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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Malligaiye Malligaiye

From Mappillai Sir · 1988

Lyricist
Idhaya Chandran
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Mappillai Sir
Movie release year
1988
Lyrics added on
3 May 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Malligaiyae malligaiyae
Mottu vitta malligaiyae
Malligaiyae malligaiyae
Mottu vitta malligaiyae
Enthan cholaivanam
Naalai paalaivanam
Enthan cholaivanam
Naalai paalaivanam
Malligaiyae malligaiyae
Mottu vitta malligaiyae
Kanmanaiyae un varavaal
Mannil sorkkamum vanthidalaam
Bharatha thaai aasaiudan
Thannai unnaidam thanthidalaam
Makkal unnai pottridalaam
Vaanum un pugazh paadidalaam
Naalae unnai nampidalaam
Naalai un kodi yaeridalaam
Vennilavae kelu niyaayangalai kooru
Malligaiyae malligaiyae
Mottu vitta malligaiyae
Enthan cholaivanam
Naalai paalaivanam
Malligaiyae malligaiyae
Mottu vitta malligaiyae
Kattililae alli thanthaal
Thottil vanthathum thalli nindraal
Karppam enum vaasalaiyae
Yaeno thaai aval pootti vaiththaal
Thanthai nenjin karpanaigal
Ellaam pagalin soppanangal
Enthan thevai un varavu
Naalai theriyum un mudivu
Vennilavae kelu niyaayangalai kooru
Malligaiyae malligaiyae
Mottu vitta malligaiyae
Enthan cholaivanam
Naalai paalaivanam
Malligaiyae malligaiyae
Mottu vitta malligaiyae…..
O jasmine, O jasmine,
O budding jasmine,
O jasmine, O jasmine,
O budding jasmine,
My lush garden...
...might turn into a desert tomorrow.
My lush garden...
...might turn into a desert tomorrow.
O jasmine, O jasmine,
O budding jasmine,
My precious child, with your arrival,
heaven itself could come down to earth.
Mother India, with loving hope,
might place herself in your hands.
The people may praise you,
and even the sky may sing your glory.
The whole nation may place its faith in you,
and tomorrow, your flag may fly high.
Listen, white moon, and speak what is just!
O jasmine, O jasmine,
O budding jasmine,
My lush garden...
...might turn into a desert tomorrow.
O jasmine, O jasmine,
O budding jasmine,
On our bed, she gave her love freely,
yet when the cradle came, she pulled away.
The doorway to bearing life,
why did that mother lock it shut?
All the dreams in a father's heart
have only become daydreams.
All I long for is your arrival,
and tomorrow will reveal your fate.
Listen, white moon, and speak what is just!
O jasmine, O jasmine,
O budding jasmine,
My lush garden...
...might turn into a desert tomorrow.
O jasmine, O jasmine,
O budding jasmine...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant song uses the tender image of a budding jasmine flower to express deep personal distress and familial emotional turmoil. The narrator fears that their vibrant, blossoming life ('cholaivanam') is at risk of turning into an empty desert ('paalaivanam'). The verses lament maternal withdrawal, broken domestic bliss, and unfulfilled parental dreams that feel like daydreams. In yearning for a loved one's presence, the singer calls upon the moon to act as a witness and pronounce justice over the tragic turn of events.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Uvameyam)

“Enthan cholaivanam / Naalai paalaivanam”

Life's happiness is compared to a lush garden ('cholaivanam') and upcoming sorrow to a barren desert ('paalaivanam').

Personification

“Vennilavae kelu niyaayangalai kooru”

Addressing the moon ('Vennilavae') directly as a living judge capable of listening and rendering justice.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“vanthidalaam / thanthidalaam / pottridalaam / paadidalaam”

Sequential lines ending with the suffix '-idalaam' create a rhythmic, melodic harmony.

Anaphora / Repetition

“Malligaiyae malligaiyae”

Repetition of the refrain 'Malligaiyae malligaiyae' emphasizes emotional intensity and affection.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the 1988 Tamil film 'Mappillai Sir', this emotional melodrama track features lyrics penned by Idhaya Chandran, contrasting soft floral imagery with deep melancholic themes.

Keep listening

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Naan Thandhanathaan1987
Enga Chinna RasaMelancholicSeparation
Oda Thanni Uppu Thanni1988
Sigappu ThaliGriefLonging
Chinna Kannane Naan1972
Thaaikku Oru PillaiMemoryFamily
Sonnathu Neethana1962
Nenjil Or AalayamLongingMelancholic

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