Mazhai Varuvathu
From Rishi Moolam · 1980
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Rishi Moolam1980
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Mazhai varuvathu mayilukku theriyum | Just as the peacock knows the rain is arriving, |
| Magan thirumugam manadhukku theriyum | A mother's heart recognizes her son's beloved face. |
| Mazhai varuvathu mayilukku theriyum | Just as the peacock knows the rain is arriving, |
| Magan thirumugam manadhukku theriyum | A mother's heart recognizes her son's beloved face. |
| Ini avllathu ulagathil | Hereafter, in her inner world, |
| Pagalenna iravenna magane kathiravanaam | Be it day or night, her son is her sun, |
| Varum iravinil avane pudhu nilavaam…. | And in the coming night, he himself is the new moon... |
| Female | |
| Mazhai varuvathu mayilukku theriyum | Just as the peacock knows the rain is arriving, |
| Magan thirumugam manadhukku theriyum | A mother's heart recognizes her son's beloved face. |
| Female | |
| Aval kala kala kala ena irunthavalthaan | She was once someone who brimmed with joyful laughter, |
| Miga pada pada pada ena porinthavalthaan | She was one who spoke and acted with fiery intensity, |
| Aval kala kala kala ena irunthavalthaan | She was once someone who brimmed with joyful laughter, |
| Miga pada pada pada ena porinthavalthaan | She was one who spoke and acted with fiery intensity, |
| Aval sari ena ninaithathu | What she believed to be right, |
| Thavarena mudinthathu kalagathile | Ended up as a tragedy amid life's conflict. |
| Female | |
| Aval miga miga pazhayaval ulagathile | She was deeply traditional in the old world, |
| Indru miga miga pudhiyaval gunathinile | Today she is entirely renewed in her noble character. |
| Ithu kaliyugamo illai pudhu yugamo | Is this the dark era of Kali, or a brand new era, |
| Ival idhayathile…. | Inside her tormented heart?... |
| Aa….aa….aa…..lalala lalala lalalaa | Aa... aa... aa... lalala lalala lalalaa |
| Female | |
| Mazhai varuvathu mayilukku theriyum | Just as the peacock knows the rain is arriving, |
| Magan thirumugam manadhukku theriyum | A mother's heart recognizes her son's beloved face. |
| Ini avllathu ulagathil | Hereafter, in her inner world, |
| Pagalenna iravenna magane kathiravanaam | Be it day or night, her son is her sun, |
| Varum iravinil avane pudhu nilavaam…. | And in the coming night, he himself is the new moon... |
| Female | |
| Mazhai varuvathu mayilukku theriyum | Just as the peacock knows the rain is arriving, |
| Magan thirumugam manadhukku theriyum | A mother's heart recognizes her son's beloved face. |
| Female | |
| Andru nadanthadhai ninaipathil kalangugiraal | She breaks down in sorrow remembering what happened back then, |
| Indru nadappadhai ninaippadhil myangugiraal | She faints in bewilderment contemplating what is happening today. |
| Andru nadanthadhai ninaipathil kalangugiraal | She breaks down in sorrow remembering what happened back then, |
| Indru nadappadhai ninaippadhil myangugiraal | She faints in bewilderment contemplating what is happening today. |
| Oru maganukku thaai ena | That she is the mother to this son, |
| Ulagathil yaarukku theriginrathu | Who in this wide world truly knows? |
| Female | |
| Oru manathukkul ragasiyam irukkinrathu | A deep secret remains hidden within one heart, |
| Athu kanavilum ninaivilum thavikkinrathu | It agonizes her ceaselessly in both dreams and reality. |
