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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Manathil Manathai

From Sarasa B.A. · 1965

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Bhanumathi
Music director
S. Vedhachalam
Details
Sarasa B.A.1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Manadhil manadhai vaitha pinnaalAfter placing mind upon mind in love,
Maunam kolvadhum yaenowhy do you remain silent?
Maunam kolvadhum yaenowhy do you remain silent?
Female
Manadhil manadhai vaitha pinnaalAfter placing mind upon mind in love,
Maunam kolvadhum yaenowhy do you remain silent?
Manadhil manadhai vaitha pinnaalAfter placing mind upon mind in love,
Maunam kolvadhum yaenowhy do you remain silent?
Vandhadhil paadhi enakkau tharaamalWithout sharing with me half of what you received,
Maraithu nirpadhum yaenowhy do you stand concealing it?
Vandhadhil paadhi enakkau tharaamalWithout sharing with me half of what you received,
Maraithu nirpadhum yaenowhy do you stand concealing it?
Maraithu nirpadhum yaenowhy do you stand concealing it?
Female
Manadhil manadhai vaitha pinnaalAfter placing mind upon mind in love,
Maunam kolvadhum yaenowhy do you remain silent?
Female
Aalanthalir pol ullam irukkumThe heart is delicate like a tender banyan leaf,
Aduthavar kannil theriyaadhuinvisible to the eyes of onlookers.
Aalanthalir pol ullam irukkumThe heart is delicate like a tender banyan leaf,
Aduthavar kannil theriyaadhuinvisible to the eyes of onlookers.
Adhil aayiram aayiram aasaigal irundhumEven though thousands of desires reside within,
Vaarthaiyil varuvadhu kidaiyaadhuthey fail to express themselves in words.
Aayiram aayiram aasaigal irundhumEven though thousands of desires reside within,
Vaarthaiyil varuvadhu kidaiyaadhuthey fail to express themselves in words.
Vaarthaiyil varuvadhu kidaiyaadhuthey fail to express themselves in words.
Female
Manadhil manadhai vaitha pinnaalAfter placing mind upon mind in love,
Maunam kolvadhum yaenowhy do you remain silent?
Female
Olimayamaana deepam irundhumEven when a bright glowing lamp is present,
Iravin sindhanai yaenowhy linger on thoughts of the dark night?
Olimayamaana deepam irundhumEven when a bright glowing lamp is present,
Iravin sindhanai yaenowhy linger on thoughts of the dark night?
Unmai vadivam arugil irundhumEven when the true form stands right beside you,
Ullam mayanguvadhum yaenowhy does the heart get bewildered?
Ullam mayanguvadhum yaenowhy does the heart get bewildered?
Female
Manadhil manadhai vaitha pinnaalAfter placing mind upon mind in love,
Maunam kolvadhum yaenowhy do you remain silent?
Vandhadhil paadhi enakkau tharaamalWithout sharing with me half of what you received,
Maraithu nirpadhum yaenowhy do you stand concealing it?
Maraithu nirpadhum yaenowhy do you stand concealing it?
Female
Manadhil manadhai vaitha pinnaalAfter placing mind upon mind in love,
Maunam kolvadhum yaenowhy do you remain silent?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Manadhil manadhai vaitha pinnaal is a introspective song where the speaker questions her beloved about his unexpressed silence after giving his heart to her. She urges him not to hide his emotions or keep half of his thoughts to himself when they share a deep emotional bond. The song explores the unspoken nature of love and the hesitation that often prevents deep feelings from turning into spoken words. Using poetic imagery, the lyricist compares the human heart to a tender banyan leaf—vulnerable, hidden from external view, and overflowing with thousands of unspoken desires. The protagonist questions why one should dwell on gloom or confusion when a bright light of truth and affection is right in front of them, advocating for complete emotional openness between lovers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaikal (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Manadhil manadhai vaitha pinnaal / Maunam kolvadhum yaeno

Repetition of the 'Ma' sound across words creates a smooth rhythmic flow in the refrain.

Upamai (Simile)

Aalanthalir pol ullam irukkum

The speaker explicitly compares the hidden, delicate nature of the human heart to a tender banyan leaf (Aalanthalir pol).

Muran (Contrast)

Olimayamaana deepam irundhum / Iravin sindhanai yaeno

Contrasts the brightness of a lamp ('Olimayamaana deepam') with darkness/melancholy ('Iravin sindhanai') to highlight irrational worry in love.

Anaphora / Rhetorical Questioning

Maunam kolvadhum yaeno / Maraithu nirpadhum yaeno

Repeated use of 'yaeno' (why?) at line ends emphasizes the protagonist's yearning and perplexity regarding her lover's silence.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song from Sarasa B.A. (1965) features the powerful and expressive vocals of legendary artist P. Bhanumathi, who also acted as the lead. Composed by S. Vedhachalam with lyrics by Kaviarasu Kannadasan, the song is renowned for its classical melody and the poetic usage of 'Aalanthalir' (tender banyan leaf) as a metaphor for a delicate human heart.

Keep listening

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