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Oru Kudumbathin Kathai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Malai Saaralil

From Oru Kudumbathin Kathai · 1975

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, B. S. Sasirekha
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Oru Kudumbathin Kathai
Movie release year
1975
Lyrics added on
23 Jan 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
……………….
Malaisaaralil ilam poonguyil
Adhan maarbinil oru aan kuyil
Malaisaaralil ilam poonguyi
Adhan maarbinil oru aan kuyil
Adhu naanallavaa thunai neeyallavaa
Antha geedham naam paadum nallallavaa
Malaisaaralil ilam poonguyil
Adhan maarbinil oru aan kuyil
Adhu naanallavaa thunai neeyallavaa
Antha geedham naam paadum nallallavaa
………………….
Eeraezhu jenmathin pantham idhu
Oru izhaikkooda piriyaatha sontham
Idhu deiveegam pennaaga near vanthathu
Enthan thiruveedhi vazhi thedi thaer vanthathu
Thodum uravaanathu thodarkadhaiyaanathu
Intha naatham kalaiyaatha isaiyaanathu
Malaisaaralil ilam poonguyil
Adhan maarbinil oru aan kuyil
Adhu naanallavaa thunai neeyallavaa
Antha geedham naam paadum nallallavaa
……………..
Pani thoongum malarae un madi enbathu
Iru kani thoongum thaen thiraatchai kodi enbathu
Ninaiththaalum anaiththaalum kodhikkindrathu
Adhil naan thaedum inbangal udhikindrathu
Vizhi sirikkindrathu kavi padikkindrathu
Thirumaeni thaalaamal nadikkindrathu
Malaisaaralil ilam poonguyil
Adhan maarbinil oru aan kuyil
Adhu naanallavaa thunai neeyallavaa
Antha geedham naam paadum nallallavaa
...
A young cuckoo bird in the mountain drizzle,
And a male cuckoo rests upon her chest.
A young cuckoo bird in the mountain drizzle,
And a male cuckoo rests upon her chest.
Is that not me, and are you not my companion?
Is it not a fine day for us to sing that song?
A young cuckoo bird in the mountain drizzle,
And a male cuckoo rests upon her chest.
Is that not me, and are you not my companion?
Is it not a fine day for us to sing that song?
...
This is a bond spanning fourteen lifetimes,
A relationship where not even a single thread parts.
Divinity itself has come directly in the form of a woman,
Like a temple chariot finding its way to my sacred street.
The bond created by touch has turned into an endless story,
This musical note has become an everlasting melody.
A young cuckoo bird in the mountain drizzle,
And a male cuckoo rests upon her chest.
Is that not me, and are you not my companion?
Is it not a fine day for us to sing that song?
...
O flower where dew slumbers, your lap,
Is like a sweet grapevine where twin fruits rest.
Whether I think of it or embrace it, passion simmers within,
From it, the joys I seek begin to dawn.
Her eyes smile and recite poetry,
Her exquisite form trembles with helpless longing.
A young cuckoo bird in the mountain drizzle,
And a male cuckoo rests upon her chest.
Is that not me, and are you not my companion?
Is it not a fine day for us to sing that song?
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Malaisaaralil Ilam Poonguyil is a classic romantic duet from the 1975 Tamil movie Oru Kudumbathin Kathai, composed by the duo Shankar-Ganesh and written by Vaali. The song captures the blissful union and intimacy between husband and wife using picturesque metaphors of nature, such as cuckoos nestling together in a cool mountain rain, dew-kissed flowers, and sweet grapevines. The lyrics express the profound spiritual belief that their love is not merely a chance encounter, but a divine bond destined across fourteen rebirths. Every touch and moment shared deepens their connection, turning their lives into an unending song of romantic harmony.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Metaphor / Simile)

“Malaisaaralil ilam poonguyil / Adhan maarbinil oru aan kuyil”

Comparing the lovers to a pair of cuckoos embracing in mountain mist, and describing the beloved's lap as a flower holding dew drops.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Ninaiththaalum anaiththaalum kodhikkindrathu / Adhil naan thaedum inbangal udhikindrathu”

Repeated end suffix '-andrathu' creating a rhythmic, musical cadence across consecutive lines.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Thodum uravaanathu thodarkadhaiyaanathu”

Repetition of initial consonant/vowel sounds in adjacent words, enhancing flow.

Rupakam (Visual Imagery)

“Enthan thiruveedhi vazhi thedi thaer vanthathu”

Comparing the arrival of the bride into the protagonist's life to a sacred temple chariot reaching his street.

Did you know?

Trivia

Oru Kudumbathin Kathai (1975) featured a popular soundtrack by Shankar-Ganesh. Lyricist Vaali crafted this song highlighting traditional Tamil romantic tropes like 'eeraezhu jenmam' (fourteen rebirths). The track remains a notable early duet featuring the vocal pairing of K. J. Yesudas and B. S. Sasireka.

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