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Pasamalar album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Anbu Malar

From Pasamalar · 1961

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
M. S. Vishwanathan
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Movie name
Pasamalar
Movie release year
1961
Lyrics added on
10 Mar 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ohoo..ooo..ooo
Ohoo..ooo…ooo…ooo
Anbu malar aasai malar
Inba malar naduvae
Arulodu malarvadhu thaan
Paasa malaramma
Than pasiyai karudhadhu
Thanghai pasi theerthu
Than perumai nenaiyadhu
Thanghaiyinai kaathu
Annaikku annaiyaai
Thanthaikku thanthaiyaai
Adhaaram kolvathu thaan
Paasa malaramma
Thaan aadaavitaalum
Sadhai aadum enbaar
Thadai pottu vaithaalum
Serndhu vidum enbaar
Uruvam irandaaga
Unarchiyelaam ondraaga
Ullathil malarvathu thaan
Paasa malaramma
Sei paravai kural kettu
Thaai paravai vaadudhae..ae
Thedi varum paravai ellaam
Thaai paravai aagumaa…aa…aa..
Kandraizhkkum kural kettu
Thaai pasuvum oodumae..ae
Kaana varum thunaiyellaam
Thaai pasuvaai aagumaa
Oho... oh... oh...
Oho... oh... oh... oh...
Among the flowers of love and desire,
and the blossoms of joy...
that which blooms with pure grace...
...is the flower of true affection!
Ignoring his own hunger,
satisfying his sister's hunger first,
thinking nothing of his own pride,
protecting his sister with his life,
standing as a mother to their mother,
and a father to their father,
serving as the pillar of support...
...is this flower of true affection!
Even if you hold yourself back,
they say your own flesh and blood will stir.
Even if barriers are placed between them,
they say parted souls will surely unite.
Living in two separate bodies,
yet feeling every emotion as one,
that which blossoms within the heart...
...is the flower of true affection!
Hearing the cry of its little chick,
the mother bird aches in grief...
Can all the other birds that fly by
ever become that mother bird?
Hearing the calling voice of her calf,
the mother cow comes rushing...
Can any companion who comes to visit
ever take the place of that mother cow?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song celebrates the divine and selfless bond of sibling love, portraying it as a supreme affection that goes beyond mere desire or happiness. It highlights the brother's unconditional sacrifices—putting his sister's well-being and hunger above his own needs, and stepping into the nurturing and protective roles of both father and mother. The lyrics emphasize that true blood bonds transcend physical separation, uniting two bodies into a single emotional soul.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Anbu malar aasai malar / Inba malar naduvae / Arulodu malarvadhu thaan / Paasa malaramma

Emotions such as love, desire, joy, and affection are metaphorically equated to blooming flowers (Anbu malar, Aasai malar, Paasa malar).

Ethirai (Second letter rhyme)

Annaikku annaiyaai / Thanthaikku thanthaiyaai

The second consonant sound 'n' is repeated across successive lines (Annaikku / Thanthaikku) to create poetic rhythm.

Analogy / Parallel Imagery (Uvamai)

Sei paravai kural kettu / Thaai paravai vaadudhae

The song uses the innate bond of a mother bird with her chick and a mother cow with her calf to demonstrate how unique and irreplaceable genuine sibling love is compared to casual well-wishers.

Keep listening

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