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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Manathil Yenna Ninaivugalo

From Poonthalir · 1979

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Poonthalir1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Lalalaa… lala lalala lalaa…Tra la la... la la lala lala...
Lalalaa… lalalaa…Tra la la... tra la la...
Male
Manadhil enna ninaivugaloWhat thoughts are residing in the heart?
Ilamai kanavoIs it a youthful dream?
Adhuvo edhuvo iniya ragasiyamoIs it that, or something else—a sweet secret?
Female
Manadhil enna ninaivugaloWhat thoughts are residing in the heart?
Ilamai kanavoIs it a youthful dream?
Male
Thanimai irulil urugum nenjamThe heart melting in the darkness of solitude,
Thunaiyai virumbumaeLongs for companionship.
Female
Laalaa laalaaLa la la la
Male
Thunaiyai virumbi inaiyum pozhudhuWhen joining together, desiring companionship,
Amaidhi arumbumaePeace begins to blossom.
Female
Laalaa laalaaLa la la la
Male
Ondrai vittu ondrirundhaalIf one stays separated from the other,
Thaabam manadhil valarumaeYearning will grow within the heart.
Kaadhalin paarvaiyil sogam vilagumIn the gaze of love, sorrow vanishes.
Female
Manadhil enna ninaivugaloWhat thoughts are residing in the heart?
Ilamai kanavoIs it a youthful dream?
Male
Nadandhu mudindha kadhaiyaiForgetting the story that has already passed,
Marandhu pudhiya vazhiyilaeForgetting it and walking on a new path,
Female
Laalaa laalaaLa la la la
Male
Pudhiya vazhiyil pudhiya uravilOn a new path, in a new relationship,
Pudhiya ulagilaeIn a new world,
Female
Laalaa laalaaLa la la la
Male
Sellungalae selvangalaeGo forth, dear precious children!
Ulagam migavum periyadhuThe world is very vast.
Karunaiyin kaigalil thaaimai malarumIn the hands of compassion, motherhood blossoms.
Male
Whistling : ………………..[Whistling melody]
Female :Manadhil enna ninaivugaloWhat thoughts are residing in the heart?
Ilamai kanavoIs it a youthful dream?
Male
Adhuvo edhuvo iniya ragasiyamoIs it that, or something else—a sweet secret?
Male
PaabaabaaPa ba ba
Female
Haa paabaa paabaabaa baabaaAh pa ba pa ba ba ba ba
Male
Paa pabaa paappaa paabaabaa paabaabaaPa pa ba pa pa pa ba ba pa ba ba
Female
Paabaabaa paa…Pa ba ba pa...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Manadhil Enna Ninaivugalo' from the movie Poonthalir (1979) reflects on the inner thoughts, sweet secrets, and youthful aspirations that dwell within a person's heart. It beautifully describes how solitude breeds yearning, while love and togetherness bring peace and dissipate sorrow. The lyrics encourage leaving behind past sorrowful experiences to embark on a new path toward hope, compassion, and a broader world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Nadandhu mudindha kadhaiyai / Pudhiya vazhiyil pudhiya uravil

Matching second consonant 'da' sound across consecutive lines: 'Nadandhu' and 'Pudhiya'.

Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)

Pudhiya vazhiyil pudhiya uravil / Pudhiya ulagilae

Repetition of the word 'Pudhiya' (New) at the beginning of phrases to emphasize fresh beginnings.

Metaphor

Amaidhi arumbumae / Karunaiyin kaigalil thaaimai malarum

Comparing peace to a budding flower ('Amaidhi arumbumae') and motherhood blossoming in compassion ('Karunaiyin kaigalil thaaimai malarum').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Panchu Arunachalam, this song is renowned for its serene humming and whistling interlude. Sung primarily by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki, 'Manadhil Enna Ninaivugalo' remains one of the iconic melodies of late 1970s Tamil cinema.

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