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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Manna Nambi

From Enga Veettu Mahalaskhmi · 1957

Lyricist
K. S. Gopalakrishnan
Singers
Jikki, S. C. Krishnan
Music director
Master Venu
Movie name
Enga Veettu Mahalaskhmi
Movie release year
1957
Lyrics added on
30 Apr 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Manna nambi maram irukku kannae sanjala
Unnai nambhin naan irukken sokkaaga konjalaam
Ulaga inba vellathilae onnaa neenjalaam
Indha ulaga inba vellathilae onna neenjalaam
Ennai nambi nee irukka sundhara maama
Un anbai nambhi naaan irukken singaara maama
Un ennam polae nadanthiduven oyyaara maama
Konja nanja aasiyilla undhan melae
Koyil katti kumbiduven aasaiyaalae
Anju kaani nilamirukku sondha oorilae
Anjaamae ezhudhi veippen undhan perilae
Manna nambi maram irukku kannae sanjala
Unnai nambhin naan irukken sokkaaga konjalaam
Vetti pechu pesadhe thanga maama
Velicham pottu yematha ennalaama
Kettikaara aamabala nee sundhara maama
Oru
Pottu thangam koduthathaaga solla mudiyuma
Ennai nambi nee irukka sundhara maama
Un anbai nambhi naaan irukken singaara maama
Vandha velai aanvudan azhagu maanae
Kumbakonam purapaduven pulli maanae
Andhi velai thirumbiduven kombhu thaenae
Vandhavudan endhan ullam theriyu thaanae
Manna nambi maram irukku kannae sanjala
Unnai nambhin naan irukken sokkaaga konjalaam
Kumbakonam ponavudan sunbbu maama
Kurangu sambha arisi kondu varanum maama
Rombha neram andha ooril thangi vittalae
Unnai nambhi vaazhum endhan aavi engu pogum thannale
Ennai nambi nee irukka sundhara maama
Un anbai nambhi naaan irukken singaara maama
Un ennam polae nadanthiduven oyyaara maama
A tree relies on the earth to stand, my dear Chanchala,
I rely on you, and we can cuddle with pure joy.
We can swim together in this flood of worldly pleasures,
In this flood of worldly joy, we can swim together.
Since you place your trust in me, handsome uncle,
I place my trust in your love, charming uncle,
I will live just as you wish, stylish uncle!
The love and longing I have for you is no small thing,
I would build a temple and worship you out of deep love!
I own five kanis (traditional land plots) back in my hometown,
Without any hesitation, I will register them in your name!
A tree relies on the earth to stand, my dear Chanchala,
I rely on you, and we can cuddle with pure joy.
Do not speak empty words, my golden uncle,
Can you really try to fool me in broad daylight?
You are a very cunning man, handsome uncle,
Can you even say
That you have given me a tiny speck of gold?
Since you place your trust in me, handsome uncle,
I place my trust in your love, charming uncle!
As soon as the work I came for is done, my lovely deer,
I will head to Kumbakonam, my spotted deer,
I will return by evening dusk, my sweet pure honey,
Once I return, you will know what is in my heart, won't you?
A tree relies on the earth to stand, my dear Chanchala,
I rely on you, and we can cuddle with pure joy.
Once you go to Kumbakonam, dear uncle,
You must bring back Kurangu Samba (a prized heritage rice), uncle!
If you end up lingering in that town for too long,
Where will my life go, when it lives only by trusting you?
Since you place your trust in me, handsome uncle,
I place my trust in your love, charming uncle,
I will live just as you wish, stylish uncle!
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Female
Male
Male
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This playful duet from the 1957 movie Enga Veettu Mahalakshmi captures a lighthearted exchange between two lovers. The male protagonist promises grand devotion, land ownership, and unending affection using simple folk metaphors like trees trusting the earth. The female protagonist responds with witty banter, teasingly questioning his empty words and demanding real actions—such as brought-back specialties like Kurangu Samba rice from Kumbakonam—while reiterating her deep love for him.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile / Analogy (Uvamai)

“Manna nambi maram irukku kannae sanjala”

Compares human trust in love to a tree's total reliance on the soil for survival and nourishment.

End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

“Un ennam polae nadanthiduven oyyaara maama”

Rhyming honorific epithets at the end of consecutive lines ('sundhara maama', 'singaara maama', 'oyyaara maama').

Initial Alliteration (Moonaai)

“Kurangu sambha arisi kondu varanum maama”

Matching starting consonant sounds across words in the line ('Kumbakonam' and 'Kurangu').

Endearment Metaphor (Uruvagak Konjhal)

“Andhi velai thirumbiduven kombhu thaenae”

Addressing the beloved with sweet natural metaphors like 'pulli maanae' (spotted deer) and 'kombhu thaenae' (comb honey).

Did you know?

Trivia

Enga Veettu Mahalakshmi (1957) was a notable success directed by W. M. S. Rampoorna. The song showcases Master Venu's talent in composing catchy folk-infused tunes, complemented by the distinctive high-energy vocals of S. C. Krishnan alongside the versatile playback singer Jikki.

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