Azhagu Malaraada
From Vaidehi Kathirunthal · 1984
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- S. Janaki, T. S. Raghavendra
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Vaidehi Kathirunthal1984
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Saaa…..saaaa….. | Vocalizing musical notes (Swaras) |
| Maga maga sa magamaga sa sasaa | Swara solfege passage |
| Female | |
| Azhagu malar aada | As the beautiful flower dances |
| Abhinayangal kooda | Along with expressive dance gestures |
| Silamboliyum pulambuvadhai kel | Listen to the sound of anklets lamenting |
| En silamboliyum pulambuvadhai kel | Listen to the sound of my anklets lamenting |
| Female | |
| Azhagu malar aada | As the beautiful flower dances |
| Abhinayangal kooda | Along with expressive dance gestures |
| Silamboliyum pulambuvadhai kel | Listen to the sound of anklets lamenting |
| Female | |
| Viral kondu meetaamal | Without being plucked by fingers |
| Vaazhgindra veenai | A Veena that continues to live |
| Kulir vaadai konjaamal | Uncaressed by the cool north wind |
| Kodhikkindra solai | A garden that boils with heat |
| Pagaliravu pala kanavu | Many dreams day and night |
| Iru vizhiyil varum pozhudhu | When they appear in both eyes |
| Female | |
| Azhagu malar aada | As the beautiful flower dances |
| Abhinayangal kooda | Along with expressive dance gestures |
| Silamboliyum pulambuvadhai kel | Listen to the sound of anklets lamenting |
| Male | |
| ……………………………. | Musical interlude |
| Female | |
| Ahh..aaaaa….aaaa… | Vocalizing melody |
| Aagaayam illaamalae oru nilavu | A moon without the sky |
| Tharai meethu thalaaduthu | Rocks gently on the ground |
| Aadhaaram illaamalae oru kodiyum | A creeper without any support |
| Aadaamal thalai saayuthu | Tilts its head without swaying |
| Female | |
| Thaalathil seraadha | Unjoined to any rhythm |
| Thani paadal ondru | A lonely song |
| Sangeedham kaanaamal | Unable to find its music |
| Thavikkindrathu | Is yearning helplessly |
| Female | |
| Vidiyaatha iravedhum | A night that never dawns |
| Kidayadhu endra | Does not exist, as |
| Oor sonna vaarthaigal | The words spoken by the world |
| Poiyaanathu | Have turned out to be false |
| Female | |
| Vasandham ini varumaa | Will spring ever arrive now? |
| Vazhvinimai perumaa | Will life regain its sweetness? |
| Oru pozhudhu mayakkam | Dizziness in one moment |
| Oru pozhudhu kalakkam | Confusion in another moment |
| Bathiledhum illaadha kelvi | A question that has no answer |
| Female | |
| Azhagu malar aada | As the beautiful flower dances |
| Abhinayangal kooda | Along with expressive dance gestures |
| Silamboliyum pulambuvadhai kel | Listen to the sound of anklets lamenting |
| Female | |
| Viral kondu meetaamal | Without being plucked by fingers |
| Vaazhgindra veenai | A Veena that continues to live |
| Kulir vaadai konjaamal | Uncaressed by the cool north wind |
| Kodhikkindra solai | A garden that boils with heat |
| Pagaliravu pala kanavu | Many dreams day and night |
| Iru vizhiyil varum pozhudhu | When they appear in both eyes |
| Female | |
| Azhagu malar aada | As the beautiful flower dances |
| Abhinayangal kooda | Along with expressive dance gestures |
| Silamboliyum pulambuvadhai kel | Listen to the sound of anklets lamenting |
| Female | |
| Aaa aaa aaahh.. | Vocalizing melody |
| Oodhaadha pullanguzhal | An unplayed flute |
| Enadhazhagu | My beauty is like an unplayed flute |
| Soodaadha poovin madal | Petals of a flower never worn |
| Theigindra manjal nilaa | A waning yellow moon |
| Oru thunaiyai | A companion |
| Thedaadha vellai puraa | A white dove that does not seek a companion |
| Female | |
| Poongaatru medhuvaaga | Even if a gentle breeze softly |
| Pattaalum podhum | Touches it |
| Pon meni neruppaaga | My golden body burns like fire |
| Kodhikindradhu | And boils in pain |
