Madura Marikozhundhae
From Chekka Chivantha Vaanam · 2018
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Anuradha Sriram, Shweta Mohan
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Chekka Chivantha Vaanam2018
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Chorus | |
| Aaahaaa…aaaa….(4) | Aaahaaa…aaaa… (Vocals) |
| Chorus | |
| Aaahaaa…aaaa… | Aaahaaa…aaaa… |
| Female :Madura marikozhundhae | Oh fragrant marjoram of Madurai, |
| Manalooru thaazham poovae | Oh screwpine flower of Manaloor, |
| Sivagangai panneerae | Oh rosewater of Sivagangai, |
| Serurathu entha kaalam | When is the time we shall unite? |
| Serurathu entha kaalam | When is the time we shall unite? |
| Female | |
| Aasai manam koosuthadi | My longing heart feels a shy tremor, |
| Amburuvi paayuthadi | A stream of desires flows within, |
| Nesa manam nenjinilae | In my loving heart, |
| Neruppu thanalaaguthadi | It turns into burning embers of fire, |
| Female | |
| Aasai manam koosuthadi | My longing heart feels a shy tremor, |
| Amburuvi paayuthadi | A stream of desires flows within, |
| Nesa manam nenjinilae | In my loving heart, |
| Neruppu thanalaaguthadi | It turns into burning embers of fire, |
| Female | |
| Yekkam pidikuthadi | Longing takes over me, |
| Enusuru poguthadi | My very soul feels as though it is leaving, |
| Thookkam koranjathadi | My sleep has diminished, |
| Female | |
| Durai magalai kaanamal | Without seeing the nobleman's daughter, |
| Elumicham pazham pola | Like a tender lemon fruit, |
| Iruppeyarum oru vayathu | Both of us are of the same youthful age, |
| Female | |
| Yaaru seitha theevinaiyo | Whose past karma or evil fate was it, |
| Aalukkoru desam aanom | That left each of us in a different land? |
| Aalukkoru desam aanom | That left each of us in a different land? |
| Female | |
| Madura marikozhundhae | Oh fragrant marjoram of Madurai, |
| Manalooru thaazham poovae | Oh screwpine flower of Manaloor, |
| Sivagangai panneerae | Oh rosewater of Sivagangai, |
| Serurathu entha kaalam | When is the time we shall unite? |
| Serurathu entha kaalam | When is the time we shall unite? |
| Serurathu entha kaalam | When is the time we shall unite? |
| Chorus :Aaahaaa…aaaa… | Aaahaaa…aaaa… (Chorus) |
ஆஹா....ஆ...(4)
Aaahaaa…aaaa… (Vocals)
ஆஹா....ஆ...
மதுர மரிக்கொழுந்தே
மணலுறு தாழம் பூவே
சிவகங்கை பன்னீரே
சேருறது எந்த காலம்
சேருறது எந்த காலம்
Aaahaaa…aaaa…
Oh fragrant marjoram of Madurai,
Oh screwpine flower of Manaloor,
Oh rosewater of Sivagangai,
When is the time we shall unite?
When is the time we shall unite?
ஆசை மனம் கூசுதடி
அம்புருவி பாயுதடி
நேச மனம் நெஞ்சினிலே
நெருப்பு தனலாகுதடி
My longing heart feels a shy tremor,
A stream of desires flows within,
In my loving heart,
It turns into burning embers of fire,
ஆசை மனம் கூசுதடி
அம்புருவி பாயுதடி
நேச மனம் நெஞ்சினிலே
நெருப்பு தனலாகுதடி
My longing heart feels a shy tremor,
A stream of desires flows within,
In my loving heart,
It turns into burning embers of fire,
ஏக்கம் பிடிக்குதடி
எனுசுரு போகுதடி
தூக்கம் கொறஞ்சதடி
Longing takes over me,
My very soul feels as though it is leaving,
My sleep has diminished,
துரை மகளை காணாமல்
எலுமிச்சம் பழம் போல
இருப்பெயரும் ஒரு வயது
Without seeing the nobleman's daughter,
Like a tender lemon fruit,
Both of us are of the same youthful age,
யாரு செய்த தீவினையோ
ஆளுக்கொரு தேசம் ஆனோம்
ஆளுக்கொரு தேசம் ஆனோம்
Whose past karma or evil fate was it,
That left each of us in a different land?
That left each of us in a different land?
மதுர மரிக்கொழுந்தே
மணலுறு தாழம் பூவே
சிவகங்கை பன்னீரே
சேருறது எந்த காலம்
சேருறது எந்த காலம்
சேருறது எந்த காலம்
குழு :
ஆஹா....ஆ...
Oh fragrant marjoram of Madurai,
Oh screwpine flower of Manaloor,
Oh rosewater of Sivagangai,
When is the time we shall unite?
When is the time we shall unite?
When is the time we shall unite?
Aaahaaa…aaaa… (Chorus)
Aaahaaa…aaaa….(4)
Aaahaaa…aaaa… (Vocals)
Aaahaaa…aaaa…
Aaahaaa…aaaa…
Female :Madura marikozhundhae
Oh fragrant marjoram of Madurai,
Manalooru thaazham poovae
Oh screwpine flower of Manaloor,
Sivagangai panneerae
Oh rosewater of Sivagangai,
Serurathu entha kaalam
When is the time we shall unite?
Serurathu entha kaalam
When is the time we shall unite?
Aasai manam koosuthadi
My longing heart feels a shy tremor,
Amburuvi paayuthadi
A stream of desires flows within,
Nesa manam nenjinilae
In my loving heart,
Neruppu thanalaaguthadi
It turns into burning embers of fire,
Aasai manam koosuthadi
My longing heart feels a shy tremor,
Amburuvi paayuthadi
A stream of desires flows within,
Nesa manam nenjinilae
In my loving heart,
Neruppu thanalaaguthadi
It turns into burning embers of fire,
Yekkam pidikuthadi
Longing takes over me,
Enusuru poguthadi
My very soul feels as though it is leaving,
Thookkam koranjathadi
My sleep has diminished,
Durai magalai kaanamal
Without seeing the nobleman's daughter,
Elumicham pazham pola
Like a tender lemon fruit,
Iruppeyarum oru vayathu
Both of us are of the same youthful age,
Yaaru seitha theevinaiyo
Whose past karma or evil fate was it,
Aalukkoru desam aanom
That left each of us in a different land?
Aalukkoru desam aanom
That left each of us in a different land?
Madura marikozhundhae
Oh fragrant marjoram of Madurai,
Manalooru thaazham poovae
Oh screwpine flower of Manaloor,
Sivagangai panneerae
Oh rosewater of Sivagangai,
Serurathu entha kaalam
When is the time we shall unite?
Serurathu entha kaalam
When is the time we shall unite?
Serurathu entha kaalam
When is the time we shall unite?
Chorus :Aaahaaa…aaaa…
Aaahaaa…aaaa… (Chorus)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic folk-style composition expresses deep emotional longing, separation, and romantic devotion. The speaker addresses their beloved using rich, fragrant imagery associated with traditional Tamil towns—such as Madurai's marjoram, Manaloor's screwpine blossom, and Sivagangai's rosewater. Through these metaphors, the lyrics convey how deep love transformed into intense inner burning and sleeplessness due to separation. The song laments the cruel fate that divided two young lovers into different lands despite being bound by mutual affection and shared youth. The central refrain questions when time and destiny will finally bring them back together.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Regional Imagery & Metaphor (Thinai / Uvamai)
“Madura marikozhundhae / Manalooru thaazham poovae / Sivagangai panneerae”
Uses specific geographical associations (Madurai marikozhundhu, Manaloor thaazhampoo, Sivagangai panneer) to metaphorically describe the beloved's purity, scent, and beauty.
Initial Alliteration (Monai)
“Aasai manam koosuthadi / Amburuvi paayuthadi”
Repetition of the initial vowel sound 'A' in consecutive lines ('Aasai' and 'Amburuvi'), creating a fluid rhythmic cadence.
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi Ani)
“Nesa manam nenjinilae Neruppu thanalaaguthadi / Enusuru poguthadi”
Exaggerates emotional sorrow by describing heart's love as burning fire embers and feeling as if life/soul is departing due to separation.
Simile (Uvamai Ani)
“Elumicham pazham pola Iruppeyarum oru vayathu”
Compares youth and delicate fresh nature of the lovers to a fresh, ripe lemon ('Elumicham pazham').
Did you know?
Trivia
Although frequently requested in modern compilations, this evergreen song 'Madura Marikozhundhae' originally belongs to the classic film 'Enga Ooru Pattukaran' (1987), composed by Ilaiyaraaja and penned by Gangai Amaran. Its timeless rustic melody made it a permanent staple of Tamil rural folk music culture.
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