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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Malargal Kaettaen

From O Kadhal Kanmani · 2015

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
A. R. Rahman, K. S. Chithra
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
O Kadhal Kanmani2015

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Malargal kaetten vanamae thanthanaiI asked for flowers, you gave me a whole forest
Thanneer kaetten amirtham thanthanaiI asked for water, you gave me nectar
Malargal kaetten vanamae thanthanaiI asked for flowers, you gave me a whole forest
Thanneer kaetten amirtham thanthanaiI asked for water, you gave me nectar
Female
Ethai naan ketppin…aaaaa…..Whatever I ask for... aaaaa...
Ethai naan ketppin unnaiyae tharuvaaiWhatever I ask for, you give me yourself
Ethai naan ketppin…. unnaiyae tharuvaaiWhatever I ask for... you give me yourself
Female
Malargal kaetten vanamae thanthanaiI asked for flowers, you gave me a whole forest
Thanneer kaetten amirtham thanthanaiI asked for water, you gave me nectar
Malargal kaetten .. malargal kaettenI asked for flowers... I asked for flowers
Malargal kaetten … malargal kaettenI asked for flowers... I asked for flowers
Female
Ethai naan ketppin unnaiyae tharuvaaiWhatever I ask for, you give me yourself
Malargal kaetten vanamae thanthanaiI asked for flowers, you gave me a whole forest
Thanneer kaetten amirtham thanthanaiI asked for water, you gave me nectar
Female
…………………………………....
Female
Kaattil thozhainthen vazhiyaai vanthanaiI was lost in the forest, you came as the path
Irulil thozhainthen oliyaai vanthanaiI was lost in the darkness, you came as the light
Kaattil thozhainthen vazhiyaai vanthanaiI was lost in the forest, you came as the path
Irulil thozhainthen oliyaai vanthanaiI was lost in the darkness, you came as the light
Female
Ethanil tholainthaal…..Whatever I get lost in...
Chorus
…………...
Female :Ethanil tholainthaal neeyae varuvaaiFemale: Whatever I get lost in, you yourself will come
Malargal kaetten vanamae thanthanaiI asked for flowers, you gave me a whole forest
Thanneer kaetten amirtham thanthanaiI asked for water, you gave me nectar
Female
Pallam veezhnthen sigaram serthanaiI fell into a ditch, you raised me to the peak
Vellam veezhnthen karaiyil serthanaiI fell into a flood, you brought me to the shore
Pallam veezhnthen sigaram serthanaiI fell into a ditch, you raised me to the peak
Vellam veezhnthen karaiyil serthanaiI fell into a flood, you brought me to the shore
Female
Ethanil veezhnthaal…aaaa…aaa….aaa…Wherever I fall... aaaa... aaa... aaa...
Ethanil veezhnthaal unnidam serppaaiWherever I fall, you will gather me to yourself

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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