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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oh Maname

From Ullam Ketkumae · 2005

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Hariharan
Music director
Harris Jayaraj
Details
Ullam Ketkumae2005

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oh manamae oh manamaeOh my heart, oh my heart
Ullirundhu azhuvadhu yen…Why are you crying from deep within?
Oh manamae oh manamaeOh my heart, oh my heart
Sillu sillaai udaindhadhu yen…Why did you shatter into tiny pieces?
Male
Mazhaiyai thaanae yaasithomWe only asked for rain
Kanneer thuligalai thandhadhu yaar..Who gave us tear drops instead?
Pookal thaanae yaasithomWe only asked for flowers
Koolaan karkalai erindhadhu yaar…Who threw pebbles at us?
Male
Oh manamae oh manamaeOh my heart, oh my heart
Ullirundhu azhuvadhu yen…Why are you crying from deep within?
Oh manamae oh manamaeOh my heart, oh my heart
Sillu sillaai udaindhadhu yen…Why did you shatter into tiny pieces?
Male
Meghathai izhuthu porvaiyaai virithuPulling the clouds and spreading them like a blanket
Vaanathil urangida aasaiyadiI desired to sleep in the sky, my dear
Namm aasai udaithu naar naaraai kizhithuShattering our desires and tearing them to shreds
Mullukkul erindhadhu kaadhaladiLove threw it into the thorns, my dear
Male
Kanavukullae kaadhalai thandhaaiInside my dreams, you gave me love
Kanuka dhorum muthamAnd kisses on every pore
Kanavu kalaindhu ezhundhu paarthaalWhen I woke up as the dream shattered
Kaigal muzhuka raththamMy hands were covered in blood
Male
Thulaigal indri naayanama…Can a reed pipe make music without holes?
Tholvigal indri pooranama….Can life be complete without failures?
Male
Oh manamae oh manamaeOh my heart, oh my heart
Ullirundhu azhuvadhu yen…Why are you crying from deep within?
Oh manamae oh manamaeOh my heart, oh my heart
Sillu sillaai udaindhadhu yen…Why did you shatter into tiny pieces?
Chorus
……………………………
Male
Inbathil pirandhu inbathil valarndhuBorn in joy and raised in joy
Inbathil madindhavan yaarumillaiNo one has died purely in joy
Thunbathil pirandhu thunbathil valarndhuBorn in sorrow and raised in sorrow
Thunbathil mudindhavan yaarum illaiNo one's life has ended purely in sorrow
Male
Inbam paadhi thunbamum paadhiHalf is joy and half is sorrow
Irandum vaazhvin anghamBoth are integral parts of life
Neruppil vendhu neerinil kulithaalOnly when baked in fire and bathed in water
Nagaiyaai maarum thangamDoes gold transform into fine jewelry
Male
Tholviyum konjam vendumadiA little failure is also necessary, my dear
Vetrikku adhuvae yeniyadiThat itself is the ladder to success, my dear
Male
Oh manamae oh manamaeOh my heart, oh my heart
Ullirundhu azhuvadhu yen…Why are you crying from deep within?
Oh manamae oh manamaeOh my heart, oh my heart
Sillu sillaai udaindhadhu yen…Why did you shatter into tiny pieces?
Male
Mazhaiyai thaanae yaasithomWe only asked for rain
Kanneer thuligalai thandhadhu yaar..Who gave us tear drops instead?
Pookal thaanae yaasithomWe only asked for flowers
Koolaan karkalai erindhadhu yaar…yaar…Who threw pebbles at us, who?
Male
Oh manamae oh manamaeOh my heart, oh my heart
Ullirundhu azhuvadhu yen…Why are you crying from deep within?
Oh manamae oh manamae….Oh my heart, oh my heart...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Oh Maname' from Ullam Ketkumae is an introspective lament addressed directly to one's own aching heart following severe heartbreak and disappointment. The protagonist questions why life responded with tears and pain when all they asked for was happiness and love. The first half explores the agony of shattered dreams, comparing lost love to falling into thorns and waking up with bloodied hands.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Neruppil vendhu neerinil kulithaal / Nagaiyaai maarum thangam

Comparing human emotional growth through suffering to gold being melted in fire and cooled in water to turn into beautiful jewelry.

Muran (Antithesis)

Inbam paadhi thunbamum paadhi

Contrasting two opposing emotional states—joy (Inbam) and sorrow (Thunbam)—to illustrate balance in human existence.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Inbathil pirandhu... / Thunbathil pirandhu...

The second letter sound ('n') in 'Inbathil' and 'Thunbathil' creates a classic Tamil poetic rhyme scheme.

Rhetorical Question

Thulaigal indri naayanama… / Tholvigal indri pooranama….

Posing questions with obvious answers (a pipe instrument needs holes to make music, just as life needs setbacks to be complete).

Did you know?

Trivia

'Ullam Ketkumae' (2005) was directed by late cinematographer-director Jeeva, featuring iconic music by Harris Jayaraj. The film served as a major launchpad/breakthrough for actors Arya, Asin, Shaam, Laila, and Pooja. Lyricist Vairamuthu wrote the song 'Oh Maname' as a deeply philosophical reflection on emotional resilience.

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