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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mangalyam Thavazhum Magarasi

From Santhippu · 1983

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Santhippu1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Mangalyam thavazhum magarasi vathanamThe auspicious face of the blessed lady where the mangalsutra rests,
Malarnthaale pothum verethu ulagamIf it blooms with a smile, what other world do we need?
Mangalyam thavazhum magarasi vathanamThe auspicious face of the blessed lady where the mangalsutra rests,
Malarnthaale pothum verethu ulagamIf it blooms with a smile, what other world do we need?
Neethaane engal thirukoyil vilakkuYou alone are the lamp in our holy temple,
Nee illai endraal theriyaathu kizhakkuWithout you, even the east direction of dawn would not be known.
Male
Aanandam vilaiyadum veeduThis is a home where happiness plays,
Naangu andrilgal ondraana koodu ithuThis is a nest where four mythic lovebirds unite as one,
Aanandam vilaiyadum veeduThis is a home where happiness plays.
Male
Ver pola naanum neer pola neeyumI am like the root, and you are like the water,
Neerodi ponaal ver vaadi pogumIf the water runs dry, the root will wither away.
Ver pola naanum neer pola neeyumI am like the root, and you are like the water,
Neerodi ponaal ver vaadi pogumIf the water runs dry, the root will wither away.
Nee vendum endru dheivangal kettaalIf the gods demand that they need you in heaven,
Unai ingu niruthi naan angu selvenI will leave you safely here and go there in your place.
Male
Aanandam vilaiyadum veeduThis is a home where happiness plays,
Naangu andrilgal ondraana koodu ithuThis is a nest where four mythic lovebirds unite as one,
Aanandam vilaiyadum veeduThis is a home where happiness plays.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This soulful song from Santhippu (1983) celebrates deep marital devotion, family harmony, and self-sacrificing love. The husband praises his wife as the divine, guiding light of their household whose happiness brings ultimate fulfillment to his world. He compares their family bond to four mythical 'andril' birds living united in a single nest.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Ver pola naanum neer pola neeyum

Compares the husband to a plant root ('ver pola') and the wife to nourishing water ('neer pola') to highlight their vital interdependence.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Neethaane engal thirukoyil vilakku

Directly equates the wife to a sacred lamp in a temple ('thirukoyil vilakku'), symbolizing her as the spiritual and moral light of the family.

Alliteration (Monai)

Mangalyam thavazhum magarasi vathanam

Repetition of the 'Ma' sound at the beginning of words ('Mangalyam', 'magarasi') to create melodic rhythm.

Cultural Symbolism / Classical Imagery

Naangu andrilgal ondraana koodu ithu

Employs the Sangam literary symbol of the 'Andril' bird, known in Tamil tradition for inseparable, lifelong devotion to its partner.

Did you know?

Trivia

Santhippu (1983) featured legendary actor Sivaji Ganesan in dual roles alongside Prabhu, Sridevi, and Radha. The song showcases lyricist Vaali's signature style of integrating ancient Sangam literary motifs—such as the devotion of 'andril' birds—into modern Tamil film music composed by M. S. Vishwanathan.

Keep listening

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