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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Malarum Mangaiyum Oru

From Annaiyum Pithavum · 1969

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Annaiyum Pithavum1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Malarum mangaiyum oru jaadhiA flower and a young woman are of the same kind,
Than manadhai maraipapdhil sari paadhiEqual half of them lies in hiding their hearts' feelings.
Than aasaiyin kolathaiThe patterns of their desires,
Vanna pookkal yaaridm sollum ..o..o..o..oTo whom will colorful flowers tell? Oh...
Kanni penmai yaaridam sollumTo whom will maiden womanhood tell?
Female
Malarum mangaiyum oru jaadhiA flower and a young woman are of the same kind,
Than manadhai maraipapdhil sari paadhiEqual half of them lies in hiding their hearts' feelings.
Than aasaiyin kolathaiThe patterns of their desires,
Vanna pookkal yaaridam sollum ..o..o..o..oTo whom will colorful flowers tell? Oh...
Kanni penmai yaaridam sollumTo whom will maiden womanhood tell?
Female
Neraadum kangal aagaya gangaiBathing eyes are like the heavenly Ganges,
Poraadum ullam paadhala gangaiA struggling heart is like the netherworld Ganges.
Neraadum kangal aagaya gangaiBathing eyes are like the heavenly Ganges,
Poraadum ullam paadhala gangaiA struggling heart is like the netherworld Ganges.
Female
Siragugal illai nan angu sellaI have no wings to go there,
Siragugal illai naan angu sellaI have no wings to go there,
Vaarthaigal illai ennangal sollaThere are no words to speak my thoughts.
Vanna pookkal yaaridam sollum..o.o..o..o..To whom will colorful flowers tell? Oh...
Kanni penmai yaaridam sollumTo whom will maiden womanhood tell?
Female
Malarum mangaiyum oru jaadhiA flower and a young woman are of the same kind,
Than manadhai maraipapdhil sari paadhiEqual half of them lies in hiding their hearts' feelings.
Than aasaiyin kolathaiThe patterns of their desires,
Vanna pookkal yaaridm sollum ..o..o..o..oTo whom will colorful flowers tell? Oh...
Kanni penmai yaaridam sollumTo whom will maiden womanhood tell?
Female
Kannadi paarthen pen enru kandenI looked in the mirror and saw a woman,
Naan kanda pennai nee kaanavillaiThe woman I saw, you did not see.
Kannadi paarthen pen enru kandenI looked in the mirror and saw a woman,
Naan kanda pennai nee kaanavillaiThe woman I saw, you did not see.
Female
Nee varavendum yen varavillaiYou ought to come, why haven't you come?
Nee varavendum yen varavillaiYou ought to come, why haven't you come?
Naan varalaama orukaalum illaiMay I come? Never at all,
Orukaalum illai…oru kaalum illaiNever at all... never at all.
Female
Malarum mangaiyum oru jaadhiA flower and a young woman are of the same kind,
Than manadhai maraipapdhil sari paadhiEqual half of them lies in hiding their hearts' feelings.
Than aasaiyin kolathaiThe patterns of their desires,
Vanna pookkal yaaridm sollum ..o..o..o..oTo whom will colorful flowers tell? Oh...
Kanni penmai yaaridam sollumTo whom will maiden womanhood tell?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In 'Malarum Mangaiyum Oru Jaadhi' from the 1969 film Annaiyum Pithavum, lyricist Kannadasan draws a poetic parallel between a delicate blossoming flower and a young maiden. Both possess deep, secret feelings and inner beauty that they cannot readily express or reveal to the world. The song explores themes of unspoken love, longing, and social modesty that restrain a woman from openly declaring her affection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor / Comparison (Uvamaani)

Malarum mangaiyum oru jaadhi

Compares a maiden's nature directly to a flower ('Malarum mangaiyum oru jaadhi'), establishing their shared trait of silent expression.

Contrast / Antithesis

Neraadum kangal aagaya gangai / Poraadum ullam paadhala gangai

Contrasts visible tears/gaze ('Aagaya Gangai') with invisible inner turmoil ('Paadhala Gangai').

Rhyme / Alliteration (Monnai & Edhugai)

Neraadum kangal aagaya gangai

Uses matching sound patterns across lines like 'Neraadum' / 'Poraadum' and 'Aagaya' / 'Paadhala'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. S. Vishwanathan and rendered by P. Susheela, this song stands out in late 60s Tamil cinema for Kannadasan's signature philosophical yet romantic imagery comparing nature's quiet beauty with feminine emotions.

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