Mazhai Thuli
From Sangamam · 1999
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- Hariharan, M. S. Vishwanathan
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Sangamam1999
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| …………………… | ... |
| Male | |
| { Mazhaithuli | { Raindrop |
| Mazhaithuli mannil | Raindrop on the earth |
| Sangamam uyirthuli | Confluence; drop of life |
| Uyirthuli vaanil sangamam | Drop of life confluent in the sky |
| Male | |
| Udal porul | Body, wealth, |
| Aaviyellam kalaiyil | and soul, all in art |
| Sangamam sangamam } (2) | Confluence, confluence } (2) |
| Male | |
| Aalaalakanda | O Lord who consumed poison (Lord Shiva), |
| Aadaluku thagapaa | Father of dance, |
| Vanakamunga enna | My greetings to you, |
| Aadaama aativecha vanakamunga | My greetings to the one who made me dance without moving, |
| Male | |
| { En kaaluku | { To my feet |
| Salangaiyita un | the anklets you tied, |
| Kaaladiku mudhal vanakam | My first greetings to your feet |
| Male | |
| En kaal | My feet |
| Nadamaadumayya | will dance, my Lord, |
| Umma kattalaiya | Until your command |
| Vellum varaikum } (2) | is fulfilled } (2) |
| Male | |
| Nee undu | Whether you say |
| Undu endra podhum | 'It exists', |
| Ada illai illai endra podhum | or even if you say 'No, it does not', |
| Sabai aadiya paadhamidhu | These feet that danced on stage |
| Nikaadhu oru podhum | will never stop. |
| Male | |
| Aalaalakanda | O Lord who consumed poison, |
| Aadaluku thagapaa | Father of dance, |
| Vanakamunga vanakamunga | Greetings to you, greetings, |
| Male | |
| Enna aadaama | To the one who made me dance |
| Aativecha vanakamunga | without moving, greetings to you, |
| Vanakamunga | Greetings to you. |
| Male | |
| { Mazhaithuli | { Raindrop |
| Mazhaithuli mannil | Raindrop on the earth |
| Sangamam uyirthuli | Confluence; drop of life |
| Uyirthuli vaanil sangamam | Drop of life confluent in the sky |
| Male | |
| Udal porul | Body, wealth, |
| Aaviyellam kalaiyil | and soul, all in art |
| Sangamam sangamam } (2) | Confluence, confluence } (2) |
| Male | |
| Thanniyila meen | When a fish in water |
| Azhudha karaikoru | cries, to the shore |
| Thagavalum varuvadhilla | no news ever reaches. |
| Male | |
| Enakulla naan | When within myself |
| Azhudha thudaikavae | I cry, to wipe my tears |
| Enakoru naadhiyilla | there is no one for me. |
| Male | |
| En kanneeru | My tears, |
| Ovvoru sottum vairam | every single drop is a diamond, |
| Vairam aagumae sabadham | a vow to become a diamond, |
| Sabadham endrae salangai | As a vow, the anklets, |
| Salangai paadumae | the anklets shall sing. |
| Male | |
| Ohh ……………….. | Ohh ... |
| Male | |
| Manamae manamae | O heart, O heart, |
| Sabadham vellum matum | until the vow is won, |
| Saayaadhiru | do not yield. |
| Male | |
| Vizhiyae vizhiyae | O eyes, O eyes, |
| Imaiyae theeyumbodhum | even when eyelids burn, |
| Kalangaadhiru | do not lose courage. |
| Male | |
| Nadhi nadhi | Rivers, rivers, |
| Athanaiyum kadalil | all of them in the sea |
| Sangamam | merge. |
| Male | |
| Natchathiram | Stars, |
| Athanaiyum pagalil | all of them in daylight |
| Sangamam | merge. |
