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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Malaiyoram Mayile

From Oruvar Vaazhum Aalayam · 1988

Lyricist
Ponnadiyan
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, K. S. Chitra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Oruvar Vaazhum Aalayam1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
: Malaiyoram….vilaiyaadumBy the mountainside... playing
Malaiyoram mayilae vilaiyaadum kuyilaeO peacock by the mountainside, O cuckoo playing!
Female :Aang….appuramFemale: Ah... and then?
Male :Vilaiyaatta solli thanthathaaruMale: Who taught you how to play?
Female :Mm mm vilaiyaatta solli thanthathaaruFemale: Mm mm, who taught you how to play?
Female
Malaiyoram mayilae vilaiyaadum kuyilaeO peacock by the mountainside, O cuckoo playing!
Male :Malaiyoram mayilae vilaiyaadum kuyilaeMale: O peacock by the mountainside, O cuckoo playing!
Vilaiyaatta solli thanthathaaruWho taught you how to play?
Female: Mm mm vilaiyaatta solli thanthathaaruFemale: Mm mm, who taught you how to play?
Female
Malaiyoram mayilae vilaiyaadum kuyilaeO peacock by the mountainside, O cuckoo playing!
Male :Malaiyoram mayilae vilaiyaadum kuyilaeMale: O peacock by the mountainside, O cuckoo playing!
Male
Poomara kaaththu saamaranthaanThe breeze from flowering trees acts like a royal fan
Veesuthu ingae vaasanaithaanFragrance wafts gently around here
Female :Poomara kaaththu saamaranthaanFemale: The breeze from flowering trees acts like a royal fan
Veesuthu ingae vaasanaithaanFragrance wafts gently around here
Male :Maanira poovae yosanai yaenoMale: O dusky-complexioned flower, why are you lost in thought?
Mamanai thaanae saeranum neeyaeYou should join hands with your beloved cousin
Female :Aaa….aaa…..aa….aaa….aa…aaa….Female: Aaa... aaa... aa... aaa... aa... aaa...
Male
Malaiyoram mayilae vilaiyaadum kuyilaeO peacock by the mountainside, O cuckoo playing!
Female :Malaiyoram mayilae vilaiyaadum kuyilaeFemale: O peacock by the mountainside, O cuckoo playing!
Male :Vilaiyaatta solli thanthathaaruMale: Who taught you how to play?
Female :Mm mm vilaiyaatta solli thanthathaaruFemale: Mm mm, who taught you how to play?
Female
Malaiyoram mayilae vilaiyaadum kuyilaeO peacock by the mountainside, O cuckoo playing!
Male :Malaiyoram mayilae vilaiyaadum kuyilaeMale: O peacock by the mountainside, O cuckoo playing!
Male
…………....
Female :………….Female: ...
Male
Kaviri aattrangaraiyinilaeOn the banks of the Kaveri river
Kaattrinil aadum poongodiyaeO flowering creeper swaying in the wind!
Female :Kaviri aattrangaraiyinilaeFemale: On the banks of the Kaveri river
Kaattrinil aadum poongodiyaeO flowering creeper swaying in the wind!
Male :Aadidum poovum aasaiyaithaanaeMale: Even the swaying flower expresses its desire
Kooruthu ingae maamalai thaenaeIt speaks its longing here, O mountain honey!
Female :Aaa….aaa…..aa….aaa….aa…aaa….Female: Aaa... aaa... aa... aaa... aa... aaa...
Male
Malaiyoram mayilae vilaiyaadum kuyilaeO peacock by the mountainside, O cuckoo playing!
Female :Malaiyoram mayilae vilaiyaadum kuyilaeFemale: O peacock by the mountainside, O cuckoo playing!
Male :Vilaiyaatta solli thanthathaaruMale: Who taught you how to play?
Female :Mm mm vilaiyaatta solli thanthathaaruFemale: Mm mm, who taught you how to play?
Female
Malaiyoram mayilae vilaiyaadum kuyilaeO peacock by the mountainside, O cuckoo playing!
Male :Malaiyoram mayilae vilaiyaadum kuyilaeMale: O peacock by the mountainside, O cuckoo playing!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Malaiyoram Mayilae is a cheerful and romantic duet set against nature's backdrop. The lovers tease each other near lush mountains and the banks of the Kaveri river. The male lover fondly compares his beloved to a dancing peacock, a singing cuckoo, and a swaying creeper, teasingly asking who taught her such charming playfulness and encouraging her to give in to her romantic desires.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Malaiyoram mayilae vilaiyaadum kuyilae

The woman is figuratively addressed using natural metaphors like 'Mayil' (peacock), 'Kuyil' (cuckoo), 'Maanira poovae' (dusky flower), and 'Poongodi' (flowering vine).

Imagery (Kaatchi Uvamai)

Poomara kaaththu saamaranthaan veesuthu ingae vaasanaithaan

Vivid sensory imagery of scenic nature is evoked using elements like fragrant breezes ('poomara kaaththu'), riverbanks ('Kaviri aattrangaraiyinilae'), and mountain honey ('maamalai thaenae').

Alliteration (Monai)

Malaiyoram mayilae vilaiyaadum kuyilae

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'M' in 'Malaiyoram mayilae' creating a melodic rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song was composed by maestro Ilaiyaraaja for the 1988 Tamil film 'Oruvar Vaazhum Aalayam', starring Prabhu and Sivakumar. Featuring vocals by Malaysia Vasudevan and K. S. Chithra, the song is well known for its lighthearted folk-pop rhythms and catchy, conversational call-and-response structure.

Keep listening

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