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Veera album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Malai Kovil Vasalil

From Veera · 1994

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Mano, Swarnalatha
Music director
Ilaiyaraja
Movie name
Veera
Movie release year
1994
Lyrics added on
11 Jan 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ohoooooo..ooooooohhhhooo…
Chorus :Ooooooo…ooooooooo.ooooooo….
Malai kovil vaasalil
Kaarthigai deepam minnuthae
Vilaketrum velaiyil
Aanandha gaanam solluthae
{Muthu muthu sudarae sudarae
Kodu vendidum varangalaiyae
Vanna vanna kadhirae kadhirae
Thodu aayiram sugangalaiyae}(2)
Malai kovil vaasalil
Kaarthigai deepam minnuthae
Vilaketrum velaiyil
Aanandha gaanam solluthe
Oh oh …..
Naadagam aadiya paadagan oh….
Nee indru naan thodum kaadhalan oh..
Nee solla naan mella maarinen
Nandriyai vaai vittu koorinen
Thaer azhagum chinna per azhagum
Unnai seraatha udan vaaratha
Maan azhagum kendai meen azhagum
Kangal kaataatha isai kootaatha
Paalaadai ivan melaada
Vanna noolaadai ini nee aagum
Malai kovil vaasalil
Kaarthigai deepam minnuthae
Vilaketrum velaiyil
Aanandha gaanam solluthe
Muthu muthu sudarae sudarae
Kodu vendidum varangalaiyae
Vanna vanna kadhirae kadhirae
Thodu aayiram sugangalaiyae
: Malai kovil vaasalil
Kaarthigai deepam minnuthae
Naan oru poocharam aagavo..ooohh…
Neel kuzhal meedhinil aadavo..ooohhh…
: Naan oru melisai aagavo
Naalum un naavinil aadavo
Naan padikum thamizh keerthanangal
Inghu naal thorum undhan seer paadum
Poo marathil pasum pon nirathil
Valai poothaadum undhan per paadum
Maa kolam mazhai neer kolam
Vanna naal kaanum intha oorgolam
Malai kovil vaasalil
Kaarthigai deepam minnuthae
Vilaketrum velaiyil
Aanandha gaanam solluthae
{Muthu muthu sudarae sudarae
Kodu vendidum varangalaiyae
Vanna vanna kadhirae kadhirae
Thodu aayiram sugangalaiyae}(2)
Oho... oh...
Chorus: Oh... oh... oh...
At the entrance of the hilltop temple,
The Karthigai festival lamp is glowing.
At the hour of lighting the lamps,
It sings a song of joy!
O pearl-like glowing flame,
Grant all the blessings we pray for!
O colorful ray of light,
Touch us and bring a thousand joys!
At the entrance of the hilltop temple,
The Karthigai festival lamp is glowing.
At the hour of lighting the lamps,
It sings a song of joy!
Oh oh...
The singer who once put on an act,
Today you are the lover I reach out to hold.
As you spoke, I slowly changed,
And expressed my gratitude aloud.
The beauty of a grand chariot and sweet renown,
Won't they come and join you?
The grace of a deer and the charm of shimmering fish,
Won't your eyes display them and add sweet music?
He is as soft as the cream of milk,
And from now on, you will be his colorful woven garment.
At the entrance of the hilltop temple,
The Karthigai festival lamp is glowing.
At the hour of lighting the lamps,
It sings a song of joy!
O pearl-like glowing flame,
Grant all the blessings we pray for!
O colorful ray of light,
Touch us and bring a thousand joys!
At the entrance of the hilltop temple,
The Karthigai festival lamp is glowing.
Shall I become a string of flowers,
And sway upon your long hair?
Shall I become a soft melody,
And dance upon your lips every day?
The Tamil songs I sing
Will celebrate your goodness here every day.
On the flowering tree, in a bright golden shade,
Bangles bloom and sway, singing your name.
Patterns drawn with flour and patterns formed by rain,
Witness this colorful day in our festive procession.
At the entrance of the hilltop temple,
The Karthigai festival lamp is glowing.
At the hour of lighting the lamps,
It sings a song of joy!
O pearl-like glowing flame,
Grant all the blessings we pray for!
O colorful ray of light,
Touch us and bring a thousand joys!
Female
Female
Chorus
Male
Chorus
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Chorus
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Chorus

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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