Kodiyile Malligai Poo
From Kadalora Kavithaigal · 1986
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Jayachandran, S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Kadalora Kavithaigal1986
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kodiyilae malliyapoo manakudhae maanae | The jasmine flower on the vine smells sweet, my dear like a doe. |
| Edukava thodukava thudikiren naanae | Should I pluck it, should I weave it? I am yearning inside. |
| Parika cholli thoondudhae pavala malli thottam | The coral jasmine garden entices me to pluck its blossoms. |
| Nerunga vidavillaiyae nenjukulla koocham | But the shyness inside my heart does not let me go near. |
| Female | |
| Kodiyilae malliyapoo manakudhae maanae | The jasmine flower on the vine smells sweet, my dear like a doe. |
| Kodukava thadukava thavikiren naanae | Should I offer it or hold back? I am squirming in conflict. |
| Female | |
| Manasu thadumarum adhu nenaicha neram marum …. | The mind falters, and the moment changes when thought of. |
| Mayakam irundhalum oru thayakam thadai podum … | Though there is infatuation, hesitation creates an obstacle. |
| Male | |
| Nitham nitham un nenaipu nenju kuzhi kaayum | Every single day, thoughts of you make my heart dry up in yearning. |
| Maadu rendu paadhai rendu vandi engae serum | Two oxen and two different paths, where will the cart reach? |
| Female | |
| Pothi vecha anbu illa solli putaa vambu illa | If hidden away it is not true love, yet if spoken there is no harm. |
| Solla thaanae thembu illa inba thunbam yaraala | Yet I lack the courage to speak; who brought about this sweet suffering? |
| Male | |
| Parakum dhisai yedhu indha paravai ariyadhu … | Which direction it flies, this bird does not know. |
| Uravo theriyadhu adhu unakum puriyadhu … | The relationship remains unknown, and even you cannot comprehend it. |
| Female | |
| Paaraiyila poo valarnthu paarthavaga yaaru | Who has ever seen a flower growing out of a rock? |
| Anbu konda nenjathuku aayusu nooru | A heart that holds true love is blessed with a hundred years of life. |
| Male | |
| Kaalam varum velaiyila kaathirupen pon mayilae | When the right time arrives, I will be waiting, golden peacock. |
| Female | |
| Theru varum unmaiyilae sedhi solven kannalae | When the chariot arrives, I will convey the news through my eyes. |
| Kodiyilae malliyapoo manakudhae maanae | The jasmine flower on the vine smells sweet, my dear like a doe. |
| Kodukava thadukava thavikiren naanae | Should I offer it or hold back? I am squirming in conflict. |
| Parika cholli thoondudhae pavala malli thottam | The coral jasmine garden entices me to pluck its blossoms. |
| Nerunga vidavillaiyae nenjukulla koocham | But the shyness inside my heart does not let me go near. |
| Male | |
| Kodiyilae malliyapoo manakudhae maanae | The jasmine flower on the vine smells sweet, my dear like a doe. |
| Edukava thodukava thudikiren naanae | Should I pluck it, should I weave it? I am yearning inside. |
கொடியிலே மல்லியப்பூ
மணக்குதே மானே
எடுக்கவா தொடுக்கவா
துடிக்கிறேன் நானே
The jasmine flower on the vine smells sweet, my dear like a doe.
Should I pluck it, should I weave it? I am yearning inside.
The coral jasmine garden entices me to pluck its blossoms.
But the shyness inside my heart does not let me go near.
பறிக்கச் சொல்லி தூண்டுதே
பவழமல்லித் தோட்டம்
நெருங்க விடவில்லையே
நெஞ்சுக்குள்ள கூச்சம்
The jasmine flower on the vine smells sweet, my dear like a doe.
Should I offer it or hold back? I am squirming in conflict.
கொடியிலே மல்லியப்பூ
மணக்குதே மானே
கொடுக்கவா தடுக்கவா
தவிக்கிறேன் நானே
The mind falters, and the moment changes when thought of.
Though there is infatuation, hesitation creates an obstacle.
மனசு தடுமாறும்
அது நெனைச்சா நிறம் மாறும்
மயக்கம் இருந்தாலும்
ஒரு தயக்கம் தடை போடும்
Every single day, thoughts of you make my heart dry up in yearning.
Two oxen and two different paths, where will the cart reach?
நித்தம் நித்தம் உன் நெனப்பு
நெஞ்சுக்குழி காயும்
மாடு ரெண்டு பாதை ரெண்டு
வண்டி எங்கே சேரும்
If hidden away it is not true love, yet if spoken there is no harm.
