Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maalaiyittaan

From Avan Oru Sarithiram · 1977

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Avan Oru Sarithiram1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Maalaiyittaan oru mannanA king placed a wedding garland upon her.
Angu mayangi nindraal oru annamA swan-like maiden stood there captivated.
Getti maelangal muzhakkudhu vaanamThe sky resounds with the sound of wedding drums.
Mazhai megangal pozhiyudhu geedhamThe rain clouds shower melodies like music.
Female
Maalaiyittaan oru mannanA king placed a wedding garland upon her.
Angu mayangi nindraal oru annamA swan-like maiden stood there captivated.
Getti maelangal muzhakkudhu vaanamThe sky resounds with the sound of wedding drums.
Mazhai megangal pozhiyudhu geedhamThe rain clouds shower melodies like music.
Male
Maadhulam pazham pol kannamHer cheeks are like rich pomegranate fruits.
Kalai manmadhan vazhanghidum sinnamA romantic symbol bestowed by the artistic Cupid.
Maadhulam pazham pol kannamHer cheeks are like rich pomegranate fruits.
Kalai manmadhan vazhanghidum sinnamA romantic symbol bestowed by the artistic Cupid.
Inba thaen malar thooviya manjamA bed strewn with joyful, honey-laden flowers.
Sugam thaedum paavai nenjamThe heart of the maiden seeks blissful affection.
Female
Maanikka thaaragai nilavinilaeUnder the moonlight filled with ruby stars.
Engum mangalam isaikkum thendralilaeIn the breeze that plays auspicious music everywhere.
Maanikka thaaragai nilavinilaeUnder the moonlight filled with ruby stars.
Engum mangalam isaikkum thendralilaeIn the breeze that plays auspicious music everywhere.
Thaerinil dhaevan oorvalamaeA procession of the divine lord in a chariot.
Andha dhaeviyin vaazhvini kaaviyamaeThe life of that goddess becomes a grand epic poem.
Male
Maalaiyittaan oru mannanA king placed a wedding garland upon her.
Angu mayangi nindraal oru annamA swan-like maiden stood there captivated.
Getti maelangal muzhakkudhu vaanamThe sky resounds with the sound of wedding drums.
Mazhai megangal pozhiyudhu geedhamThe rain clouds shower melodies like music.
Male
Aayiram kambanin paadalIt is a poem equal to a thousand verses of Kamban.
Adhil aanandha thogaiyin aadalIn it lies the joyful dance of a peacock.
Aayiram kambanin paadalIt is a poem equal to a thousand verses of Kamban.
Adhil aanandha thogaiyin aadalIn it lies the joyful dance of a peacock.
Andha paadalil pirandhadhu raagamA musical melody was born from that song.
Aval aadalil valarndhadhu mogamA growing passion blossomed from her dance.
Female
Oonjalail ullangal uravaadaAs hearts swing in romantic harmony.
Varum oodalil leelaigal sadhiraadumPlayful love sports dance during sweet lovers' tiffs.
Oonjalail ullangal uravaadaAs hearts swing in romantic harmony.
Varum oodalil leelaigal sadhiraadumPlayful love sports dance during sweet lovers' tiffs.
Kaadhal tharuvadhu thunbamCan love ever bring sorrow?
Ini kaalam yaavaum vasanthamFrom now on, all season is eternal spring.
Female
Maalaiyittaan oru mannanA king placed a wedding garland upon her.
Angu mayangi nindraal oru annamA swan-like maiden stood there captivated.
Male :Getti maelangal muzhakkudhu vaanamMale: The sky resounds with the sound of wedding drums.
Mazhai megangal pozhiyudhu geedhamThe rain clouds shower melodies like music.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Avan Oru Sarithiram' celebrates the grand union and romantic bliss of a newly married couple. Kavignar Kannadasan uses regal and cosmic imagery to compare the bridegroom to a king and the bride to a delicate swan. The whole world and nature participate in their celebration: the sky plays wedding drums, and clouds shower melodies as rain.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

Maadhulam pazham pol kannam

Compares the bride's soft, flushed cheeks directly to a pomegranate fruit using the comparison marker 'pol'.

Monaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Maalaiyittaan oru mannan

Repetition of the initial 'Ma' sound across the words 'Maalaiyittaan' and 'mannan'.

Personification

Getti maelangal muzhakkudhu vaanam

Nature is personified; the sky plays wedding drums (Getti Maelangam) and rain clouds shower musical songs (Geedham).

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Aayiram kambanin paadal

Compares the grandeur of their romantic union to the poetic magnificence of a thousand verses by the classical poet Kamban.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Avan Oru Sarithiram' (1977) stars Sivaji Ganesan and Manjula in leading roles. The soundtrack was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics crafted by Kannadasan, featuring playback singing by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela.

Keep listening

More from Avan Oru Sarithiram