- Lyricist
- Gangai Amaran
- Singer
- S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Manjal Nila
- Movie release year
- 1982
- Lyrics added on
- 25 Mar 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Penn Mayilae' uses nature metaphors to paint a vivid picture of a young woman's emotional vulnerability and hopes for love. As she attempts to shape her future—symbolized by drawing a beautiful 'kolam' of love—unpredictable fate, represented by rain clouds, threatens to dissolve her efforts before they bloom. The lyrics capture her internal conflict and longing as she questions whether her desires will safely cross life's waters or capsize.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (உருவகம்)
“Penn mayilae anbu kolam varaigaiyilae”
Comparing the heroine to a female peacock ('Penn mayilae') and her desire to a boat ('Aasai ennum oodamae').
Personification (மாந்தரூபமாக்கல்)
“Megam sinthum neerilae bhoomi mangai neenthuvaal”
Attributes human traits to nature by describing Earth as a maiden swimming and the breeze as a singer.
Rhetorical Question (வினா நவிற்சி)
“Odam sendru serumo odum neeril saayumo”
The lyrics use questioning techniques to express the heroine's uncertainty about destiny and love.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Manjal Nila' (1982) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by his brother, Gangai Amaran. The song beautifully blends classical Tamil poetic tropes with filmic orchestration, emphasizing themes of devotion and destiny.
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