Mannil Indha
From Keladi Kanmani · 1990
- Lyricist
- Pavalar Varadarajan
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Keladi Kanmani1990
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Mannil intha kaadhalandri | Without this love on Earth, |
| Yarum vazhthal koodumo | Can anyone ever live? |
| Ennam kanni pavai indri | Without thoughts of a maiden fair, |
| Ezhu swaram than paadumo | Can the seven musical notes sing? |
| Male | |
| Penmai indri mannil | Without womanhood on this earth, |
| Inbam yethada | Where is any joy, my friend? |
| Kannai moodi kanavil | O human being who lives |
| Vazhum maanida | In dreams with eyes closed! |
| Male | |
| Mannil intha kaadhalandri | Without this love on Earth, |
| Yarum vazhthal koodumo | Can anyone ever live? |
| Ennam kanni pavai indri | Without thoughts of a maiden fair, |
| Ezhu swaram than paadumo | Can the seven musical notes sing? |
| Male | |
| Penmai indri mannil | Without womanhood on this earth, |
| Inbam yethada | Where is any joy, my friend? |
| Kannai moodi kanavil | O human being who lives |
| Vazhum maanida | In dreams with eyes closed! |
| Male | |
| Vennilavum ponni nadhiyum | The white moonlight and the Cauvery river, |
| Kanniyin thunayindri | Without the companionship of a maiden, |
| Enna sugam ingu padaikkum | What pleasure can they create here |
| Penmayil sugamandri | Other than the delight found in womanhood? |
| Santhanamum sanga thamizhum | Sandalwood and Sangam Tamil, |
| Pongidum vasanthamum | And the overflowing spring season, |
| Sindhi varum pongum amudham | The spilt and surging nectar, |
| Thangidum kumudhamum | And the lotus flower where it resides— |
| Male | |
| Kanni magal arugil irunthaal suvaikkum | If a young girl is nearby, all these taste sweet; |
| Kanni thunai izhanthal muzhuthum kasakkum | If her companionship is lost, everything turns bitter. |
| Vizhiyinil mozhiyinil nadaiyinil udaiyinil | In her eyes, in her words, in her walk, in her attire, |
| Athisaya sugam tharum anangival pirappithu thaan | This divine woman was born to bestow miraculous joy! |
| Male | |
| Mannil intha kaadhalandri | Without this love on Earth, |
| Yarum vazhthal koodumo | Can anyone ever live? |
| Ennam kanni pavai indri | Without thoughts of a maiden fair, |
| Ezhu swaram than paadumo | Can the seven musical notes sing? |
| Male | |
| Penmai indri mannil | Without womanhood on this earth, |
| Inbam yethada | Where is any joy, my friend? |
| Kannai moodi kanavil | O human being who lives |
| Vazhum maanida | In dreams with eyes closed! |
| Male | |
| Muthu mani rathinangalum | Pearls, gems, and precious stones, |
| Kattiya pavalamum | And bound corals, |
| Kothu malar arputhangalum | Bunches of miraculous flowers, |
| Kuvinda atharamum | And gathered lips, |
| Sittridaiyum chinna viralum | A slender waist and tiny fingers, |
| Villenum puruvamum | Bow-like eyebrows, |
| Suttri vara seiyum vizhiyum | Eyes that make one spin, |
| Sundara mozhi galum | And beautiful, sweet words— |
| Male | |
| Yenni vida maranthaal etharkkor piravi | If one forgets to appreciate these, why live a life? |
| Ithanaiyum izhanthaal avanthan thuravi | If one loses all this, he is indeed an ascetic! |
| Mudi muthal adi varai muzhuvathum sugam tharum | From head to toe, giving complete delight, |
| Virunthugal padaithidum arangamum avalallava | Is she not the stage that serves a grand feast? |
| Male | |
| Mannil intha kaadhalandri | Without this love on Earth, |
| Yarum vazhthal koodumo | Can anyone ever live? |
| Ennam kanni pavai indri | Without thoughts of a maiden fair, |
| Ezhu swaram than paadumo | Can the seven musical notes sing? |
| Male | |
| Penmai indri mannil | Without womanhood on this earth, |
| Inbam yethada | Where is any joy, my friend? |
| Kannai moodi kanavil | O human being who lives |
| Vazhum maanida | In dreams with eyes closed! |
| Male | |
| Mannil intha kaadhalandri | Without this love on Earth, |
| Yarum vazhthal koodumo | Can anyone ever live? |
| Ennam kanni pavai indri | Without thoughts of a maiden fair, |
| Ezhu swaram than paadumo | Can the seven musical notes sing? |
மண்ணில் இந்தக் காதலன்றி
யாரும் வாழ்தல் கூடுமோ
எண்ணம் கன்னிப் பாவையின்றி
ஏழு ஸ்வரந்தான் பாடுமோ
Without this love on Earth,
Can anyone ever live?
Without thoughts of a maiden fair,
Can the seven musical notes sing?
பெண்மை இன்றி மண்ணில்
இன்பம் ஏதடா
கண்ணை மூடிக் கனவில்
வாழும் மானிடா
Without womanhood on this earth,
Where is any joy, my friend?
