa iruppavar veettukku baaramThose who remain idle are a burden to their home
Male
Yahu…yahu…yahu…yahu…Yahu…yahu…yahu…yahu…
Yahu…yahu…yahu…yahu…Yahu…yahu…yahu…yahu…
Male
Varavriyaamal selavidum manidhanA person who spends money without realizing their earnings
Thaaikkum baaram thanakkum baaram baaramIs a burden to their mother and a burden to themselves
Maanaap porandhaa kaattukku raaniIf born as a deer, it is the queen of the forest
Malaraa porandhaa thottatthu raaniIf born as a flower, it is the queen of the garden
Female
Aanaa ponnaa boomiyil pirandhaaBut if born as a woman on this earth
Allum pagalum sodhanai thaandiLife is a continuous trial day and night

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song reflects on human nature, womanhood, and social responsibility. It opens with the premise that nature grants simple beauty and regal ease to deer and flowers, whereas a woman born on earth faces endless tribulations and social expectations. The lyrics further categorize human personality traits, noting that both good (gentle like deer/parrots) and destructive (predatory like tigers/demons) natures exist among both men and women.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Urvagai)

Aangalukkullae maangalum undu / Adithu thinnum puligalum undu

Compares gentle humans to deer (Maangal) and parrots (Kiligal), and predatory or wicked humans to tigers (Puligal) and demons (Peigal).

Anaaphora / Rhyming Refrain (Emona / Ethirukai)

Maanaa porandhaa kaattukku raani / Malaraa porandhaa thottatthu raani

Repeated structural framing of 'Maanaa porandhaa...' and 'Malaraa porandhaa...' creating rhythmic symmetry.

Antithesis / Moral Contrast

Makkalai oruvan madhippadhu kadamai… / Makkal oruvanai madhippadhu perumai…

Contrasts societal duty ('Makkalai oruvan madhippadhu kadamai') with personal dignity ('Makkal oruvanai madhippadhu perumai').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kanni Thaai' (1965) is a classic Tamil action-drama film starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), Jayalalithaa, and M. N. Nambiar. Music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan and lyrics were written by Vaali and Panchu Arunachalam. The song features energetic rhythmic vocalizations ('Yahu...') typical of mid-1960s MGR film tracks.

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