Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Enga Veettu Pillai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Malarukku Thendral

From Enga Veettu Pillai · 1965

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singers
L. R. Eswari, P. Susheela
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Movie name
Enga Veettu Pillai
Movie release year
1965
Lyrics added on
28 Sept 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vaanagamae vaiyagamae
Valarnthu varum thaai inamae…ae…
Aan ulaga medaiyilae
Aasai nadai podaathae
Aasai nadai podaathae
Malarukku thendral pagaiyaanaal
Adhu malarndhida kadhiravan thunaiyundu
Malarukku thendral pagaiyaanaal
Adhu malarndhida kadhiravan thunaiyundu
Nilavukku vaanam pagaiyaanaal
Adhu nadandhida verae vazhi yedhu
Malarukku thendral pagaiyaanaal
Adhu malarndhida kadhiravan thunaiyundu
Paravaikku siragu pagaiyaanaal
Adhu padhungi vaazhndhida kaalgalundu
Uravukku nenjae pagaiyanaal
Mannil uyir inam perugida vagaiyedhu
Nilavukku vaanam pagaiyaanal
Adhu nadandhida verae vazhi yedhu
Malarukku thendral pagaiyaanaal
Adhu malarndhida kadhiravan thunaiyundu
Padagukku thudupu pagaiyaanaal
Angu paai marathaalae udhaviyundu
Kadalukku neeru pagaiyaanaal
Angu kadhai sollum alaigalukku idamaedhu
Malarukku thendral pagaiyaanaal
Adhu malarndhida kadhiravan thunaiyundu
Kannukku paarvai pagaiyaanaal
Adhai karuthaal unarndhida vazhiyundu
Pennuku thunaivan pagaiyaanaal
Andha paedhaiyin vaazhvil oliyedhu
O heavens, O earth,
O rising womankind...
On the stage of this man's world,
do not walk with blind hopes!
Do not walk with blind hopes!
If the gentle breeze turns against the flower,
the sun is still there to help it bloom.
If the gentle breeze turns against the flower,
the sun is still there to help it bloom.
If the sky turns against the moon,
where else can it walk?
If the gentle breeze turns against the flower,
the sun is still there to help it bloom.
If its wings turn against a bird,
it still has feet to hide and survive.
If the heart turns against bonds of love,
how can living beings flourish on this earth?
If the sky turns against the moon,
where else can it walk?
If the gentle breeze turns against the flower,
the sun is still there to help it bloom.
If the oar turns against a boat,
the sail is there to give it help.
If the water turns against the ocean,
where is there room for waves to tell their stories?
If the gentle breeze turns against the flower,
the sun is still there to help it bloom.
If sight turns against the eyes,
the mind can still find a way to understand.
If her husband turns against a woman,
what light is left in that innocent woman's life?
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song uses vivid natural metaphors to contemplate resilience, relationships, and the vulnerable position of women in society. The lyrics illustrate that for almost every adversity in nature, there is an alternative support system: if the gentle breeze fails a flower, the sun helps it bloom; if wings fail a bird, its legs help it run; if oars fail a boat, the sail guides it forward.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

“Padagukku thudupu pagaiyaanaal / Kadalukku neeru pagaiyaanaal”

Matching second consonants across lines such as 'Padagukku' and 'Kadalukku', or 'Kannukku' and 'Pennuku'.

Analogy / Metaphor (Uwamai)

“Malarukku thendral pagaiyaanaal / Adhu malarndhida kadhiravan thunaiyundu”

Drawing parallels between natural pairs (flower-breeze, bird-wings, ocean-water) and human relationships to illustrate reliance and vulnerability.

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Ani)

“Pennuku thunaivan pagaiyaanaal / Andha paedhaiyin vaazhvil oliyedhu”

Using questions to emphasize the hopelessness of a woman abandoned by her partner or a heart devoid of emotion.

Did you know?

Trivia

From the 1965 MGR blockbuster film 'Enga Veettu Pillai', this track was composed by the legendary Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy duo with lyrics by Aalangudi Somu. The duet was rendered by P. Susheela and L.R. Eswari, picturized on B. Saroja Devi and Rathna.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Enna Enna Kanavu1993
ValliFateResilience
Pavaiyargal Maan Pole1980
Ore MuthamContemplativeNature
Amaithiyaana Nathiyinile (Sad)1964
Aandavan Kattalai (1964)ResilienceFate
Vazhvathume1987
VelichamResilienceHope
Gourava Sabaikku1980
Oru Velladu VengaiyagiradhuFateBetrayal
Ninappathu Nadappathillai1971
Pattondru KettenFateHope

From the same album

More songs from Enga Veettu Pillai

View album
Kankalum Kaavadi1965
Enga Veettu PillaiCelebratory
Penn Ponaal1965
Enga Veettu PillaiRomantic
Naan Manthoppil1965
Enga Veettu PillaiPlayful
Kumari Pennin Ullathile1965
Enga Veettu PillaiPlayful
Naan Aanaiyittal1965
Enga Veettu PillaiDefiant

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.