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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maname Mayangathae

From Kanmaniye Pesu · 1986

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
K. J. Jesudass
Music director
Raveendran
Details
Kanmaniye Pesu1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Manamae mayangaathae vidiyum kalangaathaeO mind, do not be swooned; dawn will come, do not grieve.
Vidhi seitha velaiyadi magalaeThis is the handiwork of fate, my daughter.
Kulamagal kolangal ponathaeThe grace of being the family's virtuous daughter is gone.
Male
Manamae mayangaathae vidiyum kalangaathae…O mind, do not be swooned; dawn will come, do not grieve...
Male
Vaazhnthu paarththathu vaadagai vaazhkkaiThe life lived was merely a rented life.
Uriyaval vanthaal vazhi vidadiSince the rightful owner has arrived, make way, girl.
Poosi paarththathu yaar thantha manjalWhose turmeric was applied and tried on?
Aval manjal thaanae azhiththidadiThat turmeric belongs to her after all; wipe it away, girl.
Male
Adadaa kalainthathu maangalya veshamAlas, the sacred disguise of marriage has dissolved.
Naalaikku veroru naadagamTomorrow brings another drama.
Male
Manamae mayangaathae vidiyum kalangaathae…O mind, do not be swooned; dawn will come, do not grieve...
Male
Oomai naadagam yaenadi pennaeWhy this silent drama, woman?
Unmaiyai solla thayakkam ennaWhy the hesitation to speak the truth?
Pillai seitha paavamum ennaWhat sin did the child commit?
Vellai selaiyai maruppathennaWhy refuse the white saree?
Vazhakkil kuzhappangal theerppugal engaeThere is confusion in the case; where are the verdicts?
Vaazhvathu naadaga vaazhkkaiyaeThe life being lived is just a theatrical act.
Male
Manamae mayangaathae vidiyum kalangaathaeO mind, do not be swooned; dawn will come, do not grieve.
Vidhi seitha velaiyadi magalaeThis is the handiwork of fate, my daughter.
Kulamagal kolangal ponathaeThe grace of being the family's virtuous daughter is gone.
Male
Manamae mayangaathae vidiyum kalangaathae…O mind, do not be swooned; dawn will come, do not grieve...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Manamae Mayangaathae' is a deeply emotional and philosophical track that deals with tragic reality, fate, and societal expectations regarding a woman's marital status. The lyrics console a grieving woman whose life turns upside down when she realizes her married life was merely temporary—a 'rented life'—and that her traditional identity as a family bride has been shattered by circumstance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Vaazhnthu paarththathu vaadagai vaazhkkai

Life is metaphorically described as 'vaadagai vaazhkkai' (a rented life) and 'naadaga vaazhkkai' (a theatrical drama), highlighting its temporary and illusory nature.

Mona (Initial Alliteration)

Manamae mayangaathae vidiyum kalangaathae

Repetition of the 'Ma' consonant sound at the start of adjacent words ('Manamae', 'mayangaathae').

Rhetorical Question

Pillai seitha paavamum enna

The lyricist uses poignant rhetorical questions to highlight the woman's helplessness and the harsh realities of life.

Symbolism

Vellai selaiyai maruppathenna

'Manjal' (turmeric) and 'Vellai selai' (white saree) serve as powerful cultural symbols for auspicious marriage and widowhood/renunciation respectively.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kanmaniye Pesu' (1986) stars Sivakumar and Ambika. The soundtrack was composed by the acclaimed Malayalam composer Raveendran, featuring lyrics penned by Vairamuthu that reflect on tragic social reality and widowhood/destiny.

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