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Unnai Thedi Varuven album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Maalai Muthal Kaalai

From Unnai Thedi Varuven · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Unnai Thedi Varuven
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
13 Feb 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Maalai Mudhal kaalai
Manmathanin leelai
Maalai Mudhal kaalai
Manmathanin leelai
Maedai mael naan aada
Mayakkam varum vaelai
Veru enna velai……
Maalai Mudhal kaalai
Manmathanin leelai……
Vaalibam vanthaalae
Vaasalgal moodaathu
Malligaiyil paai podum
Maaligai veraethu
Vilakkettrinaal naan tharum
Virunthugal yaeraalam
Maraikkaamalae yaaaiyum
Koduppathil thaaraalam
Sugangalum suvaigalum naanthaan
Vazhangavum mayangavum naal yaedhu….
Maalai Mudhal kaalai
Manmathanin leelai……
Aadaigal melaaga
Moodidum maanthottam
Kallanaigal theendaatha
Kaaviri neerottam
Kadai kangalin jaadaiyil
Kavi kuyil paadaatho
Thalaikerum podhaiyil
Thalirkodi aadaatho
Arinthavan purinthavan yaaro
Valaikkaram valaiththada vaaratho…
Maalai Mudhal kaalai
Manmathanin leelai
Maedai mael naan aada
Mayakkam varum vaelai
Veru enna velai……
Maalai Mudhal kaalai
Manmathanin leelai……
From evening till morning,
it is the play of the god of love.
From evening till morning,
it is the play of the god of love.
As I dance upon the stage,
a sweet intoxication takes over.
What other work is there?
From evening till morning,
it is the play of the god of love.
Once youth arrives,
the doors never close.
Spreading a bed of jasmine flowers,
where is another palace like this?
Once the lamp is lit, the feasts I offer
are endless and plentiful.
Without hiding anything at all,
I give generously.
I am all the pleasures and all the sweet tastes.
Why wait for a special day to give and be enchanted?
From evening till morning,
it is the play of the god of love.
Covered softly beneath clothing,
like a lush mango grove,
untouched by any stone dams,
flowing like the Cauvery river.
At the playful glance from the corner of my eye,
won't the singing bird make music?
In the intoxicating rush that goes to the head,
won't this tender flowering vine sway and dance?
Whoever truly knows and understands me,
won't he come to hold my bangle-clad hands?
From evening till morning,
it is the play of the god of love.
As I dance upon the stage,
a sweet intoxication takes over.
What other work is there?
From evening till morning,
it is the play of the god of love.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Maalai Mudhal Kaalai is a sensuous, nocturnal dance song from the 1985 Tamil movie Unnai Thedi Varuven, penned by lyricist Vaali. The lyrics describe the spell of youth and passion cast from evening until morning under the influence of Manmathan (the god of love). As the dancer takes the stage, she depicts how desire breaks barriers and transforms simple jasmine blooms into a luxurious palace of love. Through vivid sensual metaphors—such as an uncontained river and a delicate swaying creeper—the protagonist celebrates intimacy, generosity in affection, and the alluring trance of romance. She calls out to a discerning partner who understands love to embrace her in this nighttime celebration.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration) & Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Maalai Mudhal kaalai / Manmathanin leelai Pattern in lines 1-2 and 3-4, using initial 'Ma' sound alliteration ('Maalai', 'Mudhal', 'Manmathanin') alongside the end rhyme of 'kaalai' and 'leelai'.”

Uruvagaim (Metaphor)

“Kallanaigal theendaatha Kaaviri neerottam”

Uruvagaim (Metaphor)

“Thalirkodi aadaatho”

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Aani)

“Kavi kuyil paadaatho”

Did you know?

Trivia

The soundtrack for Unnai Thedi Varuven (1985) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, featuring lyrics by Vaali. Vaali was renowned for writing playful, seductive, yet poetic stage and cabaret dance numbers that seamlessly balanced Tamil classical imagery with modern rhythm.

Keep listening

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