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Karpagam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Mannavane Azhalama

From Karpagam · 1963

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Movie name
Karpagam
Movie release year
1963
Lyrics added on
15 May 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
……………………..
Mannavanae
Azhalama kanneerai
Vidalama unnuyiraai
Naaniruka ennuyiraai
Nee iruka mannavaa
Mannavaa mannavaa aaaaa
Mannavanae
Azhalama kanneerai
Vidalama unnuyiraai
Naaniruka ennuyiraai
Nee iruka
………………….
{ Kannai
Vitu ponalum karuthai
Vitu pogavillai } (2)
{ Mannai
Vitu ponalum unnai
Vitu pogavillai } (2)
Innoruthi
Udaleduthu irupavalum
Naan allava kaneduthum
Paaramal kalanguvadhum veenallava
Mannavaa
Mannavaa mannavaa aaaaaaa
Mannavanae
Azhalama kanneerai
Vidalama unnuyiraai
Naaniruka ennuyiraai
Nee iruka
{ Un mayakam
Theerka vandha pen
Mayilai puriyadha } (2)
{ Than
Mayakam theeraamal
Thavikindral theriyadha } (2)
En udalil
Aasai endral ennai
Nee marandhu vidu
En uyirai
Mathithirundhaal
Vanthavalai vaazha vidu
Mannavaa
Mannavaa mannavaa aaaaaaa
Mannavanae
Azhalama kanneerai
Vidalama unnuyiraai
Naaniruka ennuyiraai
Nee iruka
...................
Oh my king,
Should tears be shed?
Should you lose your life?
When I am here,
And you exist as my soul, oh king?
Oh king, oh king, aaaaa
Oh my king,
Should tears be shed?
Should you lose your life?
When I am here,
And you exist as my soul...
...................
{ Though I have left
your sight,
I have not left your thoughts } (2)
{ Though I have left
this earth, I have not
left you } (2)
The one who
has taken another physical form
is none other than me; so even with open eyes,
is it not futile to suffer without seeing?
Oh king!
Oh king, oh king, aaaaaaa
Oh my king,
Should tears be shed?
Should you lose your life?
When I am here,
And you exist as my soul...
{ Do you not understand
the peacock-like woman
who came to cure your sorrow? } (2)
{ Do you not know
that without her own sorrow being cured,
she suffers in agony? } (2)
If your desire
was only for my body,
then forget about me!
If you truly
valued my soul,
let the woman who came to you live!
Oh king!
Oh king, oh king, aaaaaaa
Oh my king,
Should tears be shed?
Should you lose your life?
When I am here,
And you exist as my soul...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Mannavanae Azhalama Kanneerai' is an emotional and poignant tender plea from a beloved to her grieving husband. She questions his endless sorrow and desire to give up on life, reminding him that though physical form may pass, their deep spiritual connection remains forever alive. She urges him to open his eyes and recognize that love endures beyond death. She further counsels him to embrace the present and allow the new woman in his life to live in peace and happiness. She points out that true respect for her memory lies in treasuring her soul rather than clinging to physical attachment, encouraging him to overcome his grief and fulfill his duties in life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyming)

{ Kannai / { Mannai

Matching second consonants in corresponding lines ('nn' in Kannai and Mannai).

Anaphora (Repetition)

Vitu ponalum karuthai / Vitu pogavillai

Repetition of the phrase 'Vitu ponalum' and 'Vitu pogavillai' creates a rhythmic emphasis on eternal bonding.

Metaphor

Mayilai puriyadha

Describing the gentle and innocent nature of the woman as a peahen ('pen mayilai').

Rhetorical Question

Azhalama kanneerai

Questions asked to prompt self-reflection rather than seeking an answer ('Azhalama kanneerai').

Did you know?

Trivia

This song belongs to the iconic 1963 Tamil hit movie 'Karpagam', directed by K. S. Gopalakrishnan, which marked the silver screen debut of legendary actress K. R. Vijaya. The music was composed by the celebrated duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, with lyrics penned by Vaali and vocals rendered by P. Susheela.

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