Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mallipoo

From Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu · 2022

Lyricist
Thamarai
Singers
A. R. Rahman, Madhushree
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu2022

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Tring tring… (2)Tring tring…
Female
Hey mallipoo vachu vachu vadudhaeHey, the jasmine flowers I adorn myself with keep wilting.
Andha vellinila vandhu vandhu thedudhaeThat silver moon keeps coming to search for you.
Female
Machan epo vara poraDarling, when are you going to return?
Machan epo vara poraDarling, when are you going to return?
Pathuthala paamba vandhuLike a ten-headed snake,
Muthamm thara poraAre you coming to shower kisses?
Female
Naan othaiyila thathalichaenI was struggling all alone.
Dhinam sopanathil mattundhaanOnly in my daily dreams,
Unna naa sandhichaenDid I get to meet you.
Female
Hey epo vara poraHey, when are you coming?
Machan epo vara poraDarling, when are you going to return?
Pathumada paayilOn a ten-fold woven mat,
Vandhu sokki vilaporaAre you coming to fall into a deep trance?
Female
Vaasala paarkiren kolatha kaanomI look at the doorway, but I see no decorative kolam.
Vaaliya saendhuren thanniyai kaanomI lower the bucket, but there is no water in the well.
Soli thedi pone kaaanadha dhooramYou went in search of work to a distant, unseen land.
Kottikaari nenjil thaalaadha baramA heavy unbearable load rests in this stubborn girl's heart.
Kathirundhu kathirundhu kannu poothidumWaiting and waiting, my eyes grow weary.
Eeramaagum kannoram kappal aadumIn the moisture at the edge of my eyes, ships could sail.
Chorus
Ching ching chingu chikka…(2)Ching ching chingu chikka…
Female :Hey mallipoo vachu vachu vadudhaeFemale: Hey, the jasmine flowers I adorn myself with keep wilting.
Andha vellinila vandhu vandhu thedudhaeThat silver moon keeps coming to search for you.
Female
Machan epo vara poraDarling, when are you going to return?
Machan epo vara poraDarling, when are you going to return?
Machan epo vara poraDarling, when are you going to return?
Chorus :Pathuthala paamba paamba paambaaaChorus: Like a ten-headed snake, snake, snake...
Mutham thara pora pora poraaaaaComing to give kisses, kisses, kisses...
Pathuthala pamba oyeOh ten-headed snake!
Muthamthara pora machanComing to kiss, my darling.
Hey machan machan machanHey darling, darling, darling!
Machan epopoga poreDarling, when are you going to leave?
Machan epopoga poreDarling, when are you going to leave?
Machan epo epoDarling, when, when?
Machan epopoga poreDarling, when are you going to leave?
Female
Dhoorama ponadhuGoing far away,
Dhukkama maarumTurns into deep sorrow.
Pakkama valvadhaeLiving close to each other,
Podhumunnu thonumFeels like more than enough.
Oradangum neram oru asai nerumWhen the neighborhood quiets down, a yearning arises.
Kozhi koovum bothum thoongama vegumEven when the rooster crows, I lie awake, tossing and turning.
Female
Anga neeyum ingu naanumYou over there and me over here,
Enna valkaiyoWhat kind of life is this?
Podhum podhum sollamal vandhuserumEnough of this, come back without saying a word.
Female
Hey mallipoo vachu vachu vadudhaeHey, the jasmine flowers I adorn myself with keep wilting.
Andha vellinila vandhu vandhu thedudhaeThat silver moon keeps coming to search for you.
Female
Machan epo vara poraDarling, when are you going to return?
Machan epo vara poraDarling, when are you going to return?
Utharatha pathae naanun vikki vida porenStaring continuously at the ceiling, I am about to hiccup.
Female
Ada ethana naal yekkam idhuAh, how many days of yearning is this?
Perum moochila thanikodi aaduthaeIn my deep sighs, a solitary flag sways,
Thuni kaayudhaeWhile the clothes dry.
Female
Kalla kaadhal pola naan mella pesa nerumI am forced to speak softly like in a secret, forbidden romance.
Satham kitham ketta poiyaaga thoonga venumIf any noise is heard, I have to fake being asleep.
Machan epo vara poraDarling, when are you going to return?
Machan epo vara poraDarling, when are you going to return?
Sollikaama vandhu enna sokka vida poraCome unannounced and spellbind me in your love.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Mallipoo is a poignant and soul-stirring song expressing the deep longing, loneliness, and emotional ache of a woman separated from her husband or lover who has migrated far away for work. Through vivid rural imagery and everyday routines—such as wilting jasmine flowers, drying clothes, drawing water from a well, and staring at the ceiling—lyricist Thamarai captures the painful passage of time and the quiet suffering of long-distance love. Musically composed by A. R. Rahman and sung by Madhushree, the track balances a gentle, rhythmic folk melody with intense tender yearning. The protagonist laments the emptiness of her days and nights, longing for her partner's unannounced return so they can bridge the physical distance that strains their relationship.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Hey mallipoo vachu vachu vadudhae

Repetition of words like 'vachu vachu' and 'vandhu vandhu' emphasizes the repetitive, endless cycle of waiting and the passage of time.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)

Eeramaagum kannoram kappal aadum

Exaggeration where teary eyes are described as deep enough for a ship to sail, emphasizing profound sorrow.

Ethirai (Contrast)

Anga neeyum ingu naanum

Contrasts the physical locations of 'anga' (there) and 'ingu' (here) to highlight geographical separation.

Uvamai (Simile)

Kalla kaadhal pola naan mella pesa nerum

Compares late-night phone conversations to a secretive or illicit affair due to the need for quietness.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Mallipoo' became a massive viral hit upon release. In the film 'Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu', directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, the song sequence was executed in a single continuous tracking shot inside a Mumbai migrant worker camp, showcasing Silambarasan TR and fellow workers dancing in joy and nostalgia. Singer Madhushree's unique vocal texture added an authentic, innocent touch that resonated strongly with audiences.

Keep listening

More from Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu