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Isaimozhi
Gnana Oli album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Manamedai

From Gnana Oli · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Gnana Oli
Movie release year
1972
Lyrics added on
18 Nov 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Hmm mm mmm mmm
Mmm hmm mmm hmm mmm mm
Mana medai malargaludan dheepam
Mangaiyar koottam mana kolam
Maappillai pen endraal ivar enbaar
Endrum vaazhga mana mangai enbaar…
Mana medai malargaludan dheepam
Mangaiyar koottam mana kolam
Aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aa…aa…
Naan iravil eriyum vilakku
Nee en kaadhal mani maaligai
Nee pagalil theriyum nilavu
Naan un kovil poondhoranam
Mani osai olikkum nam illam engum…
Mana medai malargaludan dheepam
Mangaiyar koottam mana kolam
En madiyil vidiyum iravu
Nam idaiyil valarum uravu
Dhegam thazhuvum malar kaatru
Mogam paravum peru moochu
Naan peruven sugamae sugamae…
Mana medai malargaludan dheepam
Mangaiyar koottam mana kolam
En thanimai ulagam inimai
En thaai veedum ninaivil illai
Naan uravil unadhu adimai
Un thunai pola sugamum illai
Arul purivaan dhevan nam paadhai engum…
Mana medai malargaludan dheepam
Mangaiyar koottam mana kolam
Hmm mm mmm mmm
Mmm hmm mmm hmm mmm mm
The wedding stage with flowers and glowing lamps,
A gathering of women in festive bridal cheer,
They will point and say, "This is what a bride and groom should be!"
And bless us saying, "May the bride live in joy forever!"...
The wedding stage with flowers and glowing lamps,
A gathering of women in festive bridal cheer.
Aah... aah... aah... aah... aah... ah... ah...
I am the lamp that shines in the night,
You are the jeweled palace of my love.
You are the moon visible in the daylight,
I am the flower garland adorning your shrine.
The sound of temple bells will echo across our home...
The wedding stage with flowers and glowing lamps,
A gathering of women in festive bridal cheer.
The night turns to dawn gently in my lap,
As the love between us grows ever deeper.
A flower-scented breeze embraces the body,
A deep sigh of rising passion,
I will find only endless joy and bliss...
The wedding stage with flowers and glowing lamps,
A gathering of women in festive bridal cheer.
My quiet world of solitude is sweet now,
I do not even remember my mother's home.
In this bond of love, I belong completely to you,
There is no greater happiness than having your companionship.
God will shower his grace all along our path...
The wedding stage with flowers and glowing lamps,
A gathering of women in festive bridal cheer.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song from 'Gnana Oli' (1972) paints a vivid picture of a traditional Tamil wedding celebration and the deep emotional bond between newlyweds. Set against the backdrop of an auspicious wedding dais filled with lamps, flowers, and well-wishing women, the lyrics celebrate marital bliss, intimacy, and profound love. Through poetic imagery, the song explores how the joy of companionship transforms the couple's lives. The bride expresses complete devotion, describing how her husband's love eclipses her past solitary world and brings spiritual and physical fulfillment, concluding with a prayer for divine grace to guide their future journey together.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Mana medai malargaludan dheepam / Mangaiyar koottam mana kolam

Repetition of the 'Ma' sound at the beginning of consecutive lines/words creates musicality and rhythm.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Naan iravil eriyum vilakku / Nee en kaadhal mani maaligai

The speaker directly compares herself to a lamp and her partner to a palace of love ('mani maaligai'), symbolizing safety, radiance, and affection.

Paradoxical Imagery

Nee pagalil theriyum nilavu

Describing the beloved as a 'moon in the daytime' creates a vivid poetical image of a rare, luminous presence that shines constantly.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Gnana Oli' (1972) is a celebrated Tamil drama film starring Sivaji Ganesan in an acclaimed lead role. The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics penned by the legend Kannadasan, sung gracefully by P. Susheela and T. M. Soundararajan.

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