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Unnaithan Thambi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Mani Vilakke

From Unnaithan Thambi · 1974

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, B. Vasantha
Music director
K. Vijaya Baskar
Movie name
Unnaithan Thambi
Movie release year
1974
Lyrics added on
18 Jul 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Mani vilakkae maanthalirae
Female :Unmaiyilaa
Male :Madhu rasamae ragasiyamae
Female :Ennidamo
Male :Koluvirukka naanirukka
Gopura vaasal yaen maraiththaai
Female :Aa….poruththirungal
Mani vilakkae maanthalirae
Madhu rasamae ragasiyamae
Koluvirukka naanirukka
Gopura vaasal yaen maraiththaai
Lalaala lalaala laa
Manmathanai azhaiththu vanthaen
Manthira maniyaal poojai seivaen
Female :Lalaala lalaala laa
Male :Manmathanai azhaiththu vanthaen
Manthira maniyaal poojai seivaen
Abhishegam nadaththa vanthaen
Anthiyilae shanthi seivaen
Female :Lalaala lalaala laa
Male :Rasikanukku idam tharuvaai
Madiyil vaiththu thaalaattuvaai
Female :Thaalaathammaa
Mani vilakkae maanthalirae
Madhu rasamae ragasiyamae
Koluvirukka naanirukka
Gopura vaasal yaen maraiththaai
……………..
Virunthu vanthu azhaiththathadi
Vidhavidhamaai ninaiththathadi
Marainthu nindraal enna sugam
Malaranaiyil kadhai solladi
Lalaala lalaala laa
Manam koduththaal maharani
Sugam illaiyaei theeraathadi mm…
Female :Kaalam varum…
Mani vilakkae maanthalirae
Madhu rasamae ragasiyamae
Koluvirukka naanirukka
Gopura vaasal yaen maraiththaai
Lalaala lalaala laa
Kai azhagu mullaichendu
Kaal azhagu vaazhaithandu
Idai azhagu allikkodi
Iruvarukkum porunthamadi
Lalaala lalaala laa
Paathi udal theriyuthadi
Paarththa varai pothaathadi mm,,,
Female :Koodaathammaa…
Mani vilakkae maanthalirae
Madhu rasamae ragasiyamae
Koluvirukka naanirukka
Gopura vaasal yaen maraiththaai
O radiant lamp, tender mango leaf!
Female: Truly?
Male: O sweet nectar, O precious secret!
Female: To me?
Male: When I am here to sit beside you in majesty,
Why did you block the grand entrance?
Female: Ah... please wait!
O radiant lamp, tender mango leaf!
O sweet nectar, O precious secret!
When I am here to sit beside you in majesty,
Why did you block the grand entrance?
La la la, la la la, la
I have brought Manmathan (the god of love),
I will offer prayers with ringing bells.
Female: La la la, la la la, la
Male: I have brought Manmathan (the god of love),
I will offer prayers with ringing bells.
I have come to perform the sacred bath,
And celebrate our peaceful union at dusk.
Female: La la la, la la la, la
Male: Make room for your admirer,
Cradle me in your lap and sing a lullaby!
Female: A lullaby? Oh no!
O radiant lamp, tender mango leaf!
O sweet nectar, O precious secret!
When I am here to sit beside you in majesty,
Why did you block the grand entrance?
...
A feast of love has invited you,
Dreaming of so many pleasures!
What joy is there if you stay hidden?
Tell me stories upon a bed of flowers!
La la la, la la la, la
If you give your heart, my queen,
Won't there be endless joy? Mmm...
Female: The time will come...
O radiant lamp, tender mango leaf!
O sweet nectar, O precious secret!
When I am here to sit beside you in majesty,
Why did you block the grand entrance?
La la la, la la la, la
Your lovely hands are like a cluster of jasmines,
Your lovely legs are like tender banana stalks,
Your lovely waist is like a slender lily vine,
We are truly made for each other!
La la la, la la la, la
Half of your body is in view,
What I have seen is not enough, mmm...
Female: Oh, you must not...
O radiant lamp, tender mango leaf!
O sweet nectar, O precious secret!
When I am here to sit beside you in majesty,
Why did you block the grand entrance?
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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