Maalai Nerame
From Amma Pillai · 1990
- Lyricist
- Piraisoodan
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Amma Pillai1990
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Hoi hoi hoi hoi | Hoi hoi hoi hoi |
| Saiyyaara saiyaa saiyyaara saiyaa laa | Saiyaara saiyaa saiyaara saiyaa laa |
| Saiyyaara saiyaa saiyyaara saiyaa laa | Saiyaara saiyaa saiyaara saiyaa laa |
| Male | |
| Maalai neramae | It is evening time, |
| Malaiyin oram saernthu aadavaa | Shall we dance together by the edge of the mountain? |
| Chorus :Hoi hoi | Chorus: Hoi hoi |
| Female :Aahaan raasaavae nee | Female: Oh king, if you |
| Sollipputtaa saernthu aaduvaen | Just say the word, I will dance together with you. |
| Chorus :Hoi hoi | Chorus: Hoi hoi |
| Male | |
| Aahaang nalla neranthaan jodi saernthaachchu | Ah, it is a good time, the pair has united! |
| Female :Engu engellaam meeri poyaachchu | Female: Boundaries have been crossed everywhere! |
| Male :Vellai muththaana pallai kaatti | Male: Showing teeth like white pearls, |
| Seppu silai ennai vaattuthu | This bronze statue tortures me with desire. |
| Chorus :Hoi hoi | Chorus: Hoi hoi |
| Female :Kanni thannaalae sontham pesa | Female: The young maiden, to speak of her love, |
| Ingu vanthu unna theduthu | Has come here searching for you. |
| Male | |
| Maalai neramae | It is evening time, |
| Malaiyin oram saernthu aadavaa… | Shall we dance together by the edge of the mountain... |
| Chorus | |
| ……………. | ... |
| Male | |
| Eththanai chittu iththanai vettu | So many little birds, so many gestures, |
| Pallavi paattu katilla pottu pakkamaa nillu | Singing the refrain, place it on the bed and stand nearby. |
| Female :Mangala mettu malligai mottu | Female: Auspicious tune, jasmine bud, |
| Thendral thottu minnuthu pattu suttathu muththu | Touched by the breeze, the silk shines and the pearl glows. |
| Male | |
| Intha therottam thaanaathammaa | Is this chariot procession automatic, my lady? |
| Female :Sontha poraattam neengaathaiyyaa | Female: The personal struggle will not go away, sir. |
| Male :Hae panthala pottu maavilai katti | Male: Hey, setting up the pandal and tying mango leaves, |
| Maalai maaththattaa | Shall I exchange garlands? |
| Unna kannula vachchu chellamaa katti | Keeping you in my eyes and holding you tenderly, |
| Muththam vaikkattaa | Shall I give you a kiss? |
| Female | |
| Kurumbu pechchaalae mayanga vachchu | Enchanting you with playful talk, |
| Pulli maanai sontham saerkkavaa | Shall I embrace this spotted deer as mine? |
| Chorus :Hoi hoi | Chorus: Hoi hoi |
| Male :Arumbu sirippaalae kulira vachchu | Male: Soothing you with a budding smile, |
| Thanga veenai unnai meettavaa | Shall I play you like a golden veena? |
| Female | |
| Raasaavae nee…. | Oh king, if you... |
| Solliputtaa saernthu aaduvaen | Just say the word, I will dance together. |
| Chorus | |
| ……………. | ... |
| Female | |
| Santhana pottu neththiyil ittu | Placing a sandalwood dot on the forehead, |
| Vanthathu ingu thanthathu inbam pattula meththai | Coming here, it gave pleasure on a silk mattress. |
| Male :Malligai chittu manasa thottu | Male: A jasmine bird touching the heart, |
| Konjida kandu kandathu sotham nenjilae manjam | Seeing it caress, all that was found was wealth, a bed in the heart. |
| Female | |
| Sonthamaavesham vendaamaiyyaa | Don't pretend affection, sir. |
| Male :Nontha manasaethaan thaangaathammaa | Male: A aching heart cannot bear it, lady. |
