Malli Kothamalli Unna Thottaa
From Nambinal Nambungal · 1982
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- Malaysia Vasudevan, S. P. Sailaja
- Music director
- Gangai Amaran
- Details
- Nambinal Nambungal1982
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Malli koththamalli | Jasmine, coriander leaf, |
| Unna thottaa kai manakkum | If I touch you, my hand smells fragrant. |
| Milli nooru milli | Like drinking a hundred milliliters of liquor, |
| Potta maathiri kirukirukkum | It makes my head spin dizzyingly. |
| Male | |
| Haang….malli koththamalli | Ah... Jasmine, coriander leaf, |
| Unna thottaa kai manakkum | If I touch you, my hand smells fragrant. |
| Milli nooru milli | Like drinking a hundred milliliters of liquor, |
| Potta maathiri kirukirukkum aiyyo | It makes my head spin dizzyingly, oh dear! |
| Female | |
| Enakkumthaan aasai adhapola lesaa | I too have a slight desire just like that, |
| Mayakkam kerakkam una paaththaa kilukilukkum | Seeing you brings intoxication, dizziness, and a joyful flutter! |
| Male | |
| Ho…meenaa kannam enna poonthenaa | Oh Meena, are your cheeks sweet floral honey? |
| Kannil un kanaa | My eyes hold your dream. |
| Female :Ho jeevaa konjam konja nee vaa vee | Female: Oh Jeeva, come here to be caressed little by little, |
| Nee mannan allavaa | Aren't you my king? |
| Male | |
| Aa…..malli koththamalli | Ah... Jasmine, coriander leaf, |
| Unna thottaa kai manakkum | If I touch you, my hand smells fragrant. |
| Milli nooru milli | Like drinking a hundred milliliters of liquor, |
| Potta maathiri kirukirukkum aa….aa…aah…aa… | It makes my head spin dizzyingly... aa... aa... |
| Male | |
| Pappaali polirukku odambu | Your body is tender like a papaya, |
| Paaththaa padapadannu thudikkuthu narambu | Looking at you makes my nerves throb in excitement! |
| Thakkaali polirukku niramthaan | Your complexion is vibrant like a tomato, |
| Una thazhuvaama ponaakka joramthaan | If I go without embracing you, I will catch a fever! |
| Female | |
| Koththavaalu saavadiyai suththi unakku | Loitering around the Kotwal market area, |
| Kettu pochchu ippadiththaan puththi | Your mind has gone completely astray like this! |
| Kaaikariyai appuramaa thallu ingae | Push aside the vegetables for later, here |
| Kaniyirukku kai niraiya alli | There is sweet fruit, scoop it up by hands full! |
| Male | |
| Haei….kadhali…. | Hey... my beloved... |
| Female :Nee kadhali | Female: You are my lover, |
| Male :Haei….kadhali…. | Male: Hey... my beloved... |
| Female :Nee kadhali | Female: You are my lover, |
| Male :Poonthottam adhil neerottam | Male: A flower garden with a flowing stream, |
| Vanthu saernthaa kondaattam | Coming together is a joyous celebration! |
| Male | |
| Malli koththamalli | Jasmine, coriander leaf, |
| Unna thottaa kai manakkum | If I touch you, my hand smells fragrant. |
| Milli nooru milli | Like drinking a hundred milliliters of liquor, |
| Potta maathiri kirukirukkum aiyyo aiyyo | It makes my head spin dizzyingly, oh dear oh dear! |
| Male | |
| …………. | ... |
| Female :……………. | Female: ... |
| Male | |
| Pollaatha poonjirippu edhukku | Why this playful, wicked smile? |
| Adha sollaama puriyaatho enakku | Do I not understand it without you telling me? |
| Kannadi polirukkum kannam athu | Those cheeks are smooth like a mirror, |
| Unnaatha thaen kuzhaiththa kinnam | A bowl mixed with pure sweet honey! |
| Female | |
| Kalyaanam melamidum saththam | The sound of wedding drums beating, |
| Adha ketkkaamal yaenguthaiyyaa siththam | My heart yearns without hearing it, sir! |
| Unnaal thookkamilla niththam ippo | Because of you, I have sleepless nights now, |
| Undaacchhu kadhalilae piththam | An obsession of love has overtaken me! |
| Male | |
| Haei….kadhali | Hey... my beloved, |
| Female :Nee kadhali | Female: You are my lover, |
| Male :Haei….kadhali…. | Male: Hey... my beloved... |
| Female :Nee kadhali | Female: You are my lover, |
| Male :Maanthoppu nalla poongkaththu | Male: A mango grove with a pleasant breeze, |
| Onnu saernthu naalaachchu | It has been days since we got together! |
| Female | |
| Malli koththamalli | Jasmine, coriander leaf, |
| Male :Milli nooru milli | Male: Milli, a hundred milliliters... |
தீபன் சக்ரவர்த்தி மற்றும் உமா ரமணன்
Jasmine, coriander leaf,
If I touch you, my hand smells fragrant.
