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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Manjal Neeraattu

From Illam · 1988

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Illam1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Raasaathi panju magaThe princess, soft like cotton daughter,
Ragasiyamaa poothirukkaa… hoiHas bloomed secretly… hoi
Raasaava kai pudikkaTo hold her king's hand,
Nalla vazhi paatthirukkaa… hoiShe has looked for a good path… hoi
Pudhu manjal poosikkittu…Applying fresh turmeric…
Pudhu chaela kattikkittu…Draping a new saree…
Ponnaattam poovaattamLike gold, like a flower,
Poo onnu aalaachu…hoiA flower has come of age… hoi
Female
Manjal neeraattu pudhu manjal neeraattuTurmeric bath celebration, a new turmeric bath celebration
Chorus
Vanna poo pottu indha pennai paaraattuAdorn her with colorful flowers and praise this girl
Female
Pongattum pongattum pongattumLet prosperity overflow, overflow, overflow
Mangalam ingu thangattum thangattum thangattumLet auspiciousness stay here, stay here, stay here
Chorus
Pongattum pongattum pongattumLet prosperity overflow, overflow, overflow
Mangalam ingu thangattum thangattum thangattumLet auspiciousness stay here, stay here, stay here
Female
Manjal neeraattu pudhu manjal neeraattuTurmeric bath celebration, a new turmeric bath celebration
Chorus
Vanna poo pottu indha pennai paaraattuAdorn her with colorful flowers and praise this girl
Female
Thangathula seervarisa thangachikkuThe gifts of dowry made in gold for the sister,
Vaangi vandhuHaving bought them,
Pootti vida kaathirukkum annana paaruLook at the brother waiting to adorn her with them
Vairatthula maala katti vaidooryam mela kattiCrafting a necklace in diamonds and stringing lapis lazuli on top,
Kai niraiya pottu vidum aasaiya paaruLook at his desire to fill her hands with jewelry
Enga annan pon manasu dhaaraalam thaanammaaOur elder brother's golden heart is so generous, dear mother
Thangam velli mathadhellaam yaeraalam thaanammaaGold, silver, and everything else is abundantly present, dear mother
PennellaamAll the girls,
Chorus
AalaanaaWhen they come of age,
Female
Oru maappillaA bridegroom,
Chorus
Ini melaeFrom now on,
Female
Adhu yaarunnu thaedaamaWithout searching for who it is,
Annan thaan kondu varuvaanThe brother himself will bring him
Chorus
Pongattum pongattum pongattumLet prosperity overflow, overflow, overflow
Mangalam ingu thangattum thangattum thangattumLet auspiciousness stay here, stay here, stay here
Pongattum pongattum pongattumLet prosperity overflow, overflow, overflow
Mangalam ingu thangattum thangattum thangattumLet auspiciousness stay here, stay here, stay here
Female
Manjal neeraattu pudhu manjal neeraattuTurmeric bath celebration, a new turmeric bath celebration
Chorus
Vanna poo pottu indha pennai paaraattuAdorn her with colorful flowers and praise this girl
Female
Pongattum pongattum pongattumLet prosperity overflow, overflow, overflow
Mangalam ingu thangattum thangattum thangattumLet auspiciousness stay here, stay here, stay here
Chorus
Pongattum pongattum pongattumLet prosperity overflow, overflow, overflow
Mangalam ingu thangattum thangattum thangattumLet auspiciousness stay here, stay here, stay here
Chorus
Lalaalae laalaa lalaalae laalaaLalaalae laalaa lalaalae laalaa
Lalaalae laalaa lalaalae laalaaLalaalae laalaa lalaalae laalaa
Lalaalae laalaa lalaalae laalaaLalaalae laalaa lalaalae laalaa
Female
Vangi vala modhiram thaanAn armlet, bangles, and a ring,
Vaangi vandhu poottiduvaanHe will buy and put on her
Annan ivan pola ingu aambala illaThere is no real man like this brother here
Thangachinga aasappatta athanaiyumWhatever the younger sisters wished for,
Vaangi thandhuBuying and giving them all,
Kan kulira paatthirukkum aasaigal ullaeHe has deep desires inside to watch happily
Pulla kutti pethu pottaa aaraaro paaduvaanIf she gives birth to children, he will sing lullabies
Sothu sogam thaedavilla anbaaga kooduvaanHe sought no wealth or comfort, he unites with pure love
AnnaachiRespected Brother,
Chorus
AnnaachiRespected Brother,
Female
Avan anbellaamAll his love,
Chorus
PonnaachuHas turned to pure gold
Female
Kalyaana naal paarkka kaalam naeram vandhaachuThe time and moment have arrived to fix the wedding date
Chorus
Pongattum pongattum pongattumLet prosperity overflow, overflow, overflow
Mangalam ingu thangattum thangattum thangattumLet auspiciousness stay here, stay here, stay here
Pongattum pongattum pongattumLet prosperity overflow, overflow, overflow
Mangalam ingu thangattum thangattum thangattumLet auspiciousness stay here, stay here, stay here
Female
Manjal neeraattu pudhu manjal neeraattuTurmeric bath celebration, a new turmeric bath celebration
Chorus
Vanna poo pottu indha pennai paaraattuAdorn her with colorful flowers and praise this girl
Female
Pongattum pongattum pongattumLet prosperity overflow, overflow, overflow
Mangalam ingu thangattum thangattum thangattumLet auspiciousness stay here, stay here, stay here
Chorus
Pongattum pongattum pongattumLet prosperity overflow, overflow, overflow
Mangalam ingu thangattum thangattum thangattumLet auspiciousness stay here, stay here, stay here

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a traditional Tamil celebration track centered around the Manjal Neeraattu Vizha (turmeric bathing ceremony / coming-of-age ceremony for a young girl). The lyrics exuberantly celebrate a young girl attaining womanhood, dressed in traditional fresh turmeric and new sarees, described poetically as a blooming flower. The central narrative highlights the deep, affectionate bond between the devoted elder brother and his younger sister. The brother takes immense joy and pride in preparing elaborate gifts, gold, diamonds, and jewels for her, taking on the protective role of finding her a suitable groom and showering her with selfless love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Pongattum pongattum pongattum / Mangalam ingu thangattum thangattum thangattum

The repetition of words like 'pongattum' and 'thangattum' creates rhythmic exuberance and emphasizes auspicious blessings.

Simile (Upama)

Ponnaattam poovaattam / Poo onnu aalaachu…hoi

'Ponnaattam poovaattam' compares the delicate grace and value of the girl to gold ('pon') and a blooming flower ('poo').

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Pudhu manjal poosikkittu… / Pudhu chaela kattikkittu…

The second letter 'dhu' matches across adjacent lines ('Pudhu' / 'Pudhu'), enhancing the lyrical flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song depicts the traditional Tamil culture of 'Manjal Neeraattu Vizha', where the mother's brother (Thaai Maaman) or elder brother plays a major ritualistic role in presenting gifts, gold, and silk garments to celebrate his sister coming of age.

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