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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pennin Perumaiye

From Manaivi · 1969

Lyricist
Mayavanathan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Manaivi1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Pennin perumaiyae perumaiThe greatness of a woman is the true greatness,
Pennin perumaiyae perumaiThe greatness of a woman is the true greatness,
Anbudan panbum aasaiyum paasamumWith love, culture, desires, and affection,
Anbudan panbum aasaiyum paasamumWith love, culture, desires, and affection,
Azhagum gunamum iyarkkaiyil amaindhaNaturally endowed with beauty and good character,
Pennin perumaiyae perumaiThe greatness of a woman is the true greatness.
Female
Aandavan ulagathai padaithu vittanGod created the world,
Andrudan paniyai mudithu kondaanAnd completed His task on that very day.
Aandavan ulagathai padaithu vittanGod created the world,
Andrudan paniyai mudithu kondaanAnd completed His task on that very day.
Avan padaitha ulagathai kaathidavaeTo protect the world that He created,
Padaitha ulagathai kaathidavaeTo protect the world that He created,
Panbulla pennai anuppi veithaanHe sent forth a virtuous woman.
Pennin perumaiyae perumaiThe greatness of a woman is the true greatness.
Female
Mangala ninaivugal manadhinil malargaMay auspicious thoughts blossom in the mind,
Manjal kungumam manaiyinil vaazhgaMay turmeric and vermilion flourish in the household.
Mangala ninaivugal manadhinil malargaMay auspicious thoughts blossom in the mind,
Manjal kungumam manaiyinil vaazhgaMay turmeric and vermilion flourish in the household.
Nenjin kanivu kangalil vilangaMay the tenderness of the heart shine through the eyes,
Nenjin kanivu kangalil vilangaMay the tenderness of the heart shine through the eyes,
Nettriyil thilagam azhagudan thulangumAdorned beautifully with a bindi upon her forehead,
Pennin perumaiyae perumaiThe greatness of a woman is the true greatness.
Female
Pirandha veetin per vilangaTo bring glory to the home where you were born,
Nee puguntha veettil vaazhndhidugaMay you thrive in the home you enter through marriage.
Pirandha veetin per vilangaTo bring glory to the home where you were born,
Nee puguntha veettil vaazhndhidugaMay you thrive in the home you enter through marriage.
Indha arivurai thaan en seervarisaiThis advice itself is my dowry gift to you,
Arivurai thaan en seervarisaiThis advice itself is my dowry gift,
Idhai peruvadhu thaan un kula perumaiTo receive this wisdom is the pride of your family lineage.
Female
Pennin perumaiyae perumaiThe greatness of a woman is the true greatness.
Anbudan panbum aasaiyum paasamumWith love, culture, desires, and affection,
Azhagum gunamum iyarkkaiyil amaindhaNaturally endowed with beauty and good character,
Pennin perumaiyae perumaiThe greatness of a woman is the true greatness,
Tamil pennin perumaiyae perumaiThe greatness of a Tamil woman is the true greatness.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song from the film Manaivi (1969), composed by K. V. Mahadevan and rendered by P. Susheela, celebrates womanhood and traditional values. The song asserts that God finished His work of creation and sent virtuous women to nurture and protect the world. It provides parental blessings and advice to a bride, emphasizing that her moral character, auspiciousness (represented by manjal and kungumam), and adherence to traditional virtues bring glory to both her natal home and her marital home.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Mogana / Monai (Alliteration)

Panbulla pennai anuppi veithaan

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'p' in 'Panbulla pennai anuppi veithaan'.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Anbudan panbum aasaiyum paasamum

The second letter 'n' matches across lines: 'Anbudan' / 'Azhagum' / 'Panbulla' in thematic verse structures.

Anaphora / Repetition

Pennin perumaiyae perumai

The refrain 'Pennin perumaiyae perumai' repeats at the end of each stanza to reinforce the central motif.

Cultural Metaphor

Manjal kungumam manaiyinil vaazhga

'Manjal kungumam' symbolizes marital sanctity, auspiciousness, and domestic prosperity in Tamil culture.

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Trivia

The song is composed by the legendary 'Thirai Isai Thilagam' K. V. Mahadevan, famous for his melodious and traditional compositions in Tamil cinema during the 1960s. Sung by P. Susheela, this song remains a popular wedding song playing in traditional Tamil marriage functions.

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