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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maanukkum Meenukkum

From Parvathi Ennai Paradi · 1993

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
S. Janaki, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Parvathi Ennai Paradi1993

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Aehae laalaa laalaalaaAehae laalaa laalaalaa
Aehae laalaa laalaalaaAehae laalaa laalaalaa
Lallalaa lallaa lallaa laala laala laalaaLallalaa lallaa lallaa laala laala laalaa
Female
Maanukkum meenukkumFor the deer and for the fish
Mayilukkum kuyilukkumFor the peacock and for the cuckoo
Thadaigal kidaiyaadhuThere are no obstacles or limits
Naalukkum pozhudhukkumFor days and for times
Siragugal virindhidumWings will spread wide
Kavalaigal ini yedhuWhat worries could there be now?
Female
Ennam polavae thulli aadadiLeap and dance according to your thoughts
Vanna paavaiyaeO colorful doll-like maiden
Vinadhai kaanum neram ingaeHere comes the moment to witness wonders
Vaavaa vaavaaCome, come, come
Chorus
Maanukkum meenukkumFor the deer and for the fish
Mayilukkum kuyilukkumFor the peacock and for the cuckoo
Thadaigal kidaiyaadhuThere are no obstacles or limits
Naalukkum pozhudhukkumFor days and for times
Siragugal virindhidumWings will spread wide
Kavalaigal ini yedhuWhat worries could there be now?
Female
Maanjolai kuyil ondrinOf a cuckoo in a mango grove
Kural keladiListen to the voice, my dear girl
Magizhndhaadum adharkkinguFor it to dance joyfully here
Sirai yedhadiWhere is the prison or constraint?
Saaindhaadi sadhiraadumSwaying and dancing delightfully
Malar cholaigalThe flowering groves flourish
Sariyaaga jathi podum kili pillaigalThe parrot chicks hit the rhythm correctly
Female
Manam angu thaavudhaeMy mind leaps towards that place
Pin paattu paadudhaeIt sings a backing harmony song
Ilam thendral veesudhaeThe gentle breeze blows softly
Kai thaalam podudhaeIt claps along with hands to the beat
Female
Gaama pasanisaaGaama pasanisaa
Nisaga rigaasaNisaga rigaasa
Nisapani mapagama sanipamaNisapani mapagama sanipama
Gaama parisari rigasa nisaapaGaama parisari rigasa nisaapa
Nisagari sarinisaa nipamagaNisagari sarinisaa nipamaga
Chorus
Maanukkum meenukkumFor the deer and for the fish
Mayilukkum kuyilukkumFor the peacock and for the cuckoo
Thadaigal kidaiyaadhuThere are no obstacles or limits
Naalukkum pozhudhukkumFor days and for times
Siragugal virindhidumWings will spread wide
Kavalaigal ini yedhuWhat worries could there be now?
Female
Ennam polavae thulli aadadiLeap and dance according to your thoughts
Vanna paavaiyaeO colorful doll-like maiden
Vinadhai kaanum neram ingaeHere comes the moment to witness wonders
Vaa vaa vaavaaCome, come, come
Chorus
Maanukkum meenukkumFor the deer and for the fish
Mayilukkum kuyilukkumFor the peacock and for the cuckoo
Thadaigal kidaiyaadhuThere are no obstacles or limits
Naalukkum pozhudhukkumFor days and for times
Siragugal virindhidumWings will spread wide
Kavalaigal ini yedhuWhat worries could there be now?
Female
Ven megam poo thoovumWhite clouds shower flowers
En paadhaiyilUpon my path
Men kaatru thaalaattumSoft breeze sings a lullaby
En medaiyilUpon my stage
Yen endru ketkaadha raajaangathilIn a kingdom where no one questions 'why'
Edhir paattu enakkaedhuWhere is a opposing song for me
En vaazhkkayilIn my life?
Female
Dhevaadhi dhevargalThe supreme gods above
Nal vaazhtthu keladiListen to their auspicious blessings, dear girl
Raajaadhi raajanumEven the king of kings
En kaalil thaanadiIs right at my feet, dear girl
Female
Gaama pasanisaaGaama pasanisaa
Nisaga rigaasaNisaga rigaasa
Nisapani mapagama sanipamaNisapani mapagama sanipama
Gaama parisari rigasa nisaapaGaama parisari rigasa nisaapa
Nisagari sarinisaa nipamagaNisagari sarinisaa nipamaga
Chorus
Maanukkum meenukkumFor the deer and for the fish
Mayilukkum kuyilukkumFor the peacock and for the cuckoo
Thadaigal kidaiyaadhuThere are no obstacles or limits
Naalukkum pozhudhukkumFor days and for times
Siragugal virindhidumWings will spread wide
Kavalaigal ini yedhuWhat worries could there be now?
Female
Ennam polavae thulli aadadiLeap and dance according to your thoughts
Vanna paavaiyaeO colorful doll-like maiden
Vinadhai kaanum neram ingaeHere comes the moment to witness wonders
Vaa vaa vaavaaCome, come, come
Chorus
Maanukkum meenukkumFor the deer and for the fish
Mayilukkum kuyilukkumFor the peacock and for the cuckoo
Thadaigal kidaiyaadhuThere are no obstacles or limits
Naalukkum pozhudhukkumFor days and for times
Siragugal virindhidumWings will spread wide
Kavalaigal ini yedhuWhat worries could there be now?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song is an upbeat, carefree celebration of freedom, joy, and nature's uninhibited beauty. Drawing parallels to wild creatures—such as deer, fish, peacocks, and cuckoos—the lyricist emphasizes that nature recognizes no boundaries or limitations, urging the heroine ('vanna paavai') to live and dance with the same unrestricted spirit.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Maanukkum meenukkum / Mayilukkum kuyilukkum

Matching second consonants across lines, such as 'Maanukkum' and 'Mayilukkum', providing rhythmic cadence.

Metaphor / Personification

Ilam thendral veesudhae / Kai thaalam podudhae

Attributing human actions like clapping ('kai thaalam') to the gentle breeze ('ilam thendral') and keeping rhythm to young parrots.

Swaras / Solkattu (Musical Scat)

Gaama pasanisaa / Nisaga rigaasa

Use of classical Carnatic swara syllables ('Gaama pasanisaa') to weave vocal rhythms into the lyrical flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by Gangai Amaran, this track features vibrant natural imagery characteristic of early 90s Tamil film dance numbers, using classical swaras as rhythmic bridges between verses.

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