| Male | |
| Kalaigalin | Art's |
| Vegumadhi unnidathil | great reward lies with you, |
| Sangamam sangamam | merging, merging. |
| Male | |
| Mazhaithuli | Raindrop |
| Mazhaithuli mannil | Raindrop on the earth |
| Sangamam uyirthuli | Confluence; drop of life |
| Uyirthuli vaanil sangamam | Drop of life confluent in the sky |
| Male | |
| Udal porul | Body, wealth, |
| Aaviyellam kalaiyil | and soul, all in art |
| Sangamam sangamam | Confluence, confluence |
| Male | |
| Aalaalakanda | O Lord who consumed poison, |
| Aadaluku thagapaa | Father of dance, |
| Vanakamunga enna | Greetings to you, |
| Aadaama aativecha | who made me dance, |
| Vanakamunga | Greetings. |
| Male | |
| …………………………….. | ... |
| Male | |
| Mazhaikaagathaan | For the rain, |
| Megam ada kalaikaagathaan | clouds exist; for the art, |
| Neeyum uyir kalandhaaduvom | let us dance with soul united, |
| Naalum maganae vaa | come every day, my son. |
| Male | |
| Nee sondha | Stand on your own |
| Kaalilae nillu thalai | feet; conquer the spinning |
| Sutrum boomiyai vellu | world, |
| Idhu appan solliya sollu | this is the word spoken by your father, |
| Maganae vaa maganae vaa | come my son, come my son. |
| Male | |
| Oorukaaga | For the people, |
| Aadum kalaingan | the artist who dances |
| Thannai marapaan | forgets himself. |
| Male | |
| Than kanneerai | Hiding his own |
| Moodikondu inbam kodupaan | tears, he bestows joy. |
| Male | |
| Puligal | Tigers, |
| Azhuvadhu yedhu | do they ever cry? |
| Ada paravaiyum | Ah, even birds |
| Azha ariyaadhu | do not know how to cry. |
| Male | |
| Porkalam nee | When into the battlefield you |
| Pugumbodhu mul | enter, thorns |
| Thaipadhu kaal ariyaadhu | piercing the feet go unnoticed. |
| Maganae maganae | My son, my son, |
| Male | |
| Kaatruku | For the wind, |
| Oivenbadhedhu ada yedhu | what rest is there? Ah, what rest? |
| Kalaikoru tholvi kidaiyaadhu | For art, there is no defeat, |
| Kidaiyaadhu kidaiyaadhu | no defeat, no defeat. |
| Male | |
| Aalaalakanda | O Lord who consumed poison, |
| Aadaluku thagapaa | Father of dance, |
| Vanakamunga enna | Greetings to you, who |
| Aadaama aativecha vanakamunga | made me dance without moving, greetings. |
| Male | |
| En kaaluku | To my feet |
| Salangaiyita un | the anklets you tied, |
| Kaaladiku mudhal vanakam | First greetings to your feet. |
| Male | |
| En kaal | My feet |
| Nadamaadumayya | will dance, sir, |
| Namma kattalaiya | Until our command |
| Vellum varaikum | is fulfilled. |
| Male | |
| { Nee undu | { Even when you say yes, |
| Undu endra podhum | when you say it exists, |
| Ada illai illai endra podhum } (2) | or even when you say no, it does not } (2) |
| Sabai aadiya paadhamidhu | These feet that danced on stage |
| Nikaadhu oru podhum | will never stop. |
| Male | |
| { Mazhaithuli | { Raindrop |
| Mazhaithuli mannil | Raindrop on the earth |
| Sangamam uyirthuli | Confluence; drop of life |
| Uyirthuli vaanil sangamam | Drop of life confluent in the sky |
| Male | |
| Udal porul | Body, wealth, |
| Aaviyellam kalaiyil | and soul, all in art |
| Sangamam sangamam } (6) | Confluence, confluence } (6) |
...................................
...
