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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mana Nattiya Medaiyil

From Meenda Sorgam · 1960

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, A. M. Rajah
Music director
T. Chalapathi Rao
Details
Meenda Sorgam1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Haaa…a.aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…Ah...
Haa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa….Ah...
Female
Mana naatiya maedaiyil aadinenI danced on the stage of my mind's desires,
Kalai kaatiya paadhaiyil vaadugirenI wither on the path shown by art.
Uyir kaadhalilae udal maedaiyilaeThe soul is in love, while the body remains on stage,
Indha vaazhkaiyin mudivengaeWhere is the end of this life?
Female
Mana naatiya maedaiyil aadinenI danced on the stage of my mind's desires,
Kalai kaatiya paadhaiyil vaadugirenI wither on the path shown by art.
Female
Puvi vaazhvinil kaadhal inbamLove brings joy in earthly life,
Adhil ezhaiyin kaadhal thunbamYet in it, love brings sorrow to the poor.
Puvi vaazhvinil kaadhal inbamLove brings joy in earthly life,
Adhil ezhaiyin kaadhal thunbamYet in it, love brings sorrow to the poor.
Thirunaalum illai mana vaazhvum illaiThere is no festive day, nor a happy marital bliss,
Indha vaazhkaiyin mudivengae…ae…Where is the end of this life?
Indha vaazhkaiyin mudivengaeWhere is the end of this life?
Female
Mana naatiya maedaiyil aadinenI danced on the stage of my mind's desires,
Kalai kaatiya paadhaiyil vaadugirenI wither on the path shown by art.
Female
Verum kaaviya kaadhal polaeLike love that exists merely in epic poetry,
Endhan kaadhalum aanadhu naalaeMy love too has become so today.
Verum kaaviya kaadhal polaeLike love that exists merely in epic poetry,
Endhan kaadhalum aanadhu naalaeMy love too has become so today.
Udal vaazhavillai uyir sagavillaiThe body does not live, yet the soul does not die,
Indha vaazhkaiyin mudivengae…ae….Where is the end of this life?
Indha vaazhkaiyin mudivengaeWhere is the end of this life?
Female
Mana naatiya maedaiyil aadinenI danced on the stage of my mind's desires,
Kalai kaatiya paadhaiyil vaadugirenI wither on the path shown by art.
Male
Vanna thaamarai paavaiyin dhaegamThe beautiful body of a colorful lotus-like woman,
Kandu thazhuvidum sooriyan maegamSeeing her, the sun and clouds embrace her.
Vanna thaamarai paavaiyin dhaegamThe beautiful body of a colorful lotus-like woman,
Kandu thazhuvidum sooriyan maegamSeeing her, the sun and clouds embrace her.
Dhinam maarividum irul moodividumIt changes daily, and darkness engulfs everything,
Indha vaazhkaiyin mudivengae…ae….Where is the end of this life?
Female :Indha vaazhkaiyin mudivengaeFemale: Where is the end of this life?
Male :MudivengaeMale: Where is the end?
Female :MudivengaeFemale: Where is the end?
Female :Indha vaazhkaiyin mudivengaeFemale: Where is the end of this life?
Male :Indha vaazhkaiyin mudivengaeMale: Where is the end of this life?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Mana Naatiya Maedaiyil from the film Meenda Sorgam (1960) is a deeply emotional lamentation on the harsh realities faced by an artist and a lover burdened by poverty and tragic circumstances. The protagonist reflects on how performing art—once a stage for dreams and passion—has led to personal sorrow and exhaustion. The lyrics poignantly highlight that while love brings happiness to many in the world, for the poor it often yields heartbreak and unfulfilled desires, leaving the narrator trapped in a state where the body refuses to live fully and the soul refuses to die. Kannadasan's evocative verses ponder the ultimate destination of a suffering existence, contrasting fleeting beauty with enduring darkness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Mana naatiya maedaiyil aadinen

The mind and artistic life are framed as a dance stage ('Mana naatiya maedai'), comparing internal passion and life's performance to physical drama.

Etukai (Second-letter rhyme)

Mana naatiya maedaiyil aadinen / Kalai kaatiya paadhaiyil vaadugiren

The second consonant 'di' rhymes between 'aadinen' and 'vaadugiren', establishing Tamil prosodic rhythm.

Antithesis / Paradox

Udal vaazhavillai uyir sagavillai

The line 'Udal vaazhavillai uyir sagavillai' juxtaposes living and dying to express a painful state of existential limbo.

Simile (Uvamai)

Verum kaaviya kaadhal polae

The speaker compares their tragic love story to fictional love found only in poetic epics ('kaaviya kaadhal polae').

Did you know?

Trivia

Meenda Sorgam (1960) was directed by C. V. Sridhar and starred Gemini Ganesan and Padmini. The film's music score was composed by T. Chalapathi Rao, featuring lyrics penned by the acclaimed poet Kannadasan.

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