Mani Vilakke
From Unnaithan Thambi · 1974
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, B. Vasantha
- Music director
- K. Vijaya Baskar
- Details
- Unnaithan Thambi1974
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Mani vilakkae maanthalirae | O jeweled lamp! O tender mango leaf! |
| Female :Unmaiyilaa | Female: Truly? |
| Male :Madhu rasamae ragasiyamae | Male: O sweet nectar! O secret! |
| Female :Ennidamo | Female: With me? |
| Male :Koluvirukka naanirukka | Male: As I am here for you to sit enthroned, |
| Gopura vaasal yaen maraiththaai | Why did you conceal the temple tower entrance? |
| Female :Aa….poruththirungal | Female: Ah... please wait! |
| Male | |
| Mani vilakkae maanthalirae | O jeweled lamp! O tender mango leaf! |
| Madhu rasamae ragasiyamae | O sweet nectar! O secret! |
| Koluvirukka naanirukka | As I am here for you to sit enthroned, |
| Gopura vaasal yaen maraiththaai | Why did you conceal the temple tower entrance? |
| Female | |
| Lalaala lalaala laa | Lalaala lalaala laa |
| Male | |
| Manmathanai azhaiththu vanthaen | I brought the god of love, Manmathan, with me, |
| Manthira maniyaal poojai seivaen | I will perform worship with a sacred bell. |
| Female :Lalaala lalaala laa | Female: Lalaala lalaala laa |
| Male :Manmathanai azhaiththu vanthaen | Male: I brought the god of love, Manmathan, with me, |
| Manthira maniyaal poojai seivaen | I will perform worship with a sacred bell. |
| Male | |
| Abhishegam nadaththa vanthaen | I came to perform the sacred anointing ritual, |
| Anthiyilae shanthi seivaen | I will bring peace in the evening twilight. |
| Female :Lalaala lalaala laa | Female: Lalaala lalaala laa |
| Male :Rasikanukku idam tharuvaai | Male: Give space to this admirer, |
| Madiyil vaiththu thaalaattuvaai | Keep me in your lap and sing a lullaby. |
| Female :Thaalaathammaa | Female: I won't sing a lullaby! |
| Male | |
| Mani vilakkae maanthalirae | O jeweled lamp! O tender mango leaf! |
| Madhu rasamae ragasiyamae | O sweet nectar! O secret! |
| Koluvirukka naanirukka | As I am here for you to sit enthroned, |
| Gopura vaasal yaen maraiththaai | Why did you conceal the temple tower entrance? |
| Female | |
| …………….. | [Instrumental Interlude] |
| Male | |
| Virunthu vanthu azhaiththathadi | The feast has arrived and called out, |
| Vidhavidhamaai ninaiththathadi | My thoughts bloomed in various ways. |
| Marainthu nindraal enna sugam | What joy is there if you stay hidden? |
| Malaranaiyil kadhai solladi | Tell me a story on the bed of flowers. |
| Female | |
| Lalaala lalaala laa | Lalaala lalaala laa |
| Male | |
| Manam koduththaal maharani | If you yield your heart, you are a queen, |
| Sugam illaiyaei theeraathadi mm… | Is there no joy? It won't end, mm... |
| Female :Kaalam varum… | Female: The time will come... |
| Male | |
| Mani vilakkae maanthalirae | O jeweled lamp! O tender mango leaf! |
| Madhu rasamae ragasiyamae | O sweet nectar! O secret! |
| Koluvirukka naanirukka | As I am here for you to sit enthroned, |
| Gopura vaasal yaen maraiththaai | Why did you conceal the temple tower entrance? |
| Female | |
| Lalaala lalaala laa | Lalaala lalaala laa |
| Male | |
| Kai azhagu mullaichendu | The beauty of hands is like a bouquet of jasmine, |
| Kaal azhagu vaazhaithandu | The beauty of legs is like a plantain stem, |
| Idai azhagu allikkodi | The beauty of waist is like a lily vine, |
| Iruvarukkum porunthamadi | They suit both of us perfectly, my dear! |
| Female | |
| Lalaala lalaala laa | Lalaala lalaala laa |
| Male | |
| Paathi udal theriyuthadi | Half your body is visible, my dear, |
| Paarththa varai pothaathadi mm,,, | What I have seen so far is not enough, mm... |
| Female :Koodaathammaa… | Female: That shouldn't be so... |
| Male | |
| Mani vilakkae maanthalirae | O jeweled lamp! O tender mango leaf! |
| Madhu rasamae ragasiyamae | O sweet nectar! O secret! |
| Koluvirukka naanirukka | As I am here for you to sit enthroned, |
| Gopura vaasal yaen maraiththaai | Why did you conceal the temple tower entrance? |
மணி விளக்கே மாந்தளிரே
உண்மையிலா
மது ரசமே ரகசியமே
என்னிடமோ
கொலுவிருக்க நானிருக்க
கோபுர வாசல் ஏன் மறைத்தாய்
ஆ...பொறுத்திருங்கள்....
