Kalayana Melamadi
From Oppantham · 1983
- Lyricist
- Maari
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, Vani Jairam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Oppantham1983
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Thiruvalluvar paetta selvarathinam paiyan | To Selvarathinam's son from Thiruvalluvar Pettai, |
| Seenivaasan engura kannanukkum… | Srinivasan, also known as Kannan... |
| Female | |
| Thanjaavooru sillaa maayavaram pakkam | Near Mayavaram in Tanjore district, |
| Mannaaru saami maga rukkumanikkum… | ...and to Mannarusamy's daughter Rukmani... |
| Male | |
| Naalaikku kalyaanam… | Tomorrow is the wedding... |
| Female | |
| Innaikku oorkolam… | Today is the village procession... |
| Male | |
| Kalyaana maelamadi maelamadi | The wedding drumbeat, my girl, the drumbeat! |
| Kaadhula kaekkudhadi kaekkudhadi | It can be heard in the ears, my girl, it can be heard! |
| Ponnaala thaali senju | Making a sacred thread of gold, |
| Nalla poo maala vaangi vandhu | Buying and bringing a good flower garland, |
| En pondaatti kazhuthinilae | Around my wife's neck, |
| Poda vandhaen paada vandhaen | I came to place it, I came to sing. |
| Male | |
| Kalyaana maelamadi maelamadi | The wedding drumbeat, my girl, the drumbeat! |
| Kaadhula kaekkudhadi haei kaekkudhadi | It can be heard in the ears, hey, it can be heard! |
| Female | |
| Kaettaa kodukkum kaamadhaenu | Like Kamadhenu that grants whatever is asked, |
| Koduthaa perugum kuviyum ponnu | Gold that multiplies and piles up when shared, |
| Ellaam namakkaaga | Everything is for us! |
| Male | |
| Maari pol pozhiyanum | Blessings should shower down like rain, |
| Manasellaam neraiyanum | The heart should be filled with joy. |
| Female | |
| Nadakkum… nadakkum | It will happen... it will happen! |
| Nallaa kedaikkum | Good things will be received! |
| Saami ellaam kodukkum ezhaiya osathum | God will grant everything and uplift the poor! |
| Male | |
| Kalyaana maelamadi maelamadi | The wedding drumbeat, my girl, the drumbeat! |
| Kaadhula kaekkudhadi kaekkudhadi | It can be heard in the ears, my girl, it can be heard! |
| Male | |
| Paalaa perugi pongi vazhiyum | Overflowing and pouring out like milk, |
| Pala naal kanavu indru vidiyum | A dream cherished for many days dawns today. |
| Adiyae rukkumani | Oh my dear Rukmani! |
| Female | |
| Aasaiyaa rusikkalaam | We can relish with desire, |
| Aaraathi edukkalaam | We can perform the auspicious Aarathi ritual. |
| Male | |
| Kanavaa… kanavaa illa nenavaa | Is it a dream... a dream or reality? |
| Onna thodavaa medhuvaa sonnaen podhuvaa | May I touch you gently? I just said it casually. |
| Female | |
| Kalyaana maelamadi maelamadi | The wedding drumbeat, my girl, the drumbeat! |
| Kaadhula kaekkudhadi kaekkudhadi | It can be heard in the ears, my girl, it can be heard! |
| Ponnaala thaali senju | Making a sacred thread of gold, |
| Nalla poo maala vaangi vandhu | Buying and bringing a good flower garland, |
| Un pondaatti kazhuthinilae | Around your wife's neck, |
| Pottu vidu pootti vidu | Place it and tie it tight! |
| Female | |
| Kalyaana maelamadi maelamadi | The wedding drumbeat, my girl, the drumbeat! |
| Kaadhula kaekkudhadi kaekkudhadi | It can be heard in the ears, my girl, it can be heard! |
| Female | |
| Vayaso sirusu vaala vayasu | Age is young, a youthful age, |
| Manso perusu aasa manasu | Heart is big, a hopeful heart filled with desire. |
| Rasikkum ena paathu | Looking at me enjoying this, |
| Male | |
| Kanavula medhakkuraen | I float in dreams, |
| Kavalaiya marakkuraen | I forget all my worries. |
| Female | |
| Thaniyaa… thannam thaniyaa | Alone... all by myself, |
| Chinna paniyaa onakkae paninjnae irukkaen | Like soft dew, I remain devoted only to you. |
| Male | |
| Kalyaana maelamadi maelamadi | The wedding drumbeat, my girl, the drumbeat! |
| Kaadhula kaekkudhadi kaekkudhadi | It can be heard in the ears, my girl, it can be heard! |
| Female | |
| Ponnaala thaali senju | Making a sacred thread of gold, |
| Nalla poo maala vaangi vandhu | Buying and bringing a good flower garland, |
| Male | |
| En pondaatti kazhuthinilae | Around my wife's neck, |
| Poda vandhaen paada vandhaen | I came to place it, I came to sing. |
திருவள்ளுவர் பேட்ட செல்வரத்தினம் பையன்
சீனிவாசங்குற கண்ணனுக்கும்...
