Manjalum Thanthal
From Thenum Paalum · 1971
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Thenum Paalum1971
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Manjalum thanthaal malargal thanthaal | She bestowed turmeric and flowers, |
| Mangala mangai meenatchi | Goddess Meenakshi, the auspicious woman. |
| Manjalum thanthaal malargal thanthaal | She bestowed turmeric and flowers, |
| Mangala mangai meenatchi | Goddess Meenakshi, the auspicious woman. |
| Female | |
| Nenjam oruvansontham endraal | If my heart belongs to one true soul, |
| Devi engal meenatchi | Goddess Meenakshi is our divine guardian. |
| Nenjam oruvansontham endraal | If my heart belongs to one true soul, |
| Devi engal meenatchi | Goddess Meenakshi is our divine guardian. |
| Female | |
| Manjalum thanthaal malargal thanthaal | She bestowed turmeric and flowers, |
| Mangala mangai meenatchi | Goddess Meenakshi, the auspicious woman. |
| Female | |
| Aadiperukkil aadikalikkum | Dancing joyously in the rising Aadi monsoon flood, |
| Vaigai vellam kondaada | To celebrate the overflowing waters of Vaigai, |
| Thaali saradu kaaval irukka | With the sacred nuptial thread standing guard, |
| Vaazhugindraen nandraaga | I live a happy and prosperous life. |
| Female | |
| Manjalum thanthaal malargal thanthaal | She bestowed turmeric and flowers, |
| Mangala mangai meenatchi | Goddess Meenakshi, the auspicious woman. |
| Female | |
| Mangala maalai ondru vendumena | Praying for an auspicious matrimonial garland, |
| Yaettri vaithaen dheepam | I lit a sacred lamp in worship. |
| Pongiya vaigai devi unnarulil | By your grace, Goddess of the overflowing Vaigai, |
| Thondra vendum kaalam | A bright new era must dawn for us. |
| Female | |
| Vaigaiyin karaigal irandu | Just as the Vaigai river flows between two banks, |
| Nalla vaazhvinil inaiyum irandu | Two lives unite together in a good marriage. |
| Angayarkanni en devi | Oh my divine Goddess Angayarkanni, |
| Unnarulil adaiven ponveli | By your grace I shall reach the golden realm. |
| Female | |
| Manjalum thanthaal malargal thanthaal | She bestowed turmeric and flowers, |
| Mangala mangai meenatchi | Goddess Meenakshi, the auspicious woman. |
| Female | |
| Alliyao poa anthi maalaithanil | Like the water lily blooming at dusk, |
| Vaazha vendum penmai | Womanhood should blossom and thrive. |
| Malligai vaasam veesum thendralena | Like the southern breeze wafting jasmine fragrance, |
| Kaanavendum menmai | Gentleness and grace should be seen. |
| Female | |
| Sundharameenaal manjam ena | On a couch adorned with beauty, |
| Sugaththil mithanthu nenjam | My heart floats in pure bliss. |
| Naayagan thanthathu adhigam endrum | What my husband gave me is endless, |
| Naanae avanathu udhayam | And I am the dawn of his life. |
| Female | |
| Manjalum thanthaal malargal thanthaal | She bestowed turmeric and flowers, |
| Mangala mangai meenatchi | Goddess Meenakshi, the auspicious woman. |
| Female | |
| Kannagi vaazhvai kadhal madhaviyai | Oh Tamil, that sings combining both |
| Saerththu paadum tamizhae | The virtuous life of Kannagi and the love of Madhavi! |
| Maathavi polae enthan devanidam | Unlike Madhavi's plight, beside my lord, |
| Yaarumillai tamizhae | There is no second woman, Oh Tamil! |
| Female | |
| Yaetriya deepangal saatchi | The lit lamps stand as sacred witnesses, |
| En idhayam aadidum kaatchi | To the glorious sight of my heart dancing in joy. |
| Pottriya naayagan vaazhga | Long live the praised lord of my life, |
| Avan poojaiyil naanum vaazhga | May I live happily serving in his worship! |
| Female | |
| Manjalum thanthaal malargal thanthaal | She bestowed turmeric and flowers, |
| Mangala mangai meenatchi | Goddess Meenakshi, the auspicious woman. |
| Nenjam oruvansontham endraal | If my heart belongs to one true soul, |
| Devi engal meenatchi | Goddess Meenakshi is our divine guardian. |
| Female | |
| Manjalum thanthaal malargal thanthaal | She bestowed turmeric and flowers, |
| Mangala mangai meenatchi | Goddess Meenakshi, the auspicious woman. |
மஞ்சளும் தந்தாள் மலர்கள் தந்தாள்
மங்கல மங்கை மீனாட்சி
மஞ்சளும் தந்தாள் மலர்கள் தந்தாள்
மங்கல மங்கை மீனாட்சி
She bestowed turmeric and flowers,
Goddess Meenakshi, the auspicious woman.
She bestowed turmeric and flowers,
Goddess Meenakshi, the auspicious woman.