| Avan maranthu vittan ival marakkavillai | He has forgotten, but she has never forgotten; |
| Kathai nadakkinrathu…. | And so the painful story continues... |
| Aa….aa….aa…..lalala lalala lalalaa | Aa... aa... aa... lalala lalala lalalaa |
| Female | |
| Mazhai varuvathu mayilukku theriyum | Just as the peacock knows the rain is arriving, |
| Magan thirumugam manadhukku theriyum | A mother's heart recognizes her son's beloved face. |
| Ini avllathu ulagathil | Hereafter, in her inner world, |
| Pagalenna iravenna magane kathiravanaam | Be it day or night, her son is her sun, |
| Varum iravinil avane pudhu nilavaam…. | And in the coming night, he himself is the new moon... |
| Female | |
| Mazhai varuvathu mayilukku theriyum | Just as the peacock knows the rain is arriving, |
| Magan thirumugam manadhukku theriyum | A mother's heart recognizes her son's beloved face. |
| Lalala lalala lalalaa lalala lalala lalalaa | Lalala lalala lalalaa lalala lalala lalalaa |
மழை வருவது மயிலுக்கு தெரியும்
மகன் திருமுகம் மனதுக்கு தெரியும்
மழை வருவது மயிலுக்கு தெரியும்
மகன் திருமுகம் மனதுக்கு தெரியும்
இனி அவளது உலகத்தில்
பகலென்ன இரவென்ன மகனே கதிரவனாம்
வரும் இரவினில் அவனே புது நிலவாம்
Just as the peacock knows the rain is arriving,
A mother's heart recognizes her son's beloved face.
Just as the peacock knows the rain is arriving,
A mother's heart recognizes her son's beloved face.
Hereafter, in her inner world,
Be it day or night, her son is her sun,
And in the coming night, he himself is the new moon...
மழை வருவது மயிலுக்கு தெரியும்
மகன் திருமுகம் மனதுக்கு தெரியும்
Just as the peacock knows the rain is arriving,
A mother's heart recognizes her son's beloved face.
அவள் கல கல கல என இருந்தவள்தான்
மிக பட பட பட என பொரிந்தவள்தான்
அவள் கல கல கல என இருந்தவள்தான்
மிக பட பட பட என பொரிந்தவள்தான்
அவள் சரியென நினைத்தது
தவறென முடிந்தது கலகத்திலே
She was once someone who brimmed with joyful laughter,
She was one who spoke and acted with fiery intensity,
She was once someone who brimmed with joyful laughter,
She was one who spoke and acted with fiery intensity,
What she believed to be right,
Ended up as a tragedy amid life's conflict.
அவள் மிக மிக பழையவள் உலகத்திலே
இன்று மிக மிக புதியவள் குணத்தினிலே
இது கலியுகமோ இல்லை புது யுகமோ
இவள் இதயத்திலே
ஆ...ஆ...ஆ......லலல லலல லலலா
She was deeply traditional in the old world,
Today she is entirely renewed in her noble character.
Is this the dark era of Kali, or a brand new era,
Inside her tormented heart?...
Aa... aa... aa... lalala lalala lalalaa
மழை வருவது மயிலுக்கு தெரியும்
மகன் திருமுகம் மனதுக்கு தெரியும்
இனி அவளது உலகத்தில்
பகலென்ன இரவென்ன மகனே கதிரவனாம்
வரும் இரவினில் அவனே புது நிலவாம்
Just as the peacock knows the rain is arriving,
A mother's heart recognizes her son's beloved face.
Hereafter, in her inner world,
Be it day or night, her son is her sun,
And in the coming night, he himself is the new moon...
மழை வருவது மயிலுக்கு தெரியும்
மகன் திருமுகம் மனதுக்கு தெரியும்
Just as the peacock knows the rain is arriving,
A mother's heart recognizes her son's beloved face.
அன்று நடந்ததை நினைப்பதில் கலங்குகிறாள்
இன்று நடப்பதை நினைப்பதில் மயங்குகிறாள்
அன்று நடந்ததை நினைப்பதில் கலங்குகிறாள்
இன்று நடப்பதை நினைப்பதில் மயங்குகிறாள்
ஒரு மகனுக்கு தாயென
உலகத்தில் யாருக்கு தெரிகின்றது
She breaks down in sorrow remembering what happened back then,
She faints in bewilderment contemplating what is happening today.
