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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mayangum Vayathu

From Kanavan · 1968

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Kanavan1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Mayangum vayadhuAn age of sweet intoxication,
Madi mael vizhundhuFalling onto the lap,
Mayangum vayadhuAn age of sweet intoxication,
Madi mael vizhundhuFalling onto the lap,
Idhazhgal malarndhuLips blossoming,
Vazhanghum virundhuServing a feast,
Idhazhgal malarndhuLips blossoming,
Vazhanghum virundhuServing a feast,
Male
Aadaiyil moodiyaCovered in attire,
Oru azhagirukkaThere lies a beauty,
Aayiram aasaiyil adhu thudithirukkaWhich throbs with a thousand desires,
Aadaiyil moodiya oru azhagirukkaThere lies a beauty covered in attire,
Aayiram aasaiyil adhu thudithirukkaWhich throbs with a thousand desires,
Vaavena jaadaiyil yena varavazhaikkaBeckoning with gestures to come near,
Vandhadhu kaigalum mella anaithirukkaThe hands that arrived gently embrace,
Female
Moovagai thaen kaniOf the three sweet fruits (Mukkani),
Ondru kuraindhirukkaOne seems to be missing,
Moovagai thaen kaniOf the three sweet fruits,
Ondru kuraindhirukkaOne seems to be missing,
Mullai poo kannathil mutham padhikkaImprinting a kiss on the jasmine-soft cheek,
Mullai poo kannathil mutham padhikkaImprinting a kiss on the jasmine-soft cheek,
Male
Mudhalil thayakkamHesitation at the beginning,
Mudivil mayakkamIntoxication at the end,
Idaiyil nerukkam irundhaal inikkumIf there is closeness in between, it is sweet,
Male
Mayangum vayadhuAn age of sweet intoxication,
Madi mael vizhundhuFalling onto the lap,
Idhazhgal malarndhuLips blossoming,
Vazhanghum virundhuServing a feast,
Idhazhgal malarndhuLips blossoming,
Vazhanghum virundhu..Serving a feast...
Virundhu virundhuA feast, a feast!
Female
Maamara thoppinilIn the mango grove,
Vandu parandhu varumA honeybee comes flying,
Maambhazha chaarinilIn the sweet mango juice,
Vandhu mayangi vizhumIt swoons and falls,
Female
Maamara thoppinilIn the mango grove,
Vandu parandhu varumA honeybee comes flying,
Maambhazha chaarinilIn the sweet mango juice,
Vandhu mayangi vizhumIt swoons and falls,
Meeriya bodhaiyilIn overwhelming intoxication,
Thannai marandhirukkumIt forgets itself,
Ponadhu pogavumEven when the moment has passed,
Micham suvai irukkumA lingering taste remains,
Male
Aadiya naadagamThe play that was enacted,
Nenjil ninaivirukkumWill remain remembered in the heart,
Aadiya naadagamThe play that was enacted,
Nenjil ninaivirukkumWill remain remembered in the heart,
Ammammaa ennenna nadandhirukkumOh my, what all must have happened!
Ammammaa ennenna nadandhirukkumOh my, what all must have happened!
Female
Ninaithaal thodangumIt begins at the mere thought,
Anaithaal adangumIt calms down when embraced,
Thoda thaan thodarum thodarndhaal valarumIt continues when touched, and grows as it continues,
Male
Idhu thaan uravu nedu naal kanavuThis is relationship, a long-cherished dream,
Female
Ini mael varavu ilamai selavuFrom now on, spending youth is the true gain,
Male
Idhu thaan uravu nedu naal kanavuThis is relationship, a long-cherished dream.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Mayangum Vayadhu from the 1968 film Kanavan is a evocative romantic track penned by lyricist Vaali. The song celebrates youthful romance, physical attraction, and intimate bonding. Through poetic metaphors like blossoming lips serving a feast and bees swooning in mango nectar, the lyrics beautifully articulate the progression of love—from initial shyness and hesitation to intense closeness and lasting joy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Idhazhgal malarndhu Vazhanghum virundhu

Compares smiling/blooming lips offering affection to a lavish feast ('virundhu') served to a lover.

Allegory (Ullurai)

Maambhazha chaarinil Vandhu mayangi vizhum

Uses the image of a honeybee swooning in sweet mango juice within a grove as an allegory for a lover lost in the intoxication of romance.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme) & Antonymic Contrast

Mudhalil thayakkam Mudivil mayakkam

Pairs 'Mudhalil' (beginning) and 'Mudivil' (end) with matching second consonant sounds ('d') while contrasting the progression from hesitation ('thayakkam') to ecstasy ('mayakkam').

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the 1968 Tamil film 'Kanavan' starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Jayalalithaa. The soundtrack was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with iconic lyrics by Vaali, capturing the golden era of 1960s Tamil cinema romance.

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