Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Malligai Pandha Mangaiyum

From Thanga Mama 3D · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Thanga Mama 3D1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Malligai pandhaaIs it a Jasmine ball?
Mangaiyum vandhaThe young woman arrived
Mangaiyum vandhuThe young woman arrived and
Bodhaiyum thanthaGave an intoxicating feeling
Kolae kol konna kolAn exclamation of joy and rhythm
Aaledhu ennai polWho else is there like me?
Kolae kol konna kolAn exclamation of joy and rhythm
Aaledhu ennai polWho else is there like me?
Female
Malligai pandhaaIs it a Jasmine ball?
Mangaiyum vandhaThe young woman arrived
Mangaiyum vandhuThe young woman arrived and
Bodhaiyum thanthaGave an intoxicating feeling
Female
Kaalaatta kaiyatta kandaalaeJust seeing me move my hands and legs
Ellorum vaal aatta…thaalattaEveryone wags their tail and sings a lullaby
Paalattam thaenattamLike sweet milk, like rich honey
Ponnunnu kannunnu paarattaPraising me as precious gold and as the apple of their eye
SeerattaaTo pamper and adore
Female
Aalaagi naal aachu aathaadiOh my, it has been days since I came of age
Koothaadum kaathaadi naanI am a kite fluttering and dancing in the wind
Maamavae nee dhaanae en jodiUncle, aren't you my perfect match?
Mainaavum un jodi thaanThis Myna bird is indeed your mate
Female
Aasai vaikka naan irukkaI am here to place my desire
Poosai veikka nee irukka va maamaYou are here to offer your worship, come uncle
Female
Malligai pandhaaIs it a Jasmine ball?
Mangaiyum vandhaThe young woman arrived
Mangaiyum vandhuThe young woman arrived and
Bodhaiyum thanthaGave an intoxicating feeling
Female
………………………………[Instrumental Music]
Female
Paneerai thottaalumEven when touching cool rose water
Venneeru pol aachuIt feels like boiling water
Yen maama…. nee solluWhy is that, uncle? You tell me
Poo methai pottaalumEven when laying on a bed of flowers
Polladha mullaachuIt feels like sharp, wicked thorns
Yen maama nee solluWhy is that, uncle? You tell me
Female
Achaaram veikkadha machaanaiFor the cousin who hasn't made a formal pledge
Thedaatho mundhaanai thaanWon't the woman's veil go searching for him?
Kannaalam kattadha pon maanaiThe golden deer who isn't married yet
Kandaalum sandhosam thaanJust catching a sight of her brings pure joy
Female
Pooparikka kaathirukkaWaiting to pick flowers together
Nee izhukka thaer irukka vaa maamaThere is a grand chariot for you to pull, come uncle
Female
Malligai pandhaaIs it a Jasmine ball?
Mangaiyum vandhaThe young woman arrived
Mangaiyum vandhuThe young woman arrived and
Bodhaiyum thanthaGave an intoxicating feeling
Kolae kol konna kolAn exclamation of joy and rhythm
Aaledhu ennai polWho else is there like me?
Kolae kol konna kolAn exclamation of joyand rhythm
Aaledhu ennai polWho else is there like me?
Female
Malligai pandhaaIs it a Jasmine ball?
Mangaiyum vandhaThe young woman arrived
Mangaiyum vandhuThe young woman arrived and
Bodhaiyum thanthaGave an intoxicating feeling

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song expresses the playful, romantic longing and exuberance of a young woman who has come of age. She compares her youth and charm to jasmine flowers, milk, and honey, expressing her affection for her maternal uncle (a traditional romantic trope in Tamil culture). She playfully teases him about her restless state, where even cool rose water feels hot and flower beds feel like thorns due to the agony of love and longing. Throughout the track, she calls upon her uncle to claim his place as her bridegroom, likening their union to pulling a festive temple chariot. The lyrics reflect festive joy, sensual anticipation, and traditional romantic imagery written in Lyricist Vaali's signature accessible and rhythmic style.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhukai (Second letter rhyme)

Mangaiyum vandhu / Bodhaiyum thantha

Repetition of the second consonant 'n' in 'Mangaiyum' and 'Bodhaiyum' creates rhyming harmony.

Uvamai (Simile)

Paneerai thottaalum / Venneeru pol aachu

Comparing the feeling of cool rose water to boiling hot water ('Venneeru pol') to highlight the heat of romantic longing.

Uvamai (Simile)

Koothaadum kaathaadi naan

Comparing herself to a carefree, dancing kite ('Koothaadum kaathaadi') in the wind.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Paalattam thaenattam

Rhyming ending words 'Paalattam' and 'Thaenattam' to create a musical cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Thanga Mama 3D' (1985) was one of the early Tamil films produced in stereoscopic 3D during the 1980s 3D cinema craze in South India following the massive success of 'My Dear Kuttichathan'.

Keep listening

More from Thanga Mama 3D