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En Rasavin Manasile album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Pen Manasu Azham Endru

From En Rasavin Manasile · 1991

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
En Rasavin Manasile
Movie release year
1991
Lyrics added on
28 Jun 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Penn manasu azhamendru
Aambalaiku theriyum
Adhu pombalaikkum theriyum
Antha azaththula enna undu
Yaarukku than theriyum
Adhu yaarukku than theriyum
Penn manasu azhamendru
Aambalaiku theriyum
Adhu pombalaikkum theriyum
Antha azaththula enna undu
Yaarukku than theriyum
Adhu yaarukku than theriyum
Adhil muthirukka
Mullu kuththirukka
Adhu yaarukku than theriyum
Adhu yaarukku than theriyum
Penn manasu azhamendru
Aambalaiku theriyum
Adhu pombalaikkum theriyum
Kallaanalum kanavan
Siru pullanalum purushan
Kall illaiyae
Indha magan kall illaiyae
Ullukkul kalangum manaivi
Dhinam thalli vachu
Manam vethumbi
Sollaliyae paavi maga sollaliyae
Raaniya pol vachirukka
Aasa patta kuthamillae
Thaeniyapol kottipputta
Chinna ponnu thappumillae
Katti vacha maalaigala
Athuputta yaar thavaru
Kotti vacha muthukkala
Korppadhingae yaar poruppu
Penn manasu azhamendru
Aambalaiku theriyum
Adhu pombalaikkum theriyum
Antha azaththula enna undu
Yaarukku than theriyum
Adhu yaarukku than theriyum
Adhil muthirukka
Mullu kuththirukka
Adhu yaarukku than theriyum
Adhu yaarukku than theriyum
Penn manasu azhamendru
Aambalaiku theriyum
Adhu pombalaikkum theriyum
Antha azaththula enna undu
Yaarukku than theriyum
Adhu yaarukku than theriyum
That a woman's heart is deep,
men know it well,
and women know it too.
But what lies in those depths,
who really knows?
Oh, who really knows?
That a woman's heart is deep,
men know it well,
and women know it too.
But what lies in those depths,
who really knows?
Oh, who really knows?
Is there a pearl inside,
or does a thorn prick within?
Who really knows?
Oh, who really knows?
That a woman's heart is deep,
men know it well,
and women know it too.
"Even if stone, he is the husband;
even if a blade of grass, he is the spouse."
Yet he is no stone,
this man is not made of stone.
The wife grieving deep inside,
kept at a distance every day,
her heart burning in pain,
the poor girl never spoke a word, she never told!
Wanting to keep her like a queen,
his wish was no crime.
She stung him like a bee,
yet the young girl is not at fault either.
If the woven garlands
are torn apart, whose fault is it?
When the pearls are scattered,
whose duty is it to string them back?
That a woman's heart is deep,
men know it well,
and women know it too.
But what lies in those depths,
who really knows?
Oh, who really knows?
Is there a pearl inside,
or does a thorn prick within?
Who really knows?
Oh, who really knows?
That a woman's heart is deep,
men know it well,
and women know it too.
But what lies in those depths,
who really knows?
Oh, who really knows?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Penn Manasu Azhamendru from En Rasavin Manasile (1991) is a poignant, philosophical song exploring the unfathomable depth of a woman's mind and emotion. Although everyone recognizes that a woman's mind runs deep, no one can easily discern whether those hidden depths harbor priceless pearls of affection or painful thorns of unexpressed grief. The song ponders the misunderstandings that arise in marriage, contrasting traditional societal expectations with the unspoken suffering of a young wife.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

“Adhil muthirukka / Mullu kuththirukka”

Compares the inner emotions and secrets of a woman's mind to hidden pearls ('muthu') or painful pricking thorns ('mullu').

Proverb / Cultural Allusion

“Kallaanalum kanavan / Siru pullanalum purushan”

Refers to the traditional Tamil adage 'Kallaanalum kanavan, pullaanalum purushan' to highlight marital duty and commitment.

Simile

“Thaeniyapol kottipputta”

Compares the woman's sharp, defensive reaction to the sudden sting of a honeybee ('Thaeniyapol').

Extended Metaphor

“Katti vacha maalaigala Athuputta yaar thavaru / Kotti vacha muthukkala Korppadhingae yaar poruppu”

Uses broken garlands and scattered pearls as a metaphor for fractured marital harmony and damaged relationships.

Did you know?

Trivia

En Rasavin Manasile (1991), directed by Kasthuri Raja, featured Rajkiran and Meena in leading roles. The music for the film was composed by Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja, who also penned lyrics and sang prominent tracks in the film. This song stands out for its folk-infused melody and reflective commentary on rural marital dynamics.

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From the same album

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En Rasavin ManasilePlayful
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En Rasavin ManasileMelancholic
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En Rasavin ManasileRomantic

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