Kalyaana Maalai 2
From Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal · 1989
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal1989
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kalyaana maalai kondaadum pennae | O woman celebrating with a wedding garland, |
| En paattai kelu unmaigal sonnen | Listen to my song, I speak absolute truths. |
| Kalyaana maalai kondaadum pennae | O woman celebrating with a wedding garland, |
| En paattai kelu unmaigal sonnen | Listen to my song, I speak absolute truths. |
| Male | |
| Suruthiyodu layam polavae | Just like musical pitch and rhythm coming together, |
| Inaiyaagum thunaiyaagum | They become paired and become companions, |
| Samsaara sangeedhamae | In this music of domestic life! |
| Male | |
| Kalyaana maalai kondaadum pennae | O woman celebrating with a wedding garland, |
| En paattai kelu unmaigal sonnen | Listen to my song, I speak absolute truths. |
| Male | |
| Vaalibangal odum | Youth will fade away, |
| Vayadhaaga koodum | Age will advance, |
| Aanaalum anbu maaraadhathu | Yet true love remains unchanged. |
| Maalaiyidum sondham | The kinship forged by exchanging garlands, |
| Mudipotta bandham | The bond sealed with a sacred knot, |
| Pirivennum sollae ariyaadhathu | Does not even know the word 'separation'. |
| Male | |
| Azhagaana manaivi | A beautiful wife, |
| Anbaana thunaivi | A loving life companion, |
| Amaindhaalae perinbamae | If attained, is supreme bliss. |
| Madimeedhu thuyila | To rest comfortably on her lap, |
| Sarasangal payila | To indulge in romantic affection, |
| Mogangal aarambamae | Is the beginning of deep desires. |
| Male | |
| Nalla manaiyaalin | From a good wife, |
| Nesam oru kodi | Affection flows ten million fold, |
| Nenjamenum veenai | And the veena that is the heart, |
| Paadumae thodi | Will sing the melodies of joy. |
| Sandhoosha saamraajyamae… | It is indeed a kingdom of happiness! |
| Male | |
| Kalyaana maalai kondaadum pennae | O woman celebrating with a wedding garland, |
| En paattai kelu unmaigal sonnen | Listen to my song, I speak absolute truths. |
| Suruthiyodu layam polavae | Just like musical pitch and rhythm coming together, |
| Inaiyaagum thunaiyaagum | They become paired and become companions, |
| Samsaara sangeedhamae | In this music of domestic life! |
| Male | |
| Kalyaana maalai kondaadum pennae | O woman celebrating with a wedding garland, |
| En paattai kelu unmaigal sonnen | Listen to my song, I speak absolute truths. |
| Chorus | |
| Hmmm…mm…mmm…. | Hmmm...mm...mmm.... |
| Hmm..mm…mmm….mmm… | Hmm..mm...mmm....mmm... |
| Hmmm..mmm…mmm…mmm… | Hmmm..mmm...mmm...mmm... |
| Hmmm..mmm…mmm…mmm…mmm…. | Hmmm..mmm...mmm...mmm...mmm.... |
| Male | |
| Koovugindra kuyilai | If you put a singing cuckoo, |
| Koottukkul vaithu | Inside a small cage, |
| Paadendru sonnaal paadaadhamaa | And command it to sing, will it not sing? |
| Solaimayil thannai | If you take a garden peacock, |
| Siraivaithu pootti | Lock it up in captivity, |
| Aadendru sonnaal aadaadhamaa | And command it to dance, will it not dance? |
| Male | |
| Naaldhorum rasigan | An artist praised by fans, |
| Paarattum kalainjan | Every single day, |
| Kaavalgal enakillaiyae | Has no guards or boundaries to protect him. |
| Sogangal enakkum | Sorrows exist for me as well, |
