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Kadalora Kavithaigal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kodiyile Malligai Poo

From Kadalora Kavithaigal · 1986

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Jayachandran, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Kadalora Kavithaigal
Movie release year
1986
Lyrics added on
17 Jan 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kodiyilae malliyapoo manakudhae maanae
Edukava thodukava thudikiren naanae
Parika cholli thoondudhae pavala malli thottam
Nerunga vidavillaiyae nenjukulla koocham
Kodiyilae malliyapoo manakudhae maanae
Kodukava thadukava thavikiren naanae
Manasu thadumarum adhu nenaicha neram marum ….
Mayakam irundhalum oru thayakam thadai podum …
Nitham nitham un nenaipu nenju kuzhi kaayum
Maadu rendu paadhai rendu vandi engae serum
Pothi vecha anbu illa solli putaa vambu illa
Solla thaanae thembu illa inba thunbam yaraala
Parakum dhisai yedhu indha paravai ariyadhu …
Uravo theriyadhu adhu unakum puriyadhu …
Paaraiyila poo valarnthu paarthavaga yaaru
Anbu konda nenjathuku aayusu nooru
Kaalam varum velaiyila kaathirupen pon mayilae
Theru varum unmaiyilae sedhi solven kannalae
Kodiyilae malliyapoo manakudhae maanae
Kodukava thadukava thavikiren naanae
Parika cholli thoondudhae pavala malli thottam
Nerunga vidavillaiyae nenjukulla koocham
Kodiyilae malliyapoo manakudhae maanae
Edukava thodukava thudikiren naanae
The jasmine on the vine smells so sweet, my dear.
Should I pluck it or string it? My heart aches with longing.
The coral jasmine garden tempts me to pick its blooms,
Yet the shyness in my heart will not let me go near.
The jasmine on the vine smells so sweet, my dear.
Should I give it or hold it back? I am torn inside.
The mind falters, changing whenever it pleases...
Even in this sweet daze, hesitation stands in the way...
Thinking of you day after day, my chest burns with longing.
With two oxen pulling in two different directions, where will the cart go?
This is not a love that can stay hidden; if spoken, there is no trouble.
Yet I lack the courage to speak—who brought on this joy and sorrow?
Which direction it flies, this bird does not know...
What bond this is, I cannot tell, and you cannot understand it either...
Who has ever seen a flower bloom upon a rock?
Yet a heart filled with love will live for a hundred years.
Until the right time comes, I will wait, my golden peacock.
When the wedding chariot truly arrives, I will speak my message through my eyes.
The jasmine on the vine smells so sweet, my dear.
Should I give it or hold it back? I am torn inside.
The coral jasmine garden tempts me to pick its blooms,
Yet the shyness in my heart will not let me go near.
The jasmine on the vine smells so sweet, my dear.
Should I pluck it or string it? My heart aches with longing.
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Female
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song expresses the hesitation, innocence, and tender yearning of two lovers who are deeply attracted to each other yet held back by modesty and fear of unspoken feelings. Using lush floral metaphors like jasmine vines and coral gardens, the lyrics capture the inner conflict between the urge to express love and the social or personal hesitation that restrains them. Ultimately, the song conveys a sense of hope and patience, suggesting that time will eventually align their paths and allow their affection to blossom fully.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor and Imagery

“Kodiyilae malliyapoo manakudhae maanae”

The jasmine flower (malliyapoo) and coral jasmine garden (pavala malli thottam) act as delicate metaphors for blossoming romantic feelings and bashful desire.

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

“Kodiyilae malliyapoo... / Edukava thodukava...”

The second letter 'di' in 'Kodiyilae' pairs harmoniously with 'du' in 'Edukava' across consecutive lines, creating a gentle rhythmic flow.

Analogy

“Maadu rendu paadhai rendu vandi engae serum”

The imagery of two oxen pulling toward two different paths illustrates the dilemma and uncertainty of an unguided journey in love.

Oxymoron

“Solla thaanae thembu illa inba thunbam yaraala”

The phrase 'inba thunbam' blends pleasure and pain together to describe the bittersweet suffering of secret love.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja for Bharathiraja's iconic film 'Kadalora Kavithaigal' (1986), this classic duet was rendered by P. Jayachandran and S. Janaki. Lyricist Vairamuthu captured rural romance with simple yet deeply poetic Tamil folk imagery.

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