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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maalai Saatrinaal

From Jasmine · 2019

Lyricist
Andal Purappdu
Singer
Kharesma Ravichandran
Music director
C. Sathya
Details
Jasmine2019

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Maalai saatrinaalShe adorned him with a garland.
Kodhai maalai maatrinaal..aa..Kodhai exchanged the garland.
Maalai saatrinaalShe adorned him with a garland.
Kodhai maalai maatrinaal..Kodhai exchanged the garland.
Female
Maaladaindhu madhilaranghanOverwhelmed with deep love for the Lord of Srirangam,
Maalai avarthan maarbilae..ae…She placed the garland upon his broad chest.
Maaladaindhu madhilaranghanOverwhelmed with deep love for the Lord of Srirangam,
Maalai avarthan maarbilae…She placed the garland upon his broad chest.
Female
Maiyalaai thaiyalaalFilled with love and desire, the maiden,
Maamalar karathinaal..With her soft, lotus-like hands,
Maiyalai thaiyalaalFilled with love and desire, the maiden,
Maamalar karathinaal…With her soft, lotus-like hands,
Female
Rangarajanai anbarTo Lord Rangarajan, the beloved of devotees,
Thanghal nesanaiTo their dear friend and refuge,
Rangarajanai anbarTo Lord Rangarajan, the beloved of devotees,
Thanghal nesanaiTo their dear friend and refuge,
Female
Aasai koori poosurarghalExpressing their loving wishes, the priests,
Pesi mikka vaazhthida…aa…Chanted and showered immense blessings,
Aasai koori poosurarghalExpressing their loving wishes, the priests,
Pesi mikka vaazhthidaChanted and showered immense blessings,
Female
Anbudan inbamaiWith deep affection and delight,
Aandaal karathinaalFrom the holy hands of Andal,
Anbudan inbamaiWith deep affection and delight,
Aandaal karathinaalFrom the holy hands of Andal,
Female
Maalai saatrinaal…(4)She adorned him with a garland.
Female
Maalai saatrinaal..She adorned him with a garland.
Kodhai maalai maatrinaalKodhai exchanged the garland.
Maalai saatrinaalShe adorned him with a garland.
Kodhai maalai maatrinaal…Kodhai exchanged the garland.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Maalai Saatrinaal' is a traditional Tamil devotional hymn celebrating the divine marriage (Divya Kalyanam) between Goddess Andal (Kodhai) and Lord Ranganatha (Rangarajan) of Srirangam. The song poetically captures the sacred moment where Kodhai, overwhelmed with intense love and devotion, offers a garland of fresh flowers to her beloved Lord using her tender hands.\n\nAs the priests and devotees gather to offer heartfelt prayers and grand blessings, Andal joyously adorns the Lord's chest with the garland. This devotional chant is widely performed in South Indian Vaishnavite wedding ceremonies to invoke divine grace, love, and harmony.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Assonance / Alliteration)

Maiyalaai thaiyalaal / Maamalar karathinaal

Repetition of the initial sound 'Ma' across words like 'Maiyalaai' and 'Maamalar' creates rhythmic harmony.

Metaphor (Uvamai / Roopakam)

Maamalar karathinaal

Comparing Andal's hands to soft, beautiful lotus flowers ('Maamalar karathinaal').

Refrain / Anaphora

Maalai saatrinaal

Repetition of the opening phrase 'Maalai saatrinaal' throughout the composition to emphasize the central sacred action of garlanding.

Did you know?

Trivia

This hymn forms an integral part of traditional South Indian Vaishnavite wedding rituals (specifically during the 'Maalai Maatral' or garland exchange ceremony). It honors Goddess Andal, who is famously known as 'Soodi Kodutha Sudarkodi'—the divine maiden who wore flower garlands first to test their fragrance before offering them to Lord Ranganatha.

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