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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maanai Pola Odi

From Pudhu Vazhvu · 1957

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
M. K. Thiyagaraja Bagavathar, P. Leela
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Pudhu Vazhvu1957

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Maanai polae odiRunning like a graceful deer,
Mayilai pola asaindhaadiSwaying and dancing like a peacock,
Kaanbavar karuthaiyaeCaptivating the minds of everyone who beholds you,
Kollai kollum kaniyaeOh sweet fruit who steals hearts!
Unai naadi …eee…Seeking you...
Thaen suvai themaangu paadiSinging sweet folk melodies rich as honey,
Thevittaadha sandhosam kondaadiCelebrating a joy that never palls,
Male
Naam aasai theera pesidalaamWe can talk to our heart's content,
Naam aasai theera pesidalaamWe can talk to our heart's content,
Ingae aadi paadi magizhnthidalaamHere we can dance, sing, and rejoice,
Ingae aadi paadi magizhnthidalaamHere we can dance, sing, and rejoice,
Naam aasai theera pesidalaamWe can talk to our heart's content.
Female
Aasaiyaagavae ennai azhaikkumCalling me with such fond affection,
Enadhu arumai raajavaeMy precious king,
Nesamum paasamum neengaatha anbinaalaeWith love filled with deep warmth and attachment,
Ullamum mayangudhu thannaalaeMy heart becomes mesmerized on its own,
Ullapadi unga munnaalaeTruly, right here before you,
Female
Naam aasai theera pesidalaamWe can talk to our heart's content,
Naam aasai theera pesidalaamWe can talk to our heart's content,
Ingae aadi paadi magizhnthidalaamHere we can dance, sing, and rejoice,
Ingae aadi paadi magizhnthidalaamHere we can dance, sing, and rejoice,
Naam aasai theera pesidalaamWe can talk to our heart's content.
Male
Karumbhu polae pesiSpeaking as sweetly as sugarcane,
Mullai arumbhu polae sirikkum pennaeOh woman who smiles like a opening jasmine bud,
Namm iruvar ullamum uravaadudhu kannae..aeBoth our hearts are bonding together, my darling!
Female
Ennamum eedera thadaiyaedhu ingaeWhat obstacle remains here for our desires to come true?
Ini evaraalum thadai seiya mudiyaadhu anbaeFrom now on, no one can ever stand in our way, my love!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This joyous romantic duet captures two lovers expressing their affection and desire to spend time together singing, dancing, and speaking freely. The male protagonist admires the beauty, grace, and sweetness of his beloved, comparing her movements to a deer and peacock, her words to sugarcane, and her smile to a blooming jasmine bud. The female protagonist warmly responds, acknowledging him as her king and sharing how enchanted her heart feels in his presence. Together, they celebrate their deep, unbreakable bond, confident that no impediment or outside force can hinder their union.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

Maanai polae odi / Mayilai pola asaindhaadi

Compares the beloved's running to a deer and her dancing movements to a peacock using 'polae' (like).

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Kollai kollum kaniyae

Metaphorically addresses the beloved as a fruit ('kaniyae') that steals the hearts/minds of onlookers.

Iyaippu (End Rhyme)

Thaen suvai themaangu paadi / Thevittaadha sandhosam kondaadi

Use of matching verbal endings (-di) creates a rhythmic flow across lines (odi, asaindhaadi, paadi, kondaadi).

Uvamai (Simile)

Karumbhu polae pesi / Mullai arumbhu polae sirikkum pennae

Compares sweet speech to sugarcane and a gentle smile to a blooming jasmine bud.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Pudhu Vazhvu' (1957) features legendary Carnatic vocalist and Tamil cinema superstar M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar (MKT) alongside P. Leela. Composed by the maestro G. Ramanathan with lyrics by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, the song showcases classical melodies blended into popular cinema music during MKT's post-1950s cinematic period.

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