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Lyrics & meaning

Maiyai Thottu Ezhuthiyavar

From Thulasi Maadam · 1963

Lyricist
Trichy Thiyagarajan
Singers
S. Janaki, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Thulasi Maadam1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Maiyai thottu ezhudhiyavarThe one who wrote by dipping in ink
En manadhai thottu ezhudhivittaarHas touched and written upon my heart
Maiyai thottu ezhudhiyavarThe one who wrote by dipping in ink
En manadhai thottu ezhudhivittaarHas touched and written upon my heart
Female
Padathil azhagaai sirippavaraeThe one who smiles beautifully in the picture
En pakkathil oru naal sirithiduvaarWill smile beside me one day
Padathil azhagaai sirippavaraeThe one who smiles beautifully in the picture
En pakkathil oru naal sirithiduvaarWill smile beside me one day
Kudathul vilakkaai irukkindrenI remain hidden like a lamp inside a pot
Mana kolathil kaiyai pidithiduvaarHe will hold my hand in holy matrimony
Female
Kolamittu maalaiyittuDrawing decorative kolams and placing garlands
Kuthu vilakkai yetri vaithaeLighting the sacred standing lamp
Kolamittu maalaiyittuDrawing decorative kolams and placing garlands
Kuthu vilakkai yetri vaithaeLighting the sacred standing lamp
Kaalamellaam vanagugindrenI worship you for all eternity
Kan paaraai thulasi ammaaGlance upon me with grace, Mother Thulasi
Kaalamellaam vanagugindrenI worship you for all eternity
Kan paaraai thulasi ammaaGlance upon me with grace, Mother Thulasi
Female
Maiyai thottu ezhudhiyavarThe one who wrote by dipping in ink
En manadhai thottu ezhudhivittaarHas touched and written upon my heart
Female
Meetiya veenai naan endraalIf I am the strummed veena
Adhan mellisai inbam avarthaanaeThe sweet joy of its soft music is him alone
Meetiya veenai naan endraalIf I am the strummed veena
Adhan mellisai inbam avarthaanaeThe sweet joy of its soft music is him alone
Pattu paadum neram ellaamWhenever a song is sung
Adhan pallaviyae avar peyar thaanaeIts main refrain is his name alone
Female
Kanniyar manamoo kattaaruA maiden's heart is a wild stream
Adhu kaaveri aaraai maaridavaeFor it to transform into the serene Kaveri river
Kanniyar manamoo kattaaruA maiden's heart is a wild stream
Adhu kaaveri aaraai maaridavaeFor it to transform into the serene Kaveri river
Mannavar avarae maalaiyidaSo that he, my lord, garlands me
Maadha nee arul purivaaiMother, please bestow your divine grace
Mannavar avarae maalaiyidaSo that he, my lord, garlands me
Maadha nee arul purivaaiMother, please bestow your divine grace
Female
Maiyai thottu ezhudhiyavarThe one who wrote by dipping in ink
En manadhai thottu ezhudhivittaarHas touched and written upon my heart

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song expresses the deep devotion and yearning of a young woman for her beloved. She compares herself to a lamp hidden under a pot and a strummed veena whose music belongs to him, expressing hope that the man whose picture she admires will one day hold her hand in marriage. She prays to Mother Thulasi (the sacred basil plant) to bless her love, asking that her wild, unchanneled emotions be transformed into a serene and auspicious union with her lord.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Kudathul vilakkaai irukkindren

Compares her current unacknowledged state to a lamp hidden inside a pot ('Kudathul vilakkaai'), a traditional Tamil proverb representing hidden value.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Meetiya veenai naan endraal / Adhan mellisai inbam avarthaanae

Compares herself to a veena and her beloved to the sweet music produced when strummed.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kanniyar manamoo kattaaru / Adhu kaaveri aaraai maaridavae

Compares a young woman's turbulent mind to a wild mountain stream ('kattaaru') that calms into the sacred Kaveri river upon finding fulfillment.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Maiyai thottu ezhudhiyavar / En manadhai thottu ezhudhivittaar

Repetition of the initial sound 'Ma' across words like 'Maiyai' and 'Manadhai'.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Thulasi Maadam' (1963) featured classic compositions by the legendary K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics penned by Trichy Thiyagarajan. The song beautifully blends romantic longing with traditional devotional worship of the sacred Thulasi plant.

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