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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mannan Koorai Selai

From Siraichalai · 1996

Lyricist
Arivumathi
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Siraichalai1996

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Mannan koorai chelaiThe bridal saree given by my king
Manjam paarkkum maalaiThe evening garland meant for the marital bed
Kanavugal thaan kai koodaathoo…Won't my dreams come true?
Sirai kadhavugal thaan thaazh thiravaathoo…Won't the prison doors unlock?
Female
Kannan vanthu neril ennai cherum naalilOn the day Kannan comes in person to join me
Ennuyiril minnal thaanoo..Will lightning flash in my soul?
Ini poo mazhaiyum konjum thaenoo..Will sweet honey shower along with flowers from now on?
Female
Ila maapillaikku pudhu ponnum naan thaanaAm I not the new bride for the young groom?
Nal muthae vaa vaa.. oho ..ohooo..hooo.Come, oh precious pearl... oho.. ohooo.. hooo.
Female
Mannan koorai chelaiThe bridal saree given by my king
Manjam paarkkum maalaiThe evening garland meant for the marital bed
Kanavugal thaan kai koodaathoo…Won't my dreams come true?
Sirai kadhavugal thaan thaazh thiravaathoo…Won't the prison doors unlock?
Male
Hey.. hey.. heyHey.. hey.. hey
Thaen eduthu vachirukkum thaeneeOh honeybee that has gathered honey
Hoo hoo…Hoo hoo…
Maru pournamikkul thaen kudikkumDrinking honey before the next full moon
Paar neeLook at you
Hoo…hoooHoo…hooo
Male
Adi kuyilgal paadum naal vanthaalHey, when the day comes for cuckoos to sing
Adi kulavai satham ketkaadhaHey, won't you hear the sound of joyful ululations?
Un thavikkum thuyaram theerkka thaanTo relieve your agonizing sorrow
Avan kaaladi satham ketkaathaWon't you hear the sound of his footsteps?
Female
Pattaadai mel ellaamAll over this silk garment
En mannavan vaasanai unduMy king's fragrance lingers
Naal dhorum naan vaippen pon vilaketriEvery day I will light a golden lamp
Female
Poo thoongum manjathilOn the bed where flowers sleep
Mugam vetkaiyil dhaavani veesiFanning my blushing face with my veil
Ini naal dhorum thaalaatumFrom now on, lulling you every day
Thaayum naan thaanI too will become a mother
Female
Theeyil theerum mogangalDesires that end in fire
Neeril theeraa dhaagangalThirsts that cannot be quenched by water
Chorus :Huiyooo huiyooChorus: Huiyooo huiyoo
Huiyooo huiyooHuiyooo huiyoo
Female
Kappal karpanai vegathaalAt the speed of imagination, can a ship
Poi indrae avarudan vanthidumaGo today and return with him?
Chorus :Huiyooo huiyooChorus: Huiyooo huiyoo
Huiyooo huiyooHuiyooo huiyoo
Female
Un vazhi paarkumWatching the road for you
Kanniyin iru vizhi oivum kollattumMay the maiden's two eyes finally find rest
Mutham padithavan nenjil naanaeOn the chest of the one who learned to kiss, I myself
Methai idum naal thaan ..Is the day I spread the bed..
Raagangal poochoodumMelodies will adorn flowers
Female
Mannan koorai chelaiThe bridal saree given by my king
Manjam paarkkum maalaiThe evening garland meant for the marital bed
Kanavugal thaan kai koodaathoo…Won't my dreams come true?
Sirai kadhavugal thaan thaazh thiravaathoo…Won't the prison doors unlock?
Female
Ila maapillaikku pudhu ponnum naan thaanaAm I not the new bride for the young groom?
Nal muthae vaa vaa.. oho ..ohooo..hooo.Come, oh precious pearl... oho.. ohooo.. hooo.
Female
Mannan koorai chelaiThe bridal saree given by my king
Manjam paarkkum maalaiThe evening garland meant for the marital bed
Kanavugal thaan kai koodaathoo…Won't my dreams come true?
Sirai kadhavugal thaan thaazh thiravaathoo…Won't the prison doors unlock?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Mannan Koorai Chelai' from the film Siraichalai (1996) is a deeply emotional song depicting a young bride's sorrow, longing, and hope as she waits for her beloved who is imprisoned far away. She yearns for the day her husband will return so that their unfulfilled marriage can finally blossom. Symbolism like the 'koorai chelai' (wedding saree) and 'manjam' (nuptial bed) emphasizes her pure love and expectation of his return. The lyrics mix painful longing with delicate romantic imagination—from hearing phantom footsteps to wishing a ship could travel at the speed of thought to bring him back. Ultimately, the song serves as a poignant expression of eternal hope amidst captivity and distance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Assonance / Alliteration)

Mannan koorai chelai / Manjam paarkkum maalai

Matching initial consonant sounds in consecutive lines ('Mannan' and 'Manjam').

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Kanavugal thaan kai koodaathoo… / Sirai kadhavugal thaan thaazh thiravaathoo…

Matching second letter rhyming scheme ('Kanavugal' and 'Sirai kadhavugal').

Metaphor (Ruvagam)

Kannan vanthu neril ennai cherum naalil

Addressing the beloved as 'Kannan' (Lord Krishna) and calling him 'Nal muthae' (precious pearl).

Antithesis / Contrast (Maranpatta Sorkkal)

Theeyil theerum mogangal / Neeril theeraa dhaagangal

Contrasting passions extinguished in fire with thirsts unquenched by water.

Did you know?

Trivia

Siraichalai (1996) is the Tamil dubbed release of Priyadarshan's acclaimed Malayalam epic period film 'Kaalapani', starring Mohanlal, Prabhu, and Tabu. Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Arivumathi, this track (originally 'Aattirambile Aalamaram' in Malayalam) was beautifully rendered in Tamil by K. S. Chithra.

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