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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Manamadura Thanthen

From Irandil Ondru · 1988

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
B. S. Sasirekha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Irandil Ondru1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Maanaa madurai thanthaen maduraiyila paathi thanthaenI gave Manamadurai, and I gave half of Madurai.
Maanaa madurai thanthaen maduraiyila paathi thanthaenI gave Manamadurai, and I gave half of Madurai.
Thallaakolamum thanthaen thangachchi meenaavukkuI also gave Tallakulam to my younger sister Meena.
Thallaakolamum thanthaen thangachchi meenaavukkuI also gave Tallakulam to my younger sister Meena.
Female
Velli mala viraalimala verakedukkum naagamalaVelli Hills, Viralimalai, and Nagamalai where firewood is gathered,
Kolli mala kodagu malaKolli Hills, Kodagu Hills,
Kondu thanthaen thanaiyanukkuI brought and gave all these to my son.
Female
Iththanaiyum intha manasukkullaeAll of these, inside this heart of mine,
Ezhuthu vachchaen en kannugalaeI have written down, my precious ones.
Iththanaiyum intha manasukkullaeAll of these, inside this heart of mine,
Ezhuthu vachchaen en kannugalaeI have written down, my precious ones.
Saththiyamaa adhuthaan palikka saami varam thaaratheppoTruly, when will God grant the boon for all this to come true?
Saththiyamaa adhuthaan palikka saami varam thaaratheppoTruly, when will God grant the boon for all this to come true?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This soulful rural Tamil song expresses a motherly figure's hyperbolic affection and deep devotion toward her family. Through grand figurative gifts, she pledges vast landmarks, towns, and mountain ranges—such as Madurai, Tallakulam, Kolli Hills, and Kodagu—to her younger sister and son as tokens of boundaless love. These affectionate wishes are etched deeply into her heart. She earnestly prays to the divine, asking when God will fulfill these heartfelt desires and grant her family prosperity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi Ani)

Maanaa madurai thanthaen maduraiyila paathi thanthaen

Exaggerated expressions of devotion where the singer claims to bequeath entire cities and mountain ranges (Madurai, Kolli Hills, Kodagu Hills) to her relatives as gifts of love.

End Rhyme (Iyaibu Thodai)

Velli mala viraalimala verakedukkum naagamala / Kolli mala kodagu mala

The rhythmic repetition of the suffix 'mala' (hills) at the end of multiple words across the fifth and sixth lines creates a lyrical folk cadence.

Anaphora (Repetition)

Iththanaiyum intha manasukkullae

The repeated phrase 'Intha manasukkullae' establishes an emotional centerpiece, reinforcing that these wishes are deeply internalized.

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Trivia

Featured in the 1988 film 'Irandil Ondru', this folk track was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by his brother Gangai Amaran. Rendered by singer B. S. Sasirekha, the song draws heavily from traditional Madurai region 'Lullaby/Oppari' style oral traditions where mothers figuratively gift places of prominence to their children.

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