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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maalai Karukkalil Sad

From Neethiyin Marupakkam · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Neethiyin Marupakkam1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Hmm mm mm mm mm mmHumming sound
Hmm mm mm mm mm mmHumming sound
Male
Maalai karukkalilIn the twilight of the evening,
Solai karunghuyil yaen vaadudhoWhy is the black cuckoo of the grove wilting?
Sodi kuyilonnuIs it searching for its cuckoo partner,
Paadi parandhadha thaan thaedudhoWhich sang and flew away?
Kannukkullae vaa vaa nenjukkullae po poCome inside my eyes, go inside my heart.
Kannukkullae vaa vaa nenjukkullae po poCome inside my eyes, go inside my heart.
En jeevanaeOh my life!
Male
Maalai karukkalilIn the twilight of the evening,
Solai karunghuyil yaen vaadudhoWhy is the black cuckoo of the grove wilting?
Sodi kuyilonnuIs it searching for its cuckoo partner,
Paadi parandhadha thaan thaedudhoWhich sang and flew away?
Male
Onnoda kannukkul kanna vachuBy looking into your eyes,
Olagatha kandu kondenI discovered the world.
Onnoda nenjukkul nenja vachuBy placing my heart next to yours,
Oravonnu kondu vandhaenI created a relationship.
Nee sirichaa poo udhirumIf you smile, flowers will shower.
Nee anaichaa thaen sidharumIf you embrace, honey will scatter.
Sevvandhi poovukku sogam ennaWhy is there sorrow for the chrysanthemum flower?
Singaarak kannukkul maegam ennaWhy are there clouds in your beautiful eyes?
Nee solladiTell me, my dear!
Male
Maalai karukkalilIn the twilight of the evening,
Solai karunghuyil yaen vaadudhoWhy is the black cuckoo of the grove wilting?
Sodi kuyilonnuIs it searching for its cuckoo partner,
Paadi parandhadha thaan thaedudhoWhich sang and flew away?
Kannukkullae vaa vaa nenjukkullae po poCome inside my eyes, go inside my heart.
En jeevanaeOh my life!
Male
Maalai karukkalilIn the twilight of the evening,
Solai karunghuyil yaen vaadudhoWhy is the black cuckoo of the grove wilting?
Male
Maranathil illaadha thunbam undhanA grief not even found in death
Kanneeril vandhadhammaaHas arrived through your tears, my dear.
Uravunnu nee sonna solla nambiTrusting the word of relationship you gave,
Uyironnu vaazhudhammaaA soul continues to live.
Nee azhavo pon maniyaeShould you cry, my golden gem?
Neer vizhavo kan vazhiyaeShould tears fall through your eyes?
Kannae nee vaadaadha nandhavanamMy dear, you are an unfading garden.
Kanneera thaanghaadhu indha manamThis heart cannot bear your tears.
Vaa dheviyaeCome, my goddess!
Male
Maalai karukkalilIn the twilight of the evening,
Solai karunghuyil yaen vaadudhoWhy is the black cuckoo of the grove wilting?
Sodi kuyilonnuIs it searching for its cuckoo partner,
Paadi parandhadha thaan thaedudhoWhich sang and flew away?
Kannukkullae vaa vaa nenjukkullae po poCome inside my eyes, go inside my heart.
Kannukkullae vaa vaa nenjukkullae po poCome inside my eyes, go inside my heart.
En jeevanaeOh my life!
Male
Maalai karukkalilIn the twilight of the evening,
Solai karunghuyil yaen vaadudhoWhy is the black cuckoo of the grove wilting?
Sodi kuyilonnuIs it searching for its cuckoo partner,
Paadi parandhadha thaan thaedudho….Which sang and flew away?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Maalai Karukkalil from the movie Neethiyin Marupakkam is a deeply emotional Tamil song penned by lyricist Vairamuthu. Set against the backdrop of dusk, the song expresses intense romantic affection and empathy for a loved one undergoing sorrow. The singer metaphorically compares his beloved to a cuckoo bird left lonely at twilight and a beautiful chrysanthemum flower burdened by grief. Throughout the song, the lover attempts to console her, declaring that her tears cause him more agony than death itself. He reminds her of how her presence brought purpose to his life and urges her to stop crying, assuring her of his enduring devotion and calling her his guiding goddess.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Sevvandhi poovukku sogam enna

Comparing the beloved directly to a delicate flower and an unfading garden to emphasize her beauty and gentleness.

Personification

Solai karunghuyil yaen vaadudho

Attributing human sorrow and wilting to a bird (cuckoo) in the grove.

Etukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Nee sirichaa poo udhirum / Nee anaichaa thaen sidharum

The second consonant sound 'rr' (r) rhymes across consecutive lines.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

Maranathil illaadha thunbam undhan Kanneeril vandhadhammaa

Exaggerating that seeing her tears inflicts a pain greater than death.

Did you know?

Trivia

Neethiyin Marupakkam (1985) is a Tamil legal drama film directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar, starring Sivakumar and Radhika. The soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by Vairamuthu.

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