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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maalaiyum Manjalum

From Kalyanam Oru Kaal Kattu · 1985

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
M. Lakshmi Narayanan
Details
Kalyanam Oru Kaal Kattu1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
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Male
Malaiyum manjalumGarland and turmeric
Manamagal seedhanamAre the bride's precious gifts
Manamagal seedhanamAre the bride's precious gifts
Male
Malaiyum manjalum manamagal seedhanamGarland and turmeric are the bride's precious gifts
Malaiyum manjalum manamagal seedhanamGarland and turmeric are the bride's precious gifts
Illaram ennum nallaram kanduExperiencing the righteous virtue of family life
Indru pol vaazhgavaeMay you live joyfully forever, just like today
Malaiyum manjalum manamagal seedhanamGarland and turmeric are the bride's precious gifts
Manamagal seedhanamAre the bride's precious gifts
Male
Oru naal thedi vandha sondhamThe kinship that came searching one day
Nedunaal vaazhum uyir bandhamIs a lifelong spiritual bond
Mudhal naal kaana varum inbamThe happiness that arrives on the first day
Thodarum vaazhvil ini endrumWill continue in life forever from now on
Male
Mangala kugumam nilaiyaagaMay the auspicious vermilion remain forever
Mai vizhi kaaviya kalaiyagaMay the kohl-lined eyes shine like epic art
Ilamai padattumae inimaithedattumaeMay youth express itself and seek sweetness
Malaiyum manjalum manamagal seedhanamGarland and turmeric are the bride's precious gifts
Manamagal seedhanamAre the bride's precious gifts
Male
Manakum mullai malar manjamThe fragrant bed of jasmine blossoms
Mayangum kadhalodu nenjamThe heart swooning with tender love
Azhgaai kattil indha velaiA beautiful bed at this present moment
Arugae thottil varum naalaiA cradle will soon arrive beside it tomorrow
Male
Kaalangal aayiram vaazhadhoWill they not live happily for a thousand ages?
Gangaiyai pol valam seradhoWill prosperity not flow abundantly like the river Ganges?
Thirunaalum vaazhvile varumae ennalumaeEvery day in life will turn into a festive occasion
Male
Malaiyum manjalum manamagal seedhanamGarland and turmeric are the bride's precious gifts
Illaram ennum nallaram kanduExperiencing the righteous virtue of family life
Indru pol vaazhgavaeMay you live joyfully forever, just like today
Malaiyum manjalum manamagal seedhanamGarland and turmeric are the bride's precious gifts
Manamagal seedhanamAre the bride's precious gifts

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Malaiyum Manjalum is a traditional auspicious Tamil song from the film Kalyanam Oru Kaal Kattu (1985) that celebrates the sacred bond of matrimony and blesses a newlywed couple. It highlights sacred symbols like the wedding garland, turmeric, and kumkum as the ultimate treasures for a bride, wishing for a long, harmonious, and prosperous life together. The lyrics beautifully capture the transition from wedding festivities to domestic happiness, expressing wishes that the love between the couple flourishes like the perennial river Ganges and brings the joyful arrival of future generations.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

Malaiyum manjalum manamagal seedhanam

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'm' in 'Malaiyum' and 'manjalum' creates a rhythmic euphonic flow.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Oru naal thedi vandha sondham / Nedunaal vaazhum uyir bandham

Rhyming endings 'sondham', 'bandham', and 'inbam' create musicality across successive lines.

Uvamai (Simile)

Gangaiyai pol valam seradho

Compares the continuous abundance and prosperity of married life to the eternal flow of the river Ganges.

Anaphora (Pallavi Repetition)

Malaiyum manjalum manamagal seedhanam

The core phrase 'Malaiyum manjalum' is repeated systematically as a refrain to anchor the theme of marital sacredness.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. Lakshmi Narayanan and rendered with smooth classical nuances by K. J. Yesudas, this song written by lyricist Muthulingam became a frequently played track during South Indian Tamil wedding ceremonies due to its traditional lyrics and blessings.

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