Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mannikka Maattaya Female

From Janani · 1985

Lyricist
Nethaji
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Janani1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Mannikka maataaya un manam irangiWill you not forgive me, taking pity in your heart?
Mannikka maataaya un manam irangiWill you not forgive me, taking pity in your heart?
Nee oru medhaiYou are a genius,
Naan oru pedhaiI am an ignorant fool.
Nee tharum sodhanaiThe ordeal you subject me to,
Naan padum vedhanai podhumand the pain I suffer are enough!
Mannikka maataayaWill you not forgive me?
Female
En vizhiyil neer thuligalThe teardrops in my eyes,
Thudaithadhum un kai allavawas it not your hand that wiped them away?
En vazhiyil mul marangalThe thorny trees in my path,
Kalaindhadhum nee allavaawas it not you who cleared them away?
Kalaindhadhum nee allavaaWas it not you who cleared them away?
Female
En payanam un karunaiMy journey depends on your grace,
Unakkadhu puriyadhadhado you not understand that?
Un anbai ennudaiyaDo not let your love become
Kaalukku vilangavadhaa shackle for my feet.
Female
Mannikka maataaya un manam irangiWill you not forgive me, taking pity in your heart?
Nee oru medhaiYou are a genius,
Naan oru pedhaiI am an ignorant fool.
Nee tharum sodhanaiThe ordeal you subject me to,
Naan padum vedhanai podhumand the pain I suffer are enough!
Mannikka maataayaWill you not forgive me?
Female
Ennudaiya deivamenaRevering you as my god,
Naan unnai nesikkirenI love you dearly.
Kann malargal neer soriyaWith tear-filled eyes,
Naan vandhu yaasikkirenI come begging to you.
Female
Un arumai naan arivenI know your true worth,
Nee ennai marandhu viduplease forget me.
Un idhayam unnidamaeYour heart belongs to you,
Nee nalla mudivai edumake a good decision.
Female
Mannikka maataaya un manam irangiWill you not forgive me, taking pity in your heart?
Nee oru medhaiYou are a genius,
Naan oru pedhaiI am an ignorant fool.
Nee tharum sodhanaiThe ordeal you subject me to,
Naan padum vedhanai podhumand the pain I suffer are enough!
Mannikka maataayaWill you not forgive me?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Mannikka Maataaya' from the 1985 film Janani is a deeply emotional song composed by M. S. Vishwanathan, written by Nethaji, and rendered by P. Susheela. The speaker earnestly begs her loved one for forgiveness, acknowledging his wisdom ('medhai') while humbly calling herself naive ('pedhai'). She recalls how he was her source of comfort during tough times—wiping her tears and removing obstacles from her path—yet asks that his affection does not turn into an overwhelming bond that restricts her life. In the second stanza, she elevates her reverence for him to a divine level, pleading with tear-filled eyes. Despite her deep love, she selflessly asks him to move on and make the best decision for his own life, even if that means forgetting her. The song beautifully captures themes of remorse, gratitude, humility, and selfless devotion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis (Edhirai)

Nee oru medhai / Naan oru pedhai

Contrasts the wisdom of the beloved with the speaker's own perceived naivety to express humility.

Rhyme & Assonance (Iyaibu / Monorhythm)

Nee tharum sodhanai / Naan padum vedhanai podhum

The rhyming pair 'sodhanai' (trial) and 'vedhanai' (agony) enhances the emotional intensity of the anguish.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

En vazhiyil mul marangal / Kalaindhadhum nee allavaa

'Mul marangal' (thorny trees) is used as a metaphor for difficulties and obstacles encountered in life's journey.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Un anbai ennudaiya / Kaalukku vilangavadha

'Kaalukku vilangavadha' metaphorically treats affection as a physical restraint or chain on her freedom.

Poetic Imagery (Uruvagam)

Kann malargal neer soriya

'Kann malargal' compares eyes to delicate flowers shedding tears.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features music composed by M. S. Vishwanathan and is performed by P. Susheela for the film Janani (1985). Lyricist Nethaji crafted the lines emphasizing emotional humility and self-sacrifice.

Keep listening

More from Janani