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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Malligai Poocharam

From Paritchaikku Neramachu · 1982

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
P. Susheela, Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Paritchaikku Neramachu1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Malligai poo charam manjalin moganamA garland of jasmine flowers and the charm of turmeric,
Minnida vaadi maattu pen neeyaagaCome girl, shining bright, to become our daughter-in-law,
Engal veettu pen neeyaagaTo become a daughter of our home.
Female
Malligai poo charam manjalin moganamA garland of jasmine flowers and the charm of turmeric,
Minnida vaadi maattu pen neeyaagaCome girl, shining bright, to become our daughter-in-law,
Engal veettu pen neeyaagaTo become a daughter of our home.
Female
Maattu pen aavaenoWill I become a daughter-in-law?
Ungal veettu pen aavaenoWill I become a daughter of your home?
Maattu pen aavaenoWill I become a daughter-in-law?
Ungal veettu pen aavaenoWill I become a daughter of your home?
Female
Kulam vaazha thaan vaazhumA mother's wish lives solely
Thaayin ennam thannaiFor her family's lineage to thrive;
Iraivan thaan niraivettra koodaathoCan God not fulfill that wish?
Idhu pondra thaai veettil maattu pennaai varaTo come as a daughter-in-law into a maternal home like this,
Naan seitha thavamellaam pothaathoIs all the penance I performed not enough?
Naan seitha thavamellaam pothaathoIs all the penance I performed not enough?
Female
Adi podi unai polaeOh come on girl, there is no girl like you
Puvi meethu pennae illaiOn this entire earth,
En pillai kalyaanam kondaadaTo celebrate my son's marriage!
Adi podi unai polaeOh come on girl, there is no girl like you
Puvi meethu pennae illaiOn this entire earth,
En pillai kalyaanam kondaadaTo celebrate my son's marriage!
Vaazhththinaal pothumoIs it enough if you just bless me?
Edhuvum palikkum intha annai sonnaalaeAnything will come true if this mother says it!
Female
Malligai poo charam manjalin moganamA garland of jasmine flowers and the charm of turmeric,
Minnida vaadi maattu pen neeyaagaCome girl, shining bright, to become our daughter-in-law,
Engal veettu pen neeyaagaTo become a daughter of our home.
Female
Maattu pen neethaandiYou are indeed the daughter-in-law!
Engal veettu pen neethaandiYou are indeed the daughter of our home!
Female
Thalai vaazhai ilaiyaada vaazhai panthalittuSetting up a banana leaf canopy with plantain leaves fluttering,
Maakkolam pookkolam naan podaAs I draw floor kolam patterns with flour and flowers,
Nilam paarththu nee vanthu naanam ponga pongaAs you come looking down at the ground, brimming with shyness,
Manavaalan kai saerththu utkaaraTo sit holding hands with your groom,
Manavaalan kai saerththu utkaaraTo sit holding hands with your groom!
Female
Ninaiththaalum nadakkaathu oor paarththa unmaiyithuEven if we wish, it won't happen; this is a truth known to the world:
Yaar yaarukku maappillai yaar yaaroWho is the groom for whom? Who knows?
Ninaiththaalum nadakkaathu oor paarththa unmaiyithuEven if we wish, it won't happen; this is a truth known to the world:
Yaar yaarukku maappillai yaar yaaroWho is the groom for whom? Who knows?
Female
Yaenadi intha yaekkamoWhy this longing, my dear girl?
Female :Enakkul irukkum intha accham pogaathuFemale: This fear inside me will not go away.
Female
Malligai poo charam manjalin moganamA garland of jasmine flowers and the charm of turmeric,
Minnida naanoru maattu pen aavaenoShining bright, will I become a daughter-in-law?
Ungal veettu pen aavaenoWill I become a daughter of your home?
Female
Malligai poo charam manjalin moganamA garland of jasmine flowers and the charm of turmeric,
Minnida vaadi en maattu pen neethaandiCome girl, shining bright, you are indeed my daughter-in-law,
Engal veettu pen neethaandiYou are indeed the daughter of our home!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic Tamil track is a tender, conversational duet between an affectionate mother figure and a prospective bride. The song captures traditional South Indian wedding preparations, symbols of auspiciousness (jasmine flowers, turmeric, banana canopy, kolam art), and the warmth with which a mother welcomes a young woman not merely as a daughter-in-law (Maattu pen), but as a daughter of her own household (Engal veettu pen). The narrative reflects a interplay between human hope, maternal blessings, and fate. While the young woman expresses hesitation and wonders who destiny has chosen as her groom, the elder mother reassures her with maternal faith, stating that genuine blessings from a mother carry divine power to shape reality.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Malligai poo charam manjalin moganam / Minnida vaadi maattu pen neeyaaga

Matching second consonants in adjacent lines creating melodic flow, such as 'Malligai' and 'Minnida'.

Moona (Initial Consonant Alliteration)

Maakkolam pookkolam naan poda

Repetition of the 'M' sound in 'Maakkolam pookkolam' to add lyrical rhythm.

Rhetorical Question

Yaar yaarukku maappillai yaar yaaro

Philosophical questioning of divine fate regarding marriage and relationships.

Metaphor

Engal veettu pen neeyaaga

Equating a daughter-in-law directly to a biological daughter of the family to emphasize love and integration.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the 1982 film 'Paritchaikku Neramachu' directed by Muktha Srinivasan, starring Sivaji Ganesan and Sujatha. The soundtrack composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Vaali showcases a rare, iconic female duet pairing legendary playback singers P. Susheela and Vani Jairam.

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