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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Malare Enna Kolam

From Auto Raja · 1982

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Auto Raja1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Malarae ennenna kolam…Oh flower, what kind of appearance is this?
Edhanaal en meedhu kobam…For what reason are you angry with me?
Male
Malarae ennenna kolam…Oh flower, what kind of appearance is this?
Edhanaal en meedhu kobam…For what reason are you angry with me?
Dhinamum vevvaeru niramoAre you showing a different color every day?
Idhu thaan unnodu azhagoIs this what beauty means with you?
Malarae ennenna kolamOh flower, what kind of appearance is this?
Malarae nalamaa…malarae nalamaaOh flower, are you well? Oh flower, are you well?
Male
Vasantham unnodu sondhamSpringtime is a relationship belonging to you.
Unakkae ennodu bandhamA deep bond exists between only you and me.
Vasantham unnodu sondhamSpringtime is a relationship belonging to you.
Unakkae ennodu bandhamA deep bond exists between only you and me.
Ezhmaiyin ilaiyudhiru kaalathil ingaeHere, in the autumn season of dire poverty,
Poo yaedhu kaai yaedhuWhere are the flowers, where are the fruits?
Male
Ninaithaal en paadha dhooramWhen I think about it, my path is so distant,
Enakkaen un meedhu mogamWhy do I have such infatuation towards you?
Thiruchabai yaeridum archanai malaraeOh holy offering flower that ascends the divine altar,
Nee engae naan engaeWhere are you, and where am I?
Thiruchabai yaeridum archanai malaraeOh holy offering flower that ascends the divine altar,
Nee engae naan engaeWhere are you, and where am I?
Nee engae naan engaeWhere are you, and where am I?
Male
Malarae ennenna kolam…Oh flower, what kind of appearance is this?
Edhanaal en meedhu kobam…For what reason are you angry with me?
Dhinamum vevvaeru niramoAre you showing a different color every day?
Idhu thaan unnodu azhagoIs this what beauty means with you?
Malarae ennenna kolamOh flower, what kind of appearance is this?
Malarae nalamaa…malarae nalamaaOh flower, are you well? Oh flower, are you well?
Male
Nilavai vaanathil paarthuLooking at the moon up in the sky,
Arugae vaavendru kaettuAsking it to come down near,
Nilavai vaanathil paarthuLooking at the moon up in the sky,
Arugae vaavendru kaettuAsking it to come down near,
Azhudhidum kuzhandhaiyin ambuli paruvamThe weeping child's moon-reaching phase,
Ennodu naan kandaenI witnessed within my own heart.
Male
Irukkum vargangal renduTwo societal classes exist,
Ulagil eppodhum unduAlways in this world.
Samaveli malaigalai thazhuvida ninaithaalIf the flat plains wish to embrace the high mountains,
Vazhiyaedhu mudiyaadhuIs there any way? It is impossible.
Samaveli malaigalai thazhuvida ninaithaalIf the flat plains wish to embrace the high mountains,
Vazhiyaedhu mudiyaadhuIs there any way? It is impossible.
Vazhiyaedhu mudiyaadhuIs there any way? It is impossible.
Male
Malarae ennenna kolam…Oh flower, what kind of appearance is this?
Edhanaal en meedhu kobam…For what reason are you angry with me?
Dhinamum vevvaeru niramoAre you showing a different color every day?
Idhu thaan unnodu azhagoIs this what beauty means with you?
Malarae ennenna kolamOh flower, what kind of appearance is this?
Malarae nalamaa…malarae nalamaaOh flower, are you well? Oh flower, are you well?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song 'Malarae Ennenna Kolam' from the 1982 movie Auto Raja portrays the melancholy of unrequited or socially constrained love. The protagonist addresses his beloved metaphorically as a delicate flower ('Malarae'). He laments the distance created by social and economic class divides, comparing her to a pure worship flower elevated to divine heights while feeling his own life is trapped in the dry autumn of poverty.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Uvameyam)

Thiruchabai yaeridum archanai malarae

Addressing the beloved as 'Malarae' (Flower) and 'Thiruchabai yaeridum archanai malarae' (A flower elevated to temple worship).

Contrast / Antithesis

Samaveli malaigalai thazhuvida ninaithaal

Contrasts the low flat plains ('Samaveli') trying to reach high mountains ('Malaigal'), symbolizing class disparity.

Rhetorical Question

Nee engae naan engae

Asking 'Nee engae naan engae' (Where are you and where am I?) to emphasize impossibility and emotional gap.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Pulamaipithan and sung soulfully by K. J. Yesudas, 'Malarae Ennenna Kolam' is celebrated as a classic Tamil melody highlighting class barriers and emotional longing.

Keep listening

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