நெஞ்சம் ஒருவன் சொந்தம் என்றாள்
தேவி எங்கள் மீனாட்சி
நெஞ்சம் ஒருவன் சொந்தம் என்றாள்
தேவி எங்கள் மீனாட்சி
If my heart belongs to one true soul,
Goddess Meenakshi is our divine guardian.
If my heart belongs to one true soul,
Goddess Meenakshi is our divine guardian.
மஞ்சளும் தந்தாள் மலர்கள் தந்தாள்
மங்கல மங்கை மீனாட்சி
She bestowed turmeric and flowers,
Goddess Meenakshi, the auspicious woman.
ஆடிப்பெருக்கில் ஆடிக்களிக்கும்
வைகை வெள்ளம் கொண்டாட
தாலிச்சரடு காவல் இருக்க
வாழுகின்றேன் நன்றாக
Dancing joyously in the rising Aadi monsoon flood,
To celebrate the overflowing waters of Vaigai,
With the sacred nuptial thread standing guard,
I live a happy and prosperous life.
மஞ்சளும் தந்தாள் மலர்கள் தந்தாள்
மங்கல மங்கை மீனாட்சி
She bestowed turmeric and flowers,
Goddess Meenakshi, the auspicious woman.
மங்கல மாலை ஒன்று வேண்டுமென
ஏற்றி வைத்தேன் தீபம்
பொங்கிய வைகை தேவி உன்னருளில்
தோன்ற வேண்டும் காலம்
Praying for an auspicious matrimonial garland,
I lit a sacred lamp in worship.
By your grace, Goddess of the overflowing Vaigai,
A bright new era must dawn for us.
வைகையின் கரைகள் இரண்டு
நல்ல வாழ்வினில் இணையும் இரண்டு
அங்கயற்கண்ணி என் தேவி
உன்னருளில் அடைவேன் பொன்வேலி
Just as the Vaigai river flows between two banks,
Two lives unite together in a good marriage.
Oh my divine Goddess Angayarkanni,
By your grace I shall reach the golden realm.
மஞ்சளும் தந்தாள் மலர்கள் தந்தாள்
மங்கல மங்கை மீனாட்சி
She bestowed turmeric and flowers,
Goddess Meenakshi, the auspicious woman.
அல்லியைப் போல அந்தி மாலைதனில்
வாழவேண்டும் பெண்மை
மல்லிகை வாசம் வீசும் தென்றலென
காணவேண்டும் மென்மை
Like the water lily blooming at dusk,
Womanhood should blossom and thrive.
Like the southern breeze wafting jasmine fragrance,
Gentleness and grace should be seen.
சுந்தரமீனாள் மஞ்சம் என
சுகத்தில் மிதந்து நெஞ்சம்
நாயகன் தந்தது அதிகம் என்றும்
நானே அவனது உதயம்
On a couch adorned with beauty,
My heart floats in pure bliss.
What my husband gave me is endless,
And I am the dawn of his life.
மஞ்சளும் தந்தாள் மலர்கள் தந்தாள்
மங்கல மங்கை மீனாட்சி
She bestowed turmeric and flowers,
Goddess Meenakshi, the auspicious woman.
கண்ணகி வாழ்வை காதல் மாதவியை
சேர்த்து பாடும் தமிழே
மாதவிப் போலே எந்தன் தேவனிடம்
யாருமில்லை தமிழே
Oh Tamil, that sings combining both
The virtuous life of Kannagi and the love of Madhavi!
Unlike Madhavi's plight, beside my lord,
There is no second woman, Oh Tamil!
ஏற்றிய தீபங்கள் சாட்சி
என் இதயம் ஆடிடும் காட்சி
போற்றிய நாயகன் வாழ்க
அவன் பூஜையில் நானும் வாழ்க
The lit lamps stand as sacred witnesses,
To the glorious sight of my heart dancing in joy.
Long live the praised lord of my life,
May I live happily serving in his worship!
மஞ்சளும் தந்தாள் மலர்கள் தந்தாள்
மங்கல மங்கை மீனாட்சி
நெஞ்சம் ஒருவன் சொந்தம் என்றாள்
தேவி எங்கள் மீனாட்சி
She bestowed turmeric and flowers,
Goddess Meenakshi, the auspicious woman.
If my heart belongs to one true soul,
Goddess Meenakshi is our divine guardian.
மஞ்சளும் தந்தாள் மலர்கள் தந்தாள்
மங்கல மங்கை மீனாட்சி
She bestowed turmeric and flowers,
Goddess Meenakshi, the auspicious woman.
Manjalum thanthaal malargal thanthaal
She bestowed turmeric and flowers,
Mangala mangai meenatchi
Goddess Meenakshi, the auspicious woman.
Manjalum thanthaal malargal thanthaal
She bestowed turmeric and flowers,
Mangala mangai meenatchi
Goddess Meenakshi, the auspicious woman.
Nenjam oruvansontham endraal
If my heart belongs to one true soul,
Devi engal meenatchi
Goddess Meenakshi is our divine guardian.
