- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Manmadha Leelai
- Movie release year
- 1976
- Lyrics added on
- 13 May 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This energetic song captures the hedonistic and carefree lifestyle of the protagonist in the film 'Manmadha Leelai'. The lyrics celebrate a playboy persona who pursues romance without societal inhibitions, comparing the women he meets to mythological celestial beauties like Menaka and Urvasi. By referencing deities like Indra and Chandra, the song humorously justifies a life filled with flirtation and romantic pursuits. Kannadasan uses playful questioning of societal norms, asking what truly defines sin, virtue, or propriety when it comes to love and desire. The blending of Tamil lyrics with trendy Hindi phrases underlines the cosmopolitan, jaunty urban spirit of 1970s cinema, portraying youth, freedom, and the pursuit of pleasure.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethugai (Second-letter rhyme)
“Netroru menagai indroru urvasi”
The second letter sound 't' (த்) in 'Netroru' rhymes with the second letter sound 'nd'/'t' in 'Indroru'.
Ethugai (Second-letter rhyme)
“Thandhiramenna mandhiramenna”
The second consonant group 'ndhi' (ந்தி) in 'Thandhiramenna' rhymes with 'mandhiramenna'.
Purana Ani / Mythological Allusion
“Indhiranukku ethanai undo / Chandhiranukku ethanai undo”
References Hindu mythological figures (Indra and Chandra) and their numerous consorts to metaphorically validate the protagonist's romantic escapades.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Dil ek mandhir hai / Ham dhono khusboo hai”
Directly equates the heart to a temple and the lovers to the fragrance within it.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Nadathu nadathu maharaajaa / Kadathu kadathu yuvaraajaa”
The lines end with rhyming titles 'maharaajaa' and 'yuvaraajaa'.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Manmadha Leelai' (1976) is a cult romantic drama directed by K. Balachander, starring Kamal Haasan in a landmark role as an unapologetic playboy named Madhu. Composed by legendary music director M.S. Viswanathan with vocals by S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, this track famously integrates Hindi phrases ('Meri Jhaan', 'Bulbul', 'Dil ek mandhir hai') to reflect the suave, modern, and youthful character portrayed by Kamal Haasan. Lyricist Kannadasan cleverly subverts traditional moral values in the song through lighthearted mythological comparisons.
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