O human being who lives
In dreams with eyes closed!
மண்ணில் இந்தக் காதலன்றி
யாரும் வாழ்தல் கூடுமோ
எண்ணம் கன்னிப் பாவையின்றி
ஏழு ஸ்வரந்தான் பாடுமோ
Without this love on Earth,
Can anyone ever live?
Without thoughts of a maiden fair,
Can the seven musical notes sing?
பெண்மை இன்றி மண்ணில்
இன்பம் ஏதடா
கண்ணை மூடிக் கனவில்
வாழும் மானிடா
Without womanhood on this earth,
Where is any joy, my friend?
O human being who lives
In dreams with eyes closed!
வெண்ணிலவும் பொன்னி நதியும்
கன்னியின் துணையின்றி
என்ன சுகம் இங்கு படைக்கும்
பெண்மயில் சுகமன்றி
சந்தனமும் சங்கத்தமிழும்
பொங்கிடும் வசந்தமும்
சிந்திவரும் பொங்கும் அமுதம்
தந்திடும் குமுதமும்
The white moonlight and the Cauvery river,
Without the companionship of a maiden,
What pleasure can they create here
Other than the delight found in womanhood?
Sandalwood and Sangam Tamil,
And the overflowing spring season,
The spilt and surging nectar,
And the lotus flower where it resides—
கன்னிமகள் அருகே இருந்தால் சுவைக்கும்
கன்னித்துணை இழந்தால் முழுதும் கசக்கும்
விழியினில் மொழியினில் நடையினில் உடையினில்
அதிசய சுகம் தரும் அனங்கிவள் பிறப்பிது தான்
If a young girl is nearby, all these taste sweet;
If her companionship is lost, everything turns bitter.
In her eyes, in her words, in her walk, in her attire,
This divine woman was born to bestow miraculous joy!
மண்ணில் இந்தக் காதலன்றி
யாரும் வாழ்தல் கூடுமோ
எண்ணம் கன்னிப் பாவையின்றி
ஏழு ஸ்வரந்தான் பாடுமோ
Without this love on Earth,
Can anyone ever live?
Without thoughts of a maiden fair,
Can the seven musical notes sing?
பெண்மை இன்றி மண்ணில்
இன்பம் ஏதடா
கண்ணை மூடிக் கனவில்
வாழும் மானிடா
Without womanhood on this earth,
Where is any joy, my friend?
O human being who lives
In dreams with eyes closed!
முத்துமணி ரத்தினங்களும்
கட்டிய பவழமும்
கொத்துமலர் அற்புதங்களும்
குவிந்த அதரமும்
சிற்றிடையும் சின்ன விரலும்
வில்லெனும் புருவமும்
சுற்றிவரச் செய்யும் விழியும்
சுந்தர மொழிகளும்
Pearls, gems, and precious stones,
And bound corals,
Bunches of miraculous flowers,
And gathered lips,
A slender waist and tiny fingers,
Bow-like eyebrows,
Eyes that make one spin,
And beautiful, sweet words—
எண்ணிவிட மறந்தால் எதற்க்கோர் பிறவி
இத்தனையும் இழந்தால் அவன் தான் துறவி
முடி முதல் அடிவரை முழுவதும் சுகம் தரும்
விருந்துகள் படைத்திடும் அரங்கமும் அவளல்லவா
If one forgets to appreciate these, why live a life?
If one loses all this, he is indeed an ascetic!
From head to toe, giving complete delight,
Is she not the stage that serves a grand feast?
மண்ணில் இந்தக் காதலன்றி
யாரும் வாழ்தல் கூடுமோ
எண்ணம் கன்னிப் பாவையின்றி
ஏழு ஸ்வரந்தான் பாடுமோ
Without this love on Earth,
Can anyone ever live?
Without thoughts of a maiden fair,
Can the seven musical notes sing?
பெண்மை இன்றி மண்ணில்
இன்பம் ஏதடா
கண்ணை மூடிக் கனவில்
வாழும் மானிடா
Without womanhood on this earth,
Where is any joy, my friend?
O human being who lives
In dreams with eyes closed!
மண்ணில் இந்தக் காதலன்றி
யாரும் வாழ்தல் கூடுமோ
எண்ணம் கன்னிப் பாவையின்றி
ஏழு ஸ்வரந்தான் பாடுமோ
Without this love on Earth,
Can anyone ever live?
Without thoughts of a maiden fair,
Can the seven musical notes sing?
Mannil intha kaadhalandri
Without this love on Earth,
Yarum vazhthal koodumo
Can anyone ever live?
Ennam kanni pavai indri
Without thoughts of a maiden fair,
Ezhu swaram than paadumo
Can the seven musical notes sing?
Penmai indri mannil
Without womanhood on this earth,
Inbam yethada
Where is any joy, my friend?
Kannai moodi kanavil
O human being who lives
Vazhum maanida
In dreams with eyes closed!
