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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Malarnthum Malaratha

From Pasamalar · 1961

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Pasamalar1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Malarndhu malaraadhaLike a blossom that has bloomed yet not fully bloomed,
Paadhi malar polaeLike a half-opened flower,
Valarum vizhi vannamaeOh colorful vision of growing eyes,
Female
Vandhu vidindhumThough the morning has dawned,
Vidiyaatha kaalai pozhuthaagaLike an undawning early morning time,
Vilaindha kalai annamaeOh artistic swan that blossomed,
Female
Nadhiyil vilaiyaadiPlaying in the river,
Kodiyil thalai seeviCombing its hair through the creepers,
Nadantha ilam thendralaeOh gentle breeze that walked along,
Female
Valar podhigaiOriginating from the grand Podhigai,
Malai thondri maduraiMountain and witnessing the city of Madurai,
Nagar kandu pozhindhaShowering its beauty,
Thamizh mandramaeOh Tamil assembly!
Male
Malarndhu malaraadhaLike a blossom that has bloomed yet not fully bloomed,
Paadhi malar polaeLike a half-opened flower,
Valarum vizhi vannamaeOh colorful vision of growing eyes,
Male
Vandhu vidindhumThough the morning has dawned,
Vidiyaatha kaalai pozhuthaagaLike an undawning early morning time,
Vilaindha kalai annamaeOh artistic swan that blossomed,
Male
Nadhiyil vilaiyaadiPlaying in the river,
Kodiyil thalai seeviCombing its hair through the creepers,
Nadantha ilam thendralaeOh gentle breeze that walked along,
Male
Valar podhigaiOriginating from the grand Podhigai,
Malai thondri maduraiMountain and witnessing the city of Madurai,
Nagar kandu pozhindhaShowering its beauty,
Thamizh mandramaeOh Tamil assembly!
Male
Yaanai padai konduLeading an army of elephants,
Senai pala vendruConquering many forces,
Aala pirandhaayadaYou were born to rule,
Puvi aala pirandhaayadaYou were born to rule the earth!
Male
Athai magalai manamkonduMarrying your aunt's daughter,
Ilamai vazhi kanduFinding the path of youthfulness,
Vaazha pirandhaayadaYou were born to live prosperously,
Vaazha pirandhaayadaYou were born to live prosperously!
Male
{ Athai magalai manamkondu{ Marrying your aunt's daughter,
Ilamai vazhi kandu } (2)Finding the path of youthfulness } (2)
Vaazha pirandhaayadaYou were born to live prosperously!
Female
Thanga kadiyaaramA gold watch,
Vaira maniyaaramA diamond-studded necklace,
Thandhu manam pesuvaarThey will offer and negotiate the marriage proposal,
Porul thandhuOffering rich treasures,
Manam pesuvaarThey will negotiate the proposal,
Female
Maman thangai magalaanaFor the girl who is the daughter of your uncle's sister,
Mangai unakaagaFor that maiden, on your behalf,
{ Ulagai vilai pesuvaar } (2){ They will negotiate to buy the entire world } (2)
Female
{ Maman thangai magalaana{ For the girl who is the daughter of your uncle's sister,
Mangai unakaaga } (2)For that maiden, on your behalf } (2)
Ulagai vilai pesuvaarThey will negotiate to buy the entire world!
Male
Nadhiyil vilaiyaadiPlaying in the river,
Kodiyil thalai seeviCombing its hair through the creepers,
Nadantha ilam thendralaeOh gentle breeze that walked along,
Male
Valar podhigaiOriginating from the grand Podhigai,
Malai thondri maduraiMountain and witnessing the city of Madurai,
Nagar kandu pozhindhaShowering its beauty,
Thamizh mandramaeOh Tamil assembly!
Female
Siragil enai moodiCovering me under her wings,
Arumai magal polaeLike a precious daughter,
Valartha kadhai sollavaShall I tell the story of how she raised me?
Female
Kanavil ninaiyaathaUnimagined even in dreams,
Kaalam idai vandhuTime came in between,
{ Piritha kadhai sollava } (2){ Shall I tell the story of how it separated us? } (2)
Male
Kannil mani polaeLike the pupil in the eye,
Maniyin nizhal polaeLike the reflection within the pupil,
Kalandhu pirandhomadaWe were born intertwined together, my brother!
Male
Indha mannum kadal vaanumEven if this earth, sea, and sky,
Maraindhu mudinthaalumDisappear and come to an end,
Maraka mudiyaathadaIt can never be forgotten,
Uravai pirika mudiyaathadaOur bond can never be severed!
Female
Anbae aariraaraaroOh beloved one, lullaby aariraaraaro,
Aariraaraaro aariraaraariroAariraaraaro aariraaraariro,
{ Anbae aariraaraariro } (2){ Beloved one, aariraaraariro } (2)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Malarndhu Malaraadha is an iconic sibling ballad and lullaby from the legendary Tamil movie Pasamalar (1961), directed by A. Bhimsingh. Composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy with lyrics by Kannadasan, and rendered by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela, the song captures the unconditional, deep bond between a brother and sister (played by Sivaji Ganesan and Savitri). Through vivid imagery comparing sibling affection to delicate flowers, soothing breezes, and sacred Tamil heritage, the song portrays high hopes for future joy and prosperity. Even as unexpected twists of fate and time bring distance between them, the song poignantly reaffirms that their soul-level bond can never be severed by any force on Earth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaik Kalai (Initial Alliteration)

Malarndhu malaraadha / Paadhi malar polae

Repetition of the 'Ma' sound in consecutive lines to create a soft, soothing musicality.

Personification (Uvamaani / Metaphor)

Nadhiyil vilaiyaadi / Kodiyil thalai seevi / Nadantha ilam thendralae

The southern breeze (thendral) is elegantly personified as playing in rivers and combing its hair through creeping plants.

Simile (Uvamai)

Kannil mani polae / Maniyin nizhal polae

The closeness of brother and sister is compared to the pupil of an eye and the light/reflection inside it.

Refrain / Anaphora

Aariraaraaro aariraaraariro

Traditional Tamil lullaby syllables (Aariraaro) repeated to evoke deep warmth and emotional comfort.

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Trivia

Pasamalar (1961) set the ultimate gold standard for portraying sibling affection in Tamil cinema. The iconic stanza 'Nadhiyil vilaiyaadi kodiyil thalai seevi' is considered one of lyricist Kannadasan's crowning poetic achievements, beautifully personifying the southern breeze as a playful young girl.

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