{ மழைத்துளி
மழைத்துளி மண்ணில்
சங்கமம் உயிா்த்துளி
உயிா்த்துளி வானில்
சங்கமம் உடல் பொருள்
ஆவியெல்லாம் கலையில்
சங்கமம் சங்கமம் } (2)
{ Raindrop
Raindrop on the earth
Confluence; drop of life
Drop of life confluent in the sky
ஆலாலகண்டா
ஆடலுக்குத் தகப்பா
வணக்கமுங்க என்னை
ஆடாம ஆட்டி வச்ச
வணக்கமுங்க
Body, wealth,
and soul, all in art
Confluence, confluence } (2)
{ என் காலுக்கு
சலங்கையிட்ட உன்
காலடிக்கு முதல் வணக்கம்
என் கால் நடமாடுமையா உம்ம
கட்டளைய வெல்லும் வரைக்கும் } (2)
O Lord who consumed poison (Lord Shiva),
Father of dance,
My greetings to you,
My greetings to the one who made me dance without moving,
நீ உண்டு உண்டு
என்ற போதும் அட இல்லை
இல்லை என்றபோதும் சபை
ஆடிய பாதமிது நிக்காது
ஒருபோதும்
{ To my feet
the anklets you tied,
My first greetings to your feet
ஆலாலகண்டா
ஆடலுக்குத் தகப்பா
வணக்கமுங்க வணக்கமுங்க
என்னை ஆடாம ஆட்டி வச்ச
வணக்கமுங்க வணக்கமுங்க
My feet
will dance, my Lord,
Until your command
is fulfilled } (2)
{ மழைத்துளி
மழைத்துளி மண்ணில்
சங்கமம் உயிா்த்துளி
உயிா்த்துளி வானில்
சங்கமம் உடல் பொருள்
ஆவியெல்லாம் கலையில்
சங்கமம் சங்கமம் } (2)
Whether you say
'It exists',
or even if you say 'No, it does not',
These feet that danced on stage
will never stop.
தண்ணியில மீன்
அழுதா கரைக்கொரு
தகவலும் வருவதில்ல
எனக்குள்ள நான் அழுதா
துடிக்கவே எனக்கொரு நாதியில்ல
O Lord who consumed poison,
Father of dance,
Greetings to you, greetings,
என் கண்ணீரு
ஒவ்வொரு சொட்டும்
வைரம் வைரம் ஆகுமே
சபதம் சபதம் என்றே
சலங்கை சலங்கை பாடுமே
To the one who made me dance
without moving, greetings to you,
Greetings to you.
ஓ.................................
{ Raindrop
Raindrop on the earth
Confluence; drop of life
Drop of life confluent in the sky
மனமே மனமே
சபதம் வெல்லும் மட்டும்
சாயாதிரு விழியே விழியே
இமையே தீயும்போதும் கலங்காதிரு
Body, wealth,
and soul, all in art
Confluence, confluence } (2)
நதி நதி
அத்தனையும் கடலில்
சங்கமம் நட்சத்திரம்
அத்தனையும் பகலில்
சங்கமம் கலைகளின்
வெகுமதி உன்னிடத்தில்
சங்கமம் சங்கமம்
When a fish in water
cries, to the shore
no news ever reaches.
மழைத்துளி
மழைத்துளி மண்ணில்
சங்கமம் உயிா்த்துளி
உயிா்த்துளி வானில்
சங்கமம் உடல் பொருள்
ஆவியெல்லாம் கலையில்
சங்கமம் சங்கமம்
When within myself
I cry, to wipe my tears
there is no one for me.
ஆலாலகண்டா
ஆடலுக்குத் தகப்பா
வணக்கமுங்க என்னை
ஆடாம ஆட்டி வச்ச
வணக்கமுங்க
My tears,
every single drop is a diamond,
a vow to become a diamond,
As a vow, the anklets,
the anklets shall sing.
.................................
Ohh ...
மழைக்காகத்தான்
மேகம் அட கலைக்காகத்தான்
நீயும் உயிா் கலந்தாடுவோம்
நாளும் மகனே வா
O heart, O heart,
until the vow is won,
do not yield.
