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Dr. Siva album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Malarae Kurinji Malarae

From Dr. Siva · 1975

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Dr. Siva
Movie release year
1975
Lyrics added on
25 Oct 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Malarae… kurinji malarae…
Female :Malarae… kurinji malarae…
Thalaivan sooda nee malarndhaai
Pirandha payanai nee adaindhaai
Malarae kurinji malarae…
Yaar madi sumandhu
Thaan pirandhaalum
Thaai madi marandhu
Thalaivanai saerum
Pennennum pirappallavo
Kodi arumbaaga
Chediyinil thondri
Kovilil vaazhum dhaevanai saerum
Malarae nee pennallavo
Naayagan nizhalae
Naayagi ennum
Kaaviyam solli kazhuthinil minnum
Magalae un thirumaangalyam
Thaai vazhi sondham
Aayiram irundhum
Thalaivanin anbil vilaivadhu thaanae
Uravennum saamraajiyam
Thalaivan sooda nee malarndhaai
Pirandha payanai nee adaindhaai
Malarae kurinji malarae…
Paadidum kaattrae
Paravaiyin inamae
Pani malai thodaril
Paaindhidum nadhiyae
Ododi vaarungalaen
Paal manam ondru
Poo manam ondru
Kaadhalil indru
Kalandhadhu kandu
Malarae kurinji malarae
Malarae kurinji malarae…
O flower... Kurinji flower...
O flower... Kurinji flower...
You bloomed for your beloved to wear,
and fulfilled the purpose of your birth.
O flower, Kurinji flower...
No matter whose lap carried her,
no matter where she was born,
leaving her mother's lap behind
to join her beloved's side—
isn't that what it means to be born a woman?
Appearing as a tender bud
upon a plant and vine,
reaching the God who lives in the temple—
O flower, aren't you just like a woman?
Telling the epic tale
that a woman is her beloved's shadow,
shining bright around your neck,
O daughter, is your sacred wedding thread (thirumangalyam).
Even with a thousand
relatives on your mother's side,
it is only from a husband's love that it grows—
this vast kingdom of relationships.
You bloomed for your beloved to wear,
and fulfilled the purpose of your birth.
O flower, Kurinji flower...
O singing breeze,
O flocks of birds,
O river rushing down
the snowy mountain ranges,
please come running here,
to see a heart as pure as milk
and a heart as gentle as a flower
join together today
in sweet love!
O flower, Kurinji flower,
O flower, Kurinji flower...
Male
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Malarae Kurinji Malarae' from the movie Dr. Siva (1975) is a poetic composition celebrating the sanctity of love, marriage, and womanhood. The song draws a graceful parallel between a woman's journey in life and the rare Kurinji flower, which blooms purposefully to be offered in sacred worship or adorned by a beloved. The lyrics highlight how a woman transitions from her mother's care into her husband's home, building a kingdom of relationships nurtured purely by marital love. In the latter verses, nature—the singing breeze, birds, and mountain rivers—is invited as a witness to celebrate the union of two pure hearts blending in love. Written by Vaali, the song uses vivid imagery of Tamil culture, marital sanctity, and natural beauty to construct a timeless melody.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

“Malarae kurinji malarae”

Comparing the heroine to the rare 'Kurinji' flower which blooms once in twelve years, signifying her preciousness and singular purpose in life.

Personification (Apostrophe)

“Paadidum kaattrae / Paravaiyin inamae / Pani malai thodaril / Paaindhidum nadhiyae”

Addressing elements of nature (wind, birds, mountain river) directly as conscious entities invited to witness the love story.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Paadidum kaattrae / Paravaiyin inamae / Pani malai thodaril / Paaindhidum nadhiyae”

Repetition of the initial 'P' sound across consecutive lines creating rhythmic harmony.

Analogy

“Kovilil vaazhum dhaevanai saerum / Malarae nee pennallavo”

Drawing an analogy between a flower reaching a temple deity and a woman reaching her husband in marriage.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Malarae Kurinji Malarae' is a classic hit from Dr. Siva (1975), starring Sivaji Ganesan and Jayalalithaa. The song was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, with lyrics penned by Vaali, and sung by K. J. Yesudas and P. Susheela.

Keep listening

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