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Lyrics & meaning

Maavuliyo Maavuli

From Irandam Ulagaporin Kadaisi Gundu · 2019

Lyricist
Ra. Thanikodi
Singers
Shweta Mohan, Tenma
Music director
Tenma
Details
Irandam Ulagaporin Kadaisi Gundu2019

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Maavuliyo maavuliOh Maavuli, oh Maavuli!
Maavulikaaran poraaliThe one who swings the Maavuli is a warrior!
Maavuliyo maavuliOh Maavuli, oh Maavuli!
Maavulikaaran poraaliThe one who swings the Maavuli is a warrior!
Female
Rekkai virithidum sudargalaAre these sparks spreading their wings?
Akkini marangalin malargalaAre these the blossoms of fire-bearing trees?
Athu iruttai sutri viratti selludhadaLook, it surrounds and chases away the darkness!
Female
Thanga panam pol thugalgalaAre these particles like golden sparks?
Avai chinnanchiru pagalgalaAre they tiny little moments of daytime?
Athil kizhakkum merkum pinni kolludhadaIn it, the east and west intertwine with each other!
Male
Maavuliyo maavuliOh Maavuli, oh Maavuli!
Maavulikaaran poraaliThe one who swings the Maavuli is a warrior!
Maavuliyo maavuliOh Maavuli, oh Maavuli!
Maavulikaaran poraaliThe one who swings the Maavuli is a warrior!
Female
Irulin nadhiyil vinmeengalStars in the river of darkness,
Idhayam podum ethirneechalThe heart swims against the current.
Inikkum theeyin panam pookkalSweet fire blossoming from palm flower embers,
Manasukullae pudhu kaaichalA new feverish passion inside the heart.
Female
Neeril poothu neeril kaayumBlooming in water and withering in water,
Aambal poo thaan penmaiyaaIs womanhood merely a water lily flower?
Neeril nindru poril vendruStanding firm in water and winning the battle,
Vaagai soodum illaiyaDoes it not wear the crown of victory?
Male
Maavuliyo maavuliOh Maavuli, oh Maavuli!
Ulavu kaattu kodaiyaaliGenerous leader of the agricultural lands,
Ulachi thiranda balasaaliA strong person forged through hard labor.
Maavuliyo maavuliOh Maavuli, oh Maavuli!
Female
Theeyil ozhi vidum neelamaeThe glowing blue shade emitting from the fire,
Anbu thisaigalin vaanamaeThe vast sky encompassing directions of love,
Uyir theendum inbam vendi ketkudhadaIt asks for the joy that touches the soul!
Female
Vetchi pookkalin kaalamaeIt is the season of Vetchi (victory) flowers,
Veliyum meeridum vaasamaeA fragrance that transcends all boundaries,
Athu kaatril vandhu kaigal korkumadaIt comes through the wind and joins hands!
Female
Paniyin oliyil vilaiyadaPlaying in the light of the dew,
Pazhagum manadhin uraiyadaConversing with the familiar heart,
Uyirin paadhi swaasangalHalf of the breaths of our life,
Urimai thaanae naam kaadhalOur love is our rightful right!
Female
Neenda kaala irulai anaithuEmbracing the long-standing darkness,
Nimirum neruppu pattrumaeThe rising fire ignites!
Neeyum naanum serum tharunamThe moment you and I unite,
Idathaai bhoomi suttrumaeThe Earth spins in reverse!
Female
Rekkai viriththidum sudargalaAre these sparks spreading their wings?
Akkini marangalin malargalaAre these the blossoms of fire-trees?
Athu iruttai sutri viratti selluthadaLook, it surrounds and chases away the darkness!
Female
Thanga panam pol thugalgalaAre these particles like golden sparks?
Avai chinnanchiru pagalgalaAre they tiny little moments of daytime?
Athil kizhakkum merkum pinni kolludhadaIn it, the east and west intertwine with each other!
Female
Aaaa…..aaa….aaa….aaa…..Aaaa... aaa... aaa... aaa...
Male
Maavuliyo maavuliOh Maavuli, oh Maavuli!
Minnal saattai kodi veesiWaving the flag of lightning whips,
Velicha kangu vidhai thooviSowing seeds of light glowing embers,
Maavuliyo maavuliOh Maavuli, oh Maavuli!
Male
Maavuliyo maavuliOh Maavuli, oh Maavuli!
Maavulikaaran poraaliThe one who swings the Maavuli is a warrior!
Neenda kaala sinameriSurging with long-accumulated anger,
Nimirndhu vaaran komberiThe mighty leader stands tall and approaches!
Male
Maavuliyo maavuliOh Maavuli, oh Maavuli!
Maavulikaaran poraaliThe one who swings the Maavuli is a warrior!
Maavuliyo maavuliOh Maavuli, oh Maavuli!
Maavulikaaran poraaliThe one who swings the Maavuli is a warrior!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Maavuliyo Maavuli' is an evocative folk-fusion track from the film 'Irandam Ulagaporin Kadaisi Gundu' that draws upon the traditional Tamil cultural practice of 'Maavuli'—a handmade fire-spinner crafted during Karthigai Deepam using palm blossoms and charcoal embers. The song uses the brilliant, darkness-shattering sparks of the Maavuli as an extended metaphor for working-class resistance, resilience, and revolutionary hope against systemic oppression. Alongside its socio-political commentary, the song incorporates themes of romance, equality, and womanhood, questioning traditional stereotypes (such as comparing women to fragile water lilies) and advocating for strength and victory. Through rich Sangam imagery such as 'Vetchi' flowers, the lyrics weave together personal love and collective struggle into a triumph of light over dark.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Irulin nadhiyil vinmeengal

'Irulin nadhiyil vinmeengal' metaphorically compares the dark night sky to a river in which the stars swim like fish.

Imagery (Kaatchi Uruvagam)

Akkini marangalin malargala

'Akkini marangalin malargala' creates a vivid visual image of sparks flying from the spinning Maavuli like blossoms raining from trees of fire.

Sangam Floral Symbolism

Vetchi pookkalin kaalamae

'Vetchi pookkalin kaalamae' refers to Vetchi (Ixora) flowers, which in ancient Tamil Sangam literature symbolized the onset of war and ultimate victory.

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Ani)

Aambal poo thaan penmaiyaa

Questions whether womanhood is merely a fragile lily blooming in water or a victorious force capable of winning battles.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Maavuli' (or Mavali) is an ancient, eco-friendly traditional firework ritual from rural Tamil Nadu. Dried palm tree male flowers (panampoo) are collected, burnt into charcoal, stuffed into a coconut husk shell or cloth pouch, tied to a rope, lit, and swung rapidly in circles to produce a spectacular shower of golden sparks.

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