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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Manamedai

From Gnana Oli · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Gnana Oli1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Hmm mm mmm mmmHumming melody...
Mmm hmm mmm hmm mmm mmSoft humming melody...
Female
Mana medai malargaludan dheepamThe wedding stage adorned with flowers and a burning lamp
Mangaiyar koottam mana kolamA gathering of women and beautiful wedding decor
Maappillai pen endraal ivar enbaarThey will point to them as the ideal groom and bride
Endrum vaazhga mana mangai enbaar…They will wish, 'May the bride live happily forever!'
Female
Mana medai malargaludan dheepamThe wedding stage adorned with flowers and a burning lamp
Mangaiyar koottam mana kolamA gathering of women and beautiful wedding decor
Female
Aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aa…aa…Vocalizing melody...
Female
Naan iravil eriyum vilakkuI am a lamp burning through the night
Nee en kaadhal mani maaligaiYou are my grand palace of love
Nee pagalil theriyum nilavuYou are the moon visible even during the day
Naan un kovil poondhoranamI am the flower garland decorating your temple
Mani osai olikkum nam illam engum…The chime of bells echoes throughout our home...
Female
Mana medai malargaludan dheepamThe wedding stage adorned with flowers and a burning lamp
Mangaiyar koottam mana kolamA gathering of women and beautiful wedding decor
Female
En madiyil vidiyum iravuThe night dawns gently upon my lap
Nam idaiyil valarum uravuThe relationship between us grows deeper
Dhegam thazhuvum malar kaatruThe flower-scented breeze strokes the body
Mogam paravum peru moochuA deep sigh spreads passion and romance
Naan peruven sugamae sugamae…I shall attain complete, endless happiness...
Female
Mana medai malargaludan dheepamThe wedding stage adorned with flowers and a burning lamp
Mangaiyar koottam mana kolamA gathering of women and beautiful wedding decor
Female
En thanimai ulagam inimaiMy solitary world has now turned sweet
En thaai veedum ninaivil illaiI no longer even remember my maternal home
Naan uravil unadhu adimaiIn this relationship, I am your devoted captive
Un thunai pola sugamum illaiThere is no bliss quite like your companionship
Arul purivaan dhevan nam paadhai engum…God will shower His blessings along our path...
Female
Mana medai malargaludan dheepamThe wedding stage adorned with flowers and a burning lamp
Mangaiyar koottam mana kolamA gathering of women and beautiful wedding decor

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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