Merku Thodarchi Malai (Female)
From Solaiyamma · 1992
- Lyricist
- Kasthuri Raja
- Singer
- S. Janaki
- Music director
- Deva
- Details
- Solaiyamma1992
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Merkku thodarchchi malai uchchiyila malai uchchiyila | At the top of the Western Ghats mountain peak, at the mountain peak, |
| Naan paattu padikkiraendi oththaiyila | I am singing a song all alone. |
| Vechcha maram pookkaiyila vaazhaimaram kaaikkaiyila | Just as the planted tree blossoms, as the banana tree bears fruit, |
| Vettaruvaa pattathadi veroda saanjadhadi | Hit by a machete, it fell down by its roots. |
| Female | |
| Merkku thodarchchi malai uchchiyila malai uchchiyila | At the top of the Western Ghats mountain peak, at the mountain peak, |
| Naan paattu padikkiraendi oththaiyila | I am singing a song all alone. |
| Female | |
| Ennei thalamuzhugi ellu nera pottu vachchu | After taking an oil bath and putting on a sesame-black bindi, |
| Unnoda sera vanthaa devathai intha devathai | This angel came to unite with you, this angel. |
| Ennei thalamuzhugi ellu nera pottu vachchu | After taking an oil bath and putting on a sesame-black bindi, |
| Unnoda sera vanthaa devathai intha devathai | This angel came to unite with you, this angel. |
| Female | |
| Entha saami thantha kadhi engirunthu vantha vidhi | Which god gave this state? From where did this fate come? |
| Katti vachcha maalai onnu | The garland that was woven, |
| Kaanamaththaan pona sathi | Disappeared due to a cruel conspiracy. |
| Tharamaana naaththu onnu thaniyaaga aachchu | A high-quality sapling has now become completely alone, |
| Thalavaazhai thoppu ippa tharisaagi pochchu | The lush banana grove has now turned into a barren wasteland. |
| Female | |
| Merkku thodarchchi malai uchchiyila malai uchchiyila | At the top of the Western Ghats mountain peak, at the mountain peak, |
| Naan paattu padikkiraendi oththaiyila | I am singing a song all alone. |
| Female | |
| Yaelam pazhukkumunnu etti ninnu kaaththirukka | While standing at a distance, waiting for the cardamom to ripen, |
| Olai pazhuththathenna niyaayamo adhu maayamo…oo… | Why did the palm leaf wither instead? Is it justice or a cruel illusion? |
| Yaelam pazhukkumunnu etti ninnu kaaththirukka | While standing at a distance, waiting for the cardamom to ripen, |
| Olai pazhuththathenna niyaayamo adhu maayamo…oo… | Why did the palm leaf wither instead? Is it justice or a cruel illusion? |
| Female | |
| Aamanakku thottaththula poomanakka vantha mullai | In the castor garden, a fragrant jasmine flower bloomed, |
| Aaru vaccha mullu thaichchu seerukettu ponathammaa | Pierced by a thorn placed by the river, its life was ruined. |
| Ilamaalai kaaththu adhu thisai maari pochchu | The cool evening breeze changed its direction, |
| Manamaalai kaanju ippa sarugaagi pochchu | The wedding garland dried up and has now turned to dry leaves. |
| Female | |
| Merkku thodarchchi malai uchchiyila malai uchchiyila | At the top of the Western Ghats mountain peak, at the mountain peak, |
| Naan paattu padikkiraendi oththaiyila | I am singing a song all alone. |
| Vechcha maram pookkaiyila vaazhaimaram kaaikkaiyila | Just as the planted tree blossoms, as the banana tree bears fruit, |
| Vettaruvaa pattathadi veroda saanjadhadi | Hit by a machete, it fell down by its roots. |
| Female | |
| Merkku thodarchchi malai uchchiyila malai uchchiyila | At the top of the Western Ghats mountain peak, at the mountain peak, |
| Naan paattu padikkiraendi oththaiyila | I am singing a song all alone. |
| Naan paattu padikkiraendi oththaiyila….. | I am singing a song all alone... |
மேற்குத் தொடர்ச்சி மலை உச்சியில மலை உச்சியில
நான் பாட்டு படிக்கிறேன்டி ஒத்தையில
வெச்சமரம் பூக்கயில வாழைமரம் காய்க்கயில
வெட்டருவா பட்டதடி வேரோட சாஞ்சதடி..
