Madhulam Kaniye
From Saami Potta Mudichu · 1991
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Maadhulam kaniyae nalla malarvana kuyilae | Pomegranate fruit-like beloved, Cuckoo of the lush flower garden |
| Maragadha maniyae en mayil ilam mayilae | Emerald gem, my young beautiful peacock |
| Maaran kanai podum vizhiyae | Eyes that shoot arrows of Cupid |
| Maalai thannil paadum mozhiyae | Sweet voice that sings in the evening time |
| Maaran kanai podum vizhiyae | Eyes that shoot arrows of Cupid |
| Maalai thannil paadum mozhiyae | Sweet voice that sings in the evening time |
| Male | |
| Maadhulam kaniyae nalla malarvana kuyilae | Pomegranate fruit-like beloved, Cuckoo of the lush flower garden |
| Maragadha maniyae en mayil ilam mayilae | Emerald gem, my young beautiful peacock |
| Male | |
| Thanga malar paadham maevi | Adorning golden flower-like feet |
| Thaalam podum kolusu pola | Like the anklet that taps to the rhythm |
| Angum ingum aadi paarkkum aasai enakku | I desire to dance around everywhere and see you |
| Female | |
| O sengamalam pola dhevi | Oh Goddess who resembles a red lotus |
| Thaeril yaeri unnai kooda | Mounting the chariot to join with you |
| Ingu vandha neram enna kaadhal vazhakku | What romantic dispute brings me here at this moment? |
| Male | |
| Alli alli koodum podhu | As we embrace each other again and again |
| Aasai valara | As desire grows |
| Angam engum kaadhal endra | Across all limbs, the flower called love |
| Poovum malara | Blossoms gently |
| Female | |
| Killi killi vaasam paarkka | Pinching softly to smell the fragrance |
| Mogam thodara | As infatuation continues |
| Solli solli kaama dhevan baanam padara | As Cupid's arrows spread upon us again and again |
| Male | |
| Ennai dhinam paadum kuyilae | Oh cuckoo bird that sings for me every day |
| Vannam kondu aadum mayilae | Oh peacock that dances with vibrant colors |
| Male | |
| Maadhulam kaniyae nalla malarvana kuyilae | Pomegranate fruit-like beloved, Cuckoo of the lush flower garden |
| Female | |
| O… | Oh... |
| Male | |
| Maragadha maniyae en mayil ilam mayilae | Emerald gem, my young beautiful peacock |
| Female | |
| Aa… | Aa... |
| Female | |
| Aa…..aa….aaa….aa..aa…aa…aaa…. | Vocalization (Aa... aa...) |
| Aa…..aa….aaa….aa..aa…aa…aaa…. | Vocalization (Aa... aa...) |
| Male | |
| Uchi mudhal paadham thorum | From head to toe everywhere |
| Naeril kaana bodhai yerum | Seeing you in person increases intoxication |
| Konji konji kooda vendum kaalam thorum | I want to embrace and cuddle forever through time |
| Female | |
| O vetrik kodi yaetri yaetri | Oh, hoisting the victory flag again and again |
| Vaegamodu thaerai otti | Driving the chariot with great speed |
| Sutri vandha raaja raajan un thaazh potri | The king of kings who encircled praised your feet |
| Male | |
| Mutrugaiyai potta podhu | When a siege is laid upon |
| Mogam vidumo | Will passion recede? |
| Mun irukkum moga vaasal | The gateway of desire that stands in front |
| Dhaagam vidumo | Will its thirst ever subside? |
