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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maligai Mullai

From Annan Oru Koyil · 1977

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Annan Oru Koyil1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Malligai mullaiJasmine and night-blooming jasmine,
Pon mozhi killaiA sweet-talking parrot with golden words,
Anbukkor ellai unnai pol illaiThere is no limit to love, just like you.
Pon vanna radham yaeriRiding a golden-colored chariot,
Im mannil engum odiRunning across this entire earth,
Pon vanna radham yaeriRiding a golden-colored chariot,
Im mannil engum odiRunning across this entire earth,
Nal anbu thunai thaedi naan tharuvenI will search and bring you a good loving companion.
Male
Malligai mullaiJasmine and night-blooming jasmine,
Pon mozhi killaiA sweet-talking parrot with golden words.
Male
Soodi koduthaalShe who offered the garland she wore,
Paavai padithaalThe maiden who sang sacred verses,
Sudaraaga ennaalumEver as a bright flame,
Thamizh vaanil jolithaalShone in the sky of Tamil literature.
Kodhai aandaal thamizhai aandaalKodhai (Andal) ruled and ruled over Tamil,
Kodhai aandaal thamizhai aandaalKodhai (Andal) ruled and ruled over Tamil,
Gopaalan illaamal kalyaanam vaendaalRefused marriage without Lord Gopalan.
Male
Kanni thamizh dheviThe goddess of pure Tamil,
Mai kannan aval aaviKannan with dark eyes was her soul,
Than kaadhal malar soodi maalaiyittaalShe wore her flower of love and wedded him.
Male
Thogai meenaalPeacock-like Meenakshi,
Poovai aanaalBecame a blooming flower,
Sokkaesan thunaiyoduWith Sokkalingam (Lord Shiva) as her companion,
Oorkoolam ponaalShe went on a grand procession.
Male
Thogai meenaalPeacock-like Meenakshi,
Poovai aanaalBecame a blooming flower,
Sokkaesan thunaiyoduWith Sokkalingam (Lord Shiva) as her companion,
Oorkoolam ponaalShe went on a grand procession.
Maalai kandaal kovil kondaalShe saw the wedding garland and gained her temple,
Maanikka mookkuthiWith her ruby nose-ring,
Oli veesa nindraalShining brightly,
Male
Thendral thottu aadaAs the southern breeze gently danced,
Kan sanga thamizh paadaAnd Sangam Tamil sang,
Than makkal vellam koodaWith a sea of her people gathering,
Kaaval kondaalShe protected them.
Male
Malligai mullaiJasmine and night-blooming jasmine,
Pon mozhi killaiA sweet-talking parrot with golden words.
Male
Maalai soodiGarlanded in marriage,
Vaazhndha vaelaiIn the time she lived,
Vana vaasam ponaalumEven when going to exile in the forest,
Piriyaadha seethaiSita never parted from her beloved.
Male
Maalai soodiGarlanded in marriage,
Vaazhndha vaelaiIn the time she lived,
Vana vaasam ponaalumEven when going to exile in the forest,
Piriyaadha seethaiSita never parted from her beloved.
Raama naamam thandha raagamThe melody born of Rama's name,
Lavanaaga kusanaagaManifested as Lava and Kusa,
Uruvaana geethamA song created in form.
Male
Maaman endru sollaTo call him maternal uncle,
Oru annan illai angaeThere was no brother there,
Andha annan undu ingaeBut that brother is present here,
Alli vazhangaTo shower gifts generously.
Male
Malligai mullaiJasmine and night-blooming jasmine,
Pon mozhi killaiA sweet-talking parrot with golden words,
Anbukkor ellai unnai pol illaiThere is no limit to love, just like you.
Pon vanna radham yaeriRiding a golden-colored chariot,
Im mannil engum odiRunning across this entire earth,
Nal anbu thunai thaedi naan tharuvenI will search and bring you a good loving companion.
Male
Malligai mullaiJasmine and night-blooming jasmine,
Pon mozhi killaiA sweet-talking parrot with golden words.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This iconic Tamil song from 'Annan Oru Koyil' (1977) expresses the immense, selfless affection of a devoted brother for his beloved sister. He affectionately compares her beauty, innocence, and virtues to sweet jasmine flowers and a parrot. Drawing upon rich Tamil literary traditions and divine legends, lyricist Kannadasan weaves references to Andal (Kodhai), Goddess Meenakshi of Madurai, and Sita to portray divine devotion and marital harmony. The brother promises to travel across the earth to find her a worthy groom. Reflecting on how Sita lacked a brother to act as a loving uncle to Lava and Kusa during her exile, he reassures his sister that she will never lack a protective brother to bless and shower affection on her.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Malligai mullai

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across adjacent words, such as 'Malligai mullai'.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Soodi koduthaal

Matching of the second consonant in consecutive lines, seen in 'Soodi / Paavai'.

Metaphor (Roohakam)

Pon mozhi killai

Directly equating the sister's sweet voice and beauty to jasmine flowers and a golden parrot.

Mythological Allusion

Kodhai aandaal thamizhai aandaal

Referencing sacred figures like Kodhai (Andal), Goddess Meenakshi, and Sita to idealize womanhood and devotion.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Annan Oru Koyil' (1977) stars Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan and Sujatha. The film's musical score was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, with lyrics written by Kavignar Kannadasan. The track is sung by T. M. Soundararajan and remains one of the most celebrated songs dedicated to sibling affection in Tamil film history.

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