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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maalai Velai Rathi Maaran

From Samanthi Poo · 1980

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Jency
Music director
Malaysia Vasudevan
Details
Samanthi Poo1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Maalai velai rathi maaran poojaiEvening time worship of Rathi and Kama, the god of love
Adi maanae idho idho thevai naana naanaOh doe-like girl, look here, am I not the one you need?
Maalai velai rathi maaran poojaiEvening time worship of Rathi and Kama, the god of love
Adi maanae idho idho thevai naana naanaOh doe-like girl, look here, am I not the one you need?
Female
Maalai velai rathi maaran poojaiEvening time worship of Rathi and Kama, the god of love
Maalai velai rathi maaran poojaiEvening time worship of Rathi and Kama, the god of love
Mani osai idazh tharum naadham thaanaIs the chiming bell sound the music created by the lips?
Male
Maalai velai rathi maaran poojaiEvening time worship of Rathi and Kama, the god of love
Adi maanae idho idho thevai naana naanaOh doe-like girl, look here, am I not the one you need?
Male
Laalalaaalala laaaLaalalaaalala laaa
Female :Laalalaaalala laaaFemale: Laalalaaalala laaa
Both :Laa laa laa laaaBoth: Laa laa laa laaa
Male
{Thaenodai idhil yean aadaiIn this stream of honey, why wear clothes?
Verum noolaadai ini naan aadaiMere cotton threads; from now on, I am your garment
Female :Noolaaadai idhu melaadaiFemale: Is this thread garment an upper garment?
Varum poomaedai adhil nee aadai} (2)A flower stage is approaching, upon which you shall dance
Male
Thazhuvida varavoShall I come forward to embrace you?
Female :LalalalalaaFemale: Lalalalalaa
Male :Kulir adhil vidumooMale: Will the coldness vanish in that warmth?
Iruvar indru oruvar endru naan aavomaaShall we two become one person today?
Male
Maalai velai rathi maaran poojaiEvening time worship of Rathi and Kama, the god of love
Adi maanae idho idho thevai naana naanaOh doe-like girl, look here, am I not the one you need?
Female
{Thaaangaadhu ena naan thallaAs I push away saying I cannot bear the intensity
Ennai nee alla sugam thaan ennaWhen you embrace me, oh what absolute bliss it is!
Male :Podhaadhu ena naan solla adiMale: As I say this is not enough, my dear
Nee thulla varum naal enna} (2)What is the day when you come leaping in passion?
Female
Viralgalin nagangalThe nails of the fingers
Male :TharararaMale: Thararara
Female :Ezhuthina idangalFemale: The places where they left their mark
Azhagin kolam muzhuthum kaanattum ippodhaeLet the entire art pattern of beauty be seen right now
Male
Maalai velai rathi maaran poojaiEvening time worship of Rathi and Kama, the god of love
Adi maanae idho idho thevai naana naanaOh doe-like girl, look here, am I not the one you need?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Maalai Velai Rathi Maaran Poojai from the movie Samanthi Poo (1980) is a passionate romantic duet that expresses the deep intimate desire between two lovers during dusk. The lyrics frame their courtship and physical union as a sacred ritual of worship devoted to Rathi and Manmatha (Kama), the Hindu deities of love and eroticism. Throughout the song, lyricist Vaali uses vivid metaphors involving streams of honey, flower beds, and garments to depict intimacy and total surrender. The lovers exchange playful and romantic thoughts about embrace, warmth overcoming the evening chill, and the sweet marks left by affection, celebrating their emotional and physical oneness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

{Thaenodai idhil yean aadai

Comparing sweet lovemaking and passion to 'Thaenodai' (a stream of honey) and the lover himself taking the place of clothing.

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Maalai velai rathi maaran poojai

Repetition of the 'M' consonant sound at the start of words: 'Maalai', 'Maaran'.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

{Thaaangaadhu ena naan thalla

Rhyming of the second letter 'la' across successive lines: 'Thalla' and 'Solla'.

Auditory Imagery

Mani osai idazh tharum naadham thaana

Comparing the sound of kissing and intimacy to 'Mani osai' (temple bell chimes) creating divine music.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Samanthi Poo' (1980) is a rare Tamil romantic drama featuring lyrics written by the celebrated poet Vaali. The song represents the classic 1980s South Indian film music style where romantic worship of Kama and Rathi was used as a lyrical motif for sensual duets.

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