Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maalaigal Idam

From December Pookal · 1986

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
P. Jayachandrana nd K. S. chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
December Pookal1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
…………………………………...
Female
Maalaigal idamThe wedding garlands
Maarudhu maarudhuare being exchanged, exchanged,
Mangala naalilaeon this auspicious day.
Mangaiyin tholgalaiThe young woman's shoulders
Koodudhu koodudhuunite, unite with joy,
Aanandhamaagavaeblissfully togetherness!
Pongidum mangalam engengumMay overflowing prosperity reside everywhere,
Thanguga thanguga endrendrumstaying and remaining forever and ever!
Mangalam mangalam mangalam ..mm..Auspiciousness, auspiciousness, auspiciousness... mm...
Male
Maalaigal idamThe wedding garlands
Maarudhu maarudhuare being exchanged, exchanged,
Mangala naalilaeon this auspicious day.
Mangaiyin tholgalaiThe young woman's shoulders
Koodudhu koodudhuunite, unite with joy,
Aanandhamaagavaeblissfully togetherness!
Male
{Nenjilae thaalaattum{The long-cherished desire lulling in the heart,
Nedu naal aasaia dream nurtured for days,
Indru thaan kovililtoday in the temple of love,
Mudhal naal poojai} (2)marks the first day of worship.} (2)
Female
Thottu vittu pogaamalLove that does not vanish after a touch,
Thodarum kaadhalit continues forever;
Pattu vizhi moodaamalwithout closing her silky eyes,
Tholodu modhaas shoulders brush against each other,
Male
Dhaagangal varum mogangallonging and passion arise,
Ini thaththalikkumnow trembling in ecstasy.
Female
Mm…mmm..mm..mm..Mm... mmm.. mm.. mm..
Dheganghal karum megangalBodies like dark rain-bearing clouds
Velli muththedukkumwill yield silver pearls of sweat.
Male
Mm…mm..mm..mm..Mm... mm.. mm.. mm..
Thandha sugam kanda manamThe heart that experiences the joy given
Sandham padithidumwill sing rhythmic tunes,
Sondham inithidumand the sweet bond will blossom.
Female
Maalaigal idamThe wedding garlands
Maarudhu maarudhuare being exchanged, exchanged,
Mangala naalilaeon this auspicious day.
Male :Mangaiyin tholgalaiMale: The young woman's shoulders
Koodudhu koodudhuunite, unite with joy,
Aanandhamaagavaeblissfully togetherness!
Chorus
Lulululululululululu….Lulululululululululu....
Thandhana thandhananaa thandhananaaThandhana thandhananaa thandhananaa
Thandhana thandhananaa thandhananaaThandhana thandhananaa thandhananaa
Thandhana thandhananaa thandhananaaThandhana thandhananaa thandhananaa
Thandhana thandhananaa thandhananaaThandhana thandhananaa thandhananaa
Thandhanananana thandhana thandhanaThandhanananana thandhana thandhana
Thandhanananana thandhana thandhananaa…Thandhanananana thandhana thandhananaa...
Female
{Kangalum thoongaamal{Eyes stay awake without sleeping,
Kanavil vaazhumliving in a daydream,
Kaigalil gangaiyumthe day when the holy Ganga in hand
Kalakkum naalum} (2)merges into one stream.} (2)
Male
Kattilarai naal thorumEvery day in the nuptial bedchamber,
Kavidhaighal paadumpoetry will be sung;
Vittu vida koodaamalunable to part from each other,
Vidi kaalai koodumthey will stay united till dawn.
Female
Aarangal parivaarangalGarlands, royal entourages,
Pala arpudhangaland many wonders!
Male
Mmm..mm…mm…mm..Mmm.. mm... mm... mm..
Ennangal pala vannangalThoughts in vibrant colors,
Ezhil chithirangallike beautiful, exquisite paintings!
Female
Mmm..mm…mm..mmm..Mmm.. mm... mm.. mmm..
Indru mudhal innisaigalStarting today, sweet melodies
Ingu pirandhidumwill be born right here
Engum parandhidumand echo everywhere.
Male
Maalaigal idamThe wedding garlands
Maarudhu maarudhuare being exchanged, exchanged,
Mangala naalilaeon this auspicious day.
Mangaiyin tholgalaiThe young woman's shoulders
Koodudhu koodudhuunite, unite with joy,
Aanandhamaagavaeblissfully togetherness!
Pongidum mangalam engengumMay overflowing prosperity reside everywhere,
Thanguga thanguga endrendrumstaying and remaining forever and ever!
Mangalam mangalam mangalam ..mm..Auspiciousness, auspiciousness, auspiciousness... mm...
Female
Maalaigal idamThe wedding garlands
Maarudhu maarudhuare being exchanged, exchanged,
Mangala naalilaeon this auspicious day.
Mangaiyin tholgalaiThe young woman's shoulders
Koodudhu koodudhuunite, unite with joy,
Aanandhamaagavaeblissfully togetherness!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Maalaigal Idam Maarudhu' is a celebrated festive and romantic duet from the 1986 Tamil film December Pookal, composed by Ilaiyaraaja and penned by Gangai Amaran. The song vividly captures the sacred, joyous occasion of a traditional wedding and the intimate, romantic awakening that follows. The lyricist uses auspicious motifs—such as exchanging garlands, temple offerings, and sacred rivers—to signify the holy union of two souls bound together in marriage. As the song progresses, the imagery shifts seamlessly from the public celebration of marriage to the romantic intimacy of the newlyweds. The lovers look forward to a lifetime of shared dreams, poetry, and enduring affection, comparing their passion to clouds yielding pearls of dew and endless sweet melodies filling their world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaai (Alliteration)

Maalaigal idam / Maarudhu maarudhu / Mangala naalilae

Repetition of the initial 'M' consonant across lines creating a melodious rhythm (Maalaigal / Maarudhu / Mangala / Mangaiyin).

Edukki / Thirukki (Repetition / Anaphora)

Maarudhu maarudhu

Emphasis through doubling words like 'Maarudhu maarudhu' and 'Koodudhu koodudhu' to create a celebratory, chanting effect.

Uruvagamb (Metaphor)

Dheganghal karum megangal / Velli muththedukkum

Comparing dark clouds to human bodies and sweat drops to silver pearls ('Velli muththedukkum').

Uvamaani (Simile/Imagery)

Ennangal pala vannangal / Ezhil chithirangal

Comparing colorful romantic thoughts to fine art and paintings ('Ezhil chithirangal').

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed with unknown credits in some song archives, 'Maalaigal Idam Maarudhu' from December Pookal (1986) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, written by his brother Gangai Amaran, and sung by K. J. Yesudas and K. S. Chithra. The film stars Mohan and Revathi in lead roles.

Keep listening

More from December Pookal