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Thanga Malar album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Thanga Malare Ullame

From Thanga Malar · 1969

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
T. G. Lingappa
Movie name
Thanga Malar
Movie release year
1969
Lyrics added on
7 Jul 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thanga malarae ullamae
Thadhumbhi odum vellamae
Thanga malarae ullamae
Thadhumbhi odum vellamae
Andhi pagalaai endhan manadhil
Arul vilangum deivamae
Thanga malarae ullamae
Thadhumbhi odum vellamae
Thookki veitha karanthanilae
Thaayai kandenae
Nee thulli vandhu kuthitha podhu
Seiyai kandenae
Soodi vaitha malargalil un
Karunai kandenae
Soodi vaitha malargalil un
Karunai kandenae
Ennai thotizhuthu anaitha podhu
Deivam kandenae
Thanga malarae ullamae
Thadhumbhi odum vellamae
Endha naattil ponni vellam perugi odumoo
Endha naattil gopurangal uyarndhu kaanumo
Andha naattil pirandhu vandha thalaivan allavaa
Andha naattil pirandhu vandha thalaivan allavaa
Ennai aala vandhu vaazha veitha iraivan allavaa
Thanga malarae ullamae
Thadhumbhi odum vellamae
Andhi pagalaai endhan manadhil
Arul vilangum deivamae
Hmm mm mm hmm mm mm…(2)
O golden flower of a heart,
O overflowing flood of love,
O golden flower of a heart,
O overflowing flood of love,
Day and night in my heart,
You are the divine presence shining with grace!
O golden flower of a heart,
O overflowing flood of love,
In the arms that lifted me,
I saw a mother.
When you came skipping playfully,
I saw a child.
In the flowers you wore,
I saw your grace.
In the flowers you wore,
I saw your grace.
When you drew me close and embraced me,
I saw God.
O golden flower of a heart,
O overflowing flood of love,
In the land where the Ponni (Cauvery) river overflows,
In the land where temple towers rise high,
Aren't you the beloved lord born in that land?
Aren't you the beloved lord born in that land?
Aren't you the god who came to guide me and bless my life?
O golden flower of a heart,
O overflowing flood of love,
Day and night in my heart,
You are the divine presence shining with grace!
Hmm mm mm, hmm mm mm…
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song expresses deep devotion, affection, and reverence towards a loved one elevated to a divine status. The singer sees various facets of divinity and purity in her beloved—finding motherly comfort in his protective embrace, playful child-like innocence in his joyful movements, and divine grace in his loving touch. The song praises his noble heritage from the fertile Tamil heartland where the river Cauvery flows and grand temple towers stand tall, honoring him as a leader and a lord who bestows meaning upon her life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor (உவமை/உருவகம்)

Thanga malarae ullamae / Thadhumbhi odum vellamae

Compares the beloved's heart to a golden flower (Thanga malar) and an overflowing flood of emotion (Thadhumbhi odum vellam).

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Thookki veitha karanthanilae / Thaayai kandenae

Rhyming of the second consonants ('ng' in Thanga and 'dh'/'dh' pattern across verses, or 'ookki' and 'ee' in stanza lines).

Anaphora / Repetition

Endha naattil ponni vellam... / Andha naattil pirandhu vandha...

Repeated structure 'Endha naattil... Andha naattil...' creating rhythmic emphasis on the glory of the land.

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Trivia

Composed by T. G. Lingappa with lyrics by Kaviarasu Kannadasan and rendered by P. Susheela, 'Thanga Malar' is renowned for its sweet melody, traditional Tamil imagery of the Chola region (Ponni river/Cauvery), and rich poetic devotion typical of late 1960s Tamil cinema.

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