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Isaimozhi
Pandithurai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Maalaiyitta Ponnu

From Pandithurai · 1992

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Pandithurai
Movie release year
1992
Lyrics added on
24 Dec 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Maalai itta ponnu onnu
Maaman veedu pogudhu
Singaaramaa seedhanamaa
Thambi kooda pogudhu
Nee porandha veettu perellaam
Ippa pugundha veettil paathukko
Maalai itta ponnu onnu
Maaman veedu pogudhu
Singaaramaa seedhanamaa
Thambi kooda pogudhu
Sonnaan nalla paadam munnae
Munnorellaam moodamillae
Pottu thandhaar paadha onnu
Nee adhil poganum
Kallaanaalum kanavanammaa
Pullaanaalum purushanammaa
Kovil kolam thevai illa
Nee potri vaazhanum
Veettu vela paakkaamalae
Vetti pechu vendaamammaa
Kutham solli kobam vandhaa
Veettu padi thaandaadhammaa
Poovodu thaan pottodu thaan
Ennaalum nee vaazha venum
Maalai itta ponnu onnu
Maaman veedu pogudhu
Vaasa manja poosum pennae
Vaazha vandha vaazha kannae
Kuthu vilakkaaga ninnu
Nee veetta aalanum
Ammaa chellam aanaal enna
Appaa chellam aanaal enna
Thaali katti pona pinnae
Kanavan pecha kekkanum
Ponnu nagai thevai illa
Punnagai thaan podhum ammaa
Ketta peru vaangaamalae
Buthiyodu nee vaazhammaa
Thanmaanamae sanmaanamaai
Penn maanae nee vaazha venum
Maalai itta ponnu onnu
Maaman veedu pogudhu
Singaaramaa seedhanamaa
Thambi kooda pogudhu
Nee porandha veettu perellaam
Ippa pugundha veettil paathukko
Maalai itta ponnu onnu
Maaman veedu pogudhu
Singaaramaa seedhanamaa
Thambi kooda pogudhu
A girl wearing the wedding garland
Is going to her husband's home.
Gracefully, like a precious bridal gift,
Her younger brother goes along with her.
The good name of the home where you were born,
Protect it now in the home you have entered.
A girl wearing the wedding garland
Is going to her husband's home.
Gracefully, like a precious bridal gift,
Her younger brother goes along with her.
Good lessons were taught in the past;
Our ancestors were never foolish.
They laid out a path for us,
And you must walk upon it.
Even if he is hard as stone, he is your husband;
Even if he is humble as grass, he is your man.
You do not need temples or sacred ponds,
If you cherish him and live with care.
Without doing your household chores,
Do not indulge in useless chatter.
Even if you feel anger when blamed,
Never cross the doorstep of your home.
Adorned with flowers and the pottu (dot on the forehead),
May you live happily every single day.
A girl wearing the wedding garland
Is going to her husband's home.
O girl who applies fragrant turmeric,
O dear one who has come to build a flourishing life,
Standing like the auspicious oil lamp,
You must guide and rule this home.
What does it matter if you were mother's darling?
What does it matter if you were father's favorite?
Once the thali (sacred wedding thread) is tied,
You must listen to your husband's words.
You do not need gold jewellery;
Your smile alone is enough, dear girl.
Without bringing any bad name,
Live your life with wisdom and good sense.
With self-respect as your greatest reward,
O gentle girl, you must live with dignity.
A girl wearing the wedding garland
Is going to her husband's home.
Gracefully, like a precious bridal gift,
Her younger brother goes along with her.
The good name of the home where you were born,
Protect it now in the home you have entered.
A girl wearing the wedding garland
Is going to her husband's home.
Gracefully, like a precious bridal gift,
Her younger brother goes along with her.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This track is a traditional Tamil bridal advice song (Vidaipudai Paattu) sung during a bride's departure to her in-laws' house after marriage. The lyrics convey advice on domestic harmony, respecting marital bonds, upholding ancestral values, and maintaining the honor of both her natal and marital families. Gangai Amaran weaves traditional Tamil proverbs into the lyrics to emphasize virtue, humility, and inner character over material wealth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Proverb Inclusion / Pazhamozhi

“Kallaanaalum kanavanammaa / Pullaanaalum purushanammaa”

Incorporates the famous traditional Tamil proverb 'Kallaanaalum kanavan, pullaanaalum purushan', emphasizing unwavering devotion and marital fidelity.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyming)

“Kallaanaalum kanavanammaa / Pullaanaalum purushanammaa”

The second consonant 'l' rhymes across consecutive lines ('Kallaanaalum' and 'Pullaanaalum').

Metaphor (Uvamai)

“Kuthu vilakkaaga ninnu / Nee veetta aalanum”

The bride is compared to a 'Kuthu vilakku' (auspicious traditional oil lamp) bringing light and prosperity to her new home.

Moonaam/Anaphora Alliteration

“Vaasa manja poosum pennae / Vaazha vandha vaazha kannae”

Repetition of initial sounds 'Vaasa', 'Vaazha', 'Vaazha' creating musical harmony in the stanza.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although the lyrics are written by Gangai Amaran for the movie Pandithurai (1992), the music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The song draws heavily upon rural Tamil wedding traditions where family elders sing cautionary yet affectionate advice to departing brides.

Keep listening

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Chinna Chinna AasaigalMarriageDomestic Life
Marumagale Kula1995
Anbu Magan – 1995 FilmMarriageDomestic Life
Naanga Pudhusa1968
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From the same album

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