Meiyatha Maan
From Rajapart Rangadurai · 1973
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, Pushpalatha
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Rajapart Rangadurai1973
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kaayaadha kaanagathae… ae… | O unwithering forest... oh... |
| Kaayaadha kaanagathae nindrulaavum | Wandering in this unwithering forest, |
| Narkaarigaiyae ae… | O virtuous woman... oh... |
| Narkaarigaiyae ae… | O virtuous woman... oh... |
| Male | |
| Kaayaadha kaanagathae nindrulaavum | Wandering in this unwithering forest, |
| Narkaarigaiyae ae… | O virtuous woman... oh... |
| Narkaarigaiyae ae… | O virtuous woman... oh... |
| Kaayaadha kaanagathae nindrulaavum | Wandering in this unwithering forest, |
| Narkaarigaiyae ae… | O virtuous woman... oh... |
| Kaayaadha kaanagathae nindrulaavum | Wandering in this unwithering forest, |
| Narkaarigaiyae ae… | O virtuous woman... oh... |
| Narkaarigaiyae kaarigaiyae | O virtuous woman, O beautiful woman, |
| Narkaarighaiyae kaarigaiyae | O virtuous woman, O beautiful woman, |
| Narkaarigaiyae | O virtuous woman, |
| Kaayaadha kaanagathae nindrulaavum | Wandering in this unwithering forest, |
| Narkaarigaiyae ae… | O virtuous woman... oh... |
| Male | |
| Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… | Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... |
| Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… | Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... |
| Male | |
| Maeyaadha maan pulli maevaadha maan | A deer that does not graze, a spotted deer that stays unattached, |
| Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… | Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... |
| Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… | Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... |
| Male | |
| Maeyaadha maan | A deer that does not graze, |
| Maeyaadha maan pulli maevaadha maan | A deer that does not graze, a spotted deer that stays unattached, |
| Maeyaadha maan maevum kaanagam adaindhu | Reaching the forest where the non-grazing deer resides, |
| Naru sandhanamum punugum kamazhum | Fragrant with fine sandalwood and civet, |
| Kala manjalanindhu sugandham migundhadhu | Adorned with artistic turmeric, overflowing with sweet perfume, |
| Maeyaadha maan | A deer that does not graze, |
| Male | |
| Kaana kuravar kanmani yenavalar | Praised as the beloved jewel of the forest gypsies, |
| Gaana kuyilin miga kuraludaiya | Possessing a voice sweeter than a singing cuckoo, |
| Pul maeyaadha maan | A deer that does not graze on ordinary grass, |
| Male | |
| Thaavi thaavi dhinamoru gunamadhai | Leaping and bounding, displaying a new quality every day, |
| Maeya theriyaa maanathudaiyadhu | Possessing pride that refuses to stoop down and graze, |
| Maeyaadha maan maeyaadha maan | A deer that does not graze, a deer that does not graze. |
O unwithering forest... oh...
Wandering in this unwithering forest,
O virtuous woman... oh...
O virtuous woman... oh...
Wandering in this unwithering forest,
O virtuous woman... oh...
O virtuous woman... oh...
Wandering in this unwithering forest,
O virtuous woman... oh...
Wandering in this unwithering forest,
O virtuous woman... oh...
O virtuous woman, O beautiful woman,
O virtuous woman, O beautiful woman,
O virtuous woman,
Wandering in this unwithering forest,
O virtuous woman... oh...
Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
A deer that does not graze, a spotted deer that stays unattached,
Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
A deer that does not graze,
A deer that does not graze, a spotted deer that stays unattached,
Reaching the forest where the non-grazing deer resides,
Fragrant with fine sandalwood and civet,
Adorned with artistic turmeric, overflowing with sweet perfume,
A deer that does not graze,
Praised as the beloved jewel of the forest gypsies,
Possessing a voice sweeter than a singing cuckoo,
A deer that does not graze on ordinary grass,
Leaping and bounding, displaying a new quality every day,
Possessing pride that refuses to stoop down and graze,
A deer that does not graze, a deer that does not graze.
Kaayaadha kaanagathae… ae…
O unwithering forest... oh...
Kaayaadha kaanagathae nindrulaavum
Wandering in this unwithering forest,
Narkaarigaiyae ae…
O virtuous woman... oh...
