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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maaraappu Chaela

From Chinnavar · 1992

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
Mano, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Chinnavar
Movie release year
1992
Lyrics added on
3 Mar 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Maaraappu chaela
Mayilaadum sola
Machaana paathu
Varaiyaadho ola
Sendhoora poo mela
Then paandi kaathaada
Mandhaara poonthottam
Sandhosha kootthaada
Thattaama thatta thaalam
Kotta thaali nee kattu
Maaraappu chaela
Mayilaadum sola
Machaana paathu
Varaiyaadho ola
Aanipponnu aalaanadhu
Aanandha raagam paadiyadhu
Thonikkulla poovaanadhu
Sollaama thaanaa moodiyadhu
Paalodum oda ohohoho
Padagottum vela
Kaanaadha jaada ohohoho
Kan kaattum vela
Thaalaattum paada kaalam
Theda yaavum kai kooda
Maaraappu chaela
Mayilaadum sola
Machaana paathu
Varaiyaadho ola
Sendhoora poo mela
Then paandi kaathaada
Mandhaara poonthottam
Sandhosha kootthaada
Thattaama thatta thaalam
Kotta thaali nee kattu
Maaraappu chaela
Mayilaadum sola
Machaana paathu
Varaiyaadho ola
Maenikkulla minnal vettu
Methaiyil dheepam yetriyadhu
Vaangikkolla aasa pattu
Vaaliba manasa maathiyadhu
Thaanaaga oorum ohohoho
Aanandha ootru
Thaenaaga paayum ohohoho
Maanae un paattu
Poo baanam poda kaadhal
Kooda kanni pen theda
Maaraappu chaela
Mayilaadum sola
Machaana paathu
Varaiyaadho ola
Sendhoora poo mela
Then paandi kaathaada
Mandhaara poonthottam
Sandhosha kootthaada
Thattaama thatta thaalam
Kotta thaali naan kattu
Maaraappu chaela
Mayilaadum sola
Machaana paathu
Varaiyaadho ola
Maaraappu chaela
Mayilaadum sola
Machaana paathu
Varaiyaadho ola
The draped saree,
Like a grove where peacocks dance,
Looking at my sweetheart,
Won't a love letter be written?
Over the bright red flower,
As the southern breeze gently blows,
The garden of blossoms
Dances with pure joy!
Without missing a beat, as the rhythm sounds,
Tie the thali (sacred wedding knot) for me!
The draped saree,
Like a grove where peacocks dance,
Looking at my sweetheart,
Won't a love letter be written?
Pure gold has come of age,
And sung a joyful melody!
The blossom inside the boat
Closed itself up softly without a word.
Along the milky white stream, oh-ho-ho-ho,
As we row the boat,
Unseen romantic glances, oh-ho-ho-ho,
As our eyes give signals,
As the time comes to sing a lullaby,
And all our desires come together!
The draped saree,
Like a grove where peacocks dance,
Looking at my sweetheart,
Won't a love letter be written?
Over the bright red flower,
As the southern breeze gently blows,
The garden of blossoms
Dances with pure joy!
Without missing a beat, as the rhythm sounds,
Tie the thali (sacred wedding knot) for me!
The draped saree,
Like a grove where peacocks dance,
Looking at my sweetheart,
Won't a love letter be written?
A flash of lightning through the body
Has lit a lamp upon the bed!
Longing to take it all in,
It has changed this youthful heart!
Flowing on its own, oh-ho-ho-ho,
Is this fountain of joy!
Flowing like sweet honey, oh-ho-ho-ho,
Is your song, my gentle deer!
As flower arrows strike and love grows,
The young girl searches for her beloved...
The draped saree,
Like a grove where peacocks dance,
Looking at my sweetheart,
Won't a love letter be written?
Over the bright red flower,
As the southern breeze gently blows,
The garden of blossoms
Dances with pure joy!
Without missing a beat, as the rhythm sounds,
Let me tie the thali (sacred wedding knot)!
The draped saree,
Like a grove where peacocks dance,
Looking at my sweetheart,
Won't a love letter be written?
The draped saree,
Like a grove where peacocks dance,
Looking at my sweetheart,
Won't a love letter be written?
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Maaraappu chaela' from the film Chinnavar (1992) is a romantic folk melody expressing the blossoming love and longing between young lovers. Set against a lush rural backdrop filled with peacocks, flowing breezes, and blooming flower gardens, the heroine expresses her deep affection, anticipation of marriage, and desire to unite with her beloved. The verses vividly describe the sensations of romance, comparing love to lightning flashes, honey, and flowing milk streams, eagerly awaiting the sacred knot of marriage.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monnoedhu / Ethirhai (Second-letter Rhyming)

“Maaraappu chaela / Mayilaadum sola”

The second letters 'ra' in 'Maaraappu' and 'yi' in 'Mayilaadum' along with end-rhyming imagery create classical Tamil poetic harmony across consecutive lines.

Uvamaani / Metaphor & Imagery

“Thaanaaga oorum ohohoho / Aanandha ootru”

Uses nature metaphors like 'Paalodum oda' (milk-flowing stream) and 'Aanandha ootru' (fountain of bliss) to represent awakening romantic passion.

Iyaibu (End Rhyming)

“Mayilaadum sola / Varaiyaadho ola”

The ending words 'sola' and 'ola' rhyme smoothly, creating a catchy rhythmic cadence standard in Tamil folk songs.

Did you know?

Trivia

Chinnavar (1992) stars Prabhu and Kasthuri in lead roles, with music composed by Ilaiyaraaja (though credited as unknown in some song metadata archives). The lyrics written by Gangai Amaran reflect traditional rural romantic motifs typical of 1990s Tamil cinema.

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