| Female | |
| Karpanaikkum veli poda | A fence must be built even for imagination |
| Vendum thalaivaa | Oh my leader and master |
| Kaadhalikku naanam melum koodum allavaa | Won't shyness increase even more for the lover? |
| Male | |
| Mogam isai paadum udalae | Oh body where passion sings music |
| Kaaman vilaiyaadum thidalae | Playground where Cupid plays |
| Male | |
| Maadhulam kaniyae nalla malarvana kuyilae | Pomegranate fruit-like beloved, Cuckoo of the lush flower garden |
| Female | |
| O… | Oh... |
| Male | |
| Maragadha maniyae en mayil ilam mayilae | Emerald gem, my young beautiful peacock |
| Female | |
| Maaran kanai podum vizhiyae | Eyes that shoot arrows of Cupid |
| Maalai thannil paadum mozhiyae | Sweet voice that sings in the evening time |
| Maaran kanai podum vizhiyae | Eyes that shoot arrows of Cupid |
| Maalai thannil paadum mozhiyae | Sweet voice that sings in the evening time |
| Male | |
| Maadhulam kaniyae nalla malarvana kuyilae | Pomegranate fruit-like beloved, Cuckoo of the lush flower garden |
| Female | |
| O… | Oh... |
| Male | |
| Maadhulam kaniyae nalla malarvana kuyilae | Pomegranate fruit-like beloved, Cuckoo of the lush flower garden |
மாதுளம் கனியே
நல்ல மலர்வனக் குயிலே
மரகத மணியே
என் மயில் இள மயிலே
மாறன் கணை போடும் விழியே
மாலை தன்னில் பாடும் மொழியே
மாறன் கணை போடும் விழியே
மாலை தன்னில் பாடும் மொழியே
Pomegranate fruit-like beloved, Cuckoo of the lush flower garden
Emerald gem, my young beautiful peacock
Eyes that shoot arrows of Cupid
Sweet voice that sings in the evening time
Eyes that shoot arrows of Cupid
Sweet voice that sings in the evening time
மாதுளம் கனியே
நல்ல மலர்வனக் குயிலே
மரகத மணியே என் மயில் இள மயிலே
Pomegranate fruit-like beloved, Cuckoo of the lush flower garden
Emerald gem, my young beautiful peacock
தங்க மலர் பாதம் மேவி
தாளம் போடும் கொலுசு போல
அங்கும் இங்கும் ஆடிப் பார்க்கும்
ஆசை எனக்கு
Adorning golden flower-like feet
Like the anklet that taps to the rhythm
I desire to dance around everywhere and see you
ஓ செங்கமலம் போல தேவி
தேரில் ஏறி உன்னைக் கூட
இங்கு வந்த நேரம் என்ன காதல் வழக்கு
Oh Goddess who resembles a red lotus
Mounting the chariot to join with you
What romantic dispute brings me here at this moment?
அள்ளி அள்ளி கூடும் போது
ஆசை வளர
அங்கம் எங்கும் காதல் என்ற
பூவும் மலர
As we embrace each other again and again
As desire grows
Across all limbs, the flower called love
Blossoms gently
கிள்ளிக் கிள்ளி வாசம் பார்க்க
மோகம் தொடர
சொல்லிச் சொல்லி
காம தேவன் பாணம் படர
Pinching softly to smell the fragrance
As infatuation continues
As Cupid's arrows spread upon us again and again
என்னை தினம் பாடும் குயிலே
வண்ணம் கொண்டு ஆடும் மயிலே
Oh cuckoo bird that sings for me every day
Oh peacock that dances with vibrant colors
மாதுளம் கனியே
நல்ல மலர்வனக் குயிலே
Pomegranate fruit-like beloved, Cuckoo of the lush flower garden
ஓ.....
Oh...
மரகத மணியே
என் மயில் இள மயிலே
Emerald gem, my young beautiful peacock
ஆ...
Aa...
ஆ... ஆ... ஆ... ஆ... ஆ... ஆ... ஆ...
ஆ... ஆ... ஆ... ஆ... ஆ... ஆ... ஆ...
Vocalization (Aa... aa...)
Vocalization (Aa... aa...)