Like drinking a hundred milliliters of liquor,
It makes my head spin dizzyingly.
மல்லி கொத்தமல்லி
உன்ன தொட்டா கை மணக்கும்
மில்லி நூறு மில்லி
போட்ட மாதிரி கிறுகிறுக்கும்
Ah... Jasmine, coriander leaf,
If I touch you, my hand smells fragrant.
Like drinking a hundred milliliters of liquor,
It makes my head spin dizzyingly, oh dear!
ஹாங்..... கொத்தமல்லி
உன்ன தொட்டா கை மணக்கும்
மில்லி நூறு மில்லி
போட்ட மாதிரி கிறுகிறுக்கும் அய்யோ
I too have a slight desire just like that,
Seeing you brings intoxication, dizziness, and a joyful flutter!
எனக்கும்தான் ஆசை அதபோல லேசா
மயக்கம் கெறக்கம் உனப் பாத்தா கிளுகிளுக்கும்
Oh Meena, are your cheeks sweet floral honey?
My eyes hold your dream.
Female: Oh Jeeva, come here to be caressed little by little,
Aren't you my king?
ஹோ.....மீனா...கன்னம் என்ன பூந்தேனா
கண்ணில் உன் கனா
ஹோ ஜீவா கொஞ்சம் கொஞ்ச நீ வா வா
நீ மன்னன் அல்லவா......
Ah... Jasmine, coriander leaf,
If I touch you, my hand smells fragrant.
Like drinking a hundred milliliters of liquor,
It makes my head spin dizzyingly... aa... aa...
ஆ.....மல்லி கொத்தமல்லி
உன்ன தொட்டா கை மணக்கும்
மில்லி நூறு மில்லி
போட்ட மாதிரி கிறுகிறுக்கும் ஆ...ஆ....ஆஹ்...ஆ....
Your body is tender like a papaya,
Looking at you makes my nerves throb in excitement!
Your complexion is vibrant like a tomato,
If I go without embracing you, I will catch a fever!
பப்பாளி போலிருக்கு ஒடம்பு
பாத்தா படபடன்னு துடிக்குது நரம்பு
தக்காளி போலிருக்கு நிறம்தான்
உன்ன தழுவாம போனாக்க ஜுரம் தான்
Loitering around the Kotwal market area,
Your mind has gone completely astray like this!
Push aside the vegetables for later, here
There is sweet fruit, scoop it up by hands full!
கொத்தவாலு சாவடியை சுத்தி உனக்கு
கெட்டுப்போச்சு இப்படித்தான் புத்தி
காய்கறியை அப்புறமா தள்ளு இங்கே
கனியிருக்கு கை நிறைய அள்ளு...
Hey... my beloved...
Female: You are my lover,
Male: Hey... my beloved...
Female: You are my lover,
Male: A flower garden with a flowing stream,
Coming together is a joyous celebration!
ஹேய்.....காதலி....
நீ காதலி....
ஹேய்.....காதலி....