To Selvarathinam's son from Thiruvalluvar Pettai,
Srinivasan, also known as Kannan...
தஞ்சாவூரு சில்லா மாயவரம் பக்கம்
மன்னாரு சாமி மக ருக்குமணிக்கும்...
Near Mayavaram in Tanjore district,
...and to Mannarusamy's daughter Rukmani...
நாளைக்கு கல்யாணம்...
Tomorrow is the wedding...
இன்னைக்கு ஊர்கோலம்...
Today is the village procession...
என்னைக்கும் சந்தோசம்...
The wedding drumbeat, my girl, the drumbeat!
It can be heard in the ears, my girl, it can be heard!
Making a sacred thread of gold,
Buying and bringing a good flower garland,
Around my wife's neck,
I came to place it, I came to sing.
சந்தோசம்...
The wedding drumbeat, my girl, the drumbeat!
It can be heard in the ears, hey, it can be heard!
கல்யாண மேளமடி மேளமடி
காதுல கேக்குதடி கேக்குதடி
பொன்னால தாலி செஞ்சு
நல்ல பூ மால வாங்கி வந்து
என் பொண்டாட்டி கழுத்தினிலே
போட வந்தேன் பாட வந்தேன்
Like Kamadhenu that grants whatever is asked,
Gold that multiplies and piles up when shared,
Everything is for us!
கல்யாண மேளமடி மேளமடி
காதுல கேக்குதடி ஹேய் கேக்குதடி
Blessings should shower down like rain,
The heart should be filled with joy.
கேட்டா கொடுக்கும் காமதேனு
கொடுத்தா பெருகும் குவியும் பொன்னு
எல்லாம் நமக்காக
It will happen... it will happen!
Good things will be received!
God will grant everything and uplift the poor!
மாரி போல் பொழியனும்
மனசெல்லாம் வழியனும்
The wedding drumbeat, my girl, the drumbeat!
It can be heard in the ears, my girl, it can be heard!
நடக்கும்... நடக்கும்
நல்லா கெடைக்கும்
சாமி எல்லாம் கொடுக்கும் ஏழைய ஒசத்தும்
Overflowing and pouring out like milk,
A dream cherished for many days dawns today.
Oh my dear Rukmani!
கல்யாண மேளமடி ஹே மேளமடி
காதுல கேக்குதடி கேக்குதடி
We can relish with desire,
We can perform the auspicious Aarathi ritual.
பாலாப் பெருகி பொங்கி வழியும்
பல நாள் கனவு இன்று விடியும்
அடியே ருக்குமணி
Is it a dream... a dream or reality?
May I touch you gently? I just said it casually.
ஆசையா ருசிக்கலாம்
ஆரத்தி எடுக்கலாம்
The wedding drumbeat, my girl, the drumbeat!
It can be heard in the ears, my girl, it can be heard!
