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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thanga Malare Ullame

From Thanga Malar · 1969

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
T. G. Lingappa
Details
Thanga Malar1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thanga malarae ullamaeOh golden flower-like heart,
Thadhumbhi odum vellamaeOh overflowing flood of joy!
Thanga malarae ullamaeOh golden flower-like heart,
Thadhumbhi odum vellamaeOh overflowing flood of joy!
Andhi pagalaai endhan manadhilIn my mind day and night,
Arul vilangum deivamaeOh deity radiating divine grace!
Female
Thanga malarae ullamaeOh golden flower-like heart,
Thadhumbhi odum vellamaeOh overflowing flood of joy!
Female
Thookki veitha karanthanilaeIn the hands that lifted me up,
Thaayai kandenaeI saw a mother's affection.
Nee thulli vandhu kuthitha podhuWhen you leaped and bounded toward me,
Seiyai kandenaeI saw a child's innocent charm.
Female
Soodi vaitha malargalil unIn the flowers adorned on me,
Karunai kandenaeI saw your tender grace.
Soodi vaitha malargalil unIn the flowers adorned on me,
Karunai kandenaeI saw your tender grace.
Ennai thotizhuthu anaitha podhuWhen you pulled me near and embraced me,
Deivam kandenaeI saw God himself.
Female
Thanga malarae ullamaeOh golden flower-like heart,
Thadhumbhi odum vellamaeOh overflowing flood of joy!
Female
Endha naattil ponni vellam perugi odumooIn the land where the Cauvery river overflows with abundance,
Endha naattil gopurangal uyarndhu kaanumoIn the land where magnificent temple towers rise tall,
Andha naattil pirandhu vandha thalaivan allavaaIs he not the leader born in that majestic land?
Andha naattil pirandhu vandha thalaivan allavaaIs he not the leader born in that majestic land?
Ennai aala vandhu vaazha veitha iraivan allavaaIs he not the lord who came to govern and give me life?
Female
Thanga malarae ullamaeOh golden flower-like heart,
Thadhumbhi odum vellamaeOh overflowing flood of joy!
Andhi pagalaai endhan manadhilIn my mind day and night,
Arul vilangum deivamaeOh deity radiating divine grace!
Female
Hmm mm mm hmm mm mm…(2)Hmm mm mm hmm mm mm...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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