Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kurunji Malar Ondru

From Thookku Medai · 1982

Lyricist
Karunanithi
Singers
P. Jayachandran, Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Thookku Medai1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aaa…..aaa……laalalalaalaa…Ah... ah... laalalalaalaa...
Kurinji malarondru kulungi azhaikkuthuA rare Kurinji flower sways and invites you,
Kulavida varuvaai kulir thendralaeCome, cool breeze, to entwine and embrace.
Thendralin sugaththil thaenithazh kalanthuBlending honeyed lips in the comfort of the breeze,
Andrilaai vaazhvom inbaththil mithanthuWe shall live like eternal lovers, floating in bliss,
Andrilaai vaazhvom inbaththil mithanthuWe shall live like eternal lovers, floating in bliss.
Female
Kurinji malarondru kulungi azhaikkuthuA rare Kurinji flower sways and invites you,
Kulavida varuvaai kulir thendralaeCome, cool breeze, to entwine and embrace.
Thendralin sugaththil thaenithazh kalanthuBlending honeyed lips in the comfort of the breeze,
Andrilaai vaazhvom inbaththil mithanthuWe shall live like eternal lovers, floating in bliss,
Andrilaai vaazhvom inbaththil mithanthuWe shall live like eternal lovers, floating in bliss.
Male
Karkandu thottathil paal kainthuIn a garden of sugar candy, milk boils and thickens,
Karumbu kalappaiyaal yaerottiPloughing the field with a sugarcane ploughshare,
Karkandu thottathil paal kainthuIn a garden of sugar candy, milk boils and thickens,
Karumbu kalappaiyaal yaerottiPloughing the field with a sugarcane ploughshare,
Arputhamai vilaintha kadhirmaniyaeO precious grain harvested so wondrously,
Arputhamai vilaintha kadhirmaniyaeO precious grain harvested so wondrously,
Anaiththu magizhvom kanmaniyaeLet us embrace and rejoice, my darling,
Anaiththu magizhvom kanmaniyaeLet us embrace and rejoice, my darling.
Female
Kurinji malarondru kulungi azhaikkuthuA rare Kurinji flower sways and invites you,
Kulavida varuvaai kulir thendralae kulir thendralaeCome, cool breeze, to entwine and embrace, O cool breeze.
Male
Inba noolukku munnurai ezhuthida varugaCome to write the preface to the book of joy,
Iyal isai kooththena muththamizh suvaiyai tharugaOffer the rich taste of Muthamizh—prose, poetry, and drama,
Inba noolukku munnurai ezhuthida varugaCome to write the preface to the book of joy,
Iyal isai kooththena muththamizh suvaiyai tharugaOffer the rich taste of Muthamizh—prose, poetry, and drama,
Male
Muththamizh kayal vizhi mukkani un mozhiWith fish-like eyes reflecting Muthamizh, your words are as sweet as the three royal fruits,
Mukthikku oru vazhi nee muththumaari pozhiYou are a path to salvation, shower pearls of love like rain.
Female
Kurinji malarondru kulungi azhaikkuthuA rare Kurinji flower sways and invites you,
Kulavida varuvaai kulir thendralaeCome, cool breeze, to entwine and embrace.
Female
Anaiththaal vilakkae irundu vidumIf the lamp is extinguished, darkness will fall,
Angen thegam thuvandu vidumThere, my body will swoon with passion,
Anaiththaal vilakkae irundu vidumIf the lamp is extinguished, darkness will fall,
Angen thegam thuvandu vidumThere, my body will swoon with passion.
Inaiththaal nammai thamizh annaiMother Tamil has bound us together,
Inaiththaal nammai thamizh annaiMother Tamil has bound us together,
Ini piriyaen naan endrum unnaiI shall never part from you again.
Female
Kurinji malarondru kulungi azhaikkuthuA rare Kurinji flower sways and invites you,
Kulavida varuvaai kulir thendralaeCome, cool breeze, to entwine and embrace.
Thendralin sugaththil thaenithazh kalanthuBlending honeyed lips in the comfort of the breeze,
Andrilaai vaazhvom inbaththil mithanthuWe shall live like eternal lovers, floating in bliss,
Andrilaai vaazhvom inbaththil mithanthuWe shall live like eternal lovers, floating in bliss.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Kurinji Malarondru' is a romantic duet expressing deep romantic intimacy and poetic love through classic Sangam Tamil metaphors. The heroine is likened to the rare Kurinji flower that blooms once in twelve years, while her lover is addressed as a soothing breeze. Rich agricultural and literary allegories highlight their connection, comparing their romance to writing the preamble of a book of joy and savoring the three forms of Tamil language (Iyal, Isai, and Nadagam). The lovers vow that having been united by Mother Tamil, they will remain inseparable like the mythical Andril birds.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile / Metaphor)

Kurinji malarondru kulungi azhaikkuthu

The lover is compared to a 'Kurinji flower' (a rare, precious bloom) and 'Andril' birds (symbol of inseparable, loyal love in Sangam literature).

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Kurinji malarondru kulungi azhaikkuthu

Repetition of the 'Ku' sound at the beginning of adjacent words creating rhythm.

Etukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Karkandu thottathil paal kainthu

Matching of the second consonant sound 'r' across consecutive lines (Karkandu / Karumbu / Arputhamai).

Alliteration & Metaphor (Mukkani & Muththamizh)

Muththamizh kayal vizhi mukkani un mozhi

Rich classical imagery combining 'Muthamizh' (the three limbs of Tamil literature) and 'Mukkani' (mango, banana, jackfruit) to describe speech and beauty.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics were penned by former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and veteran writer M. Karunanidhi. Known for his command over classical Tamil literature, Karunanidhi wove ancient Sangam motifs (such as Kurinji flowers, Andril birds, and Muthamizh) into contemporary film songs. The song was composed by the duo Shankar-Ganesh and rendered by P. Jayachandran and Vani Jairam.

Keep listening

More from Thookku Medai