- Lyricist
- Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
- Singer
- T. V. Rathinam
- Music director
- G. Ramanathan
- Movie name
- Manimekalai
- Movie release year
- 1959
- Lyrics added on
- 24 Jan 2026
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
In this song from the 1959 Tamil film 'Manimekalai', the heroine passionately questions her prince who has chosen the path of renunciation. She pleads with him, asking how he can sleep peacefully and abandon her when she yearns for his affection like a celestial nymph (Rambha). She reminds him of his past love, how he married her claiming they were a perfect match, called her the apple of his eye, and showed tender love. She laments his transformation into an ascetic wearing saffron attire and carrying a water pot (kamandalam), pleading that she has done no wrong to deserve this separation.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Alliteration)
“Kannkolai saathi puttu / Kaashayam kattikittu / Kamandalathai yendhi kittu / Kanni ponnai yechu puttu”
Repetition of the 'Ka' sound across consecutive lines creates rhythmic flow: Kannkolai, Kaashayam, Kamandalathai, Kanni.
Metaphor / Hyperbole
“Unnalae indha rambaavum yengalaama”
The speaker compares herself to 'Rambha', the ultimate divine beauty of Hindu mythology, to emphasize her romantic devotion and allure.
Visual Imagery
“Kaashayam kattikittu / Kamandalathai yendhi kittu”
Evokes vivid visual details of renunciation through specific iconographic items like saffron robes (Kaashayam) and the holy water pitcher (Kamandalam).
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Kannana kannae endru / Kannathaiyum killi puttu”
Rhyming of the second letter 'tt' in 'Kattaana' and 'Kalyanam' (alliterative alignment) and 'Kannana' / 'Kannathaiyum'.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Manimekalai' (1959) is adapted from the celebrated ancient Tamil Buddhist epic of the same name written by Seethalai Saathanar. Composed by the legendary music director G. Ramanathan and written by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, the song showcases classic theatrical Tamil music composition styles of the late 1950s.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Manimekalai
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.