| Female | |
| Neer ootri paayaadha | Unirrigated by water |
| Nilam pola naalum | Like dry land every day |
| En meni tharisaaga | My body remains barren |
| Irukkindrathae | It stays this way |
| Female | |
| {Thanimaiyilum thanimai | Loneliness within loneliness |
| Kodumaiyilum kodumai | Cruelty within cruelty |
| Inimai illai vaazhvil | There is no sweetness left in life |
| Etharku indha ilamai} (2) | Why exists this youthfulness? (Repeat) |
| Verenna naan seidha paavam | What other sin have I committed? |
| Female | |
| Azhagu malar aada | As the beautiful flower dances |
| Abhinayangal kooda | Along with expressive dance gestures |
| Silamboliyum pulambuvadhai kel | Listen to the sound of anklets lamenting |
| Female | |
| Viral kondu meetaamal | Without being plucked by fingers |
| Vaazhgindra veenai | A Veena that continues to live |
| Kulir vaadai konjaamal | Uncaressed by the cool north wind |
| Kodhikkindra solai | A garden that boils with heat |
| Pagaliravu pala kanavu | Many dreams day and night |
| Iru vizhiyil varum pozhudhu | When they appear in both eyes |
| Female | |
| Azhagu malar aada | As the beautiful flower dances |
| Abhinayangal kooda | Along with expressive dance gestures |
| Silamboliyum pulambuvadhai kel | Listen to the sound of anklets lamenting |
| Male | |
| ……………………………………. | Musical outro |
சா........ஸா........
மக மக சா ..மக மக சா ..சா....
Vocalizing musical notes (Swaras)
Swara solfege passage
அழகு மலராட
அபிநயங்கள் கூட
சிலம்பொலியும் புலம்புவதை கேள்
என் சிலம்பொலியும் புலம்புவதை கேள்
As the beautiful flower dances
Along with expressive dance gestures
Listen to the sound of anklets lamenting
Listen to the sound of my anklets lamenting
அழகு மலராட
அபிநயங்கள் கூட
சிலம்பொலியும் புலம்புவதை கேள்
As the beautiful flower dances
Along with expressive dance gestures
Listen to the sound of anklets lamenting
விரல் கொண்டு மீட்டாமல்
வாழ்கின்ற வீணை
குளிர் வாடை கொஞ்சமல்
கொதிக்கின்ற சோலை
பகலிரவு பல கனவு
இரு விழியில் வரும்பொழுது
Without being plucked by fingers
A Veena that continues to live
Uncaressed by the cool north wind
A garden that boils with heat
Many dreams day and night
When they appear in both eyes
அழகு மலராட
அபிநயங்கள் கூட
சிலம்பொலியும் புலம்புவதை கேள்
As the beautiful flower dances
Along with expressive dance gestures
Listen to the sound of anklets lamenting
.........................................
Musical interlude
ஆஆ....ஆஆ.....ஆஆ.........
ஆகாயம் இல்லாமலே ஒரு நிலவு
தரை மீது தல்லாடுது
ஆதாரம் இல்லாமலே ஒரு கொடியும்
ஆடாமல் தலை சாயுது
Vocalizing melody
A moon without the sky
Rocks gently on the ground
A creeper without any support
Tilts its head without swaying
தாளத்தில் சேராத
தனி பாடல் ஒன்று
சங்கீதம் காணாமல்
தவிக்கின்றது
Unjoined to any rhythm
A lonely song
Unable to find its music
Is yearning helplessly
விடியாத இரவேதும்
கிடையாது என்று
ஊர் சொன்ன வார்தைகள்
பொய்யானது
A night that never dawns
Does not exist, as
The words spoken by the world
Have turned out to be false
வசந்தம் இனி வருமா
வாழ்வினிமை பெருமா
ஒரு பொழுது மயக்கம்
ஒரு பொழுது கலக்கம்
பதில் ஏதும் இல்லாத கேள்வி
Will spring ever arrive now?
Will life regain its sweetness?
Dizziness in one moment
Confusion in another moment
A question that has no answer
அழகு மலராட
அபிநயங்கள் கூட
சிலம்பொலியும் புலம்புவதை கேள்
As the beautiful flower dances
Along with expressive dance gestures
Listen to the sound of anklets lamenting
விரல் கொண்டு மீட்டாமல்
வாழ்கின்ற வீணை
குளிர் வாடை கொஞ்சமல்
கொதிக்கின்ற சோலை
பகலிரவு பல கனவு
இரு விழியில் வரும்பொழுது
Without being plucked by fingers
A Veena that continues to live
Uncaressed by the cool north wind
A garden that boils with heat
Many dreams day and night
When they appear in both eyes
அழகு மலராட
அபிநயங்கள் கூட
சிலம்பொலியும் புலம்புவதை கேள்
As the beautiful flower dances
Along with expressive dance gestures
Listen to the sound of anklets lamenting
ஆஆ....ஆஆ.....ஆஆ.........