Yet I lack the courage to speak; who brought about this sweet suffering?
பொத்தி வெச்சா அன்பு இல்ல
சொல்லிப்புட்டா வம்பு இல்ல
சொல்லத்தானே தெம்பு இல்ல
இன்ப துன்பம் யாரால
Which direction it flies, this bird does not know.
The relationship remains unknown, and even you cannot comprehend it.
பறக்கும் திசையேது
இந்த பறவை அறியாது
உறவோ தெரியாது
அது உனக்கும் புரியாது
Who has ever seen a flower growing out of a rock?
A heart that holds true love is blessed with a hundred years of life.
பாறையிலே பூமொளைச்சு
பார்த்தவக யாரு
அன்பு கொண்ட நெஞ்சத்துக்கு
ஆயிசு நூறு
When the right time arrives, I will be waiting, golden peacock.
காலம் வரும் வேளையிலே
காத்திருப்பேன் பொன்மயிலே
பெண் : தேதி வரும் உண்மையிலே
சேதி சொல்வேன் கண்ணாலே
When the chariot arrives, I will convey the news through my eyes.
The jasmine flower on the vine smells sweet, my dear like a doe.
Should I offer it or hold back? I am squirming in conflict.
The coral jasmine garden entices me to pluck its blossoms.
But the shyness inside my heart does not let me go near.
கொடியிலே மல்லிகைப்பூ
மணக்குதே மானே
கொடுக்கவா தடுக்கவா
தவிக்கிறேன் நானே
The jasmine flower on the vine smells sweet, my dear like a doe.
Should I pluck it, should I weave it? I am yearning inside.
பறிக்கச் சொல்லி தூண்டுதே
பவழமல்லித் தோட்டம்
நெருங்க விடவில்லையே
நெஞ்சுக்குள்ள கூச்சம்
கொடியிலே மல்லிகைப்பூ
மணக்குதே மானே
எடுக்கவா தொடுக்கவா
துடிக்கிறேன் நானே
Kodiyilae malliyapoo manakudhae maanae
The jasmine flower on the vine smells sweet, my dear like a doe.
Edukava thodukava thudikiren naanae
Should I pluck it, should I weave it? I am yearning inside.
Parika cholli thoondudhae pavala malli thottam
The coral jasmine garden entices me to pluck its blossoms.
Nerunga vidavillaiyae nenjukulla koocham
But the shyness inside my heart does not let me go near.
Kodiyilae malliyapoo manakudhae maanae
The jasmine flower on the vine smells sweet, my dear like a doe.
Kodukava thadukava thavikiren naanae
Should I offer it or hold back? I am squirming in conflict.
Manasu thadumarum adhu nenaicha neram marum ….
The mind falters, and the moment changes when thought of.
Mayakam irundhalum oru thayakam thadai podum …
Though there is infatuation, hesitation creates an obstacle.
Nitham nitham un nenaipu nenju kuzhi kaayum
Every single day, thoughts of you make my heart dry up in yearning.
Maadu rendu paadhai rendu vandi engae serum
Two oxen and two different paths, where will the cart reach?
Pothi vecha anbu illa solli putaa vambu illa
If hidden away it is not true love, yet if spoken there is no harm.
Solla thaanae thembu illa inba thunbam yaraala
Yet I lack the courage to speak; who brought about this sweet suffering?
Parakum dhisai yedhu indha paravai ariyadhu …
Which direction it flies, this bird does not know.
Uravo theriyadhu adhu unakum puriyadhu …
The relationship remains unknown, and even you cannot comprehend it.
Paaraiyila poo valarnthu paarthavaga yaaru
Who has ever seen a flower growing out of a rock?
Anbu konda nenjathuku aayusu nooru
A heart that holds true love is blessed with a hundred years of life.
Kaalam varum velaiyila kaathirupen pon mayilae
When the right time arrives, I will be waiting, golden peacock.
Theru varum unmaiyilae sedhi solven kannalae
When the chariot arrives, I will convey the news through my eyes.
Kodiyilae malliyapoo manakudhae maanae
The jasmine flower on the vine smells sweet, my dear like a doe.
Kodukava thadukava thavikiren naanae
Should I offer it or hold back? I am squirming in conflict.
Parika cholli thoondudhae pavala malli thottam
The coral jasmine garden entices me to pluck its blossoms.
Nerunga vidavillaiyae nenjukulla koocham
But the shyness inside my heart does not let me go near.
Kodiyilae malliyapoo manakudhae maanae
The jasmine flower on the vine smells sweet, my dear like a doe.
Edukava thodukava thudikiren naanae
Should I pluck it, should I weave it? I am yearning inside.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
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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