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Lyrics & meaning

Maalai Mangum Neram

From Rowthiram · 2011

Lyricist
Thamarai
Singer
Ranina Reddy
Music director
Prakash Nikki
Details
Rowthiram2011

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Maalai mangum neramAs the evening twilight fades
Oru mogam kannin oramA desire arises in the corner of the eye
Unnai paarthu kondae nindraalumEven if I just stand staring at you forever
Podhum endru thondrumI feel it would be enough
Kaalai vandhaal ennaSo what if morning arrives?
Veyil etti paarthaal ennaSo what if the sunlight peeks in?
Gadikaaram kaattum neramThe time shown by the clock
Adhai namba matten naanumI will not believe it anymore
Female
Poongaattrum porvai ketkum neram neramA time when even the gentle breeze asks for a blanket
Theeyaai maarum dhegam dhegamA time when the body turns into fire
Un kaigal ennai thottu kolam podumYour hands touch me and draw patterns
Vaazhvin ellai thedum thedumSearching for the ultimate boundaries of life
Female
Maalai mangum neramAs the evening twilight fades
Oru mogam kannin oramA desire arises in the corner of the eye
Unnai paarthu kondae nindraalumEven if I just stand staring at you forever
Podhum endru thondrumI feel it would be enough
Female
Oru veetil naam irunthuWith both of us living under one roof
Orr ilaiyil nam virunthuSharing a feast on a single leaf
Iru thookkam oru kanavilWith two sleeps merging into one dream
Moozhgi vaazhkai thodangumImmersed together, our life will begin
Naan samaiyal seidhiduvenI will cook the food
Nee vandhu anaithiduvaaiYou will come and embrace me
En pasiyum un pasiyum sernthaeMy hunger and your hunger together
Ondraai adangumWill be appeased as one
Naan kettu aasai patta paadal nooruA hundred songs I longed to listen to
Neeyum naanum sernthae ketpomYou and I will listen to them together
Thaalaattai kannil sonna aanum nee thaanYou are the man who spoke a lullaby through his eyes
Kaalam neram thaandi vaazhvomWe shall live transcending time and moments
Female
Maalai mangum neramAs the evening twilight fades
Oru mogam kannin oramA desire arises in the corner of the eye
Unnai paarthu kondae nindraalumEven if I just stand staring at you forever
Podhum endru thondrumI feel it would be enough
Kaalai vandhaal ennaSo what if morning arrives?
Veyil etti paarthaal ennaSo what if the sunlight peeks in?
Gadikaaram kaattum neramThe time shown by the clock
Adhai namba matten naanumI will not believe it anymore
Female
Paal sindhum pournamiyilOn a full moon night spilling milk-white moonlight
Naam nanaivom pani iravilWe shall get soaked in the chilly night dew
Nam moochu kaaichalilIn the feverish heat of our breath
Indha paniyum nadungumEven this frost will shiver
Veedengum un porutkalYour belongings all around the house
Asainthaadum un udaigalYour clothes swaying gently
Thaniyaaga naan illaiWhispering to me that I am not alone
Endrae solli sinungumThey hum and pout gently
Theendaamal theendi pogumTouching without touching and passing by
Vaadai kaatraeOh chilly northern wind
Thookkam theernthu naatkal aachuIt has been days since sleep left me
Un vaasam ennil pattumEven as your fragrance brushed against me
Vaadi ponenI withered away
Vaasal thoonaai naanum aanenI became like a pillar standing at the doorway
Female
Maalai mangum neramAs the evening twilight fades
Oru mogam kannin oramA desire arises in the corner of the eye
Unnai paarthu kondae nindraalumEven if I just stand staring at you forever
Podhum endru thondrumI feel it would be enough
Kaalai vandhaal ennaSo what if morning arrives?
Veyil etti paarthaal ennaSo what if the sunlight peeks in?
Gadikaaram kaattum neramThe time shown by the clock
Adhai namba matten naanumI will not believe it anymore

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Maalai Mangum Neram is a soulful romantic track expressing deep intimacy, yearning, and domestic bliss between two lovers. The protagonist speaks of timeless love where hours and clocks lose significance in the warmth of companionship. She envisions a simple, beautiful life together—sharing a home, dining on a single leaf, cooking, embracing, and experiencing shared dreams.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification (Uvamaani)

Veedengum un porutkal / Asainthaadum un udaigal / Thaniyaaga naan illai / Endrae solli sinungum

In 'Veedengum un porutkal... Thaniyaaga naan illai Endrae solli sinungum', the protagonist's belongings and clothes are personified as comforting entities that whisper to her that she is never alone.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

Nam moochu kaaichalil / Indha paniyum nadungum

In 'Nam moochu kaaichalil indha paniyum nadungum', the warmth of their passionate breath is poetically exaggerated as being hot enough to make the winter frost shiver.

Etugai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Oru veetil naam irunthu / Orr ilaiyil nam virunthu

The second letters 'ru' in 'Oru' and 'Orr' create a rhythmic Tamil poetic symmetry.

Oxymoron / Contrast

Theendaamal theendi pogum

The line 'Theendaamal theendi pogum' uses contradictory terms (touching without touching) to depict the subtle, delicate feel of the wind.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Prakash Kumar (G. V. Prakash Kumar) with lyrics penned by celebrated lyricist Thamarai, 'Maalai Mangum Neram' from the movie Rowthiram (2011) was rendered by singer Ranina Reddy and became an instant chartbuster for its soothing melody and expressive lyrical imagery.

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