- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- Swarnalatha
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Chatriyan
- Movie release year
- 1990
- Lyrics added on
- 9 Apr 2018
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
'Maalaiyil Yaaro' from Chatriyan (1990) is a timeless melancholic love ballad expressing a young woman's deep romantic longing during a chilly evening in the Tamil month of Margazhi. As the cool breeze stirs her feelings, her body blossoms with desire, leaving her in a state of quiet, reflective silence. She urges her heart to compose songs dedicated to her hero, dreaming of his eventual arrival and their union. Throughout the song, nature reflects her internal emotional state—the ocean waves appear like a silver dress, and fish swim near the shore as if gazing into her eyes. The imagery vividly weaves together innocence, longing, and romantic fantasy, making it one of the most evocative songs in Tamil cinema.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Moonaal / Alliteration
“Maalaiyil yaaro manathoda pesa”
Repetition of the initial 'M' sound across words creates melodic rhythm.
Iyaibu / End Rhyme
“Maalaiyil yaaro manathoda pesa / Margazhi vaadai methuvaga veesa”
Matching end sounds ('pesa' and 'veesa') create a smooth rhyming couplet.
Personification
“Varuvaan kaadhal devan endru / Kaatrum koora”
Attributing human speech capabilities to the wind, depicting it as a messenger of love.
Upamai / Simile
“Alaigal velli aadai pola / Udalin meethu aadumo”
Direct comparison using 'pola' comparing ocean waves washing over her body to a glistening silver dress.
Did you know?
Trivia
Although the context lists unknown credits, 'Maalaiyil Yaaro' was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung brilliantly by Swarnalatha. Swarnalatha won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for her extraordinary vocal performance in this song.
Keep listening
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