Malai Saaindhu
From Karthigai Deepam · 1965
- Lyricist
- Aalangudi Somu
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- R. Sudharsanam
- Details
- Karthigai Deepam1965
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Malai saaindhu ponaal silaiyaagalaam | If a mountain leans over, it can become a sculpture. |
| Maram saaindhu ponaal vilaiyaagalaam | If a tree leans over, it can become a bow. |
| Malar saaindhu ponaal saramaagalaam | If a flower droops down, it can become a garland. |
| Indha manam saaindhu ponaal…enna seiyalaam | If this mind wavers and falls... what can be done? |
| Male | |
| Malai saaindhu ponaal silaiyaagalaam | If a mountain leans over, it can become a sculpture. |
| Malai saaindhu ponaal silaiyaagalaam | If a mountain leans over, it can become a sculpture. |
| Indha manam saaindhu ponaal enna seiyalaam | If this mind wavers and falls, what can be done? |
| Malai saaindhu ponaal silaiyaagalaam | If a mountain leans over, it can become a sculpture. |
| Indha manam saaindhu ponaal enna seiyalaam | If this mind wavers and falls, what can be done? |
| Malai saaindhu ponaal silaiyaagalaam | If a mountain leans over, it can become a sculpture. |
| Male | |
| Nadai maari ponaal kalaiyaagalaam | If the gait changes, it can become a performing art. |
| Vidai maari ponaal sariyaagalaam | If the answer changes, it can become correct. |
| Nadai maari ponaal kalaiyaagalaam | If the gait changes, it can become a performing art. |
| Vidai maari ponaal sariyaagalaam | If the answer changes, it can become correct. |
| Kadal mauri ponaal nilam aagalaam | If the sea changes its course, it can become land. |
| Kadal maari ponaal nilam aagalaam | If the sea changes its course, it can become land. |
| Kaadhal thadam maari ponaal enna seiyalaam | If the path of love strays, what can be done? |
| Male | |
| Malai saaindhu ponaal silaiyaagalaam | If a mountain leans over, it can become a sculpture. |
| Male | |
| Irundaalum vaanil meen kaanalaam | Even if the night grows dark, stars can be seen in the sky. |
| Thirandaalum paalil nirangkaanalaam | Even if milk curdles, its white color remains visible. |
| Irundaalum vaanil meen kaanalaam | Even if the night grows dark, stars can be seen in the sky. |
| Thirandaalum paalil nirangkaanalaam | Even if milk curdles, its white color remains visible. |
| Marundhaalum theera noyi theeralaam | Even incurable diseases might be cured with medicine. |
| Marundhaalum theera noyi theeralaam | Even incurable diseases might be cured with medicine. |
| Kaadhal izhandhaalae vaazhvai enna seiyalaam | If love itself is lost, what can be done with this life? |
| Male | |
| Malai saaindhu ponaal silaiyaagalaam | If a mountain leans over, it can become a sculpture. |
| Indha manam saaindhu ponaal enna seiyalaam | If this mind wavers and falls, what can be done? |
| Malai saaindhu ponaal silaiyaagalaam | If a mountain leans over, it can become a sculpture. |
மலை சாய்ந்து போனால் சிலையாகலாம்
மரம் சாய்ந்து போனால் விலையாகலாம்
மலர் சாய்ந்து போனால் சரமாகலாம்
இந்த மனம் சாய்ந்து போனால்...என்ன செய்யலாம்
If a mountain leans over, it can become a sculpture.
If a tree leans over, it can become a bow.
If a flower droops down, it can become a garland.
If this mind wavers and falls... what can be done?
மலை சாய்ந்து போனால் சிலையாகலாம்
மலை சாய்ந்து போனால் சிலையாகலாம்
இந்த மனம் சாய்ந்து போனால் என்ன செய்யலாம்
மலை சாய்ந்து போனால் சிலையாகலாம்
இந்த மனம் சாய்ந்து போனால் என்ன செய்யலாம்
மலை சாய்ந்து போனால் சிலையாகலாம்
If a mountain leans over, it can become a sculpture.
If a mountain leans over, it can become a sculpture.
If this mind wavers and falls, what can be done?
If a mountain leans over, it can become a sculpture.
If this mind wavers and falls, what can be done?
If a mountain leans over, it can become a sculpture.
நடை மாறிப் போனால் கலையாகலாம்
விடை மாறிப்போனால் சரியாகலாம்
நடை மாறிப் போனால் கலையாகலாம்
விடை மாறிப்போனால் சரியாகலாம்
கடல் மாறிப் போனால் நிலம் ஆகலாம்
கடல் மாறிப் போனால் நிலம் ஆகலாம்
காதல் தடம் மாறிப் போனால் என்ன செய்யலாம்
If the gait changes, it can become a performing art.
If the answer changes, it can become correct.
If the gait changes, it can become a performing art.
If the answer changes, it can become correct.
If the sea changes its course, it can become land.
If the sea changes its course, it can become land.
If the path of love strays, what can be done?
மலை சாய்ந்து போனால் சிலையாகலாம்
If a mountain leans over, it can become a sculpture.
இருண்டாலும் வானில் மீன் காணலாம்
திரண்டாலும் பாலில் நிறங்காணலாம்
இருண்டாலும் வானில் மீன் காணலாம்
திரண்டாலும் பாலில் நிறங்காணலாம்
மருந்தாலும் தீரா நோய் தீரலாம்
மருந்தாலும் தீரா நோய் தீரலாம்
காதல் இழந்தாலே வாழ்வை என்ன செய்யலாம்
Even if the night grows dark, stars can be seen in the sky.
