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O Kadhal Kanmani album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Malargal Kaettaen

From O Kadhal Kanmani · 2015

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
A. R. Rahman, K. S. Chithra
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Movie name
O Kadhal Kanmani
Movie release year
2015
Lyrics added on
7 Mar 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Malargal kaetten vanamae thanthanai
Thanneer kaetten amirtham thanthanai
Malargal kaetten vanamae thanthanai
Thanneer kaetten amirtham thanthanai
Ethai naan ketppin…aaaaa…..
Ethai naan ketppin unnaiyae tharuvaai
Ethai naan ketppin…. unnaiyae tharuvaai
Malargal kaetten vanamae thanthanai
Thanneer kaetten amirtham thanthanai
Malargal kaetten .. malargal kaetten
Malargal kaetten … malargal kaetten
Ethai naan ketppin unnaiyae tharuvaai
Malargal kaetten vanamae thanthanai
Thanneer kaetten amirtham thanthanai
………………………………….
Kaattil thozhainthen vazhiyaai vanthanai
Irulil thozhainthen oliyaai vanthanai
Kaattil thozhainthen vazhiyaai vanthanai
Irulil thozhainthen oliyaai vanthanai
Ethanil tholainthaal…..
…………
Female :Ethanil tholainthaal neeyae varuvaai
Malargal kaetten vanamae thanthanai
Thanneer kaetten amirtham thanthanai
Pallam veezhnthen sigaram serthanai
Vellam veezhnthen karaiyil serthanai
Pallam veezhnthen sigaram serthanai
Vellam veezhnthen karaiyil serthanai
Ethanil veezhnthaal…aaaa…aaa….aaa…
Ethanil veezhnthaal unnidam serppaai
I asked for flowers, you gave me a forest
I asked for water, you gave me nectar
I asked for flowers, you gave me a forest
I asked for water, you gave me nectar
What should I ask for... ah...
What should I ask for, for you to give me yourself?
What should I ask for... for you to give me yourself?
I asked for flowers, you gave me a forest
I asked for water, you gave me nectar
I asked for flowers... I asked for flowers
I asked for flowers... I asked for flowers
What should I ask for, for you to give me yourself?
I asked for flowers, you gave me a forest
I asked for water, you gave me nectar
...
I was lost in the forest, you came as my path
I was lost in the dark, you came as the light
I was lost in the forest, you came as my path
I was lost in the dark, you came as the light
In what should I get lost...
...
In what should I get lost, for you yourself to come?
I asked for flowers, you gave me a forest
I asked for water, you gave me nectar
I fell into a pit, you lifted me to the peak
I fell into a flood, you brought me to the shore
I fell into a pit, you lifted me to the peak
I fell into a flood, you brought me to the shore
Into what should I fall... ah...
Into what should I fall, for you to bring me to yourself?
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Chorus
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Malargal Kaetten is a deeply lyrical and soulful composition from O Kadhal Kanmani that blurs the lines between romantic love and spiritual devotion. The protagonist expresses profound gratitude towards their partner or divine guide, noting that for every modest request made, the loved one responds with overwhelming abundance and benevolence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Hyperbole / Utpreksha

Malargal kaetten vanamae thanthanai

Exaggeration used to emphasize the partner's extreme generosity by contrasting small requests with vast rewards.

Antithesis / Contrast (Ethirchor)

Pallam veezhnthen sigaram serthanai

Contrasting opposing concepts such as falling into a low ditch ('pallam') versus being raised to a high peak ('sigaram').

Metaphor (Uvamaikani)

Irulil thozhainthen oliyaai vanthanai

Comparing the beloved's guidance to light in darkness and a path in a dense forest.

Anaphora / Initial Rhyme (MoonaI)

Ethai naan ketppin...

Repetition of starting phrases across lines to create a rhythmic, devotional chant effect.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by A. R. Rahman and sung exquisitely by K. S. Chithra along with Rahman himself, 'Malargal Kaetten' is set predominantly in the Carnatic raga Jaunpuri. The track stands out in the film 'O Kadhal Kanmani' for its classical touch and minimalistic arrangements amidst a modern soundtrack.

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