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Lyrics & meaning

Maanikka Theril

From Thedi Vandha Mappillai · 1970

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Thedi Vandha Mappillai1970

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
……………………
Male
{ Maanika therilIn a ruby chariot,
Maragadha kalasaman emerald pinnacle,
Minnuvadhenna ennawhy is it glowing so brightly?
Female
MannanThe king's
Mugam kanavilface appeared in my dream,
Vanthadhu manjaland a river of golden turmeric
Nadhi udalil vanthadhu } (2)flowed over my body. (2)
Male
{ Rani undhanOh queen, is your
Meni enna rajaveedhiform akin to a grand royal street
Thotramdhaano } (2)in its majestic appearance? (2)
Female
{ KelviThe king who asked this question,
Keta mannan meniis his body like a divine temple
Devan kovil thotramdhaano } (2)in its sacred appearance? (2)
Female
Maanika therilIn a ruby chariot,
Maragadha kalasaman emerald pinnacle,
Minnuvadhennawhy is it glowing?
Male : EnnaMale: What?
Female
MannanThe king's
Mugam kanavilface appeared in my dream,
Vanthadhu manjaland a river of golden turmeric
Nadhi udalil vanthadhuflowed over my body.
Female
VenpattuOn white silk skin,
Meniyil kanpadumwhen admiring gazes fall,
Velaiyil mooduthu melaadaithe upper garment gently covers it.
Male
KanpadumFearing that when eyes gaze,
Velaiyil kaipadumohands might reach out to touch,
Endru kalangudhu noolaadaithe delicate thread garment worries.
Male
Idai padumThe sway of the waist
Paado sadhiraatamis like a classical dance movement,
Female
Ilaigalilresembling a fruit swaying
Aadum kaniyaatamamong lush leaves.
Male
KannottamA glance...
Female : En thottamFemale: ...is my garden!
Male
Maanika therilIn a ruby chariot,
Maragadha kalasaman emerald pinnacle,
Minnuvadhenna ennawhy is it glowing so brightly?
Female
MannanThe king's
Mugam kanavilface appeared in my dream,
Vanthadhu manjaland a river of golden turmeric
Nadhi udalil vanthadhuflowed over my body.
Female
ThenmalaiClouds of sweet honey rain
Megangal ponvalaicast a golden net
Pottana koonthalil neeradato bathe in her braided hair.
Male
MinnalilIn the flash of lightning,
Meniyum pinnalilher body glows, and behind,
Koondhalumher long flowing tresses,
Midhapadhu yaaradawho is floating there, my dear?
Male
PudhuLike a stream
Mazhai polae neerodaof fresh rain,
Female
Adhisayain a miraculous river
Nadhiyil naanaadaI immerse myself to bathe.
Male
Nee aadaAs you sway and dance,
Female
Aaha thenodaah, sweet honey flows!
Male
Maanika therilIn a ruby chariot,
Maragadha kalasaman emerald pinnacle,
Minnuvadhenna ennawhy is it glowing so brightly?
Female
MannanThe king's
Mugam kanavilface appeared in my dream,
Vanthadhu manjaland a river of golden turmeric
Nadhi udalil vanthadhuflowed over my body.
Male
………………..
Female
……………..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Maanika Theril is a grand classical romantic duet from the 1970 Tamil film 'Thedi Vandha Mappillai'. The song uses opulent royal and divine metaphors—such as ruby chariots, emerald finials, temple architecture, and rivers of turmeric—to describe the mesmerizing beauty and mutual fascination between the hero and heroine.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor (உவமை)

Maanika theril / Maragadha kalasam

Compares the heroine's body and radiance to a ruby chariot ('Maanika ther') adorned with an emerald finial ('Maragadha kalasam').

Personification (உருவகப்படுத்தல்)

Endru kalangudhu noolaadai

Personifies the fine silk garment ('noolaadai') as feeling anxious or worried ('kalangudhu') that hands might touch what eyes are beholding.

Monai / Alliteration (மோனை)

Maanika theril / Maragadha kalasam

Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('M' and 'K') creating rhythmic harmony ('Maanika' / 'Maragadha', 'Kanpadum' / 'Kaipadumo').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Thedi Vandha Mappillai' (1970) stars M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Jayalalithaa. The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan (MSV), with vocals by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela, and lyrics penned by Vaali.

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