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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Malligai Poo Kattilile

From Enna Petha Raasa · 1989

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Enna Petha Raasa1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
SollavaaShall I tell?
Kadhaiyaa sollavaaShall I tell it as a story?
Paattaa sollavaaShall I tell it as a song?
Female
Malliya poo kattililaeOn the bed strewn with jasmine flowers,
Em mannavanum pakkaththilaeWith my king right by my side,
Female
Malliya poo kattililaeOn the bed strewn with jasmine flowers,
Em mannavanum pakkaththilaeWith my king right by my side,
Medhuvaaga vanthu anaichchaanHe came softly and embraced me,
Enna medhuvaaga vanthu anaichchaanHe came softly and embraced me,
Avan vantha kadhai solli mudichchaanHe completed his story as he came,
Avan vantha kadhai solli mudichchaanHe completed his story as he came.
Female
Malliya poo kattililaeOn the bed strewn with jasmine flowers,
Em mannavanum pakkaththilaeWith my king right by my side,
Female
Poovoda kaaththum paattoda paattumThe gentle breeze with flowers, song blending with song,
Onnaaga kalanthathu un neramthaanIt was your destined time when everything merged into one,
Ennoda manasellaam boopaalamthaanMy whole mind felt like the morning raga Boopaalam.
Female
Onnudamba killi kadhai solli polamba vechchaanHe pinched my body playfully, told stories, and made me murmur in ecstasy,
Kattililae thalli kayil alli keranga vechchaanPushing me onto the bed, gathering me in his arms, he dazzled me.
Thaerodu thaeru pola thegam rendu enanjuthuLike two grand temple chariots uniting, our two bodies merged,
Themmaangu kaaththukoodaAlong with the sweet rustic breeze.
Female
Malliya poo kattililaeOn the bed strewn with jasmine flowers,
Em mannavanum pakkaththilaeWith my king right by my side,
Medhuvaaga vanthu anaichchaanHe came softly and embraced me,
Avan vantha kadhai solli mudichchaanHe completed his story as he came,
Avan vantha kadhai solli mudichchaanHe completed his story as he came.
Female
Malliya poo kattililaeOn the bed strewn with jasmine flowers,
Em mannavanum pakkaththilaeWith my king right by my side,
Female
Ponnaana naanum thindaadi ponaenGolden as I am, I became overwhelmed,
Mottaana arumbu naan poovaaginaenFrom a tiny bud, I blossomed into a full flower,
Poovoda oorura thaenaaginaenI became the sweet honey oozing inside the flower.
Female
Kattilukku mela pattu sela kalainjuthadiUpon the bed, my silk saree slipped away, oh friend,
Kondaiyila naanum vachcha poovum tholainjathadiThe jasmine flower in my hair bun got lost, oh friend.
En maeni medaiyaakki adhula naalum naadagamMaking my body a stage, a theatrical play unfolded on it every day,
Ennaannu naanum sollaWhat else can I say?
Maranthu pochchu aayiram aa…aa….aah….I forgot a thousand thoughts... ah... ah... ah...
Female
Malliya poo kattililaeOn the bed strewn with jasmine flowers,
Em mannavanum pakkaththilaeWith my king right by my side,
Medhuvaaga vanthu anaichchaanHe came softly and embraced me,
Avan vantha kadhai solli mudichchaanHe completed his story as he came,
Avan vantha kadhai solli mudichchaanHe completed his story as he came.
Female
Malliya poo kattililaeOn the bed strewn with jasmine flowers,
Em mannavanum pakkaththilae….With my king right by my side...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This sensual and evocative song depicts a newlywed or deeply romantic woman sharing her intimate marital experiences with her female friend (sakhi). She playfully asks whether she should describe her romantic night through a story or a song, setting a poetic and narrative tone for her recollection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagandhal)

Mottaana arumbu naan poovaaginaen

The heroine compares her blooming womanhood to a bud turning into a flower ('Mottaana arumbu naan poovaaginaen') and her body to a theatrical stage ('En maeni medaiyaakki').

Simile (Uvamai)

Thaerodu thaeru pola thegam rendu enanjuthu

The union of their two bodies is vividly compared to the grand alignment of two temple chariots coming together ('Thaerodu thaeru pola thegam rendu enanjuthu').

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Poovoda kaaththum paattoda paattum

Repetition of initial consonant/vowel sounds across words, such as 'Poovoda' and 'Paattoda', creating rhythmic harmony.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Mottaana arumbu naan poovaaginaen

Matching second consonants across successive lines, as seen in 'Mottaana' and 'Kattilukku'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali, the song featured in 'Enna Petha Raasa' (1989) starring Ramarajan and Gautami. It is celebrated as one of the iconic romantic folk-classical fusion tracks rendered by S. Janaki.

Keep listening

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