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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oru Maalai

From Ghajini · 2005

Lyricist
Thamarai
Singer
Karthik
Music director
Harris Jayaraj
Details
Ghajini2005

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
…………………………….Naana naana naana nananaa
Male
Naana naana naana nananaaNaana naana naana nananaa
Naana naana naana nananaaNaana naana naana nananaa
Naana naana naana nananaaHoo … oh … thuruthu … thuruthu … thururu
Hoo … oh … thuruthu … thuruthu … thururuOne evening, during the gentle twilight sunlight,
Male
{ Oru maalai elaveyil neramIn a beautiful autumn season of falling leaves,
Azhagana elai uthir kaalam } (2)I saw her face at a short distance away,
{ Satru tholaivilae avalmugam paarthenAnd I was the one who got lost right there.
Angae tholainthavan naanae } (2)Among the playful lies she showered, there were a few truths,
Male
Aval allivita poigal nadu naduvae konjam meigalI stood listening to her with a smile on the corner of my lips.
Ithazhoram siripodu ketukonde nindrenA moment when she stands and speaks is a sweet, sugary moment in my life,
Aval nindru pesum oru tharunam en vaazhvil sarkarai nimidamI discovered the magnetic force of attraction in her... I found it... I found it.
Eerkum visaiyai avalidam kandenae … kandenae … kandenaeOne evening, during the gentle twilight sunlight,
Male
Oru maalai elaveyil neramIn a beautiful autumn season of falling leaves,
Azhagana elai uthir kaalamI saw her face at a short distance away,
{ Satru tholaivilae avalmugam paarthenAnd I was the one who got lost right there.
Angae tholainthavan Naanae } (2)In just four days of getting acquainted,
Male
Paarthu pazhakiya naanku thinangalilShe completely changed my walk, my clothes, and my demeanor.
Nadai udai bhavanai maatri vittalFast food from the street corners,
Saalai munaikalil thuritha unavukalShe turned buying and eating it into a regular habit for me.
Vaangi unnum vaadikai kaati vittalIs she a shy, gentle breeze?
Koocham konda thendralaa...
Female
………………………Is she a bolt of lightning with a long life?
Male
Ival aayul neenda minnalaa...
Female
……………………….I transformed myself into the perfect man for you.
Male
Unaketra aanaga ennai maatri kondenaeOh... One evening, during the gentle twilight sunlight,
Male
Aw…oru maalai elaveyil neramIn a beautiful autumn season of falling leaves,
Azhagana elai uthir kaalamI saw her face at a short distance away,
{ Satru tholaivilae avalmugam paarthenAnd I was the one who got lost right there.
Angae tholainthavan Naanae } (2)Naana naana naana nananaa
Male
Naana naana naana nananaaNaana naana naana nananaa
Naana naana naana nananaaNaana naana naana nananaa
Naana naana naana nananaaTo listen to and admire her beauty when she speaks,
Male
Pesum azhakinai ketu rasithidaI spent the entire day.
Pagal neram mothamaai kazhithenaeTo gaze at and admire her beauty while she sleeps,
Thoongum azhaginai paarthu rasithidaI lay awake all night long.
Iravellam kanvizhithu kidapenaeIf you walk in the mist, your face descends upon me like water droplets.
Paniyil sendraal un mugam en melae neerai irankumOh... when she tilts her head and looks, I lose my balance completely.
Ooh… thalai saaithu paarthalae thadumari ponenaeLala laala lala lala laala
Male
Lala laala lala lala laalaOh …lala laala lala lala laala
Oh …lala laala lala lala laalaI saw her face at a short distance away,
Male
{ Satru tholaivilae avalmugam paarthenAnd I was the one who got lost right there.
Angae tholainthavan naanae } (2)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Oru Maalai' from Ghajini portrays a young man deeply captivated by a chance encounter with a captivating woman during a serene evening. He reflects on how rapidly she has swept into his life, completely altering his daily habits, style, food choices, and demeanor within just four days. She fills his world with joy, turning mundane moments into sweet memories. His adoration is so deep that he happily spends his days listening to her talk and his nights watching her sleep, thoroughly enchanted by her presence. Ultimately, the song captures the joyful, lighthearted, and transformative nature of falling in love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Aval nindru pesum oru tharunam en vaazhvil sarkarai nimidam

Compares a moment of her speaking to a 'sarkarai nimidam' (sugary/sweet moment), metaphorically emphasizing how delightful her conversation is.

Oxymoron / Metaphor

Ival aayul neenda minnalaa

Describing her as a 'long-lasting lightning bolt' combines lightning (inherently momentary) with longevity to highlight her striking yet enduring impact.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Paarthu pazhakiya naanku thinangalil

The repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Pa' in 'Paarthu' and 'Pazhakiya' creates a melodic cadence.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Pagal neram mothamaai kazhithenae / Iravellam kanvizhithu kidapenae

The matching verbal endings ('kazhithenae' / 'kidapenae') at the end of consecutive lines create poetic rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed with unknown details in the prompt context, 'Oru Maalai' was composed by Harris Jayaraj and rendered by singer Karthik. Written by lyricist Thamarai, the song became a massive chartbuster upon release in 2005. Karthik won the Tamil Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer for his soulful rendition, and the song remains one of the iconic romantic tracks in Tamil cinema history.

Keep listening

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