O jeweled lamp! O tender mango leaf!
Female: Truly?
Male: O sweet nectar! O secret!
Female: With me?
Male: As I am here for you to sit enthroned,
Why did you conceal the temple tower entrance?
Female: Ah... please wait!
மணி விளக்கே மாந்தளிரே
மது ரசமே ரகசியமே
கொலுவிருக்க நானிருக்க
கோபுர வாசல் ஏன் மறைத்தாய்
O jeweled lamp! O tender mango leaf!
O sweet nectar! O secret!
As I am here for you to sit enthroned,
Why did you conceal the temple tower entrance?
லலால லலால லா
Lalaala lalaala laa
மன்மதனை அழைத்து வந்தேன்
மந்திர மணியால் பூஜை செய்வேன்
லலால லலால லா
மன்மதனை அழைத்து வந்தேன்
மந்திர மணியால் பூஜை செய்வேன்
I brought the god of love, Manmathan, with me,
I will perform worship with a sacred bell.
Female: Lalaala lalaala laa
Male: I brought the god of love, Manmathan, with me,
I will perform worship with a sacred bell.
அபிஷேகம் நடத்த வந்தேன்
அந்தியிலே சாந்தி செய்வேன்
லலால லலால லா
ரசிகனுக்கு இடம் தருவாய்
மடியில் வைத்து தாலாட்டுவாய்
தாளாதம்மா......
I came to perform the sacred anointing ritual,
I will bring peace in the evening twilight.
Female: Lalaala lalaala laa
Male: Give space to this admirer,
Keep me in your lap and sing a lullaby.
Female: I won't sing a lullaby!
மணி விளக்கே மாந்தளிரே
மது ரசமே ரகசியமே
கொலுவிருக்க நானிருக்க
கோபுர வாசல் ஏன் மறைத்தாய்
O jeweled lamp! O tender mango leaf!
O sweet nectar! O secret!
As I am here for you to sit enthroned,
Why did you conceal the temple tower entrance?
...............................
[Instrumental Interlude]
விருந்து வந்து அழைத்ததடி
விதவிதமாய் நினைத்ததடி
மறைந்து நின்றால் என்ன சுகம்
மலரணையில் கதை சொல்லடி
The feast has arrived and called out,
My thoughts bloomed in various ways.
What joy is there if you stay hidden?
Tell me a story on the bed of flowers.
லலால லலால லா
Lalaala lalaala laa
மனம் கொடுத்தாள் மஹராணி
சுகம் இல்லையேல் தீராதடி ம்ம்...
காலம் வரும்....
If you yield your heart, you are a queen,
Is there no joy? It won't end, mm...
Female: The time will come...
மணி விளக்கே மாந்தளிரே
மது ரசமே ரகசியமே
கொலுவிருக்க நானிருக்க
கோபுர வாசல் ஏன் மறைத்தாய்
O jeweled lamp! O tender mango leaf!
O sweet nectar! O secret!
As I am here for you to sit enthroned,
Why did you conceal the temple tower entrance?
லாலா லாலா லாலா
Lalaala lalaala laa
கை அழகு முல்லைச்செண்டு
கால் அழகு வாழைத்தண்டு
இடை அழகு அல்லிக்கொடி
இருவருக்கும் பொருத்தமடி
The beauty of hands is like a bouquet of jasmine,
The beauty of legs is like a plantain stem,
The beauty of waist is like a lily vine,
They suit both of us perfectly, my dear!
லலால லலால லா
Lalaala lalaala laa
பாதி உடல் தெரியுதடி
பார்த்த வரை போதாதடி ம்ம்...
கூடாதம்மா.....
Half your body is visible, my dear,
What I have seen so far is not enough, mm...
Female: That shouldn't be so...
மணி விளக்கே மாந்தளிரே
மது ரசமே ரகசியமே
கொலுவிருக்க நானிருக்க
கோபுர வாசல் ஏன் மறைத்தாய்
O jeweled lamp! O tender mango leaf!
O sweet nectar! O secret!
As I am here for you to sit enthroned,
Why did you conceal the temple tower entrance?
Mani vilakkae maanthalirae
O jeweled lamp! O tender mango leaf!
Female :Unmaiyilaa
Female: Truly?
Male :Madhu rasamae ragasiyamae
Male: O sweet nectar! O secret!
Female :Ennidamo
Female: With me?
Male :Koluvirukka naanirukka
Male: As I am here for you to sit enthroned,
Gopura vaasal yaen maraiththaai
Why did you conceal the temple tower entrance?
Female :Aa….poruththirungal
Female: Ah... please wait!
Mani vilakkae maanthalirae
O jeweled lamp! O tender mango leaf!
Madhu rasamae ragasiyamae
O sweet nectar! O secret!
Koluvirukka naanirukka
As I am here for you to sit enthroned,
Gopura vaasal yaen maraiththaai
Why did you conceal the temple tower entrance?
