Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mounam Kalaiyatho Swami

From Asha · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Asha1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Mounam kalaiyaatho swamiWon't your silence break, my Lord?
Mounam kalaiyaatho swamiWon't your silence break, my Lord?
Idhu mazhaiyai edhirpaarththuLike this earth waiting for the rain,
Mayanum udal verththuFainting with a sweating body,
Thanalaai kodhikkindra bhoomi….ee….Boiling hot like glowing embers...
Female
Mounam kalaiyaatho swamiWon't your silence break, my Lord?
Idhu mazhaiyai edhirpaarththuLike this earth waiting for the rain,
Mayanum udal verththuFainting with a sweating body,
Thanalaai kodhikkindra bhoomi….ee….Boiling hot like glowing embers...
Female
Mounam kalaiyaatho swamiWon't your silence break, my Lord?
Female
Idhazhoram naaiyaada imaiyoram vizhiyaadaAs a smile plays on the lips and eyes glance at the edges,
Ilavenir nilavaadavaeMay the early spring moon sway.
Kani thaangum kodiyaada pani thoongum malaraadaAs the fruit-laden vine sways and the dew-drenched flower slumbers,
Kalai maanum inaiyaadavaeMay the stag and hind pair together and dance.
Female
Idhazhoram naaiyaada imaiyoram vizhiyaadaAs a smile plays on the lips and eyes glance at the edges,
Ilavenir nilavaadavaeMay the early spring moon sway.
Kani thaangum kodiyaada pani thoongum malaraadaAs the fruit-laden vine sways and the dew-drenched flower slumbers,
Kalai maanum inaiyaadavaeMay the stag and hind pair together and dance.
Female
Nizhal meamum koondhalil aadi varaWith hair flowing like shadow-laden clouds,
Manimegalai noolidai moodi varaWith a jeweled belt accentuating the thread-thin waist,
Intha menagai maeniyum kodi peraMay this Menaka-like form attain immense glory,
Nava maamuni sannathi thedi varaAs she comes seeking the sanctuary of the great new sage.
Thiruvaai malarnthida vendum….mmmm….Your holy mouth ought to open and speak... mmmm...
Female
Mounam kalaiyaatho swamiWon't your silence break, my Lord?
Idhu mazhaiyai edhirpaarththuLike this earth waiting for the rain,
Mayanum udal verththuFainting with a sweating body,
Thanalaai kodhikkindra bhoomi….ee….Boiling hot like glowing embers...
Female
Vasantha kaalanal idhu polWill a spring fire wind like this
Vaasal thedi varumoCome seeking one's doorstep again?
Nenjil vilaintha nyanagalCan the realization grown in the heart
Enai pol rajaboam tharumoGrant royal pleasure like I do?
Female
Ezhunthu varungal sugangal melum melum malaraArise and come, so that pleasures may blossom more and more!
Kannai thiranthu paarungal edhiril devadevi ulavaOpen your eyes and see the celestial goddess strolling in front of you!
Female
Kallum kaniyaaggum mullum malaraagumEven stone will turn into fruit, and thorns will blossom into flowers.
Kanni mayilaadum velaiyil ullam urugaathoWhen a maiden peacock dances, won't the heart melt?
Vellam pergaatho otti uravaadum leelaiyilWon't a flood overflow in this playful game of intimacy?
Female
Thavaththai kalaikka vantha devathaiA goddess who came to break the rigid ascetic penance,
Thazhuvi pozhiya vantha thaen mazhaiA honey rain that arrived to embrace and shower love,
Ulagai mayakkum vannappoonaaiA colorful flower that mesmerizes the entire world,
Udhattil eduththu vantha menagai….menagai….menagai…..Menaka bringing charm upon her lips... Menaka... Menaka...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This sensual and classical song draws parallels between the mythical tale of Sage Viswamitra and the celestial nymph Menaka. The female protagonist sings seductively to awaken her lover or hermit companion from his deep silence and ascetic meditation, comparing her longing to the parched earth yearning for rain and burning like hot embers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Urvagambam)

Idhu mazhaiyai edhirpaarththu... Thanalaai kodhikkindra bhoomi

Comparing the woman's burning desire to the parched, ember-hot earth waiting for rain.

Alliteration & Rhyme (Emonai / Edhugai)

Idhazhoram naaiyaada imaiyoram vizhiyaada

Rhythmic matching of syllables (Idhazhoram / Ilavenir / Kani thaangum / Kalai maanum) enhancing the musical dance cadence.

Allusion (Thollvizhi / Purana Mythological Reference)

Intha menagai maeniyum kodi pera / Nava maamuni sannathi thedi vara

Direct reference to Menaka breaking the penance (Thavam) of the great sage (Maamuni Viswamitra).

Did you know?

Trivia

The song evokes the classic mythological theme of celestial dancer Menaka disturbing the deep meditation of Sage Viswamitra, written by legendary poet Vaali using evocative classical Tamil imagery.

Keep listening

More from Asha