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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mannavane Senji

From Raja Desingu · 1960

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Raja Desingu1960

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
Mannavanae… senji mani vilakkae…O King... O jewel lamp of Gingee...
Maa veeraa… aa….aa….aa….aa….aa….aa..O great warrior... ah...
Madhathinaal pirindhar paalThough separated by religious divisions,
Gunathinaal ondru pattuUnited together by righteous character,
Maranathil thunai saerndhaaiYou stood as loyal companions even unto death,
Maraiyaadha pugazh padaithaai…And earned eternal, immortal glory...
Thamizhirukkum idamellaamWherever the Tamil language lives,
Thamizhirukkum idamellaam…Wherever the Tamil language lives...
Thazhaithirukkum un peyarae un peyaraeYour name shall flourish forever, your name...
Dhaesingu raajaa…King Desingu...
Aa….aa….aa…..aa….aa….aa….aa…aa….aa…Ah...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This eulogy from the historical film 'Raja Desingu' pays rich tribute to the legendary hero Tej Singh (Raja Desingu) of Gingee (Senji). The song praises his supreme bravery, nobility, and the profound inter-faith brotherhood he shared with his loyal friend Mohabat Khan. Despite being divided by religion, their shared values and courage bound them together as brothers, ultimately uniting them in a heroic death on the battlefield.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Mannavanae… senji mani vilakkae…”

Desingu Raja is affectionately addressed as 'senji mani vilakkae' (the jewel lamp of Gingee), symbolizing him as the guiding light and pride of the kingdom.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Madhathinaal pirindhar paal”

Repetition of the initial 'Ma' sound in 'Madhathinaal', 'Maranathil', and 'Maraiyaadha' creates rhythmic harmony across lines.

Contrast (Antithesis)

“Madhathinaal pirindhar paal / Gunathinaal ondru pattu”

Juxtaposition of religious separation ('Madhathinaal pirindhar') with moral unity ('Gunathinaal ondru pattu') highlights the triumph of character over dogma.

Epithet

“Maa veeraa… aa….aa….aa….aa….aa….aa..”

Use of exalted terms like 'Mannavanae' (O King) and 'Maa veeraa' (O Great Warrior) to accentuate the subject's heroic stature.

Did you know?

Trivia

The 1960 film 'Raja Desingu' starred M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) in the title role and S. S. Rajendran as his steadfast friend Mohabat Khan. The music for the film was composed by T. R. Pappa. Poet Kannadasan's lyrics celebrate the historical friendship between the Hindu king Desingu and his Muslim general Mohabat Khan, framing it as a timeless symbol of unity and valor.

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