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Isaimozhi
Naan Potta Savaal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Mayakkama Oru Thayakkama

From Naan Potta Savaal · 1980

Lyricist
Puratchi Dasan
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Naan Potta Savaal
Movie release year
1980
Lyrics added on
4 Jun 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Mayakkamaa oru thayakkaamaa
Mayakkamaa oru thayakkaamaa
Intha mangai vanthu nindraalae
Sugam pongum inbam thannaalae
Ilamaiyilae inimaiyilae thanimai enna
Mayakkamaa oru thayakkaamaa
Ponnaadai thulla thulla
Poo vannam kandaayaa
Poo vannam kandu killa
Paal vannam kandaayaa
Mannaasaiyaa ponnaasaiyaa pennaasaiyaa
Ponnaadai thulla thulla
Poo vannam kandaayaa
Poo vannam kandu killa
Paal vannam kandaayaa
Mannaasaiyaa ponnaasaiyaa pennaasaiyaa
Unnodu kadhal endraal
Oorodu vaazhvu endraal
Ennenna aasai kannaa mayakkamaa
Mayakkamaa oru thayakkaamaa
Intha mangai vanthu nindraalae
Sugam pongum inbam thannaalae
Ilamaiyilae inimaiyilae thanimai enna
Penn vaadai killa killa
Pesaamal nindraayaa
Pesaamal nindru mella koosaamal vanthaayaa
Mannaasaiyaa ponnaasaiyaa pennaasaiyaa
Penn vaadai killa killa
Pesaamal nindraayaa
Pesaamal nindru mella koosaamal vanthaayaa
Mannaasaiyaa ponnaasaiyaa pennaasaiyaa
Inbangal vaazhvu endraal
Eppothum sorkkam endraal
Ennenna aasai kannaa mayakkamaa
Mayakkamaa oru thayakkaamaa
Mayakkamaa oru thayakkaamaa
Intha mangai vanthu nindraalae
Sugam pongum inbam thannaalae
Ilamaiyilae inimaiyilae thanimai enna
Is it intoxication, or a hesitation?
Is it intoxication, or a hesitation?
When this young woman comes and stands before you,
Pleasure overflows and joy arrives on its own.
In youth and sweetness, why this loneliness?
Is it intoxication, or a hesitation?
As the golden dress flutters,
Did you see the floral charm?
Reaching out to tease that flower-like beauty,
Did you see her milky glow?
Is it a desire for land, for gold, or for a woman?
As the golden dress flutters,
Did you see the floral charm?
Reaching out to tease that flower-like beauty,
Did you see her milky glow?
Is it a desire for land, for gold, or for a woman?
She said she is in love with you,
She said she wants a life with you before the world,
What desires are these, my dear? Are you spellbound?
Is it intoxication, or a hesitation?
When this young woman comes and stands before you,
Pleasure overflows and joy arrives on its own.
In youth and sweetness, why this loneliness?
As the scent of a woman stirs you,
Did you stand there silently?
Standing quietly, did you slowly come closer without feeling shy?
Is it a desire for land, for gold, or for a woman?
As the scent of a woman stirs you,
Did you stand there silently?
Standing quietly, did you slowly come closer without feeling shy?
Is it a desire for land, for gold, or for a woman?
If pleasures are what life is about,
If this is an everlasting heaven,
What desires are these, my dear? Are you spellbound?
Is it intoxication, or a hesitation?
Is it intoxication, or a hesitation?
When this young woman comes and stands before you,
Pleasure overflows and joy arrives on its own.
In youth and sweetness, why this loneliness?
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This sensual and playful track depicts a woman enticing her lover while questioning his lingering hesitation and shyness. She wonders why he remains distant and isolated during the prime of youth when joy and romantic pleasure are readily available in her presence. The lyrics tap into classical Tamil concepts of worldly cravings—categorized traditionally as 'Mannaasai' (desire for land), 'Ponnaasai' (desire for wealth), and 'Pennaasai' (desire for women)—to tease him about what truly holds him back. Ultimately, she invites him to abandon his reservations and surrender to the sweetness of love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emonai / Initial Alliteration

“Ilamaiyilae inimaiyilae thanimai enna”

Repetition of initial vowel sound 'I' across 'Ilamaiyilae' and 'inimaiyilae' creating a melodic flow.

Iyaibu / End Rhyme & Internal Rhyme

“Mannaasaiyaa ponnaasaiyaa pennaasaiyaa”

Rhyming of classical Tamil worldly desire categories ending with '-aasaiyaa'.

Anaphora / Repetition

“Mayakkamaa oru thayakkaamaa”

Rhythmic repetition of the opening rhetorical question emphasizing the theme of hesitation.

Metaphor

“Poo vannam kandaayaa ... Paal vannam kandaayaa”

Comparing complexion and youthfulness to 'Poo vannam' (flower hue) and 'Paal vannam' (milk hue).

Did you know?

Trivia

'Naan Potta Savaal' (1980) was directed by Puratchi Dasan, who also penned the lyrics for this song. It starred Rajinikanth in a western-influenced action role. The song features a distinct sultry, western-cabaret style composition by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, rendered with expressive finesse by Vani Jairam.

Keep listening

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