Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Alamelu Mangai Aruge

From Thaaliya Salangaiya · 1977

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Thaaliya Salangaiya1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Maragatha maavattathu mani poopandhalEmerald district's jewel flower canopy
Maiyiduvaar kangal malar iduvar por koondhalThey apply kohl to eyes and place flowers in golden tresses
Sendhamaraiyinaar paadum orr laaliA lullaby sung by the one residing on the red lotus
Thirumagalae vaazhgavena paadum orr laaliA lullaby wishing Long live Goddess Lakshmi
Female
Alamelu mangai arugae thirumaleLord Vishnu beside Alamelu Mangai
Alamelu mangai arugae thirumaleLord Vishnu beside Alamelu Mangai
Azhiyadha thilagam thulangum mudhal naaleOn the very first day when the permanent tilak shines
Azhiyadha thilagam thulangum mudhal naaleOn the very first day when the permanent tilak shines
Alamelu mangai arugae thirumaleLord Vishnu beside Alamelu Mangai
Female
Arasani kaal pola arasalavumMay you rule prosperously like the sacred marriage pillar
Abhisehka panneerin manam polavumFragrant like the holy bath rosewater
Arasani kaal pola arasalavumMay you rule prosperously like the sacred marriage pillar
Abhisehka panneerin manam polavumFragrant like the holy bath rosewater
Ilaiyodu kalippaakku niram polavumLike the rich red hue of betel leaf combined with areca nut
Ilaiyodu kalippaakku niram polavumLike the rich red hue of betel leaf combined with areca nut
Inaikkindra anaikkindra thirunaalilaeOn this holy day of uniting and embracing
Alamelu mangai arugae thirumaleLord Vishnu beside Alamelu Mangai
Female
Avan paarkkum bothu annam nilam paarkkavumWhen he looks, the swan-like bride gazes at the ground
Arai kannil manavalan mugam paarkkavumOut of the corner of her eye, she gazes at her groom's face
Avan paarkkum bothu annam nilam paarkkavumWhen he looks, the swan-like bride gazes at the ground
Arai kannil manavalan mugam paarkkavumOut of the corner of her eye, she gazes at her groom's face
Sivan paartha umai pola mugam naanavumHer face blushes with modesty like Parvati when Lord Shiva looked at her
Sivan paartha umai pola mugam naanavumHer face blushes with modesty like Parvati when Lord Shiva looked at her
Thanga silaiyaagavum acham thirai podavumStanding like a golden statue as shyness draws a veil
Alamelu mangai arugae thirumaleLord Vishnu beside Alamelu Mangai
Female
Ippodhu midhilaikku naan pogindrenNow I am going to Mithila
Sreeraman vaidhegi manam kaangindrenI am witnessing the wedding of Lord Rama and Vaidehi
Ippodhu midhilaikku naan pogindrenNow I am going to Mithila
Sreeraman vaidhegi manam kaangindrenI am witnessing the wedding of Lord Rama and Vaidehi
Eppodhu nee endru enai ketkkindrenI ask myself, When will it be your turn?
Eppodhu nee endru enai ketkkindrenI ask myself, When will it be your turn?
Enai ketppadhu pola… unai ketkkindrenJust as I ask myself... I ask you
Female
Alamelu mangai arugae thirumaleLord Vishnu beside Alamelu Mangai
Azhiyadha thilagam thulangum mudhal naaleOn the very first day when the permanent tilak shines
Alamelu mangai arugae thirumaleLord Vishnu beside Alamelu Mangai

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This auspicious song from Thaaliya Salangaiya (1977), written by Kannadasan and set to music by K. V. Mahadevan, celebrates the sanctity and beauty of a traditional Tamil wedding through rich devotional imagery. The lyrics draw parallels between the human wedded couple and divine pairs such as Thirumal (Lord Vishnu) with Alamelu Mangai, Shiva with Parvati, and Rama with Sita. The bride's coy elegance, the fragrance of holy waters, and traditional symbols of auspiciousness are colorfully woven into a lyrical lullaby and blessing.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uwamai)

Arasani kaal pola arasalavum

Uses 'pola' (like/as) to compare the couple's prosperous rule to the stability of the traditional Arasani wedding post.

Allusion & Metaphor (Uwamai)

Sivan paartha umai pola mugam naanavum

Compares the bride's shy, blushing expression to Goddess Parvati when observed by Lord Shiva.

Assonance / Anaphora (Monai)

Alamelu mangai arugae thirumale

Repetition of initial vowel sounds ('A') across adjacent words creating a rhythmic, melodic flow.

Cultural Metaphor

Ilaiyodu kalippaakku niram polavum

Uses the deep red color resulting from chewing betel leaf and areca nut together as a metaphor for deep, inseparable marital love.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyric 'Arasani kaal' refers to the sacred milk-post or central pillar planted during traditional Tamil Hindu marriage ceremonies, symbolizing royal authority, stability, and growth for the new household. Kannadasan's use of Mithila and Rama-Sita wedding imagery evokes classic epic poetry tropes.

Keep listening

More from Thaaliya Salangaiya