Gundu Malli
From Solla Marandha Kadhai · 2002
- Lyricist
- Isaignani Ilayaraja
- Singers
- Harish Raghavendra, Shreya Ghoshal
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Solla Marandha Kadhai2002
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Gundu malli gundu malli | Plump jasmine, plump jasmine, |
| Gundu malli gundu malli | Plump jasmine, plump jasmine! |
| Thendral kaathu adichadhum | As the gentle breeze blows, |
| Kannu thorakkudhu | The eyes blossom open. |
| Kannan kannu pada thaenu sorakkudhu | Under Kannan's glance, sweet nectar flows. |
| Kaiyil nee eduthu mella tholil maalai kattu | Take it in your hands and gently weave a garland for the shoulders. |
| Kaiyil nee eduthu tholil maalai kattu | Take it in your hands and weave a garland for the shoulders. |
| Male | |
| Gundu malli gundu malli | Plump jasmine, plump jasmine, |
| Thendral kaathu adichadhum | As the gentle breeze blows, |
| Kannu thorakkudhu | The eyes blossom open. |
| Kannan kannu pada thaenu sorakkudhu | Under Kannan's glance, sweet nectar flows. |
| Kaiyil nee eduthu mella tholil maalai kattu | Take it in your hands and gently weave a garland for the shoulders. |
| Female | |
| Aa manjal nilaa vaanathilae | Ah, the yellow moon in the sky, |
| Andhiyilae ottikkichu | Clung to the twilight evening, |
| Kungumamum saendhukkichu | And the vermilion joined in too. |
| Thaangidumaa pinju nenju | Can a tender heart bear all this beauty? |
| Male | |
| Gundu malli gundu malli | Plump jasmine, plump jasmine, |
| Thendral kaathu adichadhum | As the gentle breeze blows, |
| Kannu thorakkudhu | The eyes blossom open. |
| Kannan kannu pada thaenu sorakkudhu | Under Kannan's glance, sweet nectar flows. |
| Kaiyil nee eduthu mella tholil maalai kattu | Take it in your hands and gently weave a garland for the shoulders. |
| Male | |
| Alli thandu viral mella mella thodum | Fingers like soft lotus stems gently touch |
| Veenai narambinilae ho ho oo… | Upon the strings of the veena, ho ho oo… |
| Nenjam killum isai thulli vandhu thodum | A heart-tugging melody leaps forth to touch |
| Endhan narambinilae ho ho oo… | Deep within my very nerves, ho ho oo… |
| Female | |
| Kaattu kuzhalin ottaiyilae | Upon the holes of the forest flute, |
| Kanda padi un kai padudhae | Your fingers move as they please, |
| Moodi thirakkum maayaiyilae | In the illusion of closing and opening, |
| Mella en moochai thaan thodudhae | It softly touches my very breath. |
| Male | |
| Kaamanum indha kaattinilaa | Is Kamadeva present in this forest? |
| Vedikkai paarkkudhu manjal nilaa | The yellow moon watches the play playfully. |
| Mega pennae vandhu moodi kollu | Oh maiden cloud, come and veil us! |
| Female | |
| Gundu malli gundu malli | Plump jasmine, plump jasmine, |
| Thendral kaathu adichadhum | As the gentle breeze blows, |
| Kannu thorakkudhu | The eyes blossom open. |
| Kannan kannu pada thaenu sorakkudhu | Under Kannan's glance, sweet nectar flows. |
| Kaiyil nee eduthu mella tholil maalai kattu | Take it in your hands and gently weave a garland for the shoulders. |
| Female | |
| Sirppathilum chinna pennidathil | Even in a stone sculpture of a young girl, |
| Indha vetkam therigiradhae ho ho oo… | This shyness is clearly visible, ho ho oo… |
| Sirppi seidha andha chella pennukkavan | For that darling girl crafted by the sculptor, |
| Ennam purigiradhae ho ho oo… | His inner thoughts are fully understood, ho ho oo… |
| Male | |
| Inba kalaigal ethanaiyo | So many arts of divine pleasure exist— |