நீ சொந்தக்காலிலே
நில்லு தலை சுற்றும் பூமியை
வெல்லு இது அப்பன் சொல்லிய
சொல்லு மகனே வா மகனே வா
O eyes, O eyes,
even when eyelids burn,
do not lose courage.
ஊருக்காக ஆடும்
கலைஞன் தன்னை மறப்பான்
தன் கண்ணீரை மூடிக்கொண்டு
இன்பம் கொடுப்பான்
Rivers, rivers,
all of them in the sea
merge.
புலிகள் அழுவது
ஏது அட பறவையும்
அழ அறியாது
Stars,
all of them in daylight
merge.
போா்களம் நீ
புகும்போது முள்
தைப்பது கால் அறியாது
மகனே... மகனே...
Art's
great reward lies with you,
merging, merging.
காற்றுக்கு
ஓய்வென்பது அட ஏது
கலைக்கொரு தோல்வி
கிடையாது கிடையாது
Raindrop
Raindrop on the earth
Confluence; drop of life
Drop of life confluent in the sky
ஆலாலகண்டா
ஆடலுக்குத் தகப்பா
வணக்கமுங்க என்னை
ஆடாம ஆட்டி வச்ச
வணக்கமுங்க
Body, wealth,
and soul, all in art
Confluence, confluence
என் காலுக்கு
சலங்கையிட்ட உன்
காலடிக்கு முதல் வணக்கம்
என் கால் நடமாடுமையா நம்ம
கட்டளைய வெல்லும் வரைக்கும்
O Lord who consumed poison,
Father of dance,
Greetings to you,
who made me dance,
Greetings.
{ நீ உண்டு உண்டு
என்ற போதும் அட இல்லை
இல்லை என்றபோதும் } (2)
சபை ஆடிய பாதமிது
நிக்காது ஒருபோதும்
...
{ மழைத்துளி
மழைத்துளி மண்ணில்
சங்கமம் உயிா்த்துளி
உயிா்த்துளி வானில்
சங்கமம் உடல் பொருள்
ஆவியெல்லாம் கலையில்
சங்கமம் சங்கமம் } (6)
For the rain,
clouds exist; for the art,
let us dance with soul united,
come every day, my son.
Stand on your own
feet; conquer the spinning
world,
this is the word spoken by your father,
come my son, come my son.
For the people,
the artist who dances
forgets himself.
Hiding his own
tears, he bestows joy.
Tigers,
do they ever cry?
Ah, even birds
do not know how to cry.
When into the battlefield you
enter, thorns
piercing the feet go unnoticed.
My son, my son,
For the wind,
what rest is there? Ah, what rest?
For art, there is no defeat,
no defeat, no defeat.
O Lord who consumed poison,
Father of dance,
Greetings to you, who
made me dance without moving, greetings.
To my feet
the anklets you tied,
First greetings to your feet.
My feet
will dance, sir,
Until our command
is fulfilled.
{ Even when you say yes,
when you say it exists,
or even when you say no, it does not } (2)
These feet that danced on stage
will never stop.
{ Raindrop
Raindrop on the earth
Confluence; drop of life
Drop of life confluent in the sky
Body, wealth,
and soul, all in art
Confluence, confluence } (6)
……………………
...
{ Mazhaithuli
{ Raindrop
Mazhaithuli mannil
Raindrop on the earth
Sangamam uyirthuli
Confluence; drop of life
Uyirthuli vaanil sangamam
Drop of life confluent in the sky
Udal porul
Body, wealth,
Aaviyellam kalaiyil
and soul, all in art
Sangamam sangamam } (2)
Confluence, confluence } (2)
Aalaalakanda
O Lord who consumed poison (Lord Shiva),
Aadaluku thagapaa
Father of dance,
Vanakamunga enna
My greetings to you,
Aadaama aativecha vanakamunga
My greetings to the one who made me dance without moving,
{ En kaaluku
{ To my feet
Salangaiyita un
the anklets you tied,
Kaaladiku mudhal vanakam
My first greetings to your feet
En kaal
My feet
Nadamaadumayya
will dance, my Lord,
Umma kattalaiya
Until your command
Vellum varaikum } (2)
is fulfilled } (2)
Nee undu
Whether you say
Undu endra podhum
'It exists',
Ada illai illai endra podhum
or even if you say 'No, it does not',
Sabai aadiya paadhamidhu
These feet that danced on stage
Nikaadhu oru podhum
will never stop.
