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Mazhai Megam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Aagaya Gangai Indru Mannil

From Mazhai Megam · 1976

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Mazhai Megam
Movie release year
1976
Lyrics added on
11 May 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aagaaya gangai indru mannil vandhadhu
Aanandha theertham ennai aada sonnadhu
Ullam irandum aadattum
Ondril ondru koodattum aaha
Female :Aahaa
Male :Aaha
Female :Aaahaa
Both :Hae hae…
Aagaaya gangai indru mannil vandhadhu
Aanandha theertham ennai aada sonnadhu
Ullam irandum aadattum
Ondril ondru koodattum aaha
Male :Laalaa la
Female :Aaha
Male :Laalaa la
Both :Hae hae..
Minnalil azhagiya oonjalai amaithu
Megathil iravukku panjanai virithu
Female :Haaa…..
Male :Minnalil azhagiya oonjalai amaithu
Megathil iravukku panjanai virithu
Female :Vaanathu meengalil malligai thelithu
Manmadha mandhiram mayangida padithu
Male :Haaa….
Female :Vaanathu meengalil malligai thelithu
Manmadha mandhiram mayangida padithu
Paadam solla koodathoo
Female :Paarvai ondru podhathoo
Aagaaya gangai indru mannil vandhadhu
Aanandha theertham ennai aada sonnadhu
Enniru aandugal ezhudhiya paattu
Ennai un idai ennum siraiyinil poottu
Female :Haaa…..
Male :Enniru aandugal ezhudhiya paattu
Ennai un idai ennum siraiyinil poottu
Female :Mangala isai tharum veenaiyai meettu
Maandhalir maeniyil kungumam theettu
Male :Haaa….
Female :Mangala isai tharum veenaiyai meettu
Maandhalir maeniyil kungumam theettu
Maalai thendral theeyaagaa
Kaanum inbam neraaga
Aagaaya gangai indru mannil vandhadhu
Male :Aanandha theertham ennai aada sonnadhu
Female :Ullam irandum aadattum
Male :Ondril ondru koodattum aaha
Female :Aaha
Male :Laalaa la
Female :Aaha
Both :Hae hae..
The heavenly Ganga has come down to earth today
This sacred water of joy invites me to dance
Let both our hearts dance
Let them unite into one, aha
Female: Aha
Male: Aha
Female: Aaha
Both: Hey hey…
The heavenly Ganga has come down to earth today
This sacred water of joy invites me to dance
Let both our hearts dance
Let them unite into one, aha
Male: La la la
Female: Aha
Male: La la la
Both: Hey hey..
Setting up a lovely swing from lightning
Spreading a soft bed in the clouds for the night
Female: Haa…..
Male: Setting up a lovely swing from lightning
Spreading a soft bed in the clouds for the night
Female: Scattering jasmine among the stars in the sky
Chanting the enchanting mantras of love
Male: Haa….
Female: Scattering jasmine among the stars in the sky
Chanting the enchanting mantras of love
Won't you teach me a lesson?
Female: Isn't a single glance enough?
The heavenly Ganga has come down to earth today
This sacred water of joy invites me to dance
A song written over my two years
Lock me in the prison of your waist
Female: Haa…..
Male: A song written over my two years
Lock me in the prison of your waist
Female: Strum the veena (lute) that plays auspicious music
Adorn my tender, sprout-soft body with kumkum (red powder)
Male: Haa….
Female: Strum the veena (lute) that plays auspicious music
Adorn my tender, sprout-soft body with kumkum (red powder)
Lest the evening breeze turn into fire
Let the joy we dream of unfold before us
The heavenly Ganga has come down to earth today
Male: This sacred water of joy invites me to dance
Female: Let both our hearts dance
Male: Let them unite into one, aha
Female: Aha
Male: La la la
Female: Aha
Both: Hey hey..
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Aagaaya Gangai is a classic romantic duet in which the lovers express their passionate devotion through grand celestial imagery. The arrival of the beloved is likened to the divine Ganges river descending to the earth, turning their surroundings into a place of bliss and celebration. Throughout the song, romantic gestures are poeticized as swinging on lightning, making a bed in the clouds, and chanting love spells under starry skies. Lyricist Pulamaipithan crafts a beautiful synthesis of classical Tamil poetic tropes and sweet sensuality, brought to life through the harmonious vocals of S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and P. Susheela under K. V. Mahadevan's lush musical composition.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

“Aagaaya gangai indru mannil vandhadhu”

Comparing the love or beloved's presence directly to the heavenly Ganges descending to earth.

Metaphor (Uruvam)

“Ennai un idai ennum siraiyinil poottu”

Describing the woman's waist as a prison that locks the lover in affection.

Simile / Metaphor

“Maandhalir maeniyil kungumam theettu”

Comparing the softness and delicate color of the female body to tender mango leaves (Maandhalir).

Edhugai (Second letter assonance/rhyme)

“Minnalil azhagiya oonjalai amaithu / Megathil iravukku panjanai virithu”

Repetition of the second letter 'n' in consecutive lines (Minnalil / Megathil).

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by 'Isai Sithar' K. V. Mahadevan, 'Aagaaya Gangai' remains one of the most celebrated duets of S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and P. Susheela. The song's poetically rich lyrics by Pulamaipithan utilize traditional Sangam-style imagery such as comparing soft skin to tender mango leaves (Maandhalir), making it an enduring romantic standard in Tamil film music.

Keep listening

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