Oru Maalai Chandiran
From Unnai Vaazhthi Paadugiren · 1992
- Lyricist
- Na. Kamarasan
- Singers
- Minmini, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Unnai Vaazhthi Paadugiren1992
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Paal nilavu sooriyan pol suttathenna niyaayam | How is it fair that the milky moon burns like the scorching sun? |
| Pachcha kili thola koththi vanthathintha kaayam | Did this wound come from a green parrot pecking at my shoulder? |
| Odi vantha vaigai nadhi kaanjathenna maayam | What magic caused the fast-flowing Vaigai river to dry up? |
| Kooda vazhi illai endrae aanathu penn paavam | Just because there is no way to unite, a woman's plight has turned into sorrow. |
| Female | |
| Oru maalai Chandhiran malarai theduthu | An evening moon searches for a flower |
| Malayadivaaraththilae | At the foothills of the mountain. |
| Ila maanai kandida kaanam paaduthu | To see the young deer, it sings a song |
| Manmatha raagaththilae | In the passionate raga of Cupid. |
| Female | |
| Kulir veesum maasiyilae oru aasai mogamadi | In the chilly month of Maasi, there is a intense desire and infatuation, my dear. |
| Adhu pesum paashaiyilae oru kadhal viragamadi | In the language it speaks, there is the pain of love's separation, my dear. |
| Oru thegam vendhathu moga theeyinilae aa….aa…. | A body burned in the fire of passion, ah... ah... |
| Female | |
| Oru maalai Chandhiran malarai theduthu | An evening moon searches for a flower |
| Malayadivaaraththilae | At the foothills of the mountain. |
| Ila maanai kandida kaanam paaduthu | To see the young deer, it sings a song |
| Manmatha raagaththilae | In the passionate raga of Cupid. |
| Male | |
| Vennilavil thedugiraen kanni mugam kaanom | I search in the moonlight, but the maiden's face is nowhere to be seen. |
| Punnagaiyum naan izhanthaen en manathil sogam | I have lost my smile as well, and my heart is filled with grief. |
| Chiththiraththai paarkka vanthaen karkuviyal kandaen | I came expecting to see a beautiful painting, but found only a pile of stones. |
| Then malaiyai pol irunthaen thennilangai aanaen | I used to be like a sweet mountain of honey, but now I am reduced to ruined Sri Lanka. |
| Female | |
| Chella kuyil koova mella varum megam | As the beloved cuckoo coos, the clouds slowly float in. |
| Sollil varum sogam gangai nadhi aagum | The sorrow expressed in words flows endlessly like the river Ganges. |
| Engiruntha pothilum nee vanthu vidu devi | Wherever you may be, please return to me, my goddess! |
| Female | |
| Oru maalai Chandhiran malarai theduthu | An evening moon searches for a flower |
| Malayadivaaraththilae | At the foothills of the mountain. |
| Ila maanai kandida kaanam paaduthu | To see the young deer, it sings a song |
| Manmatha raagaththilae | In the passionate raga of Cupid. |
| Female | |
| Kulir veesum maasiyilae oru aasai mogamadi | In the chilly month of Maasi, there is a intense desire and infatuation, my dear. |
| Adhu pesum paashaiyilae oru kadhal viragamadi | In the language it speaks, there is the pain of love's separation, my dear. |
| Oru thegam vendhathu moga theeyinilae aa….aa…. | A body burned in the fire of passion, ah... ah... |
| Female | |
| Oru maalai Chandhiran malarai theduthu | An evening moon searches for a flower |
| Malayadivaaraththilae | At the foothills of the mountain. |
| Ila maanai kandida kaanam paaduthu | To see the young deer, it sings a song |
| Manmatha raagaththilae | In the passionate raga of Cupid. |
| Male | |
| Niththiraiyil pooveduththaen nenil oru kaayam | I picked a flower in my sleep, but suffered a wound on my chest. |
| Kaayam konda pothinilum poovil enthan mogam | Even though wounded, my longing for the flower remains undiminished. |
| Therkku kadal aazhaththilae muthedukka ponaen | I went down into the depths of the southern sea to retrieve pearls. |