Aalaalakanda
O Lord who consumed poison,
Aadaluku thagapaa
Father of dance,
Vanakamunga vanakamunga
Greetings to you, greetings,
Enna aadaama
To the one who made me dance
Aativecha vanakamunga
without moving, greetings to you,
Vanakamunga
Greetings to you.
{ Mazhaithuli
{ Raindrop
Mazhaithuli mannil
Raindrop on the earth
Sangamam uyirthuli
Confluence; drop of life
Uyirthuli vaanil sangamam
Drop of life confluent in the sky
Udal porul
Body, wealth,
Aaviyellam kalaiyil
and soul, all in art
Sangamam sangamam } (2)
Confluence, confluence } (2)
Thanniyila meen
When a fish in water
Azhudha karaikoru
cries, to the shore
Thagavalum varuvadhilla
no news ever reaches.
Enakulla naan
When within myself
Azhudha thudaikavae
I cry, to wipe my tears
Enakoru naadhiyilla
there is no one for me.
En kanneeru
My tears,
Ovvoru sottum vairam
every single drop is a diamond,
Vairam aagumae sabadham
a vow to become a diamond,
Sabadham endrae salangai
As a vow, the anklets,
Salangai paadumae
the anklets shall sing.
Ohh ………………..
Ohh ...
Manamae manamae
O heart, O heart,
Sabadham vellum matum
until the vow is won,
Saayaadhiru
do not yield.
Vizhiyae vizhiyae
O eyes, O eyes,
Imaiyae theeyumbodhum
even when eyelids burn,
Kalangaadhiru
do not lose courage.
Nadhi nadhi
Rivers, rivers,
Athanaiyum kadalil
all of them in the sea
Sangamam
merge.
Natchathiram
Stars,
Athanaiyum pagalil
all of them in daylight
Sangamam
merge.
Kalaigalin
Art's
Vegumadhi unnidathil
great reward lies with you,
Sangamam sangamam
merging, merging.
Mazhaithuli
Raindrop
Mazhaithuli mannil
Raindrop on the earth
Sangamam uyirthuli
Confluence; drop of life
Uyirthuli vaanil sangamam
Drop of life confluent in the sky
Udal porul
Body, wealth,
Aaviyellam kalaiyil
and soul, all in art
Sangamam sangamam
Confluence, confluence
Aalaalakanda
O Lord who consumed poison,
Aadaluku thagapaa
Father of dance,
Vanakamunga enna
Greetings to you,
Aadaama aativecha
who made me dance,
Vanakamunga
Greetings.
……………………………..
...
Mazhaikaagathaan
For the rain,
Megam ada kalaikaagathaan
clouds exist; for the art,
Neeyum uyir kalandhaaduvom
let us dance with soul united,
Naalum maganae vaa
come every day, my son.
Nee sondha
Stand on your own
Kaalilae nillu thalai
feet; conquer the spinning
Sutrum boomiyai vellu
world,
Idhu appan solliya sollu
this is the word spoken by your father,
Maganae vaa maganae vaa
come my son, come my son.
Oorukaaga
For the people,
Aadum kalaingan
the artist who dances
Thannai marapaan
forgets himself.
Than kanneerai
Hiding his own
Moodikondu inbam kodupaan
tears, he bestows joy.
Puligal
Tigers,
Azhuvadhu yedhu
do they ever cry?
Ada paravaiyum
Ah, even birds
Azha ariyaadhu
do not know how to cry.
Porkalam nee
When into the battlefield you
Pugumbodhu mul
enter, thorns
Thaipadhu kaal ariyaadhu
piercing the feet go unnoticed.