At the top of the Western Ghats mountain peak, at the mountain peak,
I am singing a song all alone.
Just as the planted tree blossoms, as the banana tree bears fruit,
Hit by a machete, it fell down by its roots.
மேற்குத் தொடர்ச்சிமலை உச்சியில மலை உச்சியில
நான் பாட்டு படிக்கிறேன்டி ஒத்தையில
At the top of the Western Ghats mountain peak, at the mountain peak,
I am singing a song all alone.
எண்ணெய் தலமுழுகி எள்ளு நெறப் பொட்டு வச்சு
உன்னோட சேர வந்தா தேவதை இந்த தேவதை....
எண்ணெய் தலமுழுகி எள்ளு நெறப் பொட்டு வச்சு
உன்னோட சேர வந்தா தேவதை இந்த தேவதை
After taking an oil bath and putting on a sesame-black bindi,
This angel came to unite with you, this angel.
After taking an oil bath and putting on a sesame-black bindi,
This angel came to unite with you, this angel.
எந்த சாமி தந்த கதி எங்கிருந்து வந்த விதி
கட்டி வைச்ச மாலை ஒன்னு
காணாமத்தான் போன சதி
தரமான நாத்து ஒன்னு தனியாக ஆச்சு
தலவாழை தோப்பு இப்ப தரிசாகி போச்சு..
Which god gave this state? From where did this fate come?
The garland that was woven,
Disappeared due to a cruel conspiracy.
A high-quality sapling has now become completely alone,
The lush banana grove has now turned into a barren wasteland.
மேற்குத் தொடர்ச்சிமலை உச்சியில மலை உச்சியில
நான் பாட்டு படிக்கிறேன்டி ஒத்தையில.....
At the top of the Western Ghats mountain peak, at the mountain peak,
I am singing a song all alone.
ஏலம் பழுக்குமுன்னு எட்டி நின்னு காத்திருக்க
ஓலை பழுத்ததென்ன நியாயமோ அது மாயமோ.....ஒ
ஏலம் பழுக்குமுன்னு எட்டி நின்னு காத்திருக்க
ஓலை பழுத்ததென்ன ஞாயமோ அது மாயமோ...ஓ....
While standing at a distance, waiting for the cardamom to ripen,
Why did the palm leaf wither instead? Is it justice or a cruel illusion?
While standing at a distance, waiting for the cardamom to ripen,
Why did the palm leaf wither instead? Is it justice or a cruel illusion?
ஆமணக்கு தோட்டத்துல பூமணக்க வந்த முல்லை
ஆரு வைச்ச முள்ளு தைச்சு சீருகெட்டு போனதம்மா
இளமாலை காத்து அது திசை மாறிப்போச்சு
மணமாலை காஞ்சு இப்ப சருகாகி போச்சு...
In the castor garden, a fragrant jasmine flower bloomed,
Pierced by a thorn placed by the river, its life was ruined.
The cool evening breeze changed its direction,
The wedding garland dried up and has now turned to dry leaves.
மேற்குத் தொடர்ச்சிமலை உச்சியில மலை உச்சியில
நான் பாட்டு படிக்கிறேன்டி ஒத்தையில
வெச்சமரம் பூக்கயில வாழைமரம் காய்க்கயில
வெட்டருவா பட்டதடி வேரோட சாஞ்சதடி..
At the top of the Western Ghats mountain peak, at the mountain peak,
I am singing a song all alone.
Just as the planted tree blossoms, as the banana tree bears fruit,
Hit by a machete, it fell down by its roots.
மேற்குத் தொடர்ச்சிமலை உச்சியில மலை உச்சியில
நான் பாட்டு படிக்கிறேன்டி ஒத்தையில
நான் பாட்டு படிக்கிறேன்டி ஒத்தையில....
At the top of the Western Ghats mountain peak, at the mountain peak,
I am singing a song all alone.
I am singing a song all alone...
Merkku thodarchchi malai uchchiyila malai uchchiyila
At the top of the Western Ghats mountain peak, at the mountain peak,
Naan paattu padikkiraendi oththaiyila
I am singing a song all alone.
Vechcha maram pookkaiyila vaazhaimaram kaaikkaiyila
Just as the planted tree blossoms, as the banana tree bears fruit,
Vettaruvaa pattathadi veroda saanjadhadi
Hit by a machete, it fell down by its roots.