| Adhu endru thodangiyadhaar arivaar | Who knows when they first originated? |
| Solli tharavum meedham undo | Is there anything left to be taught? |
| Indha sorga sugangal thandhadhu yaar | Who bestowed these heavenly delights? |
| Female | |
| Kaalangal engae nindradhvo | Where did time come to a standstill? |
| Kan kondu kaadhalar kandadhuvo | Did the lovers witness it with their own eyes? |
| Minminyae niram enna sollu | Oh firefly, tell me what color it is! |
| Male | |
| Gundu malli gundu malli | Plump jasmine, plump jasmine, |
| Thendral kaathu adichadhum | As the gentle breeze blows, |
| Kannu thorakkudhu | The eyes blossom open. |
| Kannan kannu pada thaenu sorakkudhu | Under Kannan's glance, sweet nectar flows. |
| Kaiyil nee eduthu mella tholil maalai kattu | Take it in your hands and gently weave a garland for the shoulders. |
| Female | |
| Aa manjal nilaa vaanathilae | Ah, the yellow moon in the sky, |
| Andhiyilae ottikkichu | Clung to the twilight evening, |
| Kungumamum saendhukkichu | And the vermilion joined in too. |
| Thaangidumaa pinju nenju | Can a tender heart bear all this beauty? |
குண்டு மல்லி குண்டு மல்லி
குண்டு மல்லி குண்டு மல்லி
தென்றல் காத்து அடிச்சதும்
கண்ண தொறக்குது
கண்ணன் கண்ணு பட தேனு சொரக்குது
கையில் நீ எடுத்து மெல்ல தோளில் மாலை கட்டு
கையில் நீ எடுத்து தோளில் மாலை கட்டு
Plump jasmine, plump jasmine,
Plump jasmine, plump jasmine!
As the gentle breeze blows,
The eyes blossom open.
Under Kannan's glance, sweet nectar flows.
Take it in your hands and gently weave a garland for the shoulders.
Take it in your hands and weave a garland for the shoulders.
குண்டு மல்லி குண்டு மல்லி
தென்றல் காத்து அடிச்சதும்
கண்ண தொறக்குது
கண்ணன் கண்ணு பட தேனு சொரக்குது
கையில் நீ எடுத்து மெல்ல தோளில் மாலை கட்டு
Plump jasmine, plump jasmine,
As the gentle breeze blows,
The eyes blossom open.
Under Kannan's glance, sweet nectar flows.
Take it in your hands and gently weave a garland for the shoulders.
ஆ மஞ்சள் நிலா வானத்திலே
அந்தியிலே ஒட்டிக்கிச்சு
குங்குமமும் சேந்துக்கிச்சு
தாங்கிடுமா பிஞ்சு நெஞ்சு
Ah, the yellow moon in the sky,
Clung to the twilight evening,
And the vermilion joined in too.
Can a tender heart bear all this beauty?
குண்டு மல்லி குண்டு மல்லி
தென்றல் காத்து அடிச்சதும்
கண்ண தொறக்குது
கண்ணன் கண்ணு பட தேனு சொரக்குது
கையில் நீ எடுத்து மெல்ல தோளில் மாலை கட்டு
Plump jasmine, plump jasmine,
As the gentle breeze blows,
The eyes blossom open.
Under Kannan's glance, sweet nectar flows.
Take it in your hands and gently weave a garland for the shoulders.
அல்லித் தண்டு விரல் மெல்ல மெல்லத் தொடும்
வீணை நரம்பினிலே ஹோ ஹோ ஓ.....
நெஞ்சம் கிள்ளும் இசை துள்ளி வந்து தொடும்
எந்தன் நரம்பினிலே ஹோ ஹோ ஓ.....
Fingers like soft lotus stems gently touch
Upon the strings of the veena, ho ho oo…
A heart-tugging melody leaps forth to touch
Deep within my very nerves, ho ho oo…
காட்டுக் குழலின் ஓட்டையிலே
கண்ட படி உன் கை படுதே
மூடி திறக்கும் மாயையிலே
மெல்ல என் மூச்சைதான் தொடுதே
Upon the holes of the forest flute,
Your fingers move as they please,
In the illusion of closing and opening,
It softly touches my very breath.
காமனும் இந்தக் காட்டினிலா
வேடிக்கை பார்க்குது மஞ்சள் நிலா
மேகப் பெண்ணே வந்து மூடிக்கொள்ளு
Is Kamadeva present in this forest?
The yellow moon watches the play playfully.
Oh maiden cloud, come and veil us!
குண்டு மல்லி குண்டு மல்லி
தென்றல் காத்து அடிச்சதும்
கண்ண தொறக்குது
கண்ணன் கண்ணு பட தேனு சொரக்குது
கையில் நீ எடுத்து மெல்ல தோளில் மாலை கட்டு
Plump jasmine, plump jasmine,
As the gentle breeze blows,
The eyes blossom open.
