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Lyrics & meaning

Maamadurai Naattinil

From Olimayamana Ethirkalam · 1977

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
Music director
K. Vijaya Baskar
Details
Olimayamana Ethirkalam1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Maamadurai naatinilIn the great land of Madurai,
Vaikaikkarai kaattrinilIn the breeze on the banks of the Vaigai river,
Kadhal paattondru kettaenI heard a song of love.
Kangal kooduvathai paarthaen aahI saw eyes meeting, ah!
Kangal kooduvathai paarthaenI saw eyes meeting.
Female
Thottaram ponnoonjal aattamThe rhythm of a golden swing touching,
Thogai kondaadum thottamA garden celebrated by a peacock's feathers,
Aadai mael naattu jaadaiClothing carrying western fashion,
Aasai theeraatha bodhaiAn intoxication of desire that never ends,
Male
Maanthalir manjal pallaakkuA yellow palanquin as soft as a tender mango leaf,
Mayanguthu nenjil ennoduSwooning inside my heart along with me,
Mai vizhiththaan sollum thoothu aahhaaThe message conveyed by kohl-adorned eyes, ah ha,
Mai vizhiththaan sollum thoothuThe message conveyed by kohl-adorned eyes.
Male
Maamadurai naatinilIn the great land of Madurai,
Vaikaikkarai kaattrinilIn the breeze on the banks of the Vaigai river,
Kadhal paattondru kettaenI heard a song of love.
Kangal kooduvathai paarthaen aahI saw eyes meeting, ah!
Kangal kooduvathai paarthaenI saw eyes meeting.
Male
Kovil sirpangangal ellaamAll the temple sculptures,
Neril nindraada kandaenI saw them standing and dancing in front of me,
Aadum panpaadu kandaenI saw the dancing tradition,
Naanum pan padugindraenI too am getting refined through music,
Female
Ponniyin vellam kandaayoDid you see the floods of the River Ponni?
Poovaiyin ullam kandaayoDid you see the heart of the maiden?
Yaarukku yaar solla vendumWho needs to express it to whom?
Yaarukku yaar solla vendumWho needs to express it to whom?
Male
Maamadurai naatinilIn the great land of Madurai,
Vaikaikkarai kaattrinilIn the breeze on the banks of the Vaigai river,
Kadhal paattondru kettaenI heard a song of love.
Kangal kooduvathai paarthaen aahI saw eyes meeting, ah!
Kangal kooduvathai paarthaenI saw eyes meeting.
Male
Yaedho naan solla vanthaenI came to say something,
Ennam mullaaga nindraen aahMy thought stood transfixed like a thorn, ah!
Female :Nanum ododi vanthaenFemale: I too came running fast,
Naanam thallaada nindraenStanding as my modesty wavered,
Male
Achaththil vaarththai varaathuWords fail to emerge out of fear,
Female :Aayinum aasai vidaathuFemale: Yet desire refuses to leave,
Both :Naam ini namakkaaga vaazhvomBoth: From now on, we shall live for each other,
Female :Naam ini namakkaaga vaazhvomFemale: From now on, we shall live for each other.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Maamadurai Naatinil is a melodious romantic duet set against the cultural heritage of Madurai and the Vaigai river. The lovers express their deep affection through vivid imagery, comparing the beloved's grace to temple sculptures coming alive and comparing their feelings to the flowing river. Despite initial shyness and hesitation, their unspoken love blossoms into a firm resolve to spend their lives together.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edukai (Second letter rhyming)

Maamadurai naatinil / Vaikaikkarai kaattrinil

The second letter ' ' (na) rhymes in both lines, creating a classic Tamil poetic rhythm.

Moonaai (Initial letter alliteration)

Ponniyin vellam kandaayo / Poovaiyin ullam kandaayo

Initial letter 'Po' repeats across both lines for rhythmic harmony.

Hyperbole / Visual Imagery

Kovil sirpangangal ellaam neril nindraada kandaen

Poetic exaggeration comparing the grace of the lover to ancient temple sculptures coming to life and dancing.

Did you know?

Trivia

Olimayamana Ethirkalam (1977) featured music composed by K. Vijaya Baskar, a veteran composer celebrated mostly for his iconic contributions to Kannada cinema who occasionally composed memorable soundtracks in Tamil.

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