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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maruthani Chareduthu

From Ilaya Raagam · 1995

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Mano, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ilaya Raagam1995

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Marudhaani chaareduthuTaking the henna juice
Mayiliragaalae thottuTouching it gently with a peacock feather
Mani kozhundhae madi puraavaeOh precious tender shoot, oh lap-dove
Maar maelae kolam onnuDrawing a decorative pattern on the chest
Kannaalam katta podattaa saerndhu ninnuShall I draw it standing close together to get married?
Poonjittae poonjittaeOh little sunbird, oh little sunbird
Pon vandae vandae vandae vaaOh golden beetle, come, come, come
Female
Marudhaani chaareduthuTaking the henna juice
Mayiliragaalae thottuTouching it gently with a peacock feather
Em maaman nenjil maraiyaama naan ezhudhiI wrote indelibly upon my uncle's heart
Kannaalam katta sonnaalae poovazhagiThe flower-like beauty asked to tie the knot
Male
Aaram kandenae muthaaram kandenaeI saw a garland, I saw a pearl necklace
Chorus
Sirikkudhu adhu sirikkudhuIt laughs, it is laughing
Female
Veeram kandenae vithaaram kandenaeI saw courage, I saw grand beauty
Chorus
Virikkudhu vala virikkudhuIt spreads a net, it is spreading
Female
Uchi malaiyilOn top of the mountain peak
Chorus
Oo… oiOo... oi
Female
Mazha pozhiyaAs the rain pours down
Chorus
Oo… oiOo... oi
Female
NanainjadhadiIt got drenched, my dear
Chorus
Oo… oiOo... oi
Female
Mana kuruviThe bird of the heart
Chorus
Oo… oiOo... oi
Male
Thavala chatham kaettuHearing the croak of the frog
Thaavudhu nenjula paattuA song leaps within the heart
Chorus
Maela thaalam pottuBeating the wedding drums
Male
Kulava chatham pottuMaking joyful ululations
Koodudhu aasaiyum koottuDesires gather in abundance
Chorus
Kaala neram paathuWatching for the auspicious moment
Male
Poochendae poochendaeOh bouquet of flowers, oh bouquet of flowers
Pon vandae vandae vandae vaaOh golden beetle, come, come, come
Female
Marudhaani chaareduthuTaking the henna juice
Mayiliragaala thottuTouching it gently with a peacock feather
Konjaama konjiCooing affectionately
Em maaman nenjil maraiyaama naan ezhudhiI wrote indelibly upon my uncle's heart
Kannaalam katta sonnaalae poovazhagiThe flower-like beauty asked to tie the knot
Female
Raani vandhaalaam magaraani vandhaalaamA queen has arrived, a majestic queen has arrived
Chorus
Theriyudhu adhu theriyudhuIt is visible, it is visible
Female
Naani ninnaalaam ava naani ninnaalaamShe stood shyly, she stood blushing
Chorus
Puriyudhu idhu puriyudhuThis is understood, this is understood
Male
Chittu kuruviA little sparrow
Chorus
Oo… oiOo... oi
Male
Etti pudichaaIf you reach out and catch her
Chorus
Oo… oiOo... oi
Male
Thatti kazhichaaShe brushes it off
Chorus
Oo… oiOo... oi
Male
Vittu parappaaShe lets go and flies away
Chorus
Oo… oiOo... oi
Female
Kandaangi poo chaela kattiDraped in a floral Kandangi saree
Mayakkudhu aalaMesmerizing the heart
Chorus
Thaazham poova polaLike a fragrant screwpine flower
Female
Pulli potta ravikkaThe polka-dotted blouse
Kanni virichadhu maelaCast a romantic net over me
Chorus
Ola podu olaShout with joy and excitement!
Female
Poochendae poochendaeOh bouquet of flowers, oh bouquet of flowers
Pon vandae vandae vandae vaaOh golden beetle, come, come, come
Female
Marudhaani chaareduthuTaking the henna juice
Mayiliragaalae thottuTouching it gently with a peacock feather
Mani kozhundhae madi puraavaeOh precious tender shoot, oh lap-dove
Maar maelae kolam onnuDrawing a decorative pattern on the chest
Kannaalam katta podattaa saerndhu ninnuShall I draw it standing close together to get married?
Chorus
Hoo oo oooHoo oo ooo
Female
Poonjittae poonjittaeOh little sunbird, oh little sunbird
Pon vandae vandae vandae vaaOh golden beetle, come, come, come
Male
Marudhaani chaaredutthuTaking the henna juice
Female
Mayiliragaala thottuTouching it gently with a peacock feather

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Marudhaani Chaareduthu from the film Ilaya Raagam (1995) is a playful and romantic rural track penned by lyricist Vaali. The song captures the affectionate exchange between lovers anticipating their upcoming marriage. The imagery centers on drawing decorative patterns with henna using a soft peacock feather, symbolizing the delicate and indelible mark of love carved into each other's hearts. Through metaphors of mountain rains, croaking frogs triggering spontaneous songs, and traditional attire like the Kandangi saree, the lyrics evoke a vibrant rustic atmosphere filled with joyful anticipation, traditional wedding beats, and teasing affection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Marudhaani chaareduthu / Mayiliragaalae thottu

Rhyming of the second consonant sound in successive lines ('ra' in Marudhaani and Mayil).

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Mana kuruvi

Comparing the human heart or mind to a bird ('Mana kuruvi').

Simile (Uvamai)

Thaazham poova pola

Comparing the charm or fragrance of the lover to a screwpine flower ('Thaazham poova pola').

Anaphora / Repetition (Iruttaakizhavi / Adukku thodar)

Pon vandae vandae vandae vaa

Repetition of words like 'vandae vandae' for rhythmic emphasis and playfulness.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyricist Vaali was renowned for seamlessly weaving authentic rural Tamil wedding customs, traditional attire (such as Kandangi saree), and nature imagery into catchy 90s film songs. Henna (Marudhaani) applied with a peacock feather is a classical motif signifying gentleness and intimacy in Tamil folk literature.

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