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Lyrics & meaning

Malligai Maalai Katti

From Pudhiya Raagam · 1991

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Pudhiya Raagam1991

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
Hoo ooo ooo oooHoo ooo ooo ooo
Hoo ooo hoo oooHoo ooo hoo ooo
Hoo oo hooo ooo ooo oooHoo oo hooo ooo ooo ooo
Male
Malligai maalai kattiTying a garland of jasmine flowers,
Mangala melam kottiBeating the auspicious wedding drums,
Kattiya thaalikkillaiYet the sacred wedding thread tied
Thani mariyaadhaiHas no special respect.
Pattadhum podhum ammaaEnough of what has been endured, oh mother,
Thottadhae paavam ammaaEven touching it feels like a sin, oh mother,
Pennukku thaevai ingaeWhat a woman needs here
Suya mariyaadhaiIs self-respect.
Male
Yen nenjil poraattamThere is a struggle in my heart,
Yen kannil neerottamThere is a flow of tears in my eyes,
Nee paadum poonthottam…mmmA flower garden where you sing... mmm
Male
Malligai maalai kattiTying a garland of jasmine flowers,
Mangala melam kottiBeating the auspicious wedding drums,
Kattiya thaalikkillaiYet the sacred wedding thread tied
Thani mariyaadhaiHas no special respect.
Male
{Kutrangal karpikka thaanoWas it only to fabricate false accusations
Kondavan kondu vandhaanoThat the husband brought her along?
Uppu kallai vairam endruBelieving a lump of rock salt to be a diamond,
Nambi nadandha paavam} (2)The sin of trusting and walking along.
Male
Manjal thaali poo vilangaaIs the yellow sacred thread a flower shackle?
Kaalil potta pon vilangaaOr a golden shackle placed on the feet?
Male
Pollaadha kanavanA cruel husband,
Porundhaadha oruvanAn incompatible man,
Pizhai seidhaan iraivan ho…God has made a grave mistake, oh...
Male
Malligai maalai kattiTying a garland of jasmine flowers,
Mangala melam kottiBeating the auspicious wedding drums,
Kattiya thaalikkillaiYet the sacred wedding thread tied
Thani mariyaadhaiHas no special respect.
Pattadhum podhum ammaaEnough of what has been endured, oh mother,
Thottadhae paavam ammaaEven touching it feels like a sin, oh mother,
Pennukku thaevai ingaeWhat a woman needs here
Suya mariyaadhaiIs self-respect.
Male
{Naayagan vaazhgira veeduThe house where the husband lives
Nangaikku ingoru kaaduIs a dense forest for this young woman.
Illaram thaan nallaramaaiDomestic life into a virtuous one
Dheivam ninaithaal maarum} (2)Will change if God wills it.
Male
Vaadai kaalam sendridalaamThe chilly winter season may pass,
Vaenir kaalam vandhidalaamThe warm summer season may arrive,
Solai thendral paadidalaamThe grove breeze may sing,
Sogam neengi aadidalaamSorrow may vanish, and one may dance.
Male
Nee paada koodumYou may sing
Or pudhiya raagamA new melody,
Or pudhiya raagam ho…A new melody, oh...
Male
Malligai maalai kattiTying a garland of jasmine flowers,
Mangala melam kottiBeating the auspicious wedding drums,
Kattiya thaalikkillaiYet the sacred wedding thread tied
Thani mariyaadhaiHas no special respect.
Pattadhum podhum ammaaEnough of what has been endured, oh mother,
Thottadhae paavam ammaaEven touching it feels like a sin, oh mother,
Pennukku thaevai ingaeWhat a woman needs here
Suya mariyaadhaiIs self-respect.
Male
Yen nenjil poraattamThere is a struggle in my heart,
Yen kannil neerottamThere is a flow of tears in my eyes,
Nee paadum poonthottamA flower garden where you sing,
Male
Malligai maalai kattiTying a garland of jasmine flowers,
Mangala melam kottiBeating the auspicious wedding drums,
Kattiya thaalikkillaiYet the sacred wedding thread tied
Thani mariyaadhaiHas no special respect.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This emotional song addresses the plight of a woman trapped in an unhappy and abusive marriage, highlighting the conflict between societal expectations and individual dignity. Vaali's lyrics emphasize that traditional symbols of marriage—such as the jasmine garland, wedding drums, and the sacred knot ('thaali')—are meaningless without mutual respect, asserting that what a woman truly needs in society is self-respect ('suya mariyaadhai'). The narrative laments mistaking a deceitful husband for a noble partner and describes the home as a suffocating forest rather than a sanctuary. Despite the deep sorrow and tearful struggle, the song maintains a ray of hope for liberation and healing. It envisions a seasonal change where winter's chill gives way to warm breezes, symbolizing the end of suffering and the birth of a 'Pudhiya Raagam' (a new melody/chapter) filled with joy and self-worth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Malligai maalai katti / Mangala melam kotti”

Matching of the second consonant in consecutive lines, such as 'Malligai' and 'Mangala', creating a musical rhythm.

Metaphor (Urvagam)

“Uppu kallai vairam endru Nambi nadandha paavam”

Comparing rock salt to a diamond ('Uppu kallai vairam endru') to symbolize mistaking a worthless, cruel person for someone precious.

Metaphor (Urvagam)

“Manjal thaali poo vilangaa Kaalil potta pon vilangaa”

Describing the sacred marital thread ('thaali') as golden shackles ('pon vilangaa') restricting a woman's freedom.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Vaadai kaalam sendridalaam / Vaenir kaalam vandhidalaam”

Rhyming endings across consecutive lines ('sendridalaam', 'vandidalaam', 'paadidalaam', 'aadidalaam').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song title aligns with the movie title 'Pudhiya Raagam' (1991), starring Rahman and Gautami. The lyrics penned by Vaali strongly mirror the Dravidian social reform movement's emphasis on female self-respect ('Suya Mariyaadhai') over dogmatic marital traditions.

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