Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naathamenum

From Manmadha Leelai · 1976

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Manmadha Leelai1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Haaa….aaa….aaa…aa…Haaa….aaa….aaa…aa…
Aaaaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…Aaaaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…
Haa…..aaa….aaa…aaa….Haa…..aaa….aaa…aaa….
Female
Naadhamenum kovililaeIn the temple called music and sound,
Gnaana vilakketri vaithenI lit the lamp of divine wisdom.
Yetri vaitha vilakkinilaeIn the flame of that lit lamp,
Ennai vida nee kidaithaai…aaaiiI found you, who is greater than myself.
Female
Naadhamenum kovililaeIn the temple called music and sound,
Gnaana vilakketri vaithenI lit the lamp of divine wisdom.
Yetri vaitha vilakkinilae …ae….In the flame of that lit lamp,
Ennai vida nee kidaithaai…aaaiiI found you, who is greater than myself.
Naadhamenum kovililaeIn the temple called music and sound,
Female
Ma dha ni dha sa..Solfège notations (Ma Dha Ni Dha Sa..)
Sa ni dha ma dha ma ga riSolfège notations (Sa Ni Dha Ma Dha Ma Ga Ri)
Ma ga ri sa ma ga ri saSolfège notations (Ma Ga Ri Sa Ma Ga Ri Sa)
Dha ma ga ri.. ni dha maSolfège notations (Dha Ma Ga Ri.. Ni Dha Ma)
Ga.. ma.. dha.. ni.. saSolfège notations (Ga.. Ma.. Dha.. Ni.. Sa)
Female
Isaiyum enakkisaiyumMusic complies with me and harmonizes,
Dhinam en manam thaan adhil asaiyumEvery day my heart sways along with it.
Isaiyum enakkisaiyumMusic complies with me and harmonizes,
Dhinam en manam thaan adhil asaiyumEvery day my heart sways along with it.
Karamum undhan siramumYour hand and your head,
Nee asaithaai naan isaithaenYou nodded to the rhythm, and I sang music.
Female
Naadhamenum kovililaeIn the temple called music and sound,
Gnaana vilakketri vaithenI lit the lamp of divine wisdom.
Yetri vaitha vilakkinilae …ae….In the flame of that lit lamp,
Ennai vida nee kidaithaai…aaaiiI found you, who is greater than myself.
Naadhamenum kovililaeIn the temple called music and sound,
Female
Aaa….aaa…haaa…aaa…..Aaa….aaa…haaa…aaa…..
Aaa….aaa…haaa…aaa…..Aaa….aaa…haaa…aaa…..
Female
Vilaiye enakkillaiyaeI have no price or material value,
Dhinam verum kadhaiyaanadhu kalaiyaeEvery day, art has become merely a story.
Vilaiye enakkillaiyaeI have no price or material value,
Dhinam verum kadhaiyaanadhu kalaiyaeEvery day, art has become merely a story.
Nilaiyae solli unaiyaaeExplaining my true state to you,
Naan azhaithaen uyir pizhaithenI called out and my soul survived.
Naadhamenum kovililaeIn the temple called music and sound,
Female
Ma dha ni dha sa..Solfège notations (Ma Dha Ni Dha Sa..)
Sa ni dha ma dha ma ga riSolfège notations (Sa Ni Dha Ma Dha Ma Ga Ri)
Ma ga ri sa ma ga ri saSolfège notations (Ma Ga Ri Sa Ma Ga Ri Sa)
Dha ma ga ri.. ni dha maSolfège notations (Dha Ma Ga Ri.. Ni Dha Ma)
Ga.. ma.. dha.. ni.. saSolfège notations (Ga.. Ma.. Dha.. Ni.. Sa)
Female
Iraivan ena oruvanSomeone akin to God Himself,
Enadhisaiyil mayangida varuvaanWill come to be spellbound by my music.
Iraivan ena oruvanSomeone akin to God Himself,
Enadhisaiyil mayangida varuvaanWill come to be spellbound by my music.
Rasigan endra peyarilIn the disguise of an admirer,
Indru avanthaan unnai koduthaanToday he himself bestowed you upon me.
Female
Naadhamenum kovililaeIn the temple called music and sound,
Gnaana vilakketri vaithenI lit the lamp of divine wisdom.
Yetri vaitha vilakkinilae …ae….In the flame of that lit lamp,
Ennai vida nee kidaithaai…aaaiiI found you, who is greater than myself.
Naadhamenum kovililaeIn the temple called music and sound

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song 'Naadhamenum Kovililae' from the 1976 movie Manmadha Leelai is a profound reflection on the spiritual connection between art, love, and divine grace. The protagonist describes music as a sacred temple where lighting the lamp of wisdom reveals a soulmate far more precious than oneself. The lyrics highlight how true art goes beyond material value and becomes a lifesaver for the soul.\n\nAs the protagonist performs, the music harmonizes with the listener's subtle gestures, establishing a deep emotional rapport. Ultimately, the song attributes the union of lovers to a God-like patron and connoisseur of art, who bestows true love as a reward for musical devotion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Naadhamenum kovililae / Gnaana vilakketri vaithen

Compares sound/music directly to a temple ('Naadhamenum kovil') and wisdom to a lamp ('Gnaana vilakku').

Sledai (Puns / Wordplay)

Isaiyum enakkisaiyum

Plays on the dual meaning of 'Isai' which means both 'Music' and 'to yield/agree' in 'Isaiyum enakkisaiyum'.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Nee asaithaai naan isaithaen

End-rhyming words such as 'asaithaen' and 'isaithaen' create a rhythmic harmony reflecting the dance and music described.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. S. Viswanathan and sung by Vani Jairam with lyrics by Kannadasan, this song is set in the classical Raga Charukesi. Vani Jairam's rendition of the intricate swara passages (solfège) earned immense critical acclaim for its classical purity within film music.

Keep listening

More from Manmadha Leelai