- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Bharathwaj
- Movie name
- Rojavanam
- Movie release year
- 1999
- Lyrics added on
- 26 Feb 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
'Manamae Manamae' from the film Rojavanam (1999) is a deeply emotional and introspective song expressing the agony of heartbreak and unrequited love. The protagonist addresses his own mind, pleading with it to stop tormenting him and to fall into an unconscious sleep. He laments how love acts as a double-edged sword—offering brief euphoria while eventually destroying peace, rest, and happiness. Through evocative metaphors comparing love to a dual-natured pill, an uncontainable sea, and a deep-rooted banyan tree that sprouts back even when chopped down, lyricist Vairamuthu captures the psychological struggle of being unable to erase painful memories. The protagonist feels betrayed by his own emotions, viewing life itself as an unbearable burden.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Personification
“Manamae manamae / Thadumaarum manamae”
Addressing the heart/mind ('Manamae') as a conscious being that stumbles, spreads wings, and creates a funeral pyre.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Kaadhal endra maathiraikku / Eppodhum irandu gunam”
Directly comparing love to a pill ('maathirai') that intoxicates initially but eventually ruins sleep.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Kaadhal endra yaathiraikku / Eppodhum irandu vazhi”
Comparing love to a journey ('yaathirai') featuring a bright entrance path and a dark exit path.
Simile (Upamai)
“Aala virutcham pola valarudhu / Azhagu pennin nenaippu”
Comparing the persistent memory of a woman to a rapidly growing banyan tree ('aala virutcham').
Contrast / Anthesis
“Kaadhalin kaiyil pookkalum undu / Kaadhalin kaiyil kathiyum undu”
Juxtaposing gentle flowers ('pookkal') with a sharp knife ('kathi') to represent the dual nature of love.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Rojavanam' (1999) stars Prashanth, Laila, and Vadivelu, with music composed by Bharadwaj and lyrics written by Vairamuthu. The song is widely admired for its deep melancholic lyrics and poignant vocal rendition by Unni Menon, capturing the angst of a protagonist struggling with emotional trauma.
Keep listening
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