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Aalayamani album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Maanattam

From Aalayamani · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Movie name
Aalayamani
Movie release year
1962
Lyrics added on
19 Feb 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Maanaattam thanga mayilaattam
Poovaattam vanna thaeraattam
Thaanaadum mangai sadhuraattam
Kandu thaenodum engum nadhiyaattam
Maanaattam thanga mayilaattam
Poovaattam vanna thaeraattam
Thaanaadum mangai sadhuraattam
Kandu thaenodum engum nadhiyaattam
Ooo… ooo… ooi…
Ooo… ooo… ooi… oo… oo… oo
Chendirukkum adhil
Vandirukkum adhai
Kandirukkum kangal vandhirukkum
Chendirukkum adhil
Vandirukkum adhai
Kandirukkum kangal vandhirukkum
Sollirukkum adhil
Suvaiyirukkum inba
Thunaiyirukkum nenjil uravirukkum
Maanaattam thanga mayilaattam
Poovaattam vanna thaeraattam
Thaanaadum mangai sadhuraattam
Kandu thaenodum engum nadhiyaattam
Ooo… ooo… ooi…
Ooo… ooo… ooi… oo… oo… oo
Paaindhu varum kangal
Maeindhu varum thalai
Saaindhu varum vetkam serndhu varum
Paaindhu varum kangal
Maeindhu varum thalai
Saaindhu varum vetkam serndhu varum
Aadi varum vellam
Paadi varum pennai
Thaedi varum inbam kodi perum
Maanaattam thanga mayilaattam
Poovaattam vanna thaeraattam
Thaanaadum mangai sadhuraattam
Kandu thaenodum engum nadhiyaattam
Ooo… ooo… oooo… ooo
Ooo… ooo… oooo… oooo…
Like a leaping deer, like a golden peacock dancing,
Like a swaying flower, like a colourful chariot rolling,
Seeing the graceful dance of this girl as she dances,
Honey flows everywhere like a river!
Like a leaping deer, like a golden peacock dancing,
Like a swaying flower, like a colourful chariot rolling,
Seeing the graceful dance of this girl as she dances,
Honey flows everywhere like a river!
Oh... Oh... Oy...
Oh... Oh... Oy... Oh... Oh... Oh...
There is a cluster of blossoms, and in it,
A honeybee lingers;
The eyes that have seen it have arrived!
There is a cluster of blossoms, and in it,
A honeybee lingers;
The eyes that have seen it have arrived!
There are spoken words, and in them,
There is rich sweetness; with a sweet
Companion near, love fills the heart!
Like a leaping deer, like a golden peacock dancing,
Like a swaying flower, like a colourful chariot rolling,
Seeing the graceful dance of this girl as she dances,
Honey flows everywhere like a river!
Oh... Oh... Oy...
Oh... Oh... Oy... Oh... Oh... Oh...
Eyes that dart playfully,
Gazing all around, as the head
Tilts gently and shyness joins in!
Eyes that dart playfully,
Gazing all around, as the head
Tilts gently and shyness joins in!
The waters come dancing,
Singing along; the joy
That comes seeking this girl is worth millions!
Like a leaping deer, like a golden peacock dancing,
Like a swaying flower, like a colourful chariot rolling,
Seeing the graceful dance of this girl as she dances,
Honey flows everywhere like a river!
Oh... Oh... Oh... Oh...
Oh... Oh... Oh... Oh...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a joyful celebration of a maiden's beauty, grace, and expressive dance. Lyricist Kannadasan uses vivid imagery from nature—comparing the woman's movements to a dancing deer, a golden peacock, a swaying flower, and a temple chariot. The lyrics paint a romantic picture of blossoming affection, where subtle glances, modesty, and musical rhythm evoke sweetness as vast as a flowing river of honey.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Maanaattam thanga mayilaattam / Poovaattam vanna thaeraattam

Comparing the maiden's dance to a deer, peacock, flower, and temple chariot using the suffix '-aattam' (like the dance/movement of).

Iyaibu (Rhyming end-words)

Chendirukkum adhil / Vandirukkum adhai / Kandirukkum kangal vandhirukkum

Extensive use of identical verbal endings like 'irukkum' to create rhythmic melodic harmony.

Anaphora / Repetitive Phrasing

Paaindhu varum kangal / Maeindhu varum thalai / Saaindhu varum vetkam serndhu varum

Repeating structured suffixes ('-ndhu varum') across consecutive lines to build momentum and movement.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Aalayamani' (1962) was a major blockbuster starring Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, and B. Saroja Devi. The music was composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, and the song highlights Kannadasan's unique mastery of rhythmic end-rhymes (Iyaibu) tailored for classical-dance visually depicted on screen.

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