Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Aalay Pathu Malai Mathu album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Aalai Paathu Maalai Maathu Title

From Aalay Pathu Malai Mathu · 1990

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Aalay Pathu Malai Mathu
Movie release year
1990
Lyrics added on
21 Dec 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aalai paaththu maalai maaththu
Aalai paaththu maalai maaththu
Aalai paaththu maalai maaththu
Thaaya paaththu maalai maaththu
Mannai paaththu vedhaiya podu
Aalai paaththu maalai maaththu
Aalai paaththu maalai maaththu
Thaaya paaththu maalai maaththu
Mannai paaththu vedhaiya podu
Medaiyila muzhakkam idum thalaivargala paaru
Kolgaiyin mudivuppadi nadappavanga yaaru
Medaiyila muzhakkam idum thalaivargala paaru
Kolgaiyin mudivuppadi nadappavanga yaaru
Sollilae pothunalam seyalilae suyanalam
Anaivarum nari inam ariyanum podhu janam
Aringar sonna vazhaiya vittu vilagi sellaathae
Azhagil mayangi unathu mudivai maattri kollaathae
Aalai paaththu maalai maaththu
Aalai paaththu maalai maaththu
Thaaya paaththu maalai maaththu
Mannai paaththu vedhaiya podu
Pattapadippai ellaam padichavanga kodi
Panbai maranthavanga adhula oru paathi
Pattapadippai ellaam padichavanga kodi
Panbai maranthavanga adhula oru paathi
Panivudan nadappathu gunaththilae siranthathu
Pagattilae thirivathu perumaiyai kulaippathu
Udhattil onnum manaththil onnum
Uravu kollaathae
Inikka inikka siriththu pazhagum aala nampaathae
Aalai paaththu maalai maaththu
Aalai paaththu maalai maaththu
Thaaya paaththu maalai maaththu
Mannai paaththu vedhaiya podu
Aalai paaththu maalai maaththu
Aalai paaththu maalai maaththu
Thaaya paaththu maalai maaththu
Mannai paaththu vedhaiya podu
Look closely at the person before exchanging garlands.
Look closely at the person before exchanging garlands.
Look closely at the person before exchanging garlands.
Look at the mother before choosing the bride,
And check the soil before sowing the seed.
Look closely at the person before exchanging garlands.
Look closely at the person before exchanging garlands.
Look at the mother before choosing the bride,
And check the soil before sowing the seed.
Look at the leaders roaring from the stage,
Who among them truly lives by their principles?
Look at the leaders roaring from the stage,
Who among them truly lives by their principles?
Their words speak of public good, but their actions are purely selfish.
They are all sly as foxes, and the people must realize this.
Do not stray from the path shown by the wise,
Do not let mere beauty blind you into changing your decision.
Look closely at the person before exchanging garlands.
Look closely at the person before exchanging garlands.
Look at the mother before choosing the bride,
And check the soil before sowing the seed.
Millions have earned college degrees,
Yet half of them have forgotten good character.
Millions have earned college degrees,
Yet half of them have forgotten good character.
Living with humility is the finest virtue,
While living for empty show only ruins one's dignity.
With one thing on their lips and another in their heart,
Do not form a bond with such people.
Never trust those who put on sweet smiles just to get close to you.
Look closely at the person before exchanging garlands.
Look closely at the person before exchanging garlands.
Look at the mother before choosing the bride,
And check the soil before sowing the seed.
Look closely at the person before exchanging garlands.
Look closely at the person before exchanging garlands.
Look at the mother before choosing the bride,
And check the soil before sowing the seed.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Aalai Paaththu Maalai Maaththu' serves as a pragmatic philosophical caution on making critical life decisions, particularly marriage and choosing leaders. Drawing traditional metaphors such as examining soil quality before planting seeds and observing a mother's character before marrying a daughter, the lyricist emphasizes the importance of evaluating intrinsic character over superficial appearances. The lyrics extend this commentary to society and politics, critiquing hypocritical political leaders who preach public welfare while pursuing self-interest, and educated individuals who lack fundamental morals. It warns against deceitful individuals who maintain a facade of sweetness while harboring ill intentions, advocating humility, wisdom, and discernment instead.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Uvamaanam)

“Mannai paaththu vedhaiya podu”

Comparing evaluating a partner's character/lineage to inspecting soil quality before sowing seeds.

Rhyme / Ethirai (Second letter rhyme)

“Medaiyila muzhakkam idum thalaivargala paaru / Kolgaiyin mudivuppadi nadappavanga yaaru”

The second letter 'd' (ட) rhymes between 'Medaiyila' and 'Mudivuppadi'.

Moni / Rhyming Endings (Iyaibu)

“Aringar sonna vazhaiya vittu vilagi sellaathae / Azhagil mayangi unathu mudivai maattri kollaathae”

The end rhyme pattern '-aathae' ('sellaathae', 'kollaathae') emphasizes strong prohibitions.

Imagery / Metaphorical Comparison

“Anaivarum nari inam ariyanum podhu janam”

Describing hypocritical leaders as 'foxes' (nari inam) to signify cunningness and deceit.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track features Malaysia Vasudevan's signature energetic vocal delivery, which was frequently used for philosophical and moralistic songs in Tamil cinema during the 1980s and 1990s, continuing a tradition popularized by T. M. Soundararajan for MGR and Sivaji Ganesan.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Ennai Konjam Paaru1960
Raja BakthiIdentitySelf Respect
Venam Baby2023
Album Songs 2023Self RespectCalm
Annanukku Jey1989
Annanukku JaiSelf RespectIdentity
Aalai Paarthu1963
ParisuIdentitySelf Respect
Manadhaara Oru1960
Pattaliyin VetriSelf RespectContemplative
Vazhka Than2014
MarumunaiRegretSelf Respect

From the same album

More songs from Aalay Pathu Malai Mathu

View album
Silusilukkuthu1990
Aalay Pathu Malai MathuPlayful
Kaaramada Thear Varuthu1990
Aalay Pathu Malai MathuCelebratory
Ponnaga Poranthaa1990
Aalay Pathu Malai MathuMournful
Chinna Ponnu Naanum1990
Aalay Pathu Malai MathuPlayful

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.