Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanthanukku Malaiyittal

From Uzhaikkum Karangal · 1976

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Uzhaikkum Karangal1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kanthanukku maalaiyittaal kaanagathu valli mayilWhen the forest peacock Valli garlanded Lord Murugan,
Kalyaana kolathilae kavidhai sonnaalin her wedding attire, she recited poetry,
kaadhal kuyilthe cuckoo of love.
Kanthanukku maalaiyittaal kaanagathu valli mayilWhen the forest peacock Valli garlanded Lord Murugan,
Kalyaana kolathilae kavidhai sonnaalin her wedding attire, she recited poetry,
kaadhal kuyilthe cuckoo of love.
Kalyaana kolathilae kavidhai sonnaalIn her wedding attire, she recited poetry,
kaadhal kuyilthe cuckoo of love.
Kalyaana kolathilae kavidhai sonnaalIn her wedding attire, she recited poetry,
kaadhal kuyilthe cuckoo of love.
Female
Sokkarudan meenatchiGoddess Meenakshi with Lord Sundareswarar
sokki nikkum thirukaatchiis a divine sight standing in spellbound beauty.
Sokkarudan meenatchiGoddess Meenakshi with Lord Sundareswarar
sokki nikkum thirukaatchiis a divine sight standing in spellbound beauty.
Kaanavantha kangal renduThe two eyes that came to witness this
kaadhalukku oru saatchistand as proof of true love.
Kaanavantha kangal renduThe two eyes that came to witness this
kaadhalukku oru saatchistand as proof of true love.
Kalyaana kolathilae kavidhai sonnaalIn her wedding attire, she recited poetry,
kaadhal kuyilthe cuckoo of love.
Kalyaana kolathilae kavidhai sonnaalIn her wedding attire, she recited poetry,
kaadhal kuyilthe cuckoo of love.
Female
Kanthanukku maalaiyittaal kaanagathu valli mayilWhen the forest peacock Valli garlanded Lord Murugan,
Kalyaana kolathilae kavidhai sonnaalin her wedding attire, she recited poetry,
kaadhal kuyilthe cuckoo of love.
Female
Poovodu pottum thandhenI gave flowers and the auspicious mark,
oru poovaikku vaazhvu thandhenI bestowed a life upon a young maiden.
Poovodu pottum thandhenI gave flowers and the auspicious mark,
oru poovaikku vaazhvu thandhenI bestowed a life upon a young maiden.
Salangai kattum illathilae thaali kattum nadakka kandenIn the house filled with dancing anklets, I witnessed the tying of the sacred thread.
Salangai kattum illathilae thaali kattum nadakka kandenIn the house filled with dancing anklets, I witnessed the tying of the sacred thread.
Kalyaana kolathilae kavidhai sonnaalIn her wedding attire, she recited poetry,
kaadhal kuyilthe cuckoo of love.
Kalyaana kolathilae kavidhai sonnaalIn her wedding attire, she recited poetry,
kaadhal kuyilthe cuckoo of love.
Female
Kanthanukku maalaiyittaal kaanagathu valli mayilWhen the forest peacock Valli garlanded Lord Murugan,
Kalyaana kolathilae kavidhai sonnaalin her wedding attire, she recited poetry,
kaadhal kuyilthe cuckoo of love.
Female
Devanai thedi sendrenI went in search of my divine lord,
deviyudan avan vandhaanbut he returned accompanied by his goddess.
Devanai thedi sendrenI went in search of my divine lord,
deviyudan avan vandhaanbut he returned accompanied by his goddess.
Veenaiyudan naan irundhenI remained behind with my Veena,
vidhiyai enni paadugindrensinging while reflecting upon my destiny.
Female
Kanthanukku maalaiyittaal kaanagathu valli mayilWhen the forest peacock Valli garlanded Lord Murugan,
Kalyaana kolathilae kavidhai sonnaalin her wedding attire, she recited poetry,
kaadhal kuyilthe cuckoo of love.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song uses rich mythological imagery of divine celestial unions—Lord Murugan with Valli, and Lord Sundareswarar with Goddess Meenakshi—to frame a story of sacrifice, marriage, and emotional resignation. The singer reflects on helping another woman find marital happiness, transforming an artistic household of dancing anklets into a sacred home of marriage.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Metaphor / Simile)

Kanthanukku maalaiyittaal kaanagathu valli mayil

Comparing Goddess Valli to a wild forest peacock ('kaanagathu valli mayil') and the heroine to a loving cuckoo ('kaadhal kuyil').

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kanthanukku maalaiyittaal kaanagathu valli mayil

Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Ka' across consecutive words ('Kanthanukku', 'kaanagathu', 'Kalyaana', 'kavidhai', 'kaadhal').

Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Devanai thedi sendren / Veenaiyudan naan irundhen

Matching second letters in consecutive lines ('Devanai' and 'Veenaiyudan' / 'vidhiyai').

Did you know?

Trivia

Uzhaikkum Karangal (1976) was directed by K. Shankar and starred M. G. Ramachandran alongside Latha and Bhavani. The track sung by Vani Jayaram features traditional classical arrangements by M. S. Vishwanathan and profound lyrics by Pulamaipithan.

Keep listening

More from Uzhaikkum Karangal