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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Malarai Pondra

From Madras To Pondichery · 1966

Lyricist
Thanjai Vaanan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
T. K. Ramamoorthy
Details
Madras To Pondichery1966

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Stop listen proceedStop, listen, proceed
Multi color modern girlMulti-color modern girl
Where do u go pretty girlWhere do you go, pretty girl?
Stop listen proceedStop, listen, proceed
Male
Malarai pondra paruvamaeOh youth that is like a blooming flower,
Manadhai mayakkum uruvamaeOh form that mesmerizes the mind,
Vegam katti nadappadhenWhy are you walking with such speed?
Pogum paadhai dhooramooIs the path you are heading to so far away?
Male
Malarai pondra paruvamaeOh youth that is like a blooming flower,
Manadhai mayakkum uruvamaeOh form that mesmerizes the mind,
Vegam katti nadappadhenWhy are you walking with such speed?
Pogum paadhai dhooramooIs the path you are heading to so far away?
Male
Kavalil penmai alangaaramWomanhood protected with dignity is an adornment,
Aaval meerinaal alangolamIf desires overflow, it leads to disorder.
Kavalil penmai alangaaramWomanhood protected with dignity is an adornment,
Aaval meerinaal alangolamIf desires overflow, it leads to disorder.
Paavai unakkae vazhikattaTo guide you on your path, my lady,
Thevaiyaanaval naan androAm I not the right person needed?
Paavai unakkae vazhikattaTo guide you on your path, my lady,
Thevaiyaanaval naan androAm I not the right person needed?
Male
Karuvizhi sevvidhazhDark eyes, red lips,
Pudhumugam ponnudalFresh face, golden body,
Oru murai thavarinaalIf you make a mistake just once,
Maru vazhi illaiyaeThere is no alternative way back!
Male
Malarai pondra paruvamaeOh youth that is like a blooming flower,
Manadhai mayakkum uruvamaeOh form that mesmerizes the mind,
Vegam katti nadappadhenWhy are you walking with such speed?
Pogum paadhai dhooramooIs the path you are heading to so far away?
Male
Azhaghu vaazhum idathilaeIn the place where beauty resides,
Aabathu irukkum maraivilaeDanger lurks in hiding.
Azhaghu vaazhum idathilaeIn the place where beauty resides,
Aabathu irukkum maraivilaeDanger lurks in hiding.
Ulagin unmi idhanaiyaeThis is the reality of the world;
Unarndhu kondaal nanmaiyaeUnderstanding this brings good fortune.
Ulagin unmi idhanaiyaeThis is the reality of the world;
Unarndhu kondaal nanmaiyaeUnderstanding this brings good fortune.
Male
Kurunagai kodiyidaiA gentle smile, a vine-like waist,
Siru nadai edhu udaiA dainty walk, a stylish dress,
Oru murai thavarinaalIf you make a mistake just once,
Maru vazhi illaiyaeThere is no alternative way back!
Male
Malarai pondra paruvamaeOh youth that is like a blooming flower,
Manadhai mayakkum uruvamaeOh form that mesmerizes the mind,
Vegam katti nadappadhenWhy are you walking with such speed?
Pogum paadhai dhooramooIs the path you are heading to so far away?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song from 'Madras To Pondichery' is a playful yet moralistic address to a modern young woman. The singer praises the woman's beauty—comparing her youth to a soft flower and her waist to a delicate creeper—while cautioning her about the hidden dangers of the world. He advises her that modest behavior and dignity are a woman's true adornments, and that unbridled impulse or a single misstep can lead to ruin from which there is no return. The song seamlessly combines contemporary 1960s English colloquialism ('Stop listen proceed') with traditional Tamil poetic ideals to deliver a song about modern youth, boundaries, and worldly wisdom.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Malarai pondra paruvamae

Compares youth directly to a blooming flower using the comparative word 'pondra'.

Contrast / Antithesis

Kavalil penmai alangaaram / Aaval meerinaal alangolam

Contrasts controlled grace (alangaaram) with unchecked desire leading to ruin (alangolam).

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kurunagai kodiyidai

Metaphorically compares a slender waist to a creeping vine ('kodi').

Second-Letter Rhyme (Edhukai)

Malarai pondra paruvamae / Manadhai mayakkum uruvamae

The second consonant 'la' repeats in consecutive lines ('Malarai' / 'Manadhai').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Madras To Pondichery' (1966) was a major road comedy film starring Jaishankar and Kalpana. The film was later remade in Hindi as the smash hit 'Bombay to Goa' (1972) starring Amitabh Bachchan and Aruna Irani.

Keep listening

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