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Veerapandiyan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Maalaiya Katta Sollu

From Veerapandiyan · 1987

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
K. S. Chitra
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Veerapandiyan
Movie release year
1987
Lyrics added on
16 May 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Maalaiyai katta sollu
Thaalaththa thatta sollu
Unnaalae niththirai illa
Machchaanae allanum mella
Maththatha enna solla
Veththila eppa killa
Maththatha enna solla
Veththila eppa killa…..
Maalaiyai katta sollu
Thaalaththa thatta sollu
Unnaalae niththirai illa
Machchaanae allanum mella
Maththatha enna solla
Veththila eppa killa
Maalaiyai katta sollu
Thaalaththa thatta sollu….
{Santhana pottukkum
Chinnaala pattukkum
Aasaiya vachchupputtaen
Pinjithu muththala thanththu paththala
Ullatha solliputtaen} (2)
Vekkaththa vittuputten
Naan sikkinnu kattikittaen
Vekkaththa vittuputtaen
Naan sikkinnu kattikittaen
Allunga killunga aasaipatta raja
Maalaiyai katta sollu
Thaalaththa thatta sollu….
Unnaalae niththirai illa
Machchaanae allanum mella
Maththatha enna solla
Veththila eppa killa
Maalaiyai katta sollu
Thaalaththa thatta sollu….
{Manjal polunnai
Nenjil thaeikkanum
Naanum kulikkaiyilae
Manjaththilae unga nenjaththilae
Thenam naanum irukkaiyilae} (2)
Paalum pulikkuthaiyaa
Pattu paayum verukkuthaiyaa
Paalum pulikkuthaiyaa
Pattu paayum verukkuthaiyaa
Viragam naragam virunthonnu thaanga
Maalaiyai katta sollu
Thaalaththa thatta sollu….
Unnaalae niththirai illa
Machchaanae allanum mella
Maththatha enna solla
Veththila eppa killa
Maalaiyai katta sollu
Thaalaththa thatta sollu….
Laalallalaa laalallalaa…..
Tell them to string the garland,
Tell them to beat the rhythm!
Because of you, I cannot sleep;
My dear man, you must hold me gently.
What more is there to say?
When do we pinch the betel leaf?
What more is there to say?
When do we pinch the betel leaf?
Tell them to string the garland,
Tell them to beat the rhythm!
Because of you, I cannot sleep;
My dear man, you must hold me gently.
What more is there to say?
When do we pinch the betel leaf?
Tell them to string the garland,
Tell them to beat the rhythm!
For the dot of sandalwood paste on my forehead,
And the Chinnalapattu (traditional art-silk) saree,
I have set my heart.
I am still young and tender, and what you gave is not enough;
I have spoken the truth in my heart!
I have cast away all my shyness,
And wrapped myself snug and tight.
I have cast away all my shyness,
And wrapped myself snug and tight.
Embrace me and tease me, my beloved king!
Tell them to string the garland,
Tell them to beat the rhythm!
Because of you, I cannot sleep;
My dear man, you must hold me gently.
What more is there to say?
When do we pinch the betel leaf?
Tell them to string the garland,
Tell them to beat the rhythm!
Just like fragrant turmeric,
I want to rub your touch against my chest
Whenever I take a bath.
Upon the bed and deep inside your heart,
When I stay every single day...
Even sweet milk tastes sour to me,
And this silk mat feels unbearable!
Even sweet milk tastes sour, and the silk
Mat feels unbearable!
This longing is pure hell, treat me to a feast of love!
Tell them to string the garland,
Tell them to beat the rhythm!
Because of you, I cannot sleep;
My dear man, you must hold me gently.
What more is there to say?
When do we pinch the betel leaf?
Tell them to string the garland,
Tell them to beat the rhythm!
La lallala, la lallala...
Female
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This sensual folk-style Tamil song portrays a young woman eagerly expressing her deep romantic longing and impatience for her lover. She calls for wedding preparations—garlands to be woven and traditional rhythms to be played—reflecting her eagerness to unite with her beloved. She describes her restless nights, casting aside shyness to express her affection and desire for physical intimacy. In the stanzas, she highlights her sensory distress caused by separation, noting how usually pleasant comforts like milk and a soft silk mat feel uninviting without him. Calling her loneliness a hellish torment, she implores her king to grace her with his affection and transform her distress into a joyful celebration.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Maalaiyai katta sollu / Thaalaththa thatta sollu”

Matching second consonants across consecutive lines, such as 'katta' and 'thatta' in lines 1 and 2.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Paalum pulikkuthaiyaa / Pattu paayum verukkuthaiyaa”

Matching initial sounds across words, such as 'Paalum' and 'Pattu' in lines 40 and 41.

Metaphor & Sensual Imagery

“Manjal polunnai / Nenjil thaeikkanum”

Comparing the lover to turmeric rubbed against the skin, symbolizing deep physical closeness and intimacy.

Hyperbole & Rhyme

“Viragam naragam virunthonnu thaanga”

Exaggerating longing as hell ('naragam') and requesting intimacy as a feast ('virunthu').

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by poet Vairamuthu, this song uses classical rural Tamil metaphors—such as 'veththila killa' (pinching the betel leaf as a traditional precursor to intimate celebrations) and 'Chinnaala pattu' (silk from Chinnalapatti in Dindigul district)—to convey deep romantic anticipation within a folk melody structure.

Keep listening

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