Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mann Veettil Irundhaalum

From Thozhar Pandian · 1994

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Thozhar Pandian1994

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ellorkkum nizhalaana thaayae…Oh mother who gave shade to everyone...
Pollaadha pazhi undhan meedho…Has a cruel blame fallen upon you?
Kulamaadharai kurai solvadho…To speak ill of noble women...
Idhu thaan muraiyo iraivaa…Is this justice, Oh Lord?
Male
Mann veettil irundhaalumWhether living in a mud house
Manimaadam vaazhndhaalumOr residing in a grand palace
Ellorkkum thaayaaga irundhaayammaaYou remained a mother to everyone, dear mother
IrundhaayammaaYou remained, dear mother
Mann veettil irundhaalumWhether living in a mud house
Manimaadam vaazhndhaalumOr residing in a grand palace
Ellorkkum thaayaaga irundhaayammaaYou remained a mother to everyone, dear mother
Male
Oru pillai angae sirai chaalai thannilOne child is over there in prison
Oru paavam ariyaa thaai indha mannilAn innocent mother is here on this earth
Male
Mann veettil irundhaalumWhether living in a mud house
Manimaadam vaazhndhaalumOr residing in a grand palace
Ellorkkum thaayaaga irundhaayammaaYou remained a mother to everyone, dear mother
IrundhaayammaaYou remained, dear mother
Male
Pasum paalai kal endruCalling fresh cow's milk as liquor
Koorum indha ulagamThis world talks like that
Kazhi neerai gangai yenaGiving us drain water as if it were the holy Ganga
Naam kudikka kodukkumFor us to drink
Thaai kulathai medai ittuPlacing motherhood on a stage
Dheivam endru potrumPraising her as a goddess
Pesiyadhai kaatril vittuCasting away their words into the wind
Vaesi endru thootrumSlandering her as a prostitute
Male
Thaayin maranam pillai arindhumKnowing the mother's death, the child's
Theeyil puzhuvaai nenjnu thudikkumHeart wriggles like a worm trapped in fire
Annaikkoru kolli ida pillai varumoWill the child come to perform the final rites for the mother?
Male
Mann veettil irundhaalumWhether living in a mud house
Manimaadam vaazhndhaalumOr residing in a grand palace
Ellorkkum thaayaaga irundhaayammaaYou remained a mother to everyone, dear mother
IrundhaayammaaYou remained, dear mother
Male
Eendrdutha thaayum allaYou are not the mother who gave birth
Engalukku neeyaeTo us biologically
Idam koduthu unavalithuGiving us shelter and feeding us food
Udal valartha thaayaeOh mother who nurtured our growth!
Nee kodutha thol koduthuLending the shoulders you gave
Unnai sumakkum kadamaiThe duty to carry your body
Naerndhadhenna engalukkuWhy has this predicament befallen us?
Naangal seidha kodumaiWhat cruelty did we commit?
Male
Un vayitrilaa naangal pirandhomDid we not come from your womb?
Kolli idavaa naangal valarndhomDid we grow up only to light your funeral pyre?
Thaangavillai podhum indha kodumaiyammaaWe cannot bear this cruelty anymore, Oh mother!
Male
Mann veettil irundhaalumWhether living in a mud house
Manimaadam vaazhndhaalumOr residing in a grand palace
Ellorkkum thaayaaga irundhaayammaaYou remained a mother to everyone, dear mother
IrundhaayammaaYou remained, dear mother
Mann veettil irundhaalumWhether living in a mud house
Manimaadam vaazhndhaalumOr residing in a grand palace
Ellorkkum thaayaaga irundhaayammaaYou remained a mother to everyone, dear mother
IrundhaayammaaYou remained, dear mother
Male
Oru pillai angae sirai chaalai thannilOne child is over there in prison
Oru paavam ariyaa thaai indha mannilAn innocent mother is here on this earth
Male
Mann veettil irundhaalumWhether living in a mud house
Manimaadam vaazhndhaalumOr residing in a grand palace
Ellorkkum thaayaaga irundhaayammaaYou remained a mother to everyone, dear mother
IrundhaayammaaYou remained, dear mother

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant elegy expresses intense grief and anguish over the tragic loss of a mother figure who served as a benevolent guardian to everyone regardless of social status. The lyrics lament the hypocrisy of a world that glorifies women on public platforms while easily slandering them in reality. The song portrays the sorrow of children who were nurtured by her selfless love, grieving that her actual child remains imprisoned while they are left to perform her tragic final rites.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Theeyil puzhuvaai nenjnu thudikkum

Compares the child's agonizing heartbreak upon hearing of the mother's death to a worm suffering in fire ('Theeyil puzhuvaai').

Antithesis (Muran)

Mann veettil irundhaalum / Manimaadam vaazhndhaalum

Contrasts a humble mud house ('Mann veetti') with a luxurious palace ('Manimaadam') to emphasize her universal motherly love across social strata.

Initial Rhyme (Moonaid/Ethukai)

Mann veettil irundhaalum / Manimaadam vaazhndhaalum

Uses matching initial consonant sounds ('Mann' and 'Mani') to establish poetic rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song from 'Thozhar Pandian' (1994) features music composed by Soundaryan and lyrics penned by the renowned scholar-poet Pulamaipithan, reflecting his signature emotional depth and socio-critical perspective.

Keep listening

More from Thozhar Pandian