- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- K. S. Chithra
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Pudhiya Raagam
- Movie release year
- 1991
- Lyrics added on
- 24 Dec 2018
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
Maalai Soodum Maalai Neram Thaanae is a classic romantic song from the 1991 Tamil movie Pudhiya Raagam, featuring music by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics by Vaali. The song celebrates the sacred bond of matrimony and romantic devotion, capturing the joyful emotions of a bride during the auspicious wedding evening as garlands are exchanged and hearts unite. The lyrics evoke poetic natural imagery, comparing human union to the cosmic flow of the river Ganges merging into the sea and the inseparable bond between a flower and its fragrance.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Siledai / Yamakam (Wordplay / Polysemy)
“Maalai soodum / Maalai neram thaanae”
The word 'Maalai' is cleverly used twice in consecutive lines with two different meanings: 'garland' in 'Maalai soodum' and 'evening' in 'Maalai neram'.
Uvamai (Metaphor / Simile)
“Andha nadhiyai kadalil inaithaan”
The union of soulmates is poetically compared to the confluence of a river joining the sea, as well as the inherent link between a flower and its natural perfume.
Ethirai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Gangaikku karaigalai / Sangama sugangalai”
Traditional Tamil poetic rhyming on the second consonant across lines such as 'Gangaikku' and 'Sangama'.
Did you know?
Trivia
Pudhiya Raagam (1991) marked the directorial debut of actor Rahman, who also played the lead role, featuring popular songs composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali.
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