Making a sacred thread of gold,
Buying and bringing a good flower garland,
Around your wife's neck,
Place it and tie it tight!
கனவா... கனவா இல்ல நெனவா
ஒன்னத் தொடவா மெதுவா
சொன்னேன் பொதுவா
The wedding drumbeat, my girl, the drumbeat!
It can be heard in the ears, my girl, it can be heard!
கல்யாண மேளமடி மேளமடி
காதுல கேக்குதடி கேக்குதடி
பொன்னால தாலி செஞ்சு
நல்ல பூ மால வாங்கி வந்து
உன் பொண்டாட்டி கழுத்தினிலே
போட்டு விடு பூட்டி விடு
Age is young, a youthful age,
Heart is big, a hopeful heart filled with desire.
Looking at me enjoying this,
கல்யாண மேளமடி மேளமடி
காதுல கேக்குதடி கேக்குதடி
I float in dreams,
I forget all my worries.
வயசோ சிறுசு வாழ வயசு
மனசோ பெருசு ஆச மனசு
ரசிக்கும் எனப் பாத்து
Alone... all by myself,
Like soft dew, I remain devoted only to you.
கனவுல மெதக்குறேன்
கவலைய மறக்குறேன்
The wedding drumbeat, my girl, the drumbeat!
It can be heard in the ears, my girl, it can be heard!
தனியா... தன்னந்தனியா
சின்னப் பனியா
ஒனக்கே பணிஞ்சே இருக்கேன்
Making a sacred thread of gold,
Buying and bringing a good flower garland,
கல்யாண மேளமடி மேளமடி
காதுல கேக்குதடி கேக்குதடி
Around my wife's neck,
I came to place it, I came to sing.
பொன்னால தாலி செஞ்சு
நல்ல பூ மால வாங்கி வந்து
என் பொண்டாட்டி கழுத்தினிலே
போட வந்தேன் பாட வந்தேன்
கல்யாண மேளமடி மேளமடி
காதுல கேக்குதடி கேக்குதடி
Thiruvalluvar paetta selvarathinam paiyan
To Selvarathinam's son from Thiruvalluvar Pettai,
Seenivaasan engura kannanukkum…
Srinivasan, also known as Kannan...
Thanjaavooru sillaa maayavaram pakkam
Near Mayavaram in Tanjore district,
Mannaaru saami maga rukkumanikkum…
...and to Mannarusamy's daughter Rukmani...
Naalaikku kalyaanam…
Tomorrow is the wedding...
Innaikku oorkolam…
Today is the village procession...
Kalyaana maelamadi maelamadi
The wedding drumbeat, my girl, the drumbeat!
Kaadhula kaekkudhadi kaekkudhadi
It can be heard in the ears, my girl, it can be heard!
Ponnaala thaali senju
Making a sacred thread of gold,
Nalla poo maala vaangi vandhu
Buying and bringing a good flower garland,
En pondaatti kazhuthinilae
Around my wife's neck,
Poda vandhaen paada vandhaen
I came to place it, I came to sing.
Kalyaana maelamadi maelamadi
The wedding drumbeat, my girl, the drumbeat!
Kaadhula kaekkudhadi haei kaekkudhadi
It can be heard in the ears, hey, it can be heard!
Kaettaa kodukkum kaamadhaenu
Like Kamadhenu that grants whatever is asked,
Koduthaa perugum kuviyum ponnu
Gold that multiplies and piles up when shared,
Ellaam namakkaaga
Everything is for us!
Maari pol pozhiyanum
Blessings should shower down like rain,
Manasellaam neraiyanum
The heart should be filled with joy.
Nadakkum… nadakkum
It will happen... it will happen!
Nallaa kedaikkum
Good things will be received!
Saami ellaam kodukkum ezhaiya osathum
God will grant everything and uplift the poor!
Kalyaana maelamadi maelamadi
The wedding drumbeat, my girl, the drumbeat!
Kaadhula kaekkudhadi kaekkudhadi
It can be heard in the ears, my girl, it can be heard!
