Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mappilai Pottu Vitta (Sad)

From Shanmuga Priya · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
Jaya Vijaya
Movie name
Shanmuga Priya
Movie release year
1973
Lyrics added on
23 Mar 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Mappillai pottu vitta maanikka mookuthi
Mangaiyin kanneeril pesattum sangathi
Mappillai pottu vitta maanikka mookuthi
Mangaiyin kanneeril pesattum sangathi
Theduthu theduthu mangaiyin ennam
Oduthu oduthu mappillai ullam
Mayanguthu mayanguthu thannai maranthu
Kalanguthu kalanguthu kannai izhanthu
Mappillai pottu vitta maanikka mookuthi
Mangaiyin kanneeril pesattum sangathi
Kunguma saanthu pattu kodaana kannam
Kodhai en kadhalukku avan thantha chinnam
Kunguma saanthu pattu kodaana kannam
Kodhai en kadhalukku avan thantha chinnam
Velvizhi azhugindra vedhanai thaduththu
Kanneer vadivanthai kantha niruththu
Yazhaiyin kuralai indrae ninaiththu
Enthan naayagan manathai thiruththu
Velvizhi azhugindra vedhanai thaduththu
Kanneer vadivanthai kantha niruththu
Yazhaiyin kuralai indrae ninaiththu
Enthan naayagan manathai thiruththu
The ruby nose stud the bridegroom gave me,
Let it tell its story through this woman's tears.
The ruby nose stud the bridegroom gave me,
Let it tell its story through this woman's tears.
A woman's thoughts search again and again,
While the bridegroom's heart runs far away.
Dazed and overwhelmed, forgetting itself,
Grieving in distress, as if having lost its sight.
The ruby nose stud the bridegroom gave me,
Let it tell its story through this woman's tears.
The cheek marked with a streak of kumkum paste
Is the token he gave to this woman's love.
The cheek marked with a streak of kumkum paste
Is the token he gave to this woman's love.
Put an end to the pain of these weeping eyes,
O Muruga (Kandha), stop my tears from falling!
Think of this helpless girl's plea today,
And change the heart of my beloved husband.
Put an end to the pain of these weeping eyes,
O Muruga (Kandha), stop my tears from falling!
Think of this helpless girl's plea today,
And change the heart of my beloved husband.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This emotional song portrays a young woman grieving over marital or romantic discord. The ruby nose-ring presented by her groom serves as a bittersweet symbol of their bond, while her tears tell the hidden story of her heartache. Her mind searches endlessly while her groom's heart seems distant and restless, causing her to swoon in anguish. In her despair, she addresses Lord Murugan (Kantha), pleading for divine intervention. She asks the Lord to heal her crying, spear-like eyes and touch her lover's heart so that he might change his mind and return her love, restoring peace to her life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

“Theduthu theduthu mangaiyin ennam”

Words like 'Theduthu theduthu', 'Oduthu oduthu', 'Mayanguthu mayanguthu', and 'Kalanguthu kalanguthu' are repeated consecutively to intensify the emotional turmoil and urgency.

Uvamai (Metaphor/Simile)

“Velvizhi azhugindra vedhanai thaduththu”

'Velvizhi' compares sharp, beautiful eyes to a 'Vel' (spear), a classic Tamil poetic metaphor often associated with Lord Murugan's weapon.

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

“Mappillai pottu vitta maanikka mookuthi”

Matching initial consonant sounds in 'Mappillai' and 'Maanikka' creates a pleasing auditory rhythm in the refrain.

Eyaippu (End Rhyme)

“Kanneer vadivanthai kantha niruththu”

Lines end with rhyming verb endings such as 'thaduththu', 'niruththu', and 'thiruththu'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Shanmuga Priya' (1973) featured music by the composer duo Jaya Vijaya (brothers K. G. Jayan and K. G. Vijayan), who were acclaimed for their classical and devotional compositions. The lyricist Kannadasan skillfully blends romantic imagery with a prayerful invocation to Lord Murugan (Kantha).

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Kana Karunguyile1989
Ponmana SelvanHeartbreakLonging
Yaar Azhuthu Yaar1991
Kannukkoru VannakiliSeparationMelancholic
Azhage Azhugai Enna1987
VairagyamGriefDevotion
Nenjil Ore Ragam1987
ThambathyamLongingGrief
Naan Sonnal Theeruma1990
Amman Kovil ThiruvizhaGriefDevotion
Kangalil Enna Eeramo1993
UzhavanGriefTender

From the same album

More songs from Shanmuga Priya

View album
Vel Vannam1973
Shanmuga PriyaDevotional
Mayiladum Paraiyil1973
Shanmuga PriyaMournful
Mappilai Pottu Vitta1973
Shanmuga PriyaPlayful
Kundrangal Aadi1973
Shanmuga PriyaDevotional
Kalam Vanthadhum1973
Shanmuga PriyaDevotional
Iraivanukkum Peyarai1973
Shanmuga PriyaContemplative

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.