- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- V. Kumar
- Movie name
- Malligai Poo
- Movie release year
- 1973
- Lyrics added on
- 5 Nov 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This classic song from Malligai Poo (1973) is a heartfelt prayer offered by a devout wife to Goddess Meenakshi of Madurai. The singer prays for the eternal longevity of her 'maangalyam' (sacred wedding thread) and the well-being of her husband. She invokes grand mythological examples of legendary devoted wives like Savitri, who fought Yama to save her husband's soul, and Nalaayini, who ordered the sun not to rise to protect her husband. The song celebrates the auspicious symbols of married Tamil women—turmeric, kumkum, and jasmine flowers—praising them as signs of marital harmony, love, and devotion.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)
“Medaiyittu / Moondru mudichittu”
Matching second consonant 'd' and 'n' across initial words in Tamil verse rhythm.
Monaai (Initial letter alliteration)
“Manjalil thoiththeduththa / Manam endraagi”
Repetition of initial consonant sound 'M' across line segments.
Mythological Allusion (Puranic Reference)
“Kaaviya pugazh kondaal saaviththiri / Kanavanin uyir kaaththa nalaayini”
Direct references to epic heroines Savitri and Nalaayini to highlight fidelity and divine power of devotion.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Vendiya varam kodukkum vel vizhiyae”
Describing Goddess Meenakshi using epithets like 'Vel vizhiyae' (spear-eyed) and 'Meen konda kannaalae' (fish-eyed).
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by V. Kumar with soulful lyrics by Vaali and sung by legendary playback singer P. Susheela, this song highlights Goddess Meenakshi, the patron deity of Madurai. In Tamil culture, Goddess Meenakshi is revered as the ultimate protector of marital happiness and long life for spouses.
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