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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Manmadha Leelai

From Manmadha Leelai · 1976

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Manmadha Leelai1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Manmatha leelaiThe playful game of Love
Mayakkuthu aalaiMesmerizes a person
Manthiram polaeLike a magical spell
Suzhaluthu kalaiThis art spins around
Male
Manmatha leelaiThe playful game of Love
Mayakkuthu aalaiMesmerizes a person
Manthiram polaeLike a magical spell
Suzhaluthu kalaiThis art spins around
Male
Mayakkam pirakka vaikkumIt gives rise to intoxication
Urundu pirandu nirkkumStanding in rolling and tumbling forms
Vadivangal unduThere are various shapes
Whistling :………………………..[Whistling]
Male
Mayakkum pirakka vaikkumIt gives rise to intoxication
Urundu pirandu nirkkumStanding in rolling and tumbling forms
Vadivangal unduThere are various shapes
Enakku enakku endruThinking 'Mine, mine'
Thanakkul ninaithu konduBelieving within oneself
Thodarbavar unduThere are those who pursue
Male
Manmatha leelaiThe playful game of Love
Mayakkuthu aalaiMesmerizes a person
Manthiram polaeLike a magical spell
Suzhaluthu kalaiThis art spins around
Male
Sirikkindra pengalaiTo the eyes that gaze upon
Parkindra kannukkuWomen who are smiling
Azhaippathu pol oru sitha thudippuThere is a mental pulse that feels like a call
Ah ahaa…. hey hey… zu zu.. ah ahha…[Vocalizations]
Male
Sirikkindra pengalaiTo the eyes that gaze upon
Parkindra kannukkuWomen who are smiling
Azhaippathu pol oru sitha thudippuThere is a mental pulse that feels like a call
Chidambara ragasiyam arinthukollaTo discover the secret of Chidambaram
Avan saagasam purivathu enna nadippuWhat acting he does while performing grand feats
Chidambara ragasiyam arinthukollaTo discover the secret of Chidambaram
Avan saagasam purivathu enna nadippuWhat acting he does while performing grand feats
Male
Ethanai kinnathil ittaalumNo matter how many cups it is poured into
Madhu athaniyum suvai ondraagumAll of that wine tastes the same
Male
Ethanai kinnathil ittaalumNo matter how many cups it is poured into
Madhu athaniyum suvai ondraagumAll of that wine tastes the same
Siththira kinnathil baedham illaiThere is no difference in the artistic cup
Un sinthaiyilaethaan baedhamadaThe difference exists only in your mind
Ah ahaa…. hey hey… zu zu.. ah ahha…[Vocalizations]
Male
Aandavan vaarisu velmuruganLord Murugan is the heir to God
Antha aadhavan vaarisu vennilavuThe glowing moon is the heir to the sun
Aandavan vaarisu velmuruganLord Murugan is the heir to God
Antha aadhavan vaarisu vennilavuThe glowing moon is the heir to the sun
Innoru vaarisu vendumendroAs if another heir was needed
Intha manmathan vaarisu vanthuvittaanThe heir of Manmadha (God of Love) has arrived
Innoru vaarisu vendumendroAs if another heir was needed
Intha manmathan vaarisu vanthuvittaanThe heir of Manmadha (God of Love) has arrived
Male
Manmatha leelaiThe playful game of Love
Mayakkuthu aalaiMesmerizes a person
Manthiram polaeLike a magical spell
Suzhaluthu kalaiThis art spins around

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This iconic song from the 1976 film 'Manmadha Leelai' encapsulates the intoxicating nature of desire and romantic charm. Kannadasan uses vivid imagery to compare love and beauty to a spell that hypnotizes individuals, causing them to pursue pleasure blindly. Through philosophical allegories, such as wine maintaining its flavor regardless of the container, the song highlights that human desires remain constant across different forms, and divisions or perceptions are merely creations of the mind. It ultimately introduces the protagonist as an unapologetic heir to Manmadha, the divine deity of love and romance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaal (Initial Alliteration)

Manmatha leelai / Mayakkuthu aalai

Repetition of the initial letter 'Ma' sound in consecutive lines.

Upamai (Simile)

Manthiram polae / Suzhaluthu kalai

Comparing the movement of romantic art to a spell using the direct comparative word 'polae' (like).

Uruvagaimai (Metaphor)

Ethanai kinnathil ittaalum / Madhu athaniyum suvai ondraagum

Comparing different women/attractions to vessels ('kinnam') and romantic passion to wine ('madhu').

Anaphora (Repetition)

Aandavan vaarisu velmurugan / Antha aadhavan vaarisu vennilavu

Repetition of parallel heritage lines to create a dramatic rhythm and heighten the mythological comparison.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Manmadha Leelai' was directed by K. Balachander, starring Kamal Haasan in a famous role portraying a youth caught in multiple romantic entanglements. The iconic soundtrack was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with vocals by K. J. Yesudas, while legendary poet Kannadasan crafted the lyrics combining philosophical depth with sensual themes.

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