| Moochadangi ponathai muththai innum kaanaen | I lost my breath in the process, yet I still haven't found the pearl. |
| Male | |
| Unthan mugam thedi ullam alai paayum | Searching for your face, my heart wanders restlessly like ocean waves. |
| Thendral indri ponaal thegam analaagum | If the gentle breeze ceases to blow, my body burns like fire. |
| Engiruntha pothilum nee vanthu vidu devi | Wherever you may be, please return to me, my goddess! |
| Female | |
| Oru maalai Chandhiran malarai theduthu | An evening moon searches for a flower |
| Malayadivaaraththilae | At the foothills of the mountain. |
| Ila maanai kandida kaanam paaduthu | To see the young deer, it sings a song |
| Manmatha raagaththilae | In the passionate raga of Cupid. |
| Female | |
| Kulir veesum maasiyilae oru aasai mogamadi | In the chilly month of Maasi, there is a intense desire and infatuation, my dear. |
| Adhu pesum paashaiyilae oru kadhal viragamadi | In the language it speaks, there is the pain of love's separation, my dear. |
| Oru thegam vendhathu moga theeyinilae aa….aa…. | A body burned in the fire of passion, ah... ah... |
| Female | |
| Oru maalai Chandhiran malarai theduthu | An evening moon searches for a flower |
| Malayadivaaraththilae | At the foothills of the mountain. |
| Ila maanai kandida kaanam paaduthu | To see the young deer, it sings a song |
| Manmatha raagaththilae | In the passionate raga of Cupid. |
பால் நிலவு சூரியன் போல் சுட்டதென்ன நியாயம்
பச்சக் கிளி தோளக் கொத்தி வந்ததிந்த காயம்
ஓடி வந்த வைகை நதி காஞ்சதென்ன மாயம்
கூட வழி இல்லை என்றே ஆனது பெண் பாவம்
How is it fair that the milky moon burns like the scorching sun?
Did this wound come from a green parrot pecking at my shoulder?
What magic caused the fast-flowing Vaigai river to dry up?
Just because there is no way to unite, a woman's plight has turned into sorrow.
ஒரு மாலைச் சந்திரன் மலரைத் தேடுது
மலையடிவாரத்திலே
இள மானைக் கண்டிட கானம் பாடுது
மன்மத ராகத்திலே
An evening moon searches for a flower
At the foothills of the mountain.
To see the young deer, it sings a song
In the passionate raga of Cupid.
குளிர் வீசும் மாசியிலே ஒரு ஆசை மேகமடி
அது பேசும் பாஷையிலே ஒரு காதல் விரகமடி
ஒரு தேகம் வெந்தது மோகத் தீயினிலே ஆ.....ஆ.....
In the chilly month of Maasi, there is a intense desire and infatuation, my dear.
In the language it speaks, there is the pain of love's separation, my dear.
A body burned in the fire of passion, ah... ah...
ஒரு மாலைச் சந்திரன் மலரைத் தேடுது
மலையடிவாரத்திலே
இள மானைக் கண்டிட கானம் பாடுது
மன்மத ராகத்திலே
An evening moon searches for a flower
At the foothills of the mountain.
To see the young deer, it sings a song
In the passionate raga of Cupid.
வெண்ணிலவில் தேடுகிறேன் கன்னி முகம் காணோம்
புன்னகையும் நான் இழந்தேன் என் மனதில் சோகம்
சித்திரத்தை பார்க்க வந்தேன் கற்குவியல் கண்டேன்
தென் மலையை போல் இருந்தேன் தென்னிலங்கை ஆனேன்
I search in the moonlight, but the maiden's face is nowhere to be seen.
I have lost my smile as well, and my heart is filled with grief.
I came expecting to see a beautiful painting, but found only a pile of stones.
I used to be like a sweet mountain of honey, but now I am reduced to ruined Sri Lanka.
செல்லக் குயில் கூவ மெல்ல வரும் மேகம்
சொல்லில் வரும் சோகம் கங்கை நதி ஆகும்
எங்கிருந்த போதிலும் நீ வந்து விடு தேவி
As the beloved cuckoo coos, the clouds slowly float in.
The sorrow expressed in words flows endlessly like the river Ganges.
Wherever you may be, please return to me, my goddess!
மாலைச் சந்திரன் மலரைத் தேடுது
மலையடிவாரத்திலே
இள மானைக் கண்டிட கானம் பாடுது
மன்மத ராகத்திலே
An evening moon searches for a flower
At the foothills of the mountain.
To see the young deer, it sings a song
In the passionate raga of Cupid.
குளிர் வீசும் மாசியிலே ஒரு ஆசை மேகமடி
அது பேசும் பாஷையிலே ஒரு காதல் விரகமடி
ஒரு தேகம் வெந்தது மோகத் தீயினிலே ஆ.....ஆ.....
In the chilly month of Maasi, there is a intense desire and infatuation, my dear.
In the language it speaks, there is the pain of love's separation, my dear.
A body burned in the fire of passion, ah... ah...
