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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Makara Veenai

From Athisaya Penn · 1959

Lyricist
V. Seetharaman
Singer
A. P. Komala
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Athisaya Penn1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ooo….oo…oo….ooo….Ooo...oo...oo...ooo...
Female
Magara veenai thanathu madhuraDoes the Makara Veena know its own sweet
Naadha magimai ariyumoGreatness of musical sound?
Naadha magimai ariyumo….Does it know the greatness of its musical sound?
Magara veenai thanathu madhuraDoes the Makara Veena know its own sweet
Naadha magimai ariyumoGreatness of musical sound?
Naadha magimai ariyumo…Does it know the greatness of its musical sound?
Female
Valamai kozhikkum bhoomiyin manamThe heart of the earth that blossoms with prosperity,
Valamai kozhikkum bhoomiyin manamThe heart of the earth that blossoms with prosperity,
Vaana mazhaikku theriyumo….Does the rain from the sky know it?
Female
Magara veenai thanathu madhuraDoes the Makara Veena know its own sweet
Naadha magimai ariyumoGreatness of musical sound?
Naadha magimai ariyumo….Does it know the greatness of its musical sound?
Female
Madhuvai unda vandin manadhuThe mind of the bee that drank the honey,
Malarin nenjam ariyumo….Does the heart of the flower know it?
Ariyumo…..oo….Does it know?
Madhuvai unda vandin manathuThe mind of the bee that drank the honey,
Malarin nenjam ariyumo……Does the heart of the flower know it?
Mangai enthan nenjath thudippaiThe heartbeat of this young maiden,
Avarum ariya mudiyumo….Can he come to know it too?
Female
Mangai endhan nenjath thudippaiThe heartbeat of this young maiden,
Avarum ariya mudiyumo….Can he come to know it too?
Female
Nanmai theemai arinthidamalWithout distinguishing good from bad,
Nanmai theemai arinthidamalWithout distinguishing good from bad,
Naan mayangidum pothileWhen I was swooning in delusion,
Thooya vazhi kaattida oruTo guide me on a pure path,
Sotharan vanthaanA brother came.
Female
Thooya vazhi kaattida oruTo guide me on a pure path,
Sotharan vanthaanA brother came.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poetic song uses vivid nature imagery and musical analogies to express deep, subtle emotions of love, innocence, and gratitude. The protagonist wonders if an instrument understands its own beautiful music, if the falling rain truly comprehends the fertile earth, or if a flower knows the inner mind of the honeybee feeding on it. Drawing a parallel, she wonders if her beloved can truly understand the silent flutter of her youthful heart. In the concluding lines, she reflects on her past confusion and expresses gratitude for a noble brotherly figure who arrived to guide her towards a pure and righteous path.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor and Analogy (உவமை)

Magara veenai thanathu madhura Naadha magimai ariyumo

Compares unexpressed emotions to the Veena instrument that produces sweet music without possessing consciousness of its sound, and the rain touching the earth without knowing its heart.

Rhetorical Question (வினா நவிற்சி)

Vaana mazhaikku theriyumo….

Uses repeated questioning ('Ariyumo', 'Theriyumo') to emphasize the mystery of hidden feelings and natural harmony.

Moonaai / Initial Alliteration (மோனை)

Madhuvai unda vandin manadhu Malarin nenjam ariyumo

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'Ma' across words to create rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

Athisaya Penn (1959) starred Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Vyjayanthimala. The music for this classic song was composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, with lyrics penned by V. Seetharaman.

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