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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Malarae Kurinji Malarae

From Dr. Siva · 1975

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Dr. Siva1975

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Malarae… kurinji malarae…O flower... O Kurinji flower...
Female :Malarae… kurinji malarae…Female: O flower... O Kurinji flower...
Male
Thalaivan sooda nee malarndhaaiYou bloomed for the beloved to wear you,
Pirandha payanai nee adaindhaaiYou attained the true purpose of your birth.
Male
Malarae kurinji malarae…O flower... O Kurinji flower...
Female
Yaar madi sumandhuOn whose lap soever she was carried
Thaan pirandhaalumWhen she was born,
Thaai madi marandhuForgetting her mother's lap,
Thalaivanai saerumShe unites with her beloved husband;
Pennennum pirappallavoIs that not the fate and glory of womanhood?
Male
Kodi arumbaagaAppearing as a tender bud
Chediyinil thondriUpon a plant,
Kovilil vaazhum dhaevanai saerumReaching the deity who resides in the temple,
Malarae nee pennallavoO flower, are you not just like a woman?
Male
Naayagan nizhalaeAs the reflection of the leading man,
Naayagi ennumKnown as his heroine,
Kaaviyam solli kazhuthinil minnumShining upon the neck while telling a divine epic,
Magalae un thirumaangalyamO daughter, is your sacred wedding thread.
Female
Thaai vazhi sondhamThough there are a thousand relatives
Aayiram irundhumFrom the maternal lineage,
Thalaivanin anbil vilaivadhu thaanaeIt is only through the hero's love that it blossoms—
Uravennum saamraajiyamThis vast empire called family relationships.
Male
Thalaivan sooda nee malarndhaaiYou bloomed for the beloved to wear you,
Pirandha payanai nee adaindhaaiYou attained the true purpose of your birth.
Male
Malarae kurinji malarae…O flower... O Kurinji flower...
Female
Paadidum kaattraeO singing breeze,
Paravaiyin inamaeO flock of birds,
Pani malai thodarilO river gushing down
Paaindhidum nadhiyaeThe snowy mountain range,
Ododi vaarungalaenCome running quickly!
Male
Paal manam ondruA heart pure as milk
Poo manam ondruAnd a heart tender as a flower,
Kaadhalil indruIn love today,
Kalandhadhu kanduSeeing them unite together,
Female
Malarae kurinji malaraeO flower... O Kurinji flower...
Male
Malarae kurinji malarae…O flower... O Kurinji flower...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'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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