ஒரு மாலைச் சந்திரன் மலரைத் தேடுது
மலையடிவாரத்திலே
இள மானைக் கண்டிட கானம் பாடுது
மன்மத ராகத்திலே
An evening moon searches for a flower
At the foothills of the mountain.
To see the young deer, it sings a song
In the passionate raga of Cupid.
நித்திரையில் பூவெடுத்தேன் நெஞ்சில் ஒரு காயம்
காயம் கொண்ட போதினிலும் பூவில் எந்தன் மோகம்
தெற்குக் கடல் ஆழத்திலே முத்தெடுக்கப் போனேன்
மூச்சடங்கிப் போனதடி முத்தை இன்னும் காணேன்
I picked a flower in my sleep, but suffered a wound on my chest.
Even though wounded, my longing for the flower remains undiminished.
I went down into the depths of the southern sea to retrieve pearls.
I lost my breath in the process, yet I still haven't found the pearl.
உந்தன் முகம் தேடி உள்ளம் அலை பாயும்
தென்றல் இன்றிப் போனால் தேகம் அனலாகும்
எங்கிருந்த போதிலும் நீ வந்து விடு தேவி
Searching for your face, my heart wanders restlessly like ocean waves.
If the gentle breeze ceases to blow, my body burns like fire.
Wherever you may be, please return to me, my goddess!
மாலைச் சந்திரன் மலரைத் தேடுது
மலையடிவாரத்திலே
இள மானைக் கண்டிட கானம் பாடுது
மன்மத ராகத்திலே
An evening moon searches for a flower
At the foothills of the mountain.
To see the young deer, it sings a song
In the passionate raga of Cupid.
குளிர் வீசும் மாசியிலே ஒரு ஆசை மேகமடி
அது பேசும் பாஷையிலே ஒரு காதல் விரகமடி
ஒரு தேகம் வெந்தது மோகத் தீயினிலே ஆ.....ஆ.....
In the chilly month of Maasi, there is a intense desire and infatuation, my dear.
In the language it speaks, there is the pain of love's separation, my dear.
A body burned in the fire of passion, ah... ah...
ஒரு மாலைச் சந்திரன் மலரைத் தேடுது
மலையடிவாரத்திலே
இள மானைக் கண்டிட கானம் பாடுது
மன்மத ராகத்திலே
An evening moon searches for a flower
At the foothills of the mountain.
To see the young deer, it sings a song
In the passionate raga of Cupid.
Paal nilavu sooriyan pol suttathenna niyaayam
How is it fair that the milky moon burns like the scorching sun?
Pachcha kili thola koththi vanthathintha kaayam
Did this wound come from a green parrot pecking at my shoulder?
Odi vantha vaigai nadhi kaanjathenna maayam
What magic caused the fast-flowing Vaigai river to dry up?
Kooda vazhi illai endrae aanathu penn paavam
Just because there is no way to unite, a woman's plight has turned into sorrow.
Oru maalai Chandhiran malarai theduthu
An evening moon searches for a flower
Malayadivaaraththilae
At the foothills of the mountain.
Ila maanai kandida kaanam paaduthu
To see the young deer, it sings a song
Manmatha raagaththilae
In the passionate raga of Cupid.
Kulir veesum maasiyilae oru aasai mogamadi
In the chilly month of Maasi, there is a intense desire and infatuation, my dear.
Adhu pesum paashaiyilae oru kadhal viragamadi
In the language it speaks, there is the pain of love's separation, my dear.
Oru thegam vendhathu moga theeyinilae aa….aa….
A body burned in the fire of passion, ah... ah...
Oru maalai Chandhiran malarai theduthu
An evening moon searches for a flower
Malayadivaaraththilae
At the foothills of the mountain.
Ila maanai kandida kaanam paaduthu
To see the young deer, it sings a song
Manmatha raagaththilae
In the passionate raga of Cupid.
Vennilavil thedugiraen kanni mugam kaanom
I search in the moonlight, but the maiden's face is nowhere to be seen.
Punnagaiyum naan izhanthaen en manathil sogam
I have lost my smile as well, and my heart is filled with grief.
Chiththiraththai paarkka vanthaen karkuviyal kandaen
I came expecting to see a beautiful painting, but found only a pile of stones.
Then malaiyai pol irunthaen thennilangai aanaen
I used to be like a sweet mountain of honey, but now I am reduced to ruined Sri Lanka.
Chella kuyil koova mella varum megam
As the beloved cuckoo coos, the clouds slowly float in.
