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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maalai Soodum

From Pudhiya Raagam · 1991

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Pudhiya Raagam1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Maalai soodumIt is the garland-wearing
Maalai neram thaanaeEvening time indeed
Solai poovinOf the garden flower
Geetham yaavum thaenaeAll songs are like sweet honey
Inba chandhamSweet rhythm
Pongum nenjamA heart brimming with joy
Vaazhthu chollumOffers blessings
Kaadhal dhevan vaazhgaLong live the god of love
Female
Maalai soodumIt is the garland-wearing
Maalai neram thaanaeEvening time indeed
Solai poovinOf the garden flower
Geetham yaavum thaenaeAll songs are like sweet honey
Inba chandhamSweet rhythm
Pongum nenjamA heart brimming with joy
Vaazhthu chollumOffers blessings
Kaadhal dhevan vaazhgagaLong live the god of love
Female
Maalai soodumIt is the garland-wearing
Maalai neram thaanaeEvening time indeed
Solai poovinOf the garden flower
Geetham yaavum thaenaeAll songs are like sweet honey
Female
Gangaikku karaigalaiThe one who gave banks
Thandhavan thaanTo the river Ganges
Indha mangaikkum uravai padaithaanCreated relationship for this woman too
Sangama sugangalaiTo experience
Pettrida thaanThe joys of confluence
Andha nadhiyai kadalil inaithaanHe united that river with the ocean
Female
Ennaalum poo vaasamForever the fragrance of flower
Poovodu vaazhumLives along with the flower
Ondraanen unnoduI became one with you
Poopolae naanumLike a flower, I too
Un kannil en paarvaiIn your eyes, my gaze
Paarthenae naanI saw myself
Female
Maalai soodumIt is the garland-wearing
Maalai neram thaanaeEvening time indeed
Solai poovinOf the garden flower
Geetham yaavum thaenaeAll songs are like sweet honey
Inba chandhamSweet rhythm
Pongum nenjamA heart brimming with joy
Vaazhthu chollumOffers blessings
Kaadhal dhevan vaazhgaLong live the god of love
Female
Maalai soodumIt is the garland-wearing
Maalai neram thaanaeEvening time indeed
Solai poovinOf the garden flower
Geetham yaavum thaenaeAll songs are like sweet honey
Female
……………………………....
Female
Pennukku ethanaiyoFor a woman, so many
Sondham unduRelations exist
Adhai penmaikku kondavan thaanaeIs he not the one who embraces womanhood?
Vanjikku ennennavoFor a young woman, so many
Bandham unduBonds exist
Unnai manjathil kolbavan thaanaeIs he not the one who takes you on the nuptial bed?
Female
Nenjodu maangalyamWith the heart, the sacred thread
Konjaadho endrumWill it not always fondle?
Kaiyodu kai serumHand joining with hand
Vaibogam sondhamThe grand occasion belongs to us
Naan paadum sangeethamThe music that I sing
Vedhangal thaanIs like the holy Vedas
Female
Maalai soodumIt is the garland-wearing
Maalai neram thaanaeEvening time indeed
Solai poovinOf the garden flower
Geetham yaavum thaenaeAll songs are like sweet honey
Inba chandhamSweet rhythm
Pongum nenjamA heart brimming with joy
Vaazhthu chollumOffers blessings
Kaadhal dhevan vaazhgaLong live the god of love
Female
Maalai soodumIt is the garland-wearing
Maalai neram thaanaeEvening time indeed
Solai poovinOf the garden flower
Geetham yaavum thaenaeAll songs are like sweet honey

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

Keep listening

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