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Lyrics & meaning

Malliya Poova Thalaiyil Vachchi

From Nadamadum Silagal · 1982

Lyricist
K. M. Krishnan
Singers
Vani Jairam, P. Jayachandran
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Nadamadum Silagal1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Malliya poova thalaiyil vachchiWearing a jasmine flower in her hair
Machchan aasaiya manasil vachchiHolding her lover's desire in her heart
Vellakkatti pechchukkaari engae vanthaaloWhere did this sweet-talking girl come from?
Entha velaikkaaga yaarai paarkkaFor what work and to see whom
Ingae vanthaalo…..ingae vanthaaloDid she come here... did she come here?
Female
Malluvetti edaiyil kattiTying a soft dhoti around his waist
Madippu thunda thalaiyil suththiWrapping a folded towel around his head
Kallanai pol edhukku ingae whistle adichchaaroWhy did he whistle here like a thief?
Edha kollaiyadikka marainjirunthuHiding in ambush to rob what
Vazhi marichchaaro vazhi marichchaariDid he block the path... did he block the path?
Male
Pal varisai palapalakkaWith a gleaming row of teeth
Paruva meni thalathalakkaWith a youthful body glowing and shimmering
Vellarikkaai vedichchathai polLike a cucumber bursting open
Sirichchu vaikkiriyaeYou smile at me
Enna vidiyum varai thoongaamaththaanWithout letting me sleep till dawn
Mulikka vaikkiriyaeYou keep me awake
Male
Pal varisai palapalakkaWith a gleaming row of teeth
Paruva meni thalathalakkaWith a youthful body glowing and shimmering
Vellarikkaai vedichchathai polLike a cucumber bursting open
Sirichchu vaikkiriyaeYou smile at me
Enna vidiyum varai thoongaamaththaanWithout letting me sleep till dawn
Mulikka vaikkiriyaeYou keep me awake
Female
Aaththangara oraththilaeBy the bank of the river
Yaeththam eraikkum neraththilaeAt the time of drawing water with the picottah
Paaththu vachcha paarvaiyilae maatti vachchuttiyaeYou trapped me with the glance you cast
Unna padukkaiyilum nenaikkumpadiSo that I think of you even on my bed
Aakki vachchittiyaeYou have made me like this
Female
Aaththangara oraththilaeBy the bank of the river
Yaeththam eraikkum neraththilaeAt the time of drawing water with the picottah
Paaththu vachcha paarvaiyilae maatti vachchuttiyaeYou trapped me with the glance you cast
Unna padukkaiyilum nenaikkumpadiSo that I think of you even on my bed
Aakki vachchittiyaeYou have made me like this
Male
Malliya poova thalaiyil vachchiWearing a jasmine flower in her hair
Machchaan aasaiya manasil vachchiHolding her lover's desire in her heart
Vellakkatti pechchukkaari engae vanthaaloWhere did this sweet-talking girl come from?
Entha velaikkaaga yaarai paarkkaFor what work and to see whom
Ingae vanthaalo….ingae vanthaaloDid she come here... did she come here?
Female
Pookka vachcha raaththiriyaeOn the night decorated with flowers
Kozhunthu veththala kettu vachchaTender betel leaves kept in a bundle
Koottaththila koduththa unna paaththathu undaaHave you seen anyone giving it in a gathering?
Enna paakku maaththi parisham podum yokyathaa undaaDo you have the capability to exchange betel nut and pay the bride-price?
Female
Pookka vachcha raaththiriyaeOn the night decorated with flowers
Kozhunthu veththala kettu vachchaTender betel leaves kept in a bundle
Koottaththila koduththa unna paaththathu undaaHave you seen anyone giving it in a gathering?
Enna paakku maaththi parisham podum yokyathaa undaaDo you have the capability to exchange betel nut and pay the bride-price?
Male
Maargazhikku pinnaalaeAfter the month of Margazhi
Maasi porakkum munnaalae thaanannaa thaanannaaBefore the month of Maasi begins, Thaanannaa thaanannaa
Thaanannaa thaanannaa thanthaanaeThaanannaa thaanannaa thanthaanae
Female :Oorariya kalyaanaththa mudichchukalaamaaFemale: Shall we get married with the whole village knowing?
Male :Ippa onnae onnu achchaaramaa koduththukalaamaaMale: Can you give me just one token of love as advance now?
Female
Malluvetti edaiyil kattiTying a soft dhoti around his waist
Madippu thunda thalaiyil suththiWrapping a folded towel around his head
Kallanai pol edhukku ingae whistle adichchaaroWhy did he whistle here like a thief?
Edha kollaiyadikka marainjirunthuHiding in ambush to rob what
Vazhi marichchaaro vazhi marichchaariDid he block the path... did he block the path?
Male
Malliya poova thalaiyil vachchiWearing a jasmine flower in her hair
Machchan aasaiya manasil vachchiHolding her lover's desire in her heart
Vellakkatti pechchukkaari engae vanthaaloWhere did this sweet-talking girl come from?
Entha velaikkaaga yaarai paarkkaFor what work and to see whom
Ingae vanthaalo…..ingae vanthaaloDid she come here... did she come here?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Nadamadum Silagal' (1982) is a playful and romantic rural duet between two lovers who affectionately tease each other about their looks, attire, and sudden appearances in the village. The male lover praises the girl's sweet speech, bright smile, and youthful radiance, while the female lover playfully accuses him of acting like a thief hiding on her path and catching her attention by the riverbank. As their lighthearted banter progresses, their thoughts turn toward commitment and marriage. They discuss traditional Tamil wedding rituals such as exchanging betel leaves and paying the formal bride-price (parisham), looking forward to getting married with the village's blessing during the auspicious Tamil month of Maasi.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Vellarikkaai vedichchathai pol Sirichchu vaikkiriyae

Compares her vibrant and wide smile to a cucumber cracking/splitting open naturally.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Vellakkatti pechchukkaari engae vanthaalo

Refers to her as 'Vellakkatti pechchukkaari' (jaggery-talker), metaphorically equating her words to the sweetness of raw sugar.

Alliteration (Monai)

Malliya poova thalaiyil vachchi / Machchan aasaiya manasil vachchi

The initial 'Ma' sound repeats across consecutive lines ('Malliya', 'Machchan').

Onomatopoeia (Etai-chchol)

Pal varisai palapalakka / Paruva meni thalathalakka

Uses rhythmic descriptive words like 'palapalakka' (glistening) and 'thalathalakka' (glowing) to evoke visual imagery.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the dynamic music director duo Shankar-Ganesh for the 1982 film 'Nadamadum Silagal', this song captures the authentic flavour of Tamil folk duets, beautifully rendered by P. Jayachandran and Vani Jairam.

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