Nalla Penmani Miga Nalla
From Manamagal · 1951
- Lyricist
- Udumalai Narayanakavi
- Singer
- T. A. Mathuram
- Music director
- C. R. Subbaraman
- Details
- Manamagal1951
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani | A good woman, a very good woman |
| Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani | A good woman, a very good woman |
| Thaai naattu naagareegam paeni | Nurturing the culture of her motherland |
| Nadappaval yevalo avalae | Whoever conducts herself thus, she alone is |
| Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani | A good woman, a very good woman |
| Thaai naattu naagareegam paeni | Nurturing the culture of her motherland |
| Nadappaval yevalo avalae | Whoever conducts herself thus, she alone is |
| Female | |
| Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani | A good woman, a very good woman |
| Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani | A good woman, a very good woman |
| Female | |
| Velli mulaithu saeval kozhi | When the morning star appears and the rooster |
| Koovidum vaelai | Crows at dawn |
| Vidi velli mulaithu saeval kozhi | When the morning star appears and the rooster |
| Koovidum vaelai | Crows at dawn |
| Than maeni kulithu azhukku neenga | Bathing her body to remove dirt |
| Thuvaikkanum saelai | She must wash her saree |
| Than maeni kulithu azhukku neenga | Bathing her body to remove dirt |
| Thuvaikkanum saelai | She must wash her saree |
| Pallikkoodam sell vaenum kaalaiyum maalai | She must go to school morning and evening |
| Pallikkoodam sell vaenum kaalaiyum maalai | She must go to school morning and evening |
| Nalla pazhakka vazhakkathodu noolai | With good habits and traditional values, scholarly books |
| Padippaval yevalo avalae | Whoever reads, she alone is |
| Female | |
| Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani | A good woman, a very good woman |
| Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani | A good woman, a very good woman |
| Female | |
| Ammaavukku udhaviyaaga | To be of help to her mother |
| Aakki pazhaganum | She must learn to cook |
| Soraakki pazhaganum | She must learn to cook meals |
| Aduppai mootti kootti perukku | Lighting the stove, sweeping and cleaning |
| Iduppai valaikkanum | She must bend her waist to work |
| Female | |
| Ammaavukku udhaviyaaga | To be of help to her mother |
| Aakki pazhaganum | She must learn to cook |
| Soraakki pazhaganum | She must learn to cook meals |
| Aduppai mootti kootti perukku | Lighting the stove, sweeping and cleaning |
| Iduppai valaikkanum | She must bend her waist to work |
| Female | |
| Appaa sollum ara neriyil | Along the moral path advised by her father |
| Thappaadhirukkanum | She must never stray |
| Appaa sollum ara neriyil | Along the moral path advised by her father |
| Thappaadhirukkanum | She must never stray |
| Dhinam acham payirppu madamai naanam | Daily embodying fear, modesty, innocence, and shy grace |
| Amaindhaval yevalo avalae | Whoever is adorned with these, she alone is |
| Female | |
| Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani | A good woman, a very good woman |
| Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani | A good woman, a very good woman |
| Female | |
| Pugundha idathil pirandha idathai | In her marital home, about her parental home |
| Pugazha koodaadhu | She should not boast |
| Konda purushanodu vambu sandai | With her married husband, unnecessary fights |
| Poda koodaadhu | She should not pick |
| Female | |
| Pugundha idathil pirandha idathai | In her marital home, about her parental home |
| Pugazha koodaadhu | She should not boast |
| Konda purushanodu vambu sandai | With her married husband, unnecessary fights |
| Poda koodaadhu | She should not pick |
| Female | |
| Igazhchiyaaga yevaraiyumae | Despisably toward anyone |
| Enna koodaadhu | She should not think or act |
| Igazhchiyaaga yevaraiyumae | Despisably toward anyone |
| Enna koodaadhu | She should not think or act |
| Pana yaettrathil irumaandhidaamal | Without becoming arrogant during economic prosperity |
| Iruppaval yevalo avalae | Whoever remains humble, she alone is |
| Female | |
| Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani | A good woman, a very good woman |
| Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani | A good woman, a very good woman |
| Female | |
| Pottu vaithu kolam kooda | Applying a bindi and drawing floor art |
| Poda theriyanum | She must know how to do |
| Pottu vaithu kolam kooda | Applying a bindi and drawing floor art |
| Poda theriyanum | She must know how to do |
| Buthi pugattum naattu paadal kooda | Even wisdom-imparting folk songs |
| Paada theriyanum… | She must know how to sing... |
நல்ல பெண்மணி மிக நல்ல பெண்மணி
நல்ல பெண்மணி மிக நல்ல பெண்மணி
தாய் நாட்டு நாகரீகம் பேணி
நடப்பவள் எவளோ அவளே
நல்ல பெண்மணி மிக நல்ல பெண்மணி
தாய் நாட்டு நாகரீகம் பேணி
நடப்பவள் எவளோ அவளே
A good woman, a very good woman
A good woman, a very good woman
Nurturing the culture of her motherland
Whoever conducts herself thus, she alone is
A good woman, a very good woman
Nurturing the culture of her motherland
Whoever conducts herself thus, she alone is
நல்ல பெண்மணி மிக நல்ல பெண்மணி
நல்ல பெண்மணி மிக நல்ல பெண்மணி
A good woman, a very good woman
A good woman, a very good woman
வெள்ளி முளைத்து சேவல் கோழி
கூவிடும் வேளை
விடி வெள்ளி முளைத்து சேவல் கோழி
கூவிடும் வேளை
தன் மேனி குளித்து அழுக்கு நீங்க
துவைக்கணும் சேலை
தன் மேனி குளித்து அழுக்கு நீங்க
துவைக்கணும் சேலை
பள்ளிக்கூடம் செல்ல வேணும் காலையும் மாலை
பள்ளிக்கூடம் செல்ல வேணும் காலையும் மாலை
நல்ல பழக்க வழக்கத்தோடு நூலை
படிப்பவள் எவளோ அவளே
When the morning star appears and the rooster
Crows at dawn
When the morning star appears and the rooster
Crows at dawn
Bathing her body to remove dirt
She must wash her saree
Bathing her body to remove dirt
She must wash her saree
She must go to school morning and evening
She must go to school morning and evening
With good habits and traditional values, scholarly books
Whoever reads, she alone is
நல்ல பெண்மணி மிக நல்ல பெண்மணி
நல்ல பெண்மணி மிக நல்ல பெண்மணி
A good woman, a very good woman
A good woman, a very good woman
அம்மாவுக்கு உதவியாக
ஆக்கிப் பழகணும்
சோறாக்கிப் பழகணும்
அடுப்பை மூட்டி கூட்டிப் பெருக்கி
இடுப்பை வளைக்கணும்
To be of help to her mother
She must learn to cook
She must learn to cook meals
Lighting the stove, sweeping and cleaning
She must bend her waist to work
அம்மாவுக்கு உதவியாக
ஆக்கிப் பழகணும்
சோறாக்கிப் பழகணும்
அடுப்பை மூட்டி கூட்டிப் பெருக்கி
இடுப்பை வளைக்கணும்
To be of help to her mother
She must learn to cook
She must learn to cook meals
Lighting the stove, sweeping and cleaning
She must bend her waist to work
அப்பா சொல்லும் அற நெறியில்
தப்பாதிருக்கணும்
அப்பா சொல்லும் அற நெறியில்
தப்பாதிருக்கணும்
தினம் அச்சம் பயிற்பு மடமை நாணம்
அமைந்தவள் எவளோ அவளே
Along the moral path advised by her father
She must never stray
Along the moral path advised by her father
She must never stray
Daily embodying fear, modesty, innocence, and shy grace
Whoever is adorned with these, she alone is
நல்ல பெண்மணி மிக நல்ல பெண்மணி
நல்ல பெண்மணி மிக நல்ல பெண்மணி
A good woman, a very good woman
A good woman, a very good woman
புகுந்த இடத்தில் பிறந்த இடத்தை
புகழக் கூடாது
கொண்ட புருஷனோடு வம்புச் சண்டை
போடக் கூடாது
In her marital home, about her parental home
She should not boast
With her married husband, unnecessary fights
She should not pick
புகுந்த இடத்தில் பிறந்த இடத்தை
புகழக் கூடாது
கொண்ட புருஷனோடு வம்புச் சண்டை
போடக் கூடாது
In her marital home, about her parental home
She should not boast
With her married husband, unnecessary fights
She should not pick
இகழ்ச்சியாக எவரையுமே
எண்ணக் கூடாது
இகழ்ச்சியாக எவரையுமே
எண்ணக் கூடாது
பண ஏற்றத்தில் இறுமாந்திடமல்
இருப்பவள் எவளோ அவளே
Despisably toward anyone
She should not think or act
Despisably toward anyone
She should not think or act
Without becoming arrogant during economic prosperity
Whoever remains humble, she alone is
நல்ல பெண்மணி மிக நல்ல பெண்மணி
நல்ல பெண்மணி மிக நல்ல பெண்மணி
A good woman, a very good woman
A good woman, a very good woman
பொட்டு வைத்து கோலம் கூட
போடத் தெரியணும்
பொட்டு வைத்து கோலம் கூட
போடத் தெரியணும்
புத்தி புகட்டும் நாட்டு பாடல் கூட
பாடத் தெரியணும்...
Applying a bindi and drawing floor art
She must know how to do
Applying a bindi and drawing floor art
She must know how to do
Even wisdom-imparting folk songs
She must know how to sing...
Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani
A good woman, a very good woman
Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani
A good woman, a very good woman
Thaai naattu naagareegam paeni
Nurturing the culture of her motherland
Nadappaval yevalo avalae
Whoever conducts herself thus, she alone is
Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani
A good woman, a very good woman
Thaai naattu naagareegam paeni
Nurturing the culture of her motherland
Nadappaval yevalo avalae
Whoever conducts herself thus, she alone is
Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani
A good woman, a very good woman
Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani
A good woman, a very good woman
Velli mulaithu saeval kozhi
When the morning star appears and the rooster
Koovidum vaelai
Crows at dawn
Vidi velli mulaithu saeval kozhi
When the morning star appears and the rooster
Koovidum vaelai
Crows at dawn
Than maeni kulithu azhukku neenga
Bathing her body to remove dirt
Thuvaikkanum saelai
She must wash her saree
Than maeni kulithu azhukku neenga
Bathing her body to remove dirt
Thuvaikkanum saelai
She must wash her saree
Pallikkoodam sell vaenum kaalaiyum maalai
She must go to school morning and evening
Pallikkoodam sell vaenum kaalaiyum maalai
She must go to school morning and evening
Nalla pazhakka vazhakkathodu noolai
With good habits and traditional values, scholarly books
Padippaval yevalo avalae
Whoever reads, she alone is
Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani
A good woman, a very good woman
Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani
A good woman, a very good woman
Ammaavukku udhaviyaaga
To be of help to her mother
Aakki pazhaganum
She must learn to cook
Soraakki pazhaganum
She must learn to cook meals
Aduppai mootti kootti perukku
Lighting the stove, sweeping and cleaning
Iduppai valaikkanum
She must bend her waist to work
Ammaavukku udhaviyaaga
To be of help to her mother
Aakki pazhaganum
She must learn to cook
Soraakki pazhaganum
She must learn to cook meals
Aduppai mootti kootti perukku
Lighting the stove, sweeping and cleaning
Iduppai valaikkanum
She must bend her waist to work
Appaa sollum ara neriyil
Along the moral path advised by her father
Thappaadhirukkanum
She must never stray
Appaa sollum ara neriyil
Along the moral path advised by her father
Thappaadhirukkanum
She must never stray
Dhinam acham payirppu madamai naanam
Daily embodying fear, modesty, innocence, and shy grace
Amaindhaval yevalo avalae
Whoever is adorned with these, she alone is
Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani
A good woman, a very good woman
Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani
A good woman, a very good woman
Pugundha idathil pirandha idathai
In her marital home, about her parental home
Pugazha koodaadhu
She should not boast
Konda purushanodu vambu sandai
With her married husband, unnecessary fights
Poda koodaadhu
She should not pick
Pugundha idathil pirandha idathai
In her marital home, about her parental home
Pugazha koodaadhu
She should not boast
Konda purushanodu vambu sandai
With her married husband, unnecessary fights
Poda koodaadhu
She should not pick
Igazhchiyaaga yevaraiyumae
Despisably toward anyone
Enna koodaadhu
She should not think or act
Igazhchiyaaga yevaraiyumae
Despisably toward anyone
Enna koodaadhu
She should not think or act
Pana yaettrathil irumaandhidaamal
Without becoming arrogant during economic prosperity
Iruppaval yevalo avalae
Whoever remains humble, she alone is
Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani
A good woman, a very good woman
Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani
A good woman, a very good woman
Pottu vaithu kolam kooda
Applying a bindi and drawing floor art
Poda theriyanum
She must know how to do
Pottu vaithu kolam kooda
Applying a bindi and drawing floor art
Poda theriyanum
She must know how to do
Buthi pugattum naattu paadal kooda
Even wisdom-imparting folk songs
Paada theriyanum…
She must know how to sing...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song outlines the ideal qualities of a 'Nalla Penmani' (good woman) according to traditional Tamil social values of the mid-20th century. Written by Udumalai Narayanakavi, the song details daily discipline, personal hygiene, education, filial duty, domestic responsibilities, moral integrity, and social etiquette.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)
“Pugundha idathil pirandha idathai / Konda purushanodu vambu sandai”
Matching second consonants across lines, such as 'Pugundha' and 'Konda' or 'Velli' and 'Than'.
Monaai (Alliteration)
“Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani / Nadappaval yevalo avalae”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds within a line or across adjacent lines, such as 'Nalla' and 'Nadappaval'.
Anaphora (Repetition)
“Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani”
Repeated refrain 'Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani' emphasizing the central theme of exemplary womanhood throughout the song.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Manamagal' (1951) was directed by N. S. Krishnan and starred Padmini and S. V. Sahasranamam. Lyricist Udumalai Narayanakavi was known for using film lyrics as a medium to promote social reform and ethical values.
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