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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ponn Maanai Theduthe

From Oh Maane Maane · 1984

Lyricist
Mu. Metha
Singer
Kamal Haasan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Oh Maane Maane1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pon maanai theduthaeSearches for the golden deer
En veenai paaduthaeMy veena sings
Un paarvai thoduththathuYour gaze threaded
Enakkoru poo maalaiA garland of flowers for me
Sugam thara nadanthathuWalked to offer pleasure
Un paarvai thoduththathuYour gaze threaded
Enakkoru poo maalaiA garland of flowers for me
Sugam thara nadanthathu poonjcholaiThe flower garden walked to grant comfort
Paapap pappap paapap pappa….Paapap pappap paapap pappa....
Male
Pon maanai theduthaeSearches for the golden deer
En veenai paaduthaeMy veena sings
Male
Mana thaer meedhilae aasaigal oorvalamA procession of desires atop the chariot of the mind
Varum yaar vaazhvilum kaadhalae porkkalamIn anyone's life, love becomes a battlefield
Madikalil thoongum malligaiJasmine sleeping upon the lap
Kodiyinil thoranamFestoons decorating the vine
Ilakkanam meerum paadalil Iru vizhi moanamIn a song breaking grammatical rules, two eyes hold silent meditation
Male
Thazhuvum pozhutho neruppum kulirumWhen embracing, even fire feels cool
Pirivim ninaivil nizhalum eriyumIn the memory of separation, even a shadow burns
Azhagae…..raapap pappa parap pappa…..Oh beautiful one... raapap pappa parap pappa...
Male
Pon maanai theduthaeSearches for the golden deer
En veenai paaduthaeMy veena sings
Un paarvai thoduththathuYour gaze threaded
Enakkoru poo maalaiA garland of flowers for me
Sugam thara nadanthathuWalked to offer pleasure
Un paarvai thoduththathuYour gaze threaded
Enakkoru poo maalaiA garland of flowers for me
Sugam thara nadanthathu poonjcholaiThe flower garden walked to grant comfort
Paapap pappap paapap pappa….Paapap pappap paapap pappa....
Male
Pon maanai theduthaeSearches for the golden deer
En veenai paaduthaeMy veena sings
Male
Unai naan paarkkiraenI look at you
Dhevathai kolamaeAppearing as an angelic deity
Enai nee thedinaai kovilil vaazhavaeYou sought me out to live in a temple
Male
Nadanthidum kaalam yaavumaeAll the passing time ahead
Namathena aagumaeWill become ours
Unakkena paadum paadalilIn the song sung especially for you
Ulagamum aadumaeThe entire world will dance
Male
Nadhiyin thodakkam kadalil kalakkumA river's origin eventually merges into the ocean
Enakkum unakkum ilamai pazhakkamBetween you and me, youth has an intimate familiarity
Thamizhae…..raapap pappa parap pappa…..Oh Tamil language... raapap pappa parap pappa...
Male
Pon maanai theduthaeSearches for the golden deer
En veenai paaduthaeMy veena sings
Un paarvai thoduththathuYour gaze threaded
Enakkoru poo maalaiA garland of flowers for me
Sugam thara nadanthathuWalked to offer pleasure
Un paarvai thoduththathuYour gaze threaded
Enakkoru poo maalaiA garland of flowers for me
Sugam thara nadanthathu poonjcholaiThe flower garden walked to grant comfort
Paapap pappap paapap pappa….Paapap pappap paapap pappa....
Male
Pon maanai theduthaeSearches for the golden deer
En veenai paaduthaeMy veena sings
Male
………………….....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Pon Maanai Theduthae from the 1984 film Oh Maane Maane is a classic romantic song expressing intense passion, affection, and emotional unity between lovers. The song uses vivid imagery—comparing the beloved to a golden deer, a garden of flowers, and an angelic presence—to convey how love transforms everyday reality into a poetic experience.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emoni (Second-letter Rhyme)

Pon maanai theduthae / En veenai paaduthae

The second consonant 'n' (ன) is repeated across consecutive line beginnings ('Pon' / 'En').

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Varum yaar vaazhvilum kaadhalae porkkalam

Love is directly compared to a battlefield ('porkkalam'), depicting the internal conflict and intensity love brings to life.

Oxymoron / Paradox

Thazhuvum pozhutho neruppum kulirum / Pirivim ninaivil nizhalum eriyum

Contrasting elements (fire feeling cool during embrace, shadows burning during separation) are used to emphasize physical and emotional intensity.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Oh Maane Maane' stars Mohan and Urvashi in lead roles. The music was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by the renowned Tamil poet Mu. Metha, known for blending modern free-verse sensibilities with classic Tamil film music.

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