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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maalai Mayakkathil

From Amudha · 1975

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Amudha1975

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Maalai mayakkaththil manthiramondru vendumIn the evening's enchantment, a magical spell is needed
Thevai ennennavoOh, how varied are the desires!
Vaazhvai rasiththida mangaiyum ondru vendumTo relish life, a woman too is needed
Sorkkam pennallavoIsn't womanhood heaven itself?
Sh….aa….sorkkam pennallavo….Sh... aa... isn't womanhood heaven itself?
Female
Maalai mayakkaththil manthiramondru vendumIn the evening's enchantment, a magical spell is needed
Thevai ennennavoOh, how varied are the desires!
Vaazhvai rasiththida mangaiyum ondru vendumTo relish life, a woman too is needed
Sorkkam pennallavoIsn't womanhood heaven itself?
Sh….aa….sorkkam pennallavo….Sh... aa... isn't womanhood heaven itself?
Female
Aadhi Manithargal iruvargallaalaeBecause of the two primordial human beings
Aasai undaanathaeDesire came into existence
Aadai illai mozhigal illaiThere were no clothes, no languages
Kadhal mattum avararinthaarLove was the only thing they knew
Female
Aadhi Manithargal iruvargallaalaeBecause of the two primordial human beings
Aasai undaanathaeDesire came into existence
Aasai undaana kaalaththilirunthaeFrom the very moment desire was born
Bodhai undaanathaeIntoxication was born
Bodhai undaanathaeIntoxication was born
Female
Maalai mayakkaththil manthiramondru vendumIn the evening's enchantment, a magical spell is needed
Thevai ennennavoOh, how varied are the desires!
Vaazhvai rasiththida mangaiyum ondru vendumTo relish life, a woman too is needed
Sorkkam pennallavoIsn't womanhood heaven itself?
Sh….aa….sorkkam pennallavo….Sh... aa... isn't womanhood heaven itself?
Female
Kodi iravugal mudintha pinnaalaeAfter millions of nights have elapsed
Naamum sera vanthomWe too have come to unite
Kolam kollaatha uravugalaalaeThrough relationships that break conventional forms
Koodal kaana vanthomWe have come to witness our union
Female
Maalai mayakkaththil manthiramondru vendumIn the evening's enchantment, a magical spell is needed
Thevai ennennavoOh, how varied are the desires!
Vaazhvai rasiththida mangaiyum ondru vendumTo relish life, a woman too is needed
Sorkkam pennallavoIsn't womanhood heaven itself?
Sh….aa….sorkkam pennallavo….Sh... aa... isn't womanhood heaven itself?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic sensual song, composed by M. S. Viswanathan and penned by Kannadasan, explores the primal nature of human desire and romantic bliss. The lyrics portray how love and physical longing have existed since the era of the earliest humans, transcending language, clothing, and societal structures to deliver heavenly joy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaal / Initial Alliteration

Maalai mayakkaththil manthiramondru vendum

Repetition of the 'Ma' sound across words in the line creates a melodic rhythm.

Rhetorical Question

Sorkkam pennallavo

The lyricist asks 'Isn't woman heaven itself?' to emphatically assert that divine pleasure is found in love and womanhood.

Edhukai / Second Letter Rhyme

Aadhi Manithargal / Aadai illai

The second letter matching ('dhi' in Aadhi and 'da' in Aadai) provides poetic structure.

Did you know?

Trivia

Sung with characteristic sultry panache by L. R. Eswari, this track showcases Kannadasan's mastery in writing bold yet deeply philosophical romantic lyrics, linking modern intimacy back to Adam and Eve's primordial awakening.

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