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Lyrics & meaning

Mangala Vaanam

From Nizhal Thedum Nenjangal · 1982

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Sasirekha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Nizhal Thedum Nenjangal1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Mangala vaanam kungumamam theettumThe auspicious sky is smeared with vermilion,
Manmatha neramithuThis is the hour of Cupid.
Sooriyan meethu santhanam alliWho gathered sandalwood paste
Yaarathu poosiyathuAnd smeared it upon the sun?
Male
Maaligai devathai vaadiyathoHas the goddess of the palace withered away?
Thendral thedi maalaiyil thaamarai yaengiyathoSearching for the breeze, has the lotus yearned in the evening?
Ennai enniThinking of me,
Maaligai devathai vaadiyathoHas the goddess of the palace withered away?
Thendral thedi maalaiyil thaamarai yaengiyathoSearching for the breeze, has the lotus yearned in the evening?
Male
Mangala vaanam kungumamam theettumThe auspicious sky is smeared with vermilion,
Manmatha neramithuThis is the hour of Cupid.
Chorus
……………………...
Male
Paavai ival padham pattaalIf this maiden's feet touch it,
Paadhaikkum mogam varumEven the path will feel passion.
Female :Rajan magan thottu vittaalFemale: If the king's son touches it,
Aadaikku aasai varumEven the dress will feel desire.
Male
Paavai ival padham pattaalIf this maiden's feet touch it,
Paadhaikkum mogam varumEven the path will feel passion.
Female :Rajan magan thottu vittaalFemale: If the king's son touches it,
Aadaikku aasai varumEven the dress will feel desire.
Male
Unai moodum antha aadaiThat garment covering you,
Pala sedhi ariyumKnows many news and secrets.
Female :Nee kettaal unakkaagaFemale: If you ask, for your sake,
Adhu seedhanam aagividumIt will become a dowry gift.
Male
Mangala vaanam kungumamam theettumThe auspicious sky is smeared with vermilion,
Manmatha neramithuThis is the hour of Cupid.
Chorus
……………………...
Female
Poo virintha saalaiyengumAlong the path filled with open flowers,
Megangal oorvalangalThere are processions of clouds.
Male :Koondhalinai kodhividumMale: Combing through your hair,
Aayiram poomarangalAre a thousand flowering trees.
Female
Puvi yaavum malar thoovumThe whole earth showers flowers,
Athil meani valikkumAnd from that, my body aches.
Male :Anthimaalai intha maalaiMale: This twilight evening, this evening flower,
Enthan maarbil ooivedukkumWill rest upon my chest.
Chorus
Mangala vaanam kungumamam theettumThe auspicious sky is smeared with vermilion,
Manmatha leelai idhuThis is the playful sport of Cupid.
Sooriyan meedhu santhanam alliWho gathered sandalwood paste
Yaarathu poosiyathuAnd smeared it upon the sun?
Chorus
Maligai devathai vaadiyaathoHas the palace goddess withered away?
Female :Thendral thediFemale: Searching for the breeze,
Chorus :Malaiyil thaamarai yaengiyathooChorus: Has the lotus in the evening yearned?
Female :Ennai ennaiFemale: Thinking of me,
Chorus
Maaligai devathai vaadiyathoHas the palace goddess withered away?
Female :Thendral thediFemale: Searching for the breeze,
Chorus :Malaiyil thaamarai yaengiyathooChorus: Has the lotus in the evening yearned?
Lala lala lalalala lala lala laala laalaalalaaLala lala lalalala lala lala laala laalaalalaa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Mangala Vaanam Kungumamam Theettum from Nizhal Thedum Nenjangal (1982) is a melodious romantic song capturing the sensory romance of twilight. The lyrics paint the evening sky with vibrant visual imagery, describing the red sunset as vermilion (kumkum) and the fading sunlight as sandalwood paste painted over the sun. The lovers engage in a poetic dialogue where nature itself responds to their passion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification (Tharkurippetra Ani)

Paavai ival padham pattaal / Paadhaikkum mogam varum

Inanimate objects like the pathway ('paadhai') and garment ('aadai') are given human feelings of lust and desire upon being touched.

Visual Imagery & Metaphor

Mangala vaanam kungumamam theettum / Sooriyan meethu santhanam alli yaarathu poosiyathu

The sunset sky is metaphorically described as being painted with crimson vermilion (kungumam) and cooling sandalwood (santhanam).

Moonaal / Initial Alliteration

Mangala vaanam... Manmatha neramithu

Matching initial letters ('Ma') creating auditory harmony across adjacent phrases.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed with unknown credits in some song databases, Nizhal Thedum Nenjangal (1982) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with memorable poetic lyrics written by Vairamuthu during their famous early 1980s collaboration phase.

Keep listening

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