உச்சி முதல் பாதம் தோறும்
நேரில் காண போதை ஏறும்
கொஞ்சிக் கொஞ்சி கூட வேண்டும்
காலம் தோறும்
From head to toe everywhere
Seeing you in person increases intoxication
I want to embrace and cuddle forever through time
ஓ வெற்றிக் கொடி ஏற்றி ஏற்றி
வேகமோடு தேரை ஓட்டி
சுற்றி வந்த ராஜராஜன் உன் தாழ் போற்றி
Oh, hoisting the victory flag again and again
Driving the chariot with great speed
The king of kings who encircled praised your feet
முற்றுகையை போட்ட போது
மோகம் விடுமோ
முன் இருக்கும் மோக வாசல்
தாகம் விடுமோ
When a siege is laid upon
Will passion recede?
The gateway of desire that stands in front
Will its thirst ever subside?
கற்பனைக்கும் வேலி போட
வேண்டும் தலைவா
காதலிக்கு நாணம் மேலும் கூடும் அல்லவா
A fence must be built even for imagination
Oh my leader and master
Won't shyness increase even more for the lover?
மோகம் இசை பாடும் உடலே
காமன் விளையாடும் திடலே
Oh body where passion sings music
Playground where Cupid plays
மாதுளம் கனியே
நல்ல மலர்வனக் குயிலே
Pomegranate fruit-like beloved, Cuckoo of the lush flower garden
ஓ......
Oh...
மரகத மணியே
என் மயில் இள மயிலே
Emerald gem, my young beautiful peacock
மாறன் கணை போடும் விழியே
மாலை தன்னில் பாடும் மொழியே
மாறன் கணை போடும் விழியே
மாலை தன்னில் பாடும் மொழியே
Eyes that shoot arrows of Cupid
Sweet voice that sings in the evening time
Eyes that shoot arrows of Cupid
Sweet voice that sings in the evening time
மாதுளம் கனியே
நல்ல மலர்வனக் குயிலே
Pomegranate fruit-like beloved, Cuckoo of the lush flower garden
ஓ......
Oh...
மாதுளம் கனியே
நல்ல மலர்வனக் குயிலே
Pomegranate fruit-like beloved, Cuckoo of the lush flower garden
Maadhulam kaniyae nalla malarvana kuyilae
Pomegranate fruit-like beloved, Cuckoo of the lush flower garden
Maragadha maniyae en mayil ilam mayilae
Emerald gem, my young beautiful peacock
Maaran kanai podum vizhiyae
Eyes that shoot arrows of Cupid
Maalai thannil paadum mozhiyae
Sweet voice that sings in the evening time
Maaran kanai podum vizhiyae
Eyes that shoot arrows of Cupid
Maalai thannil paadum mozhiyae
Sweet voice that sings in the evening time
Maadhulam kaniyae nalla malarvana kuyilae
Pomegranate fruit-like beloved, Cuckoo of the lush flower garden
Maragadha maniyae en mayil ilam mayilae
Emerald gem, my young beautiful peacock
Thanga malar paadham maevi
Adorning golden flower-like feet
Thaalam podum kolusu pola
Like the anklet that taps to the rhythm
Angum ingum aadi paarkkum aasai enakku
I desire to dance around everywhere and see you
O sengamalam pola dhevi
Oh Goddess who resembles a red lotus
Thaeril yaeri unnai kooda
Mounting the chariot to join with you
Ingu vandha neram enna kaadhal vazhakku
What romantic dispute brings me here at this moment?
Alli alli koodum podhu
As we embrace each other again and again
Aasai valara
As desire grows
Angam engum kaadhal endra
Across all limbs, the flower called love
Poovum malara
Blossoms gently
Killi killi vaasam paarkka
Pinching softly to smell the fragrance
Mogam thodara
As infatuation continues
Solli solli kaama dhevan baanam padara
As Cupid's arrows spread upon us again and again
Ennai dhinam paadum kuyilae
Oh cuckoo bird that sings for me every day
Vannam kondu aadum mayilae
Oh peacock that dances with vibrant colors
Maadhulam kaniyae nalla malarvana kuyilae
Pomegranate fruit-like beloved, Cuckoo of the lush flower garden
O…
Oh...
