Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maanai Thedi Vantha

From Srivalli · 1961

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
Jikki, Chorus
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Srivalli1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Poonai kuthura kuravan pola muzhikkuraYou stare wide-eyed like a gypsy hunting a cat,
Pengalai paarthathumUpon looking at women,
Paithiyam poalvae muraikkireYou glare intensely like a madman.
Female Chorus :Yenyaa muraikkureFemale Chorus: Why are you glaring, mister?
Female :Maana vetkamae illamal nee sirikkireFemale: You smile shamelessly without any self-respect,
Female Chorus :Veeran polavae sooran polavaeFemale Chorus: Posing like a brave hero and a valiant warrior,
Villai neettura pallai kaatturaYou aim your bow while showing off your teeth.
Maanai thedi vanthavarae mappillai singamOh groom-lion, who arrived searching for the deer,
Female
Aiyaa machaan mannaaruOh respected brother-in-law Mannaru,
Unga appaa enna sonaaruWhat did your father say to you?
Aiyaa machaan mannaaruOh respected brother-in-law Mannaru,
Unga appaa enna sonaaruWhat did your father say to you?
Adi ammadi ivar asandhu yendi ninnaaruOh my goodness, why is he standing there totally dazed?
Aiyaa machaan mannaaruOh respected brother-in-law Mannaru,
Unga appaa enna sonaaruWhat did your father say to you?
Adi ammadi ivar asandhu yendi ninnaaruOh my goodness, why is he standing there totally dazed?
Female
Kanakku pannavae ninaichavarukkuFor the man who attempted to play clever games,
Kanakku puriyalae ‘He could not figure out the calculation.
Kanakku pannavae ninaichavarukkuFor the man who attempted to play clever games,
Kanakku puriyalaeHe could not figure out the calculation.
Avan kaiyum kaalum thoothukkudi edhukku theriyalaHis hands and feet are shivering wildly for no reason,
Avan kaiyum kaalum thoothukkudi edhukku theriyalaHis hands and feet are shivering wildly for no reason.
Kanni pengalai paarthavudan manasum sariyillaeThe moment he laid eyes on young maidens, his mind went astray,
Kanni pengalai paarthavudan manasum sariyillaeThe moment he laid eyes on young maidens, his mind went astray.
Kaalaiyai vittuvittu vaalai pudikkiraWhy let go of the horns and grab the tail instead?
Kozhaiyai polae yenguvathenWhy yearn helplessly like a coward?
Female
Aiyaa machaan mannaaruOh respected brother-in-law Mannaru,
Unga appaa enna sonaaruWhat did your father say to you?
Adi ammadi ivar asandhu yendi ninnaaruOh my goodness, why is he standing there totally dazed?
Aiyaa machaan mannaaruOh respected brother-in-law Mannaru,
Unga appaa enna sonaaruWhat did your father say to you?
Adi ammadi ivar asandhu yendi ninnaaruOh my goodness, why is he standing there totally dazed?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful folk-style song from the 1961 movie 'Srivalli' depicts playful teasing directed at Lord Murugan in disguise (or his companion) by Valli's friends. The lyrics humorously mock his nervous demeanor, bewildered expressions, and futile attempts to act heroic while pursuing his love interest under the guise of searching for a deer.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Poonai kuthura kuravan pola muzhikkura

Compares the subject's staring expression to a hunter searching for prey ('Poonai kuthura kuravan pola') and to a madman ('Paithiyam poalvae').

Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)

Veeran polavae sooran polavae

Rhyming of the second letter in consecutive words/phrases such as 'Veeran' and 'Sooran'.

Idiom / Colloquial Metaphor

Kaalaiyai vittuvittu vaalai pudikkira

'Kaalaiyai vittuvittu vaalai pudikkira' (Letting go of the bull and catching its tail) is a colloquial idiom signifying foolish or ineffective action.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Aiyaa machaan mannaaru' from Srivalli (1961) was composed by G. Ramanathan and sung playfully by Jikki along with chorus. The movie retells the mythical love story of Lord Murugan and Valli, blending classical mythology with lively Tamil folk traditions.

Keep listening

More from Srivalli