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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maanam Nenjile

From Kaithi Kannayiram · 1960

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
K. Jamunarani
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kaithi Kannayiram1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Maanam nenjilae naanam kannilaeHonor in the heart, shyness in the eyes
Venum pengalaeWomen must possess, O women!
Chorus :LailailaiChorus: Lai lai lai
Maanai polavae vaazhum pothilaeWhile living like a gentle deer
Thaazhvu yaethumillaiThere is no degradation at all.
Female
Maanam nenjilae naanam kannilaeHonor in the heart, shyness in the eyes
Venum pengalaeWomen must possess, O women!
Chorus :LailailaiChorus: Lai lai lai
Maanai polavae vaazhum pothilaeWhile living like a gentle deer
Thaazhvu yaethumillaiThere is no degradation at all.
Female
Veluppaana ennamPure and bright thoughts
Chorus :Lallal laaChorus: Lal-lal-laa
Female :Karukkaatha vannamFemale: Character that never darkens
Chorus :Mmm mmmChorus: Mmm mmm
Female :Nalla panpilum thooya anbilumFemale: In virtuous character and pure love
Chorus :Naattam kolla venumChorus: One must take keen interest.
Female
Veluppaana ennamPure and bright thoughts
Chorus :Lallal laaChorus: Lal-lal-laa
Female :Karukkaatha vannamFemale: Character that never darkens
Chorus :Mmm mmmChorus: Mmm mmm
Female :Nalla panpilum thooya anbilumFemale: In virtuous character and pure love
Chorus :Naattam kolla venumChorus: One must take keen interest.
Female :Naattilae yaettilae nammai pottra venumFemale: We must be praised across the country and in history books!
Chorus
Maanam nenjilae naanam kannilaeHonor in the heart, shyness in the eyes
Venum pengalaeWomen must possess, O women!
LailailaiLai lai lai
Maanai polavae vaazhum pothilaeWhile living like a gentle deer
Thaazhvu yaethumillaiThere is no degradation at all.
Female
Maanam nenjilae naanam kannilaeHonor in the heart, shyness in the eyes
Venum pengalaeWomen must possess, O women!
Chorus :Maanai polavae vaazhum pothilaeChorus: While living like a gentle deer
Thaazhvu yaethumillaiThere is no degradation at all.
Female
Ellorum pottrumAdmired by everyone
Chorus :Lallal laaChorus: Lal-lal-laa
Female :Ullaasath thottramFemale: A joyful presence
Chorus :Mmm mmmChorus: Mmm mmm
Female :Ulla pothilum ellai meridaaFemale: Even when enjoying joy, never crossing boundaries
Chorus :Uruthi endrum venumChorus: Determination must always be present.
Female
Ellorum pottrumAdmired by everyone
Chorus :Lallal laaChorus: Lal-lal-laa
Female :Ullaasath thottramFemale: A joyful presence
Chorus :Mmm mmmChorus: Mmm mmm
Female :Ulla pothilum ellai meridaaFemale: Even when enjoying joy, never crossing boundaries
Chorus :Uruthi endrum venumChorus: Determination must always be present.
Female
Aah ha kangalaai pengalaiAh ha, women like their very eyes
Aangal enna venumMen should cherish and value!
Kangalaai pengalaiWomen like their very eyes
Aangal enna venumMen should cherish and value!
Chorus
Maanam nenjilae naanam kannilaeHonor in the heart, shyness in the eyes
Venum pengalaeWomen must possess, O women!
LailailaiLai lai lai
Maanai polavae vaazhum pothilaeWhile living like a gentle deer
Thaazhvu yaethumillaiThere is no degradation at all.
Female
Maanam nenjilae naanam kannilaeHonor in the heart, shyness in the eyes
Venum pengalaeWomen must possess, O women!
Chorus :Maanai polavae vaazhum pothilaeChorus: While living like a gentle deer
Thaazhvu yaethumillaiThere is no degradation at all.
Female
Manam ennum veliA protective fence around the mind
Chorus :Lallal laaChorus: Lal-lal-laa
Female :Kanakkaaga koliFemale: Drawn precisely as a boundary
Chorus :Mmm mmmChorus: Mmm mmm
Female :Maathar yaavarum kadhal solaiyaiFemale: All women should safeguard
Chorus :Paathukaakka venumChorus: The lush garden of love.
Female
Aa…Manam ennum veliAh... A protective fence around the mind
Chorus :Lallal laaChorus: Lal-lal-laa
Female : Kanakkaaga koliFemale: Drawn precisely as a boundary
Chorus :Mmm mmmChorus: Mmm mmm
Female :Maathar yaavarum kadhal solaiyaiFemale: All women should safeguard
Chorus :Paathukaakka venumChorus: The lush garden of love.
Female :Maasillaa illaram malara seiyya venumFemale: Must make a flawless, virtuous domestic life bloom
Maasillaa illaram malara seiyya venumMust make a flawless, virtuous domestic life bloom
Chorus
Maanam nenjilae naanam kannilaeHonor in the heart, shyness in the eyes
Venum pengalaeWomen must possess, O women!
LailailaiLai lai lai
Maanai polavae vaazhum pothilaeWhile living like a gentle deer
Thaazhvu yaethumillaiThere is no degradation at all.
Female
Maanam nenjilae naanam kannilaeHonor in the heart, shyness in the eyes
Venum pengalaeWomen must possess, O women!
Chorus :Maanai polavae vaazhum pothilaeChorus: While living like a gentle deer
Thaazhvu yaethumillaiThere is no degradation at all.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the 1960 movie Kaithi Kannayiram serves as a celebratory yet moralizing ode detailing the traditional virtues expected of women, emphasizing dignity, modesty, purity of mind, and moral steadfastness. Set to a catchy rhythmic melody by K. V. Mahadevan, lyricist A. Maruthakasi uses gentle imagery like deer and gardens to advocate self-restraint and domestic harmony.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

Maanai polavae vaazhum pothilae

Comparing a woman's graceful, harmless, and innocent life to that of a deer ('Maanai polavae vaazhum pothilae').

Uruvam (Metaphor)

Manam ennum veli

Describing self-restraint as a fence around the mind ('Manam ennum veli') and domestic harmony as a garden of love ('Kadhal solaiyai').

Iyaibu (Rhyme) / Monai (Alliteration)

Maanam nenjilae naanam kannilae

Internal rhyming and rhythmic alliteration between 'Maanam' (dignity) and 'Naanam' (shyness).

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kaithi Kannayiram' (1960) was a popular Tamil drama film directed by P. S. Ranga, starring S. A. Ashokan and Rajasree. The musical score composed by 'Thirai Isai Thilakam' K. V. Mahadevan was acclaimed for its blend of classical roots and catchy folk-pop arrangements.

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