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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pillai Manam

From Oru Malarin Payanam · 1985

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
Raj Seetharaman, Vani Jairam
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Oru Malarin Payanam1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Pillai manam vellai manamA child's mind is an innocent, pure mind
Ullaththilae un anbu seedhanamIn my heart, your love is the ultimate gift
Female
Pillai manamA child's mind
Female :Lalal lalalaaFemale vocalization: Lalal lalalaa
Female :Vellai manamAn innocent mind
Female :Lalal lalalaaFemale vocalization: Lalal lalalaa
Female :UllaththilaeIn the heart
Female :Lalal lalalaaFemale vocalization: Lalal lalalaa
Female :Un anbu seedhanamYour love is the ultimate gift
Male
Ennai en nenjam ariyumMy inner heart knows my true self
Edhai naan ini solla mudiyumWhat else can I possibly say now?
Idhayam irandaaga illaiThe heart is not divided into two
Irunthaal yaen intha thollaiIf it were divided, why would there be this turmoil?
Female
Pillai manam vellai manamA child's mind is an innocent, pure mind
Ullaththilae un anbu seedhanamIn my heart, your love is the ultimate gift
Female
Karaigalai thedum kadalalai paarthaenI watched the ocean waves searching for the shores
Alaikalil thondrum innisai kaettenI heard sweet melody emerging from the waves
Karaigalai thedum kadalalai paarthaenI watched the ocean waves searching for the shores
Alaikalil thondrum innisai kaettenI heard sweet melody emerging from the waves
Male
Vaarththai ellam vaazhkkai allaWords alone do not make up a life
Un mugam paarththae naan vaazhvaenI will live just by looking at your face
Female
{Pillai manam{A child's mind
Female :Lalal lalalaaFemale vocalization: Lalal lalalaa
Female :Vellai manamAn innocent mind
Female :Lalal lalalaaFemale vocalization: Lalal lalalaa
Female :UllaththilaeIn the heart
Female :Lalal lalalaaFemale vocalization: Lalal lalalaa
Female :Un anbu seedhanam} (2)Your love is the ultimate gift} (repeated twice)
Male
Ponmani veenai puzhuthiyil ingaeA golden veena lying discarded in the dust here
En manam thannil nimmathi engaeWhere is peace within my mind?
Ponmani veenai puzhuthiyil ingaeA golden veena lying discarded in the dust here
En manam thannil nimmathi engaeWhere is peace within my mind?
Female
Kannil imai enna sumaiHow can eyelids ever be a burden to the eyes?
Un mugam paarththae naan vaazhvaenI will live just by looking at your face
Female
Pillai manamA child's mind
Female :Lalal lalalaaFemale vocalization: Lalal lalalaa
Female :Vellai manamAn innocent mind
Female :Lalal lalalaaFemale vocalization: Lalal lalalaa
Female :UllaththilaeIn the heart
Female :Lalal lalalaaFemale vocalization: Lalal lalalaa
Female :Un anbu seedhanamYour love is the ultimate gift
Male
Ennai en nenjam ariyumMy inner heart knows my true self
Edhai naan ini solla mudiyumWhat else can I possibly say now?
Idhayam irandaaga illaiThe heart is not divided into two
Irunthaal yaen intha thollaiIf it were divided, why would there be this turmoil?
Female
Pillai manam vellai manamA child's mind is an innocent, pure mind
Ullaththilae un anbu seedhanamIn my heart, your love is the ultimate gift
Female
………………...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Pillai Manam Vellai Manam' centers on theme of pure love, emotional innocence, and quiet suffering. The speaker reflects on a mind as pure and untainted as a child's ('Pillai manam vellai manam'), cherishing the beloved's affection as a priceless gift ('seedhanam'). Despite feeling lost and comparing their troubled soul to a precious golden instrument lying ignored in dust, the speaker finds singular hope and life's true meaning in the mere sight of the beloved's face.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Ponmani veenai puzhuthiyil ingae

Compares a pure, precious, yet mistreated mind/life to a golden veena lying neglected in dust.

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa)

Kannil imai enna sumai

Questions how an eyelid could ever feel like a burden to the eye, metaphorically asserting that beloved people or true love can never be a burden.

Edukai (Second Letter Rhyming)

Pillai manam / Ullaththilae un anbu seedhanam

The second consonant sound 'll' is repeated across lines ('Pillai' / 'Ullaththilae').

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Karaigalai thedum kadalalai paarthaen

Repetition of the initial sound 'ka' across words in the line ('Karaigalai', 'kadalalai').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Oru Malarin Payanam' (1985) was directed by Muktha Srinivasan and starred Lakshmi, Murali, and Urvashi. The lyrics were written by the renowned poet Pulamaipithan, known for introducing rich classical Tamil metaphors into film lyrics.

Keep listening

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