Merkku thodarchchi malai uchchiyila malai uchchiyila
At the top of the Western Ghats mountain peak, at the mountain peak,
Naan paattu padikkiraendi oththaiyila
I am singing a song all alone.
Ennei thalamuzhugi ellu nera pottu vachchu
After taking an oil bath and putting on a sesame-black bindi,
Unnoda sera vanthaa devathai intha devathai
This angel came to unite with you, this angel.
Ennei thalamuzhugi ellu nera pottu vachchu
After taking an oil bath and putting on a sesame-black bindi,
Unnoda sera vanthaa devathai intha devathai
This angel came to unite with you, this angel.
Entha saami thantha kadhi engirunthu vantha vidhi
Which god gave this state? From where did this fate come?
Katti vachcha maalai onnu
The garland that was woven,
Kaanamaththaan pona sathi
Disappeared due to a cruel conspiracy.
Tharamaana naaththu onnu thaniyaaga aachchu
A high-quality sapling has now become completely alone,
Thalavaazhai thoppu ippa tharisaagi pochchu
The lush banana grove has now turned into a barren wasteland.
Merkku thodarchchi malai uchchiyila malai uchchiyila
At the top of the Western Ghats mountain peak, at the mountain peak,
Naan paattu padikkiraendi oththaiyila
I am singing a song all alone.
Yaelam pazhukkumunnu etti ninnu kaaththirukka
While standing at a distance, waiting for the cardamom to ripen,
Olai pazhuththathenna niyaayamo adhu maayamo…oo…
Why did the palm leaf wither instead? Is it justice or a cruel illusion?
Yaelam pazhukkumunnu etti ninnu kaaththirukka
While standing at a distance, waiting for the cardamom to ripen,
Olai pazhuththathenna niyaayamo adhu maayamo…oo…
Why did the palm leaf wither instead? Is it justice or a cruel illusion?
Aamanakku thottaththula poomanakka vantha mullai
In the castor garden, a fragrant jasmine flower bloomed,
Aaru vaccha mullu thaichchu seerukettu ponathammaa
Pierced by a thorn placed by the river, its life was ruined.
Ilamaalai kaaththu adhu thisai maari pochchu
The cool evening breeze changed its direction,
Manamaalai kaanju ippa sarugaagi pochchu
The wedding garland dried up and has now turned to dry leaves.
Merkku thodarchchi malai uchchiyila malai uchchiyila
At the top of the Western Ghats mountain peak, at the mountain peak,
Naan paattu padikkiraendi oththaiyila
I am singing a song all alone.
Vechcha maram pookkaiyila vaazhaimaram kaaikkaiyila
Just as the planted tree blossoms, as the banana tree bears fruit,
Vettaruvaa pattathadi veroda saanjadhadi
Hit by a machete, it fell down by its roots.
Merkku thodarchchi malai uchchiyila malai uchchiyila
At the top of the Western Ghats mountain peak, at the mountain peak,
Naan paattu padikkiraendi oththaiyila
I am singing a song all alone.
Naan paattu padikkiraendi oththaiyila…..
I am singing a song all alone...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Merkku Thodarchchi Malai Uchchiyila is a poignant rural Tamil song that expresses the immense grief and loneliness of a woman whose life and dreams of marital bliss have been abruptly destroyed. Set against the serene backdrop of the Western Ghats, she mourns her tragic twist of fate, comparing her life to a fruit-bearing tree suddenly struck down by an axe.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamai)
“Vechcha maram pookkaiyila vaazhaimaram kaaikkaiyila / Vettaruvaa pattathadi veroda saanjadhadi”
Comparing sudden heartbreak and tragic ruin to a blossoming banana tree being felled at its roots by a machete.
Etukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Tharamaana naaththu onnu thaniyaaga aachchu / Thalavaazhai thoppu ippa tharisaagi pochchu”
Rhyming of the second letter ('ra'/'la') in rustic folk poetic tradition to create rhythm.
Symbolism (Uruvam)
“Thalavaazhai thoppu ippa tharisaagi pochchu”
Using 'tharisaagi pochchu' (barren wasteland) to symbolize the loss of joy, fertility, and a promising future.
Did you know?
Trivia
Solaiyamma (1992) featured music composed by Deva, with lyrics penned by director Kasthuri Raja. Kasthuri Raja is renowned for introducing authentic, native rural folk idioms and metaphors from southern Tamil Nadu into mainstream Tamil film songs.
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