| Female :Neramum paarththu maalaiyai pottu | Female: Looking at the auspicious time, putting the garland, |
| Ennaiyum saerththukko | Include me with you. |
| Manasu vachchu mayanga vachchu otti saeththukko | Show heart, charm me, and hold me close. |
| Male | |
| Virunthu saernthidavae vidiyumvarai | To join the feast until dawn, |
| Unnai naanae sonthamaakkavaa | Shall I make you my own? |
| Chorus :Hoi hoi | Chorus: Hoi hoi |
| Female :Varambu maaraamae ullaththaalae | Female: Without crossing limits, with all my heart, |
| Uravukkaaga enna saerththukko | Take me in for the sake of our relationship. |
| Male | |
| Maalai neramae | It is evening time, |
| Malaiyin oram saernthu aadavaa… | Shall we dance together by the edge of the mountain... |
| Female :Raasaavae nee…. | Female: Oh king, if you... |
| Solliputtaa saernthu aaduvaen | Just say the word, I will dance together. |
| Male | |
| Nalla neranthaan jodi saernthaachchu | It is a good time, the pair has united! |
| Female :Engu engellaam meeri poyaachchu | Female: Boundaries have been crossed everywhere! |
| Male :Vellai muththaana pallai kaatti | Male: Showing teeth like white pearls, |
| Seppu silai ennai vaattuthu | This bronze statue tortures me with desire. |
| Chorus :Hoi hoi | Chorus: Hoi hoi |
| Female :Kanni thannaalae sontham pesa | Female: The young maiden, to speak of her love, |
| Ingu vanthu unna theduthu…. | Has come here searching for you... |
ஹோய் ஹோய் ஹோய் ஹோய்
சைய்யார சைய்யா சைய்யார சைய்யா லா
சைய்யார சைய்யா சைய்யார சைய்யா லா
Hoi hoi hoi hoi
Saiyaara saiyaa saiyaara saiyaa laa
Saiyaara saiyaa saiyaara saiyaa laa
மாலை நேரமே....
மலையின் ஓரம் சேர்ந்து ஆடவா
குழு :
ஹோய் ஹோய்
ஆஹான் ராசாவே நீ....
சொல்லிப்புட்டா சேர்ந்து ஆடுவேன்
குழு :
ஹோய் ஹோய்
It is evening time,
Shall we dance together by the edge of the mountain?
Chorus: Hoi hoi
Female: Oh king, if you
Just say the word, I will dance together with you.
Chorus: Hoi hoi
ஆஹாங் நல்ல நேரந்தான் ஜோடி சேர்ந்தாச்சு
எங்கு எங்கெல்லாம் மீறிப் போயாச்சு
வெள்ளை முத்தான பல்லைக் காட்டி
செப்பு சிலை என்னை வாட்டுது
குழு :
ஹோய் ஹோய்
கன்னி தன்னாலே சொந்தம் பேச
இங்கு வந்து உன்னத் தேடுது
Ah, it is a good time, the pair has united!
Female: Boundaries have been crossed everywhere!
Male: Showing teeth like white pearls,
This bronze statue tortures me with desire.
Chorus: Hoi hoi
Female: The young maiden, to speak of her love,
Has come here searching for you.
மாலை நேரமே....
மலையின் ஓரம் சேர்ந்து ஆடவா....
It is evening time,
Shall we dance together by the edge of the mountain...
................................
...
எத்தனை சிட்டு இத்தனை வெட்டு
பல்லவி பாட்டு கட்டில்ல போட்டு பக்கமா நில்லு
மங்கல மெட்டு மல்லிகை மொட்டு
தென்றல் தொட்டு மின்னுது பட்டு சுட்டது முத்து
So many little birds, so many gestures,
Singing the refrain, place it on the bed and stand nearby.
Female: Auspicious tune, jasmine bud,
Touched by the breeze, the silk shines and the pearl glows.
இந்த தேரோட்டம் தாங்கதம்மா
சொந்த போராட்டம் நீங்காதய்யா
ஹே பந்தலப் போட்டு மாவிலைக் கட்டி
மாலை மாத்தட்டா
உன்ன கண்ணுல வச்சு செல்லமா கட்டி
முத்தம் வைக்கட்டா
Is this chariot procession automatic, my lady?
Female: The personal struggle will not go away, sir.
Male: Hey, setting up the pandal and tying mango leaves,
Shall I exchange garlands?
Keeping you in my eyes and holding you tenderly,
Shall I give you a kiss?
குறும்பு பேச்சாலே மயங்க வச்சு
புள்ளி மானை சொந்தம் சேர்க்கவா
குழு :
ஹோய் ஹோய்
அரும்பு சிரிப்பாலே குளிர வச்சு
தங்க வீணை உன்னை மீட்டவா
Enchanting you with playful talk,
Shall I embrace this spotted deer as mine?