Narkaarigaiyae ae…
O virtuous woman... oh...
Kaayaadha kaanagathae nindrulaavum
Wandering in this unwithering forest,
Narkaarigaiyae ae…
O virtuous woman... oh...
Narkaarigaiyae ae…
O virtuous woman... oh...
Kaayaadha kaanagathae nindrulaavum
Wandering in this unwithering forest,
Narkaarigaiyae ae…
O virtuous woman... oh...
Kaayaadha kaanagathae nindrulaavum
Wandering in this unwithering forest,
Narkaarigaiyae ae…
O virtuous woman... oh...
Narkaarigaiyae kaarigaiyae
O virtuous woman, O beautiful woman,
Narkaarighaiyae kaarigaiyae
O virtuous woman, O beautiful woman,
Narkaarigaiyae
O virtuous woman,
Kaayaadha kaanagathae nindrulaavum
Wandering in this unwithering forest,
Narkaarigaiyae ae…
O virtuous woman... oh...
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Maeyaadha maan pulli maevaadha maan
A deer that does not graze, a spotted deer that stays unattached,
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Maeyaadha maan
A deer that does not graze,
Maeyaadha maan pulli maevaadha maan
A deer that does not graze, a spotted deer that stays unattached,
Maeyaadha maan maevum kaanagam adaindhu
Reaching the forest where the non-grazing deer resides,
Naru sandhanamum punugum kamazhum
Fragrant with fine sandalwood and civet,
Kala manjalanindhu sugandham migundhadhu
Adorned with artistic turmeric, overflowing with sweet perfume,
Maeyaadha maan
A deer that does not graze,
Kaana kuravar kanmani yenavalar
Praised as the beloved jewel of the forest gypsies,
Gaana kuyilin miga kuraludaiya
Possessing a voice sweeter than a singing cuckoo,
Pul maeyaadha maan
A deer that does not graze on ordinary grass,
Thaavi thaavi dhinamoru gunamadhai
Leaping and bounding, displaying a new quality every day,
Maeya theriyaa maanathudaiyadhu
Possessing pride that refuses to stoop down and graze,
Maeyaadha maan maeyaadha maan
A deer that does not graze, a deer that does not graze.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Kaayaadha Kaanagathae is a classic theatrical song from the 1973 Tamil film Rajapart Rangadurai, composed in the style of traditional Tamil stage plays. The song uses vivid poetic metaphors to praise a virtuous and majestic woman, likening her to a unique spotted deer wandering in an unwithering evergreen forest. Unlike ordinary deer, this metaphorical deer does not graze on common grass, symbolizing her nobility, purity, and elevated status. The lyrics describe her allure through evocative imagery of fragrant sandalwood, civet, and turmeric. She is celebrated as the cherished pride of the forest inhabitants, possessing a singing voice sweeter than a cuckoo. Through rhythmic repetitions and expressive theatricality, the song showcases the grandeur of ancient Tamil drama and poetic romance.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Kaayaadha kaanagathae nindrulaavum”
Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound in 'Kaayaadha' and 'Kaanagathae' creates a soft melodic rhythm.
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Maeyaadha maan pulli maevaadha maan”
The heroine is metaphorically described as a 'Maeyaadha maan' (a non-grazing deer), representing her exalted purity and independence.
Adukkuthodar (Repetition)
“Thaavi thaavi dhinamoru gunamadhai”
The word 'Thaavi thaavi' is repeated consecutively to express the continuous jumping motion of the deer.
Edugai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Kaayaadha kaanagathae / Maeyaadha maan”
The second consonant sound 'ya' matches across lines ('Kaayaadha' and 'Maeyaadha').
Did you know?
Trivia
In Rajapart Rangadurai, Sivaji Ganesan plays a passionate stage actor who performs classic Tamil mythological and historical drama songs. Although the lyrics carry the classical depth of ancient stage plays, this song was penned by Kannadasan, set to music by M. S. Viswanathan, and powerfully rendered by T. M. Soundararajan.
Keep listening
More from Rajapart Rangadurai
Rajapart Rangadurai
Rajapart Rangadurai
Rajapart Rangadurai
Rajapart Rangadurai
Rajapart Rangadurai
Rajapart Rangadurai