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Isaimozhi
Poonthalir album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Manathil Yenna Ninaivugalo

From Poonthalir · 1979

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Poonthalir
Movie release year
1979
Lyrics added on
22 Jan 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Lalalaa… lala lalala lalaa…
Lalalaa… lalalaa…
Manadhil enna ninaivugalo
Ilamai kanavo
Adhuvo edhuvo iniya ragasiyamo
Manadhil enna ninaivugalo
Ilamai kanavo
Thanimai irulil urugum nenjam
Thunaiyai virumbumae
Laalaa laalaa
Thunaiyai virumbi inaiyum pozhudhu
Amaidhi arumbumae
Laalaa laalaa
Ondrai vittu ondrirundhaal
Thaabam manadhil valarumae
Kaadhalin paarvaiyil sogam vilagum
Manadhil enna ninaivugalo
Ilamai kanavo
Nadandhu mudindha kadhaiyai
Marandhu pudhiya vazhiyilae
Laalaa laalaa
Pudhiya vazhiyil pudhiya uravil
Pudhiya ulagilae
Laalaa laalaa
Sellungalae selvangalae
Ulagam migavum periyadhu
Karunaiyin kaigalil thaaimai malarum
Whistling : ………………..
Female :Manadhil enna ninaivugalo
Ilamai kanavo
Adhuvo edhuvo iniya ragasiyamo
Paabaabaa
Haa paabaa paabaabaa baabaa
Paa pabaa paappaa paabaabaa paabaabaa
Paabaabaa paa…
La la la… la la la la la…
La la la… la la la…
What thoughts are in the heart?
Is it a dream of youth?
Is it that, or is it some sweet secret?
What thoughts are in the heart?
Is it a dream of youth?
A heart melting in the darkness of loneliness
yearns for a companion.
La la, la la
When it longs for a companion and unites,
peace begins to blossom.
La la, la la
If they are separated from one another,
a deep longing grows within.
In the gaze of love, sorrow fades away.
What thoughts are in the heart?
Is it a dream of youth?
Forgetting the story that has ended,
walk upon a new path.
La la, la la
On a new path, in a new bond,
in a whole new world,
La la, la la
go forward, my precious ones!
The world is so very vast.
In the gentle hands of kindness, motherly love will bloom.
[Whistling]
Female: What thoughts are in the heart?
Is it a dream of youth?
Is it that, or is it some sweet secret?
Pa pa pa
Ha pa pa pa pa pa pa pa
Pa pa pa pa pa pa pa pa pa pa pa
Pa pa pa pa…
Female
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

Keep listening

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