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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Malligaiye Malligaiye

From Mappillai Sir · 1988

Lyricist
Idhaya Chandran
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Mappillai Sir1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Malligaiyae malligaiyaeJasmine, O Jasmine
Mottu vitta malligaiyaeO Jasmine that has sprouted buds
Malligaiyae malligaiyaeJasmine, O Jasmine
Mottu vitta malligaiyaeO Jasmine that has sprouted buds
Male
Enthan cholaivanamMy garden of lush greenery
Naalai paalaivanamWill become a desert tomorrow
Enthan cholaivanamMy garden of lush greenery
Naalai paalaivanamWill become a desert tomorrow
Male
Malligaiyae malligaiyaeJasmine, O Jasmine
Mottu vitta malligaiyaeO Jasmine that has sprouted buds
Male
Kanmanaiyae un varavaalO my dear, with your arrival
Mannil sorkkamum vanthidalaamHeaven itself may descend onto earth
Bharatha thaai aasaiudanMother India with fond affection
Thannai unnaidam thanthidalaamMay entrust herself to you
Male
Makkal unnai pottridalaamThe people may praise you
Vaanum un pugazh paadidalaamEven the sky may sing your glory
Naalae unnai nampidalaamTime itself may trust in you
Naalai un kodi yaeridalaamTomorrow your flag may fly high
Vennilavae kelu niyaayangalai kooruO white moon, listen and state what is fair
Male
Malligaiyae malligaiyaeJasmine, O Jasmine
Mottu vitta malligaiyaeO Jasmine that has sprouted buds
Male
Enthan cholaivanamMy garden of lush greenery
Naalai paalaivanamWill become a desert tomorrow
Male
Malligaiyae malligaiyaeJasmine, O Jasmine
Mottu vitta malligaiyaeO Jasmine that has sprouted buds
Male
Kattililae alli thanthaalShe showered affection in the bed
Thottil vanthathum thalli nindraalYet stood away once the cradle arrived
Karppam enum vaasalaiyaeThe doorway called pregnancy
Yaeno thaai aval pootti vaiththaalWhy did the mother lock it close?
Male
Thanthai nenjin karpanaigalThe dreams in a father's heart
Ellaam pagalin soppanangalHave all turned into mere daydreams
Enthan thevai un varavuMy true need is your arrival
Naalai theriyum un mudivuTomorrow your resolution will be known
Vennilavae kelu niyaayangalai kooruO white moon, listen and state what is fair
Male
Malligaiyae malligaiyaeJasmine, O Jasmine
Mottu vitta malligaiyaeO Jasmine that has sprouted buds
Male
Enthan cholaivanamMy garden of lush greenery
Naalai paalaivanamWill become a desert tomorrow
Male
Malligaiyae malligaiyaeJasmine, O Jasmine
Mottu vitta malligaiyae…..O Jasmine that has sprouted buds...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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