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Lyrics & meaning

Penn Manam

From Kanniyin Kadhali · 1949

Lyricist
Boomi Balakadas
Singer
K. Sarangapani
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Movie name
Kanniyin Kadhali
Movie release year
1949
Lyrics added on
9 Dec 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Penn manam orr nilai nillaadhu
Andha manmadha baanam pollaadhu
Penn manam orr nilai nillaadhu
Andha manmadha baanam pollaadhu
Perr perum gnyaanigal devargal moovargal
Perr perum gnyaanigal devargal moovargal
Yaavarum kaamanin maaigaiyil veezhndhanar
Yaavarum kaamanin maaigaiyil veezhndhanar
Penn manam orr nilai nillaadhu
Andha manmadha baanam pollaadhu
Venmadhi mandalam maevi nee irundhaalum
Veera vairaagiya viradham nee purindhaalum
Kadalukkul arankatti kanni nee marainthaalum
Kadalukkul arankatti kanni nee marainthaalum
Udalukkullae maaran udhayam aavadhu thinnam
Pennae udalukkullae maaran udhayam aavadhu thinnam
Penn manam orr nilai nillaadhu
Andha manmadha baanam pollaadhu
Veeenaaga pidivaadham seiyaadhae summa
Vaanaalai viruthaavil kazhikadhae amma
Yegaandha vaazhkkaiyai ennaadhae sadhama
Yegaandha vaazhkkaiyai ennaadhae sadhama
Irudhiyil avamaanam adaivaai nee thagumaa
Penn manam orr nilai nillaadhu
Andha manmadha baanam pollaadhu
Penn manam orr nilai nillaadhu
A woman's mind never stays steady,
and that arrow of Manmatha (the god of love) is cruel.
A woman's mind never stays steady,
and that arrow of Manmatha (the god of love) is cruel.
Renowned great sages, the gods, and the holy trinity,
renowned great sages, the gods, and the holy trinity,
have all fallen under the spell of the god of desire.
have all fallen under the spell of the god of desire.
A woman's mind never stays steady,
and that arrow of Manmatha (the god of love) is cruel.
Even if you go and live in the realm of the white moon,
even if you observe strict vows of fierce determination,
even if you hide behind a fortress built under the sea, young woman,
even if you hide behind a fortress built under the sea, young woman,
it is certain that the god of love will awaken within your body.
O woman, it is certain that the god of love will awaken within your body.
A woman's mind never stays steady,
and that arrow of Manmatha (the god of love) is cruel.
Do not just be stubborn for no reason,
do not waste your lifetime in vain, my dear.
Do not assume a lonely life will last forever,
do not assume a lonely life will last forever,
in the end you will face humiliation—is that fitting for you?
A woman's mind never stays steady,
and that arrow of Manmatha (the god of love) is cruel.
A woman's mind never stays steady.
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song reflects on the overwhelming and inescapable force of love and desire, symbolized by Manmadhan (Cupid). It asserts that a woman's heart is naturally inclined toward affection and cannot remain indefinitely detached or rigid. The lyrics emphasize that even mighty ascetics, devas, and gods have surrendered to the spell of love. The song cautions a young woman against retreating into extreme asceticism or stubborn isolation. Even if one tries to hide on the moon or beneath the sea, love will inevitably blossom within. It encourages embracing natural emotional bonds rather than wasting one's life in vain solitude.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Perr perum gnyaanigal devargal moovargal”

Repetition of the initial letter 'P' in 'Perr perum' creates a rhythmic cadence in the line.

Hyperbole (Exaggeration)

“Venmadhi mandalam maevi nee irundhaalum / Kadalukkul arankatti kanni nee marainthaalum”

The lyrics use extreme scenarios—living on the moon or building an underwater fortress—to emphasize that no place is far enough to escape romantic feelings.

Metaphor

“Udalukkullae maaran udhayam aavadhu thinnam”

'Maaran udhayam' (the rising of Kama/Cupid) is used as a metaphor for the awakening of romantic desire within human consciousness.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kanniyin Kadhali (1949), directed by K. Ramnoth and A. Kashturi Subba Rao, was an adaptation of William Shakespeare's famous play 'Twelfth Night'. It was one of the early Tamil films to adapt Western literary classics to the local cinematic landscape, produced under the Jupiter Pictures banner.

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