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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Malavika

From Unnai Thedi · 1999

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Hariharan, Chitra
Music director
Deva
Details
Unnai Thedi1999

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Maalavika maalavikaMalavika, Malavika
Manam parithaal maalavikaMalavika, who stole my heart
Thendral vandhuThe breeze comes
Ennai kettu sellum sellumIt asks about me and goes, goes
Thedi vandhuIt comes looking for you
Unnai thottu sollum sollumIt touches you and tells, tells
Nee illaamal naan illaiWithout you, I do not exist
Naan illaamal nee illaiWithout me, you do not exist
Male
Maalavika maalavikaMalavika, Malavika
Manam parithaal maalavikaMalavika, who stole my heart
Male
Unnai naanWhen I
Mudhal mudhalaaiFor the very first time
Paarthenae appodhaeSaw you, at that very moment
Pudhidhaagha naan pirandhenI was born anew
Chorus :Athu sari athu sariChorus: That is right, that is right
Athu sari athu sariThat is right, that is right
Female
Kannaalae ennoduWith your eyes, with me
Nee pesa appothaeThe moment you spoke
En perai naan marandhenI forgot my own name
Chorus :Adhisayam adhisayamChorus: Wonder, wonder
Adhisayam adhisayamWonder, wonder
Male
Nazhugira thaavanithaanThe slipping half-saree
Vidumurai ketkum maayam ennaWhat is this magic of asking for leave?
Female :Thaduthidave ninathaalumFemale: Even if I try to stop it
Manasukkul silirkkumWhat is this magic that chills my heart?
Maayam ennaWhat is this magic?
Male
Udai irundhum nanaigindromDespite wearing clothes, we get drenched
Kaadhal mazhai pozhigirathaeFor the rain of love is pouring
Female :Nee illaamal naan illaiFemale: Without you, I do not exist
Naan illaamal nee illaiWithout me, you do not exist
Male
Maalavika maalavikaMalavika, Malavika
Manam pariththaal maalavikaMalavika, who stole my heart
Chorus
………………….....
Male
Nee sindhum punnagayaiThe smile that you spill
Paarthaalum nenjil naanWhen I see it, inside my heart
Silayaagi povadhennaWhy do I turn into a statue?
Chorus :Athu sari athu sariChorus: That is right, that is right
Athu sari athu sariThat is right, that is right
Female
Un kangal en kannaiWhen your eyes meet
Sandhikkum neram naanMy eyes, at that moment
Silaiaaga aavadhennaWhy do I turn into a statue?
Chorus :Adhisayam adhisayamChorus: Wonder, wonder
Adhisayam adhisayamWonder, wonder
Male
Thooral thaanA mere drizzle
Thaen aagumTurns into honey
Viralaal neeyum thottaalaeIf you touch it with your finger
Female
Mullellaam poovaagumAll thorns turn into flowers
Undhan paarvai pattaalaeIf your gaze falls upon them
Male
Karaigindren theigindrenI melt away, I wear away
Un ninaivil uraigindrenI freeze in your memory
Female :Nee illaamal naan illaiFemale: Without you, I do not exist
Naan illaamal nee illaiWithout me, you do not exist
Male
Maalavika maalavikaMalavika, Malavika
Manam parithaal maalavikaMalavika, who stole my heart
Thendral vandhuThe breeze comes
Ennai kettu sellum sellumIt asks about me and goes, goes
Thedi vandhuIt comes looking for you
Unnai thottu sollum sollumIt touches you and tells, tells
Chorus
Nee illaamal naan illaiWithout you, I do not exist
Naan illaamal nee illaiWithout me, you do not exist
Male
Maalavika maalavikaMalavika, Malavika
Manam parithaal maalavikaMalavika, who stole my heart

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Maalavika' from the 1999 movie 'Unnai Thedi' expresses the euphoric feeling of falling in love and the total interdependence between two lovers. The protagonist addresses Malavika as the one who has stolen his heart, describing how the gentle breeze acts as a messenger carrying his feelings to her. The lyrics highlight the magical transformation brought about by love—forgetting one's own identity, feeling reborn upon looking at the beloved, and experiencing nature's elements like rain and breeze in a completely new light.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Repetition

Maalavika maalavika

Repetition of words like 'Maalavika', 'Athu sari', and 'Adhisayam' for rhythmic emphasis and emotional resonance.

Personification

Thendral vandhu Ennai kettu sellum sellum

The breeze (thendral) is personified as a messenger that inquires about the lover and visits the beloved.

Metaphor

Kaadhal mazhai pozhigirathae

Love is portrayed as a shower of rain ('Kaadhal mazhai') that drenches them despite wearing clothes.

Hyperbole

Mullellaam poovaagum Undhan paarvai pattaalae

Exaggerating the effect of touch and sight, claiming drizzle turns to honey and thorns turn to flowers.

Did you know?

Trivia

Music for 'Unnai Thedi' was composed by Deva, starring Ajith Kumar and introducing actress Malavika, after whom this hit romantic song was specifically named in the movie.

Keep listening

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