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Lyrics & meaning

Mannipaaya

From Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaayaa · 2010

Lyricist
Thamarai
Singers
Shreya Ghoshal, A. R. Rahman
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaayaa2010

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kadalil meenaga irundhaval naanI was a fish in the sea,
Unakena karaithandi vandhaval thaanI crossed the shore just for you,
Thudithirundhen tharayinilae Thirumbivitten en kadalidamae ..I writhed on dry land and have returned back to my sea..
Female
Orunal sirithen marunal veruthenOne day I smiled, the next day I detested,
Unainan kollamal kondru puthaithenaeWithout physically killing you, I killed and buried you within my heart,
Mannipaaya ..mannipaaya ..mannipaaya .Will you forgive me.. will you forgive me.. will you forgive me?
Male
Kannae thadumaari nadanthenMy dear, I stumbled as I walked,
Noolil aadum mazhayaagi ponenI became like rain swaying on a thin thread,
Unnal thaan kalaignaai aanenaeOnly because of you did I become an artist,
Thozhai thoorathil velicham neeYou are the light glowing in the far distance,
Unnainokiyae ennai irrkiraaiyae ..You pull me towards you endlessly..
Melum melum urugi urugi unnai enniMelting more and more, thinking of you,
Engum idhayathai enna seiven… oooh ohWhat do I do with this longing heart... oooh oh
Unnai enni engum idhayathai enna seivenThinking of you, what do I do with this aching heart?
Female
Odum neeril orr alaithaan nanI am just a single wave in running water,
Ullae ulla eeram neethanYou are the moisture trapped inside,
Varam kidaithum naan thavaravitenEven after receiving a boon, I lost it,
Mannipaaya anbaeWill you forgive me, my love?
Male
Katrile adum kaagidham nanI am a piece of paper fluttering in the wind,
Neethaan ennai kadidhamakinaaiYou transformed me into a meaningful letter,
Anbil thodanghi anbil mudikiren.. enkalangarai vilakamaeBeginning in love and ending in love.. my guiding lighthouse!
Female
Orunal sirithen marunal veruthenOne day I smiled, the next day I detested,
Unainan kollamal kondru puthaithenaeWithout physically killing you, I killed and buried you within my heart,
Mannipaaya ..mannipaaya ..Will you forgive me.. will you forgive me..
Mannipaaya ..mannipaaya ..mannipaayaWill you forgive me.. will you forgive me.. will you forgive me?
Female
Yen en vazhvil vandhaai kanna neeWhy did you enter my life, my love?
Povaayo kaanal neer polae thondriWill you vanish like a mirage after showing yourself?
Annaivarum urangidum iravinum neramEven late in the night when everyone else sleeps,
Ennakadhu thazhaiyannai nanaithidum neramIt is the hour when tears soak my pillow,
Female
Orunal sirithen marunal veruthenOne day I smiled, the next day I detested,
Unainan kollamal kondru puthaithenaeWithout physically killing you, I killed and buried you within my heart,
Mannipaaya ..mannipaaya ..Will you forgive me.. will you forgive me..
Mannipaaya ..mannipaaya ..mannipaayaWill you forgive me.. will you forgive me.. will you forgive me?
Male
Kannae thadumaari nadanthenMy dear, I stumbled as I walked,
Noolil aadum mazhayaagi ponenI became like rain swaying on a thin thread,
Unnal thaan kalaignaai aanenaeOnly because of you did I become an artist,
Thozhai thoorathil velicham neeYou are the light glowing in the far distance,
Unnainokiyae ennai irrkiraaiyae ..You pull me towards you endlessly..
Male
Melum melum urugi urugi unnai enniMelting more and more, thinking of you,
Engum idhayathai enna seiven..What do I do with this longing heart..
Melum melum urugi urugi unnai enniMelting more and more, thinking of you,
Engum idhayathai enna seiven… oooh ohWhat do I do with this longing heart... oooh oh
Unnai enni engum idhayathai enna seivenThinking of you, what do I do with this longing heart?
Female
Hmmmmmmmm..mmmHmmmmmmmm..mmm

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Mannipaaya' is a deeply emotional, soulful track from Gautham Vasudev Menon's iconic romantic drama 'Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaayaa' (2010), composed by A.R. Rahman with lyrics by Thamarai. The song expresses deep remorse, heartbreak, vulnerability, and a passionate plea for forgiveness between two lovers whose lives are bound together despite emotional turmoil. The female protagonist compares herself to a fish out of water and a blank sheet of paper given meaning by her lover, acknowledging her mistakes in pushing him away while desperately seeking his forgiveness. The male perspective responds with overwhelming love, viewing her as his guiding light and artist who shapes his soul. Together, the song paints a profound picture of love, regret, long nights of tears, and an inescapable spiritual connection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kadalil meenaga irundhaval naan / Katrile adum kaagidham nan

Compares the speaker to a fish ('Kadalil meenaga') and a fluttering paper ('Kaagidham') transformed into a letter ('Kadidham').

Simile (Uvamaani)

Povaayo kaanal neer polae thondri

Compares the lover's fleeting presence to a mirage ('Kaanal neer polae').

Anaphora / Repetition (Adukku Thodar)

Melum melum urugi urugi unnai enni

Repetition of words like 'Urugi urugi' and 'Mannipaaya' to heighten the emotional intensity and plea for forgiveness.

Imagery (Katchi Inbam)

Noolil aadum mazhayaagi ponen / Ennakadhu thazhaiyannai nanaithidum neram

Evokes vivid visual and tactile imagery of rain on a thread, light across distance, and pillows soaked with tears in solitude.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Mannipaaya' features A.R. Rahman himself singing the male vocal parts alongside Shreya Ghoshal. The song is celebrated for Thamarai's poetic lyricism and Rahman's seamless blending of Western classical chord progressions with traditional Indian melody.

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