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Isaimozhi
Priyamudan Prabhu album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Manamadura Malligai Naan

From Priyamudan Prabhu · 1984

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Movie name
Priyamudan Prabhu
Movie release year
1984
Lyrics added on
6 Oct 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Maanaa madhura mallaigai naan
Machchaan kai saera
Ippa thaanaa kaninja maambazhaththa
Achchaaram poda
Maanaa madhura mallaigai naan
Machchaan kai saera
Ippa thaanaa kaninja maambazhaththa
Achchaaram poda
Naan kanda kanaa palikka
Naan kettathellaam palikka
En kanavu muzhuthum inikka inikka
Maanaamadhura
Maanaa madhura mallaigai naan
Machchaan kai saera
Oyaatha alaiyae idhuvarai paayaatha nadhiyae
Kaayaatha malaiyae sariththiram kaanaatha radhiyae
Female :Paaraalum needhaan kattanum thothaana kayiru
Nee vantha idam nalla idam vaa vaa vaa
Maanaamadhura…..
Namma maanaamadhura malligaiyae
Nee machchaan kai saera
Ippa thaanaa kaninja maambazhaththa
Achchaaram poda….haei….haei…..haeiii….
……………..
Thaaraala manasu thalli aikka aagaatha vayasu
Yaeraalam varavu eppakeppo ennoda kanavu
Male :Theayaatha selaiyae thenam thenam vaadaatha madhiyae
Nee vantha idam nalla idam vaa vaa vaa
Maanaamadhura…..
Namma maanaamadhura malligaiyae
Nee machchaan kai saera
Ippa thaanaa kaninja maambazhaththa
Achchaaram poda….
Naan kanda kanaa palikka
Naan kettathellaam palikka
En kanavu muzhuthum inikkum inikkum
Maanaamadhura…..
Namma maanaamadhura malligaiyae
Nee machchaan kai saera
Ippa thaanaa kaninja maambazhaththa
Achchaaram poda…aa….aa….aa….
I am the jasmine of Manamadurai,
here to join my lover's embrace,
and give this naturally ripened mango
as an advance token of love.
I am the jasmine of Manamadurai,
here to join my lover's embrace,
and give this naturally ripened mango
as an advance token of love.
May the dreams I saw come true,
may all that I wished for come true,
as my dreams turn sweeter and sweeter!
Manamadurai...
I am the jasmine of Manamadurai,
here to join my lover's embrace.
An unceasing wave, a river that has never flowed till now,
a green hill that never dries, a beauty unseen in history!
Female: You who rule my world must tie the fitting wedding knot,
the place you have come to is wonderful, come, come, come!
Manamadurai...
O jasmine of our Manamadurai,
for you to join your lover's arms,
and give this naturally ripened mango
as an advance token of love... hey... hey... hey...
...
With a generous heart and at an age that cannot wait,
so many desires arrive, filling my dreams at every moment!
Male: An unfading sculpture, a moon that never withers day by day,
the place you have come to is wonderful, come, come, come!
Manamadurai...
O jasmine of our Manamadurai,
for you to join your lover's arms,
and give this naturally ripened mango
as an advance token of love...
May the dreams I saw come true,
may all that I wished for come true,
all my dreams will be sweet and joyful!
Manamadurai...
O jasmine of our Manamadurai,
for you to join your lover's arms,
and give this naturally ripened mango
as an advance token of love... ah... ah... ah...
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This romantic duet uses rich regional metaphors to express youthful yearning, love, and anticipation of marriage. The female protagonist compares herself to the famous jasmine of Manamadurai and a ripe mango, symbolising her readiness for love and commitment to her groom. The song expresses her hope that all her long-cherished dreams and prayers for a blissful union will come true. The male protagonist responds by admiring her timeless beauty, metaphorically comparing her to an unfading moon and an unworn silk sari. Together, they celebrate their auspicious union and shared future with joyful romantic banter.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor

Maanaa madhura mallaigai naan

The speaker compares herself directly to 'Manamadurai Jasmine' and 'naturally ripened mango' to denote purity, fragrance, and readiness for romantic union.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

The second consonant 'naa' rhymes across lines ('Maanaa' /

Anaaphora / Repetition (Ettugai / Adukku Thodar)

En kanavu muzhuthum inikka inikka

Repetition of words like 'inikka inikka' and 'vaa vaa vaa' emphasizes intensity of sweetness and welcoming warmth.

Uvamai / Simile & Hyperbole

Theayaatha selaiyae thenam thenam vaadaatha madhiyae

Describing the beloved as a moon that never fades daily and history-defying beauty adds poetic grandeur.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by Gangai Amaran, this track highlights the rural folk-pop lyric style prominent in 1980s Tamil cinema, invoking cultural motifs such as the famous Jasmine flowers from the southern region of Manamadurai.

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