ஊதாத புல்லாங்குழல் எனதழகு
சூடாத பூவின் மடல்
தேய்கின்ற மஞ்சள் நிலா
ஒரு துணையை
தேடாத வெள்ளை புற
Vocalizing melody
An unplayed flute
My beauty is like an unplayed flute
Petals of a flower never worn
A waning yellow moon
A companion
A white dove that does not seek a companion
பூங்காற்று மெதுவாக
பட்டாலும் போதும்
பொன்மேனி நெருப்பாக
கொதிகின்றது
Even if a gentle breeze softly
Touches it
My golden body burns like fire
And boils in pain
நீரூற்று பாயாத
நிலம்போல நாலும்
என் மேனி தரிசாக
கிடக்கின்றது
Unirrigated by water
Like dry land every day
My body remains barren
It stays this way
{தனிமையிலும் தனிமை
கொடுமையிலும் கொடுமை
இனிமை இல்லை வாழ்வில்
எதற்கு இந்த இளமை} (2)
வேறென்ன நான் செய்த பாவம்
Loneliness within loneliness
Cruelty within cruelty
There is no sweetness left in life
Why exists this youthfulness? (Repeat)
What other sin have I committed?
அழகு மலராட
அபிநயங்கள் கூட
சிலம்பொலியும் புலம்புவதை கேள்
As the beautiful flower dances
Along with expressive dance gestures
Listen to the sound of anklets lamenting
விரல் கொண்டு மீட்டாமல்
வாழ்கின்ற வீணை
குளிர் வாடை கொஞ்சமல்
கொதிக்கின்ற சோலை
பகலிரவு பல கனவு
இரு விழியில் வரும்பொழுது
Without being plucked by fingers
A Veena that continues to live
Uncaressed by the cool north wind
A garden that boils with heat
Many dreams day and night
When they appear in both eyes
அழகு மலராட
அபிநயங்கள் கூட
சிலம்பொலியும் புலம்புவதை கேள்
As the beautiful flower dances
Along with expressive dance gestures
Listen to the sound of anklets lamenting
....................................................
Musical outro
Saaa…..saaaa…..
Vocalizing musical notes (Swaras)
Maga maga sa magamaga sa sasaa
Swara solfege passage
Azhagu malar aada
As the beautiful flower dances
Abhinayangal kooda
Along with expressive dance gestures
Silamboliyum pulambuvadhai kel
Listen to the sound of anklets lamenting
En silamboliyum pulambuvadhai kel
Listen to the sound of my anklets lamenting
Azhagu malar aada
As the beautiful flower dances
Abhinayangal kooda
Along with expressive dance gestures
Silamboliyum pulambuvadhai kel
Listen to the sound of anklets lamenting
Viral kondu meetaamal
Without being plucked by fingers
Vaazhgindra veenai
A Veena that continues to live
Kulir vaadai konjaamal
Uncaressed by the cool north wind
Kodhikkindra solai
A garden that boils with heat
Pagaliravu pala kanavu
Many dreams day and night
Iru vizhiyil varum pozhudhu
When they appear in both eyes
Azhagu malar aada
As the beautiful flower dances
Abhinayangal kooda
Along with expressive dance gestures
Silamboliyum pulambuvadhai kel
Listen to the sound of anklets lamenting
…………………………….
Musical interlude
Ahh..aaaaa….aaaa…
Vocalizing melody
Aagaayam illaamalae oru nilavu
A moon without the sky
Tharai meethu thalaaduthu
Rocks gently on the ground
Aadhaaram illaamalae oru kodiyum
A creeper without any support
Aadaamal thalai saayuthu
Tilts its head without swaying
Thaalathil seraadha
Unjoined to any rhythm
Thani paadal ondru
A lonely song
Sangeedham kaanaamal
Unable to find its music
Thavikkindrathu
Is yearning helplessly
Vidiyaatha iravedhum
A night that never dawns
Kidayadhu endra
Does not exist, as
Oor sonna vaarthaigal
The words spoken by the world
Poiyaanathu
Have turned out to be false
Vasandham ini varumaa
Will spring ever arrive now?
