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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mayangadhe Madhi Mayangadhe

From Maappillai 1952 Film · 1952

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
A. P. Komala
Music directors
N. S. Balakrishnan, T. R. Pappa
Details
Maappillai 1952 Film1952

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aaa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aa aaAa... (vocalizing melody)
Mayangaadhae madhi mayangaadhaeDo not be delusional, do not lose your intellect.
Manamae nee pana veriyaalaeO mind, driven by the obsession with money!
Chorus :Aaa aa aaChorus: Aaa aa aa
Female :Mayangaadhae madhi mayangaadhaeFemale: Do not be delusional, do not lose your intellect.
Female
Adhirshtam vandhaal kann theriyaadhaWhen sudden luck arrives, do you become blind?
Aganthaiyinaal ondrum puriyaadhaBlinded by arrogance, do you fail to comprehend anything?
Manamae nee pana veriyinaalaeO mind, driven by the obsession with money!
Mayangaadhae madhi mayangaadhaeDo not be delusional, do not lose your intellect.
Chorus :Aaa a aaaChorus: Aaa a aaa
Female
Pazhamai ellam nee maravaadhaeDo not forget your past and roots.
Pagutharivae endrum izhakaadhaeNever lose your power of rational thinking.
Mayangaadhae madhi mayangaadhaeDo not be delusional, do not lose your intellect.
Manamae nee pana veriyaalaeO mind, driven by the obsession with money!
Chorus :Aaa aa aaChorus: Aaa aa aa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the 1952 Tamil movie 'Maappillai' is a philosophical caution against greed and arrogance induced by wealth. It warns human conscience not to lose rational wisdom ('pagutharivu') or turn blind to reality when blessed with sudden good fortune. The lyrics advise the human mind ('maname') to stay grounded, remember humble origins, and avoid losing self-control under the influence of money obsession.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Manamae nee pana veriyaalae

Addressing the abstract mind directly as 'Manamae nee' (O mind, you), treating it as a living entity capable of being swayed by wealth.

Moonae (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Pazhamai ellam nee maravaadhae / Pagutharivae endrum izhakaadhae

Repetition of the initial sound 'Pa' in consecutive lines ('Pazhamai' and 'Pagutharivae').

Refrain / Anaphora

Mayangaadhae madhi mayangaadhae

The phrase 'Mayangaadhae madhi mayangaadhae' is repeated as a central moral refrain throughout the composition.

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Trivia

Lyricist Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass was famed in the 1950s for incorporating Dravidian rationalist themes and social awakening messages like 'pagutharivu' (rationalism) into commercial cinema soundtracks. 'Maappillai' (1952) featured music by the legendary duo N. S. Balakrishnan and T. R. Pappa.

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