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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mella Mella Malarnthadhu

From Sambavam · 1991

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chitra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Sambavam1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Mella mella malaranthathu kadhal en maan varaLove blossomed slowly as my deer-like beloved arrived
Female :Narambugal thudiththathu medhuvaa nee kai thodaFemale : My nerves throbbed softly as your hand touched me
Male :Raaththiriyo theeyena kaayumae nilaaMale : On this night, the moon burns like fire
Male
En kattilthaan kannae un maarbilaaMy bed, my dear, is upon your chest
Chorus :We love youChorus : We love you
Female :Veagangalthaan enna en kadhalaaFemale : What is this speed, my lover?
Chorus :We love youChorus : We love you
Male
Mella mella malaranthathu kadhal en maan varaLove blossomed slowly as my deer-like beloved arrived
Chorus :We love you we love youChorus : We love you we love you
Chorus
Hae you love him love him love himHey you love him love him love him
Male
Vanji enna solai thendraloIs this young woman a breeze from the grove?
Chorus :We love youChorus : We love you
Male :Vanthu aadum thanga oonjaloMale : Is she a golden swing coming to sway?
Chorus :We love youChorus : We love you
Female :Bodhai yaerum kaalai ullamoFemale : Is this the morning mind getting intoxicated?
Chorus :We love youChorus : We love you
Male :Ennai vaattum vaarththai pesumoMale : Will she speak words that torment me?
Chorus :We love youChorus : We love you
Male
Penmai nenjilae orr paattu vanthathaaDid a song arise in the heart of womanhood?
Chorus :We love you we love youChorus : We love you we love you
Female
Paruva thaagamthaan orr paadalaanathaaHas youthful thirst turned into a song?
Chorus :We love you we love youChorus : We love you we love you
Male
Kannmani vennmani maiyal kooduthaaPrecious gem, white pearl, is infatuation growing?
Male
Mella mella malaranthathu kadhal en maan varaLove blossomed slowly as my deer-like beloved arrived
Chorus :We love you we love youChorus : We love you we love you
Female :Narambugal thudiththathu medhuvaa nee kai thodaFemale : My nerves throbbed softly as your hand touched me
Chorus :We love you we love youChorus : We love you we love you
Male
Raaththiriyo theeyena kaayumae nilaaOn this night, the moon burns like fire
En kattilthaan kannae un maarbilaaMy bed, my dear, is upon your chest
Chorus :We love youChorus : We love you
Female :Veagangalthaan enna en kadhalaaFemale : What is this speed, my lover?
Chorus :We love youChorus : We love you
Chorus
Hae you love him love him love himHey you love him love him love him
Female
Mogamenna manjal vennilaaWhat is desire but a yellow moon?
Chorus :We love youChorus : We love you
Female :Paarvai munbu neenthum pothilaeFemale : As it swims before my gaze
Chorus :We love youChorus : We love you
Male
Innumenna naanam ippadiWhy this shyness still like this?
Chorus :We love youChorus : We love you
Male :Enathu kaigal meettum pothilaeMale : When my hands play upon you
Chorus :We love youChorus : We love you
Female
Thozhi naanaena un tholum saernthathaeMy companion, feeling shy, your shoulders joined mine
Chorus :We love you we love youChorus : We love you we love you
Male :Yavvanangalae orr kaavyam aanathaeMale : Youthfulness itself has become an epic poem
Chorus :We love you we love youChorus : We love you we love you
Female :Ennavo aanathae naalum orr kanaaFemale : Something happened, every day is now a dream
Chorus :We love you we love youChorus : We love you we love you
Male
Mella mella malaranthathu kadhal en maan varaLove blossomed slowly as my deer-like beloved arrived
Chorus :We love you we love youChorus : We love you we love you
Female :Narambugal thudiththathu medhuvaa nee kai thodaFemale : My nerves throbbed softly as your hand touched me
Chorus :We love you we love youChorus : We love you we love you
Male
Raaththiriyo theeyena kaayumae nilaaOn this night, the moon burns like fire
En kattilthaan kannae un maarbilaaMy bed, my dear, is upon your chest
Chorus :We love youChorus : We love you
Female: Veagangalthaan enna en kadhalaaFemale: What is this speed, my lover?
Chorus :We love youChorus : We love you

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This romantic track describes the awakening and gradual blossoming of intense love and intimacy between two partners. Through sensual imagery of gentle touches, throbbing pulses, and nighttime warmth, the lyricist captures the emotional and physical connection between the lovers accompanied by an energetic western chorus overlay.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition)

Mella mella malaranthathu kadhal en maan vara

The repetition of 'Mella mella' (slowly, slowly) emphasizes the gradual nature of love unfolding.

Monaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Mella mella malaranthathu kadhal en maan vara

Repetition of the 'm' sound at the start of words ('Mella', 'malaranthathu', 'maan').

Uvamaani (Oxymoronic Metaphor)

Raaththiriyo theeyena kaayumae nilaa

Comparing the cool moon ('nilaa') to burning fire ('theeyena') to highlight the heat of passion.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Sambavam' (1991) features lyricist Vairamuthu experimenting with contemporary pop-chorus structures ('We love you') blended into classical Tamil romantic poetry.

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