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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Malargal Enge

From Sakthi Leelai · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
T. K. Ramamoorthy
Details
Sakthi Leelai1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Malargal engae kungumam engaeWhere are the flowers? Where is the kumkum?
Manjal engae thozhiWhere is the turmeric, my friend?
Manamaganai kaanum munnaeBefore seeing the groom,
Mangalam seiya vaadiCome, prepare the auspicious adornments!
Female
Malargal engae kungumam engaeWhere are the flowers? Where is the kumkum?
Manjal engae thozhiWhere is the turmeric, my friend?
Manamaganai kaanum munnaeBefore seeing the groom,
Mangalam seiya vaadiCome, prepare the auspicious adornments!
Female
Mudhalvan enbaar iraivan enbaarThey call him the Foremost, they call him God,
Paramasivan enbaarThey call him Lord Paramasiva.
Mudhalvan enbaar iraivan enbaarThey call him the Foremost, they call him God,
Paramasivan enbaarThey call him Lord Paramasiva.
Avan moondru kannaal ennai kaanaTo look at me with his three eyes,
Maappillaiyai vandhaarHe has arrived as the bridegroom.
Moondru kannaal ennai kaanaTo look at me with his three eyes,
Maappillaiyai vandhaarHe has arrived as the bridegroom.
Female
Malargal engae kungumam engaeWhere are the flowers? Where is the kumkum?
Manjal engae thozhiWhere is the turmeric, my friend?
Manamaganai kaanum munnaeBefore seeing the groom,
Mangalam seiya vaadiCome, prepare the auspicious adornments!
Female
Boomi kaakka nanjai undaHe who consumed poison to protect the earth,
Neelakanda devanIs the blue-throated Lord Neelakanda.
Poovai pondra idhazhil konjamUpon lips as soft as a flower,
Amudhu unna vendumHe wishes to taste a little nectar.
Female
Boomi kaakka nanjai undaHe who consumed poison to protect the earth,
Neelakanda devanIs the blue-throated Lord Neelakanda.
Poovai pondra idhazhil konjamUpon lips as soft as a flower,
Amudhu unna vendumHe wishes to taste a little nectar.
Female
Kaamanaiyae theeyilittaanHe set Kamadeva on fire,
Yogam kaakka vendiIn order to protect his sacred penance.
Kaamanaiyae theeyilittaanHe set Kamadeva on fire,
Yogam kaakka vendiIn order to protect his sacred penance.
Avan kaadhal thandha thee anaikkaTo extinguish the fire kindled by love,
Maappillai aanaanadiHe became the bridegroom, my friend!
Kaadhal thandha thee anaikkaTo extinguish the fire kindled by love,
Maappillai aanaanadiHe became the bridegroom, my friend!
Female
Malargal engae kungumam engaeWhere are the flowers? Where is the kumkum?
Manjal engae thozhiWhere is the turmeric, my friend?
Manamaganai kaanum munnaeBefore seeing the groom,
Mangalam seiya vaadiCome, prepare the auspicious adornments!
Female
Manidhar sollum naangu vedhamThe four sacred Vedas spoken by human beings,
Azhaikkumadi avanaiCall out to him in praise.
Mangai sollum vaedham koodaYet even the sweet words spoken by a maiden,
Mayakumadi sivanaiEnchant Lord Shiva, my friend!
Female
Manidhar sollum naangu vedhamThe four sacred Vedas spoken by human beings,
Azhaikkumadi avanaiCall out to him in praise.
Mangai sollum vaedham koodaYet even the sweet words spoken by a maiden,
Mayakumadi sivanaiEnchant Lord Shiva, my friend!
Female
Devar soozhndha oorvalathaiThe grand bridal procession surrounded by gods,
Naanum kaana vendum…aaa..aaa.I too wish to behold... ah... ah...
Devar soozhndha oorvalathaiThe grand bridal procession surrounded by gods,
Naanum kaana vendumI too wish to behold.
Seval ondru koovum munbaeBefore the rooster crows at dawn,
Maalai sooda vendamI must adorn him with the wedding garland!
Female
Malargal engae kungumam engaeWhere are the flowers? Where is the kumkum?
Manjal engae thozhiWhere is the turmeric, my friend?
Manamaganai kaanum munnaeBefore seeing the groom,
Mangalam seiya vaadiCome, prepare the auspicious adornments!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song depicts Goddess Parvati's bridal anticipation and joy as she prepares to wed Lord Shiva. Calling upon her friends to bring traditional auspicious items like turmeric, kumkum, and flowers, she expresses her deep devotion and excitement. The lyrics beautifully contrast Lord Shiva's formidable nature—as the supreme destroyer who consumed poison to save creation and burned the god of love—with his gentle, enchanted role as a loving bridegroom captured by her devotion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaikkal / Anafora (Initial Alliteration)

Malargal engae kungumam engae / Manjal engae thozhi

Repetition of the initial 'Ma' sound across consecutive lines ('Malargal', 'Manjal', 'Manamaganai', 'Mangalam') creating a musical rhythm.

Upamai (Simile)

Poovai pondra idhazhil konjam

Comparing soft, delicate lips to a flower ('Poovai pondra idhazhil').

Paradox / Irony

Avan kaadhal thandha thee anaikka / Maappillai aanaanadi

Highlighting the contrast where Shiva, who consumed fire/poison and reduced Kama (love) to ashes, now surrenders to the fire of love himself to become the groom.

Did you know?

Trivia

Sakthi Leelai (1972) features music composed by T. K. Ramamoorthy, highlighting traditional Carnatic elements. The song beautifully captures 'Nayaki Bhava'—the soul's yearning for the Divine expressed as a bride's love for her groom—rendered immaculately by P. Susheela and written by legendary lyricist Kannadasan.

Keep listening

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