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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Malligai Hoi

From Bhavani · 1967

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Bhavani1967

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Malligai…..hoiJasmine... hoi
Maan vizhi thaen mozhi kaadhali"Lover with doe-like eyes and sweet honey-like words"
Endrellaam kooruvaar keladiListen girl, that is how everyone will address you!
Malligai…..Jasmine...
Malligai…..hoiJasmine... hoi
Maan vizhi thaen mozhi kaadhali"Lover with doe-like eyes and sweet honey-like words"
Endrellaam kooruvaar keladiListen girl, that is how everyone will address you!
Malligai…..Jasmine...
Female
Valarpirai idhai kaanumbothuWhen seeing this waxing crescent moon,
Aruginil vara koorum bothuWhen asking to come near,
Kanirasa idazh thedum bothuWhen searching for sweet juice-filled lips,
Oru vagai sugam naadum bothuWhen seeking a unique kind of joy,
Valarpirai idhai kaanumbothuWhen seeing this waxing crescent moon,
Aruginil vara koorum bothuWhen asking to come near,
Kanirasa idazh thedum bothuWhen searching for sweet juice-filled lips,
Oru vagai sugam naadum bothuWhen seeking a unique kind of joy,
Female
Malligai…..hoiJasmine... hoi
Anaithaal thaduppenIf he embraces, I will resist,
Koduthaal sirippenIf he offers, I will smile,
Anaithaal thaduppenIf he embraces, I will resist,
Koduthaal sirippenIf he offers, I will smile,
Iniyadhu pudhiyadhu tharuvadhuIs offering something sweet and new,
Oru vidhamoo hoo hooiJust a special kind of feeling? Hoo hooi
Female
Malligai…..hoiJasmine... hoi
Maan vizhi thaen mozhi kaadhali"Lover with doe-like eyes and sweet honey-like words"
Endrellaam kooruvaar keladiListen girl, that is how everyone will address you!
Malligai…..Jasmine...
Female
Haa haa haa haaHaa haa haa haa
Haa haa aa aa ahaaHaa haa aa aa ahaa
Female
Ninaivadhu sugam aagum bothuWhen memories become sweet bliss,
Kanavinil radham odum bothuWhen a chariot rides through dreams,
Ninaivinil adhai kaanum bothuWhen picturing that in active thoughts,
Vizhigalil ini thookkam yedhuWhere is sleep in the eyes anymore?
Ninaivadhu sugam aagum bothuWhen memories become sweet bliss,
Kanavinil radham odum bothuWhen a chariot rides through dreams,
Ninaivinil adhai kaanum bothuWhen picturing that in active thoughts,
Vizhigalil ini thookkam yedhuWhere is sleep in the eyes anymore?
Female
Malligai…..hoiJasmine... hoi
Enaithaan padaithaanHe created me,
Avarkkae koduthaanAnd gave me away to him,
Enaithaan padaithaanHe created me,
Avarkkae koduthaanAnd gave me away to him,
Vara vara ninaivugal edhuvaraiAs memories keep expanding, how far,
Poividumooo hoo hooiWill they go? Hoo hooi
Female
Malligai…..hoiJasmine... hoi
Maan vizhi thaen mozhi kaadhali"Lover with doe-like eyes and sweet honey-like words"
Endrellaam kooruvaar keladiListen girl, that is how everyone will address you!
Malligai…..Jasmine...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song from the 1967 movie 'Bhavani' captures a young woman's playful yet soulful reflections on love, courtship, and romantic longing. She imagines how a lover praises his beloved using timeless poetic tropes like doe-like eyes and honeyed words, expressing the delightful conflict between playful resistance and surrender. In the latter stanzas, the song touches upon sleepless nights filled with sweet romantic reveries, moonlit desires, and the destiny that brought two souls together.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile/Metaphor)

Maan vizhi thaen mozhi kaadhali

Compares eyes to a gentle doe ('Maan vizhi') and speech to sweet honey ('Thaen mozhi').

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Valarpirai idhai kaanumbothu / Aruginil vara koorum bothu

Repetition of the rhythmic ending phrase 'bothu' across consecutive lines to create a melodic flow.

Metaphor

Kanirasa idazh thedum bothu

Refers to youthful, vibrant lips as 'Kanirasa idazh' (fruit-juice lips).

Antithesis / Playful Paradox

Anaithaal thaduppen / Koduthaal sirippen

Juxtaposes resisting an embrace with smiling upon receiving affection to capture coy female shyness (Naanam).

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. S. Vishwanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan, 'Malligai' highlights L. R. Eswari's distinct playful vocal style which became a signature benchmark for expressive romantic numbers in 1960s Tamil cinema.

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