Vazhvinimai perumaa
Will life regain its sweetness?
Oru pozhudhu mayakkam
Dizziness in one moment
Oru pozhudhu kalakkam
Confusion in another moment
Bathiledhum illaadha kelvi
A question that has no answer
Azhagu malar aada
As the beautiful flower dances
Abhinayangal kooda
Along with expressive dance gestures
Silamboliyum pulambuvadhai kel
Listen to the sound of anklets lamenting
Viral kondu meetaamal
Without being plucked by fingers
Vaazhgindra veenai
A Veena that continues to live
Kulir vaadai konjaamal
Uncaressed by the cool north wind
Kodhikkindra solai
A garden that boils with heat
Pagaliravu pala kanavu
Many dreams day and night
Iru vizhiyil varum pozhudhu
When they appear in both eyes
Azhagu malar aada
As the beautiful flower dances
Abhinayangal kooda
Along with expressive dance gestures
Silamboliyum pulambuvadhai kel
Listen to the sound of anklets lamenting
Aaa aaa aaahh..
Vocalizing melody
Oodhaadha pullanguzhal
An unplayed flute
Enadhazhagu
My beauty is like an unplayed flute
Soodaadha poovin madal
Petals of a flower never worn
Theigindra manjal nilaa
A waning yellow moon
Oru thunaiyai
A companion
Thedaadha vellai puraa
A white dove that does not seek a companion
Poongaatru medhuvaaga
Even if a gentle breeze softly
Pattaalum podhum
Touches it
Pon meni neruppaaga
My golden body burns like fire
Kodhikindradhu
And boils in pain
Neer ootri paayaadha
Unirrigated by water
Nilam pola naalum
Like dry land every day
En meni tharisaaga
My body remains barren
Irukkindrathae
It stays this way
{Thanimaiyilum thanimai
Loneliness within loneliness
Kodumaiyilum kodumai
Cruelty within cruelty
Inimai illai vaazhvil
There is no sweetness left in life
Etharku indha ilamai} (2)
Why exists this youthfulness? (Repeat)
Verenna naan seidha paavam
What other sin have I committed?
Azhagu malar aada
As the beautiful flower dances
Abhinayangal kooda
Along with expressive dance gestures
Silamboliyum pulambuvadhai kel
Listen to the sound of anklets lamenting
Viral kondu meetaamal
Without being plucked by fingers
Vaazhgindra veenai
A Veena that continues to live
Kulir vaadai konjaamal
Uncaressed by the cool north wind
Kodhikkindra solai
A garden that boils with heat
Pagaliravu pala kanavu
Many dreams day and night
Iru vizhiyil varum pozhudhu
When they appear in both eyes
Azhagu malar aada
As the beautiful flower dances
Abhinayangal kooda
Along with expressive dance gestures
Silamboliyum pulambuvadhai kel
Listen to the sound of anklets lamenting
…………………………………….
Musical outro
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Azhagu Malar Aada is a poignant Bharatanatyam-style classical song from the film Vaidehi Kathirunthal (1984). The song expresses the deep grief, loneliness, and unfulfilled desires of a dancer whose beauty and youth remain unappreciated and isolated. Dressed in full dance attire, she laments that her dance anklets sound not of joyful rhythm, but of weeping tears. She compares her existence to an unplucked Veena, an unplayed flute, and a drought-ridden barren land. Through vivid imagery crafted by lyricist Vaali, the song captures the pain of solitude and unrequited life. Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung with immense pathos by S. Janaki, the track remains one of the finest classical dance-lament melodies in Tamil cinema history.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagam)
“Viral kondu meetaamal vaazhgindra veenai”
Compares the woman's unfulfilled life and untouched body to an unplucked veena and an unblown flute.
Personification
“Silamboliyum pulambuvadhai kel”
Attributes human emotions and weeping (lamenting) to the dancer's inanimate anklets.
Monai / Edhugai (Rhyme & Alliteration)
“Thanimaiyilum thanimai / Kodumaiyilum kodumai”
Matches initial sound structures and second consonant rhythms across lines to create classical poetic symmetry.
Did you know?
Trivia
Although listed as unknown in the prompt context, the song was composed by Ilaiyaraaja and sung by S. Janaki. The song features actress Bhanupriya on screen performing a memorable Classical Bharatanatyam routine that showcased her exceptional training.
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