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Isaimozhi
Ennadi Meenakshi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Manjal Vanna Roja

From Ennadi Meenakshi · 1979

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Ennadi Meenakshi
Movie release year
1979
Lyrics added on
22 Dec 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Oooooo manjal vanna roja
Thani manjam podu raaja
Naan vanji endra ennam illaiyo
Hooooo manjal vanna roja
Thani manjam podu raaja
Naan vanji endra ennam illaiyo
Pen paavam polladhu
Endraalum selladhu ingae nadakkuma
Sandhaikku vandhaachu
Sandhosam ennaachu innum mayakkama
Pen paavam polladhu
Endraalum selladhu ingae nadakkuma
Sandhaikku vandhaachu
Sandhosam ennaachu innum mayakkama
Indru pottiyittu mundhi kollungal
Indha poovil enna vaasam sollungal ..
Hoo…hooo manjal vanna roja
Thani manjam podu raaja
Naan vanji endra ennam illaiyo
Sevvazhai poorendru
Sevvanam paar endru aadum udalilae
Seeraatti paaratti singaara sangeedham
Paadum isaiyilae
Endhan aasai ennai thaandi sellavoo
Indha meenukkenna neendha sollavoo
Hooooo manjal vanna roja
Thani manjam podu raaja
Naan vanji endra ennam illaiyo
Oh, I am a yellow rose!
Make a bed for just the two of us, my king!
Don't you realize that I am a woman?
Oh, I am a yellow rose!
Make a bed for just the two of us, my king!
Don't you realize that I am a woman?
They say wronging a woman brings bad karma,
Yet that won't apply here—will that work in this place?
Now that it has come to the marketplace,
What happened to the fun? Why are you still in a daze?
They say wronging a woman brings bad karma,
Yet that won't apply here—will that work in this place?
Now that it has come to the marketplace,
What happened to the fun? Why are you still in a daze?
Compete with one another today and rush ahead!
Tell me, what fragrance does this flower hold?
Ooh... oh, I am a yellow rose!
Make a bed for just the two of us, my king!
Don't you realize that I am a woman?
Like a tender red blossom,
Showing off the crimson evening sky on this swaying body,
Cherishing, pampering, with charming melodies,
In the sweet music that plays,
Will my desires spill beyond my control?
Does this fish ever need to be taught how to swim?
Oh, I am a yellow rose!
Make a bed for just the two of us, my king!
Don't you realize that I am a woman?
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song features a seductive and playful allure, where the speaker compares herself to a prized yellow rose and teases the listener into embracing love and passion. She playfully challenges men to compete for her attention and questions whether they truly recognize her youth, beauty, and feminine charm. Using vivid imagery of blossoms, crimson skies, and natural instincts like a fish knowing how to swim, the song captures the essence of romantic temptation, longing, and confident self-awareness in a lively musical composition.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagathal)

Oooooo manjal vanna roja

The woman compares herself to a 'yellow rose' (Manjal vanna roja) and a 'fish' (meen) naturally adept at swimming in passion.

Moni / Rhyming (Edhukai)

Sandhaikku vandhaachu / Sandhosam ennaachu innum mayakkama

Repetition of second letter consonants ('n' sound) across lines such as 'Sandhaikku' and 'Sandhosam'.

Imagery (Katpichai)

Sevvazhai poorendru / Sevvanam paar endru aadum udalilae

Creates sensory visual imagery through words like 'Sevvazhai poorendru' (red banana flower) and 'Sevvanam' (crimson sky).

Did you know?

Trivia

Although the lyrics are often associated with classic Ilaiyaraaja club and cabaret dance tracks of the late 1970s, the metaphor of a yellow rose ('Manjal vanna roja') became a iconic trope in Tamil film music to represent rare, striking beauty.

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