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Lyrics & meaning

Mani Osai

From Payanangal Mudivathillai · 1982

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Payanangal Mudivathillai1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Mani osai kettu ezhundhuHearing the sound of the bell and waking up
Nenjil aasai kodi sumandhuCarrying ten million desires in the heart
Thiru thaeril naanum amarndhuSitting on a sacred chariot myself
Oru kovil serndha pozhudhuWhen reaching a temple
Andha kovilin mani vaasalaiThe main doorway of that temple
Ingu moodudhal muraiyoo…hm…hmum..Is it right to close it here? Hm... hm...
Female
Mani osai kettu ezhundhuHearing the sound of the bell and waking up
Nenjil aasai kodi sumandhuCarrying ten million desires in the heart
Male
Kannan paadum paadal ketkka aaaTo hear the song sung by Kannan
Raadhai vandhaal aagaadhooIs it wrong if Radha comes?
Raadhaiyodu aasaik kannan…haa..With Radha, loving Kannan...
Pesa koodaadhooShould he not talk?
Female
Kannan paadum paadal ketkkaTo hear the song sung by Kannan
Raadhai vandhaal aagaadhooIs it wrong if Radha comes?
Raadhaiyodu aasaik kannan…With Radha, loving Kannan...
Pesa koodaadhooShould he not talk?
Male
Raadhai manam yengalaamooCan Radha's heart yearn like this?
Kannan manam vaadalaamooCan Kannan's heart wither?
Vazhkkai maarumoo nenjam thaangumooWill life change? Can the heart bear it?
Male
Mani osai kettu ezhundhuHearing the sound of the bell and waking up
Nenjil aasai kodi sumandhuCarrying ten million desires in the heart
Male
Paadhai maari pogumbodhu…When changing paths and walking...
Oorum vandhae seraadhuThe destination city will not be reached
Thaalam maari podumbodhu aa…When playing out of beat...
Ragam thondraadhuA melody will not emerge
Female
Paadhai maari pogumbodhu…When changing paths and walking...
Oorum vandhae seraadhuThe destination city will not be reached
Male
Thaalam maari podumbodhu aa…When playing out of beat...
Ragam thondraadhuA melody will not emerge
Female
Paadum pudhu veenai ingaeHere is a new Veena that sings
Male
Raagam adhil maarum angaeThere, the melody in it changes
Kaalam maarumoa thaalam serumooWill time change? Will the rhythm unite?
Female
Oho…oh…mani osai kettu ezhundhuOho... oh... hearing the sound of the bell and waking up
Male :Nenjil aasai kodi sumandhuMale: Carrying ten million desires in the heart
Female :Thiru thaeril naanum amarndhuFemale: Sitting on a sacred chariot myself
Male :Oru kovil serndha pozhudhuMale: When reaching a temple
Female :Andha kovilin mani vaasalaiFemale: The main doorway of that temple
Ingu moodudhal muraiyoo…Is it right to close it here?
Male
Hhm…hmum..Hhm... hmum..
Mani osai kettu ezhundhuHearing the sound of the bell and waking up
Nenjil aasai kodi sumandhuCarrying ten million desires in the heart

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Mani osai kettu ezhundhu is a melancholic song that uses vivid spiritual and musical allegories to express emotional pain, longing, and destiny's cruel irony. The singer draws a parallel between a devotee traveling on a sacred chariot to a temple only to find its doors shut, and a lover seeking union only to face rejection and obstacles. Through references to Krishna (Kannan) and Radha, along with musical metaphors of lost beats (thaalam) and altered ragas, the song conveys the heartbreak of a life derailed by unexpected circumstances.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emonai / Ethirukai (Tamil Rhyme and Assonance)

Mani osai kettu ezhundhu / Nenjil aasai kodi sumandhu / Thiru thaeril naanum amarndhu

Consistent second-letter rhyming (Ethirukai) across initial lines such as ezhundhu, sumandhu, amarndhu creating a rhythmic flow.

Allegory / Metaphor

Thaalam maari podumbodhu aa… Ragam thondraadhu

Compares life's journey and disrupted love to losing the beat (thaalam) in music or straying off the main path.

Mythological Allusion

Kannan paadum paadal ketkka aaa Raadhai vandhaal aagaadhoo

Uses the divine lovers Radha and Kannan (Krishna) to symbolize deep spiritual and romantic devotion.

Did you know?

Trivia

Payanangal Mudivathillai (1982), directed by R. Sundarrajan and starring Mohan and Poornima Bhagyaraj, became a massive blockbuster largely due to its timeless soundtrack composed by Ilaiyaraaja. This song features S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki.

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