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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Manamalaiyum Manjalum

From Vaathiyaar Veettu Pillai · 1989

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Vaathiyaar Veettu Pillai1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Mana maalaiyum manjalum soodiWearing the wedding garland and turmeric
Pudhu kolaththil nee varum neramAt the moment you arrive in fresh bridal adornment
Male
Mana maalaiyum manjalum soodiWearing the wedding garland and turmeric
Pudhu kolaththil nee varum neramAt the moment you arrive in fresh bridal adornment
Mana maalaiyum manjalum soodiWearing the wedding garland and turmeric
Pudhu kolaththil nee varum neramAt the moment you arrive in fresh bridal adornment
Annan vizhighal kanneer mazhaiyilIn the rain of tears from your brother's eyes
Nanaindhae naan vaazhthinenGetting drenched, I blessed you
Male
Mana maalaiyum manjalum soodiWearing the wedding garland and turmeric
Pudhu kolaththil nee varum neramAt the moment you arrive in fresh bridal adornment
Male
Thaazhamboo kaigalukkuFor hands soft as screwpine flowers
Thangathil seidha kaappuA wristlet made of pure gold
Vaazhaippoo kaigalukkuFor hands tender as plantain flowers
Vairathil seidha kaappuA wristlet crafted with diamonds
Un annan poda vendumYour brother must gift them to you
Oorellaam kaana vendumThe entire town should witness it
Kalyaana naalil ingaeHere on this wedding day
Kacheri vaikka vendumA grand musical concert should be held
Male
Chinnanchiru kiliyaeOh sweet little parrot
Vvaa…aaaCome...
Sembhavala kodiyaeOh vine of red coral
Vaa…aaaCome...
Thiraippol nudhalil aniyum thilagamMay the bindi adorning your curtain-like forehead
Nilaiyaai vaazhattumaeRemain forever blessed and everlasting
Male
Mana maalaiyum manjalum soodiWearing the wedding garland and turmeric
Pudhu kolaththil nee varum neramAt the moment you arrive in fresh bridal adornment
Male
Oraandu pona pinbuAfter a year passes by
Un pillai odi vandhuYour child will come running
Thaai maaman tholil nindruStanding on the maternal uncle's shoulders
Ponnoonjal aadum andruSwinging on a golden swing that day
Male
Yedhedho kaatchi vandhuVarious wonderful visions come
Kannukkul aadudhammaAnd dance before my eyes, my dear
Aanandha minnal ondruA flash of joyful lightning
Nenjukkul odudhammaRuns through my heart
Male
Kungumathu chimizhaeOh casket of auspicious vermilion
Vaa…aaaCome...
Sangam thandha thamizhaeOh Tamil bestowed by the ancient Sangam
Vaa…aaaCome...
Kodiyil arumbi madiyil malarndhaOh flower that budded on the vine and blossomed on the lap
Malarae nee vaazhghavaeOh precious flower, may you live long and prosper
Male
Mana maalaiyum manjalum soodiWearing the wedding garland and turmeric
Pudhu kolaththil nee varum neramAt the moment you arrive in fresh bridal adornment
Annan vizhighal kanneer mazhaiyilIn the rain of tears from your brother's eyes
Nanaindhae naan vaazhthiaenGetting drenched, I blessed you
Male
Mana maalaiyum manjalum soodiWearing the wedding garland and turmeric
Pudhu kolaththil nee varum neramAt the moment you arrive in fresh bridal adornment

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song captures the deep emotional bond between a brother and his beloved sister on her wedding day. The brother expresses his overwhelming joy and tearful pride seeing her dressed as a bride. He dreams of showering her with rich golden and diamond ornaments, celebrating her wedding grandly before the whole village, and wishing her a long, prosperous married life. Looking into the future, the brother fondly imagines his sister returning with a child who will play on his shoulders as a proud maternal uncle ('Thaai Maaman'). Through affectionate metaphors comparing her to a parrot, coral vine, and ancient Tamil literature, he offers his heartfelt blessings for her everlasting marital bliss.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Annan vizhighal kanneer mazhaiyil

Tears are described as a downpour of rain ('kanneer mazhaiyil'), highlighting the depth of emotion.

Metaphor & Imagery

Thaazhamboo kaigalukku / Vaazhaippoo kaigalukku

Hands are metaphorically compared to delicate screwpine and plantain flowers ('Thaazhamboo kaigal', 'Vaazhaippoo kaigal').

Second-Letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

Chinnanchiru kiliyae / Sembhavala kodiyae

The second consonant sound matches across adjacent lines ('Chinnanchiru' / 'Sembhavala').

Epithet / Cultural Imagery

Kungumathu chimizhae / Sangam thandha thamizhae

The bride is poetically praised using cultural treasures like Sangam Tamil and auspicious kungumam caskets.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song from 'Vaathiyaar Veettu Pillai' (1989), starring Sathyaraj and Shobana, features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics by Pulamaipithan. It remains one of Tamil cinema's classic songs celebrating brother-sister affection ('Thangai Pasam'), frequently played during Tamil wedding ceremonies and auspicious family events.

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