| Nenjodu irukkum | Hidden inside my heart, |
| Sirikaadha naalillaiyae | Yet there isn't a day I haven't smiled. |
| Male | |
| Thukkam sila neram | Even when grief, |
| Pongi varumbodhum | Wells up and overflows at times, |
| Makkal manam polae | According to the wishes of the people, |
| Paaduven kannae | I will continue to sing, my dear. |
| En sogam ennodudhaan… | My grief stays only with me... |
| Male | |
| Kalyaana maalai kondaadum pennae | O woman celebrating with a wedding garland, |
| En paattai kelu unmaigal sonnen | Listen to my song, I speak absolute truths. |
| Suruthiyodu layam polavae | Just like musical pitch and rhythm coming together, |
| Inaiyaagum thunaiyaagum | They become paired and become companions, |
| Samsaara sangeedhamae | In this music of domestic life! |
| Male | |
| Kalyaana maalai kondaadum pennae | O woman celebrating with a wedding garland, |
| En paattai kelu unmaigal sonnen | Listen to my song, I speak absolute truths. |
| Hmmm..mmmm..mmm mm… | Hmmm..mmmm..mmm mm... |
| Hmmm..mmmm..mmm mm… | Hmmm..mmmm..mmm mm... |
கல்யாண மாலை
கொண்டாடும் பெண்ணே
என் பாட்டை கேளு
உண்மைகள் சொன்னேன்
கல்யாண மாலை
கொண்டாடும் பெண்ணே
என் பாட்டை கேளு
உண்மைகள் சொன்னேன்
O woman celebrating with a wedding garland,
Listen to my song, I speak absolute truths.
O woman celebrating with a wedding garland,
Listen to my song, I speak absolute truths.
சுருதியோடு லயம்
போலவே இணையாகும்
துணையாகும் சம்சார
சங்கீதமே
Just like musical pitch and rhythm coming together,
They become paired and become companions,
In this music of domestic life!
கல்யாண மாலை
கொண்டாடும் பெண்ணே
என் பாட்டை கேளு
உண்மைகள் சொன்னேன்
O woman celebrating with a wedding garland,
Listen to my song, I speak absolute truths.
வாலிபங்கள்
ஓடும் வயதாகக்கூடும்
ஆனாலும் அன்பு மாறாதது
மாலையிடும் சொந்தம்
முடிப்போட்ட பந்தம்
பிரிவென்னும் சொல்லே
அறியாதது
Youth will fade away,
Age will advance,
Yet true love remains unchanged.
The kinship forged by exchanging garlands,
The bond sealed with a sacred knot,
Does not even know the word 'separation'.
அழகான மனைவி
அன்பான துணைவி
அமைந்தாலே பேரின்பமே
மடிமீது துயில சரசங்கள்
பயில மோகங்கள் ஆரம்பமே
A beautiful wife,
A loving life companion,
If attained, is supreme bliss.
To rest comfortably on her lap,
To indulge in romantic affection,
Is the beginning of deep desires.
நல்ல மனையாளின்
நேசம் ஒரு கோடி நெஞ்சமெனும்
வீணை பாடுமே தோடி
சந்தோஷ சாம்ராஜ்யமே
From a good wife,
Affection flows ten million fold,
And the veena that is the heart,
Will sing the melodies of joy.
It is indeed a kingdom of happiness!
கல்யாண மாலை
கொண்டாடும் பெண்ணே
என் பாட்டை கேளு
உண்மைகள் சொன்னேன்
O woman celebrating with a wedding garland,
Listen to my song, I speak absolute truths.
Just like musical pitch and rhythm coming together,
They become paired and become companions,
In this music of domestic life!
சுருதியோடு லயம்
போலவே இணையாகும்
துணையாகும் சம்சார
சங்கீதமே
O woman celebrating with a wedding garland,
Listen to my song, I speak absolute truths.
கல்யாண மாலை
கொண்டாடும் பெண்ணே
என் பாட்டை கேளு
உண்மைகள் சொன்னேன்
Hmmm...mm...mmm....
Hmm..mm...mmm....mmm...
Hmmm..mmm...mmm...mmm...
Hmmm..mmm...mmm...mmm...mmm....
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
ம்ம்ம்
If you put a singing cuckoo,
Inside a small cage,
And command it to sing, will it not sing?
