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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Madhavanam Raghuraman

From Thaai Paasam · 1988

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Vani Jairam, K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Chandrabose
Movie name
Thaai Paasam
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
3 Mar 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Maadhavanaam raghuraman
Marupadiyum pirandhaano
Mana kadhavai moodaamal
Enakaaga thirandhaano
Malligai poomalai
Ennai soodum manam vaazhga
Maanikka pon veenai
Ennai meettum viral vaazhga
Kangalil neer vazhindhaal
Thudaikkum kaigalai vaazhthugiren
Mai vizhi paarvaiyinaal unakku
Nei vilakkettrugiren
Malligai poomalai ennai
Soodum manam vaazhga
Kaalamellaam thalaivaa un
Kaaladiyil iruppenae
Kavalaigalae ariyaamal
Mugam paarthu sirippenae
Manjalum maangalyamum
Mannava nee thandha selvam
Ondralla ooraayiram
Ammamma naan konda inbam
Malligai poomalai ennai
Soodum manam vaazhga
Naayagiyae unai vaazhthi
Nalam paadum idhayam idhu
Naal muzhudhum anbae un
Ninavaalae iyanguvadhu
Kangalil neeroottam yen
Kaigalil naan thaangum bothu
Nenjilae porattam yen
Ennuyir neeyaagum bothu
Malligai poomalai
Ennai soodum manam vaazhga
Maanikka pon veenai
Ennai meettum viral vaazhga
Kangalil neer vazhindhaal
Thudaikkum kaigalai vaazhthugiren
Mai vizhi paarvaiyinaal unakku
Nei vilakkettrugiren
Malligai poomalai ennai
Soodum manam vaazhga
Did Lord Raghurama
take birth once again?
Without closing the doors of his heart,
did he open them just for me?
Like a garland of jasmine flowers,
long live the heart that wears me!
As a veena of ruby and gold,
long live the fingers that strum me!
Whenever tears flow from my eyes,
I bless the hands that wipe them away.
With a glance from my kohl-lined eyes,
I light a sacred ghee lamp for you.
Like a garland of jasmine flowers,
long live the heart that wears me!
All my life, my beloved,
I will stay by your feet.
Without knowing any sorrows,
I will look at your face and smile.
The turmeric and the sacred wedding thread
are the treasures you gave me, my king.
Not just one, but countless thousands
are the joys I have found!
Like a garland of jasmine flowers,
long live the heart that wears me!
My love, blessing you,
this heart sings for your well-being.
All day long, my darling,
it beats only with thoughts of you.
Why should tears flow from your eyes
when I hold you in my arms?
Why should there be turmoil in your heart
when you are my very life?
Like a garland of jasmine flowers,
long live the heart that wears me!
As a veena of ruby and gold,
long live the fingers that strum me!
Whenever tears flow from my eyes,
I bless the hands that wipe them away.
With a glance from my kohl-lined eyes,
I light a sacred ghee lamp for you.
Like a garland of jasmine flowers,
long live the heart that wears me!
Female
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Female
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Male
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Malligai Poomalai' is a tender, romantic duet from the 1988 Tamil film 'Thaai Paasam', composed by Chandrabose and written by legendary lyricist Vaali. The song celebrates marital devotion, mutual respect, and deep affection between a husband and wife. The heroine lovingly compares her husband to Lord Rama and expresses gratitude for the sacred marriage bond ('manjal' and 'maangalyam') that brought immense bliss into her life. In response, the hero reaffirms his love, reassuring her that she is his ultimate life force and comfort. Through exquisite traditional imagery—such as jasmine garlands, ruby veenas, and lighting ghee lamps—the song beautifully encapsulates conjugal harmony and emotional sanctuary.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

“Maanikka pon veenai / Ennai meettum viral vaazhga”

The heroine compares her soul/body to a ruby-studded golden veena that comes alive with music when touched by her husband's caring fingers.

Monaï (First-letter Alliteration)

“Manjalum maangalyamum / Mannava nee thandha selvam”

Repetition of the initial 'Ma' consonant sound across words ('Manjalum', 'maangalyamum', 'Mannava') creates a melodic rhythm.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Kaalamellaam thalaivaa un / Kaaladiyil iruppenae”

The second letter 'la' (ல) rhymes between 'Kaalamellaam' and 'Kaaladiyil' across adjacent lines.

Visual Imagery

“Mai vizhi paarvaiyinaal unakku / Nei vilakkettrugiren”

The lyricist creates a vivid romantic image of lighting a auspicious ghee lamp using the brightness and deep love of kohl-lined eyes.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Chandrabose, a prominent music director of 1980s Tamil cinema, 'Malligai Poomalai' is renowned for combining classical vocal elegance (sung by K.J. Yesudas and Vani Jayaram) with lyricist Vaali's signature devotional-romantic style.

Keep listening

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