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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maala Karukkaliley

From Enga Ooru Kavalkaran · 1998

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
P. Susheela, Mano
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Enga Ooru Kavalkaran1998

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Nalla irukkuthu ooruThe village is so wonderful,
Itha undaakinathu yaaruWho created this place?
Chorus :Thandhanathana thanaChorus: Thandhanathana thana
Thana thandhanathana thanaThana thandhanathana thana
Female
Ellorkkum oru saamiThere is one God for everyone,
Ithu saami kodutha bhoomiThis land was given by God.
Chorus :Thandhanathana thanaChorus: Thandhanathana thana
Thana thandhanathana thanaThana thandhanathana thana
Female
Vaari kodukkumGenerously giving blessings,
Saami peru maariGod takes on different names.
Chorus: Thana thandhanaChorus: Thana thandhana
Thana thandhana thanaThana thandhana thana
Female :Ava pera padikkaFemale: Chanting her name,
Ooru selikkum yeriThe lake makes the town prosper.
Chorus :Thana thandhanaChorus: Thana thandhana
Thana thandhana thanaThana thandhana thana
Ulllluuuu….ullluuuuu….Ulllluuuu....ullluuuuu....
Male
Maala karukkalilaeIn the evening twilight,
Andha malliga thottaththilaeIn that jasmine garden,
Maala karukkalilaeIn the evening twilight,
Andha malliga thottaththilaeIn that jasmine garden,
Saela uduthuna sola unakkoruO girl like a lush grove draped in a saree,
Maala irukku pullaThere is a wedding garland waiting for you, my girl.
Ola thirumana ola koduthidaTo send the palm-leaf wedding invitation,
Vela varudhu pullaThe auspicious time is arriving, my girl.
Female
Maala karukkalilaeIn the evening twilight,
Andha malliga thottaththilaeIn that jasmine garden,
Maala karukkalilaeIn the evening twilight,
Andha malliga thottaththilaeIn that jasmine garden,
Male
Neeyum naanum onnuYou and I are one,
Kelu kelu kannuListen to me, my dear,
Raagam thaalam polaJust like melody and rhythm,
Sera porom onnuWe are going to unite as one.
Female
Sondham ippo vandhadhillaThis bond isn't new today,
Sogangalae kandadhillaWe have never known true sorrow.
Sokki madiyila naan vizhumpodhulaWhen I swoon and rest on your lap,
Sorkkam idhupol endrum illaThere is no heaven that compares to this.
Male
Kannula thookkamillaThere is no sleep in my eyes,
Kaaranam kooru pullaTell me the reason, my girl.
Nenjilae naan vizhundhenI fell into your heart,
Innamum meezhavillaAnd I haven't recovered yet.
Female :Neram muzhuvadhumFemale: All through the day,
Nenjil iruppadhu needhaanae verillaThe one living in my heart is only you, no one else.
Male
Maala karukkalilaeIn the evening twilight,
Andha malliga thottaththilaeIn that jasmine garden,
Female :Maala karukkalilaeFemale: In the evening twilight,
Andha malliga thottaththilaeIn that jasmine garden,
Female
Vera jaadhi mullaLike a jasmine blossom of another kind,
Naanum kanni pullaI am a young maiden,
Paadha maaravillaThe path has not altered,
Baedham oorukkullaDespite social divides in the village.
Male
Aayiram dhaan sollattumaeLet them say a thousand things,
Vaeli onnu kattattumaeLet them erect a fence,
Anbu manangalum onnu kalandhadhuLoving hearts have merged together,
Aasai idhupol vaazhattumaeMay our love thrive forever like this.
Female
Nenjila saanjikkittaaIf I lean against your chest,
Nimmadhi serumaiyaaPeace fills my heart, my lord.
Niththamum un madi dhaanEvery day, your lap alone
Ponnukku podhumaiyaaIs more than enough for this girl, my lord.
Male
Nooru thalamuraiFor a hundred generations,
Vaazhum vazhimuraiA meaningful way of life,
Naam paarppom poovaayiWe shall build together, my blossom.
Female
Maala karukkalilaeIn the evening twilight,
Andha malliga thottaththilaeIn that jasmine garden,
Maala karukkalilaeIn the evening twilight,
Andha malliga thottaththilaeIn that jasmine garden,
Male
Saela uduthuna sola unakkoruO girl like a lush grove draped in a saree,
Maala irukku pullaThere is a garland waiting for you, my girl.
Ola thirumana ola koduthidaTo send the palm-leaf wedding invitation,
Vela varudhu pullaThe auspicious time is arriving, my girl.
Female
Maala karukkalilaeIn the evening twilight,
Andha malliga thottaththilaeIn that jasmine garden,
Male :Maala karukkalilaeMale: In the evening twilight,
Andha malliga thottaththilaeIn that jasmine garden.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a celebratory and romantic duet set against a rural backdrop. It begins with praise for nature, God, and the prosperous village environment that sustains life. As it transitions into the main romantic theme ('Maala karukkalilae'), the lovers express their deep affection and commitment to one another amidst the scenic jasmine gardens at twilight.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Maala karukkalilae / Saela uduthuna sola

Matching second consonants in adjacent lines creating rhythmic flow (Nalla / Itha, Maala / Saela).

Moonaal / Monai (Alliteration)

Kelu kelu kannu

Repetition of initial letters across words in a line (Kelu kelu kannu, Raagam thaalam).

Uvamaani (Simile)

Raagam thaalam pola / Sera porom onnu

Comparing the harmony of the lovers to melody (Raagam) and rhythm (Thaalam).

Did you know?

Trivia

'Enga Ooru Kavalkaran' (1988) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by Gangai Amaran. The film was a major box-office hit starring Ramarajan and Gautami, solidifying the popularity of rural romantic themes in late 1980s Tamil cinema.

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