Maganae maganae
My son, my son,
Kaatruku
For the wind,
Oivenbadhedhu ada yedhu
what rest is there? Ah, what rest?
Kalaikoru tholvi kidaiyaadhu
For art, there is no defeat,
Kidaiyaadhu kidaiyaadhu
no defeat, no defeat.
Aalaalakanda
O Lord who consumed poison,
Aadaluku thagapaa
Father of dance,
Vanakamunga enna
Greetings to you, who
Aadaama aativecha vanakamunga
made me dance without moving, greetings.
En kaaluku
To my feet
Salangaiyita un
the anklets you tied,
Kaaladiku mudhal vanakam
First greetings to your feet.
En kaal
My feet
Nadamaadumayya
will dance, sir,
Namma kattalaiya
Until our command
Vellum varaikum
is fulfilled.
{ Nee undu
{ Even when you say yes,
Undu endra podhum
when you say it exists,
Ada illai illai endra podhum } (2)
or even when you say no, it does not } (2)
Sabai aadiya paadhamidhu
These feet that danced on stage
Nikaadhu oru podhum
will never stop.
{ Mazhaithuli
{ Raindrop
Mazhaithuli mannil
Raindrop on the earth
Sangamam uyirthuli
Confluence; drop of life
Uyirthuli vaanil sangamam
Drop of life confluent in the sky
Udal porul
Body, wealth,
Aaviyellam kalaiyil
and soul, all in art
Sangamam sangamam } (6)
Confluence, confluence } (6)
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from 'Sangamam' (1999), composed by A.R. Rahman with lyrics by Vairamuthu, is an intense, spiritual ode to art, dance, and resilience. The song frames performing art as a complete surrender of body, mind, and soul to the divine—specifically invoking Shiva (Aalaalakanda, the cosmic dancer). The lyrics weave together metaphors of natural harmony (raindrops merging into the earth, rivers joining the ocean) with the devotion and sacrifices of an artist, expressing how an artist hides personal sorrow to deliver joy to the audience. In the latter half, the song takes the form of paternal wisdom and artistic endurance, reminding the dancer that art knows no defeat, rest, or weakness. Just as wind never rests and tigers do not shed visible tears, a true artist pushes past physical pain and life's hardships to fulfill their artistic destiny. Ultimately, the song celebrates 'Sangamam'—the supreme confluence of nature, devotion, human struggle, and transcendent artistic expression.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora / Repetition (Epanalepsis)
“Mazhaithuli / Mazhaithuli mannil / Sangamam uyirthuli”
Repetition of key words at the beginning and end of phrases (e.g., 'Mazhaithuli Mazhaithuli', 'Sangamam sangamam', 'Vanakamunga vanakamunga') to create rhythmic emphasis matching the feet movements of a classical dancer.
Metaphor (Uruvagatai)
“En kanneeru / Ovvoru sottum vairam / Vairam aagumae sabadham”
Comparing drops of tears to raw diamonds ('En kanneeru ovvoru sottum vairam aagumae'), emphasizing the strength, value, and transformative power derived from grief.
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyming in Tamil Prosody)
“Nadhi nadhi / Athanaiyum kadalil ... Natchathiram / Athanaiyum pagalil”
Classical Tamil poetic harmony where the second letter of consecutive lines match ('Nadhi' / 'Natchathiram').
Personification & Nature Analogy
“Nadhi nadhi athanaiyum kadalil sangamam”
Drawing parallels between natural phenomena (rivers merging into the ocean, stars dissolving in daylight) and the artist surrendering completely to the supreme spirit of art.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Sangamam' (1999) features an iconic soundtrack composed by A.R. Rahman, centered on the clash and confluence between classical Bharatanatyam and traditional Tamil folk dance (Karakattam). Lyricist Vairamuthu won the National Film Award for Best Lyrics for his work in this album, particularly praising the deep philosophical depth and poetic purity evident in songs like 'Mazhaithuli'.
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