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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maalai Ilam Manathil

From Aval Oru Pachai Kuzhandhai · 1978

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singers
Shoba Chandrasekar, S. N. Surendar
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Aval Oru Pachai Kuzhandhai
Movie release year
1978
Lyrics added on
21 Jun 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Maalai ilam manadhil
Aasai thanai thooviyadhu
Adhi kaalai andha ninaivil
Dhinam aayiram kavidhaigal paadiyadhu
Maalai
Malar pola pen undu
Madi meedhu pon vandu
Malar pola pen undu
Madi meedhu pon vandu
Manam kaetpadhu unnidam
Madhu thaavendru
Radhi manmadhan…mmm
Radhi manmadhan kaaviyam
Idhu thaan indru
Maalai ilam manadhil
Aasai thanai thooviyadhu
Adhi kaalai andha ninaivil
Dhinam aayiram kavidhaigal paadiyadhu
Maalai
Vizhi moodi thoongum podhum
Udal meedhu kolam podum
Vizhi moodi thoongum podhum
Udal meedhu kolam podum
Vilaiyaattilae inbamae
Adhu thaan vaendum
Ini ennavo oo…
Ini ennavo vaazhvellaam
Sugam aarambamaagum
In a young heart, the evening
Sprinkled sweet desire
In the early morning, lost in those memories,
It sang a thousand poems every day
The evening...
Here is a woman like a flower,
And a golden bee resting on her lap
Here is a woman like a flower,
And a golden bee resting on her lap
What my heart asks of you
Is to give me your sweet wine
Rathi and Manmathan (goddess and god of love)... mmm...
The legendary romance of Rathi and Manmathan
Is coming alive today
In a young heart, the evening
Sprinkled sweet desire
In the early morning, lost in those memories,
It sang a thousand poems every day
The evening...
Even while sleeping with eyes closed,
Tracing gentle patterns across the body,
Even while sleeping with eyes closed,
Tracing gentle patterns across the body,
The joy found in this playful love,
That is all I desire
Whatever comes next, oh...
From now on, through all of life,
Sweet happiness begins
Female
Male
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic romantic track captures the tender intoxication of love and desire. The song describes how romantic thoughts blossom in the mind from dusk till dawn, inspiring poetic thoughts and a deep craving for intimacy. The lyrics weave vivid imagery of flowers, bees, and blissful touches, equating the sweet union of lovers to the legendary romance of Rathi and Manmatha, signaling the beautiful beginning of a joyful life together.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Malar pola pen undu

Compares the delicate and beautiful soft nature of a woman directly to a flower using the word 'pola'.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Madi meedhu pon vandu

Metaphorically addresses the lover/partner as a 'golden beetle' resting on a lap.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Malar pola pen undu / Madi meedhu pon vandu

Repetition of the 'M' sound across words creates a smooth rhythmic flow (Malar, Madi, Manam, Madhu).

Mythological Allusion

Radhi manmadhan kaaviyam

References Rathi and Manmatha, the celestial Hindu deities of love and desire, to elevate the earthly romance to a divine epic level.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Aval Oru Pachai Kuzhandhai' is a 1978 Tamil drama film starring Vijayakumar and Bhavani. The song is recognized for its poetic imagery evoking traditional Tamil metaphors of romantic devotion.

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