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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Malai Kovil Vasalil

From Veera · 1994

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Mano, Swarnalatha
Music director
Ilaiyaraja
Details
Veera1994

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ohoooooo..ooooooohhhhooo…Vocalizing: Ohoooooo..ooooooohhhhooo…
Chorus :Ooooooo…ooooooooo.ooooooo….Chorus humming: Ooooooo…ooooooooo.ooooooo….
Female
Malai kovil vaasalilAt the entrance of the hilltop temple,
Kaarthigai deepam minnuthaeThe Kaarthigai lamp glimmers brightly.
Vilaketrum velaiyilAt the time of lighting the lamps,
Aanandha gaanam solluthaeA joyous song is sung.
Chorus
{Muthu muthu sudarae sudarae{O pearl-like flame, bright flame,
Kodu vendidum varangalaiyaeGrant all the boons requested!
Vanna vanna kadhirae kadhiraeO colorful ray of light,
Thodu aayiram sugangalaiyae}(2)Touch and bring a thousand pleasures!}(2)
Male
Malai kovil vaasalilAt the entrance of the hilltop temple,
Kaarthigai deepam minnuthaeThe Kaarthigai lamp glimmers brightly.
Vilaketrum velaiyilAt the time of lighting the lamps,
Aanandha gaanam sollutheA joyous song is sung.
Chorus
Oh oh …..Oh oh …..
Female
Naadagam aadiya paadagan oh….O singer who acted in a drama,
Nee indru naan thodum kaadhalan oh..Today you are the lover I touch.
Male
Nee solla naan mella maarinenAs you spoke, I slowly changed,
Nandriyai vaai vittu koorinenExpressing my gratitude out loud.
Female
Thaer azhagum chinna per azhagumThe beauty of a chariot and great exquisite beauty,
Unnai seraatha udan vaarathaWill it not join you and come right away?
Male
Maan azhagum kendai meen azhagumThe beauty of a deer and the beauty of a Kendai fish,
Kangal kaataatha isai kootaathaWill your eyes not show it, will it not create music?
Female
Paalaadai ivan melaadaAs the cream of milk drapes over him,
Vanna noolaadai ini nee aagumFrom now on, you become the colorful silk garment.
Male
Malai kovil vaasalilAt the entrance of the hilltop temple,
Kaarthigai deepam minnuthaeThe Kaarthigai lamp glimmers brightly.
Vilaketrum velaiyilAt the time of lighting the lamps,
Aanandha gaanam sollutheA joyous song is sung.
Chorus
Muthu muthu sudarae sudaraeO pearl-like flame, bright flame,
Kodu vendidum varangalaiyaeGrant all the boons requested!
Vanna vanna kadhirae kadhiraeO colorful ray of light,
Thodu aayiram sugangalaiyaeTouch and bring a thousand pleasures!
Female
: Malai kovil vaasalilAt the entrance of the hilltop temple,
Kaarthigai deepam minnuthaeThe Kaarthigai lamp glimmers brightly.
Male
Naan oru poocharam aagavo..ooohh…Shall I become a garland of flowers?
Neel kuzhal meedhinil aadavo..ooohhh…Shall I sway upon your long dark hair?
Female
: Naan oru melisai aagavoShall I become a soft melody?
Naalum un naavinil aadavoShall I dance on your tongue every day?
Male
Naan padikum thamizh keerthanangalThe Tamil devotional hymns I sing,
Inghu naal thorum undhan seer paadumWill sing your praises here every day.
Female
Poo marathil pasum pon nirathilOn the flowering tree in a pure golden color,
Valai poothaadum undhan per paadumThe blooming bangles sway and sing your name.
Male
Maa kolam mazhai neer kolamA grand Rangoli pattern and a rain-water pattern,
Vanna naal kaanum intha oorgolamThis procession witnesses a festive day.
Female
Malai kovil vaasalilAt the entrance of the hilltop temple,
Kaarthigai deepam minnuthaeThe Kaarthigai lamp glimmers brightly.
Male
Vilaketrum velaiyilAt the time of lighting the lamps,
Aanandha gaanam solluthaeA joyous song is sung.
Chorus
{Muthu muthu sudarae sudarae{O pearl-like flame, bright flame,
Kodu vendidum varangalaiyaeGrant all the boons requested!
Vanna vanna kadhirae kadhiraeO colorful ray of light,
Thodu aayiram sugangalaiyae}(2)Touch and bring a thousand pleasures!}(2)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Malai Kovil Vaasalil is a festive, romantic Tamil song set against the auspicious backdrop of Kaarthigai Deepam at a hilltop temple. The song blends sacred traditional elements like temple lamps, hymns, and colorful rangolis with romantic devotion between the lead pair. The lyrics convey deep affection where lovers equate their togetherness to divine boons and poetic harmony. Through vivid metaphors of nature, music, and Tamil poetry, the song creates an atmosphere of joyous celebration, gratitude, and divine-like love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukku Thodar (Repetition for emphasis)

Muthu muthu sudarae sudarae

The doubling of words like 'Muthu muthu' and 'Vanna vanna' enhances rhythm and emphasizes beauty.

Uvamai (Metaphor/Simile)

Maan azhagum kendai meen azhagum

Comparing the heroine's eyes to a graceful deer and a quick Kendai fish is a classic Tamil literary conceit.

Monai / Etukai (Rhyme and Assonance)

Naadagam aadiya paadagan oh….

The initial and second letter rhyming scheme creates melodic flow across the verses (e.g., 'Naadagam' / 'Nee indru').

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali, this iconic track from the 1994 Rajinikanth starrer 'Veera' is celebrated for blending Carnatic classical sensibilities with a catchy folk melody.

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