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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maname Enai Arivaayo

From Kalyanam Panni Paar · 1952

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
P. Leela
Music director
Ghantasala
Details
Kalyanam Panni Paar1952

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
……………....
Female
Manamae enai ariyaayo mooda manamaeOh mind, do you not know who I am, foolish mind?
Enai ariyaayoDo you not know me?
Manamae enai ariyaayoOh mind, do you not know who I am?
Female
Veshamum paashaiyum vedhaanthamenumPretending disguises, language, and grand philosophies...
Veshamum paashaiyum vedhaanthamenum…ooo…oo…manamaePretending disguises, language, and grand philosophies... oh mind!
Veshamum paashaiyum vedhaanthamenumPretending disguises, language, and grand philosophies...
Velli iraigalai thindraayaeYou consumed the silver bait!
En thanga thoondiyil veezhnthaayaeAnd fell right into my golden hook!
Velli iraigalai thindraayaeYou consumed the silver bait!
En thanga thoondiyil veezhnthaayaeAnd fell right into my golden hook!
Manamae enai ariyaayoOh mind, do you not know who I am?
Mooda manamae mooda manamae manamaeFoolish mind, foolish mind, oh foolish mind!
Female
…………………...
Female
Shaththu siththenum bedhamae ariyaaWithout knowing the subtle distinction between truth and consciousness...
Aa…aa…aa…aa…aa….Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Shaththu siththenum bedhamae ariyaaWithout knowing the subtle distinction between truth and consciousness...
Shiththae saththaena ninaiththaayoDid you assume that mere consciousness alone was the ultimate truth?
En eththil mayangi veezhnthaayoDid you get bewitched and trapped in my deceptive illusion?
Manamae enai ariyaayo….Oh mind, do you not know who I am?
Female
Iyarkkaiyum eesanum ondrae ondrenaThat Nature and the Supreme God are truly one and the same...
Aa…aa…aa…aa…aa…Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Iyarkkaiyum eesanum ondrae ondrenaThat Nature and the Supreme God are truly one and the same...
Iruntha ragasiyam maranthaayaeYou forgot that eternal divine secret!
Sathguru bodhanaiyae igazhnthaayaeYou disregarded the enlightened teachings of the True Master!
Iruntha ragasiyam maranthaayaeYou forgot that eternal divine secret!
Sathguru bodhanaiyae igazhnthaayaeYou disregarded the enlightened teachings of the True Master!
Manamae enai ariyaayoOh mind, do you not know who I am?
Mooda manamae mooda manamae manamaeFoolish mind, foolish mind, oh foolish mind!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Manamae Enai Ariyaayo' from the 1952 classic film 'Kalyanam Panni Paar' is a satirical yet philosophically rich song. Penned by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass and set to music by Ghantasala, the song addresses the human mind as a naive entity that easily falls for worldly illusions, disguises, and pseudo-intellectualism while failing to perceive true spiritual wisdom. Through metaphors of fishing bait and hooks, the song chastises the mind for being lured by shiny, superficial attractions. It weaves in deep Vedantic concepts like 'Sat' (existence/truth), 'Chit' (consciousness), and the unity of Nature and God, mocking how the mind ignores the core teachings of the Satguru while pretending to understand divine philosophy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Apostrophe / Personification

Manamae enai ariyaayo mooda manamae

Addressing the mind ('Manamae') directly as a conscious, foolish entity capable of being tricked.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Velli iraigalai thindraayae / En thanga thoondiyil veezhnthaayae

Comparing worldly temptations to 'silver bait' (velli irai) and the trickster's trap to a 'golden fishing hook' (thanga thoondil).

Iyaibu (Rhyming Couplets)

Iruntha ragasiyam maranthaayae / Sathguru bodhanaiyae igazhnthaayae

End-rhyme matching in consecutive lines using 'maranthaayae' and 'igazhnthaayae'.

Philosophical Allusion (Vedanta)

Iyarkkaiyum eesanum ondrae ondrena

Reference to foundational concepts of Advaita Vedanta such as Sat-Chit ('Shaththu siththenum') and the non-duality of Nature and God.

Did you know?

Trivia

This iconic track from 'Kalyanam Panni Paar' (1952) starring NTR and Savitri was simultaneously produced in Telugu as 'Pelli Chesi Choodu' ('Manasa Nenevaro Niku Telusa'). Sung by P. Leela, lyricist Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass masterfully blended high Vedantic jargon with situational comedy, making it a classic example of satirical film music in South Indian cinema.

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