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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maragatha Veenai Isaikkum

From Maragatha Veenai (1986) · 1986

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
S. Janaki, K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Maragatha Veenai (1986)1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Maragatha veenai isaikkum raagamThe ragam played by the emerald veena,
Malaradi mevum naadhamaanathoHas it become the divine sound residing at the flower-like feet?
Maragatha veenai isaikkum raagamThe ragam played by the emerald veena,
Malaradi mevum naadhamaanathoHas it become the divine sound residing at the flower-like feet?
Male
Idhayam engum thaenmazhai saaralA drizzle of honey rain across the entire heart,
Enakkul veesaathoWill it not blow within me?
Maragatha veenai isaikkum raagamThe ragam played by the emerald veena,
Malaradi mevum naadhamaanathoHas it become the divine sound residing at the flower-like feet?
Female
Veesum kaattarae nee mella veesuO blowing wind, blow gently,
Malarin vegam thaangaathuThe flower cannot bear your speed.
Male :Pesum kannae nee mella pesuMale: O talking eyes, speak gently,
Ooraar kettaal aagaathuIt won't be good if the townspeople hear.
Female
Idhayam engum panneer odaiA stream of rose water across the heart,
Ingum angum paaigindrathuIs flowing here and there.
Male
Paruva vayalil oru amutha paasanamAn ambrosial irrigation in the field of youth,
Iravu vidiya oru varushamaaganumIt should take a year for the night to break into dawn.
Iruvar koodalaam oruvaraagalaamTwo can unite and become one,
Madhana vedham dhinamum odhalaamWe can recite the scriptures of love daily.
Male
Maragatha veenai isaikkum raagamThe ragam played by the emerald veena,
Malaradi mevum naadhamaanathoHas it become the divine sound residing at the flower-like feet?
Male
Koondhal vanthu paai podum neramWhen your hair comes and spreads like a mat,
Kodai thendral pooththoovumThe summer breeze showers flowers.
Female :OOnjal nenjil nee podum neramFemale: When you set up a swing in my heart,
Ullam engae kann moodumWhere will my mind close its eyes?
Male
Kanalum kallum ondraanapothuWhen fire and stone became one,
Kannae penmai undaanathuMy darling, womanhood was born.
Female :Enathu vizhiyil oru kanavu pooththathuFemale: A dream blossomed in my eyes,
Enathu idhayam unnai ezhuthi paarththathuMy heart tried writing about you.
Pudhiya vaanamum pudhiya bhoomiyumA new sky and a new earth,
Ilaiyum kaalam edhiril vanthathuA youthful time came right before us.
Male
Maragatha veenai isaikkum raagamThe ragam played by the emerald veena,
Malaradi mevum naadhamaanathoHas it become the divine sound residing at the flower-like feet?
Maragatha veenai isaikkum raagamThe ragam played by the emerald veena,
Malaradi mevum naadhamaanathoHas it become the divine sound residing at the flower-like feet?
Male
Idhayam engum thaenmazhai saaralA drizzle of honey rain across the entire heart,
Enakkul veesaathoWill it not blow within me?
Both :Maragatha veenai isaikkum raagamBoth: The ragam played by the emerald veena,
Malaradi mevum naadhamaanathoHas it become the divine sound residing at the flower-like feet?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Maragatha Veenai is a romantic duet composed by Ilaiyaraaja and written by Pulamaipithan. The song employs classical Tamil imagery and poetic expressions of nature, music, and divine harmony to capture the intimate connection between lovers. The lovers describe their emotional union as a celestial ragam played on an emerald veena, framing their affection with metaphors of honeyed rain showers, ambrosial irrigation, and flowing streams of rosewater.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Idhayam engum thaenmazhai saaral

Compares emotional joy and love flowing through the heart directly to a drizzle of honey rain.

Alliteration (Moonaai)

Veesum kaattarae nee mella veesu

Repetition of the starting sound 'V' across the words in the line for melodic cadence.

Rhyme (Etukai)

Koondhal vanthu paai podum neram / OOnjal nenjil nee podum neram

Agreement of the second letter 'n' sound between 'Koondhal' and 'Oonjal' in corresponding stanza lines.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Paruva vayalil oru amutha paasanam

Compares youth to a fertile field and romantic affection to life-giving nectar/ambrosia irrigation.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, this track from Maragatha Veenai (1986) showcases the classic vocal pairing of K. J. Yesudas and S. Janaki. Lyricist Pulamaipithan utilized rich Sangam-inspired Tamil vocabulary such as 'Malaradi' and 'Amutha paasanam' to elevate the poetic quality of the composition.

Keep listening

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