Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Neethiyin Marupakkam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Maalai Karukkalil Sad

From Neethiyin Marupakkam · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Neethiyin Marupakkam
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
28 May 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Hmm mm mm mm mm mm
Hmm mm mm mm mm mm
Maalai karukkalil
Solai karunghuyil yaen vaadudho
Sodi kuyilonnu
Paadi parandhadha thaan thaedudho
Kannukkullae vaa vaa nenjukkullae po po
Kannukkullae vaa vaa nenjukkullae po po
En jeevanae
Maalai karukkalil
Solai karunghuyil yaen vaadudho
Sodi kuyilonnu
Paadi parandhadha thaan thaedudho
Onnoda kannukkul kanna vachu
Olagatha kandu konden
Onnoda nenjukkul nenja vachu
Oravonnu kondu vandhaen
Nee sirichaa poo udhirum
Nee anaichaa thaen sidharum
Sevvandhi poovukku sogam enna
Singaarak kannukkul maegam enna
Nee solladi
Maalai karukkalil
Solai karunghuyil yaen vaadudho
Sodi kuyilonnu
Paadi parandhadha thaan thaedudho
Kannukkullae vaa vaa nenjukkullae po po
En jeevanae
Maalai karukkalil
Solai karunghuyil yaen vaadudho
Maranathil illaadha thunbam undhan
Kanneeril vandhadhammaa
Uravunnu nee sonna solla nambi
Uyironnu vaazhudhammaa
Nee azhavo pon maniyae
Neer vizhavo kan vazhiyae
Kannae nee vaadaadha nandhavanam
Kanneera thaanghaadhu indha manam
Vaa dheviyae
Maalai karukkalil
Solai karunghuyil yaen vaadudho
Sodi kuyilonnu
Paadi parandhadha thaan thaedudho
Kannukkullae vaa vaa nenjukkullae po po
Kannukkullae vaa vaa nenjukkullae po po
En jeevanae
Maalai karukkalil
Solai karunghuyil yaen vaadudho
Sodi kuyilonnu
Paadi parandhadha thaan thaedudho….
Mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm
Mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm
In the evening dusk,
Why is the cuckoo in the grove so sad?
Did its partner cuckoo
Fly away singing, leaving it searching?
Come into my eyes, enter deep into my heart,
Come into my eyes, enter deep into my heart,
Oh, my life!
In the evening dusk,
Why is the cuckoo in the grove so sad?
Did its partner cuckoo
Fly away singing, leaving it searching?
Looking into your eyes with mine,
I discovered the whole world.
Joining my heart with yours,
I found a bond of love.
When you smile, flowers shower down;
When you embrace me, sweet honey spills over.
Why is this chrysanthemum flower sad?
Why are there dark clouds in your lovely eyes?
Tell me, my love.
In the evening dusk,
Why is the cuckoo in the grove so sad?
Did its partner cuckoo
Fly away singing, leaving it searching?
Come into my eyes, enter deep into my heart,
Oh, my life!
In the evening dusk,
Why is the cuckoo in the grove so sad?
A pain not found even in death
Has come from your tears.
Trusting your word that we are one,
A life keeps living on.
Should you weep, my precious gem?
Should tears fall from your eyes?
My dear, you are a garden that never withers;
This heart cannot bear your tears.
Come to me, my goddess.
In the evening dusk,
Why is the cuckoo in the grove so sad?
Did its partner cuckoo
Fly away singing, leaving it searching?
Come into my eyes, enter deep into my heart,
Come into my eyes, enter deep into my heart,
Oh, my life!
In the evening dusk,
Why is the cuckoo in the grove so sad?
Did its partner cuckoo
Fly away singing, leaving it searching?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Unna Ninaichu1995
RaasaiyyaLongingSeparation
Poongatre Kelayo1989
SolaikuyilLongingGrief
Paadava Un Paadalai1984
Naan Paadum PaadalLongingSeparation
Theertha Karaithanile (Sad)1980
Thai PongalLongingGrief
Yamunai Aatrile1991
ThalapathiLongingSeparation
Annakili Unna Theduthe Male1976
AnnakiliLongingSeparation

From the same album

More songs from Neethiyin Marupakkam

View album
Yei Pulla Mappilla1985
Neethiyin MarupakkamCelebratory
Naan Oru Kanni Ponnu1985
Neethiyin MarupakkamPlayful
Maalai Karukkalil1985
Neethiyin MarupakkamRomantic

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.