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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mannavar Kulam

From Rani Samyuktha · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Rani Samyuktha1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Mannavar kulam paarammaLook at the line of kings, my dear.
Mannavar kulam paarammaLook at the line of kings, my dear.
Idhil mangai un manam kavarndhaIn this array, O maiden, who is the king...
Mannavar yaaramma...that has captivated your heart?
Mannavar kulam paarammaLook at the line of kings, my dear.
Idhil mangai un manam kavarndhaIn this array, O maiden, who is the king...
Mannavar yaaramma...that has captivated your heart?
Mannavar kulam paarammaLook at the line of kings, my dear.
Female
Ponmalar manivaayil punnagai purigindraSmiling with a golden, flower-like, gem-like mouth,
Poovai unai paarkiraarHe gazes upon you, the flower-like maiden.
Ponmalar manivaayil punnagai purigindraSmiling with a golden, flower-like, gem-like mouth,
Poovai unai paarkiraarHe gazes upon you, the flower-like maiden.
Nindru than manam thadumaara un malar vizhi koorumStanding with a faltering heart, he seeks the consent...
Sammadham thanai ketkkiraar...spoken by your lotus-like eyes.
Nindru than manam thadumaara un malar vizhi koorumStanding with a faltering heart, he seeks the consent...
Sammadham thanai ketkkiraar...spoken by your lotus-like eyes.
Female
Neeyum mannavar kulam paarammaYou too look at the line of kings, my dear.
Idhil mangai un manam kavarndhaIn this array, O maiden, who is the king...
Mannavar yaaramma...that has captivated your heart?
Mannavar kulam paarammaLook at the line of kings, my dear.
Female
Mayakkum mugam padaitha maadhargal vizhi thammaiA Cupid-like handsome ruler whose beauty mesmerizes...
Kalakkum ezhil padaitha maaran...the eyes of women possessing enchanting faces.
Mannil sirikkum sendhamarai poo sivandhadhu polJust as a red lotus blooming on the earth turns deep red,
Kalamum sivappaaga porr puriyum saeranThe Chera king fights in battle, turning the field red with glory.
Female
Mazhalai kural kaettu annangal thaalattumListening to the sweet babble of children, swans sing lullabies,
Valanaadu thanaikkaakkum thalaivanIn the fertile land protected by this great leader.
Karunkuzhal pola megangal koothaada saerndhu varumClouds gather and dance like long black tresses of hair,
Kosalam thanaiyaalum iraivanIn Kosala, ruled by this king.
Female
Thanga niram padaitha mangaiyar maeniyinaiHe is like the ruler of the gentle breeze...
Thaalattum kaatrinukkum arasan...that caresses the golden-complexioned bodies of young maidens.
Mattrum angam ilangai vangam saavagam putpagathaiAnd here is the royal line of princes ruling over Anga, Lanka, Vanga, Savagam, and Pushpaka...
Arasaalum yuvarajar varisai...standing in sequence.
Female
Mannavar kulam paarammaLook at the line of kings, my dear.
Idhil mangai un manam kavarndhaIn this array, O maiden, who is the king...
Mannavar yaaramma...that has captivated your heart?
Mannavar kulam paarammaLook at the line of kings, my dear.
Female
Kottramirundhum kudi irundhum mudi irundhumDespite having a kingdom, subjects, and a royal crown,
Koluvirukka idamindri ingaeWithout a proper place to take his throne here,
Verum koodaagi kaavalanaai nirpavanStanding merely like a hollow shell as a guard,
Prithvithaan ..prithvithaan..prithvithaanIt is none other than Prithvi... Prithvi... Prithvi.
Kulamagalae un ennam engae un nnam engaeO daughter of noble heritage, where are your thoughts? Where are your thoughts?
Un ennam engaeWhere are your thoughts?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song takes place during the traditional 'Swayamvara' ceremony of Princess Samyuktha in the historical film 'Rani Samyuktha'. The princess's companion/court singer introduces the noble kings and suitors assembled from various legendary lands (such as Chera, Kosala, Anga, Lanka, and Vanga). Each suitor's valor, charm, and kingdom are poetically lauded to draw the princess's attention.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Mannil sirikkum sendhamarai poo sivandhadhu pol

Compares the battlefield turning blood-red to a red lotus blooming in the earth using the word 'pol' ('Sendhamarai poo sivandhadhu pol').

Metaphor (Uvagamayum / Metaphor)

Karunkuzhal pola megangal koothaada saerndhu varum

Compares dark rain clouds gathering in the sky to long, dark tresses of hair ('Karunkuzhal pola megangal').

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Mannavar kulam paaramma / Idhil mangai un manam kavarndha

Repetition of the initial letter 'Ma' in words like 'Mannavar', 'Mangai', and 'Manam' across the refrain.

Anaphora / Repetition

Mannavar kulam paaramma

The rhythmic repetition of 'Mannavar kulam paaramma' emphasizes the grand assembly of kings at the Swayamvara.

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Trivia

This song is featured in the 1962 historical romance film 'Rani Samyuktha', starring M. G. Ramachandran as King Prithviraj Chauhan and Padmini as Princess Samyuktha. Composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics by Kannadasan and sung by P. Susheela, the song elegantly captures the traditional Tamil 'Swayamvara' description while setting up the central conflict of Samyuktha's hidden love for Prithviraj.

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