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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maatran thootathu Maligaye

From DooPaaDoo Album Songs · 2019

Lyricist
Madhan Karky
Singer
Shravan
Music director
Anil Srinivasan
Details
DooPaaDoo Album Songs2019

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Maatraan thottathu malligaiyaeOh jasmine of another man's garden,
Un vaasam ennai alaikkuthadiYour fragrance summons me.
Maatraan thottathu malligaiyaeOh jasmine of another man's garden,
Un vaasam ennai alaikkuthadiYour fragrance summons me.
Unnai nerunga adi vaithaalWhen I take a step to come close to you,
Ennai yedho pinnaal izhukuthadiSomething pulls me backward.
Male
Maatraan thottathu malligaiyaeOh jasmine of another man's garden,
Un vaasam ennai alaikkuthadiYour fragrance summons me.
Male
Dhoorathil irunthae rasithirundhenI admired you from afar,
Un idhazhgalil thaanae vasithirundhenI lived in your lips.
Dhoorathil irunthae rasithirundhenI admired you from afar,
Un idhazhgalil thaanae vasithirundhenI lived in your lips.
Thaneil vizhunthu mayangidavaeTo fall into honey and swoon,
En idhayam idhayam pasithirundhenMy heart was hungry.
Male
Maatraan thottathu malligaiyaeOh jasmine of another man's garden,
Un vaasam ennai alaikkuthadiYour fragrance summons me.
Male
Vaeligal thaduppathum unmaiyadiIt is true that fences block us,
En aasaigal thudippathum unmaiyadiIt is true that my desires throb.
Vaeligal thaduppathum unmaiyadiIt is true that fences block us,
En aasaigal thudippathum unmaiyadiIt is true that my desires throb.
Unnai thoduvathum sarithaanaa….aaa….aaa….Is it right to touch you... ah... ah...
Nam thom thom tha nam thom thom thaaNam thom thom tha nam thom thom thaa
……………………………………………………...
Male
Unnai thoduvathum sarithaanaa..Is it right to touch you...
Enum bayamum bayamum unmaiyadiThis fear is also true, my dear.
Male
Maatraan thottathu malligaiyaeOh jasmine of another man's garden,
Un vaasam ennai alaikkuthadiYour fragrance summons me.
Male
Thavarena ulagamae sonnaalumEven if the world calls it a mistake,
Idhai pizhai yena aandavan kandaalumEven if God considers it a sin,
Thavarena ulagamae sonnaalumEven if the world calls it a mistake,
Idhai pizhai yena aandavan kandaalumEven if God considers it a sin,
Naragamae nichaiyam endraalum…aaa…..Even if hell is guaranteed... ah...
Naragamae nichaiyam endraalum…Even if hell is guaranteed...
Unai adainthida thavithidum paaviyadiI am a sinner yearning to reach you.
Male
Maatraan thottathu malligaiyaeOh jasmine of another man's garden,
Un vaasam ennai alaikkuthadiYour fragrance summons me.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Maatraan Thottathu Malligaiyae is a poetic exploration of forbidden love and moral conflict. The narrator addresses his beloved as a jasmine flower in someone else's garden, expressing an intense attraction that defies moral and societal boundaries. He feels drawn to her fragrance and presence, yet every time he tries to approach her, conscience and social barriers hold him back. Despite acknowledging the fear, fences, and moral consequences, his desire remains overpowering. In the final verses, the narrator surrenders to his passion, stating that even if society condemns their love as a mistake and God deems it a sin that guarantees him a place in hell, he remains a helpless sinner whose ultimate yearning is to be united with her.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Maatraan thottathu malligaiyae

The phrase 'Maatraan thottathu malligai' (jasmine in another's garden) is used metaphorically to represent a woman who belongs to someone else.

Ethirhai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Thavarena ulagamae sonnaalum / Idhai pizhai yena aandavan kandaalum

The second consonant 'va' in 'Thavarena' rhymes with 'zhai' in 'Pizhai' in the Tamil poetic tradition.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navirtchi)

Naragamae nichaiyam endraalum... Unai adainthida thavithidum paaviyadi

Exaggerating the consequences of love by stating he is willing to accept guaranteed eternal damnation in hell just to reach her.

Refrain

Maatraan thottathu malligaiyae / Un vaasam ennai alaikkuthadi

The opening lines are repeated after every stanza to emphasize the persistent pull of temptation.

Did you know?

Trivia

The title phrase 'Maatraan Thottathu Malligai' (Jasmine of another's garden) originates from a famous Tamil political proverb popularized by former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai, who used it to mean that one should appreciate good qualities even in an opponent. Lyricist Madhan Karky cleverly recontextualized this legendary idiom into an independent romantic song released on DooPaaDoo, a music platform he co-founded to promote non-film independent Tamil music.

Keep listening

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