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Solaiyamma album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Merku Thodarchi Malai (Female)

From Solaiyamma · 1992

Lyricist
Kasthuri Raja
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Deva
Movie name
Solaiyamma
Movie release year
1992
Lyrics added on
4 Mar 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Merkku thodarchchi malai uchchiyila malai uchchiyila
Naan paattu padikkiraendi oththaiyila
Vechcha maram pookkaiyila vaazhaimaram kaaikkaiyila
Vettaruvaa pattathadi veroda saanjadhadi
Merkku thodarchchi malai uchchiyila malai uchchiyila
Naan paattu padikkiraendi oththaiyila
Ennei thalamuzhugi ellu nera pottu vachchu
Unnoda sera vanthaa devathai intha devathai
Ennei thalamuzhugi ellu nera pottu vachchu
Unnoda sera vanthaa devathai intha devathai
Entha saami thantha kadhi engirunthu vantha vidhi
Katti vachcha maalai onnu
Kaanamaththaan pona sathi
Tharamaana naaththu onnu thaniyaaga aachchu
Thalavaazhai thoppu ippa tharisaagi pochchu
Merkku thodarchchi malai uchchiyila malai uchchiyila
Naan paattu padikkiraendi oththaiyila
Yaelam pazhukkumunnu etti ninnu kaaththirukka
Olai pazhuththathenna niyaayamo adhu maayamo…oo…
Yaelam pazhukkumunnu etti ninnu kaaththirukka
Olai pazhuththathenna niyaayamo adhu maayamo…oo…
Aamanakku thottaththula poomanakka vantha mullai
Aaru vaccha mullu thaichchu seerukettu ponathammaa
Ilamaalai kaaththu adhu thisai maari pochchu
Manamaalai kaanju ippa sarugaagi pochchu
Merkku thodarchchi malai uchchiyila malai uchchiyila
Naan paattu padikkiraendi oththaiyila
Vechcha maram pookkaiyila vaazhaimaram kaaikkaiyila
Vettaruvaa pattathadi veroda saanjadhadi
Merkku thodarchchi malai uchchiyila malai uchchiyila
Naan paattu padikkiraendi oththaiyila
Naan paattu padikkiraendi oththaiyila…..
On the peak of the Western Ghats, on the mountain peak,
I am singing a song, all alone!
Just as the planted tree blossomed and the plantain bore fruit,
A machete struck it, and it fell uprooted to the ground!
On the peak of the Western Ghats, on the mountain peak,
I am singing a song, all alone!
Having taken an oil bath and worn a sesame-dark bindi,
An angel came to be with you, this very angel...
Having taken an oil bath and worn a sesame-dark bindi,
An angel came to be with you, this very angel.
Which god brought this plight? Where did this fate come from?
The garland that was lovingly strung together
Was lost in a cruel plot!
A fine young sapling has been left all alone,
And the lush plantain grove has now turned barren...
On the peak of the Western Ghats, on the mountain peak,
I am singing a song, all alone...
While waiting from afar for the cardamom to ripen,
Is it fair that the palm leaf withered instead, or is it an illusion?
While waiting from afar for the cardamom to ripen,
Is it fair that the palm leaf withered instead, or is it an illusion?
In a field of wild castor, the jasmine came to spread its fragrance,
Pierced by a thorn someone placed, its life was ruined, oh friend.
The gentle evening breeze has changed its direction,
And the wedding garland has withered into dry leaves now...
On the peak of the Western Ghats, on the mountain peak,
I am singing a song, all alone!
Just as the planted tree blossomed and the plantain bore fruit,
A machete struck it, and it fell uprooted to the ground!
On the peak of the Western Ghats, on the mountain peak,
I am singing a song, all alone!
I am singing a song, all alone...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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