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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pen Mayile

From Manjal Nila · 1982

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Manjal Nila1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Penn mayilae anbu kolam varaigaiyilaeO female peacock, when drawing a threshold pattern of love,
Penn mayilae anbu kolam varaigaiyilaeO female peacock, when drawing a threshold pattern of love,
Vinnil nindru mannil vanthuDescending from the sky onto the earth,
Antha kolam karaiya megam pozhinthathuThe rain clouds poured to dissolve that tender pattern.
Female
Penn mayilae anbu kolam varaigaiyilaeO female peacock, when drawing a threshold pattern of love,
Female
Megam sinthum neerilae bhoomi mangai neenthuvaalIn the water shed by the clouds, Mother Earth shall swim,
Megam sinthum neerilae bhoomi mangai neenthuvaalIn the water shed by the clouds, Mother Earth shall swim,
Kadhal mangai neenthavaeFor this maiden of love to swim across,
Megam ondru thondrumoWill a cloud emerge?
Kodai naalilae….ae….aa….aa…aa…aa….On a summer day... ah... ah...
Kodai naalilae thendral paadumaeOn a summer day, the gentle breeze shall sing,
Paavai vaazhvilae thogai aadumoIn this maiden's life, will the peacock feathers spread and dance?
Thaen vasantham pookalilae panjanai virikkumoWill the sweet spring season lay out a bed of flowers?
Female
Penn mayilae anbu kolam varaigaiyilaeO female peacock, when drawing a threshold pattern of love,
Female
Aasai ennum oodamae anbu nenjil oodutheThe boat named desire floats within a loving heart,
Aasai ennum oodamae anbu nenjil oodutheThe boat named desire floats within a loving heart,
Odam sendru serumo odum neeril saayumoWill the boat reach its shore, or tilt and capsize in the running water?
Devan sannathi….ee….aa….aa….aa….aa…The shrine of God... ah... ah...
Devan sannathi kannil thondrumoWill the sanctuary of the Divine appear before my eyes?
Pogum paadhaiyil kaval serumoWill distress gather along the path I walk?
Naan thodukkum maalaigalum kovilil thavazhumoWill the garlands I weave adorn the temple deity?
Female
Penn mayilae anbu kolam varaigaiyilaeO female peacock, when drawing a threshold pattern of love,
Vinnil nindru mannil vanthuDescending from the sky onto the earth,
Antha kolam karaiya megam pozhinthathuThe rain clouds poured to dissolve that tender pattern.
Female
Penn mayilae anbu kolam varaigaiyilae……O female peacock, when drawing a threshold pattern of love...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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