Under Kannan's glance, sweet nectar flows.
Take it in your hands and gently weave a garland for the shoulders.
சிற்பத்திலும் சின்னப் பெண்ணிடத்தில்
இந்த வெட்கம் தெரிகிறதே ஹோ ஹோ ஓ...
சிற்பி செய்த அந்த செல்லப் பெண்ணுக்கவன்
எண்ணம் புரிகிறதே ஹோ ஹோ ஓ...
Even in a stone sculpture of a young girl,
This shyness is clearly visible, ho ho oo…
For that darling girl crafted by the sculptor,
His inner thoughts are fully understood, ho ho oo…
இன்பக் கலைகள் எத்தனையோ
அது என்று தொடங்கியதார் அறிவார்
சொல்லித் தரவும் மீதம் உண்டோ
இந்த சொர்க சுகங்கள் தந்தது யார்
So many arts of divine pleasure exist—
Who knows when they first originated?
Is there anything left to be taught?
Who bestowed these heavenly delights?
காலங்கள் எங்கே நின்றதுவோ
கண் கொண்டு காதலர் கண்டதுவோ
மின்மினியே நிறம் என்ன சொல்லு
Where did time come to a standstill?
Did the lovers witness it with their own eyes?
Oh firefly, tell me what color it is!
குண்டு மல்லி குண்டு மல்லி
தென்றல் காத்து அடிச்சதும்
கண்ண தொறக்குது
கண்ணன் கண்ணு பட தேனு சொரக்குது
கையில் நீ எடுத்து மெல்ல தோளில் மாலை கட்டு
Plump jasmine, plump jasmine,
As the gentle breeze blows,
The eyes blossom open.
Under Kannan's glance, sweet nectar flows.
Take it in your hands and gently weave a garland for the shoulders.
ஆ மஞ்சள் நிலா வானத்திலே
அந்தியிலே ஒட்டிக்கிச்சு
குங்குமமும் சேந்துக்கிச்சு
தாங்கிடுமா பிஞ்சு நெஞ்சு
Ah, the yellow moon in the sky,
Clung to the twilight evening,
And the vermilion joined in too.
Can a tender heart bear all this beauty?
குண்டு மல்லி குண்டு மல்லி
தென்றல் காத்து அடிச்சதும்
கண்ண தொறக்குது
கண்ணன் கண்ணு பட தேனு சொரக்குது
கையில் நீ எடுத்து மெல்ல தோளில் மாலை கட்டு
Gundu malli gundu malli
Plump jasmine, plump jasmine,
Gundu malli gundu malli
Plump jasmine, plump jasmine!
Thendral kaathu adichadhum
As the gentle breeze blows,
Kannu thorakkudhu
The eyes blossom open.
Kannan kannu pada thaenu sorakkudhu
Under Kannan's glance, sweet nectar flows.
Kaiyil nee eduthu mella tholil maalai kattu
Take it in your hands and gently weave a garland for the shoulders.
Kaiyil nee eduthu tholil maalai kattu
Take it in your hands and weave a garland for the shoulders.
Gundu malli gundu malli
Plump jasmine, plump jasmine,
Thendral kaathu adichadhum
As the gentle breeze blows,
Kannu thorakkudhu
The eyes blossom open.
Kannan kannu pada thaenu sorakkudhu
Under Kannan's glance, sweet nectar flows.
Kaiyil nee eduthu mella tholil maalai kattu
Take it in your hands and gently weave a garland for the shoulders.
Aa manjal nilaa vaanathilae
Ah, the yellow moon in the sky,
Andhiyilae ottikkichu
Clung to the twilight evening,
Kungumamum saendhukkichu
And the vermilion joined in too.
Thaangidumaa pinju nenju
Can a tender heart bear all this beauty?
Gundu malli gundu malli
Plump jasmine, plump jasmine,
Thendral kaathu adichadhum
As the gentle breeze blows,
Kannu thorakkudhu
The eyes blossom open.
Kannan kannu pada thaenu sorakkudhu
Under Kannan's glance, sweet nectar flows.
Kaiyil nee eduthu mella tholil maalai kattu
Take it in your hands and gently weave a garland for the shoulders.
