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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Marudhani Marudhani

From Sakkarakatti · 2007

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Hentry Kuruvilla, Madhushree, A. R. Rahman
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Sakkarakatti2007

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Maruthani …maruthani..maruthani ..vizhiyil ennHenna... henna... henna... why in her eyes?
Adi podi deepaliOh little girl, Diwali (a festival of lights/fireworks)!
Female
Maruthani vizhiyil ennHenna, why in her eyes?
Adi podi deepaliOh little girl, Diwali!
Female
MaruthaniHenna
Maruthani vizhiyil enn…Henna, why in her eyes...?
Female
Avan idhya veetil vaazhumHe fears that if he consumes anything,
Aval dhegam vendhu poghumHer body, residing in his heart's home, will burn;
Ena avan arundhida maattanHence he refuses to consume
Sudu neerum sudu soorumEven warm water or warm rice.
Female
Kaathali kai nagam ellaam…All the fingernail clippings of his lover...
Pokkisam polae avan semipaanHe treasures them like a precious treasure.
Female
Oruthikkagha vazghira jadhiHe belongs to the breed that lives only for one woman,
Unnaravillai innoru pathiHe has no awareness of any other woman.
Female
Maruthani vizhiyil enn…Henna, why in her eyes...?
Maruthani vizhiyil enn…Henna, why in her eyes...?
Adi podi deepaliOh little girl, Diwali!
Aagayam mann meethu saayathuThe sky will never collapse onto the earth,
Nijamana kaadhal thaanTrue love is indeed like that,
Nilaiyana paadal thaanIt is an everlasting song,
Athan oosai ennalum ooyathuIts sound will never fall silent.
Female
Aval avan kaadhal nenjilEven if she finds a small fault
Kandalae siru kuttramIn his loving heart,
Avan nenjam thaai paal polaeHis heart is like mother's milk,
Ennalum pari suthamAlways completely pure.
Female
Aaha motham avasara kolam – ohhhhhAh, overall it is a rushed Rangoli (hasty situation) - ohhhhh
Avalukithai kaatidum kaalamTime will eventually reveal this truth to her.
Female
Maruthani vizhiyil enn…Henna, why in her eyes...?
Maruthani vizhiyil enn…Henna, why in her eyes...?
Adi podi deepaliOh little girl, Diwali!
Female
Gangai endru kaanalai kaatum – kaadhalLove portrays a mirage as the sacred Ganges...
Kaanal endru gangaiyai kaatumAnd portrays the sacred Ganges as a mirage.
Female
Maruthani vizhiyil enn…Henna, why in her eyes...?
Adi podi deepaliOh little girl, Diwali!
Aagayam mann meethu saayathuThe sky will never collapse onto the earth,
Nijamana kaadhal thaanTrue love is indeed like that,
Nilaiyana paadal thaanIt is an everlasting song,
Athan oosai ennalum ooyathuIts sound will never fall silent.
Female
Maruthani…Henna...
Maruthani… vizhiyil ennHenna... why in her eyes?
Maruthani.Henna.
Maruthaniiiii….maruthaniiiii…..maruthaniiiii.Henna... henna... henna...
Vizhiyil enn…Why in her eyes...?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Maruthani' from Sakkarakatti paints a poignant portrait of unyielding, selfless love. The protagonist adores his lover with absolute purity—saving even her discarded fingernails as treasures and fearing to drink hot water lest it warm or hurt her spirit, which resides inside his heart. Despite misunderstandings and the illusions that love creates (treating a mirage as the river Ganges and vice versa), his love remains as pure and unsullied as mother's milk. The lyricist Vaali uses metaphors of 'Maruthani' (henna) in the eyes to symbolize tears of love or fire, comparing true love to an eternal song and an immutable truth like the sky that never falls to the earth. Ultimately, the song reassures that time will reveal the selfless purity of his devotion to her.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Avan nenjam thaai paal polae

Comparing the purity of his heart directly to 'thaai paal' (mother's milk) to denote innocence and untainted devotion.

Hyperbole (Adukyani)

Aval dhegam vendhu poghum ena avan arundhida maattan sudu neerum sudu soorum

Exaggerating the lover's devotion to the extent that he avoids hot food/water fearing it will burn her body residing in his heart.

Oxymoron / Paradox (Maran Kooru)

Gangai endru kaanalai kaatum – kaadhal Kaanal endru gangaiyai kaatum

Contrasting 'Gangai' (sacred river) and 'kaanal' (mirage) to show how love alters perception and leads to bittersweet illusions.

Monorhyme / Rhyme Scheme (Edhukai & Monai)

Nijamana kaadhal thaan / Nilaiyana paadal thaan

Repetition of initial consonant and rhyming sounds in consecutive lines ('Nijamana kaadhal thaan' / 'Nilaiyana paadal thaan').

Did you know?

Trivia

Although credited as unknown in the prompt, the soundtrack for Sakkarakatti (2008) was composed by A. R. Rahman. 'Maruthani' is sung by A. R. Rahman himself along with Madhushree and Henry Kuruvilla, with lyrics penned by the legendary Vaali. The song became immensely popular for its emotional depth and Rahman's soulful vocal rendition.

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