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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Jadhi Malligaiye

From Mannukkul Vairam · 1986

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Devendran
Details
Mannukkul Vairam1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Jaadhi malligaiyae nenjila saainjuOh Jasmine flower, lean on my chest
Konjam nee thoongu kannmaniyaeSleep for a little while, my precious darling
Sillunnu veesuthu oodha kaaththuThe chilling northern breeze blows cold
Siththa nee poovizhi vaasal saaththu…..aariro….Close the door of your flower-like eyes for a bit... lullaby...
Male
Jaadhi malligaiyae nenjila saainjuOh Jasmine flower, lean on my chest
Konjam nee thoongu kannmaniyaeSleep for a little while, my precious darling
Male
Eththaniyo nyaapagamSo many memories
En manasil nizhalaai aaduthuDance like shadows in my heart
Ennennavo naadagamVarious kinds of dramas
En ninavil thinamum poduthuAre enacted daily in my thoughts
Male
Vaanam kitta varumThe sky will come near
Un kannirandil maiya thottezhuthumTo apply eye-liner to both your eyes
Maegam pandhalidumThe clouds will erect a canopy
En kannmanikku minnal maalai kattumAnd weave a garland of lightning for my dear child
Paasa dheepam kannila kanndaen vaaI saw the lamp of affection in your eyes, come
Male
Jaadhi malligaiyae nenjila saainjuOh Jasmine flower, lean on my chest
Konjam nee thoongu kannmaniyaeSleep for a little while, my precious darling
Male
Kaalai varum pothilaeWhen the morning arrived
Pon ulagam irulaai ponathaeThe golden world turned into darkness
Maalaiyitta kaatchiyaeThe vision of getting married with garlands
Kai nodiyil kanavaai ponathaeTurned into a dream in the snap of a finger
Male
Koodu katti vachchuHaving built a nest
En chella kuyil paada mettu thanthaenI gave a tune for my darling cuckoo to sing
Kootta kaanavillaiThe nest is nowhere to be found
Naan solli thantha paattum ketkkavillaiNor is the song I taught to be heard
Raagam maari sogam naan kettaenThe melody changed and I heard sorrow instead
Male
Jaadhi malligaiyae nenjila saainjuOh Jasmine flower, lean on my chest
Konjam nee thoongu kannmaniyaeSleep for a little while, my precious darling
Kannmaniyae……kannmaniyaeMy darling... my darling

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This tender lullaby reflects deep affection, nostalgia, and melancholic anguish. The singer gently puts the beloved to sleep, offering solace against the cold wind while being overwhelmed by memories that play out like shadows and dramas in the mind. The lyrics weave sweet imagery of nature bestowing honors upon the beloved, contrasting the warmth of deep bond against painful real-life betrayals or misfortunes. The song portrays how a once bright, golden world suddenly turned dark, where dreams of marriage and togetherness shattered in an instant. Despite the melody of life turning into a song of grief, the speaker continues to hold the beloved close with unwavering love and protection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Urvagam)

Jaadhi malligaiyae nenjila saainju

Refers to the beloved as a delicate jasmine flower ('Jaadhi malligai') and compares eyes to doors made of flowers ('Poovizhi vaasal').

Hyperbole (Uvarchi Aani)

Vaanam kitta varum / Un kannirandil maiya thottezhuthum

Exaggerates nature's love where the sky descends to apply kohl and clouds create a canopy with a lightning garland.

Monai (Initial Assonance/Alliteration)

Eththaniyo nyaapagam / Ennennavo naadagam

Repetition of initial consonant/vowel sounds across consecutive lines ('Eththaniyo' / 'Ennennavo').

Imagery

Sillunnu veesuthu oodha kaaththu

Evokes vivid tactile and visual imagery of cold breezes blowing and golden worlds fading into darkness.

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Trivia

'Mannukkul Vairam' (1986) featured music composed by Devendran, with lyrics written by the celebrated Tamil poet Muthulingam. The soundtrack is noted for its expressive folk-classical fusion melodies typical of 1980s Tamil cinema.

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