நீ காதலி....
பூந்தோட்டம் அதில் நீரோட்டம்
வந்து சேர்ந்தா கொண்டாட்டம்...
Jasmine, coriander leaf,
If I touch you, my hand smells fragrant.
Like drinking a hundred milliliters of liquor,
It makes my head spin dizzyingly, oh dear oh dear!
மல்லி கொத்தமல்லி
உன்ன தொட்டா கை மணக்கும்
மில்லி நூறு மில்லி
போட்ட மாதிரி கிறுகிறுக்கும் அய்யோ அய்யோ
...
Female: ...
....................
.....................
Why this playful, wicked smile?
Do I not understand it without you telling me?
Those cheeks are smooth like a mirror,
A bowl mixed with pure sweet honey!
........................
The sound of wedding drums beating,
My heart yearns without hearing it, sir!
Because of you, I have sleepless nights now,
An obsession of love has overtaken me!
பொல்லாத பூஞ்சிரிப்பு எதுக்கு
அத சொல்லாம புரியாதோ எனக்கு
கண்ணாடி போலிருக்கும் கன்னம் அது
உண்ணாத தேன் குழைத்த கிண்ணம்
Hey... my beloved,
Female: You are my lover,
Male: Hey... my beloved...
Female: You are my lover,
Male: A mango grove with a pleasant breeze,
It has been days since we got together!
கல்யாணம் மேளமிடும் சத்தம்
அத கேக்காமல் ஏங்குதய்யா சித்தம்
உன்னால தூக்கமில்ல நித்தம் இப்போ
உண்டாச்சு காதலிலே பித்தம்
Jasmine, coriander leaf,
Male: Milli, a hundred milliliters...
ஹேய்.....காதலி....
நீ காதலி....
ஹேய்.....காதலி....
நீ காதலி....
மாந்தோப்பு நல்ல பூங்காத்து
ஒண்ணு சேர்ந்து நாளாச்சு....
மல்லி கொத்தமல்லி
ஆ மில்லி நூறு மில்லி
மல்லி கொத்தமல்லி
உன்ன தொட்டா கை மணக்கும்
மில்லி நூறு மில்லி
போட்ட மாதிரி கிறுகிறுக்கும்
Malli koththamalli
Jasmine, coriander leaf,
Unna thottaa kai manakkum
If I touch you, my hand smells fragrant.
Milli nooru milli
Like drinking a hundred milliliters of liquor,
Potta maathiri kirukirukkum
It makes my head spin dizzyingly.
Haang….malli koththamalli
Ah... Jasmine, coriander leaf,
Unna thottaa kai manakkum
If I touch you, my hand smells fragrant.
Milli nooru milli
Like drinking a hundred milliliters of liquor,
Potta maathiri kirukirukkum aiyyo
It makes my head spin dizzyingly, oh dear!
Enakkumthaan aasai adhapola lesaa
I too have a slight desire just like that,
Mayakkam kerakkam una paaththaa kilukilukkum
Seeing you brings intoxication, dizziness, and a joyful flutter!
Ho…meenaa kannam enna poonthenaa
Oh Meena, are your cheeks sweet floral honey?
Kannil un kanaa
My eyes hold your dream.
Female :Ho jeevaa konjam konja nee vaa vee
Female: Oh Jeeva, come here to be caressed little by little,
Nee mannan allavaa
Aren't you my king?
Aa…..malli koththamalli
Ah... Jasmine, coriander leaf,
Unna thottaa kai manakkum
If I touch you, my hand smells fragrant.
Milli nooru milli
Like drinking a hundred milliliters of liquor,
Potta maathiri kirukirukkum aa….aa…aah…aa…
It makes my head spin dizzyingly... aa... aa...
Pappaali polirukku odambu
Your body is tender like a papaya,
Paaththaa padapadannu thudikkuthu narambu
Looking at you makes my nerves throb in excitement!
Thakkaali polirukku niramthaan
Your complexion is vibrant like a tomato,
Una thazhuvaama ponaakka joramthaan
If I go without embracing you, I will catch a fever!