Alli thandu viral mella mella thodum
Fingers like soft lotus stems gently touch
Veenai narambinilae ho ho oo…
Upon the strings of the veena, ho ho oo…
Nenjam killum isai thulli vandhu thodum
A heart-tugging melody leaps forth to touch
Endhan narambinilae ho ho oo…
Deep within my very nerves, ho ho oo…
Kaattu kuzhalin ottaiyilae
Upon the holes of the forest flute,
Kanda padi un kai padudhae
Your fingers move as they please,
Moodi thirakkum maayaiyilae
In the illusion of closing and opening,
Mella en moochai thaan thodudhae
It softly touches my very breath.
Kaamanum indha kaattinilaa
Is Kamadeva present in this forest?
Vedikkai paarkkudhu manjal nilaa
The yellow moon watches the play playfully.
Mega pennae vandhu moodi kollu
Oh maiden cloud, come and veil us!
Gundu malli gundu malli
Plump jasmine, plump jasmine,
Thendral kaathu adichadhum
As the gentle breeze blows,
Kannu thorakkudhu
The eyes blossom open.
Kannan kannu pada thaenu sorakkudhu
Under Kannan's glance, sweet nectar flows.
Kaiyil nee eduthu mella tholil maalai kattu
Take it in your hands and gently weave a garland for the shoulders.
Sirppathilum chinna pennidathil
Even in a stone sculpture of a young girl,
Indha vetkam therigiradhae ho ho oo…
This shyness is clearly visible, ho ho oo…
Sirppi seidha andha chella pennukkavan
For that darling girl crafted by the sculptor,
Ennam purigiradhae ho ho oo…
His inner thoughts are fully understood, ho ho oo…
Inba kalaigal ethanaiyo
So many arts of divine pleasure exist—
Adhu endru thodangiyadhaar arivaar
Who knows when they first originated?
Solli tharavum meedham undo
Is there anything left to be taught?
Indha sorga sugangal thandhadhu yaar
Who bestowed these heavenly delights?
Kaalangal engae nindradhvo
Where did time come to a standstill?
Kan kondu kaadhalar kandadhuvo
Did the lovers witness it with their own eyes?
Minminyae niram enna sollu
Oh firefly, tell me what color it is!
Gundu malli gundu malli
Plump jasmine, plump jasmine,
Thendral kaathu adichadhum
As the gentle breeze blows,
Kannu thorakkudhu
The eyes blossom open.
Kannan kannu pada thaenu sorakkudhu
Under Kannan's glance, sweet nectar flows.
Kaiyil nee eduthu mella tholil maalai kattu
Take it in your hands and gently weave a garland for the shoulders.
Aa manjal nilaa vaanathilae
Ah, the yellow moon in the sky,
Andhiyilae ottikkichu
Clung to the twilight evening,
Kungumamum saendhukkichu
And the vermilion joined in too.
Thaangidumaa pinju nenju
Can a tender heart bear all this beauty?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
"Gundu Malli" from the film 'Solla Marandha Kadhai' (2002) is a soft, poetic romantic duet expressing the deep sensory awakening and intimate beauty of newfound love. Using the metaphor of plump jasmine blossoms (Gundu Malli) opening in the cool evening breeze, the song illustrates how a beloved's glance causes sweetness and passion to overflow. The twilight sky, painted with yellow moonlight and vermilion sunset hues, sets a serene, romantic backdrop for the couple. As the song unfolds, musical metaphors dominate the imagery—slender fingers touching veena strings and playing a wild flute parallel the delicate touch and shared breath of the lovers. The couple marvelling at timeless love, art, and nature asks the clouds to gently shield their intimate moments, reflecting an overwhelming, blissful experience of heavenly love.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Alli thandu viral mella mella thodum”
Compares soft, tender fingers to flexible lotus stalks ('Alli thandu') to convey delicacy and grace.
Personification
“Vedikkai paarkkudhu manjal nilaa”
Attributes human behavior (watching the lovers playfully) to the celestial yellow moon.
Monai (Initial Rhyming / Alliteration)
“Kannan kannu pada thaenu sorakkudhu”
Repetition of the initial sound 'Ka' ('Kannan', 'kannu') creating rhythmic melodic harmony.
Iyaipu (End Rhyming)
“Andhiyilae ottikkichu / Kungumamum saendhukkichu”
The matching end sound '-ichu' links the twilight setting and vermilion color scheme together poetic rhythmically.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Solla Marandha Kadhai' (2002) was directed by acclaimed filmmaker Thangar Bachan and starred director Cheran in his lead acting debut. The soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, who also penned the lyrics for this track. 'Gundu Malli' features vocals by Vijay Yesudas and Shreya Ghoshal, capturing a quintessential rural-folk classical melody signature to Ilaiyaraaja's style.
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