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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mannavane

From Thanthu Vitten Ennai · 1991

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
S. Janaki, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Thanthu Vitten Ennai1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Mannavanae mannavanaeOh my king, my king
Manasukkaetha chinnavanaeOh young man suitable to my heart
Mannavanae mannavanaeOh my king, my king
Manasukkaetha chinnavanaeOh young man suitable to my heart
Kanni thamizh thaenaeOh sweet honey of virgin Tamil
Unai thaanae ninaithaenI thought only of you
Male
Mannavalae mannavalaeOh my queen, my queen
Manasukkaetha chinnavalaeOh young girl suitable to my heart
Mannavalae mannavalaeOh my queen, my queen
Manasukkaetha chinnavalaeOh young girl suitable to my heart
Kanni thamizh thaenaeOh sweet honey of virgin Tamil
Unai thaanae ninaithaenI thought only of you
Male
Yededuthu naan padikkaAs I open the book to study
Yettu kanakkuThe mathematics of life
Indru vandhu serndhadhammaaHas arrived today
Sondham enakkuAs a relation to me
Female
Koottudharkku nam kanakkuTo add up our account
Kodi kodi sugam irukkuThere are millions of pleasures
Male :Naattam kondu koodudharkkuMale: To unite with desire
Nambum dheiva balam irukkuThere is divine strength that I believe in
Female
Nalladhoru paadam sollaTo teach a good lesson
Kaadhal vaguppuThe class of love
Male :Alli dhinam kooda chollumMale: A daily gathered
Aasai thoguppuCollection of desires
Female
Mannavanae… mannavanae…Oh my king... my king...
Female
Mannavanae mannavanaeOh my king, my king
Manasukkaetha chinnavanaeOh young man suitable to my heart
Mannavanae mannavanaeOh my king, my king
Manasukkaetha chinnavanaeOh young man suitable to my heart
Kanni thamizh thaenaeOh sweet honey of virgin Tamil
Unai thaanae ninaithaenI thought only of you
Male
Mannavalae mannavalaeOh my queen, my queen
Manasukkaetha chinnavalaeOh young girl suitable to my heart
Mannavalae mannavalaeOh my queen, my queen
Manasukkaetha chinnavalaeOh young girl suitable to my heart
Kanni thamizh thaenaeOh sweet honey of virgin Tamil
Unai thaanae ninaithaenI thought only of you
Female
Aaa…aaa…aaa..Aaa...aaa...aaa..
Aaa…aaa….aaa….Aaa...aaa....aaa....
Haa…aaa…aa…haaa…aa…aa…aaaHaa...aaa...aa...haaa...aa...aa...aaa
Female
Mutha mazhai chaaral indruToday, a drizzle of kiss-rain
KottuvadhennaWhy is it pouring down?
Sitham adhu melulagamWhy has the mind touched
Thottadhum ennaThe heavenly world above?
Male
Paayum ambu paarvai pattuStruck by the dart-like glance
Paadal varum vegam ennaWhat is this speed with which songs flow?
Female :Paayum andhi neram indruFemale: Today as dusk falls rapidly
Jaalam seiyum kolam ennaWhat is this magical pattern being created?
Male
Inba rasam oorugindraFrom where sweet pleasure oozes
Maeniyum ennaWhat a beautiful body!
Female :Ingu vandhu nee arundhaFemale: For you to come here and taste
Thaamadham ennaWhy is there any delay?
Male
Mannavalae… mannavalae…Oh my queen... my queen...
Male
Mannavalae mannavalaeOh my queen, my queen
Manasukkaetha chinnavalaeOh young girl suitable to my heart
Mannavalae mannavalaeOh my queen, my queen
Manasukkaetha chinnavalaeOh young girl suitable to my heart
Kanni thamizh thaenaeOh sweet honey of virgin Tamil
Unai thaanae ninaithaenI thought only of you
Female
Mannavanae mannavanaeOh my king, my king
Manasukkaetha chinnavanaeOh young man suitable to my heart
Mannavanae mannavanaeOh my king, my king
Manasukkaetha chinnavanaeOh young man suitable to my heart
Kanni thamizh thaenaeOh sweet honey of virgin Tamil
Unai thaanae ninaithaenI thought only of you

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a romantic duet expressing deep affection and emotional connection between two lovers. They lovingly address each other as king ('Mannavan') and queen ('Mannaval'), comparing the sweetness of their love to virgin Tamil honey ('Kanni thamizh thaen'). Using playful metaphors of mathematics, study, and lessons of love, the song describes how their bond brings divine alignment and endless bliss. The second movement builds on intimate romantic imagery, describing kiss-like raindrops, darting glances, and the magic of twilight that draws the couple together in passionate anticipation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Mannavanae mannavanae / Manasukkaetha chinnavanae

Repetition of the initial sound 'Ma' across consecutive words in the line.

Metaphor (Uvamaikani)

Kanni thamizh thaenae

Comparing the beloved and the sweetness of love directly to the pure honey of virgin Tamil ('Kanni thamizh thaen').

Metaphor

Paayum ambu paarvai pattu

Comparing romantic gazes to sharp darts ('Paayum ambu paarvai') that pierce the heart and inspire songs.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Thanthu Vitten Ennai' (1991) is a romantic drama film directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar and stars Chiyaan Vikram in one of his earliest film roles. The music for the film was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Gangai Amaran.

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