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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Malliga Poovu Poduthe

From Namma Ooru Nalla Ooru · 1986

Lyricist
Thirupathooran
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Details
Namma Ooru Nalla Ooru1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Malliga poovu poduthae maaraappuThe jasmine flower drapes as an upper cloth.
Manmatha kaaththu veesuthae yaar kaappuThe breeze of Cupid is blowing, who will protect us?
Female :Malliga poovu poduthae maaraappuFemale: The jasmine flower drapes as an upper cloth.
Manmatha kaaththu veesuthae yaar kaappuThe breeze of Cupid is blowing, who will protect us?
Male
Ennadi kannu vetkamaaWhat is it, my sweet girl, are you shy?
Iduppil saela nikkumaaWill the saree hold steady at the waist?
Female
Malliga poovu poduthae maaraappuThe jasmine flower drapes as an upper cloth.
Male :Manmatha kaaththu veesuthae yaar kaappuMale: The breeze of Cupid is blowing, who will protect us?
Female
Ooru vambu izhukkaTo stir up trouble,
Unna ooru saerkkalaThe village didn't embrace you.
Paala pola manasu adha yaarum paarkkalaA heart pure as milk, nobody noticed it.
Male
Annamae….ae….solaiyil mattumOh swan... not only in the royal garden,
Poovu poopathu illiyaeDoes a flower bloom;
Vaeliyil kooda poovum pookkumae mullaiyaeEven along the hedge, the wild jasmine blooms.
Female :Pothum keliyaeFemale: Enough of your teasing!
Male
Malliga poovu poduthae maaraappuThe jasmine flower drapes as an upper cloth.
Female :Manmatha kaaththu veesuthae yaar kaappuFemale: The breeze of Cupid is blowing, who will protect us?
Male :Ennadi kannu vetkamaaMale: What is it, my sweet girl, are you shy?
Female :Iduppil saela nikkumaaFemale: Will the saree hold steady at the waist?
Male
Malliga poovu poduthae maaraappuThe jasmine flower drapes as an upper cloth.
Female :Manmatha kaaththu veesuthae yaar kaappuFemale: The breeze of Cupid is blowing, who will protect us?
Male
Eetcham paayai pottuLaying down a date-palm mat,
Oru pechchu peasanumI wish to talk to you.
Vayasu ponna polaLike a young maiden,
Vanthu kaaththu veesanumThe gentle breeze should come and blow.
Female
Ennamo….ennamo onnuSomething... something deep inside,
Solla thonuthae sollavaaI feel like saying, shall I speak it?
Vaarththaiyum vanthu thaeinju ponathae mannavaaWords run short as they fade away, my king.
Male :Maalai soodavaaMale: Shall I adorn you with a garland?
Female
Malliga poovu poduthae maaraappuThe jasmine flower drapes as an upper cloth.
Manmatha kaaththu veesuthae yaar kaappuThe breeze of Cupid is blowing, who will protect us?
Male :Ennadi kannu vetkamaaMale: What is it, my sweet girl, are you shy?
Iduppil saela nikkumaaWill the saree hold steady at the waist?
Female
Malliga poovu poduthae maaraappuThe jasmine flower drapes as an upper cloth.
Male :Manmatha kaaththu veesuthae yaar kaappuMale: The breeze of Cupid is blowing, who will protect us?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a romantic, playful duet between lovers in a rural setting. The lyrics use rural metaphors, comparing pure love and beauty to flowers blooming naturally, even along humble hedges rather than just manicured gardens. The protagonist validates his lover's innocence and inner purity despite gossip from the village.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Paala pola manasu adha yaarum paarkkala

Compares a pure heart to milk ('Paala pola manasu').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Manmatha kaaththu veesuthae yaar kaappu

Compares romantic yearning and passion to the breeze of Manmatha (Cupid).

Rhyme (Edhugai / Monai)

Eetcham paayai pottu / Oru pechchu peasanum

Second letter matching (Edhugai) in lines like 'Malliga' and 'Manmatha' or 'Eetcham' and 'Pechchu'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from the 1986 film 'Namma Ooru Nalla Ooru', starring Ramarajan and Rekha, known for its iconic village-themed storytelling and rural folk-pop soundtrack composed by Gangai Amaran.

Keep listening

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