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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Alli Malar Solai

From Kalvanin Kadhali -(1955) · 1955

Lyricist
S. D. Sundharam
Singers
P. Bhanumathi, A. P. Komala, K. Rani
Music director
G. Govindarajulu Naidu
Details
Kalvanin Kadhali -(1955)1955

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Alli malar cholai inba valli ivalthaanaeIs she not the delightful creeper of this lily flower garden?
Alli malar cholai inba valli ivalthaanaeIs she not the delightful creeper of this lily flower garden?
Mella vanthu solluvaalaeShe will come slowly and tell,
Nalla kadhai solluvaalaeShe will tell a good story.
Mella vanthu solluvaalaeShe will come slowly and tell,
Nalla kadhai solluvaalaeShe will tell a good story.
Female
Vannamayil kannmaniyaeOh colorful peacock, my beloved gem,
Vaaniyae en annamaeOh Saraswathi, my swan!
Vannamayil kannmaniyaeOh colorful peacock, my beloved gem,
Vaaniyae en annamaeOh Saraswathi, my swan!
Vaaniyae en annamaeOh Saraswathi, my swan!
Nalla kadhai solla venumYou must tell a good story,
Engalukku nalla kadhai solla venumYou must tell us a good story.
Oo…oo…ooh…oo..oo….Oo…oo…ooh…oo..oo….
Female
Thelluthamil paavai kannagiyai polaeLike Kannagi, the maiden of pure Tamil,
Thelluthamil paavai kannagiyai polaeLike Kannagi, the maiden of pure Tamil,
Veeramaaga vaazhvom pengal naamaeWe women shall live bravely!
Veeramaaga naamae veeramaagaBravely ourselves, bravely!
Veeramaaga vaazhvom pengal naamaeWe women shall live bravely!
Veeramaaga naamae veeramaagaBravely ourselves, bravely!
Female
Oo…oo…ooo….mohiniyai polae oruOo…oo…ooo…. Like an enchantress,
Madhavi vanthaalae maadhavi vanthaalaeIf a Madhavi arrives, if a Madhavi arrives,
Manamohinaiyai polae oruLike a heart-captivating maiden,
Madhavi vanthaalae maadhavi vanthaalaeIf a Madhavi arrives, if a Madhavi arrives,
Female
Nee enna seivaai kannagiyae sollu neeyaeWhat will you do, Kannagi? Tell us yourself!
Enna seivaai kannagiyae sollu neeyaeWhat will you do, Kannagi? Tell us yourself!
Padhil sollu neeyaeGive us an answer!
Chorus
Alli malar cholai inba valli ivalthaanaeIs she not the delightful creeper of this lily flower garden?
Mella vanthu solluvaalaeShe will come slowly and tell,
Nalla kadhai solluvaalaeShe will tell a good story.
Female
Ennai manam seiyyum mannavan sriramanThe king who marries me is Lord Sri Rama,
Ennai manam seiyyum mannavan sriramanThe king who marries me is Lord Sri Rama,
Veru kanniyar thammai veru kanniyar thammaiOther maidens, other maidens,
Kannedththum paarththodanadi en thozhiHe will not even glance at, my friend!
Kannedththum paarththodanadiHe will not even look at!
Female
Soorpanagai varuvaal soodhu pala seithiduvaalSoorpanakha will come and perform many deceptions,
Soorpanagai varuvaal soodhu pala seithiduvaalSoorpanakha will come and perform many deceptions,
Seedhaiyae enna seivaai vaathaiyae thanthidumWhat will you do, Sita, if painful...
Ravananum vanthu saernthaalRavana also comes and joins?
Seedhaiyae enna seivaai vaathaiyae thanthidumWhat will you do, Sita, if painful...
Ravananum vanthu saernthaalRavana also comes and joins?
Female
Seedhaiyae enna seivaaiWhat will you do, Sita,
Ravananum vanthu saernthaalIf Ravana comes and joins?
Seedhaiyae enna seivaaiWhat will you do, Sita,
Ravananum vanthu saernthaalIf Ravana comes and joins?
Adho…..ravananum vanthu saernthaalLook there... if Ravana comes and joins!
Hahahaah….Hahahaah….

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful musical narrative song from Kalvanin Kadhali (1955) depicts female friends playfully teasing each other through references to classical epics like Silappatikaram and Ramayana. The friends praise one among them as a lily creeper and request her to tell a story. They invoke epic heroines like Kannagi and Sita, discussing feminine bravery and devotion while playfully posing hypothetical challenges—such as what Kannagi would do if a seductive Madhavi appears, or how Sita would handle the entry of Soorpanakha and Ravana. Musically composed by G. Govindarajulu Naidu, the song blends lighthearted banter, dramatic theatrical storytelling, and classical epic allegories, emphasizing female camaraderie and playful role-playing among close companions.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Vannamayil kannmaniyae Vaaniyae en annamae

Compares the beloved companion directly to a colorful peacock, goddess Saraswathi (Vani), and a swan.

Simile (Upamai)

Thelluthamil paavai kannagiyai polae

Uses 'polae' to compare the virtuous women to Kannagi, the icon of chastity and courage in Tamil literature.

Allusion (Ilakkiya Kurippu)

Soorpanagai varuvaal soodhu pala seithiduvaal

References iconic literary and epic characters including Kannagi and Madhavi from Silappatikaram, as well as Rama, Sita, Soorpanakha, and Ravana from Ramayana.

Emonai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Mella vanthu solluvaalae / Nalla kadhai solluvaalae

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across lines for rhythmic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kalvanin Kadhali (1955) starring Sivaji Ganesan and P. Bhanumathi is based on the famous novel of the same name written by Kalki Krishnamurthy. This dramatic multi-singer song features vocals by P. Bhanumathi, A. P. Komala, and K. Rani, showcasing a unique blend of narrative theatrical storytelling and classical operatic singing.

Keep listening

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