Koththavaalu saavadiyai suththi unakku
Loitering around the Kotwal market area,
Kettu pochchu ippadiththaan puththi
Your mind has gone completely astray like this!
Kaaikariyai appuramaa thallu ingae
Push aside the vegetables for later, here
Kaniyirukku kai niraiya alli
There is sweet fruit, scoop it up by hands full!
Haei….kadhali….
Hey... my beloved...
Female :Nee kadhali
Female: You are my lover,
Male :Haei….kadhali….
Male: Hey... my beloved...
Female :Nee kadhali
Female: You are my lover,
Male :Poonthottam adhil neerottam
Male: A flower garden with a flowing stream,
Vanthu saernthaa kondaattam
Coming together is a joyous celebration!
Malli koththamalli
Jasmine, coriander leaf,
Unna thottaa kai manakkum
If I touch you, my hand smells fragrant.
Milli nooru milli
Like drinking a hundred milliliters of liquor,
Potta maathiri kirukirukkum aiyyo aiyyo
It makes my head spin dizzyingly, oh dear oh dear!
………….
...
Female :…………….
Female: ...
Pollaatha poonjirippu edhukku
Why this playful, wicked smile?
Adha sollaama puriyaatho enakku
Do I not understand it without you telling me?
Kannadi polirukkum kannam athu
Those cheeks are smooth like a mirror,
Unnaatha thaen kuzhaiththa kinnam
A bowl mixed with pure sweet honey!
Kalyaanam melamidum saththam
The sound of wedding drums beating,
Adha ketkkaamal yaenguthaiyyaa siththam
My heart yearns without hearing it, sir!
Unnaal thookkamilla niththam ippo
Because of you, I have sleepless nights now,
Undaacchhu kadhalilae piththam
An obsession of love has overtaken me!
Haei….kadhali
Hey... my beloved,
Female :Nee kadhali
Female: You are my lover,
Male :Haei….kadhali….
Male: Hey... my beloved...
Female :Nee kadhali
Female: You are my lover,
Male :Maanthoppu nalla poongkaththu
Male: A mango grove with a pleasant breeze,
Onnu saernthu naalaachchu
It has been days since we got together!
Malli koththamalli
Jasmine, coriander leaf,
Male :Milli nooru milli
Male: Milli, a hundred milliliters...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Malli Koththamalli' is a vibrant, flirtatious, and lighthearted folk-pop duet from the 1982 film 'Nambinal Nambungal'. The lyrics feature playful banter between lovers who compare each other's beauty and physical affection to fresh herbs, sweet fruits, and intoxicating spirits. The song depicts the intoxicating feeling of attraction, full of humorous market metaphors, restless romantic anticipation, and playful teasing as the couple expresses their desire for togetherness.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Upamai (Simile)
“Pappaali polirukku odambu”
Comparing physical attributes to fruits and objects using 'polirukku' (is like) — 'Pappaali polirukku odambu' (body like a papaya) and 'Thakkaali polirukku niramthaan' (complexion like a tomato).
Onomatopoeia (Anukaranai / Erattai Kilavi)
“Paaththaa padapadannu thudikkuthu narambu”
Use of rhythmic sensory words like 'kirukirukkum' (dizzying), 'padapadannu' (throbbing/fluttering), and 'kilukilukkum' (jingling/fluttering) to evoke physical sensations.
Iyaibu (Rhyme)
“Una thazhuvaama ponaakka joramthaan”
End-rhyming structure in couplets such as 'odambu' matching 'narambu', and 'niramthaan' matching 'joramthaan'.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Gangai Amaran, 'Malli Koththamalli' is a popular vintage Tamil track known for its catchy market-vendor thematic lyrics penned by Vaali, playfully integrating everyday grocery items like coriander, papaya, and tomatoes into romantic metaphors.
Keep listening
More from Nambinal Nambungal
Nambinal Nambungal
Nambinal Nambungal
Nambinal Nambungal