Even if milk curdles, its white color remains visible.
Even if the night grows dark, stars can be seen in the sky.
Even if milk curdles, its white color remains visible.
Even incurable diseases might be cured with medicine.
Even incurable diseases might be cured with medicine.
If love itself is lost, what can be done with this life?
மலை சாய்ந்து போனால் சிலையாகலாம்
இந்த மனம் சாய்ந்து போனால் என்ன செய்யலாம்
மலை சாய்ந்து போனால் சிலையாகலாம்
If a mountain leans over, it can become a sculpture.
If this mind wavers and falls, what can be done?
If a mountain leans over, it can become a sculpture.
Malai saaindhu ponaal silaiyaagalaam
If a mountain leans over, it can become a sculpture.
Maram saaindhu ponaal vilaiyaagalaam
If a tree leans over, it can become a bow.
Malar saaindhu ponaal saramaagalaam
If a flower droops down, it can become a garland.
Indha manam saaindhu ponaal…enna seiyalaam
If this mind wavers and falls... what can be done?
Malai saaindhu ponaal silaiyaagalaam
If a mountain leans over, it can become a sculpture.
Malai saaindhu ponaal silaiyaagalaam
If a mountain leans over, it can become a sculpture.
Indha manam saaindhu ponaal enna seiyalaam
If this mind wavers and falls, what can be done?
Malai saaindhu ponaal silaiyaagalaam
If a mountain leans over, it can become a sculpture.
Indha manam saaindhu ponaal enna seiyalaam
If this mind wavers and falls, what can be done?
Malai saaindhu ponaal silaiyaagalaam
If a mountain leans over, it can become a sculpture.
Nadai maari ponaal kalaiyaagalaam
If the gait changes, it can become a performing art.
Vidai maari ponaal sariyaagalaam
If the answer changes, it can become correct.
Nadai maari ponaal kalaiyaagalaam
If the gait changes, it can become a performing art.
Vidai maari ponaal sariyaagalaam
If the answer changes, it can become correct.
Kadal mauri ponaal nilam aagalaam
If the sea changes its course, it can become land.
Kadal maari ponaal nilam aagalaam
If the sea changes its course, it can become land.
Kaadhal thadam maari ponaal enna seiyalaam
If the path of love strays, what can be done?
Malai saaindhu ponaal silaiyaagalaam
If a mountain leans over, it can become a sculpture.
Irundaalum vaanil meen kaanalaam
Even if the night grows dark, stars can be seen in the sky.
Thirandaalum paalil nirangkaanalaam
Even if milk curdles, its white color remains visible.
Irundaalum vaanil meen kaanalaam
Even if the night grows dark, stars can be seen in the sky.
Thirandaalum paalil nirangkaanalaam
Even if milk curdles, its white color remains visible.
Marundhaalum theera noyi theeralaam
Even incurable diseases might be cured with medicine.
Marundhaalum theera noyi theeralaam
Even incurable diseases might be cured with medicine.
Kaadhal izhandhaalae vaazhvai enna seiyalaam
If love itself is lost, what can be done with this life?
Malai saaindhu ponaal silaiyaagalaam
If a mountain leans over, it can become a sculpture.
Indha manam saaindhu ponaal enna seiyalaam
If this mind wavers and falls, what can be done?
Malai saaindhu ponaal silaiyaagalaam
If a mountain leans over, it can become a sculpture.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This iconic Tamil song from 'Karthigai Deepam' (1965) explores the profound helplessness of emotional heartbreak compared to the adaptable nature of physical phenomena. Lyricist Aalangudi Somu illustrates how changes in nature and form often lead to useful or beautiful outcomes—a fallen mountain stone becomes a statue, a bent tree becomes a bow, a drooped flower turns into a garland, and a dark night reveals shining stars. However, when the human mind sways, when love loses its way, or when love itself is lost, there is no simple remedy or alternative purpose. It captures the tragic despair of an individual who realizes that physical damage in the world can be repurposed, but a broken heart and shattered mind leave life completely aimless.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Malai saaindhu ponaal silaiyaagalaam / Maram saaindhu ponaal vilaiyaagalaam / Malar saaindhu ponaal saramaagalaam”
The repetition of the suffix 'aagalaam' at the end of consecutive lines creates a melodic end-rhyme scheme.
Monai (Alliteration)
“Malai saaindhu ponaal... / Maram saaindhu ponaal... / Malar saaindhu ponaal...”
The initial 'Ma' consonant sound repeats across the opening words of consecutive lines.
Analogy / Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Kaadhal thadam maari ponaal enna seiyalaam”
Contrasting nature's positive transformations with the irrecoverable nature of a lost mind and heartbreak.
Edhukai (Second Letter Assonance)
“Nadai maari ponaal kalaiyaagalaam / Vidai maari ponaal sariyaagalaam”
The second consonant 'da' rhyming sound between 'Nadai' and 'Vidai'.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Malai Saaindhu Ponaal' is one of lyricist Aalangudi Somu's most celebrated philosophical songs. Sung by T. M. Soundararajan with music by R. Sudarsanam, the song uses vivid everyday analogies to reflect deeply on human emotions, making it a classic example of golden-era Tamil film philosophy.
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