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Irandil Ondru album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Manamadura Thanthen (Sad)

From Irandil Ondru · 1988

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
K. S. Chitra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Irandil Ondru
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
18 Feb 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Maanaa madurai thanthaen maduraiyila paathi thanthaen
Maanaa madurai thanthaen maduraiyila paathi thanthaen
Thallaakolamum thanthaen thangachchi meenaavukku
Thallaakolamum thanthaen thangachchi meenaavukku
Velli mala viraalimala verakedukkum naagamala
Kolli mala kodagu mala
Kondu thanthaen thanaiyanukku
Iththanaiyum intha manasukkullae
Ezhuthu vachchaen en kannugalae
Iththanaiyum intha manasukkullae
Ezhuthu vachchaen en kannugalae
Saththiyamaa adhuthaan palikka saami varam thaaratheppo
Saththiyamaa adhuthaan palikka saami varam thaaratheppo
I gave Manamadurai, and I gave half of Madurai,
I gave Manamadurai, and I gave half of Madurai,
I gave Tallakulam too, to my little sister Meena.
I gave Tallakulam too, to my little sister Meena.
Velli hill, Viralimalai, and Nagamalai where firewood is gathered,
Kolli hill and Kodagu hill,
I brought and gave them all to my son.
All of these, inside this heart of mine,
I wrote it down in hope, my precious darlings!
All of these, inside this heart of mine,
I wrote it down in hope, my precious darlings!
Truly, when will God grant the blessing for all this to come true?
Truly, when will God grant the blessing for all this to come true?
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This folk-flavored song expresses deep familial love and grand aspirations through poetic hyperbole. The narrator symbolically gifts entire regions, famous towns, and mountain ranges (such as Madurai, Tallakulam, Viralimalai, and Kolli Hills) to her loved ones—her younger sister Meena and her son. These generous gifts represent the infinite love and blessings she wishes to bestow upon her family. Ultimately, she reveals that these grand gestures are sacred wishes written within her heart, and she prays devoutly to God, asking when He will grant the boon to make these dreams a reality.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Hyperbole (Uyarnavu Navirtchi Ani)

Maanaa madurai thanthaen maduraiyila paathi thanthaen

The speaker metaphorically gifts entire towns, mountain ranges, and cities like Madurai to her relatives to express boundless love.

Monai (Alliteration)

Velli mala viraalimala verakedukkum naagamala

Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'V' in 'Velli' and 'Viraalimala'.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Velli mala viraalimala verakedukkum naagamala / Kolli mala kodagu mala

Repetition of the suffix '-mala' (mountain) across the names of various places for rhythmic emphasis.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track from the 1988 Tamil movie 'Irandil Ondru' features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by his brother Gangai Amaran. Sung by K. S. Chithra, the song mimics the traditional Tamil folk lulla-by and maternal praise style ('Thaalaattu' / 'Pooppu Paattu'), listing geographical landmarks to showcase warmth and endearment.

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