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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Malligai Mottu

From Sakthivel · 1994

Lyricists
Not listed
Singers
Arun Mozhi, Swarnalatha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Sakthivel1994

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{ Malliga mottu manasa thottuThe jasmine bud touches the heart,
Izhukudhadi maanaeIt pulls me, my dear deer.
Valaiyal mettu vayasa thottuThe sound of bangles touches youth,
Valaikudhadi meenae } (2)It bends me, my dear fish.
Male
Mandhaara chedi orathilaeBeside the hibiscus plant,
Maman nadathura paadathulaeIn the lesson taught by the beloved,
Maanae marudhaani poosavaa ho oohOh deer, shall I apply henna?
Thaenae adaiyaalam podavaaOh honey, shall I leave a mark?
Female
Malliga mottu manasa thottuThe jasmine bud touches the heart,
Izhukudhaiyaa maanaeIt pulls me, my dear deer.
Valaiyal mettu vayasai thottuThe sound of bangles touches youth,
Valaikudhaiyaa meenaeIt bends me, my dear fish.
Female
……………………………....
Female
Moodi vechu moodi vechuKeeping it covered and hidden,
Maraichu vachadhellaamEverything that was kept secret,
Kaathadichu kaathadichuWhen the wind blew and blew,
Kalainju ponadhennaWhy did it all get scattered?
Male
Paadi vechu paadi vechuHaving sung and kept safe,
Padhuki vachadhellaamEverything that was kept concealed,
Kaadhalika kaadhalikaAs love blossomed more and more,
Velainju vandhadhennaWhy did it yield such a harvest?
Female
Unnaala thaan unnaala thaanOnly because of you, only because of you,
Udhirndhu pochu vetkamShyness has fallen away.
Male
Kannaala thaan kaiyaala thaanWith eyes and with hands,
Kalandhu kitaa sorgamMerging together is heaven.
Naan irundhen saami vaasalilaeI was standing at God's doorstep,
Maati kitten ippo vambinilaeNow I am caught up in playful trouble.
Male
Naanae marudhaani poosavaaa hooooShall I apply henna myself?
Neeyae adaiyaalam podavaaWill you leave the mark yourself?
Male
Malliga mottu manasa thottuThe jasmine bud touches the heart,
Izhukudhadi maanaeIt pulls me, my dear deer.
Valaiyal mettu vayasa thottuThe sound of bangles touches youth,
Valaikudhadi meenaeIt bends me, my dear fish.
Female
Mandhaara chedi orathilaeBeside the hibiscus plant,
Maman nadathura paadathulaeIn the lesson taught by the beloved,
Naanae marudhaani poosavaa ho oohShall I apply henna myself?
Neeyae adaiyaalam podavaaWill you leave the mark yourself?
Female
………………………………….....
Male
Poovarasam poovukullaInside the Portia flower,
Irupadhenna solluTell me what is hidden there?
Poo parikum maapilaikuFor the groom plucking flowers,
Pasikudhamma nilluHe feels hungry, wait!
Female
Pooveduthu thaeneduthuTaking flowers and collecting honey,
Edhuku ingae varanumWhy should one come here?
Paridhavichu pasichu ninnaaIf standing hungry and longing,
Pandhiyum potu tharanumA feast must be served for you.
Male
Aadiyaadi paadi vandhuDancing and singing as it comes,
Alaiyudhoru kuruviA sparrow wanders about.
Female
Keechu keechu pesudhaiyaaChirping sweet sounds,
Manasa konjam thuruviProbing gently into the heart.
Male
Pinju pinju viral konjudhadiTender tiny fingers caress gently,
Konji konji vandhu kenjudhadiEntreating lovingly with sweet talk.
Maanae marudhaani poosavaa ho oohOh deer, shall I apply henna?
Thaenae adaiyaalam podavaaOh honey, shall I leave a mark?
Female
Malliga mottu manasa thottuThe jasmine bud touches the heart,
Izhukudhaiyaa maanaeIt pulls me, my dear deer.
Valaiyal mettu vayasai thottuThe sound of bangles touches youth,
Valaikudhaiyaa meenaeIt bends me, my dear fish.
Male
Mandhaara chedi orathilaeBeside the hibiscus plant,
Maman nadathura paadathulaeIn the lesson taught by the beloved,
Female
Naanae marudhaani poosavaa ho oohShall I apply henna myself?
Neeyae adaiyaalam podavaaWill you leave the mark yourself?
Male
Malliga mottu manasa thottuThe jasmine bud touches the heart,
Izhukudhadi maanaeIt pulls me, my dear deer.
Female
Valaiyal mettu vayasai thottuThe sound of bangles touches youth,
Valaikudhaiyaa meenaeIt bends me, my dear fish.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic duet from the film 'Sakthivel' captures the playful, teasing affection between two lovers in a rural setting. Using vibrant folk imagery—such as jasmine buds, hibiscus bushes, sparrows, and henna—the song portrays the growing intimate bond and shared longing between the couple. The lyrics highlight how romance gradually dismantles their bashfulness, leading them into a joyful celebration of love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Moodi vechu moodi vechu

Words like 'Moodi vechu moodi vechu' and 'Kaathadichu kaathadichu' repeat adjacent to each other to intensify the emotional depth and rhythmic flow.

Metaphor (Uvamai / Endearment)

Izhukudhadi maanae

Addressing the beloved as 'Maanae' (deer), 'Meenae' (fish), and 'Thaenae' (honey) uses natural metaphors to convey warmth and beauty.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Malliga mottu manasa thottu

The initial letters 'Ma' match across 'Malliga' and 'manasa', creating melodic harmony.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Malliga mottu manasa thottu / Valaiyal mettu vayasa thottu

The second consonant sound 'll' / 'l' rhymes across 'Malliga' and 'Valaiyal'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Sakthivel' (1994), directed by K. S. Ravikumar and starring Selva and Kasthuri, features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, who crafted lush rural melodies characteristic of 1990s Tamil cinema.

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