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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Alli Vacha Malligaiye

From Inimai Idho Idho · 1983

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
P. Suseela, Krishnachandran
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Inimai Idho Idho1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Alli vachcha malligaiyaeJasmine flower gathered in handfuls,
Pulli vachcha pon mayilaeSpotted golden peacock,
Male
Alli vachcha malligaiyaeJasmine flower gathered in handfuls,
Female :Mm…..mm…mm….Female: Mm... mm... mm...
Male :Pulli vachcha pon mayilaeMale: Spotted golden peacock,
Female :Mm…..mm…Female: Mm... mm...
Male :Enna thayakkam enna mayakkamMale: What hesitation, what enchantment?
Enna thayakkam enna mayakkamMale: What hesitation, what enchantment?
Nee sirichchaa pothum kurinji pookkumIf you just smile, the rare Kurinji flower will bloom.
Male
Alli vachcha malligaiyaeJasmine flower gathered in handfuls,
Female :Mm…..mm…mm….Female: Mm... mm... mm...
Male :Pulli vachcha pon mayilae….Male: Spotted golden peacock...
Female
Oo raamanae…..un aasai meiyaanathaaOh Rama... is your desire true?
Male :Yae poongodi….intha bhoomi poiyaanathaaMale: Oh flowering creeper... is this earth false?
Female
Kaadhil sonna vaarththaWill the word spoken in my ear
Ennai Kaaval kaakkumaaStand guard and protect me?
Neththu sonna pechchu niram maari pogumaaWill the words spoken yesterday change color?
Male
Thangam niram karukkumaaWill the color of gold tarnish?
Oor ulagam porukkumaaWill the world tolerate it?
Nambiththaanae vanthu vizhnthaenaeTrusting you completely, I came and fell into your arms.
Male
Alli vachcha malligaiyaeJasmine flower gathered in handfuls,
Female :Mm…..mm…mm….Female: Mm... mm... mm...
Male :Pulli vachcha pon mayilaeMale: Spotted golden peacock,
Female :Mm…..mm…Female: Mm... mm...
Male :Enna thayakkam enna mayakkamMale: What hesitation, what enchantment?
Enna thayakkam enna mayakkamMale: What hesitation, what enchantment?
Nee sirichchaa pothum kurinji pookkumIf you just smile, the rare Kurinji flower will bloom.
Male
Alli vachcha malligaiyaeJasmine flower gathered in handfuls,
Female :Mm…..mm…mm….Female: Mm... mm... mm...
Male :Pulli vachcha pon mayilae….Male: Spotted golden peacock...
Male
Aagaayamum intha mannum saatchiyadiThe sky and this earth are witnesses, my dear.
Female :Yaar kettathu manasaatchi pothum iniFemale: Who asked for witnesses? Conscience is enough now.
Male
Paatham nogum pothuWhen your feet hurt,
Ullangaiyaal thaangavaaShall I support them with my palms?
Female :Poyae solla vaenaamFemale: Don't tell lies,
Chinna kaiyae thaangumaaCan small hands really hold and support?
Male
Vennilavu uthirumaaWill the white moon fall down?
Natchaththiram nagarumaaWill the stars move away?
Female :Uvama vaenaamFemale: Don't use similes,
Unmai sollu mama….Tell me the simple truth, my beloved...
Male
Alli vachcha malligaiyaeJasmine flower gathered in handfuls,
Female :Mm…..mm…mm….Female: Mm... mm... mm...
Male :Pulli vachcha pon mayilaeMale: Spotted golden peacock,
Female :Mm…..mm…Female: Mm... mm...
Male :Enna thayakkam enna mayakkamMale: What hesitation, what enchantment?
Enna thayakkam enna mayakkamMale: What hesitation, what enchantment?
Nee sirichchaa pothum kurinji pookkumIf you just smile, the rare Kurinji flower will bloom.
Male
Alli vachcha malligaiyaeJasmine flower gathered in handfuls,
Female :Mm…..mm…mm….Female: Mm... mm... mm...
Male :Pulli vachcha pon mayilae….Male: Spotted golden peacock...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song presents a playful and affectionate dialogue between two lovers. The male hero showers his beloved with poetic compliments, comparing her smile to the rare blooming of the Kurinji flower and calling upon nature—the earth and sky—as witnesses to his true love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Alli vachcha malligaiyae / Pulli vachcha pon mayilae

Comparing the female lover affectionately to jasmine flowers ('Alli vachcha malligaiyae') and a golden peacock ('Pulli vachcha pon mayilae').

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)

Nee sirichchaa pothum kurinji pookkum

Exaggerating that her single smile can cause the rare Kurinji flower—which famously blooms only once every 12 years—to bloom instantly.

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Enna thayakkam enna mayakkam

Rhyming of the second letter 'y' in 'thayakkam' and 'mayakkam'.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track 'Alli vachcha malligaiyae' is a classic rural duet composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja for the 1983 Tamil movie 'Ilamai Oongal', featuring charming folk-pop orchestration.

Keep listening

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