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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maalai Mayanginal

From Inikkum Ilamai · 1979

Lyricist
Pulavar Mari
Singers
P. B. Sreenivas, S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Inikkum Ilamai1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Maalai mayanginaalWhen evening fades into twilight
Female :IravaagumFemale: It becomes night
Male :Ilamangai mayanginaalMale: When a young woman is enchanted
Female :UravaagumFemale: A bond is formed
Male
Maalai mayanginaalWhen evening fades into twilight
Female :IravaagumFemale: It becomes night
Male: Ilamangai mayanginaalMale: When a young woman is enchanted
Female :UravaagumFemale: A bond is formed
Male
Irandum mayanginaal edhuvaagumWhat happens when both blend together?
Female :Oru inbalogamae uruvaagumFemale: A world of supreme bliss is created
Male
Maalai mayanginaalWhen evening fades into twilight
Female :IravaagumFemale: It becomes night
Male :Ilamangai mayanginaalMale: When a young woman is enchanted
Female :UravaagumFemale: A bond is formed
Male
Vanavillin vannam yaezhuThe seven colors of the rainbow
Yaen valainthathu en kannaeWhy did it bend, my dear?
Female :Naanam vanthu thaalam podaFemale: Shyness came to strike a rhythm
Thalai kuninthathu un munnaeAnd my head bowed down before you
Male
Aa….aa…vanavillin vannam yaezhuAh... the seven colors of the rainbow
Yaen valainthathu en kannaeWhy did it bend, my dear?
Female :Naanam vanthu thaalam podaFemale: Shyness came to strike a rhythm
Thalai kuninthathu un munnaeAnd my head bowed down before you
Male
Kamanidam radhidevi kattrathu ennaWhat did Goddess Rati learn from Lord Kamadeva?
Female :Ammammaa sugamallavoFemale: Oh my, isn't it sweet pleasure!
Male :Kamanidam radhidevi kattrathu ennaMale: What did Goddess Rati learn from Lord Kamadeva?
Female :Ammammaa sugamallavoFemale: Oh my, isn't it sweet pleasure!
Female
Maalai mayanginaalWhen evening fades into twilight
Male :IravaagumMale: It becomes night
Female :Ilamangai mayanginaalFemale: When a young woman is enchanted
Male :UravaagumMale: A bond is formed
Male
Vaanam bhoomi inaiyum neramAt the moment when the sky and earth meet
Mazhaiyum vanthathaa en kannaeDid rain also fall, my dear?
Female :Naanum neeyumnanaiyum pothuFemale: When you and I get drenched together
Kudaiyum vendumaa en kannaaDo we even need an umbrella, my dear?
Male
Vaadaiyilae aada moodi vantha thendralaaIs it the gentle southern breeze coming draped in garments in the chilly wind?
Female :Ammammaa naan sollavaaFemale: Oh my, shall I tell you?
Male
Maalai mayanginaalWhen evening fades into twilight
Female :IravaagumFemale: It becomes night
Male :Ilamangai mayanginaalMale: When a young woman is enchanted
Female :UravaagumFemale: A bond is formed
Female
Mouna raagam paadum velaiWhile singing a silent melody
Arththam purinthathaa sol kannaa….aa…Did you understand its meaning, tell me my dear?
Male :edha geetham mudiyumpothuMale: As the sacred chant comes to an end
Villakkam purinthathathu en kannae….ae….The explanation became clear to me, my dear
Female
Mouna raagam paadum velaiWhile singing a silent melody
Arththam purinthathaa sol kannaa….aa…Did you understand its meaning, tell me my dear?
Male :Vedha geetham mudiyumpothuMale: As the sacred chant comes to an end
Villakkam purinthathathu en kannae….ae….The explanation became clear to me, my dear
Female
Nyaana ratham yaeri kadhal sorkkam pogalaamRiding the chariot of wisdom, we can ascend to the heaven of love
Male :Ammammaa suvayallavaaMale: Oh my, isn't it delightful taste!
Female :Nyaana ratham yaeri kadhal sorkkam pogalaamFemale: Riding the chariot of wisdom, we can ascend to the heaven of love
Male :Ammammaa suvayallavaaMale: Oh my, isn't it delightful taste!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic duet from the film Inikkum Ilamai (1979) expresses the sweet, intimate conversation between two lovers as twilight transforms into night. Through imaginative nature imagery—such as the rainbow bending in shyness, rain uniting the sky and earth, and silence performing a song—the song celebrates the evolving emotional and physical closeness between the couple.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Female :Iravaagum ... Female :Uravaagum

Matching end sounds in alternating lines such as 'Iravaagum' and 'Uravaagum', creating a rhythmic musical cadence.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Mouna raagam paadum velai

Silence is metaphorical described as 'Mouna raagam' (a silent musical scale/song), depicting unsaid romantic feelings.

Monai (Alliteration)

Vanavillin vannam yaezhu

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'Va' in 'Vanavillin' and 'vannam'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Maalai Mayanginaal' from Inikkum Ilamai (1979) was composed by the duo Shankar-Ganesh and features a rare vocal collaboration between the legendary crooner P. B. Sreenivas and S. P. Sailaja.

Keep listening

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