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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Manakkum Roja

From Kavitha · 1962

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
K. Jamunarani, A. L. Ragavan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kavitha1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
One two three four five six sevenOne, two, three, four, five, six, seven
Oh my darling this is heavenOh my darling, this is heaven
One two three four five six sevenOne, two, three, four, five, six, seven
Oh my darling this is heavenOh my darling, this is heaven
Male
Manakkum roja my ladyFragrant rose, my lady
Enakku neethaan sari jodiYou alone are the perfect match for me
Manakkum roja my ladyFragrant rose, my lady
Enakku neethaan sari jodiYou alone are the perfect match for me
Female
Eyes with eyes very very niceEyes meeting eyes is very, very nice
Oh my sweet heart you are wiseOh my sweetheart, you are wise
Male
Ennai paartha kannaleWith the eyes that looked at me
Ingum angum paarkatheDo not look here and there
Ennai paartha kannaleWith the eyes that looked at me
Ingum angum paarkatheDo not look here and there
Manakkum roja my ladyFragrant rose, my lady
Enakku neethaan sari jodiYou alone are the perfect match for me
Manakkum roja my ladyFragrant rose, my lady
Enakku neethaan sari jodiYou alone are the perfect match for me
Female
Sunday we met near one chruchSunday we met near a church
Sunday we met near one chruchSunday we met near a church
Monday you said I love you muchMonday you said I love you much
Monday you said I love you muchMonday you said I love you much
Male
Kannum kannum meetaachuOur eyes met each other
Female
Oooohhh….Oooohhh…
Male
Kaadhal nenjil startaachuLove started in our hearts
Female
Oooohhh….Oooohhh…
Male
Kannum kannum meetaachuOur eyes met each other
Female
Oooohhh….Oooohhh…
Male
Kaadhal nenjil startaachuLove started in our hearts
Female
Oooohhh….Oooohhh…
Male
Manakkum roja my ladyFragrant rose, my lady
Enakku neethaan sari jodiYou alone are the perfect match for me
Manakkum roja my ladyFragrant rose, my lady
Enakku neethaan sari jodiYou alone are the perfect match for me
Female
Hand in hand we always standHand in hand we always stand
Hand in hand we always standHand in hand we always stand
Dontmind others in this landDon't mind others in this land
Dontmind others in this landDon't mind others in this land
Male
Nee illai endraal naan illaiWithout you, I do not exist
Female
Ooohhhh oh….Ooohhhh oh…
Male
Naan illai endraal nee illaiWithout me, you do not exist
Female
Ooooh…Ooooh…
Male
Nee illai endraal naan illai laiWithout you, I do not exist
Naan illai endraal ne illai lai lai lai lai laiWithout me, you do not exist
Female
Mayakkum raja big bodyEnchanting king with a big body
Enakku neethaan sari jodiYou alone are the perfect match for me
Mayakkum raja big bodyEnchanting king with a big body
Enakku neethaan sari jodi…….You alone are the perfect match for me
Male
Manakkum roja my ladyFragrant rose, my lady
Enakku neethaan sari jodiYou alone are the perfect match for me
Manakkum roja my ladyFragrant rose, my lady
Enakku neethaan sari jodi…….You alone are the perfect match for me

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a playful, upbeat romantic duet that utilizes a mixture of English and Tamil ('Tanglish') to depict a modern, westernized young couple professing their love for one another. The lyrics tell the story of their budding romance, from meeting near a church on a Sunday to expressing love on Monday, emphasizing that they are inseparable and made for each other.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Code-switching (Tanglish)

Manakkum roja my lady

Seamlessly blending English and Tamil words to reflect a modern, playful romantic style common in 1960s Tamil cinema dance numbers.

End Rhyme

One two three four five six seven / Oh my darling this is heaven

Pairs of lines end with rhyming English words like 'seven' and 'heaven', 'nice' and 'wise', 'stand' and 'land'.

Anaphora / Repetition

Kannum kannum meetaachu

Repetition of words like 'Kannum kannum' (eye to eye) and 'Hand in hand' to create rhythm and emphasize mutual affection.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track from Kavitha (1962) composed by K. V. Mahadevan showcases early Tamil cinema's fascination with incorporating playful English phrases, counting rhymes, and days of the week into romantic duets to signify youthfulness and modernity.

Keep listening

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