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Lyrics & meaning

Malligai En Mannan

From Dheerga Sumangali · 1974

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Dheerga Sumangali1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Malligai en mannan mayangumIs not jasmine the golden flower in which my king delights?
Ponnaana malar allavoIs it not a golden flower?
Malligai en mannan mayangumIs not jasmine the golden flower in which my king delights?
Ponnaana malar allavoIs it not a golden flower?
Ennaeramum un aasai polAt all times, according to your desire,
Pen paavai naan poo choodi kollavoShall I, a maiden, adorn myself with flowers?
Malligai en mannan mayangumIs not jasmine the golden flower in which my king delights?
Ponnaana malar allavoIs it not a golden flower?
Female
Vaan megangal velli oonjal polLike a silver swing, the sky clouds,
Vaan megangal velli oonjal polLike a silver swing, the sky clouds,
Thingal maeniyai thottu thaalaattudhuTouch and lull the moon-like body to sleep.
Kulir kaatrilae thalir poongkodiIn the cool breeze, a tender flowering vine
Konji pesiyae anbai paaraattudhuCoos affectionately and celebrates love.
Female
En kannan thunjathaanFor my beloved lord to rest,
En nenjam manjam dhaanMy heart itself is the bed.
Kaiyodu naan allavoAm I not held in your arms?
En devanae un devi naanMy lord, I am your lady;
Ivvaelaiyil un thaevai ennavoAt this moment, what is your heart's desire?
Malligai en mannan mayangumIs not jasmine the golden flower in which my king delights?
Ponnaana malar allavoIs it not a golden flower?
Female
Pon maangalyam vanna poocharamThe golden mangalsutra and the vibrant garland of flowers,
Pon maangalyam vanna poocharamThe golden mangalsutra and the vibrant garland of flowers,
Manjal kungumam endrum nee thandhadhuThe sacred turmeric and vermilion were bestowed by you.
Or aayiram inba kaaviyamA thousand joyful epics of love,
Undhan kangalil alli naan thandhadhuI gathered and offered to you through your eyes.
Female
Nam illam sorgam dhaanOur home is indeed a heaven,
Nam ullam vellam dhaanOur hearts are a surging flood of bliss,
Ondrodu ondraanadhuThat have united into one.
En sondhamum indha bandhamumMy sense of belonging and this sacred relationship,
Unnodudhaan naan thaedi kondadhuAre what I sought and found only with you.
Female
Malligai en mannan mayangumIs not jasmine the golden flower in which my king delights?
Ponnaana malar allavoIs it not a golden flower?
Ennaeramum un aasai polAt all times, according to your desire,
Pen paavai naan poo choodi kollavoShall I, a maiden, adorn myself with flowers?
Malligai en mannan mayangumIs not jasmine the golden flower in which my king delights?
Ponnaana malar allavoIs it not a golden flower?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Malligai En Mannan Mayangum' is a timeless Tamil romantic classic expressing the deep marital affection, intimacy, and devotion of a wife towards her husband. Using the fragrance and elegance of the jasmine flower as a core metaphor, the song depicts a serene, blissful evening where the protagonist prepares herself to welcome her beloved. She highlights the sanctity of marriage symbolized by turmeric, vermilion, and the mangalsutra, celebrating their union as a harmonious heavenly life. Through vivid imagery of nature—clouds swaying like silver swings and cool breezes whispering love—Kannadasan encapsulates the romantic harmony between the couple. The wife offers her heart as a comforting space for her husband, reaffirming that her entire purpose and happiness reside in their sacred bond.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani (Simile)

Vaan megangal velli oonjal pol

Compares clouds moving in the sky to a silver swing swaying gently ('velli oonjal pol').

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

En nenjam manjam dhaan

Metaphorically describes the heart as a soft bed for her beloved to rest upon.

Mogana / Monnai (Alliteration)

Malligai en mannan mayangum

Repetition of the initial sound 'Ma' across words like Malligai, Mannan, Mayangum, and Malar.

Edugai (Rhyme)

Thingal maeniyai thottu thaalaattudhu

Second letter rhyme between 'Vaan' (megangal) and 'Thingal' (maeniyai).

Did you know?

Trivia

'Malligai En Mannan Mayangum' from Dheerga Sumangali (1974) was composed by M. S. Viswanathan and sung by Vani Jairam. The song earned Vani Jairam immense national popularity and remains one of her most iconic Tamil solo numbers. Designed in a soothing melody, it prominently features the flute and string arrangements to evoke romantic tranquility.

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