Chorus: Hoi hoi
Male: Soothing you with a budding smile,
Shall I play you like a golden veena?
ராசாவே நீ.......
சொல்லிப்புட்டா சேர்ந்து ஆடுவேன்
Oh king, if you...
Just say the word, I will dance together.
..............................
...
சந்தனப்பொட்டு நெத்தியில் இட்டு
வந்தது இங்கு தந்தது இன்பம் பட்டுல மெத்தை
மல்லிகை சிட்டு மனசத் தொட்டு
கொஞ்சிட கண்டு கண்டது சொந்தம் நெஞ்சிலே மஞ்சம்
Placing a sandalwood dot on the forehead,
Coming here, it gave pleasure on a silk mattress.
Male: A jasmine bird touching the heart,
Seeing it caress, all that was found was wealth, a bed in the heart.
சொந்தமாவேஷம் வேண்டாமய்யா
நொந்த மனசேதான் தாங்காதம்மா
நேரமும் பார்த்து மாலையைப் போட்டு
என்னையும் சேர்த்துக்கோ
மனசு வச்சு மயங்க வச்சு ஒட்டி சேத்துக்கோ
Don't pretend affection, sir.
Male: A aching heart cannot bear it, lady.
Female: Looking at the auspicious time, putting the garland,
Include me with you.
Show heart, charm me, and hold me close.
விருந்து சேர்ந்திடவே விடியும்வரை
உன்னை நானே சொந்தமாக்கவா
குழு :
ஹோய் ஹோய்
வரம்பு மாறாமே உள்ளத்தாலே
உறவுக்காக என்ன சேர்த்துக்கோ
To join the feast until dawn,
Shall I make you my own?
Chorus: Hoi hoi
Female: Without crossing limits, with all my heart,
Take me in for the sake of our relationship.
மாலை நேரமே....
மலையின் ஓரம் சேர்ந்து ஆடவா
ராசாவே நீ....
சொல்லிப்புட்டா சேர்ந்து ஆடுவேன்
It is evening time,
Shall we dance together by the edge of the mountain...
Female: Oh king, if you...
Just say the word, I will dance together.
நல்ல நேரந்தான் ஜோடி சேர்ந்தாச்சு
எங்கு எங்கெல்லாம் மீறிப் போயாச்சு
வெள்ளை முத்தான பல்லைக் காட்டி
செப்பு சிலை என்னை வாட்டுது
குழு :
ஹோய் ஹோய்
கன்னி தன்னாலே சொந்தம் பேச
இங்கு வந்து உன்னத் தேடுது....
It is a good time, the pair has united!
Female: Boundaries have been crossed everywhere!
Male: Showing teeth like white pearls,
This bronze statue tortures me with desire.
Chorus: Hoi hoi
Female: The young maiden, to speak of her love,
Has come here searching for you...
Hoi hoi hoi hoi
Hoi hoi hoi hoi
Saiyyaara saiyaa saiyyaara saiyaa laa
Saiyaara saiyaa saiyaara saiyaa laa
Saiyyaara saiyaa saiyyaara saiyaa laa
Saiyaara saiyaa saiyaara saiyaa laa
Maalai neramae
It is evening time,
Malaiyin oram saernthu aadavaa
Shall we dance together by the edge of the mountain?
Chorus :Hoi hoi
Chorus: Hoi hoi
Female :Aahaan raasaavae nee
Female: Oh king, if you
Sollipputtaa saernthu aaduvaen
Just say the word, I will dance together with you.
Chorus :Hoi hoi
Chorus: Hoi hoi
Aahaang nalla neranthaan jodi saernthaachchu
Ah, it is a good time, the pair has united!
Female :Engu engellaam meeri poyaachchu
Female: Boundaries have been crossed everywhere!
Male :Vellai muththaana pallai kaatti
Male: Showing teeth like white pearls,
Seppu silai ennai vaattuthu
This bronze statue tortures me with desire.
Chorus :Hoi hoi
Chorus: Hoi hoi
Female :Kanni thannaalae sontham pesa
Female: The young maiden, to speak of her love,
Ingu vanthu unna theduthu
Has come here searching for you.
Maalai neramae
It is evening time,
Malaiyin oram saernthu aadavaa…
Shall we dance together by the edge of the mountain...
…………….
...
Eththanai chittu iththanai vettu
So many little birds, so many gestures,
Pallavi paattu katilla pottu pakkamaa nillu
Singing the refrain, place it on the bed and stand nearby.
