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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Malare Mounama

From Karnaa · 1995

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Vidyasagar
Details
Karnaa1995

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Malarae…. mounamaaOh flower, are you silent?
Mounamae… vedhamaaIs silence a sacred Veda?
Female :Malargal… pesumaaDo flowers speak?
Pesinaal ooyumaa anbae..If they speak, would they ever stop, my beloved?
Male
Malarae…. mounamaaOh flower, are you silent?
Mounamae… vedhamaaIs silence a sacred Veda?
Male
Aahhhh.aaahhhhhaaa…..aaaaaaaaa…Ah... (vocalization)
Male
Paadhi jeevan kondu dhegam vaazhndhu vandhadho..haanDid this body live carrying only half a soul?
Female :Meedhi jeevan unnai partha podhu vandhadhoo..oooDid the remaining soul arrive when I looked at you?
Male
Edho sugam ulloorudhaeSome unknown joy wells up deep inside.
Female :Enoo manam thallaadudhaeWhy is the heart swaying so?
Male
Edho sugam ulloorudhaeSome unknown joy wells up deep inside.
Female :Enoo manam thallaadudhaeWhy is the heart swaying so?
Male :Viralgal thodavaa..Female :Virundhai peravaaShould my fingers touch? / Shall I receive the feast?
Male :Maarboodu kangal moodavaa..Shall I close my eyes against your chest?
Male
Malarae…. mounamaa ..aaaOh flower, are you silent?
Female :Malargal… pesumaaDo flowers speak?
Female
Kanavu kandu endhan kangal moodi kidandhenI lay with my eyes closed, lost in a dream.
Male :Kaatrai pola vandhu kangal mella thirandhenLike the gentle breeze, I came and opened your eyes softly.
Female
Kaatrae enai killaadhiruOh breeze, do not pinch me.
Male :Poovae ennai thallaadhiruOh flower, do not push me away.
Female
:Kaatrae enai killaadhiruOh breeze, do not pinch me.
Male :Poovae ennai thallaadhiruOh flower, do not push me away.
Female
Uravil uravae…Male :Uyirin uyiraeThe soul of my relationships! / The life of my life!
Female :Pudhu vaazhkai thandha vallalaeOh benevolent one who gave me a brand new life!
Male
Malarae…. mounamaa…ahhOh flower, are you silent?
Mounamae… vedhamaaIs silence a sacred Veda?
Female :Malargal… pesumaaaa.aaDo flowers speak?
Pesinaal ooyumaa anbae..If they speak, would they ever stop, my beloved?
Male
Malarae….Female :Hmm….Oh flower... / Hmm...
Male :Mounamaa…Female :Hmm….Are you silent... / Hmm...
Male :Mounamae…Female :Hmm….Is silence... / Hmm...
Male :Vedhamaa…Female :Aahhhh…A sacred Veda? / Ah...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Malare Mounama is a celebrated romantic duet expressing deep emotional intimacy and transcendent love. The song metaphorically compares silence between lovers to sacred scriptures (Vedas) and addresses the beloved as a delicate flower. The lovers describe how meeting each other felt like completing a half-lived soul, bringing unprecedented joy, tender surrender, and emotional warmth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Mounamae… vedhamaa

Equating quiet intimacy and unsaid feelings to a holy scripture or truth.

Personification & Apostrophe

Malarae…. mounamaa

Addressing the flower as a sentient being capable of speech and silence.

Simile (Upamai)

Kaatrai pola vandhu kangal mella thirandhen

Comparing the lover's soft, unannounced arrival to a gentle gust of wind.

Anaphora / Alliteration (Monaai & Edhugai)

Malarae…. mounamaa / Mounamae… vedhamaa

Repetition of initial consonant sounds 'Ma' creating a soft, rhythmic lyrical flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Vidyasagar for the 1995 action-drama film Karnaa, 'Malare Mounama' is widely regarded as one of the peak romantic duets in Tamil cinema. Sung legendary vocalists S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki, the song won huge critical acclaim for Vidyasagar's lush lush orchestration and Vairamuthu's evocative poetic lyrics.

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