Maragadha maniyae en mayil ilam mayilae
Emerald gem, my young beautiful peacock
Aa…
Aa...
Aa…..aa….aaa….aa..aa…aa…aaa….
Vocalization (Aa... aa...)
Aa…..aa….aaa….aa..aa…aa…aaa….
Vocalization (Aa... aa...)
Uchi mudhal paadham thorum
From head to toe everywhere
Naeril kaana bodhai yerum
Seeing you in person increases intoxication
Konji konji kooda vendum kaalam thorum
I want to embrace and cuddle forever through time
O vetrik kodi yaetri yaetri
Oh, hoisting the victory flag again and again
Vaegamodu thaerai otti
Driving the chariot with great speed
Sutri vandha raaja raajan un thaazh potri
The king of kings who encircled praised your feet
Mutrugaiyai potta podhu
When a siege is laid upon
Mogam vidumo
Will passion recede?
Mun irukkum moga vaasal
The gateway of desire that stands in front
Dhaagam vidumo
Will its thirst ever subside?
Karpanaikkum veli poda
A fence must be built even for imagination
Vendum thalaivaa
Oh my leader and master
Kaadhalikku naanam melum koodum allavaa
Won't shyness increase even more for the lover?
Mogam isai paadum udalae
Oh body where passion sings music
Kaaman vilaiyaadum thidalae
Playground where Cupid plays
Maadhulam kaniyae nalla malarvana kuyilae
Pomegranate fruit-like beloved, Cuckoo of the lush flower garden
O…
Oh...
Maragadha maniyae en mayil ilam mayilae
Emerald gem, my young beautiful peacock
Maaran kanai podum vizhiyae
Eyes that shoot arrows of Cupid
Maalai thannil paadum mozhiyae
Sweet voice that sings in the evening time
Maaran kanai podum vizhiyae
Eyes that shoot arrows of Cupid
Maalai thannil paadum mozhiyae
Sweet voice that sings in the evening time
Maadhulam kaniyae nalla malarvana kuyilae
Pomegranate fruit-like beloved, Cuckoo of the lush flower garden
O…
Oh...
Maadhulam kaniyae nalla malarvana kuyilae
Pomegranate fruit-like beloved, Cuckoo of the lush flower garden
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Maadhulam Kaniyae is a sensual romantic duet from the 1991 Tamil film Saami Potta Mudichu, featuring music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics written by Vaali. The song presents an intricate romantic dialogue between two lovers, rich in classical imagery where the woman is compared to sweet pomegranate fruits, precious emerald gems, vibrant peacocks, and blooming red lotuses. Throughout the duet, the lovers exchange poetic praise, describing their growing passion, intense embrace, and the captivating power of Cupid's arrows.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Moonaal / Initial Alliteration (Monai)
“Maadhulam kaniyae nalla malarvana kuyilae / Maragadha maniyae en mayil ilam mayilae”
Repetition of initial consonant sound 'M' across lines creates a rhythmic musical cadence.
Simile (Upamai)
“O sengamalam pola dhevi”
Direct comparison of the beloved to a red lotus using the comparative marker 'pola'.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Kaaman vilaiyaadum thidalae”
Describing the body directly as a playground where Kaaman (Cupid) plays, emphasizing intimacy.
Repetition / Anaphora (Adukku Thodar)
“Alli alli koodum podhu / Killi killi vaasam paarkka”
Repetition of words like 'Alli alli' and 'Killi killi' to amplify the intensity of action and desire.
Did you know?
Trivia
Saami Potta Mudichu (1991) was directed by R. Saravanan and featured music by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. Sung by Mano and S. Janaki, 'Maadhulam Kaniyae' remains a classic track renowned for Vaali's rich classical Tamil vocabulary and Ilaiyaraaja's lush orchestral arrangements.
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