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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maanum Odi Varalaam

From Navarathinam · 1977

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan
Movie name
Navarathinam
Movie release year
1977
Lyrics added on
4 Jun 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Maanum odi varalaam
Maanadhiyum odi varalaam
Mangai thaniyae varalaama
Than maanam marandhu odi varalaamaa
Than maanam marandhu odi varalaamaa
Paadhaiyil engumae poi varalaam
Bodhiyin naduvae varalaamaa
Nalla paadhaiyil engumae poi varalaam
Kudi bodhiyin naduvae varalaamaa
Porumaiyiai oru ganam vittu vidalaam
Penmaiyin thanmaiyai vidalaamaa
Porumaiyiai oru ganam vittu vidalaam
Uyar penmaiyin thanmaiyai vidalaamaa
Maanum odi varalaam
Maanadhiyum odi varalaam
Mangai thaniyae varalaama
Than maanam marandhu odi varalaamaa
Naalum therindhaal nanmaiyundu
Naanathaai marandhaal theemaiyundu
Naalum therindhaal nanmaiyundu
Yaarum naanathaai marandhaal theemaiyundu
Mannaiyae verutha mannarundu
Indha mannaiyae verutha mannarundu
Pennaiyae verutha munivarundo
Kumari pennaiyae verutha munivarundo
Maanum odi varalaam
Maanadhiyum odi varalaam
Mangai thaniyae varalaama
Than maanam marandhu odi varalaamaa
Than maanam marandhu odi varalaamaa
A deer may come running,
A great river may come rushing,
Should a young woman come all alone?
Forgetting her dignity, should she come running?
Forgetting her dignity, should she come running?
One can travel anywhere on an open path,
Should one walk in the midst of drunkenness?
One can travel anywhere on a good path,
Should one come in the midst of drunkenness?
Patience may be lost for a moment,
Should the true nature of womanhood be given up?
Patience may be lost for a moment,
Should the noble nature of womanhood be given up?
A deer may come running,
A great river may come rushing,
Should a young woman come all alone?
Forgetting her dignity, should she come running?
Understanding what is wise brings good,
Forgetting modesty brings harm,
Understanding what is wise brings good,
If anyone forgets modesty, it brings harm,
There are kings who gave up their land,
There are kings who gave up this very earth,
There are sages who turned away from women,
There are sages who turned away from young women,
A deer may come running,
A great river may come rushing,
Should a young woman come all alone?
Forgetting her dignity, should she come running?
Forgetting her dignity, should she come running?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song from the movie Navarathinam delivers a moralistic reflection on social conduct, virtue, and womanhood. Through rhetorical questions, the lyrics contrast the free, uninhibited movement of animals and rivers with the dignity, restraint, and modesty expected of a noble individual, particularly focusing on the self-respect of women.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Maanum odi varalaam / Maanadhiyum odi varalaam / Mangai thaniyae varalaama”

Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'M' across line openings ('Maanum', 'Maanadhiyum', 'Mangai').

Wordplay / Pun

“Maanum odi varalaam... Than maanam marandhu odi varalaamaa”

Clever juxtaposition of 'Maan' (Deer) and 'Maanam' (Honor/Self-respect) to highlight moral dignity.

Etukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Mannaiyae verutha mannarundu / Pennaiyae verutha munivarundo”

Rhyming of the second letter 'nn' in 'Mannaiyae' (land) and 'Pennaiyae' (woman).

Rhetorical Question

“Kumari pennaiyae verutha munivarundo”

Asking questions not to get an answer, but to assert moral advice regarding conduct.

Did you know?

Trivia

Navarathinam (1977) stars M. G. Ramachandran in the lead role and is famous for featuring nine leading actresses representing the nine gems (Navarathinam).

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