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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mainave Mainave

From Thithikudhe · 2003

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
P. Unnikrishnan, Sadhana Sargam
Music director
Vidyasagar
Details
Thithikudhe2003

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
……………………………………………....
Male
……………………………………………….....
Male
Mainaavae mainaavae en kanavilOh Maina, Oh Maina, in my dreams,
Dhinam dhinam ketkum paadal neethaanaAre you the song that plays day after day?
Hey mainaavae mainaavae en kangalHey Maina, Hey Maina, my eyes,
Boomiyil thediya thedal neethaanaAre you the quest they searched for on this earth?
Male
Vinmeenaai tholaintha magal ven nilavaai vanthaalaDid the lost star return as the radiant white moon?
Thediyavan kaigalilae devathaiyaai vizhunthaalaDid she fall like an angel into the hands of the seeker?
Pirivukum serthu inimel vaazhvom vaazhvom endraalaDid she say we shall live together from now on, compensating for all separation?
Male
Mainaavae mainaavae en kanavilOh Maina, Oh Maina, in my dreams,
Dhinam dhinam ketkum paadal neethaanaAre you the song that plays day after day?
Mainaavae mainaavae en kangalOh Maina, Oh Maina, my eyes,
Boomiyil thediya thedal neethaanaAre you the quest they searched for on this earth?
Male
Nee pona kaalam thottu en vaazhvil pagalae illaiEver since the moment you left, there has been no daylight in my life,
Irulodu unnai thedi ilaithuvittenSearching for you in the dark, I have grown exhausted and weak.
Female
Dhisaikondraai thedi sella vizhi naangu illai endruGrieving that I lack four eyes to search in all directions,
Kanneerai sinthi sinthi karainthuvittenCrying continuously, I melted away in tears.
Male
Pirinthom andru thuliyaagaWe separated back then like isolated drops,
Inainthom indru nathiyaagaWe united today like a mighty river.
Female
Neerin thaagam neeraal theernthathuThe thirst for water was quenched by water itself.
Male
Aa aaaa mainaavae mainaavae en kanavilAh, Oh Maina, Oh Maina, in my dreams,
Dhinam dhinam ketkum paadal neethaanaAre you the song that plays day after day?
Female
Mainaavae mainaavae en kanavilOh Maina, Oh Maina, in my dreams,
Dhinam dhinam ketkum paadal neethaanaAre you the song that plays day after day?
Female
Sillendra mutham ondru cellellam nanaiyumpothuWhen a cool kiss drenches every cell of my body,
Ullukul achapookal uthirgindradhaeThe flowers of fear inside me shed away.
Male
Therodu poovanam ondru vaarodu sariyumpothuWhen a garden of blossoms slides along with the chariot,
Anuvellam aagaayampol pirigindradhaeEvery atom inside expands vast like the sky.
Female
Dhegam rendum piriyaathaWithout our two bodies drifting apart,
Jeevan eriyum sudaraagaLike a burning flame that fuels life,
Male
Mutham ennum ennai ootruvomLet us pour the oil named kisses.
Female
Aa aa aa ahAh ah ah ah
Male
Mainaavae mainaavae en kanavilOh Maina, Oh Maina, in my dreams,
Dhinam dhinam ketkum paadal neethaanaAre you the song that plays day after day?
Female
Aa ah mainaavae mainaavae en kangalAh ah, Oh Maina, Oh Maina, my eyes,
Boomiyil thediya thedal neethaanaAre you the quest they searched for on this earth?
Male
Vinmeenaai tholaintha magal ven nilavaai vanthaalaDid the lost star return as the radiant white moon?
Thediyavan kaigalilae devathaiyaai vizhunthaalaDid she fall like an angel into the hands of the seeker?
Pirivukum serthu inimel vaazhvom vaazhvom endraalaDid she say we shall live together from now on, compensating for all separation?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Mainaavae Mainaavae' from the movie 'Thithikudhe' expresses deep emotional reunion, longing, and romantic affection. The protagonist addresses his beloved as a sweet singing bird ('Mainaa') and expresses how her absence left his life in complete darkness. Her return is compared to a lost star returning as a bright full moon and an angel falling back into the seeker's arms. Through poetic imagery, the song captures the journey of separation turning into joy, describing how two separated drops have joined together to form a river. It celebrates the intimacy, emotional healing, and warmth that come with reunion after a long period of longing and pain.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar / Anaphora

Dhinam dhinam ketkum paadal neethaana

Repetition of words like 'Dhinam dhinam' (day by day), 'sinthi sinthi' (shedding continuously), and 'vaazhvom vaazhvom' (we shall live) for rhythmic emphasis and heightened emotion.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Vinmeenaai tholaintha magal ven nilavaai vanthaala

The lover compares his beloved to a lost star returning as a white moon ('Vinmeenaai tholaintha magal ven nilavaai vanthaala') and compares kisses to oil fueling a lamp ('Mutham ennum ennai').

Simile (Uvamai)

Anuvellam aagaayampol pirigindradhae

Comparing the expansion of inner emotions to the vastness of the sky using 'pol' ('aagaayampol').

Contrast / Antithesis

Pirinthom andru thuliyaaga / Inainthom indru nathiyaaga

Contrasting separation as single drops ('thuliyaaga') with reunion as a flowing river ('nathiyaaga').

Did you know?

Trivia

The music for 'Thithikudhe' (2003) was composed by Vidyasagar, with lyrics written by Vairamuthu. 'Mainaavae Mainaavae' was sung by P. Unnikrishnan and Sadhana Sargam, becoming one of the most popular melodious duets of the early 2000s in Tamil cinema.

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