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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Meen Kodi Theril (Female)

From Karumbu Vil · 1980

Lyricist
M. G. Vallaban
Singer
Jency Anthony
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Karumbu Vil1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
……………….
Female
Meen kodi theril manmatha rajanIn a chariot with the fish flag, the King of Love, Manmatha,
Oorvalam pogindraanGoes on a grand procession.
Meen kodi theril manmatha rajanIn a chariot with the fish flag, the King of Love, Manmatha,
Oorvalam pogindraanGoes on a grand procession.
Female
Rathiyo padhiyin arugaeRathi is beside her husband,
Mugamo madhiyin azhagaeHer face has the beauty of the full moon.
Uravin sugamo irave tharumeThe pleasure of intimacy is granted by the night,
Kadhalar devanin poojai naalilOn the day of worship for the God of lovers.
Female
Meen kodi theril manmatha rajanIn a chariot with the fish flag, the King of Love, Manmatha,
Oorvalam pogindraanGoes on a grand procession.
Meen kodi theril manmatha rajanIn a chariot with the fish flag, the King of Love, Manmatha,
Oorvalam pogindraanGoes on a grand procession.
Chorus
……………….
Female
Pouranami raavil ilam kanniyar maeniOn a full moon night, the youthful maidens' bodies
Kadhal raagam paadiyaeSing the melody of love.
Aadavar naadum antha paarvaiyilthaanoIs it in that gaze which men seek
Kaaman yaevum bhaanamoThat Kama shoots his love arrows?
Naanae unathaanaen naalum subavelaithaanaeI have become yours; every day is an auspicious time.
Female
Meen kodi theril manmatha rajanIn a chariot with the fish flag, the King of Love, Manmatha,
Oorvalam pogindraanGoes on a grand procession.
Meen kodi theril manmatha rajanIn a chariot with the fish flag, the King of Love, Manmatha,
Oorvalam pogindraanGoes on a grand procession.
Chorus
……………….
Female
Kaalaiyil thozhi naga kolamum thaediIn the morning, as her friend looks for marks of love,
Kaana naanam kooduthaeShyness overwhelms upon being seen.
Mangala melam suga sangama geedhamAuspicious drums and the melody of joyful union
Kaaman kovil poojaiyilResound in the worship at Kama's temple.
Naanae unathaanaen naalum subavelaithaanaeI have become yours; every day is an auspicious time.
Female
Meen kodi theril manmatha rajanIn a chariot with the fish flag, the King of Love, Manmatha,
Oorvalam pogindraanGoes on a grand procession.
Meen kodi theril manmatha rajanIn a chariot with the fish flag, the King of Love, Manmatha,
Oorvalam pogindraanGoes on a grand procession.
Female
Rathiyo padhiyin arugaeRathi is beside her husband,
Mugamo madhiyin azhagaeHer face has the beauty of the full moon.
Uravin sugamo irave tharumeThe pleasure of intimacy is granted by the night,
Kadhalar devanin poojai naalilOn the day of worship for the God of lovers.
Female
Meen kodi theril manmatha rajanIn a chariot with the fish flag, the King of Love, Manmatha,
Oorvalam pogindraanGoes on a grand procession.
Laalla laalaa….laalla laala….laalla laa laa….Laalla laalaa... laalla laala... laalla laa laa...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Meen Kodi Theril is a poetic and romantic song that celebrates love and marital intimacy using classical mythological motifs centered around Lord Manmatha (Kamadeva, the Hindu deity of love) and his consort Rathi. The song paints a vivid picture of passion, comparing the lover's beauty to the moon and describing the sweet shyness and joyful union of lovers during auspicious, moonlit nights. With Ilaiyaraaja's lyrical orchestration and Jency Anthony's delicate vocal delivery, the track frames human romance as a divine ritual dedicated to love. The song highlights themes of surrender, youthfulness, and the ritualistic joy of romantic togetherness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Mythological Allusion

Meen kodi theril manmatha rajan

References Manmatha (Kamadeva) riding a chariot bearing the fish flag (Meen Kodi), a traditional emblem associated with the Hindu god of desire.

Simile / Metaphor (Uruvam)

Mugamo madhiyin azhagae

Compares the glowing beauty of the bride's face directly to the serene radiance of the full moon (Madhi).

Metaphor

Kaaman yaevum bhaanamo

Describes romantic glances as arrows (Bhaanam) shot by Kamadeva to evoke desire.

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Trivia

'Karumbu Vil' (1980) features music composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by M.G. Vallaban. Singer Jency Anthony was a prominent voice in Ilaiyaraaja's late 1970s and early 1980s romantic compositions, known for her gentle tone in tracks like this one.

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