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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mangai Nee

From Innisai Mazhai · 1992

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. N. Surendar, Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Innisai Mazhai1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Mangai nee maanganiYoung woman, you are a sweet ripe mango,
Madal vidum malligai vaazhthidumA raindrop cherished and welcomed
Mazhai thuliBy the blooming jasmine.
Male
Mangai nee maanganiYoung woman, you are a sweet ripe mango,
Madal vidum malligai vaazhthidumA raindrop cherished and welcomed
Mazhai thuliBy the blooming jasmine.
Male
Mangai nee maanganiYoung woman, you are a sweet ripe mango,
Madal vidum malligai vaazhthidumA raindrop cherished and welcomed
Mazhai thuliBy the blooming jasmine.
Sindhidum punnagai sindhaamaniYour radiant smile is a precious gem,
Nadakkum thottam nee naan oru thaeneeYou are a walking garden, and I am a honeybee.
Male
Mangai nee maanganiYoung woman, you are a sweet ripe mango,
Madal vidum malligai vaazhthidumA raindrop cherished and welcomed
Mazhai thuliBy the blooming jasmine.
Male
Kai veesi pogindra vaigaasi megamThe summer cloud of Vaikasi waving its hands,
Kai saerthu paadaadho dhanyaasi raagamWon't it join hands to sing the Dhanyasi ragam?
Mai poosi paarkkindra kan paarvai neelamThe deep blue hue of your kohl-adorned eyes,
Ennodu kaanaadho kalyaana kolamWon't it envision a wedding celebration with me?
Sithaadai mel aadum sendhoora dhaegamYour vermilion body dancing beneath the traditional silk dress,
Sirpangal kondaadum porkoiyil aagumBecomes a golden temple celebrated by sculpted art.
Thadaagam nee thanneerum naan ondraaga vaaYou are the lake and I am the water, come let us merge as one.
Male
Mangai nee maanganiYoung woman, you are a sweet ripe mango,
Madal vidum malligai vaazhthidumA raindrop cherished and welcomed
Mazhai thuliBy the blooming jasmine.
Male
Mangai nee maanganiYoung woman, you are a sweet ripe mango,
Madal vidum malligai vaazhthidumA raindrop cherished and welcomed
Mazhai thuliBy the blooming jasmine.
Male
Pottodu poo vaitha pon maanai potriPraising the golden deer wearing a pottu and flowers,
Pallaandu sonnenae paamaalai soottiI offered long life blessings by weaving a garland of poetry.
Andraadam naan paadum gaanangal yaavumAll the melodies that I sing day after day,
Ammaadi nee thandha dhaanagal aagumOh my, are all generous gifts bestowed by you!
Engaeyum un thotram kandenae naanumI witnessed your divine form everywhere I turned,
En kooda nee indri ingaedhu njaanamWithout you beside me, where is true enlightenment?
Isai tharum kalai magal yennaalum neeYou are forever Goddess Saraswati who grants the gift of music.
Male
Mangai nee maanganiYoung woman, you are a sweet ripe mango,
Madal vidum malligai vaazhthidumA raindrop cherished and welcomed
Mazhai thuliBy the blooming jasmine.
Sindhidum punnagai sindhaamaniYour radiant smile is a precious gem,
Nadakkum thottam nee naan oru thaeneeYou are a walking garden, and I am a honeybee.
Male
Mangai nee maanganiYoung woman, you are a sweet ripe mango,
Madal vidum malligai vaazhthidumA raindrop cherished and welcomed
Mazhai thuliBy the blooming jasmine.
Male
Rattha thaa rattha thaaRattha thaa rattha thaa (Musical scatting)
Thara raa thara raa raara raa raara raaThara raa thara raa raara raa raara raa (Musical scatting)
Rara rirara rirara raa…Rara rirara rirara raa… (Musical scatting)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In 'Mangai Nee Maangani' from the film Innisai Mazhai (1992), lyricist Vaali crafts a deeply romantic and musical ode from a musician to his muse. The song abounds with classical imagery, comparing the heroine to nature's treasures—a ripe mango, a refreshing rain drop on a blooming jasmine, a walking garden, and a golden temple. The protagonist praises her charm and attributes all his musical inspiration and wisdom to her, portraying her as Kalaimagal (Goddess Saraswati).

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Mangai nee maangani

Repetition of the 'Ma' sound across words in the same line creates a melodic flow.

Uruvagamb (Metaphor)

Nadakkum thottam nee naan oru thaenee

Directly equating the heroine to a walking garden ('Nadakkum thottam') and the hero to a bee ('thaenee').

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Pottodu poo vaitha pon maanai potri / Pallaandu sonnenae paamaalai sootti

Matching second consonants 'tt' in 'Pottodu' and 'll' in 'Pallaandu' across consecutive lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

Innisai Mazhai (1992) was directed by Shoba Chandrasekar (actor Vijay's mother). The film's soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, featuring lyrics written primarily by Vaali.

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