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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maanicka Thottil

From Panam Padaithavan · 1965

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Panam Padaithavan1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aariraari aarariraaroo..oooLullaby refrain: Aariraari aarariraaroo..ooo
AaririraarrooLullaby refrain: Aaririraarroo
AaraariraarooLullaby refrain: Aaraariraaroo
Aari raari raa ro aariraari raarooLullaby refrain: Aari raari raa ro aariraari raaroo
Aaraariraarooo…Lullaby refrain: Aaraariraarooo…
Aaraariraarooo…Lullaby refrain: Aaraariraarooo…
Aaraariraarooo…Lullaby refrain: Aaraariraarooo…
Male
Maanikka thottil ingkirukkaWhile the ruby-encrusted cradle is over here,
Mannavan mattum angkirukkaOnly the little king (son) remains over there.
Kaanikkaiyaaga yaar koduththaalWho gave him away as a sacrifice?
Aval thaayendru yen thaan per eduththaalWhy does she still carry the title of a mother?
Female
Maanikka thottil ingkirukkaWhile the ruby-encrusted cradle is over here,
Mannavan mattum angkirukkaOnly the little king (son) remains over there.
Kaanikkaiyaaga yen koduththenWhy did I give him away as a sacrifice?
Adhai kadamai endrae naan koduthenI gave him away believing it to be my duty.
Female
Aariraari aarariraaroo..oooLullaby refrain: Aariraari aarariraaroo..ooo
AaririraarrooLullaby refrain: Aaririraarroo
AaraariraarooLullaby refrain: Aaraariraaroo
Aari raari raa ro aariraari raarooLullaby refrain: Aari raari raa ro aariraari raaroo
Aaraariraarooo…Lullaby refrain: Aaraariraarooo…
Aaraariraarooo…Lullaby refrain: Aaraariraarooo…
Aaraariraarooo…Lullaby refrain: Aaraariraarooo…
Male
Kodiyil pirantha malaraiA flower born on a gentle creeper,
Kodi puyalin kaigalil tharumoWould anyone hand it over to the fierce storm's hands?
Kodiyil pirantha malaraiA flower born on a gentle creeper,
Kodi puyalin kaigalil tharumoWould anyone hand it over to the fierce storm's hands?
Madiyil thavazhntha maganaiThe son who crawled in her lap,
Thaai marakkum kaalam varumoWill there ever come a time when a mother forgets him?
Female
Puguntha veettai ninaiththaalThinking of her in-laws' home,
Manai vilanga ninaththa paedhaiThe naive woman who wished for her home to shine,
Puguntha veettai ninaiththaalThinking of her in-laws' home,
Manai vilanga ninaththa paedhaiThe naive woman who wished for her home to shine,
Pirantha maganai koduththaalShe gave away the son she gave birth to,
Aval vaguththa pudhiya paadhaiCreating a new path of sacrifice that she carved,
Aval vaguththa pudhiya paadhaiCreating a new path of sacrifice that she carved.
Female
Maanikka thottil ingkirukkaWhile the ruby-encrusted cradle is over here,
Mannavan mattum angkirukkaOnly the little king (son) remains over there.
Male :Kaanikkaiyaaga yaar koduththaalMale: Who gave him away as a sacrifice?
Aval thaayendru yen thaan per eduththaalWhy does she still carry the title of a mother?
Female
Aariraari aarariraaroo..oooLullaby refrain: Aariraari aarariraaroo..ooo
AaririraarrooLullaby refrain: Aaririraarroo
AaraariraarooLullaby refrain: Aaraariraaroo
Aari raari raa ro aariraari raarooLullaby refrain: Aari raari raa ro aariraari raaroo
Aaraariraarooo…Lullaby refrain: Aaraariraarooo…
Aaraariraarooo…Lullaby refrain: Aaraariraarooo…
Aaraariraarooo…Lullaby refrain: Aaraariraarooo…
Male
Imaiyil valarntha vizhiyaiThe eye protected by the eyelid,
Imai eriyum neruppil vidumoWould the eyelid throw it into burning fire?
Imaiyil valarntha vizhiyaiThe eye protected by the eyelid,
Imai eriyum neruppil vidumoWould the eyelid throw it into burning fire?
Idaiyil sumantha maganaiThe son carried at her waist,
Manam izhakka sammadha padumoWould her heart ever consent to lose him?
Female
Indru naalai maarumToday and tomorrow will change,
Nam idhayam ondru serumOur hearts will unite together,
Indru naalai maarumToday and tomorrow will change,
Nam idhayam ondru serumOur hearts will unite together,
Sendra maganum varuvaanThe son who left will return,
Muththam sinthai kulira tharuvaanAnd give kisses that soothe the soul,
Muththam sinthai kulira tharuvaanAnd give kisses that soothe the soul.
Male
Maanikka thottil ingkirukkaWhile the ruby-encrusted cradle is over here,
Mannavan mattum angkirukkaOnly the little king (son) remains over there.
Female :Kaanikkaiyaaga yen koduththenFemale: Why did I give him away as a sacrifice?
Adhai kadamai endrae naan koduthenI gave him away believing it to be my duty.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Maanikka Thottil' from the movie Panam Padaithavan (1965) is a poignant duet that explores maternal sacrifice, guilt, and hope. The mother leaves her child behind out of selflessness or compulsion to secure the family's honor or future, leaving an empty ruby cradle behind. The male voice questions the harshness of a mother giving away her newborn, asking how she can still call herself a mother after abandoning her child.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Kodiyil pirantha malarai

Compares the child to a flower born on a vine (Kodiyil pirantha malar) and an eye protected by the eyelid (Imaiyil valarntha vizhi).

Rhetorical Question

Kodi puyalin kaigalil tharumo

The lyrics use dramatic questions to highlight the agonizing dilemma and maternal pain.

Contrast / Juxtaposition

Maanikka thottil ingkirukka

Contrasts the luxurious, physical cradle (Maanikka thottil ingkirukka) with the absence of the child (Mannavan mattum angkirukka).

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Maanikka thottil ingkirukka / Mannavan mattum angkirukka

The second letter consonant sound 'maa' in Maanikka and Mannavan matches for poetic rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song from 'Panam Padaithavan' (1965) features M. G. Ramachandran and K. R. Vijaya, with iconic music composed by the Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy duo, sung by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela, written by Vaali.

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