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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
Movie name
Olimayamana Ethirkalam
Movie release year
1977
Lyrics added on
2 Jan 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Maamadurai naatinil
Vaikaikkarai kaattrinil
Kadhal paattondru kettaen
Kangal kooduvathai paarthaen aah
Kangal kooduvathai paarthaen
Thottaram ponnoonjal aattam
Thogai kondaadum thottam
Aadai mael naattu jaadai
Aasai theeraatha bodhai
Maanthalir manjal pallaakku
Mayanguthu nenjil ennodu
Mai vizhiththaan sollum thoothu aahhaa
Mai vizhiththaan sollum thoothu
Maamadurai naatinil
Vaikaikkarai kaattrinil
Kadhal paattondru kettaen
Kangal kooduvathai paarthaen aah
Kangal kooduvathai paarthaen
Kovil sirpangangal ellaam
Neril nindraada kandaen
Aadum panpaadu kandaen
Naanum pan padugindraen
Ponniyin vellam kandaayo
Poovaiyin ullam kandaayo
Yaarukku yaar solla vendum
Yaarukku yaar solla vendum
Maamadurai naatinil
Vaikaikkarai kaattrinil
Kadhal paattondru kettaen
Kangal kooduvathai paarthaen aah
Kangal kooduvathai paarthaen
Yaedho naan solla vanthaen
Ennam mullaaga nindraen aah
Female :Nanum ododi vanthaen
Naanam thallaada nindraen
Achaththil vaarththai varaathu
Female :Aayinum aasai vidaathu
Both :Naam ini namakkaaga vaazhvom
Female :Naam ini namakkaaga vaazhvom
In the great land of Madurai
In the breeze by the banks of the Vaigai river
I heard a song of love
I saw eyes meeting each other, ah
I saw eyes meeting each other
A golden swing swaying back and forth
A garden where peacocks celebrate
A dress styled in the Western way
A desire that is an endless intoxication
A golden palanquin tender as a mango leaf
Intoxicating my heart along with me
Her kohl-lined eyes send a message, ah-ha
Her kohl-lined eyes send a message
In the great land of Madurai
In the breeze by the banks of the Vaigai river
I heard a song of love
I saw eyes meeting each other, ah
I saw eyes meeting each other
All the temple sculptures
I saw them dancing right before my eyes
I saw the beauty of traditional dance
And so I sing a melody too
Have you seen the rushing floods of the Ponni (Kaveri) river?
Have you seen the heart of this young woman?
Who really needs to explain to whom?
Who really needs to explain to whom?
In the great land of Madurai
In the breeze by the banks of the Vaigai river
I heard a song of love
I saw eyes meeting each other, ah
I saw eyes meeting each other
I came intending to say something
My thoughts pricked like thorns and I stood still, ah
Female: I too came running
And stood trembling with shyness
In fear, words would not come
Female: Yet desire refuses to let go
Both: From now on, let us live for each other
Female: From now on, let us live for each other
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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