If you take a garden peacock,
Lock it up in captivity,
And command it to dance, will it not dance?
கூவுகின்ற குயிலை
கூட்டுக்குள் வைத்து பாடென்று
சொன்னால் பாடாதம்மா சோலை
மயில் தன்னை சிறைவைத்து
பூட்டி ஆடென்று சொன்னால்
ஆடாதம்மா
An artist praised by fans,
Every single day,
Has no guards or boundaries to protect him.
Sorrows exist for me as well,
Hidden inside my heart,
Yet there isn't a day I haven't smiled.
நாள்தோறும் ரசிகன்
பாராட்டும் கலைஞன்
காவல்கள் எனக்கில்லையே
சோகங்கள் எனக்கும்
நெஞ்சோடு இருக்கும்
சிரிக்காத நாளில்லையே
Even when grief,
Wells up and overflows at times,
According to the wishes of the people,
I will continue to sing, my dear.
My grief stays only with me...
துக்கம் சில நேரம்
பொங்கிவரும் போதும்
மக்கள் மனம்போலே
பாடுவேன் கண்ணே
என் சோகம் என்னோடு
தான்
O woman celebrating with a wedding garland,
Listen to my song, I speak absolute truths.
Just like musical pitch and rhythm coming together,
They become paired and become companions,
In this music of domestic life!
கல்யாண மாலை
கொண்டாடும் பெண்ணே
என் பாட்டை கேளு
உண்மைகள் சொன்னேன்
O woman celebrating with a wedding garland,
Listen to my song, I speak absolute truths.
Hmmm..mmmm..mmm mm...
Hmmm..mmmm..mmm mm...
சுருதியோடு லயம்
போலவே இணையாகும்
துணையாகும் சம்சார
சங்கீதமே
கல்யாண மாலை
கொண்டாடும் பெண்ணே
என் பாட்டை கேளு
உண்மைகள் சொன்னேன்
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
Kalyaana maalai kondaadum pennae
O woman celebrating with a wedding garland,
En paattai kelu unmaigal sonnen
Listen to my song, I speak absolute truths.
Kalyaana maalai kondaadum pennae
O woman celebrating with a wedding garland,
En paattai kelu unmaigal sonnen
Listen to my song, I speak absolute truths.
Suruthiyodu layam polavae
Just like musical pitch and rhythm coming together,
Inaiyaagum thunaiyaagum
They become paired and become companions,
Samsaara sangeedhamae
In this music of domestic life!
Kalyaana maalai kondaadum pennae
O woman celebrating with a wedding garland,
En paattai kelu unmaigal sonnen
Listen to my song, I speak absolute truths.
Vaalibangal odum
Youth will fade away,
Vayadhaaga koodum
Age will advance,
Aanaalum anbu maaraadhathu
Yet true love remains unchanged.
Maalaiyidum sondham
The kinship forged by exchanging garlands,
Mudipotta bandham
The bond sealed with a sacred knot,
Pirivennum sollae ariyaadhathu
Does not even know the word 'separation'.
Azhagaana manaivi
A beautiful wife,
Anbaana thunaivi
A loving life companion,
Amaindhaalae perinbamae
If attained, is supreme bliss.
Madimeedhu thuyila
To rest comfortably on her lap,
Sarasangal payila
To indulge in romantic affection,
Mogangal aarambamae
Is the beginning of deep desires.
Nalla manaiyaalin
From a good wife,
Nesam oru kodi
Affection flows ten million fold,
Nenjamenum veenai
And the veena that is the heart,
Paadumae thodi
Will sing the melodies of joy.
Sandhoosha saamraajyamae…
It is indeed a kingdom of happiness!
Kalyaana maalai kondaadum pennae
O woman celebrating with a wedding garland,
En paattai kelu unmaigal sonnen
Listen to my song, I speak absolute truths.
Suruthiyodu layam polavae
Just like musical pitch and rhythm coming together,
Inaiyaagum thunaiyaagum
They become paired and become companions,
Samsaara sangeedhamae
In this music of domestic life!