She breaks down in sorrow remembering what happened back then,
She faints in bewilderment contemplating what is happening today.
That she is the mother to this son,
Who in this wide world truly knows?
ஒரு மனதுக்குள் ரகசியம் இருக்கின்றது
அது கனவிலும் நினைவிலும் தவிக்கின்றது
அவன் மறந்து விட்டான் இவள் மறக்கவில்லை
கதை நடக்கின்றது
ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ......லலல லலல லலலா
A deep secret remains hidden within one heart,
It agonizes her ceaselessly in both dreams and reality.
He has forgotten, but she has never forgotten;
And so the painful story continues...
Aa... aa... aa... lalala lalala lalalaa
மழை வருவது மயிலுக்கு தெரியும்
மகன் திருமுகம் மனதுக்கு தெரியும்
இனி அவளது உலகத்தில்
பகலென்ன இரவென்ன மகனே கதிரவனாம்
வரும் இரவினில் அவனே புது நிலவாம்
Just as the peacock knows the rain is arriving,
A mother's heart recognizes her son's beloved face.
Hereafter, in her inner world,
Be it day or night, her son is her sun,
And in the coming night, he himself is the new moon...
மழை வருவது மயிலுக்கு தெரியும்
மகன் திருமுகம் மனதுக்கு தெரியும்
லலல லலல லலலா லலல லலல லலலா
Just as the peacock knows the rain is arriving,
A mother's heart recognizes her son's beloved face.
Lalala lalala lalalaa lalala lalala lalalaa
Mazhai varuvathu mayilukku theriyum
Just as the peacock knows the rain is arriving,
Magan thirumugam manadhukku theriyum
A mother's heart recognizes her son's beloved face.
Mazhai varuvathu mayilukku theriyum
Just as the peacock knows the rain is arriving,
Magan thirumugam manadhukku theriyum
A mother's heart recognizes her son's beloved face.
Ini avllathu ulagathil
Hereafter, in her inner world,
Pagalenna iravenna magane kathiravanaam
Be it day or night, her son is her sun,
Varum iravinil avane pudhu nilavaam….
And in the coming night, he himself is the new moon...
Mazhai varuvathu mayilukku theriyum
Just as the peacock knows the rain is arriving,
Magan thirumugam manadhukku theriyum
A mother's heart recognizes her son's beloved face.
Aval kala kala kala ena irunthavalthaan
She was once someone who brimmed with joyful laughter,
Miga pada pada pada ena porinthavalthaan
She was one who spoke and acted with fiery intensity,
Aval kala kala kala ena irunthavalthaan
She was once someone who brimmed with joyful laughter,
Miga pada pada pada ena porinthavalthaan
She was one who spoke and acted with fiery intensity,
Aval sari ena ninaithathu
What she believed to be right,
Thavarena mudinthathu kalagathile
Ended up as a tragedy amid life's conflict.
Aval miga miga pazhayaval ulagathile
She was deeply traditional in the old world,
Indru miga miga pudhiyaval gunathinile
Today she is entirely renewed in her noble character.
Ithu kaliyugamo illai pudhu yugamo
Is this the dark era of Kali, or a brand new era,
Ival idhayathile….
Inside her tormented heart?...
Aa….aa….aa…..lalala lalala lalalaa
Aa... aa... aa... lalala lalala lalalaa
Mazhai varuvathu mayilukku theriyum
Just as the peacock knows the rain is arriving,
Magan thirumugam manadhukku theriyum
A mother's heart recognizes her son's beloved face.
Ini avllathu ulagathil
Hereafter, in her inner world,
Pagalenna iravenna magane kathiravanaam
Be it day or night, her son is her sun,
Varum iravinil avane pudhu nilavaam….
And in the coming night, he himself is the new moon...
Mazhai varuvathu mayilukku theriyum
Just as the peacock knows the rain is arriving,
Magan thirumugam manadhukku theriyum
A mother's heart recognizes her son's beloved face.
Andru nadanthadhai ninaipathil kalangugiraal
She breaks down in sorrow remembering what happened back then,
Indru nadappadhai ninaippadhil myangugiraal
She faints in bewilderment contemplating what is happening today.
Andru nadanthadhai ninaipathil kalangugiraal
She breaks down in sorrow remembering what happened back then,
Indru nadappadhai ninaippadhil myangugiraal
She faints in bewilderment contemplating what is happening today.
Oru maganukku thaai ena
That she is the mother to this son,
Ulagathil yaarukku theriginrathu
Who in this wide world truly knows?
Oru manathukkul ragasiyam irukkinrathu
A deep secret remains hidden within one heart,
Athu kanavilum ninaivilum thavikkinrathu
It agonizes her ceaselessly in both dreams and reality.
Avan maranthu vittan ival marakkavillai
He has forgotten, but she has never forgotten;
Kathai nadakkinrathu….
And so the painful story continues...
Aa….aa….aa…..lalala lalala lalalaa
Aa... aa... aa... lalala lalala lalalaa
Mazhai varuvathu mayilukku theriyum
Just as the peacock knows the rain is arriving,
Magan thirumugam manadhukku theriyum
A mother's heart recognizes her son's beloved face.
Ini avllathu ulagathil
Hereafter, in her inner world,
Pagalenna iravenna magane kathiravanaam
Be it day or night, her son is her sun,
Varum iravinil avane pudhu nilavaam….
And in the coming night, he himself is the new moon...
Mazhai varuvathu mayilukku theriyum
Just as the peacock knows the rain is arriving,
Magan thirumugam manadhukku theriyum
A mother's heart recognizes her son's beloved face.
Lalala lalala lalalaa lalala lalala lalalaa
Lalala lalala lalalaa lalala lalala lalalaa
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Mazhai Varuvathu Mayilukku Theriyum' from the film Rishi Moolam (1980) portrays deep maternal love, hidden secrets, and emotional anguish. Kannadasan compares a mother's natural intuition to a peacock sensing rain—just as nature signals the arrival of monsoon to peacocks, a mother's heart instantly knows her child regardless of time or separation. The son becomes the central light of her world, serving as both her sun during the day and her moon at night. However, the narrative carries profound tragic undercurrents. The mother harbors a painful secret that her son remains unaware of. While he has moved on having forgotten the past, she carries the burden of memory, suffering through dreams and waking moments alike. She reflects on her past vibrancy compared to her current silent suffering, wondering at the strange turns of fate that govern her life.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamai (Simile / Metaphor)
“Mazhai varuvathu mayilukku theriyum / Magan thirumugam manadhukku theriyum”
Compares a mother's instinct of recognizing her child to a peacock intuitively knowing the arrival of rain.
Irattai Kilavi (Onomatopoeic expressional pairing)
“Aval kala kala kala ena irunthavalthaan”
The usage of 'kala kala' denotes cheerful, tinkling laughter and vibrant energy.
Irattai Kilavi (Expressional sound pairing)
“Miga pada pada pada ena porinthavalthaan”
The phrase 'pada pada' conveys rapid, anxious, or passionate action.
Monaai (Initial Alliteration)
“Mazhai varuvathu mayilukku theriyum / Magan thirumugam manadhukku theriyum”
Repetition of the 'Ma' (ம) sound at the start of adjacent words ('Mazhai', 'Mayilukku', 'Magan', 'Manadhukku').
Ethirsol (Antithesis / Contrast)
“Avan maranthu vittan ival marakkavillai”
Direct contrast between 'Avan maranthu vittan' (he forgot) and 'ival marakkavillai' (she did not forget) to highlight emotional dissonance.
Did you know?
Trivia
Rishi Moolam (1980) featured Sivaji Ganesan and K. R. Vijaya, with music composed by Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics written by Kannadasan. The track, rendered by P. Susheela, is celebrated as one of Kannadasan's most poignant explorations of maternal instinct and hidden sorrow.
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