- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Movie name
- Karnan
- Movie release year
- 1964
- Lyrics added on
- 10 Jan 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
'Manjal Mugam Niram Maari' is a traditional baby shower (Seemantham / Valaikaappu) song from the classical 1964 Tamil epic film 'Karnan'. Sung in celebration of Karnan's pregnant wife, the lyricist Kannadasan beautifully describes the physical transformations and gentle grace of an expectant mother, contrasting her earlier energetic demeanor with her delicate present state. The women of the household gather to adorn her with traditional symbols of prosperity such as flowers, turmeric, bangles, and tilak while bestowing heartfelt blessings. The song also glorifies Karnan's legendary philanthropy by comparing the unborn child to a rain-filled dark cloud that will grow to shower compassion and prosperity upon the land.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uwamai)
“Konjum kili pol pillai uruvaanadhae”
Compares the unborn baby taking shape to a lisping parrot ('konjum kili pol').
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Thulli vandha maan indru saei kondadhae”
Compares the young expectant mother to a playful, leaping deer ('thulli vandha maan').
Iyaibu / Monai & Rhyme (Internal Rhyme)
“Malargal sootti manjal kootti / Valaiyal pootti thilagam theetti”
Uses matching internal rhyming endings ('sootti', 'kootti', 'pootti', 'theetti') to create a rhythmic ceremonial cadence.
Symbolic Metaphor
“Karnan thandha pillai endraal kaar megam allavaa”
Compares the child of Karnan to a dark rain cloud ('kaar megam'), symbolizing generous giving and boundless benevolence.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by the duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy and rendered predominantly by P. Susheela, this song from 'Karnan' (1964) remains one of the most famous cultural representations of the South Indian traditional Valaikaappu (bangle ceremony) in Tamil cinema.
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