Kalyaana maalai kondaadum pennae
O woman celebrating with a wedding garland,
En paattai kelu unmaigal sonnen
Listen to my song, I speak absolute truths.
Hmmm…mm…mmm….
Hmmm...mm...mmm....
Hmm..mm…mmm….mmm…
Hmm..mm...mmm....mmm...
Hmmm..mmm…mmm…mmm…
Hmmm..mmm...mmm...mmm...
Hmmm..mmm…mmm…mmm…mmm….
Hmmm..mmm...mmm...mmm...mmm....
Koovugindra kuyilai
If you put a singing cuckoo,
Koottukkul vaithu
Inside a small cage,
Paadendru sonnaal paadaadhamaa
And command it to sing, will it not sing?
Solaimayil thannai
If you take a garden peacock,
Siraivaithu pootti
Lock it up in captivity,
Aadendru sonnaal aadaadhamaa
And command it to dance, will it not dance?
Naaldhorum rasigan
An artist praised by fans,
Paarattum kalainjan
Every single day,
Kaavalgal enakillaiyae
Has no guards or boundaries to protect him.
Sogangal enakkum
Sorrows exist for me as well,
Nenjodu irukkum
Hidden inside my heart,
Sirikaadha naalillaiyae
Yet there isn't a day I haven't smiled.
Thukkam sila neram
Even when grief,
Pongi varumbodhum
Wells up and overflows at times,
Makkal manam polae
According to the wishes of the people,
Paaduven kannae
I will continue to sing, my dear.
En sogam ennodudhaan…
My grief stays only with me...
Kalyaana maalai kondaadum pennae
O woman celebrating with a wedding garland,
En paattai kelu unmaigal sonnen
Listen to my song, I speak absolute truths.
Suruthiyodu layam polavae
Just like musical pitch and rhythm coming together,
Inaiyaagum thunaiyaagum
They become paired and become companions,
Samsaara sangeedhamae
In this music of domestic life!
Kalyaana maalai kondaadum pennae
O woman celebrating with a wedding garland,
En paattai kelu unmaigal sonnen
Listen to my song, I speak absolute truths.
Hmmm..mmmm..mmm mm…
Hmmm..mmmm..mmm mm...
Hmmm..mmmm..mmm mm…
Hmmm..mmmm..mmm mm...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Kalyana Maalai is a philosophical and deeply emotional song from K. Balachander's 1989 film 'Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal'. Written by Vaali and composed by Ilaiyaraaja, the song operates on two contrasting thematic levels: the ideal beauty of marital harmony and the hidden sorrow of a performing artist. In the first half, the narrator reflects on matrimony, likening a husband and wife to pitch (sruti) and rhythm (laya) in music. He highlights how true love endures beyond youth and aging. In the second half, the narrative shifts to the performer's inner torment. Likening himself to a caged bird forced to entertain on command, the singer conceals his personal heartbreaks behind a warm smile to fulfill his duty to his audience.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Upamai)
“Suruthiyodu layam polavae / Inaiyaagum thunaiyaagum / Samsaara sangeedhamae”
Compares marriage/family life to musical harmony between pitch (sruti) and rhythm (laya).
Metaphor (Uruvagaim)
“Nenjamenum veenai”
Compares the human heart directly to a musical instrument, the veena.
Analogy & Imagery
“Koovugindra kuyilai koottukkul vaithu paadendru sonnaal paadaadhamaa”
Uses the vivid image of a caged cuckoo and imprisoned peacock to illustrate how an artist must perform on demand despite losing personal freedom and experiencing grief.
Ethirai (Second letter rhyming)
“Maalaiyidum sondham / Mudipotta bandham”
The second consonant sound 'd' matches in consecutive lines (Maalaiyidum / Mudipotta).
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and rendered by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, 'Kalyana Maalai' is set in the poignant Carnatic raga Sindhu Bhairavi. In the movie, actor Rahman plays a famous singer whose personal marital life is fraught with strain, matching the tragic subtext of Vaali's lyrics.
Keep listening
More from Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal
Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal
Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal
Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal
Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal
Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal