Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Malligaiye Malligaiye

From Periya Veetu Pannakkaran · 1990

Lyricist
Na. Kamarasan
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Periya Veetu Pannakkaran1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Female
Malligaiyae malligaiyae thoodhaaga poOh jasmine flower, go as a messenger!
Thulli varum thendralaiyae nee saerthu poOh bouncing breeze, join along and go!
Noi kondu naan siru noolaaginaenSick with love, I have thinned down like a thread.
Thaeiyaamalae pirai pol aagirenWithout even waning, I have become like a crescent moon.
Thaangaadhu in thaangaadhuI cannot bear it, oh I cannot bear it!
Female
Malligaiyae malligaiyae thoodhaaga poOh jasmine flower, go as a messenger!
Thulli varum thendralaiyae nee saerthu poOh bouncing breeze, join along and go!
Male
Chandhiranum suttadhu ingaeEven the moon feels burning hot here.
Sandhanamum ponadhu engaeWhere has the soothing sandalwood gone?
Chandhiranum suttadhu ingaeEven the moon feels burning hot here.
Sandhanamum ponadhu engaeWhere has the soothing sandalwood gone?
Othaiyilae nikkiren kannaeI am standing all alone, my dear.
Nithiraiyum kettadhu pennaeMy sleep has also been ruined, my girl.
Othaiyilae nikkiren kannaeI am standing all alone, my dear.
Nithiraiyum kettadhu pennaeMy sleep has also been ruined, my girl.
Female
Mani kuyil paadumWill you come upon hearing the singing
Kural kaettu varuvaayaaVoice of the precious cuckoo bird?
Thanimaiyil vandhuIf I come in solitude
Ondru kaettaal tharuvaayaaAnd ask for one thing, will you grant it?
Male
Meendum meendum neeAgain and again, you
Adhai kaettu paarammaaTry asking for it and see, my dear.
Male
Malligaiyae malligaiyae thoodhaaga poOh jasmine flower, go as a messenger!
Thulli varum thendralaiyae nee saerthu poOh bouncing breeze, join along and go!
Noi kondu naan siru noolaaginaenSick with love, I have thinned down like a thread.
Thaeiyaamalae pirai pol aagirenWithout even waning, I have become like a crescent moon.
Thaangaadhu in thaangaadhuI cannot bear it, oh I cannot bear it!
Male
Malligaiyae malligaiyae thoodhaaga poOh jasmine flower, go as a messenger!
Thulli varum thendralaiyae nee saerthu poOh bouncing breeze, join along and go!
Chorus
Thanathandha thanathandhaThanathandha thanathandha...
Thanathandha thanathandha thaanaanaaThanathandha thanathandha thaanaanaa...
Thanathandha thanathandhaThanathandha thanathandha...
Thanathandha thanathandha naanaanaaThanathandha thanathandha naanaanaa...
Female
En manasu ennidam illaiMy heart is no longer with me.
Raathiriyil ethanai thollaiOh, how many troubles come in the night!
En manasu ennidam illaiMy heart is no longer with me.
Raathiriyil ethanai thollaiOh, how many troubles come in the night!
Senbagamum malligai mottumThe champak flowers and jasmine buds
Vandhu vandhu vaattudhu ennaiKeep coming repeatedly to torment me.
Senbagamum malligai mottumThe champak flowers and jasmine buds
Vandhu vandhu vaattudhu ennaiKeep coming repeatedly to torment me.
Male
Kanavugal polae kannil neeyaeLike dreams, when you
Varum naeramAppear before my eyes,
Manadhinil paalum inba thaenumInside my heart, milk and sweet honey
KalandhodumFlow together.
Female
Aadi paada thaanTo dance and sing,
Varum aasai thaerum neeYou are the arriving chariot of my desires.
Female
Malligaiyae malligaiyae thoodhaaga poOh jasmine flower, go as a messenger!
Male :Thulli varum thendralaiyae nee saerthu poMale: Oh bouncing breeze, join along and go!
Female :Noi kondu naan siru noolaaginaenFemale: Sick with love, I have thinned down like a thread.
Thaeiyaamalae pirai pol aagirenWithout even waning, I have become like a crescent moon.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic duet expresses the deep longing, separation pain, and affectionate desire between two lovers. The protagonist implores nature—specifically the jasmine flower and the gentle breeze—to act as messengers (Thoodhu) carrying feelings to the beloved. Love-sickness has worn the lover down physically and emotionally, making usually comforting elements like cool moonlight and sandalwood feel agonizingly hot.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Thoodhu (Messenger motif)

Malligaiyae malligaiyae thoodhaaga po

A traditional Sangam poetic trope where natural elements like breeze or flowers are addressed to deliver messages to a distant lover.

Uvamaani (Simile)

Noi kondu naan siru noolaaginaen

Comparing the physical wasting away due to love-sickness to a thin thread (siru nool) and a crescent moon (pirai).

Monnai (Initial Alliteration)

Chandhiranum suttadhu ingae / Sandhanamum ponadhu engae

Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('Ch' in Chandhiranum / Sandhanamum) creating a rhythmic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed with unknown credits in some song books, the music for 'Periya Veetu Pannakkaran' (1990) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by Na. Kamarajan. The track showcases classic 90s orchestration blending folk acoustic touches with lush string arrangements.

Keep listening

More from Periya Veetu Pannakkaran