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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Manjal Itta Nilavaga

From Aval Thantha Uravu · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Aval Thantha Uravu
Movie release year
1978
Lyrics added on
5 May 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Manjal itta nilavaaga mai poosum kalaiyaaga
Maalai kattum malaraaga aarambam
Manjal itta nilavaaga mai poosum kalaiyaaga
Maalai kattum malaraaga aarambam
Mannar kula magal pola pallaandu vaazhnthida
Annan konda ninaivoonjal anantham
Mannar kula magal pola pallaandu vaazhnthida
Annan konda ninaivoonjal anantham….oo…oo…
Manjal itta nilavaaga mai poosum kalaiyaaga
Maalai kattum malaraaga aarambam
Thaalaattum thanga meniyum manjal neerinil aada
Thai maatha pongal polavae chinna punnagai oda
Male and Female :
Thaalaattum thanga meniyum manjal neerinil aada
Thai maatha pongal polavae chinna punnagai oda
Ilanthamizh kaattril thiruvilakkettri
Ilanthamizh kaattril thiruvilakkettri evvitham oli veesumo
Ilai marai kaayendru thalaimurai kulam vaazha
Yaaridam vizhi pesumo oo…oo…..oho….
Manjal itta nilavaaga mai poosum kalaiyaaga
Maalai kattum malaraaga aarambam
Sripaatham thevathevargal vedha manthiram odha
Sridevi madurai naayagi somasundhrar kooda
Sri paatham thevathevargal vedha manthiram odha
Sri devi madurai naayagi somasundhrar kooda
: Manjal itta nilavaaga mai poosum kalaiyaaga
Maalai kattum malaraaga aarambam
Nooraandu maalai mangalam kaaladevathai paada
Eeraaru pillai perarkal thanga thottilil aada
Male :Nooraandu maalai mangalam kaaladevathai paada
Eeraaru pillai perarkal thanga thottilil aada
: Idhuvarai vaazhntha kulamagal yaarum
Ivalukku nigaraagumo…oo…oo….
Iraivanai naan vendi varam ondru ketkindraen
Kanavugal nanavaagumo….oo…oo…oo…oo….ohho….
: Manjal itta nilavaaga mai poosum kalaiyaaga
Maalai kattum malaraaga aarambam
Like a moon adorned with turmeric, like art lined with kohl,
like a flower woven into a garland, a new life begins.
Like a moon adorned with turmeric, like art lined with kohl,
like a flower woven into a garland, a new life begins.
Wishing her to live for many years like a princess of royal blood,
her brother's loving thoughts swing in pure joy.
Wishing her to live for many years like a princess of royal blood,
her brother's loving thoughts swing in pure joy... Ooh... ooh...
Like a moon adorned with turmeric, like art lined with kohl,
like a flower woven into a garland, a new life begins.
As her gentle golden body is bathed in sacred turmeric water,
and a sweet smile overflows like harvest pots in the month of Thai,
Male and Female:
As her gentle golden body is bathed in sacred turmeric water,
and a sweet smile overflows like harvest pots in the month of Thai,
Lighting a sacred lamp in the sweet Tamil breeze,
lighting a sacred lamp in the sweet Tamil breeze, how brightly will it shine?
Staying modest like fruit hidden beneath leaves, for the family to flourish through generations,
with whom will her shy eyes converse? Ooh... ooh... oho...
Like a moon adorned with turmeric, like art lined with kohl,
like a flower woven into a garland, a new life begins.
As heavenly gods chant sacred Vedic verses at divine feet,
just like the goddess of Madurai, Meenakshi, joining Lord Somasundara,
As heavenly gods chant sacred Vedic verses at divine feet,
just like the goddess of Madurai, Meenakshi, joining Lord Somasundara...
Like a moon adorned with turmeric, like art lined with kohl,
like a flower woven into a garland, a new life begins.
As the goddess of time sings of a hundred years of blessed wedlock,
and a dozen children and grandchildren rock in golden cradles,
Male: As the goddess of time sings of a hundred years of blessed wedlock,
and a dozen children and grandchildren rock in golden cradles,
Has any noble woman who ever lived until now
ever equaled her? Ooh... ooh...
I pray to God and ask for a boon:
will these cherished dreams come true? Ooh... ooh... oho...
Like a moon adorned with turmeric, like art lined with kohl,
like a flower woven into a garland, a new life begins.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Manjal Itta Nilavaaga from Aval Thantha Uravu (1978) is a festive and emotionally rich song celebrating auspiciousness, womanhood, and sibling affection. Kannadasan's lyrics present a glowing portrait of a young woman being showered with blessings by her family, particularly her elder brother. She is compared to sacred traditional elements—turmeric-dyed moonbeams, fresh flower garlands, and royalty—symbolizing her purity, grace, and elevated place in the family. The song incorporates rich cultural imagery such as the holy month of Thai, sacred lamps, Vedic mantras, and divine blessings from Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Somasundarar of Madurai. It embodies deep prayers for her long life, prosperity, marital bliss, and a flourishing family tree. Composer M. S. Viswanathan encapsulates this joy with traditional Tamil musical flair.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamaani)

“Manjal itta nilavaaga mai poosum kalaiyaaga”

Comparing the girl's radiance to a moon adorned with turmeric ('Manjal itta nilavaaga') and her smile to the joy of Thai Pongal ('Thai maatha pongal polavae').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Annan konda ninaivoonjal anantham”

Comparing the brother's loving memories to a joyful swing ('Annan konda ninaivoonjal anantham').

Idiomatic Imagery (Uvamai)

“Ilai marai kaayendru thalaimurai kulam vaazha”

Using 'Ilai marai kaayendru' (like a fruit hidden behind leaves) to symbolize modest, protected growth of family lineage.

Second-letter Rhyme (Etukai)

“Manjal itta nilavaaga mai poosum kalaiyaaga”

Assonance and second-letter rhyme in consecutive lines like 'Manjal' / 'Maalai' and 'Mannar' / 'Annan'.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Aval Thantha Uravu' (1978) features music composed by the legendary M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics penned by Kannadasan. 'Manjal itta nilavaaga' remains a beloved classic played during traditional Tamil family celebrations, auspicious functions, and turmeric ceremonies (Manjal Neerattu Vizha).

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