Kaalai Malar Maalaiyinil
From Rathna Kumar · 1949
- Lyricist
- Papanasam Sivan
- Singer
- P. Bhanumathi
- Music directors
- G. Ramanathan, C. R. Subbaraman
- Details
- Rathna Kumar1949
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kaalai malar maalaiyinil | The flower that blooms in the morning, by evening, |
| Vaadippogum | Will wither away. |
| Kattazhagi kaniyidhazhum | The well-carved beauty and fruit-like soft lips, |
| Thuvandu pogum…mm mm | Will droop and fade away... |
| Kaalamellaam vasandhamena | Believing that all times will remain a sweet spring, |
| Kanavu kaa…nbaar… | They dream endlessly... |
| Kaithalathil kanivaithu | Holding the fruit in their palm, |
| Kalanguvaarae kalanguvaarae…ae..a.e…. | They will weep in sorrow, weep in sorrow... |
| Female | |
| Vaazhvin kalasam | The vessel of life, |
| Varandidum munnae | Before it dries up, |
| Vaariyae parugidadaa | Scoop it up and drink it fully! |
| Vaazhvin kalasam | The vessel of life, |
| Varandidum munnae | Before it dries up, |
| Vaariyae parugidadaa | Scoop it up and drink it fully! |
| Soonzhndhidum thendral | When the surrounding breeze |
| Kaattrulla podhae | Is blowing, |
| Thoottrida ezhundhiradaa | Arise and winnow the grain! |
| Thoottrida ezhundhiradaa | Arise and winnow the grain! |
காலை மலர் மாலையினில்
வாடிப்போகும்
கட்டழகி கனியிதழும்
துவண்டு போகும்.....ம்ம்.....ம்ம்
காலமெல்லாம் வஸந்தமெனக்
கனவு கா.....ண்பார்..
கைத்தலத்தில் கனிவைத்துக்
கலங்குவாரே கலங்குவாரே......ஏ...ஏ....
The flower that blooms in the morning, by evening,
Will wither away.
The well-carved beauty and fruit-like soft lips,
Will droop and fade away...
Believing that all times will remain a sweet spring,
They dream endlessly...
Holding the fruit in their palm,
They will weep in sorrow, weep in sorrow...
வாழ்வின் கலசம்
வறண்டிடும் முன்னே
வாரியே பருகிடடா
வாழ்வின் கலசம்
வறண்டிடும் முன்னே
வாரியே பருகிடடா
சூழ்ந்திடும் தென்றல்
காற்றுள்ள போதே
தூற்றிட எழுந்திரடா
தூற்றிட எழுந்திரடா
The vessel of life,
Before it dries up,
Scoop it up and drink it fully!
The vessel of life,
Before it dries up,
Scoop it up and drink it fully!
When the surrounding breeze
Is blowing,
Arise and winnow the grain!
Arise and winnow the grain!
Kaalai malar maalaiyinil
The flower that blooms in the morning, by evening,
Vaadippogum
Will wither away.
Kattazhagi kaniyidhazhum
The well-carved beauty and fruit-like soft lips,
Thuvandu pogum…mm mm
Will droop and fade away...
Kaalamellaam vasandhamena
Believing that all times will remain a sweet spring,
Kanavu kaa…nbaar…
They dream endlessly...
Kaithalathil kanivaithu
Holding the fruit in their palm,
Kalanguvaarae kalanguvaarae…ae..a.e….
They will weep in sorrow, weep in sorrow...
Vaazhvin kalasam
The vessel of life,
Varandidum munnae
Before it dries up,
Vaariyae parugidadaa
Scoop it up and drink it fully!
Vaazhvin kalasam
The vessel of life,
Varandidum munnae
Before it dries up,
Vaariyae parugidadaa
Scoop it up and drink it fully!
Soonzhndhidum thendral
When the surrounding breeze
Kaattrulla podhae
Is blowing,
Thoottrida ezhundhiradaa
Arise and winnow the grain!
Thoottrida ezhundhiradaa
Arise and winnow the grain!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This philosophical song reflects on the fleeting nature of youth, physical beauty, and life itself. It warns that youth and charm wither away quickly, just like a morning blossom that fades by evening. People often live in the illusion that their spring-like youth will last forever, only to lament in grief when age catches up and opportunities slip away.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Kaalai malar maalaiyinil Vaadippogum”
Compares youth and physical beauty to a morning flower that inevitably withers by evening.
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Vaazhvin kalasam Varandidum munnae”
Refers to life as a 'kalasam' (a sacred vessel or urn filled with nectar/water) that can run dry.
Proverb / Idiom (Pazhamozhi)
“Kaattrulla podhae Thoottrida ezhundhiradaa”
Adapts the popular Tamil proverb 'Kaattrulla podhae thoottru' (Make hay while the sun shines / Winnow while the wind blows).
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Vaazhvin kalasam / Varandidum munnae / Vaariyae parugidadaa”
Repetition of the initial 'Vaa' sound across consecutive lines.
Did you know?
Trivia
Rathna Kumar (1949) was a historic Tamil film featuring both M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and P. U. Chinnappa. The music was jointly composed by G. Ramanathan and C. R. Subbaraman, with profound philosophical lyrics penned by Papanasam Sivan.
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