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Karthigai Deepam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Malai Saaindhu

From Karthigai Deepam · 1965

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
R. Sudharsanam
Movie name
Karthigai Deepam
Movie release year
1965
Lyrics added on
7 Mar 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Malai saaindhu ponaal silaiyaagalaam
Maram saaindhu ponaal vilaiyaagalaam
Malar saaindhu ponaal saramaagalaam
Indha manam saaindhu ponaal…enna seiyalaam
Malai saaindhu ponaal silaiyaagalaam
Malai saaindhu ponaal silaiyaagalaam
Indha manam saaindhu ponaal enna seiyalaam
Malai saaindhu ponaal silaiyaagalaam
Indha manam saaindhu ponaal enna seiyalaam
Malai saaindhu ponaal silaiyaagalaam
Nadai maari ponaal kalaiyaagalaam
Vidai maari ponaal sariyaagalaam
Nadai maari ponaal kalaiyaagalaam
Vidai maari ponaal sariyaagalaam
Kadal mauri ponaal nilam aagalaam
Kadal maari ponaal nilam aagalaam
Kaadhal thadam maari ponaal enna seiyalaam
Malai saaindhu ponaal silaiyaagalaam
Irundaalum vaanil meen kaanalaam
Thirandaalum paalil nirangkaanalaam
Irundaalum vaanil meen kaanalaam
Thirandaalum paalil nirangkaanalaam
Marundhaalum theera noyi theeralaam
Marundhaalum theera noyi theeralaam
Kaadhal izhandhaalae vaazhvai enna seiyalaam
Malai saaindhu ponaal silaiyaagalaam
Indha manam saaindhu ponaal enna seiyalaam
Malai saaindhu ponaal silaiyaagalaam
If a mountain falls, it can become a sculpture
If a tree falls, it can fetch a price
If a flower falls, it can become a garland
If this heart breaks... what can be done?
If a mountain falls, it can become a sculpture
If a mountain falls, it can become a sculpture
If this heart breaks, what can be done?
If a mountain falls, it can become a sculpture
If this heart breaks, what can be done?
If a mountain falls, it can become a sculpture
If your steps change, it can become art
If an answer changes, it can become right
If your steps change, it can become art
If an answer changes, it can become right
If the sea recedes, it can become land
If the sea recedes, it can become land
If love loses its path, what can be done?
If a mountain falls, it can become a sculpture
Even if the sky turns dark, stars can be seen
Even if milk curdles, its color can still be seen
Even if the sky turns dark, stars can be seen
Even if milk curdles, its color can still be seen
Even an illness medicine cannot cure may heal
Even an illness medicine cannot cure may heal
If love is lost, what can be done with this life?
If a mountain falls, it can become a sculpture
If this heart breaks, what can be done?
If a mountain falls, it can become a sculpture
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

Keep listening

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