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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Malaiyil Pootha Malligai

From Engamma Maharani · 1981

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Engamma Maharani1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Maalaiyil pooththa mallaigai pookkalaeOh jasmine flowers that bloomed in the evening
Female :Manmathan sinthum punnagai neengalaeFemale: You are the smiles scattered by Manmatha
Male :Idhu thendral thaerottamaeMale: This is the chariot ride of the gentle breeze
Female: Vazhi engum pookkolamae….Female: A floral decoration all along the path
Male
Maalaiyil pooththa mallaigai pookkalaeOh jasmine flowers that bloomed in the evening
Female :Manmathan sinthum punnagai neengalaeFemale: You are the smiles scattered by Manmatha
Male :Idhu thendral thaerottamaeMale: This is the chariot ride of the gentle breeze
Female :Vazhi engum pookkolamae….Female: A floral decoration all along the path
Male
Maalaiyil pooththa mallaigai pookkalae…ae…Oh jasmine flowers that bloomed in the evening...
Male
Naanum nalla rasiganI am a fine admirer
Inba kalaingan allavoAm I not an artist of joy?
Naanum nalla rasiganI am a fine admirer
Inba kalaingan allavoAm I not an artist of joy?
Nayanam konda nalinamThe grace held within those eyes
Muzhuthum kandu rasiththaenI observed and admired entirely
Female
Edhuvarai kangal rasikkumoAs long as the eyes can enjoy
Adhuvarai naanam porukkumoWill shyness tolerate and wait until then?
Edhuvarai kangal rasikkumoAs long as the eyes can enjoy
Adhuvarai naanam porukkumoWill shyness tolerate and wait until then?
Male :Aaa….aa…aa….aa…Male: Aaa....aa...aa....aa...
Female
Maalaiyil pooththa mallaigai pookkalaeOh jasmine flowers that bloomed in the evening
Manmathan sinthum punnagai neengalaeYou are the smiles scattered by Manmatha
Male :Idhu thendral thaerottamaeMale: This is the chariot ride of the gentle breeze
Vazhi engum pookkolamae….A floral decoration all along the path
Female
Maalaiyil pooththa mallaigai pookkalae….Oh jasmine flowers that bloomed in the evening...
Female
Pothum pothum enaveSaying 'enough, enough'
Penmai thudikkum velaiyilAt the moment when womanhood quivers
Pothum pothum enaveSaying 'enough, enough'
Penmai thudikkum velaiyilAt the moment when womanhood quivers
Siriththaai enna ninaiththaaiYou smiled, what did you think?
Eduththaai meendum anaiththaaiYou lifted me up and embraced me again
Male
Mozhigalo ennai thaduththanaThough my words restrained me
Vizhigalo mella azhaiththanaMy eyes gently beckoned you
Mozhigalo ennai thaduththanaThough my words restrained me
Vizhigalo mella azhaiththanaMy eyes gently beckoned you
Female : Ooo….oo….oo….Female: Ooo....oo....oo....
Male
Maalaiyil pooththa mallaigai pookkalaeOh jasmine flowers that bloomed in the evening
Manmathan sinthum punnagai neengalaeYou are the smiles scattered by Manmatha
Female :Idhu thendral thaerottamaeFemale: This is the chariot ride of the gentle breeze
Vazhi engum pookkolamae….A floral decoration all along the path

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Maalaiyil Pooththa Mallaigai Pookkalae' is a romantic romantic duet expressing intimate love and admiration between lovers in an evening setting. The lyrics poetically compare the lover's smile to the blooms of evening jasmine and the smiles of Manmatha (the deity of love). The song captures the delicate interplay between bashfulness and desire, detailing how spoken words may try to hold back passion while expressive eyes softly invite love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Manmathan sinthum punnagai neengalae

The flowers and smiles are poetically equated to the divine smiles scattered by Manmatha (god of love).

Alliteration (Monai)

Maalaiyil pooththa mallaigai pookkalae

Repetition of the 'Ma' sound at the beginning of words in the line.

Rhyme (Ethukai)

Mozhigalo ennai thaduththana / Vizhigalo mella azhaiththana

Agreement of the second consonant sound 'zi' in consecutive lines.

Personification

Idhu thendral thaerottamae

The gentle breeze (thendral) is personified as driving a chariot procession.

Did you know?

Trivia

Engamma Maharani is a 1981 Tamil film featuring music scored by K. Devaraj and lyrics by Pulamaipithan. The song is memorable for its gentle melody evocative of classical 1980s South Indian film duets.

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