Sollil varum sogam gangai nadhi aagum
The sorrow expressed in words flows endlessly like the river Ganges.
Engiruntha pothilum nee vanthu vidu devi
Wherever you may be, please return to me, my goddess!
Oru maalai Chandhiran malarai theduthu
An evening moon searches for a flower
Malayadivaaraththilae
At the foothills of the mountain.
Ila maanai kandida kaanam paaduthu
To see the young deer, it sings a song
Manmatha raagaththilae
In the passionate raga of Cupid.
Kulir veesum maasiyilae oru aasai mogamadi
In the chilly month of Maasi, there is a intense desire and infatuation, my dear.
Adhu pesum paashaiyilae oru kadhal viragamadi
In the language it speaks, there is the pain of love's separation, my dear.
Oru thegam vendhathu moga theeyinilae aa….aa….
A body burned in the fire of passion, ah... ah...
Oru maalai Chandhiran malarai theduthu
An evening moon searches for a flower
Malayadivaaraththilae
At the foothills of the mountain.
Ila maanai kandida kaanam paaduthu
To see the young deer, it sings a song
Manmatha raagaththilae
In the passionate raga of Cupid.
Niththiraiyil pooveduththaen nenil oru kaayam
I picked a flower in my sleep, but suffered a wound on my chest.
Kaayam konda pothinilum poovil enthan mogam
Even though wounded, my longing for the flower remains undiminished.
Therkku kadal aazhaththilae muthedukka ponaen
I went down into the depths of the southern sea to retrieve pearls.
Moochadangi ponathai muththai innum kaanaen
I lost my breath in the process, yet I still haven't found the pearl.
Unthan mugam thedi ullam alai paayum
Searching for your face, my heart wanders restlessly like ocean waves.
Thendral indri ponaal thegam analaagum
If the gentle breeze ceases to blow, my body burns like fire.
Engiruntha pothilum nee vanthu vidu devi
Wherever you may be, please return to me, my goddess!
Oru maalai Chandhiran malarai theduthu
An evening moon searches for a flower
Malayadivaaraththilae
At the foothills of the mountain.
Ila maanai kandida kaanam paaduthu
To see the young deer, it sings a song
Manmatha raagaththilae
In the passionate raga of Cupid.
Kulir veesum maasiyilae oru aasai mogamadi
In the chilly month of Maasi, there is a intense desire and infatuation, my dear.
Adhu pesum paashaiyilae oru kadhal viragamadi
In the language it speaks, there is the pain of love's separation, my dear.
Oru thegam vendhathu moga theeyinilae aa….aa….
A body burned in the fire of passion, ah... ah...
Oru maalai Chandhiran malarai theduthu
An evening moon searches for a flower
Malayadivaaraththilae
At the foothills of the mountain.
Ila maanai kandida kaanam paaduthu
To see the young deer, it sings a song
Manmatha raagaththilae
In the passionate raga of Cupid.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This poignant Tamil song expresses the intense emotional pain of longing and separation (kadhal viragam). The protagonist compares his internal suffering to surreal disruptions in nature—such as the soothing moon burning hot like the sun, a full river suddenly drying up, or expecting a fine painting only to encounter a heap of stones. The recurring imagery of the evening moon searching for a flower at the mountain foothills symbolizes a lover desperately seeking his beloved.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Muran (Contrast / Oxymoron)
“Paal nilavu sooriyan pol suttathenna niyaayam”
Contrasts the inherently cool milky moon ('paal nilavu') with the burning heat of the sun ('sooriyan') to emphasize the agony of heartbreak.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Paal nilavu sooriyan pol suttathenna niyaayam / ...vanthathintha kaayam / ...kaanjathenna maayam / ...penn paavam”
The lines end with rhyming phonetic sounds ('niyaayam', 'kaayam', 'maayam', 'paavam'), creating a rhythmic, poetic flow.
Metaphor (உருவகம்)
“Then malaiyai pol irunthaen thennilangai aanaen”
Compares the protagonist's prosperous, sweet past state to a mountain of honey ('then malai') and his ruined present state to the burnt city of Lanka ('thennilangai').
Hyperbole (உயர்வு நவிற்சி அணி)
“Sollil varum sogam gangai nadhi aagum”
Exaggerates the depth of grief by describing spoken sorrow as flowing perpetually like the vast Ganges river.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Unnai Vaazhthi Paadugiren' (1992) is a Tamil romantic drama starring Parthiban, Suman Ranganathan, and Mohini. The soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics written by renowned poet Na. Kamarasan. SPB and K.S. Chithra delivered memorable renditions across the film's soundtrack.
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