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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maname Solaiyaam

From Aadu Puli Aattam · 1977

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Vijaya Bhaskar
Details
Aadu Puli Aattam1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Manamae solaiyaamThe mind is a garden,
Ninaivugal malargalaamMemories are the flowers.
Kovilil serumo theruvilae pogumoWill they reach the temple, or will they be cast onto the street?
Female
Manamae solaiyaamThe mind is a garden,
Ninaivugal malargalaamMemories are the flowers.
Kovilil serumo theruvilae pogumoWill they reach the temple, or will they be cast onto the street?
Female
Naetru nadandhadhellaam karpanaiAll that happened yesterday was an illusion,
Indru kaanbadhellaam en vinaiAll that is seen today is my destiny.
Naetru nadandhadhellaam karpanaiAll that happened yesterday was an illusion,
Indru kaanbadhellaam en vinaiAll that is seen today is my destiny.
Uravu yen pirivu yenWhy relationships? Why separation?
Uravu yen pirivu yenWhy relationships? Why separation?
Varavu yen selavu yen kalakkam yenWhy gain? Why loss? Why this agitation?
Female
Manamae solaiyaamThe mind is a garden,
Ninaivugal malargalaamMemories are the flowers.
Kovilil serumo theruvilae pogumoWill they reach the temple, or will they be cast onto the street?
Female
Odum nadhigal ellaam kadalilaeAll flowing rivers end in the sea,
Uravil seruvadhae sangamamUniting in a bond is the ultimate convergence.
Odum nadhigal ellaam kadalilaeAll flowing rivers end in the sea,
Uravil seruvadhae sangamamUniting in a bond is the ultimate convergence.
Female
Engu naam pogiromWhere are we heading?
Engu naam pogiromWhere are we heading?
Paadhaigal oridam serumaaWill all these paths lead to one single place?
Female
Manamae solaiyaamThe mind is a garden,
Ninaivugal malargalaamMemories are the flowers.
Kovilil serumo theruvilae pogumoWill they reach the temple, or will they be cast onto the street?
Female
Pootha malargal elaamWill all the bloomed flowers...
Kaaikkumaa...turn into unripe fruit?
Kaaitha kaaigal ellaam kaniyumaaWill all the unripe fruit mature into sweet ripeness?
Pootha malargal elaam kaaikkumaaWill all the bloomed flowers turn into unripe fruit?
Kaaitha kaaigal ellaam kaniyumaaWill all the unripe fruit mature into sweet ripeness?
Female
Inikkumaa pulikkumaaWill it taste sweet, or will it turn sour?
Inikkumaa pulikkumaaWill it taste sweet, or will it turn sour?
Unakkadhu theriyumaa puriyumaaDo you know the answer, or do you understand it?
Female
Manamae solaiyaamThe mind is a garden,
Ninaivugal malargalaamMemories are the flowers.
Kovilil serumo theruvilae pogumoWill they reach the temple, or will they be cast onto the street?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic philosophical song written by Kannadasan uses vivid nature metaphors to explore the unpredictability of human life and fate. The mind is likened to a lush garden, and thoughts/memories are pictured as delicate flowers. The singer questions the ultimate fate of these thoughts—whether they will achieve sacred fulfillment (reaching the temple) or be discarded in dishonor (ending up on the street). The lyrics question the illusions of yesterday, the harsh realities of today's fate, and the cyclical pain of bonds, separations, gains, and losses. By drawing parallels to rivers merging into the sea and flowers maturing into sweet or sour fruits, the song reflects on human destiny and the uncertainty of life's ultimate destination.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Manamae solaiyaam / Ninaivugal malargalaam

Compares the human mind directly to a garden ('Manamae solaiyaam') and memories directly to flowers ('Ninaivugal malargalaam').

Muran (Antithesis / Contrast)

Kovilil serumo theruvilae pogumo

Uses contrasting ideas to highlight destiny's uncertainty: Temple vs Street, Yesterday vs Today, Bond vs Separation, Gain vs Expense, Sweet vs Sour.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Naetru nadandhadhellaam karpanai / Indru kaanbadhellaam en vinai

Rhyming of the second letter across lines ('Naetru' and 'Indru').

Rhetorical Questioning (Vinaa Ani)

Inikkumaa pulikkumaa / Unakkadhu theriyumaa puriyumaa

Repeated use of existential questions using 'yen', 'umaa', and 'o' endings to emphasize confusion and surrender to fate.

Did you know?

Trivia

This iconic track from the 1977 film 'Aadu Puli Aattam' stars Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth, directed by S. P. Muthuraman. The music was composed by Vijaya Bhaskar, featuring the profound philosophical lyrics of Kaviarasu Kannadasan.

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