Paalaa perugi pongi vazhiyum
Overflowing and pouring out like milk,
Pala naal kanavu indru vidiyum
A dream cherished for many days dawns today.
Adiyae rukkumani
Oh my dear Rukmani!
Aasaiyaa rusikkalaam
We can relish with desire,
Aaraathi edukkalaam
We can perform the auspicious Aarathi ritual.
Kanavaa… kanavaa illa nenavaa
Is it a dream... a dream or reality?
Onna thodavaa medhuvaa sonnaen podhuvaa
May I touch you gently? I just said it casually.
Kalyaana maelamadi maelamadi
The wedding drumbeat, my girl, the drumbeat!
Kaadhula kaekkudhadi kaekkudhadi
It can be heard in the ears, my girl, it can be heard!
Ponnaala thaali senju
Making a sacred thread of gold,
Nalla poo maala vaangi vandhu
Buying and bringing a good flower garland,
Un pondaatti kazhuthinilae
Around your wife's neck,
Pottu vidu pootti vidu
Place it and tie it tight!
Kalyaana maelamadi maelamadi
The wedding drumbeat, my girl, the drumbeat!
Kaadhula kaekkudhadi kaekkudhadi
It can be heard in the ears, my girl, it can be heard!
Vayaso sirusu vaala vayasu
Age is young, a youthful age,
Manso perusu aasa manasu
Heart is big, a hopeful heart filled with desire.
Rasikkum ena paathu
Looking at me enjoying this,
Kanavula medhakkuraen
I float in dreams,
Kavalaiya marakkuraen
I forget all my worries.
Thaniyaa… thannam thaniyaa
Alone... all by myself,
Chinna paniyaa onakkae paninjnae irukkaen
Like soft dew, I remain devoted only to you.
Kalyaana maelamadi maelamadi
The wedding drumbeat, my girl, the drumbeat!
Kaadhula kaekkudhadi kaekkudhadi
It can be heard in the ears, my girl, it can be heard!
Ponnaala thaali senju
Making a sacred thread of gold,
Nalla poo maala vaangi vandhu
Buying and bringing a good flower garland,
En pondaatti kazhuthinilae
Around my wife's neck,
Poda vandhaen paada vandhaen
I came to place it, I came to sing.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This festive song opens in the style of a traditional Tamil village wedding announcement, explicitly listing the groom Kannan (Srinivasan) from Thiruvalluvar Pettai and the bride Rukmani from the Mayiladuthurai/Tanjore region. It captures the exuberant joy, anticipation, and community celebration surrounding the upcoming wedding ceremony and procession. The lyrics express deep affection, hope, and optimism for a blissful future. Using cultural motifs such as the sacred golden Mangalsutra, flower garlands, Kamadhenu (the divine wish-fulfilling cow), and the resonant beating of the wedding drums (Nadaswaram and Thavil), the protagonist envisions a prosperous life where hard work and faith bring joy and social elevation to the modest couple.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Adukku Thodar (Repetition for Emphasis)
“Kalyaana maelamadi maelamadi”
Repetition of words like 'maelamadi maelamadi', 'kaekkudhadi kaekkudhadi', and 'nadakkum... nadakkum' creates rhythmic energy and folk music cadence.
Iyaibu (Rhyme / End Rhyme)
“Kanavula medhakkuraen / Kavalaiya marakkuraen”
Rhyming endings across consecutive lines such as 'medhakkuraen' and 'marakkuraen' enhance the lyrical flow.
Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyming)
“Vayaso sirusu vaala vayasu / Manso perusu aasa manasu”
Matching second consonants in words like 'Vayaso' and 'Manso' creates harmonious internal rhythm.
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Kaettaa kodukkum kaamadhaenu”
Comparing generous giving and abundance to Kamadhenu, the mythological wish-fulfilling cow.
Did you know?
Trivia
The opening lines mimic the traditional formal announcement structure used by village criers and wedding invitations in rural Tamil Nadu, specifying families, towns, and real-sounding names to give the track an authentic, grounded folk atmosphere.
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