- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- S. Janaki
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Mohana Punnagai
- Movie release year
- 1981
- Lyrics added on
- 10 Jun 2022
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Thennilangai Mangai from the 1981 film Mohana Punnagai is a romantic and poetic song composed by M. S. Viswanathan and sung by S. Janaki. The lyrics by Vaali depict a lovely damsel bathing in a waterfall in southern Sri Lanka, describing herself as the younger sister of the glowing moon and comparing her presence to a blooming lotus flower. The song portrays nature coming alive around her: tall coconut palms lean over to catch a glimpse of her, the cool breeze brushes past her, sky clouds descend mistaking her dark hair for clouds, and stream fish seem to applaud her beauty. The cascading water cradles her like a mother, filling her solitary moments with enchanting romantic thoughts.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Vennilavin thangai”
Directly compares the maidens divine radiant skin to being the younger sister of the moon.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Thaamarai polae”
Uses the explicit comparative word polae (like) to compare her stance in the water to a lotus.
Personification (Tharkurippaetru Ani)
“Vaan parakkum thennai neeraadum ennai Yaen paarththu saaigindratho”
Attributes human traits of curiosity and leaning to tall coconut palm trees as they watch her bathe.
Simile (Uvamai)
“Saei pola ennai thanneerin vellam Thaai pola thaalaattutho”
Compares the rushing water comforting her to a mother lulling a child to sleep using saei pola and thaai pola.
Did you know?
Trivia
Mohana Punnagai (1981) starred Sivaji Ganesan and Jayabharathi in lead roles. Composed by M. S. Viswanathan, S. Janaki provided intricate vocal nuances and playful hums for this track, capturing the feeling of bathing playfully in a stream.
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