- Lyricist
- Udumalai Narayanakavi
- Singer
- T. A. Mathuram
- Music director
- C. R. Subbaraman
- Movie name
- Manamagal
- Movie release year
- 1951
- Lyrics added on
- 4 Mar 2020
Lyrics & meaning
♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani
Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani
Thaai naattu naagareegam paeni
Nadappaval yevalo avalae
Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani
Thaai naattu naagareegam paeni
Nadappaval yevalo avalae
Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani
Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani
Velli mulaithu saeval kozhi
Koovidum vaelai
Vidi velli mulaithu saeval kozhi
Koovidum vaelai
Than maeni kulithu azhukku neenga
Thuvaikkanum saelai
Than maeni kulithu azhukku neenga
Thuvaikkanum saelai
Pallikkoodam sell vaenum kaalaiyum maalai
Pallikkoodam sell vaenum kaalaiyum maalai
Nalla pazhakka vazhakkathodu noolai
Padippaval yevalo avalae
Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani
Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani
Ammaavukku udhaviyaaga
Aakki pazhaganum
Soraakki pazhaganum
Aduppai mootti kootti perukku
Iduppai valaikkanum
Ammaavukku udhaviyaaga
Aakki pazhaganum
Soraakki pazhaganum
Aduppai mootti kootti perukku
Iduppai valaikkanum
Appaa sollum ara neriyil
Thappaadhirukkanum
Appaa sollum ara neriyil
Thappaadhirukkanum
Dhinam acham payirppu madamai naanam
Amaindhaval yevalo avalae
Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani
Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani
Pugundha idathil pirandha idathai
Pugazha koodaadhu
Konda purushanodu vambu sandai
Poda koodaadhu
Pugundha idathil pirandha idathai
Pugazha koodaadhu
Konda purushanodu vambu sandai
Poda koodaadhu
Igazhchiyaaga yevaraiyumae
Enna koodaadhu
Igazhchiyaaga yevaraiyumae
Enna koodaadhu
Pana yaettrathil irumaandhidaamal
Iruppaval yevalo avalae
Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani
Nalla penmani miga nalla penmani
Pottu vaithu kolam kooda
Poda theriyanum
Pottu vaithu kolam kooda
Poda theriyanum
Buthi pugattum naattu paadal kooda
Paada theriyanum…
A good woman, a truly good woman!
A good woman, a truly good woman!
The one who upholds our homeland's culture
and conducts herself with dignity, she alone is
a good woman, a truly good woman!
The one who upholds our homeland's culture
and conducts herself with dignity, she alone is
a good woman, a truly good woman!
A good woman, a truly good woman!
When the morning star rises and the rooster
crows at the break of dawn,
when the morning star rises and the rooster
crows at the break of dawn,
she must bathe her body clean
and wash her sari spotless;
she must bathe her body clean
and wash her sari spotless;
She must go to school morning and evening,
she must go to school morning and evening,
and along with good habits and manners,
whoever studies her books with care, she alone is
a good woman, a truly good woman!
A good woman, a truly good woman!
To be of help to her mother,
she must learn to cook,
she must learn to prepare food;
lighting the hearth, sweeping and cleaning,
she should bend her waist in hard work;
To be of help to her mother,
she must learn to cook,
she must learn to prepare food;
lighting the hearth, sweeping and cleaning,
she should bend her waist in hard work;
From the righteous path her father teaches,
she must never go astray;
From the righteous path her father teaches,
she must never go astray;
With moral restraint, purity, innocence, and modesty,
whoever is blessed with these virtues, she alone is
a good woman, a truly good woman!
A good woman, a truly good woman!
In her husband's home, her parents' house
she must never boast about;
with the husband she has wed, petty quarrels
she should never pick;
In her husband's home, her parents' house
she must never boast about;
with the husband she has wed, petty quarrels
she should never pick;
With contempt or disrespect,
she must never look down on anyone;
With contempt or disrespect,
she must never look down on anyone;
Without growing arrogant with rising wealth,
whoever stays grounded and humble, she alone is
a good woman, a truly good woman!
A good woman, a truly good woman!
Wearing a pottu (forehead dot), even a kolam (decorative floor pattern)
she should know how to draw;
Wearing a pottu (forehead dot), even a kolam (decorative floor pattern)
she should know how to draw;
Wise folk songs that impart good sense,
she should also know how to sing...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
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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