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Nadodi Pattukkaran album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Mannaiyum Ponnaiyum

From Nadodi Pattukkaran · 1992

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Nadodi Pattukkaran
Movie release year
1992
Lyrics added on
23 Sept 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Mannaiyum ponnaiyum
Koduththava yaaru
Unnaiyum ennaiyum
Kaappava yaaru
Andha aaththaava dhinam
Paaduradhu yaaru
Paamaala katti poduradhu yaaru
Oorellaam kondaadum aalu
Avanthaandi ivanaanu paaru
Mannaiyum ponnaiyum
Koduththava yaaru
Unnaiyum ennaiyum
Kaappava yaaru
Soodi kodutha sudar kodiyae
Eppodhum naan un sorppadiyae
Female :Paadi kodutha pudhu kaviyae
En veedu naalum un madiyae
Koiyaama kaathaadum
Koiyaavai polaadum
Maanae pani poonthaenae
Ennaalum raakkaalam
Naan soodum pookolam
Ketkkum unai edhir paarkkum
Vandhan naan
Enai thandhen naan
Female :Pudhu chendhaendhaan
Unai chaeraadho
Mannaiyum ponnaiyum
Koduththava yaaru
Unnaiyum ennaiyum
Kaappava yaaru
Poo vachcha ponnu
Onnu nenachaalae
Bhoomikkul achchamindri
Mudippaalae
Yaaraachum munnae vandhu
Thaduththaalae
Boogambam pola pongi azhippaalae
Poovaippol ponniruppaa
Madhichaalae
Mullaippol maariduvaa
Moraichaalae
Kadalukku karayai katta
Paakkaadhae
Thari kettu thavari kettu
Pesaadhae
Mangammaa raaniyappola
Engammaa peththu pottaalae
Thekku cheemai ponnu anja maattaa
Kombuthaen unakkedhukku
Kittaadha mudavanukku
Oththukkollu oththi nillu maamaa
Sonnaa iva seinju mudippaa
Sonnaa iva seinju mudippaa……..
The land and gold,
who gave them to us?
You and me,
who protects us?
That Mother Goddess, every day,
who sings of her?
Who weaves a garland of songs for her?
The man celebrated by the whole town,
look, girl, is he not this very one?
The land and gold,
who gave them to us?
You and me,
who protects us?
O glowing vine who wore the garland before offering it,
I will always live by your word.
Female: O new poet who sang songs for me,
my home every day is your lap.
Swaying unpicked in the breeze,
dancing like a ripe guava,
my deer, my cool flower-nectar!
Every night,
the world I hold close
longs for you and waits for you.
I have come,
and given myself to you.
Female: Will this fresh, pure honey
not unite with you?
The land and gold,
who gave them to us?
You and me,
who protects us?
Once this flower-decked girl
sets her mind on something,
without any fear on this earth,
she will see it through!
If anyone steps up
and tries to block her,
she will erupt like an earthquake and destroy them!
She will be sweet and soft like a flower,
if you treat her with respect!
She will turn sharp like thorns,
if you dare to glare at her!
To build a boundary around the sea,
do not even try!
Losing all decency and sense,
do not talk reckless nonsense!
Just like Queen Mangammal,
my mother gave birth to me!
A girl from the southern land will never fear!
Why do you crave the honey perched high on the branch,
when you cannot even reach it, you cripple?
Admit defeat and step aside, mister!
If she says it, she will get it done!
If she says it, she will get it done...!
Chorus
Chorus
Male
Male
Female
Male
Chorus
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song from 'Nadodi Pattukkaran' begins with folk-infused reverence for the divine Mother Goddess who sustains all life on earth, while honoring the itinerant singer who weaves poetic garlands in her praise. It transitions into a romantic exchange where lovers express deep adoration and devotion to each other using classical and mythological imagery. As the song progresses, it transforms into a bold assertion of female strength, self-worth, and regional pride. The heroine likens her resolve to the legendary Queen Mangammal and southern heritage, warning that while she is soft as a flower when respected, she can erupt like an earthquake or turn sharp as thorns against those who try to impede or disrespect her.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

“Boogambam pola pongi azhippaalae / Poovaippol ponniruppaa / Mullaippol maariduvaa”

Compares the anger and duality of the heroine's nature to earthquakes, flowers, and thorns depending on how she is treated.

Allusion & Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Soodi kodutha sudar kodiyae”

Refers to Andal ('Soodi Kodutha Sudar Kodi'), the famous Tamil Vaishnavite saint-poet who offered flower garlands to the lord after wearing them.

Proverb / Folk Idiom

“Kombuthaen unakkedhukku kittaadha mudavanukku”

Uses the traditional Tamil proverb about a crippled person reaching for honey on a tall branch ('Kittaadha mudavan kombuthaenukku aasaippaduvadhubol') to mock unrealistic desire.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Koduththava yaaru / Kaappava yaaru”

Rhyming of second consonant letters in adjacent lines, a staple feature of traditional Tamil prosody.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali for the 1992 film 'Nadodi Pattukkaran', the song features rich cultural references including the deity worship typical of Tamil folk tradition, Vaishnavite devotional lore (Andal), and historical pride referencing Queen Rani Mangammal of the Madurai Nayak dynasty.

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