Female :Mangala mettu malligai mottu
Female: Auspicious tune, jasmine bud,
Thendral thottu minnuthu pattu suttathu muththu
Touched by the breeze, the silk shines and the pearl glows.
Intha therottam thaanaathammaa
Is this chariot procession automatic, my lady?
Female :Sontha poraattam neengaathaiyyaa
Female: The personal struggle will not go away, sir.
Male :Hae panthala pottu maavilai katti
Male: Hey, setting up the pandal and tying mango leaves,
Maalai maaththattaa
Shall I exchange garlands?
Unna kannula vachchu chellamaa katti
Keeping you in my eyes and holding you tenderly,
Muththam vaikkattaa
Shall I give you a kiss?
Kurumbu pechchaalae mayanga vachchu
Enchanting you with playful talk,
Pulli maanai sontham saerkkavaa
Shall I embrace this spotted deer as mine?
Chorus :Hoi hoi
Chorus: Hoi hoi
Male :Arumbu sirippaalae kulira vachchu
Male: Soothing you with a budding smile,
Thanga veenai unnai meettavaa
Shall I play you like a golden veena?
Raasaavae nee….
Oh king, if you...
Solliputtaa saernthu aaduvaen
Just say the word, I will dance together.
…………….
...
Santhana pottu neththiyil ittu
Placing a sandalwood dot on the forehead,
Vanthathu ingu thanthathu inbam pattula meththai
Coming here, it gave pleasure on a silk mattress.
Male :Malligai chittu manasa thottu
Male: A jasmine bird touching the heart,
Konjida kandu kandathu sotham nenjilae manjam
Seeing it caress, all that was found was wealth, a bed in the heart.
Sonthamaavesham vendaamaiyyaa
Don't pretend affection, sir.
Male :Nontha manasaethaan thaangaathammaa
Male: A aching heart cannot bear it, lady.
Female :Neramum paarththu maalaiyai pottu
Female: Looking at the auspicious time, putting the garland,
Ennaiyum saerththukko
Include me with you.
Manasu vachchu mayanga vachchu otti saeththukko
Show heart, charm me, and hold me close.
Virunthu saernthidavae vidiyumvarai
To join the feast until dawn,
Unnai naanae sonthamaakkavaa
Shall I make you my own?
Chorus :Hoi hoi
Chorus: Hoi hoi
Female :Varambu maaraamae ullaththaalae
Female: Without crossing limits, with all my heart,
Uravukkaaga enna saerththukko
Take me in for the sake of our relationship.
Maalai neramae
It is evening time,
Malaiyin oram saernthu aadavaa…
Shall we dance together by the edge of the mountain...
Female :Raasaavae nee….
Female: Oh king, if you...
Solliputtaa saernthu aaduvaen
Just say the word, I will dance together.
Nalla neranthaan jodi saernthaachchu
It is a good time, the pair has united!
Female :Engu engellaam meeri poyaachchu
Female: Boundaries have been crossed everywhere!
Male :Vellai muththaana pallai kaatti
Male: Showing teeth like white pearls,
Seppu silai ennai vaattuthu
This bronze statue tortures me with desire.
Chorus :Hoi hoi
Chorus: Hoi hoi
Female :Kanni thannaalae sontham pesa
Female: The young maiden, to speak of her love,
Ingu vanthu unna theduthu….
Has come here searching for you...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Amma Pillai' is a romantic duet sung in a playful and affectionate exchange between two lovers. The evening mountain backdrop sets a serene and romantic setting where they express their blossoming affection, admiration of physical grace, and desire to unite in marriage. The lovers exchange playful teases, references to traditional marital rituals (exchanging garlands, setting up pandals), and sweet affection. The song balances traditional romantic symbolism with charming rhythm and traditional lyricism written by Piraisoodan.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamaani (Simile)
“Vellai muththaana pallai kaatti”
Comparing white teeth to shiny pearls ('Vellai muththaana pallai').
Metaphor (Uruvagham)
“Seppu silai ennai vaattuthu”
Describing the woman as a bronze statue ('Seppu silai') and a spotted deer ('Pulli maan').
Ethirukai (Second letter rhyme)
“Maalai neramae / Malaiyin oram saernthu aadavaa”
The second letters of words rhyme across lines or feet, such as 'Maalai' / 'Malaiyin' or 'Mangala' / 'Malligai'.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Amma Pillai' (1990) features lyrics by Piraisoodan, a prominent Tamil poet and lyricist known for his rich classical vocabulary and rhythmic folk fusion lyrics.
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