Nenjam oruvansontham endraal
If my heart belongs to one true soul,
Devi engal meenatchi
Goddess Meenakshi is our divine guardian.
Manjalum thanthaal malargal thanthaal
She bestowed turmeric and flowers,
Mangala mangai meenatchi
Goddess Meenakshi, the auspicious woman.
Aadiperukkil aadikalikkum
Dancing joyously in the rising Aadi monsoon flood,
Vaigai vellam kondaada
To celebrate the overflowing waters of Vaigai,
Thaali saradu kaaval irukka
With the sacred nuptial thread standing guard,
Vaazhugindraen nandraaga
I live a happy and prosperous life.
Manjalum thanthaal malargal thanthaal
She bestowed turmeric and flowers,
Mangala mangai meenatchi
Goddess Meenakshi, the auspicious woman.
Mangala maalai ondru vendumena
Praying for an auspicious matrimonial garland,
Yaettri vaithaen dheepam
I lit a sacred lamp in worship.
Pongiya vaigai devi unnarulil
By your grace, Goddess of the overflowing Vaigai,
Thondra vendum kaalam
A bright new era must dawn for us.
Vaigaiyin karaigal irandu
Just as the Vaigai river flows between two banks,
Nalla vaazhvinil inaiyum irandu
Two lives unite together in a good marriage.
Angayarkanni en devi
Oh my divine Goddess Angayarkanni,
Unnarulil adaiven ponveli
By your grace I shall reach the golden realm.
Manjalum thanthaal malargal thanthaal
She bestowed turmeric and flowers,
Mangala mangai meenatchi
Goddess Meenakshi, the auspicious woman.
Alliyao poa anthi maalaithanil
Like the water lily blooming at dusk,
Vaazha vendum penmai
Womanhood should blossom and thrive.
Malligai vaasam veesum thendralena
Like the southern breeze wafting jasmine fragrance,
Kaanavendum menmai
Gentleness and grace should be seen.
Sundharameenaal manjam ena
On a couch adorned with beauty,
Sugaththil mithanthu nenjam
My heart floats in pure bliss.
Naayagan thanthathu adhigam endrum
What my husband gave me is endless,
Naanae avanathu udhayam
And I am the dawn of his life.
Manjalum thanthaal malargal thanthaal
She bestowed turmeric and flowers,
Mangala mangai meenatchi
Goddess Meenakshi, the auspicious woman.
Kannagi vaazhvai kadhal madhaviyai
Oh Tamil, that sings combining both
Saerththu paadum tamizhae
The virtuous life of Kannagi and the love of Madhavi!
Maathavi polae enthan devanidam
Unlike Madhavi's plight, beside my lord,
Yaarumillai tamizhae
There is no second woman, Oh Tamil!
Yaetriya deepangal saatchi
The lit lamps stand as sacred witnesses,
En idhayam aadidum kaatchi
To the glorious sight of my heart dancing in joy.
Pottriya naayagan vaazhga
Long live the praised lord of my life,
Avan poojaiyil naanum vaazhga
May I live happily serving in his worship!
Manjalum thanthaal malargal thanthaal
She bestowed turmeric and flowers,
Mangala mangai meenatchi
Goddess Meenakshi, the auspicious woman.
Nenjam oruvansontham endraal
If my heart belongs to one true soul,
Devi engal meenatchi
Goddess Meenakshi is our divine guardian.
Manjalum thanthaal malargal thanthaal
She bestowed turmeric and flowers,
Mangala mangai meenatchi
Goddess Meenakshi, the auspicious woman.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic song expresses a woman's deep devotion to Goddess Meenakshi and her profound happiness in marital bliss. Sheattributes her marital prosperity, joy, and security to the divine grace of Goddess Meenakshi of Madurai. Using metaphors of the overflowing Vaigai river and classical Tamil literary motifs, she celebrates her husband's love and prays for a harmonious, lasting union. In the second half, Kannadasan cleverly incorporates epic references from Silappatikaram—contrasting Kannagi and Madhavi—to affirm that her relationship with her husband is secure and free of any third-person interference. The song blends marital devotion, spiritual gratitude, and classical Tamil literary elegance into a joyous ode to traditional womanhood.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)
“Manjalum thanthaal malargal thanthaal”
Repetition of the initial letter 'Ma' across words in the line for rhythmic harmony.
Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Alliyao poa anthi maalaithanil / Malligai vaasam veesum thendralena”
Matching of the second consonant 'll' in adjacent lines ('Alliyao' and 'Malligai').
Upamai (Simile)
“Malligai vaasam veesum thendralena”
Comparing gentle womanhood to the fragrant jasmine breeze.
Literary Allusion (Ilakkiya Kurippu)
“Kannagi vaazhvai kadhal madhaviyai”
Direct reference to Kannagi and Madhavi, the key female figures from the ancient epic Silappatikaram.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan, 'Thenum Paalum' (1971) starred Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini, and B. Saroja Devi. The song features a duet between renowned playback singers S. Janaki and Jikki, set against the backdrop of traditional Tamil devotional and cultural themes centered around Madurai Meenakshi.
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