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Lyrics & meaning

Thennilangai Mangai

From Mohana Punnagai · 1981

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Mohana Punnagai1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
……………....
Female
Thennilangai mangaiThe damsel from Southern Lanka
Vennilavin thangaiThe younger sister of the white moon
Thenaruvi neeraadinaalBathed in a waterfall of sweet honey
Thaamarai polaeLike a lotus flower
Poo magalum nindraadinaalThe flower-like maiden stood and danced
Female
Thennilangai mangaiThe damsel from Southern Lanka
Vennilavin thangaiThe younger sister of the white moon
Thenaruvi neeraadinaalBathed in a waterfall of sweet honey
Thaamarai polaeLike a lotus flower
Poo magalum nindraadinaalThe flower-like maiden stood and danced
Female
Thennilangai mangaiThe damsel from Southern Lanka
Vennilavin thangaiThe younger sister of the white moon
Thenaruvi neeraadinaalBathed in a waterfall of sweet honey
Thaamarai polaeLike a lotus flower
Poo magalum nindraadinaalThe flower-like maiden stood and danced
Female
Vaan parakkum thennai neeraadum ennaiThe coconut trees reaching up to the sky, as I bathe
Yaen paarththu saaigindrathoWhy do they lean over while watching me?
Vaan parakkum thennai neeraadum ennaiThe coconut trees reaching up to the sky, as I bathe
Yaen paarththu saaigindrathoWhy do they lean over while watching me?
Female
Poontheril yaeri pogindra thendralThe gentle breeze riding on a flower chariot
En meedhu paaigindrathoDoes it leap upon me?
Aagaaya megam naan konda koonthalMistaking my long tresses for clouds in the sky
Thaanendru enni tharai vanthu serumThinking it is itself, it descends down to the earth
Female
Thennilangai mangaiThe damsel from Southern Lanka
Vennilavin thangaiThe younger sister of the white moon
Thenaruvi neeraadinaalBathed in a waterfall of sweet honey
Thaamarai polaeLike a lotus flower
Poo magalum nindraadinaalThe flower-like maiden stood and danced
Female
Pon meengal endru en kangal kanduSeeing my eyes and mistaking them for golden fish
Semmengal paaraattuthoDo the red fish applaud them?
Pon meengal endru en kangal kanduSeeing my eyes and mistaking them for golden fish
Semmengal paaraattuthoDo the red fish applaud them?
Female
Saei pola ennai thanneerin vellamTreating me like a child, the rush of water
Thaai pola thaalaattuthoDoes it lull me to sleep like a mother?
Yaegaantham neram yaethaetho ennamIn this hour of solitude, all kinds of thoughts
Poompaavai nenjil pudhu kolam podumDraw new decorative patterns in the flower-like damsels heart
Female
Thennilangai mangaiThe damsel from Southern Lanka
Vennilavin thangaiThe younger sister of the white moon
Thenaruvi neeraadinaalBathed in a waterfall of sweet honey
Thaamarai polaeLike a lotus flower
Poo magalum nindraadinaalThe flower-like maiden stood and danced

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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