Mannil intha kaadhalandri
Without this love on Earth,
Yarum vazhthal koodumo
Can anyone ever live?
Ennam kanni pavai indri
Without thoughts of a maiden fair,
Ezhu swaram than paadumo
Can the seven musical notes sing?
Penmai indri mannil
Without womanhood on this earth,
Inbam yethada
Where is any joy, my friend?
Kannai moodi kanavil
O human being who lives
Vazhum maanida
In dreams with eyes closed!
Vennilavum ponni nadhiyum
The white moonlight and the Cauvery river,
Kanniyin thunayindri
Without the companionship of a maiden,
Enna sugam ingu padaikkum
What pleasure can they create here
Penmayil sugamandri
Other than the delight found in womanhood?
Santhanamum sanga thamizhum
Sandalwood and Sangam Tamil,
Pongidum vasanthamum
And the overflowing spring season,
Sindhi varum pongum amudham
The spilt and surging nectar,
Thangidum kumudhamum
And the lotus flower where it resides—
Kanni magal arugil irunthaal suvaikkum
If a young girl is nearby, all these taste sweet;
Kanni thunai izhanthal muzhuthum kasakkum
If her companionship is lost, everything turns bitter.
Vizhiyinil mozhiyinil nadaiyinil udaiyinil
In her eyes, in her words, in her walk, in her attire,
Athisaya sugam tharum anangival pirappithu thaan
This divine woman was born to bestow miraculous joy!
Mannil intha kaadhalandri
Without this love on Earth,
Yarum vazhthal koodumo
Can anyone ever live?
Ennam kanni pavai indri
Without thoughts of a maiden fair,
Ezhu swaram than paadumo
Can the seven musical notes sing?
Penmai indri mannil
Without womanhood on this earth,
Inbam yethada
Where is any joy, my friend?
Kannai moodi kanavil
O human being who lives
Vazhum maanida
In dreams with eyes closed!
Muthu mani rathinangalum
Pearls, gems, and precious stones,
Kattiya pavalamum
And bound corals,
Kothu malar arputhangalum
Bunches of miraculous flowers,
Kuvinda atharamum
And gathered lips,
Sittridaiyum chinna viralum
A slender waist and tiny fingers,
Villenum puruvamum
Bow-like eyebrows,
Suttri vara seiyum vizhiyum
Eyes that make one spin,
Sundara mozhi galum
And beautiful, sweet words—
Yenni vida maranthaal etharkkor piravi
If one forgets to appreciate these, why live a life?
Ithanaiyum izhanthaal avanthan thuravi
If one loses all this, he is indeed an ascetic!
Mudi muthal adi varai muzhuvathum sugam tharum
From head to toe, giving complete delight,
Virunthugal padaithidum arangamum avalallava
Is she not the stage that serves a grand feast?
Mannil intha kaadhalandri
Without this love on Earth,
Yarum vazhthal koodumo
Can anyone ever live?
Ennam kanni pavai indri
Without thoughts of a maiden fair,
Ezhu swaram than paadumo
Can the seven musical notes sing?
Penmai indri mannil
Without womanhood on this earth,
Inbam yethada
Where is any joy, my friend?
Kannai moodi kanavil
O human being who lives
Vazhum maanida
In dreams with eyes closed!
Mannil intha kaadhalandri
Without this love on Earth,
Yarum vazhthal koodumo
Can anyone ever live?
Ennam kanni pavai indri
Without thoughts of a maiden fair,
Ezhu swaram than paadumo
Can the seven musical notes sing?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Mannil Intha Kaadhalandri' is an iconic romantic song celebrating the essence of love and womanhood as the fundamental source of joy and beauty in human existence. The song asserts that nature's grandeur—such as moonlight, rivers, nectar, and spring—holds no true sweetness without the company and grace of a woman. It poetically describes a woman's features from head to toe as a divine creation capable of bringing supreme happiness to life. Through vivid metaphors comparing feminine beauty to gems, coral, flowers, and classical arts, the lyrics proclaim that living without acknowledging or experiencing love renders life meaningless. It highlights that a man deprived of such divine companionship becomes like a detached monk, emphasizing womanhood as the ultimate feast for the soul.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rhetorical Question (Athanai வினா)
“Yarum vazhthal koodumo”
The lyrics use rhetorical questions like 'Yarum vazhthal koodumo' (Can anyone live?) to assert that living without love is impossible.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Virunthugal padaithidum arangamum avalallava”
Comparing a woman's features to pearls, corals, and a stage that serves a feast ('Virunthugal padaithidum arangamum avalallava').
Iyaibu (Rhyme / Assonance)
“Santhanamum sanga thamizhum”
Matching end sounds across sequential lines such as 'Santhanamum', 'vasanthamum', and 'kumudhamum'.
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Mannil intha kaadhalandri”
Rhyming of the second letter 'nn' in lines like 'Mannil' and 'Ennam'.
Did you know?
Trivia
This song from 'Keladi Kanmani' (1990) is famous in Tamil cinema history because singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam performed the main verses in a single continuous breath (breathless song technique), composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Pavalar Varadarajan.
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