- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- Srinivas
- Music director
- Mani Sharma
- Movie name
- Shahjahan
- Movie release year
- 2001
- Lyrics added on
- 5 May 2018
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Manidhaa Manidhaa' from Shahjahan is a philosophical reflection on heartbreak, selflessness, and the inescapable nature of destiny. It questions whether grief is the unfair price one pays for loving genuinely, drawing vivid parallels to nature: just as a tree endures the scorching sun to offer shade to travelers, or a boat remains tossed in stormy waves after safely guiding others to the shore, a true lover often sacrifices their own happiness for the sake of others.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Nizhal tharum maramoo Veyilil veyilil / Kadathiya padagoo Alaiyil alaiyil”
Compares a self-sacrificing lover to a tree enduring heat to provide shade, and to a ferryboat tossed in waves after safely landing passengers.
Rhetorical Question
“Uyarathai kuraithaal Imayam yedhu / Thuyarathai kazhithaal Vaazhkai yedhu”
Uses reflective questions to emphasize that grief is integral to existence, much like height is to the Himalayas or common water is to human survival.
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Kadandhavar iruppaar Karaiyil karaiyil / Kadathiya padagoo Alaiyil alaiyil”
Tamil poetic device where the second letter of consecutive lines rhymes (Siragu / Pudhidhaai, Kadandhavar / Kadathiya).
Did you know?
Trivia
The song reflects the core theme of the movie Shahjahan (2001), where the protagonist (played by Vijay) helps various young lovers unite while suffering silently in his own unrequited love. The soundtrack was composed by Mani Sharma.
Keep listening
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