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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Manjalum Vaazhga

From Thennangkeetru · 1975

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
G. K. Venkatesh
Details
Thennangkeetru1975

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Manjalum vaazhga kungumam vaazhgaLong live turmeric, long live kumkum
Mangala mangai manaiyaram vaazhaMay the domestic virtue of the auspicious woman flourish
Arumbum indrae malaraathoWill not the bud blossom today itself?
Manjalum vaazhga kungumam vaazhgaLong live turmeric, long live kumkum
Mangala mangai manaiyaram vaazhaMay the domestic virtue of the auspicious woman flourish
Arumbum indrae malaraathoWill not the bud blossom today itself?
Female
Manjalum vaazhga kungumam vaazhgaLong live turmeric, long live kumkum
Female
Malligai venmai enpathinaalaeJust because jasmine is white in color
Mangaiyin adai vennira aadaiThe woman's attire is a white dress
Malligai venmai enpathinaalaeJust because jasmine is white in color
Mangaiyin adai vennira aadaiThe woman's attire is a white dress
Avalidam undu aayiram aadaiShe possesses a thousand dresses
Avalidam undu aayiram aadaiShe possesses a thousand dresses
Anantham illaa naadaga medaiYet it is a drama stage devoid of joy
Female
Manjalum vaazhga kungumam vaazhgaLong live turmeric, long live kumkum
Female
Ingum angum iru thuruvangalHere and there, two opposite poles
Inbam thedum ilam paruvangalYouthful hearts searching for happiness
Ingum angum iru thuruvangalHere and there, two opposite poles
Inbam thedum ilam paruvangalYouthful hearts searching for happiness
Kangal malarnthana kanneer vezhaEyes blossomed only for tears to fall
Kangal malarnthana kanneer vezhaEyes blossomed only for tears to fall
Ullam malarnthathu unarchiyil vaazhaThe heart blossomed to survive on feelings
Female
Manjalum vaazhga kungumam vaazhgaLong live turmeric, long live kumkum
Female
Vandu thodaatha malargal iranduTwo flowers untouched by a bee
Malarnthathu ondru arumpena ondruOne has blossomed, while one remains a bud
Vandu thodaatha malargal iranduTwo flowers untouched by a bee
Malarnthathu ondru arumpena ondruOne has blossomed, while one remains a bud
Ingoru vandu irunthathu illaiThere was no bee present here
Ingoru vandu irunthathu illaiThere was no bee present here
Angoru vandu irunthum illaiAnd over there, though a bee existed, it wasn't truly present
Female
Manjalum vaazhga kungumam vaazhgaLong live turmeric, long live kumkum

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This emotional composition from 'Thennangkeetru' highlights the sorrowful realities of a woman's life despite traditional blessings of prosperity and marital symbols like turmeric and kumkum. Kannadasan uses poignant imagery to express emotional isolation, unfulfilled desires, and life's tragic dramatic stage where happiness remains elusive.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Alliteration (Moonaai)

Mangala mangai manaiyaram vaazha

Repetition of the 'M' sound across words creates a melodic rhythm.

Metaphor

Vandu thodaatha malargal irandu

Comparing pure, unblemished women or unfulfilled lives to flowers untouched by bees.

Antithesis / Contrast

Ingum angum iru thuruvangal

Contrasting two opposing situations or emotional states as opposite poles.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Thennangkeetru' (1975) featured music by the veteran composer G. K. Venkatesh, during a period when maestro Ilaiyaraaja was actively working as his assistant and arranger before his debut as an independent composer in 1976.

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