Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Muthu Mani

From Adharmam · 1994

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Adharmam1994

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Aa…aa…aaa…aaa…haa….aaa…Aa…aa…aaa…aaa…haa….aaa…
Aa…aa…aaa…aaa…haa….aaa…Aa…aa…aaa…aaa…haa….aaa…
Aa…aaa….Aa…aaa….
Male
Muthu mani muthu maniO precious pearl, precious pearl,
Chinnanjiru kannu maniMy tiny, precious pupil of the eye!
Dhaavani aadum or laavani paadumA half-saree dances, singing a sweet folk song,
Arundhadhi paarkkum aavani maadhamIn the auspicious month of Aavani when couples behold the Arundhati star.
Idhu dhinamum dhinamumWill this experience, day after day,
Pudhidhaai thodaraadho oo..oo..Not continue anew forever?
Female
Muthu mani muthu maniO precious pearl, precious pearl,
Chinnanjiru kannu maniMy tiny, precious pupil of the eye!
Male
Maanum unduThere is a deer in your gaze,
Kendai meenum unduThere is a carp fish as well,
Rendum kondaAnd possessing both of these,
Kannil vandum unduThere is also a beetle inside your eyes!
Female
Vizhundhaen unakkulI fell deep inside you,
Naanae naanaeYes, I myself did,
Kanindhaen kalandhaenI ripened with love and merged with you,
Naanae naanaeYes, I myself did.
Male
Kannaalae nee ennaiDid you steal me away,
Kalavaadi kondaayoJust with your eyes?
Female
Nenjathil nee endrumDid you stand eternally inside my heart,
Nilaiyaaga nindraayoEstablishing your permanent home?
Male
Idhu dhinamum dhinamumWill this experience, day after day,
Pudhidhaai thodaraadho oo oo…Not continue anew forever?
Female
Muthu mani muthu maniO precious pearl, precious pearl,
Chinnanjiru kannu maniMy tiny, precious pupil of the eye!
Dhaavani aadum or laavani paadumA half-saree dances, singing a sweet folk song,
Arundhadhi paarkkum aavani maadhamIn the auspicious month of Aavani when couples behold the Arundhati star.
Idhu dhinamum dhinamumWill this experience, day after day,
Pudhidhaai thodaraadho oo oo…Not continue anew forever?
Male
Muthu mani muthu maniO precious pearl, precious pearl,
Chinnanjiru kannu maniMy tiny, precious pupil of the eye!
Chorus
Hoo oo oo oo hoo oo oo ooHoo oo oo oo hoo oo oo oo
Hoo oo oo oo hoo oo oo ooHoo oo oo oo hoo oo oo oo
Female
Aasai pattu pattu tholai thottuDesiring deeply, touching shoulders,
Tholai thottu vetkam naalum vittuTouching shoulders, discarding shyness every day,
Male
Ini mel ini mel kaalai maalaiFrom now on, morning and evening,
Koduthae anuppu olai olaiKeep sending me your love letters!
Female
Thalai vaasal thaandaamalWithout stepping past the main entrance,
Thaniyaaga nindrenaeI stood all alone,
Male
Alaiyaadha ullathaiMy calm and steadfast heart,
Thunaiyaaga thandhenaeI gave to you as your companion!
Female
Idhu dhinamum dhinamumWill this experience, day after day,
Pudhidhaai thodaraadho oo… ooNot continue anew forever?
Male
Muthu mani muthu maniO precious pearl, precious pearl,
Female :Chinnanjiru kannu maniFemale: My tiny, precious pupil of the eye!
Male
Dhaavani aadum or laavani paadumA half-saree dances, singing a sweet folk song,
Female
Arundhadhi paarkkum aavani maadhamIn the auspicious month of Aavani when couples behold the Arundhati star.
Male
Idhu dhinamum dhinamumWill this experience, day after day,
Pudhidhaai thodaraadho oo…ooNot continue anew forever?
Female
Muthu mani muthu maniO precious pearl, precious pearl,
Male :Chinnanjiru kannu maniMale: My tiny, precious pupil of the eye!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a romantic duets expressing deep affection, devotion, and the joy of matrimony. The lovers exchange poetic endearments, comparing each other to precious pearls and pupils of their eyes. They celebrate the tradition of wedlock—referencing the Tamil month of Aavani when auspicious wedding rituals like looking at the Arundhati star take place.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Muthu mani muthu mani / Chinnanjiru kannu mani

Matching second consonants across consecutive lines, such as 'Muthu' and 'Chinnanjiru' or 'Dhaavani' and 'Arundhadhi'.

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagaimai)

Maanum undu / Kendai meenum undu / Rendum konda / Kannil vandum undu

Comparing the lover's eyes to a deer (maan), carp fish (kendai meen), and a beetle (vandhu) to describe their mesmerizing beauty.

Repetition / Monai (Initial Alliteration & Repetition)

Idhu dhinamum dhinamum

Repetition of words like 'dhinamum dhinamum' and 'olai olai' creates rhythmic emphasis and lyrical musicality.

Cultural Imagery

Arundhadhi paarkkum aavani maadham

Reference to viewing the Arundhati star during the wedding month of Aavani, symbolizing eternal marital fidelity.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed by Ilaiyaraaja for the 1994 Tamil film 'Adharmam' starring Vijayakanth and Gautami. Lyricist Vaali incorporates traditional marriage metaphors like 'Arundhadhi paarkkum' to ground the modern duet in deep cultural context.

Keep listening

More from Adharmam