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Anu album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Santhana Kattinil Malligai

From Anu · 1982

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Anu
Movie release year
1982
Lyrics added on
6 Nov 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Santhana kaattinil malligai pooththathu
Mangala vaasangal
Saayangaalam pouranami nilavil
Sangathi pesungal
Santhana kaattinil malligai pooththathu
Mangala vaasangal
Saayangaalam pouranami nilavil
Sangathi pesungal
Aa…..aa….sangathi pesungal
Mayangum kangal Naalum saernthu
Kavithai ezhuthungal
Mayangum kangal Naalum saernthu
Kavithai ezhuthungal
Maari kaala meganthannil
Oorvalam sellungal
Maari kaala meganthannil
Oorvalam sellungal
Santhana kaattinil malligai pooththathu
Mangala vaasangal
Saayangaalam pouranami nilavil
Sangathi pesungal
Aa…..aa….sangathi pesungal
: Aalilai meedhu koyilai kandu
Aadi koodungal
Aalilai meedhu koyilai kandu
Aadi koodungal
Aasai ennum neela kadalin
Aazham paarungal
Paalil oorum kaniyai polae
Anbinil oorungal
Paalil oorum kaniyai polae
Anbinil oorungal
Paadhi kannil paarththu kondae
Vedham padiyungal
Santhana kaattinil malligai pooththathu
Mangala vaasangal
Saayangaalam pouranami nilavil
Sangathi pesungal
Aa…..aa….sangathi pesungal
Oradi munnum oradi pinnum
Kaaladi podungal
Oradi munnum oradi pinnum
Kaaladi podungal
Oonjal polae oruvar tholil
Oruvar aadungal
Aaradi koondhalai panjanaiyaakki
Aanantham kollungal
Aaradi koondhalai panjanaiyaakki
Aanantham kollungal
Aadhi kaala manitharai polae
Paashai pesungal
A jasmine bloomed in the sandalwood forest,
spreading auspicious scents.
In the evening, beneath the full moon light,
speak sweet words of love.
A jasmine bloomed in the sandalwood forest,
spreading auspicious scents.
In the evening, beneath the full moon light,
speak sweet words of love.
Ah... ah... speak sweet words of love.
Let your four entranced eyes meet,
and write a poem together.
Let your four entranced eyes meet,
and write a poem together.
Upon the clouds of the monsoon sky,
drift along in procession.
Upon the clouds of the monsoon sky,
drift along in procession.
A jasmine bloomed in the sandalwood forest,
spreading auspicious scents.
In the evening, beneath the full moon light,
speak sweet words of love.
Ah... ah... speak sweet words of love.
Seeing a temple upon a banyan leaf,
dance and come together.
Seeing a temple upon a banyan leaf,
dance and come together.
In the blue ocean called desire,
explore the deep waters.
Like fruit soaking in sweet milk,
soak yourselves in love.
Like fruit soaking in sweet milk,
soak yourselves in love.
Gazing softly with half-closed eyes,
learn the sacred ways of love.
A jasmine bloomed in the sandalwood forest,
spreading auspicious scents.
In the evening, beneath the full moon light,
speak sweet words of love.
Ah... ah... speak sweet words of love.
One step forward and one step back,
match your rhythmic footsteps.
One step forward and one step back,
match your rhythmic footsteps.
Like a swing upon each other's shoulders,
sway gently together.
Making six feet of long hair into a soft bed,
find pure joy together.
Making six feet of long hair into a soft bed,
find pure joy together.
Like the very first humans of ancient times,
speak the primal language of love.
Female
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This sensual and romantic Tamil song penned by legendary lyricist Kannadasan uses vivid nature metaphors to express the intimate union of two lovers. Set against a backdrop of sandalwood forests, blooming jasmine, and full moon nights, the song encourages the couple to immerse themselves fully in love, compare their bond to sacred traditions, and connect deeply without reservations.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

Paalil oorum kaniyai polae

Compares soaking in love to a sweet fruit absorbing milk using the word 'polae' (like).

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Aasai ennum neela kadalin

Directly compares desire to a vast blue sea ('Aasai ennum neela kadal').

Monai (Alliteration)

Oradi munnum oradi pinnum

Repetition of initial vowel/consonant sounds across consecutive lines ('Oradi', 'Oonjal', 'Aaradi', 'Aadhi').

Did you know?

Trivia

This romantic track is from the rare 1982 Tamil movie 'Anu', featuring poetic lyrics by Kaviarasu Kannadasan filled with classical imagery like banyan leaves (Aalilai) and Vedic metaphors adapted into romantic contexts.

Keep listening

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