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Mandhira Punnagai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Pavala Malligai

From Mandhira Punnagai · 1986

Lyricist
Na. Kamarasan
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Mandhira Punnagai
Movie release year
1986
Lyrics added on
30 Jan 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Pavala malligai
Ilaya kannigai
Paruva mangaiyin
Pudhiya punnagai
Ponn oonjal podum neram
Un paarvai pesum thaalam
Meen vizhi dhevadhai
Kannilae nilavu sindhudhae
Pavala malligai
Ilaya kannigai
Paruva mangaiyin
Pudhiya punnagai
Poovukku poovaalae
Melaadai yen
Poovukkul ullaadum
Naan unnum thaen
Megam moodum nilaavae
Maeni mel yeriyaadhae
Aasai ulloora oorum
Thaedi unnodu serum
That thagadha thatthadhaa
Pavala malligai
Ilaya kannigai
Paruva mangaiyin
Pudhiya punnagai
Ponn oonjal podum neram
Un paarvai pesum thaalam
Meen vizhi dhevadhai
Kannilae nilavu sindhudhae
Pavala malligai
Ilaya kannigai
Paruva mangaiyin
Pudhiya punnagai
Nee konjum aanandham
Thaen sindhum vaa
Neeraada ponaalum
Nee kooda vaa
Paavai un sevai thaevai
Serndhu naan paadum vaelai
Dhegam engindra medai
Mooda nee thaanae aadai
That thagadha thatthadhaa
Pavala malligai
Ilaya kannigai
Paruva mangaiyin
Pudhiya punnagai
Ponn oonjal podum neram
Un paarvai pesum thaalam
Meen vizhi dhevadhai
Kannilae nilavu sindhudhae
Pavala malligai
Ilaya kannigai
Female :Paruva mangaiyin
Pudhiya punnagai
A coral jasmine flower,
a youthful girl,
a blooming young woman's
fresh, lovely smile.
As a golden swing sways in this hour,
your glances speak to a rhythmic beat.
O angel with fish-shaped eyes,
moonlight spills from your eyes.
A coral jasmine flower,
a youthful girl,
a blooming young woman's
fresh, lovely smile.
Why does a flower need
a garment made of flowers?
Dancing gently within the blossom
is the sweet nectar for me to taste.
O moon veiled by clouds,
do not hide your beauty away.
Desire wells up deep within me,
seeking to unite with you.
Thath thakadha thaththathaa...
A coral jasmine flower,
a youthful girl,
a blooming young woman's
fresh, lovely smile.
As a golden swing sways in this hour,
your glances speak to a rhythmic beat.
O angel with fish-shaped eyes,
moonlight spills from your eyes.
A coral jasmine flower,
a youthful girl,
a blooming young woman's
fresh, lovely smile.
The delight of your sweet affection
overflows with honey, come!
Even when I go to bathe,
come along with me.
My lovely girl, I need your tender care,
as we sing together in harmony.
On this stage that is my body,
you are the garment that wraps around me.
Thath thakadha thaththathaa...
A coral jasmine flower,
a youthful girl,
a blooming young woman's
fresh, lovely smile.
As a golden swing sways in this hour,
your glances speak to a rhythmic beat.
O angel with fish-shaped eyes,
moonlight spills from your eyes.
A coral jasmine flower,
a youthful girl,
Female: A blooming young woman's
fresh, lovely smile.
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Female
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Female
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Female
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Female
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Female
Female
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Female
Male
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Male
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Pavala Malligai' from Mandhira Punnagai (1986) is a romantic duet expressing deep romantic intimacy and admiration. The singer praises the beauty of his beloved, comparing her maidenhood and fresh smile to delicate coral jasmines and calling her an angel with fish-like eyes whose gaze spills moonlight. The lyrics weave sensory images of sweet honey, soft garments, and rhythmic sway to convey romantic longing and emotional closeness between the lovers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvagam)

“Meen vizhi dhevadhai”

'Meen vizhi dhevadhai' compares the maiden's eyes to fish, symbolising beauty and sparkle without using explicit comparison words.

Metaphor

“Dhegam engindra medai”

'Dhegam engindra medai' metaphorically refers to the body as a stage for love and romance.

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

“Poovukku poovaalae / Poovukkul ullaadum”

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'Poovukku' and 'Poovukkul' creating internal rhythm in the line.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by prominent poet Na. Kamarajan, known for bringing modern free-verse poetics (Pudhikavithai) into Tamil film lyricism during the 1980s.

Keep listening

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