Lalaala lalaala laa
Lalaala lalaala laa
Manmathanai azhaiththu vanthaen
I brought the god of love, Manmathan, with me,
Manthira maniyaal poojai seivaen
I will perform worship with a sacred bell.
Female :Lalaala lalaala laa
Female: Lalaala lalaala laa
Male :Manmathanai azhaiththu vanthaen
Male: I brought the god of love, Manmathan, with me,
Manthira maniyaal poojai seivaen
I will perform worship with a sacred bell.
Abhishegam nadaththa vanthaen
I came to perform the sacred anointing ritual,
Anthiyilae shanthi seivaen
I will bring peace in the evening twilight.
Female :Lalaala lalaala laa
Female: Lalaala lalaala laa
Male :Rasikanukku idam tharuvaai
Male: Give space to this admirer,
Madiyil vaiththu thaalaattuvaai
Keep me in your lap and sing a lullaby.
Female :Thaalaathammaa
Female: I won't sing a lullaby!
Mani vilakkae maanthalirae
O jeweled lamp! O tender mango leaf!
Madhu rasamae ragasiyamae
O sweet nectar! O secret!
Koluvirukka naanirukka
As I am here for you to sit enthroned,
Gopura vaasal yaen maraiththaai
Why did you conceal the temple tower entrance?
……………..
[Instrumental Interlude]
Virunthu vanthu azhaiththathadi
The feast has arrived and called out,
Vidhavidhamaai ninaiththathadi
My thoughts bloomed in various ways.
Marainthu nindraal enna sugam
What joy is there if you stay hidden?
Malaranaiyil kadhai solladi
Tell me a story on the bed of flowers.
Lalaala lalaala laa
Lalaala lalaala laa
Manam koduththaal maharani
If you yield your heart, you are a queen,
Sugam illaiyaei theeraathadi mm…
Is there no joy? It won't end, mm...
Female :Kaalam varum…
Female: The time will come...
Mani vilakkae maanthalirae
O jeweled lamp! O tender mango leaf!
Madhu rasamae ragasiyamae
O sweet nectar! O secret!
Koluvirukka naanirukka
As I am here for you to sit enthroned,
Gopura vaasal yaen maraiththaai
Why did you conceal the temple tower entrance?
Lalaala lalaala laa
Lalaala lalaala laa
Kai azhagu mullaichendu
The beauty of hands is like a bouquet of jasmine,
Kaal azhagu vaazhaithandu
The beauty of legs is like a plantain stem,
Idai azhagu allikkodi
The beauty of waist is like a lily vine,
Iruvarukkum porunthamadi
They suit both of us perfectly, my dear!
Lalaala lalaala laa
Lalaala lalaala laa
Paathi udal theriyuthadi
Half your body is visible, my dear,
Paarththa varai pothaathadi mm,,,
What I have seen so far is not enough, mm...
Female :Koodaathammaa…
Female: That shouldn't be so...
Mani vilakkae maanthalirae
O jeweled lamp! O tender mango leaf!
Madhu rasamae ragasiyamae
O sweet nectar! O secret!
Koluvirukka naanirukka
As I am here for you to sit enthroned,
Gopura vaasal yaen maraiththaai
Why did you conceal the temple tower entrance?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Mani Vilakkae Maanthalirae is a playful and passionate duet expressing the intimate dialogue between two lovers. The hero enthusiastically showers his beloved with poetic praise, comparing her grace to a divine temple, delicate flora, and intoxicating nectar, while asking why she coyly hides behind her veil or doorway. The heroine responds with playful shyness, asking him to exercise patience until the right time arrives. Throughout the song, Vaali's lyricism blends sacred temple metaphors with romantic courtship. The male lead promises adoration and delight, admiring her beauty from head to toe, while the heroine gently keeps his romantic impatience in check.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Urvagam (Metaphor)
“Mani vilakkae maanthalirae / Madhu rasamae ragasiyamae”
Directly equates the woman to a glowing jeweled lamp ('Mani vilakku'), soft mango sprout ('Maanthalir'), and sweet nectar ('Madhu rasam') without using explicit comparison words.
Uvamai (Simile / Traditional Imagery)
“Kai azhagu mullaichendu / Kaal azhagu vaazhaithandu / Idai azhagu allikkodi”
Uses classic Tamil poetic conventions comparing bodily features to elements of nature: hands to jasmine bouquets, legs to plantain stems, and waist to water lily vines.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Manmathanai azhaiththu vanthaen / Manthira maniyaal poojai seivaen”
Repetition of the initial letter 'Ma' across starting words to create rhythmic harmony.
Did you know?
Trivia
This song features music composed by the acclaimed composer K. Vijaya Bhaskar, primarily known for his iconic work in Kannada cinema. 'Unnaithan Thambi' (1974) showcased his unique melodic sensitivity in Tamil cinema, rendered effortlessly by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and B. Vasantha.
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